on the LEAUX.

one thing that i absolutely LOVE about being a woman is being told what i want. usually, it goes something like this:

“me: “i am not having any more children.”

them: “you just haven’t met the right man yet.”

me: discusses 10-year plan

them: “i didn’t hear anything about a man in your 10-year plan.”

me: “that’s because i didn’t mention one.”

them: blank stare gif

them: “i am going to pray that God sends you a man.”

me: face palm emoji

me: “PLEASE don’t.””

y’all. i know somebody out there will feel me when i say that i *clap* am *clap* sick *clap* of *clap* being *clap* told *clap* what *clap* i *clap* want *clap* PERIODT.

i’m just here to drop these few tidbits:

• listen to women.
• take a woman’s “no” as an answer. because it is a full answer.
• it is not every woman’s goal to get married and have children.
• women CAN be emotionally fulfilled without a spouse and/or without children.
• listen to women when we tell you that something is wrong.
• listen to BLACK women when we tell you that SOMETHING IS WRONG.
• ask women what we want instead of making assumptions.
• listen to BLACK GIRLS and women when we tell you somebody committed a crime against us.
• listen to women when we tell you what we do and don’t want.
• stay TF out of our love lives unless we volunteer that information.
• listen to women.
• stay TF out of our reproductive systems unless we volunteer that information.
• Listen To Women.
• stay TF out of our business unless we volunteer that information.
• LISTEN. TO. WOMEN.

for black girls and women, not being listened to is too often the difference between life and death. no exaggeration, no hyperbole. if you cannot (or will not) listen, then be quiet when we take our love, our lives, our coins, and ourselves away from you and on to someone who will.

❤️ lauren dee