Stay Connected
Atlanta Black Star/Culture
CultureEntertainment

Erica Garner Said She Had to be ‘Belligerent to be Heard’ at ABC’s Town Hall, Prompts #LoudBlackGirl Hashtag

Posted byBy Kiersten Willis | Published on: CommentsComments (0)

erica garner

Erica Garner’s statement that Black people “have to yell and become belligerent to have our voices heard” has spurred a noteworthy hashtag. #LoudBlackGirl was launched by Feminista Jones, who was inspired in part by Garner’s remarks at Thursday night’s town hall meeting with President Barack Obama.

https://twitter.com/FeministaJones/status/753881301443289088

At the ABC-hosted meeting, Garner hollered at producers before storming out. She later revealed on Instagram the network did not give her the chance to ask about the federal investigation into her father Eric’s death. Garner was able to speak with the president after the meeting, according to her Instagram page.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BH235Cehj-8/

In response, Jones, a social working activist, shared a long series of tweets in which she gave examples of why Black women should feel empowered to use their voice.

She pointed to Maya Angelou, who used her writing to be a loud black girl.

https://twitter.com/FeministaJones/status/753881493475319808

And noted the negative media portrayals and societal stress that stops Black women from speaking up.

https://twitter.com/FeministaJones/status/753883688123990016

After posting many more examples, Jones encouraged followers to share how they “found their individual voice.” Then she shared a set of old tweets containing the hashtag that bashed Black women.

https://twitter.com/FeministaJones/status/753890390189694976

Many stood up to the plate to reclaim #LoudBlackGirls.

A user by the name of Sleep Evaded vowed not to stifle her voice just so she won’t be labeled as an “angry Black woman.”

J.Nicole had similar remarks, saying stereotypes won’t get in the way of “getting my point across.”

https://twitter.com/urbanexpressive/status/753936720597516289

Jazmin realized she needed to stop dismissing her sister’s emotions.

@Steph_I_Will credited her son for helping her find her voice. It ultimately led her to start a podcast.

Jazerai Allen-Lord, a footwear editor and commentator, said for years people have told her she was too talkative. Now she makes a living by doing so.

Nyasha Junior pointed out #LoudBlackGirls was not just about vocalizing feelings but Black women’s appearances, too.

https://twitter.com/NyashaJunior/status/753965206858977281

Still independent.

We hope this story was worth your time. For over 14 years, Atlanta Black Star has stayed Black-owned and independently run. We didn't get here by waiting on ad budgets that were never built to prioritize us. Our readers did that.

Corporate support for Black media has always been thin. Outlets like ours get roughly 1% of the $170 billion spent on U.S. advertising each year, and that margin is shrinking further as advertisers walk back the DEI-linked commitments they made in 2020. That's the backdrop. It's not why we're asking.

The wider picture isn't any steadier. Newspaper ad revenue has fallen more than 80% since 2005, and local newsrooms are closing at a rate of roughly two a week nationwide. When outlets go under, it's rarely the ones built to center a Black perspective from the ground up that get to stick around.

We know a request for support isn't why you came here. But without readers choosing to fund this work directly, the depth of reporting we can do at home and abroad shrinks along with everyone else's. If you're not in a position to give, that doesn't change how much we value you as a reader.

If you are able to, a recurring contribution does more for us than a single one-time gift, because it lets us plan the next investigation instead of just the next invoice. It takes about 30 seconds, no long form, no account. Thank you for continuing to support independent journalism and freedom of the press.

Give once Give monthly Support another way

Related Stories

Back to top