ESSENCE Poll: How Do You React to Stereotypes About Black Women?

Black women are angry. Black women all wear weaves. Black women have trust issues. Black women always have attitudes. We’ve heard it all. The topic of attitudes was drudged up again when New York hip-hop station Hot 97 asked their Twitter followers whether they thought Black women have an attitude problem. The tweet included a photo of First Lady Michelle Obama, The Root reports. The station, and specifically radio anchor Ebro, has come under fire for playing into a stereotype that quite frankly, is played out. Many are criticizing the station for not only bringing up an issue that has already been dissected, but for attaching the question to an image of the First Lady. This isn’t the only instance were Black women were accused of being angry or having attitudes. Amandla Stenberg’s recent criticism of Kylie Jenner was met with responses that have become the general public’s go-to. “Why is she so angry?” Stenberg rebutted the common remark with a tweet that simply stated, “End the “angry Black girl” narrative. It’s just another attempt to undermine certain perspectives. I have strong opinions. I am not angry.” Precisely. What do you do when facing stereotypes about yourself? Do you go out of your way to debunk them, go on about your business, or take the opportunity to hand out a lesson? Let us know how you respond below! [poll id=716126]