I (Naika), one of the co-founders of QueensConnected, often wonder and worry (let's be honest) about my daughters' futures. I wonder what the world will look like when they are adolescents and adults. Will society embrace them for who they are? Will they feel like they can be their authentic selves?
I honestly have no clue but if history is any indication, they will have to forge their own path, speak loudly to be heard, and be able to stand on their own feet. I want my daughters to be confident, self-assured, and unashamed of who they are. I want them to embrace their body, their mind, all of themselves as early as possible.
My mother was a strong black woman who taught me to stand up for myself and to be confident but there were so many unspoken things in my home growing up. We didn't discuss sex, sexuality, identity and so many other topics. It took me many years to piece my identity and define my sexuality. I realized in my thirties that many of my friends of color have similar stories. QueensConnected and the UsNow Conference were birthed on the realization that women of color need to be heard more in our community. The goal of the conference is to have conversations in a safe atmosphere to discuss sex, sexuality, and personally explore what society might define us to be vs. who we are or want to be.
I don't know what the future holds for my daughters but I vow to have ongoing, age appropriate conversations about themselves starting now, so they can hopefully be whatever they choose to be as confident women of color.
Comments