An Ode To Black Women

“Some hardcore h*s…  That’s some nappy-headed h*s” – Infamous words spoken by Don Imus as he discussed Rutgers women’s college basketball team post the NCAA tournament in 2007 versus Tennessee. Words uttered that are still a chilling reminder of the undeniable racism and sexism that were and still are ever present in women’s sports. From being called “jigaboos” (a historically racist and contemptuous term directed towards Black people) by Imus, to being compared to men by the other commentators, the hateful words about the Rutgers women’s basketball team spewed out like lava and ash from an erupting volcano – incautious and destructive. Words Matter. Words Wound. I was 17 years old when I first heard the harmful narrative spoken by Imus and his company. As a young Black girl and high school basketball player at the time, I was crushed by these words … crushed like a ton of bricks slowly being piled on top of me, one by one. The words played over and over in my head. Thinking back, ...