Defending Black Girlhood

Lilada does an outstanding job in Ground Zero not only conveying a part of the black girl/woman experience, but also offering wisdom as to how self-awareness, forgiveness, and understanding can begin the healing process for multiple generations. Strongly recommend this podcast for anyone wanting a deeper contextualization of issues affecting black girlhood in America.

I had to listen to episode 1 “ground zero” twice to let it all sink in. Lilada articulates the historical, epigenetic trauma that black girls and women all over the world carry with after centuries of abuse, rape, violence, subjugation, and disenfranchisement at the hands of men, and why it is so difficult to confront these deep scars. As a white man without any black girls in my family, her words hit me like a ton of bricks, and gave me a window of insight into a problem that I thought I knew something about, but learned that I know next to nothing. As a physician, the knowledge dropped on this podcast have helped me understand the emotional burden of many of my patients, and highlighted the fact that book knowledge can only teach you so much about the realities of your fellow human beings. Listen up White people! We have a burden of responsibility to hear these words and help create change. Lilada and her team have deep wisdom to share with you.

Lilada and her team give voice to Erika’s story and remind us all of the deep meaning of her life as well as our collective responsibility to defend black girlhood everywhere. During the dynamic interviews Lilada, meets every interviewee where they are and respectfully pushes them (and listeners) to re-examine how we show up for black girls and women in our lives. Lilada’s artwork, in all forms, offers healing, joy, voice, perspective and so for much for all involved. I don’t know about you, but I seriously need more of all of that in my life! Be well and be open to what changes are in store. ❤️☺️

If it had been a white family, they probably would have followed up. That’s it! And earlier on the social workers statement: “You know black men don’t care for their children…“ that subtly colors a judge’s court order. Add in the concern not to put a family into the system unnecessarily. Very nuanced stuff. To anyone considering whether or not to subscribe to this podcast: if you are white, subscribe. Don’t jump to episode five, it has all been well done, interesting, entertaining—in short, very worthwhile—from the beginning. But it has been a breakthrough for me in episode five.