A Love Letter To Black Women

I first have to acknowledge the love, the powerful, unconditional love my mother as well as my two sisters provided me with, raised me with, instilled in me growing up on the west side of Rockford, Illinois.

Undoubtedly, this was my first experience, understanding of the power, the beauty, the unyielding love, care, and concern of Black women — which is the foundation of my love for all Black women.

Over the years I have met, loved, befriended Black women who came from the same experiences I have as a Black male; whose mothers, aunts, friends empowered them with the nurturing love of self I cherish in Black women. And, despite all of what they went through, despite what all Black women go through, endure, experience, you still remain the most powerful beings on this planet.

I will not overlook the tears you cry though. I will not overlook all of the pain you push through, all of the disappointments you experience, the doors being shut in your face, or the glass ceilings you have to break in order to see your dreams come true. I have been a constant witness to this through books, television shows, movies, or in my own communities and neighborhoods.

Black woman, you unfortunately are regularly a track star jumping over way too many hurdles to get where you need to be.

I was raised on the west side and south side of Rockford, Illinois with Black woman love. A love was filled with music, soul food, gatherings — as well as smiles from all of the women who have everything to do with who I, Christopher Donshale Sims, has become.

I would not trade it for anything in the world! When I appear on stage — especially before or after I recite my poem Sacred Woman — it is you I honor by sharing who raised me, cared for me, inspires me. I would be a fool if I did not say originally the poem was for my mother and my two sisters — three remarkable Black women.

This world continues to fail Black women is so many ways. This world, the United States especially, continues to harass, mistreat, misname Black women. With all of your natural beauty, your gentleness, your knowledge, your wisdom, the world continues to deny what you deserve or overlook who you really are.

This is toxic in every way! With the Black woman being the essence of we human beings, why must this continue? How can we work together to make sure this comes to an end?

I am always being respectful to Black women. I want my young nieces and girl cousins to see how I treat my mother, how I talk to my sisters, how I listen to my aunts. They deserve to see a man such as myself being respectful, admirable of Black women. If not, then they will grow up believing they should be mistreated or undermined.

This is not the path to preserving the power, the importance of Black women. We cannot erase the divinity of the Black woman. She reaches us, teaches us in ways no other woman can or will.

It has been a while I dove this deep for truths about Black women. I had not written a poem about your magic in a while. This is liberation for me. I hope it is liberation for you! If left only to my fingers, these words, then I will hold you up on the pedestal you deserve Black woman.

I will write about you until I can no longer describe you or dedicate to you. I hope young men coming up after me hold you higher than I can. I hope they are all loving their mothers, and sisters, and are respecting and protecting all of the Black women in their lives.

They need to know it is our mission. They need to know they need you as much as you need them. They, young Black men particularly, need to learn your stories, your progress, your blues, your pain, your triumphs, your successes, your joys.

We are your reflection Black woman. We should be able to look at you and see our reflection. We need to tap into the female energy within us to see you fully. I will, in the presence of young Black men, as well as Black men who are my age, treat you like you deserve to be treated.

In this month focused on Black history, our shared history, is evermore present we should highlight, honor you Black women. This month is an ideal time — all the time is an ideal time — that we should be singing your graces.

The universe would have it no other way! Your Blackness is the epitome of universal love, truth, knowledge, wisdom. I thank you for all of this! I would not be me without you.

Loving you is my pleasure Black woman.

You are love.

You are life.

You are everything.

Sincerely,

Christopher D. Sims