Black women are on a whole other level. They've been through the fire, survived the storm, and come out stronger on the other side. So when folks try to demean them by calling them "girl," they're in for a rude awakening.
The word "girl/gurl" has become a signature and signifying way to acknowledge, uplift, and praise Black womanhood across the diaspora. However, this wasn't always the case. During Reconstruction, using "girl" to refer to Black women was a way to demean, devalue, and dehumanize us.
The word “girl” infantilizes Black women. The heavy historical baggage this seemingly innocent term carries cannot be overstated. And yet, when we fast forward to today, there's a positive power behind the word when Black women use it. When and how did we reclaim it?
The reclamation of "girl" began in Black communities in the 90s. Notably, the phrase "You go, girl" got its roots on the show Martin. It was a way to affirm, uplift, and empower the Black women on that show. From there, it spread into the community.
While it's cute and empowering to call someone "gurl,” let's not forget that true womanhood is where the magic happens – it's where strength meets grace, wisdom meets courage, and sass meets class. It's not just a word – it's a whole damn vibe.