By Kennadi Harris

I used to believe that being Black and proud or “down for the cause” required a few things: You had to go natural, live Erykah Badu lyrics, and not listen to “oversexualized” artists, such as Nicki Minaj or Rihanna. (Please forgive my past self. I love them now.)

Now, I know that there really is no requirement to love the skin you’re in. Whether you strut in kinky curls, a blowout, dreadlocks, or a weave, you matter and you are valid. If your jam is the latest Nicki, Riri, or Beyoncé joint; an old-school Erykah or Lauryn hit; or a mix of them all, that’s cool, too. Because truth is, they’re all just carefree Black girls preaching different sermons with the same message: We are here and cannot be silenced. We should love ourselves and not simply conform to what others think we should be.

We all have the right to be carefree.

The stereotypes that classify and segregate us have got. to. go. Who says the only “pro-Black” girls are the ones posting up on Tumblr in full afros and dashikis? Or that the “Instagram baddies” are only concerned with their looks?

Girl, bye. 

What I’m saying is, you don’t have to transform into Angela Davis to love the melanin God gave you. You don’t have to limit yourself to a certain beauty, hair, fashion, music (or whatever) lane to be “Black enough.” And even if you’re not necessarily down with another girl’s likes, we as a whole, should support and have respect for each other, regardless of our differences. Everyone brings a unique voice to this movement we have created, and when we all come together, that #BlackGirlMagic will be stronger than ever.

So, what does it really mean to be a carefree Black girl? It’s more than just what you wear or what you do. It’s loving yourself, unapologetically.

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