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Cultivating Black Women for Social Change
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Definition Redefined is an empowering call-to-action for all Black women in the UK, to redefine and claim ownership of our own narrative.
Introduction
Assumptions about a particular group of people are often based on the observer’s limited personal experiences or promulgated societal stereotypes. This is often the case when it comes to expectations of Black women and their personalities, experiences, and behaviours. ​
The narrative about us is not our own.
Black women in the UK are treated as if we were a monolithic group. On the contrary, we are the most diverse group on the planet with varied backgrounds, cultures, and socio-economic statuses, different experiences, opinions and more.
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While society generalises Black women to embody certain stereotypes, such as being "loud" or "angry", these stereotypes do not apply to all Black women. Black women are just as likely to be soft-spoken, introverted, and non-confrontational as women of any other race. Extrapolating this, we could go further and say that when Black women are “loud” and “angry”, oftentimes they have reason to be.
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Black women face unique challenges that are often overlooked or ignored.
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They experience intersectional discrimination, which impacts their experiences in areas such as education, employment, healthcare. Indeed, every facet of their lives is shaped and impacted by external forces; the cause behind the many ‘institutional failings’ influencing lives of Black women. The reason Black women are four times more likely to die in childbirth, is because it is assumed that they have higher pain thresholds than white women. The reason Black women are overrepresented in the criminal justice system and mental institutions – because they are perceived to be a threat due to being ‘angry’ and ‘aggressive’ and the reason Black women experience the worst rates of poverty is because they are nauseatingly impacted by the gender-race pay gap.
​​​The examples of correlation are plenty. For centuries, Black people have been racialised, defined, explained away to justify past colonial behaviours. The narrative about us, is not our own.
Soul Purpose 360 founder and CEO said: “The time is right to challenge and take ownership, by shaping our own narrative; by redefining the definitions that harm us. We need to evolve the discourse about us and move away from harmful stereotypes and assumptions about Black women, and instead recognise and celebrate our diversity, talents, achievements, and resilience. By doing so, we can work towards creating a more equitable and inclusive society for all. Our campaign Definition Redefined will be a multifaceted campaign, that will include a series of initiatives that will allow Black women to play their part in social change.”
She continued: “To be successful, any such campaign must be a positively uplifting one; for to do it any other way, will play to the unjust narrative of Black women being ‘angry’, ‘loud’, ‘aggressive’ and ‘challenging’…. The current narrative means, we cannot even campaign for change the way others have the privilege to do.”
In collaboration with member of the Black Women’s Networking & Empowerment Circle, Sharon Douglas of Inkygreyphotography, Soul Purpose 360 will host a photographic exhibition capturing the diversity of everyday Black women; a contemporary narrative that celebrates our beauty and splendour, that acknowledges the diversity within our communities and challenges historical perceptions grounded in racist ideologies. Through a positively uplifting social media campaign, we will invite Black women around the UK to get involved.
Play your part in the campaign by contributing to our books project!
When I was at secondary school my English teacher refused to teach me. I was forbidden to sit in the front of the class and I was denied text books. She told me it was a waste of time teaching the Black girls, because we would amount to nothing. It gave me a complex and set in place so many limiting beliefs in my ability to write. I hear many Black women tell of similar stories - our futures cast in doubt by those who did not have our best interests at heart. ​Fast forward - I love to write and I am good at it!
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This is your opportunity to overcome limiting beliefs and see your writing in print! Join us and contribute to one, or all of the books we will publish this year. Collectively, we can change the narrative about Black women and enable Black girls to thrive without the limiting beliefs that held us back.
​Palma Black, Founder & CEO, Soul Purpose 360 CIC
To support our national campaign “Definition Redefined” Soul Purpose 360 will be publishing a series of books and we want YOU to be a part of it.
We will be producing five books written exclusively by Black Women.
Book purchases will contribute to the campaigning funds to empower more Black women. We are looking for submissions. Contribute to one or all, the choice is entirely yours...
Submit your contribution by 1 November 2024
E: soulpurpose360.co.uk with the title of the theme in the subject heading.
Soul Purpose 360
We, the undersigned, stand in full support of the Definition Redefined campaign by Soul Purpose 360, which is committed to challenging and changing the harmful narrative surrounding Black women in Britain.
We believe that the current narrative is deeply entwined with Britain’s colonial past and the enslavement of African people. This outdated and damaging perspective has shaped the foundation of institutionalised racist and sexist practices, policies, and attitudes in sections of British society. These views do not reflect the values of modern Britain.
The time for change is now. Historical research and analysis have underscored the urgent need to re-evaluate and transform this narrative for the benefit of all. Black women make significant contributions to Britain’s social, economic, and political landscapes, despite the barriers created by these negative narratives. There is substantial evidence of racial inequalities towards Black Women across many aspects of UK life—from health to housing, education to employment, and crime and policing to criminal justice. We believe that these harmful perspectives are a key factor in the many instances where Black women are at a disadvantage, including, but not limited to, the following:
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Black women are four times more likely to die in childbirth.
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Black women are overrepresented in mental health institutions and the criminal justice system.
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Black women are more likely to experience racism in the workplace.
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Black women are more likely to be diagnosed with more advanced breast cancers and types with fewer treatment options, such as triple-negative breast cancer.
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Black women are more likely to suffer from common mental health issues compared to white women.
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Black women are affected by the gender-race pay gap, earning less than their peers.
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Black women are worst affected by the cost-of-living crisis... and much more!
We also call attention to misogynoir, where the intersection of race and gender deepens the contempt, and entrenched prejudice against Black women. We believe that when considering policies where Black women are disproportionately impacted, it is essential to view these issues as interconnected rather than in isolation, to ensure a comprehensive understanding and response.
There is an urgent need for in-depth research into the effects of racism and intersectionality from childhood onwards, including the internalised responses that lead to limiting beliefs and restricted life opportunities—issues that Soul Purpose 360 supports members with daily.
As supporters of this open letter, we call for the following actions:
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Public condemnation of all individuals who use racist and sexist language to demean, harass, or bully Black women in public spaces, online, or in the media.
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Further research into the impacts of negative perceptions of Black women across all areas of life, to begin seeking justice and redress.
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Awareness-raising through the national curriculum for children and students, to break the historical cycle of discrimination that has persisted for hundreds of years.
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Funding to support the #DefinitionRedefined campaign, enabling it to reach and engage Black girls and women, empowering them to challenge microaggressions, harassment, and bullying in the workplace and education system without fear of reprisal.
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Funding is needed to conduct in-depth research to fully understand the profound impact that a negative narrative has on Black Women from early childhood through to adulthood. This research is crucial to inform the development of effective social policies that can drive meaningful and immediate social change.
We call for immediate and concerted action to address these issues and to acknowledge the broader benefits and opportunities that racial diversity brings to British society.
We urge you to stand with us in supporting the Definition Redefined campaign. Let us dismantle these outdated narratives and build a more inclusive and equitable Britain for everyone.
Sign this letter. Raise your voice. Be the change.
Definition Redefined an Open Letter
Download a copy of the Open Letter in PDF format
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