When Chickenheads Come Home to Roost: A Hip-Hop Feminist Breaks It Down by Joan Morgan

I forgot about this book until I quoted it to a friend. I said to her “we all want to be a chickenhead”. I decided to revisit the book by listening to the audiobook on Hoopla.

John Barton said “You can never step into the same book twice because you are different each time you read it.” He was so right.

Revisiting this book was eye-opening. I realized never sought out to be a “strong black woman”, it is a label that someone in society decided to give me. It is all based on how they see me and my life.

Joan, the author, talks about the “strong black woman” throughout the book. I did not remember this from my first read.

Maybe I didn’t remember it because I didn’t identify as a “strong black woman”. Maybe I didn’t know that it was a category of women that existed and I would unknowingly join.

Fast forward to today, I am very familiar with people telling me that I am a “strong black woman”. It’s kind of a double-sided compliment if you ask me. Being a “strong black woman” is sometimes celebrated and often seen as negative. It is a label I can live without.

My mom and dad raised me to be me. They raised me to work hard, treat people well and never stop learning. This took me on a journey that led to academic and professional success.

I understand that I am strong, Black, and a woman.

At the end of the day, I know I am Monique Harps and it is more than enough.

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Book #03 of 30 (Audiobook)
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