Let Her Be Magical

• In Event: Developing Carefree Black Girls in a Restrictive World

Abstract

Octavia Butler, Toni Morrison and Zora Neale Hurston introduced the world to some of the most profound narratives that depicted diverse, complex magical Black women. There books give us access to Black women that we can relate to and push us to imagine who we can be. Social media have provided everyday Black women and girls with a platform to do the same and to redefine Black womanhood on their own terms. Even within the Black community, care-free Black girls are not always embraced and accepted. In fact, are often more vulnerable to being policed and punished for being “too loud” and “too proud”. We will use popular culture to analyze the scrutinizing of Black girls that unapologetically embrace their identity. Thru a Black feminist lens we will reflect on the impact of old and new mediums on the creation of the care-free Black girl movement, and the implications it has on their positive development.

Authors

• Aja Reynolds, University of Illinois at Chicago

• Stephanie Hicks, University of Illinois at Chicago