A YouTube user is receiving backlash for a video she posted expressing her disagreement with the carefree Black girl movement. The woman – who goes by Phil on Twitter – summed up her thoughts by saying it is dismissive of other Black women with stereotypical characteristics similar to the sapphire, the mammy and a “hood a– chick.”
“See, the way my depression and anxiety set up being carefree is literally impossible for me – and SO many other black girls,” she writes in her video summary. “In essence, the movement obviously means well, but unfortunately continues to exclude black girls who don’t represent a specific tax bracket, who aren’t of a certain skin tone, body size, hair texture/length, and/or physical ability. ”
She continues, “There are ways to take control of how we are portrayed in the media without dissociating from black girls who just so happen to match the characteristics of overused stereotypes.”
The movement the internet personality is referring to is one that is dedicated to celebrating Black girls and women who defy mainstream stereotypes about Black women. That means they do not conform to typical ideas of an overtly sexual Black woman or the angry Black woman.
In Phil’s video – which she prefaces by saying she is “most definitely tipsy” – she describes the carefree Black girl as one who is a “college educated, 3C natural [whose] hair blows in the wind every time I even think about picking up my phone.” She believes women who think this way disassociate themselves from other Black women to be different.
The video has stirred heavy reaction online. It has 643 dislikes compared to 264 likes, which Phil attributes to racists who have “subscribed to me just to dislike all of my videos in the future.”
Akilah Weeks commented that the video shows Phil doesn’t understand what the carefree Black girl movement is about.
“It can be anyone! A ghetto, scene, alternative, hood, trans, woke, college educated, disabled, artsy etc,” she says. “It just means that you are comfortable and confident with who you are! It’s easy to say any ‘trope’ of person is exclusionary.”
Another user said she disagrees with the declaration, too.
“I grew up impoverished! My mother credits me as her beacon of light,” wrote Char’nae. “Being carefree has nothing to do with how much you make whatsoever nor does it have to do with complexion! Being carefree is simply realizing being angry gets you nowhere!”
Still, some users support the vlogger’s arguments.
“I agree with a lot of what you are saying for sure! I still appreciate the sentiment of the carefree black girl movement,” wrote Asari Smith. “But you’re right it’s really stereotypical and exclusionary.”
