#HowItFeelsToBeABlackGirl Can't be angry bur must defend Our people. Can't be sad but must deal with constant sexism AND racism quietly... June 21, 2015

#HowItFeelsToBeABlackGirl Being treated unfairy as if you are more violent/unstable bc you get angry. June 20, 2015

#HowItFeelsToBeABlackGirl It's not easy we gotta work 2 times as hard because we're black and women but we somehow make it look like magic June 21, 2015

#HowItFeelsToBeABlackGirl made to feel like your strength or attitude is a bad thing and like your men don't want u June 21, 2015

#HowItFeelsToBeABlackGirl when u have beautiful 🍫 skin but u ugly BC u that dark. June 21, 2015

I love being a black girl. I love my kinky hair! I love being able to sit in the sun for hours! I love being A GOD #HowItFeelsToBeABlackGirl June 21, 2015

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The Twitter hashtag #HowItFeelsToBeABlackGirl, created by Jada Mosley , garnered over 21,000 tweets on its first day, and its still going. Mosely's vision for the hashtag came after she viewed a documentary on LGBTQ individuals for a college psychology course. The conversation manifested into a space for Black women and girls to discuss how we grapple with the complexities of our lives and navigate the impacts of current events—such as the tragedy and senseless loss of life in Charleston; the continuous acts of interpersonal and institutional violence perpetrated against black women; and the time we spent as community watching the unraveling of Rachel Dolezal's co-opting and appropriation of black women and culture.#HowItFeelsToBeABlackGirl became an online empowerment space—utilizing video, memes, and heartfelt words for and by us. Through #HowItFeelsToBeABlackGirl, we could vent and express ourselves honestly about the stereotypes and “-isms” projected onto us via white supremacy and an uninformed sense of black consciousness. Through the hashtag, our tweets on sass, boldness, hurts, hopes, and humor were all welcome.The hashtag pointed to the truths experienced by black women. They ranged from taunts over skin tone (being considered too fair or too dark), to the complexity of love and interpersonal relationships with black men. The tweets showed a definitive disconnect between black women and men on an intrinsic level. The discord had some sisters feeling as if they are not respected, protected, or wanted by our brothers. The rejection many black women face by being passed over for white, Asian, and Latina women leaves sisters, wondering where the black man’s love is for his mother and sisters.The tweets showed a need for black men, white people, and and other people of color to better understand who we, as black women, are. They show how often black women have to summon grace as we encounter sexism, racism, ageism, and homophobia in our daily affairs. Society and media see us as less than, doing the most to try and destroy our warrior energy and spiritual reserves. They fear us most of all.Thus, our collective stories and concerns, shared through bite sized 140 character chunks, broke down the dynamics of black women’s everyday lived experiences. Below are ten tweets that sum up the complex beauty and struggle of #HowItFeelsToBeABlackGirl for the rest of the world.#HowItFeelsToBeABlackGirl is an ongoing exercise in speaking up and out as Black women. We must be responsible for finding and implementing solutions that aid in our well-being. Sisters are doing it for ourselves. Thank you to Jada Mosley for bringing new energy. And we need to keep the momentum moving. Let others know: #HowItFeelsToBeABlackGirl.