I Need Essence Fest
“The most disrespected woman in America is the Black Woman, The most unprotected person in America is the Black Woman. The most neglected person in America is the Black Woman” (Malcolm X -1962)
Malcolm X spoke those words in 1962 and they still ring true in 2019. From hashtags of #sayhername to #blacklivesmatter Black women are still disrespected, often unprotected, and unfortunately at times neglected.
BUT Still We Rise. I want to highlight Essence Fest as a place where we are celebrated, appreciated, and encouraged to rise, in a city where some of our roots lie in New Orleans.
I need Essence Fest. Essence Fest is the celebration of sisterhood for Black women. Essence is a time to celebrate US and only US. Essence is not just an event, it is an experience, it is a celebration of the beauty of our skin, the coils of our hair, the thickness of our lips the curve in our hips, and the fashion that inspires us to express our true selves, a celebration of our strength, our desires, our dreams and our future.
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As a black woman every woman should experience Essence Fest at least once, and if you can go every year GO every year. There is something for everybody, like Health & Wellness, Beauty, Style, Wealth, Culture, Fashion, Food and Music.
The celebrity guests and experts in the convention center during the different panels, and exhibits are very inspiring, educational and informative. Last year, I saw the trailer of the Trayvon Martin movie, “Rest In Power” and after the movie a panel discussion with the producers and Trayvon Martin’s parents Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin. Trayvon’s parents really wanted to portray their side of the story, and what they went through despite what the media said. The movie was very insightful. I supported the Trayvon Martin Foundation by buying a shirt they were selling. It was a liberating experience having to see the movie before it came out, and supporting Trayvon’s family and their efforts in gun reform and legislation reform like Stand Your Ground which ultimately is what got Trayvon’s murderer George Zimmerman off.
So for one weekend out of the year in July either get your girl’s or go solo and experience Essence Fest where we are celebrated, appreciated, and encouraged to rise in a city where some of our roots lie in New Orleans.
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