Tech’s Center Stage Speaker Addresses Stereotypes Of Black Women

Tennessee Tech’s Center Stage Speaker series continued Monday night with Tamara Winfrey-Harris bringing a message of how black women are portrayed in media.

Winfrey-Harris is an American author, columnist and speaker who has been featured in the New York Times, the Atlantic and other publications. She addressed western stereotypes through her message, “Superwoman as Every (Black)Woman.”

Winfrey-Harris said society’s view of black women has came a long way but more needs to be done.

“The sisters are still alright and when I say that I mean intrinsically, invaluable humans,” Winfrey-Harris said. “But we are still struggling, because our country can not let go of the lies it tells itself about us.”

Winfrey-Harris used Tennis Star Serena Williams as a modern day example. Winfrey-Harris said despite Williams’ accomplishes, she is still falsely portrayed by media.

“Serena Williams deserves better,” Winfrey-Harris said. “All back women deserve better. Black women have in recent years claimed and asserted our power laying new ground for collective liberation like we always do and that ignites my spirit.”

Winfrey-Harris said while many black women like Beyonce or Simone Biles have found success, many are still not free.

“Black women organizers routinely put their lives on the line to protest violence against other bodies,” Winfrey-Harris said. “While brutality against ours provokes shamefully little passion. Black women with privileges like class, education and light skin have far better access to power and achievement. Too many of us are poor. Too many of us don’t have healthcare. Too many of us are or have been incarcerated.”