Are Black Women Invisible Or Do We Just Feel That Way?

The Invisible Black Woman?

Earlier today I was browsing blogs and websites as usual when I came across this article about how black women are invisible. When I finally arrived home from work I searched for the article again. The article, which is written by Britni Danielle, goes from how black women feel invisible to how scientific facts have proven that we really are invisible to the world.

Apparently there was a scientific study done to see if people would recognize the faces of black people more than others in a series of photos.The participants picked out all faces except the black women.You may be wondering how is it possible that black women would go unnoticed. After all, we're discussed in the media every 5 seconds.

Oprah (and her billion dollar life) makes the news every couple of weeks. That woman cannot stop coming up with new goals to achieve. Michelle Obama is constantly in the news for positive issues, but as the first African American wife of a president she has no choice but to be. Over the last couple of weeks Beyonce has taken over every newspaper,  magazine, and news station you could think of. Let's not forget about Rihanna. One minute she wants people to think she's a strong black woman (which she is) and the next minute she wants the world to cry for her because of the abuse she suffered at the hands of Chris Brown. All of these women make powerful statements to the world every single day, but they are only part of the few black women you hear about in mainstream media.

The Invisibility Of Black Women From Lashuntrice's Point Of View

As hard as it is to admit black women are invisible. A loud as we can be, as much as our different types of skin color and hair textures stand out, and as much as fight to stand out, we're missing in action in places where we should be standing out most. Peep the places below:

Hip Hop Music Videos- Years ago black women were in every music video thinkable. It ranged from the darkest of skin colors to the lightest. Then slowly the skin colors switched to non-black women. Now rappers aren't afraid to voice their dislike of black women. What happened?

News-- Well, since we (people around my age) were kids, the faces have become a little darker, but only a little. Black women have never been highly recognized in the media. In fact the leader of black media women is Soledad O'Brien, a mixed woman. 

Television-- There hasn't been a big representation of black women on television since Girlfriends, which was a show that you didn't need cable to watch. 

Fashion-- There's a nude color  in clothing and underwear, except the nude color caters to white women. 

The Real World- From the moment I was born to college times black women were the majority everywhere. Where are they now? Well, I run into a few every now and then, but not enough. 

The only time black women aren't invisible is when something negative happens. For example the only reason Rihanna is in the media at the moment is because she shot a man in her music video. Apparently its detrimental to society when a black woman portrays a killer in a music video. In the last couple of weeks the only reason black women have made mainstream media is because Dr. Satashi Kanazawa, an unattractive Asian man, called us the ugliest race of women on earth. A lot of black women rallied and was able to get him fired from his position at a school in London. But why are we all of a sudden heard when some man that's a non motherfuckin factor (shout out to Evelyn) says something offense?

I have to admit I've felt invisible a lot and a lot of my life has been spent around people with my skin color. From trying to figure out my talents to getting people to notice my skills, it's been a challenge. Even speaking up has been the hardest thing ever. Trust me, I talk a lot when people listen. However, those closest to me love to say I'm the quietest thing on earth. In fact ask them what is my style of writing or what I love to talk about and they will have no clue. Why is that?

Truthfully people notice us. They talk about our hairstyles, our marriages or lack thereof, our religion, our success stories (when they do happen), our alternative lifestyles (becoming video vixens, getting arrested, dealing with abuse, abusing (verbally and physically), and occasionally our success stories (as mentioned above). 

So do you think black women are invisible or is it all in our heads?