Carefree Black Girls Explained

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]

Reception

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]

Criticism

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]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: The Struggle To Be A Carefree Black Girl. Jones. Deja. 2 April 2015. Madame Noire. 30 August 2016.
  2. Mooney, Heather. "Sad Girls and Carefree Black Girls: Affect, Race,(Dis) Possession, and Protest." WSQ: Women's Studies Quarterly 46.3 (2018): 175-194.
  3. News: Beyond the Black Girl Nerds Hashtag. Bustos. Kristina. 10 March 2015. Riveter. 29 August 2016.
  4. News: Sharp. Diamond. Why Carefree Black Girls Are Here to Stay. 29 August 2016. The Root. August 9, 2014.
  5. News: Johns. Jamala. Carefree Black Girls - Solange, Janelle Monae. 29 August 2016. Refinery29. January 30, 2014.
  6. News: Coker. Hillary Crosley. So, What's This 'Carefree Black Girl' Thing All About?. 3 September 2016. Jezebel. January 31, 2014.
  7. News: On Carefree Black Boys. https://web.archive.org/web/20160928163824/http://www.mtv.com/news/2936762/on-carefree-black-boys/. dead. September 28, 2016. St. FĂ©lix. Doreen. September 27, 2016. MTV News. 2017-05-28. en.
  8. News: Blay. Zeba. How Boys Like Jaden Smith Are Redefining Black Masculinity. 29 August 2016. The Huffington Post. 5 June 2015.
  9. News:
    1. CarefreeBlackKids2k16 offers comfort in wake of U.S. shootings
    . 3 September 2016. CBC News. July 9, 2016.
  10. News: Mangum. Trey.
    1. CarefreeBlackKids2k16 is the bright light we needed after this troubling week -
    . 3 September 2016. Blavity. 8 July 2016.
  11. News: This Youtuber Says She's Not Here For The 'Carefree Black Girl' Movement. BCB Team. 14 June 2016. Beyond Classically Beautiful. 29 August 2016.
  12. News: Why I'm Over the 'Carefree Black Girl' Label. Shamira. Ibrahim. March 11, 2016. The Root. September 3, 2016.