According to organizers, A Day Without a Woman is a day that highlights the value and contribution of women and their economic power. For weeks, women have been urged to stay home, out of work, school, and other places to address social and economic injustices.
However, the Day doesn’t come without its controversies, as some black women see it as an effort that benefits somebody else. Or is it a day that all women can learn from? Some black women have told me that they do not have the time, luxury, or job security to take a day off work or feel the need to demonstrate their allegiance to the cause.
There are also cultural sensitivities that this movement cannot address when it comes to the unique concerns of black women. Or can it?
Read on to see why some black women are opting out of A Day Without a Woman.
Neoshi Green-Kebreau, a business owner, believes it hurts more rather than helps:
I am a 34-year-old black woman who will NOT be participating in the March 8th Day Without Women….I’m a business owner, so obviously participating will not benefit me in any way. Besides, the fact that I despise to even mention the name of #45 aka the 45th president, I don’t really see how this would change much for me as a black woman. To put it this way, I think that this is a fight that primarily benefits white women in the area where their white privilege falls short. Now what I would love to see is A Day Without Blacks! YAAASSS that would be monumental. If that happens then you can most definitely count me in!
Chantay Bridges, a real estate professional, says she has doubts about the real motives of the Day:
“…this event addresses the agenda of the feminist movement disguised as working for the goals of us all,” she says, via email. Instead, Bridges will be doing something else on this Day. “Working. Working to make my life and the life of my family better,” she says.
Whether you are participating in this day or not, stay safe and support the choices of all women. Isha from Atlanta feels that A Day Without a Woman means that women should focus on other priorities on this Day:
“Protest does not address a key issue that women need to resolve and that is the FREEDOM to choose. When you have the financial wherewithal to make life decisions, you can invest in causes that are unique to you or to a community. I would rather women spend a day empowering other women with jobs, resources, opportunity, investment, etc. (anything that removes obstacles) than to spend time petitioning men to be sensitive to our needs or be mindful of our capabilities.
Two things that speak loudly: money and success. Men will listen when women lead.”
To learn more about A Day Without a Woman, please go here.
Maryann Reid is the digital managing editor of BlackEnterprise.com and the author of several books published by St. Martin’s Press. For more, please follow her @RealAlphanista.