The #ComplimentABlackWoman Challenge
The #ComplimentABlackWoman Challenge for Black History Month is in full swing on social media. For the entire 29 days of February or some portion thereof, participants pledge to compliment a Black woman with their words, money (by purchasing from a Black woman-owned business or donating to a cause focused on Black women), or time (by offering their time or services for free). It’s free and fun.
In a world where headlines often leave us oscillating between disbelief and dismay, a recent segment from Fox News left me speechless this week.
The assertion? That Black Americans' love for sneakers is a pivotal factor in our political allegiance. Yes, you read that right. We based our political decisions on sneakers.
For context, last weekend, former President Trump made a surprise appearance at Sneaker Con in Philadelphia, where he unveiled, among other things, his gold “Never Surrender” high-top sneaker selling for $399.
The shoes sold out quickly, and Fox News pundit Raymond Arroyo not only suggested that Black people bought these sneakers in mass but also that Black voters would leave the Democratic party because we love sneakers. I’m not joking. Here’s the quote:
This is connecting with Black America because they love sneakers!…They’re into sneakers… this is a big deal, certainly in the inner city. So when you have Trump roll out his sneaker line, they’re like, ‘Wait a minute, this is cool!’
When asked if the sneaker purchases would lead to more Black Americans voting for Trump, Arroyo also said this,
Anybody willing to put 400 bucks down for a pair of sneakers? Yeah, I think that’s commitment and love. It’s something, it’s affection on some level. I don’t think this is just for collectors. It’s for people who want Donald Trump-brand sneakers that, again, he’s connecting on a different level.
Arroyo said all of this without presenting any facts about the demographics of the sneaker purchasers or any information from the Trump camp indicating that this move was anything more than a way to raise money to pay his legal judgments. Apparently, Arroyo is just an expert on things that Black people like, and he wanted to share that expertise.
Arroyo isn’t the first pundit to trot out uninformed and racist stereotypes. So, I wasn’t shocked by his statements. What surprised me was the way he said these things.
He appeared to genuinely believe that Trump’s move was some sort of cultural bridge for the Black community. He seemed excited by Trump’s move and seemed to truly believe that Black people would respond favorably.
His excitement gave me the familiar feeling of confusion when things like this happen. Are we living in the same universe? On the same planet? In the same year and country?
It also left me feeling sad, exhausted and disrespected. The notion that my community's political decisions could be swayed by merchandise underestimates the depth, diversity, intelligence, and discernment of Black Americans. To suggest that our voices and our votes are for sale is not just oversimplification; it's racist.
I’m tired of being disrespected and dehumanized in public. I’m tired of that dehumanization making national headlines without spurring real change. And when you add that undercurrent of dehumanization in with all of the other struggles of the oppressed around the world, I can start to lose hope. I’m sure other Black people feel the same way, too.
Because of this, I want to leave a note of encouragement to my beautiful, brilliant community on this last Friday of Black History Month:
Dear Community,
As we move forward, let's carry the unshakeable belief in our worth and the tender self-compassion we need to care for ourselves because our path is not easy. Remember that our choices are rooted in a rich history of resilience, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to progress. Our ancestors’ stories and histories live in us and will continue pushing us forward even when we feel like we can’t take another step. As the great ML reminded us, “[t]he arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” Change takes a long time, but the work of change is worth it because we deserve it. I love you.
Happy Black History Month.
Toya