Carefree Black Girls is a cultural concept and movement that aims to increase the breadth of "alternative" representations of black women.[1] [2] The origins of this expression can be traced to both Twitter and Tumblr.[3] Zeba Blay was reportedly the first person to use the expression as a hashtag on Twitter in May 2013. Danielle Hawkins soon launched a blog on Tumblr by the same name. In her article for The Root, Diamond Sharp describes "carefree black girls" as an idea that, "[black women] have used to anchor expressions of individuality and whimsy in the face of the heavy stereotypes and painful realities that too often color discussions of their demographic."[4] At Refinery29, Jamala Johns said it was "a way to celebrate all things joyous and eclectic among brown ladies. Cultivated online and driven by social media, it's one telling piece of a much wider development of inspiration assembled by and for black women."[5] Hillary Crosley Coker, a reporter for Jezebel provides specific examples of notable black women embodying the concept. She claims that, "ladies like Chiara de Blasio (with her hippie flower headband), Solange [Knowles] and her eclectic style and Janelle Monae's futurism are their patron saints".[6]
The "carefree black girl" movement has prompted the development of related concepts and efforts such as "carefree black boys," a term also dubbed by Blay.[7] [8] Another concept that emerged was "carefree black kids" via the hashtag from Another Round host and Late Night with Stephen Colbert writer Heben Nigatu (#carefreeblackkids2k16).[9] In July 2016, Blavity called the photos and videos posted with Nigatu's hashtag "the bright light we needed after this troubling week," which was marked by the state-sponsored killings of Alton Sterling and Philandro Castile.[10]
As the "carefree black girl" concept gained favorable recognition, it has also faced criticism.[11] Shamira Ibrahim, reporter for The Root compares the emergence of the "carefree black girl" concept to "black girl magic," critiquing the term's usage as "a catch-all term that seems to run counter to the reality of being a black woman not just in America but in much of the world."[12]