Okay wow, that heading is so dramatic – why do I always have to be so extra when it comes to my titles?!

So, this is a topic that was trending heavily towards the end of last year, and the hype surrounding it has slowly died down. However, I still believe that it’s a topic that needs discussion, especially since the star in question has recently been booked to perform at this year’s Coachella. Summer Walker is a 23-year old R&B female artist whose music I thoroughly enjoy, particularly since I first listened to the Last Day of Summer. That said, last year she released her debut album, Over It, which went on to break Beyonce’s LEMONADE record for the most-streamed album by a female R&B artist ever.

So what’s the issue surrounding the R&B songstress? No, it’s not members of the public criticizing her music. Rather, it’s the fact that Summer Walker has been open about her struggles with social anxiety – a move that hasn’t seemed to sit well with the public who have now accused her of “putting on an act”.

Anxious black girl magic

Yes, the world has made some strides in regards to understanding mental illness better in the past decade, but like everything else in the world – one step forward, two steps back. Sadly, many of us still have skewed views of what mental illnesses are as well as what they look like.

Anxiety doesn’t always mean panic attacks or constant crying. Sometimes it can also be presented as constant stuttering, insomnia, rambling, impulsiveness, unread text messages and even a dirty house with a sink filled with dishes. It’s trying to maintain your composure in public when you can literally feel your skin crawling. It’s finishing a test first but waiting for everybody to stand up before you can. It’s sitting at the front of the taxi because you can’t bear to shout out your stop. It’s having to sit at the back of the taxi and praying that somebody is getting off at the same stop as you, or you miss your stop and hope that the next stop is not far from your own.

Sadly, mental health and mental illness still continue to be a taboo topic in the black community, yet in recent years, it’s made its way into the black community mainstream. That said, there are still a few hurdles that need to be addressed.

Similar to Summer Walker, I am weird, awkward and I often battle with social anxiety, and unfortunately, these can sometimes be the worst things that a black girl can be.

In an effort to protect her mental health, last year in an Instagram post, Walker announced that she would be cutting her tour short.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4yK2K9gnM7/?utm_source=ig_embed

Now, while some of the comments were met with admiration and respect, there were also other comments that were just downright cruel and vitriolic. Also, it’s should be noted that the singer didn’t just randomly decide to cut her tour short. The girl has been heavily criticized for her supposed “inappropriate” behavior during her performances, interviews, red carpet appearances, and award-show speeches. Now, while she has stated numerous (and I mean numerous) times that her behavior may be rooted in her social anxiety, she remains virtually unheard.

Sadly, instead of getting understanding from our friends and peers as a result of our anxiety, black girls are instead seen as weird or just plain bitches. I’ve lost count of the number of times that my personality description has ranged from being quiet and shy to rude, mean and just having a constant attitude.

It’s always hot in the summertime

Summer Walker used to be a stripper, and for some odd reason, people believe that this fact discredits her claims of having social anxiety. So instead of applauding her for being able to barrel through and put on a show (because that rent doesn’t pay itself), in spite of her social anxiety, she’s being ridiculed as a hypocrite and fake. I mean it’s not like Beyonce Knowles created a whole entire alter ego to help separate her public and private persona.

It’s so weird how in this day and age, authenticity and vulnerability are encouraged yet once a black woman reveals a part of herself, her transparency is used against her. Good lord. The girl has a beautiful talent and, shockingly, fame is often not the motive for what she does and now she’s ridiculed for attempting to find herself in a situation that no one can truly prepare you for.

The fact of the matter is, the public isn’t very nice when it comes to awkward and anxious black women. Stars such as Johnny Depp, Tyler the Creator and even Jaden Smith are allowed to be quirky, awkward and shy yet when it’s a black woman like Summer Walker, it’s a huge problem. Heaven forbid that a black woman is anything but the loud and extroverted trope that is often forced on us as a result of the sidekick-role played out by Hollywood filmmakers. Essentially, the basic images that exist about black women are the loud and obnoxious sidekick, the strong black woman who holds her man down despite his mistakes, the angry bitter black woman who can’t get a man and always puts her career first and last, the Jezebel who is only interested in the latest weave that her married boyfriend can buy her. From personal experience, I’ve learned that if you don’t fit any of these four molds, then you’re the problem and you have a strong passion for heightened proximity to whiteness.

Seriously, what the hell is wrong with society?

What’s more, trolls are also going out of their way to label Walker as dirty because she doesn’t shower (she revealed in an interview that she prefers baths) and because she has tattoos on her face (where was that same energy for Gucci Mane and Offset?!).

Those sound like white girl problems

For some reason, as a society, we’ve been conditioned to have the least empathy for black women (black women face a much higher risk of dying during childbirth than white women because their symptoms and concerns are not taken as seriously). Unfortunately, patriarchal norms have created the image of a black woman as a superwoman who can handle everything and who never needs a helping hand, and if she ever does waiver, then there’s clearly something she’s not doing right in her household.

On top of that depressing thought, not enough black women are seeking treatment for their mental health.
Aside from the high rates associated with therapy, a contributing factor is likely due to the negative attitudes associated with black women trying to get help. We’re often dismissed, because what do we have to be depressed or anxious about right? Mental illness is a white girl thing and if you’re depressed, you have demons and you simply need to be prayed for. Nothing a day or two of fasting won’t fix.

Summer Walker needs our public support and love because there are young black girls out there that are also battling with their mental health. Yet, because of lack of understanding from their parents and peers, they’re battling in silence and it’s often a battle that doesn’t end well.

So here’s to the black girl magic that means sharing your shine but also protecting your privacy and your mental health. No, not everyone will understand but take care of yourself, baby girl, because the ones who really matter will be there to welcome you back.