What Happens When Black Women "Hustle" Too Hard?

black woman looking stressed
Leslie Taylor-Grover
March 9, 2022

For Black women, the consequences of taking on extra work can be devastating. “Hustling” might seem NECESSARY just to get by, but if you “rise and grind” every day without rest, it could have serious impacts on your health!

Here’s what you’ve gotta look out for.

#1: Self-Blame

It’s easy to feel like you’re doing something wrong when you work 2-3 jobs and still can’t get ahead! The truth is, the system is the problem, NOT Black women. Just one example: in the 1930s, the New Deal promised good jobs with benefits – but Black women were purposely excluded. Today, Black women still only make about 60% of what white men do!

#2: Income isn’t enough

Hustling is about increasing income, but income itself isn’t the only element in creating wealth. Historically, discrimination against Black women in housing, education, and access to high-paying jobs, means that hustling still doesn’t address the real problem: racism.

#3: Burnout

The constant stress to perform puts Black women at risk for burnout, which is linked to premature aging, depression, and other serious ailments.

Hustling may feel like a good short-term solution, but the real issue is the racism that got things to this point in the first place! Racism is the culprit – and we have to change this system if we’re ever going to get what we deserve.

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