René Syler
23h ·Look at her face.
This is Major General Lorna M. Mahlock, USMC, the first Black woman in Marine Corps history to reach general officer rank. A trailblazer, a warrior, a woman who’s earned every credential, medal, and command in her story.
And yet here she sits , stoic, silent , as the President of the United States rambled on about “the two N-words.” Unless you are ignorant or ignoring you know what he meant. My heart breaks into a million pieces, because I know what it is to sit in those spaces. To swallow the insult while others chuckle, deflect, or excuse it away as “just a joke.” I also know many a truth is said in jest.
Every accomplished Black person knows this feeling. To hold yourself still, steady, stone-faced knowing that even your position cannot save you. You can rise to the very top, be twice as good and then some, and still be subjected to this.
And for Black women, the intersectionality makes us very easy targets. Our existence alone draws ire. That’s why we tell our daughters the same thing our mothers told us: you will have to be twice as good, work twice as hard, carry yourself twice as steady and you will STILL be questioned, usually by people far less qualified than you, about whether you belong.
Yet, like Major General Mahlock, we carry on. Stoic not because we are unbothered, but because dignity is its own weapon. Because we refuse to let hate dictate how high we hold our heads.
Like Major General, I know my worth; I'll bet you do too. For those who don’t, that’s their problem, not mine.
But just so you know, we know. We see you. We see the games you play and why.
And it won’t stop us. It didn’t then, and it won’t now.
Book recommendation in the comments.
