Watch Your Feet
“Always remember that when you are a black girl, every day that you exist in your body without apologizing is activism.” – Raven Taylor
To my care-free, plus size black girls and the rest of the sisterhood:
You are magic. You are light. You matter. You are worth far more than rubies and diamonds and your smile radiates brighter than the sun.
The way you walk makes hearts stop. The way you laugh effortlessly and with the force of your entire body makes people envious of the joy that lies inside you. The way that you love yourself even on those days that you might not like yourself. The way that you exist blows minds.
I know it wasn’t easy getting to this point. I know you didn’t always love yourself. I know the hours you spent in the mirror dissecting every inch of you that was imperfect. I know the world doesn’t always make it easy for you to exist. To be woman and black. To be womyn and beautiful. I know this because I am you.
I am that little girl from the age of 8 who was constantly on a diet. I am that girl who spent Orientation Week of college trapped in front of the mirror instead of making new friends. I am the girl who constantly worries if her body speaks for her before she can utter a word. Yes, I am that girl, but I am also womyn. As are you.
We are womyn who don’t take “no” for an answer. We are womyn who say #effyourbeautystandards. We are womyn who are ratchet and divine. Educated in ebonics and economics. We are womyn hear us roar.
We will never let anyone dim our light. We will never be afraid to take up space. We will never be afraid to “step on” people’s toes because we will ask ourselves why their toes were there in the first place.
This world is ours as it is anyone else’s and we will no longer be cast aside. We will take the seat at the table that is rightfully ours and we will not apologize. We exist and you will acknowledge our presence.
Kalen Cobb: Born and raised in metro Detroit, Kalen is an outstanding student, intellectual and fighting woman of the sisterhood. Currently working toward her bachelor's of science in Psychology with a minor in Global Health and Health Policy at Harvard University. Kalen firmly believes in the inherent value of bodies and works to inspire others (and herself) to fully reclaim that space by finding peace within it.
Instagram: @soul_besos