There’s something curious that happens to Black girls on their way to puberty: We disappear into an imaginary telephone booth and emerge as miniature superheroes. Hit by a speeding bullet of outside forces—race-based sexism and society’s impossible expectations—former civilians begin to take cover behind an ancient mask of impenetrability. Out secret identity—sweet, innocent, approachable—becomes just that, a secret. It’s the identity we share with only a trusted few, the small circle we’ve vetted and deemed worthy.
Helena Andrews, “Reserve”, from Black Cool, ed. Rebecca Walker
Enjoying the book thus far - so far I’m partial to Mat Johnson’s discussion of the Black geek and cool, and dream hampton’s contribution bowled me over the the best way. Andrews’ essay is on the masking black women do in order to function socially, how said masking is perceived as cool to the outside observer, and how the masking can function as a survival mechanism and yet harm the individual (whose personhood is diminished by constant performance)… all good points.
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