Sistahs are Doing it for Themselves: Equality and The Independent Black Woman

The first time I heard rapper Lil Webbie’s “Independent” I thought that it was an uplifting song for Black women—a group that is normally degraded in rap music.

However, I was seriously disappointed after listening to the words. In the song, Lil Webbie points out that he loves an educated woman with a house and a job. Lil Boosie goes on to say, “I got an independent woman on my mind—that spoils me.” Shouldn’t a man make his own money instead of depending on a woman? How far have women really come in the gender equality struggle?

It's 2008 and even the independent woman continues to be oppressed—used for her beauty as well as her wealth. A number of women let their unemployed boyfriends move-in with them. Some of these women find themselves constantly catering to their partners.

In other words, independent women are allowing themselves to be abused and pushed to the side.

This is not a purely recent occurrence.

Throughout history Black women have been an integral part of a number of social movements and organizations. Many women financially and emotionally supported the Civil Rights Movement and the Black Panther Party. Still, these brave souls had to take a backseat to the men in their organizations.

There are also economic disparities between men and women.The independent woman must deal with the continuous struggle for gender equality, as well as economic equality.

Today, women make 75 cents for every dollar that a man makes. Although this is an increase from previous years, we still have a long way to go.

Independent women deserve men that don’t sit around waiting for a woman to take care of them. A real man should respect a self-sufficient woman and not take advantage of her kindness.

Yes, “she got her own house and she drive her own whip” and one day she may even get paid the same amount as a man, but she is not here to spoil a man.

Keep up the hard work ladies!