BLACK WOMEN ARE THE PILLARS OF OUR FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES AND CITIES

Black women are the pillar of our families, communities, and cities. There are currently 7 black women mayors in major cities across the United States. These black women mayors are exemplifying strength, power, and courage. Especially with the current climate of America as blacks continue mourning systemic racism, police brutality, excessive force, inequality, injustice, murder, oppression, and the blatant disregard for black lives. These 7 black women mayors are not afraid to speak out and speak up on these matters. The mayors have displayed their solidarity by being visible and taking a stance on the ways blacks are being treated inhumanely.

Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms Photo Credit: GeorgiaTrend.com

In response to George Floyd’s murder Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms of Atlanta, Georgia stated “When I saw the murder of George Floyd, I hurt like a mother would hurt.” Mayor Bottoms encouraged peaceful protests and showing up at the polls to vote as a means of invoking change instead of looting, rioting, and vandalizing. In burning down the city of Atlanta they are burning down the black community.

Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms stated that the death of Ahmaud Arbery was a lynching which was tragic and heartbreaking. Mayor Bottoms is a mother of 3 beautiful black sons and 1 beautiful black daughter. Ahmaud was murdered while jogging in Brunswick GA on February 23rd. Mayor Bottoms is hoping that justice will be served for Ahmaud, a son, a brother, and a friend. Unfortunately, Mayor Bottoms is cognizant that this is a harsh reality that many people across the country face each time they send their children out of the door.

Mayor Bottoms also spoke out regarding her concerns when Governor Kemp decided to reopen many businesses (some of which were barbershops and hair salons) in Georgia on April 24 amid the Coronavirus Crisis. The reopening went against many public health experts’ recommendations. Up to 80% of the people in the state of GA who have been hospitalized are of African Americans. Without a doubt, the disease is disproportionately impacting the black community in the United States and Atlanta (a large urban city).

Mayor London Breed Photo Credit: KALW.org

Mayor London Breed of San Francisco California lost a family member to police violence and has vowed to kneel in solidarity with the black community, including the Black Lives Matter movement. Mayor Lori Lightfoot of Chicago Illinois has been a target of blatant racism over the course of her life and vows to reform the Chicago Police department. Mayor Lightfoot stated, “Being Black in America should not be a death sentence.” Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington D.C. is speaking out against violence and oppression toward Black Americans. She’s pledged to continue protecting the 1st amendment rights of D.C. protestors despite actions by the federal government.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot Photo Credit: Upswell.org

Mayor Muriel Bowser Photo Credit: Stylemagazine.com

Mayor Latoya Cantrell of New Orleans Louisiana serves as the 1st black woman mayor and stated she is “very much tired of this happening over and over and over again in the black community, to black people, in particular black men.” Mayor Vi Lyles of Charlotte North Carolina has promised to be a conscious listener as her community mourns and speaks out against police brutality, inhumanity, and racism. Mayor Sharon Weston Broome of Baton Rouge Louisiana highlighted the action she plans to undergo with the Baton Rouge police department to increase training for the officers and to decrease the use of excessive force.

Mayor Latoya Cantrell Photo Credit: Nola.com

These black women mayors are a prime example of how we are the pillars of our families, communities, and cities. As black women, we are powerful, full of strength, and courageous. Although we may not be equipped with all the tools and resources to fight the injustices we are currently experiencing we will continue to be our ancestors’ wildest dreams every day and in every way. As black women, we will not be silenced. We will continue to heal. We will continue to lead. We are who we’ve been waiting on!

Mayor Sharon Weston Broome Photo Credit: Brproud.com