Black Teenage Girls: The Real Curators of Culture
Trends start and end with them. Period.
Move over, everyone else - black teenage girls are officially the curators of culture. You heard it here first (or maybe you heard it on social media, where they've been setting trends left and right). From music to fashion to beauty, these young women are the ones calling the shots and making the world sit up and take notice.
Let's start with social media trends, because there's no denying that black teenage girls have a knack for creating content that goes viral. Remember the "Renegade" dance that took TikTok by storm? That was choreographed by a 14-year-old girl named Jalaiah Harmon. And who could forget the "Savage" dance that became a quarantine sensation? That was created by 19-year-old Keara Wilson. These young women are setting the standard for what's cool and what's not, and everyone else is just trying to keep up.
But it's not just dances - black teenage girls are also using social media to drive important conversations and push for social change. The hashtag #BlackLivesMatter was created by black activists, but it was amplified and spread through the efforts of black teenage girls on social media. They used their platforms to raise awareness about police brutality and racial inequality, and to demand justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and so many others. And when they're not fighting for social justice, they're making us laugh with their hilarious memes and relatable content. Who else could make "OK, boomer" a thing?
One of the most powerful tools at the disposal of black teenage girls is social media. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter have given these young women a global audience, allowing them to showcase their creativity, humor, and unique perspectives to millions of people around the world. For example, on TikTok, black teenage girls have pioneered some of the platform's most viral dances, with choreography like the "Renegade" and the "Savage" dance becoming ubiquitous on the app. These dances have not only become cultural touchstones but have also spawned countless imitators and inspired a new generation of dancers and choreographers. Ice Spice who is taking the world by storm is the embodiment of s 2000s teenager.
And let's not forget the beauty industry, where black teenage girls have been carving out their own space for years. They've been at the forefront of the natural hair movement, embracing their curls and kinks and inspiring others to do the same. They've been calling out beauty brands for their lack of inclusivity, demanding that makeup and skincare products work for all skin tones and hair types. And they've been setting their own beauty standards, proving that black is beautiful and that there's no one-size-fits-all approach to beauty.
Despite their significant contributions to media and culture, black teenage girls are often the most unprotected demographic in the United States. They face higher rates of poverty, homelessness, and sexual violence compared to their peers of other races and genders. Black girls are often seen as older and more aggressive than their white counterparts, leading to harsher disciplinary actions in schools and disproportionate rates of incarceration. Additionally, the media often portrays black teenage girls as hypersexualized or aggressive, perpetuating harmful stereotypes that contribute to their mistreatment and neglect.
In conclusion, black teenage girls are the ones setting the tone for what's cool, what's important, and what's possible. They're using their creativity and their voices to make the world a better place, and they're doing it with style and flair. So the next time you see a new dance trend or a viral meme, remember who started it all - because chances are, it was a black teenage girl.