"Be not discouraged black women of the world, but push forward, regardless of the lack of appreciation shown  you."

—Amy Garvey

I'm proud to be a black woman! I always have and always will.

Photo: Giphy

Despite the negative images, conversations and propaganda that are continuously displayed across the media (and sometimes within our own community), our power, impact and strength cannot be denied.

For too long we have allowed this derogatory rhetoric to define us and box us into a corner. It is time that we rid ourselves of these blanket characterizations, and educate those who are not in our community, so they can cast judgments based off the content of our character, and not just hearsay. 

Check out these five stereotypes that need to be put to rest, once and for all.

1. Black women are always angry/argumentative.Photo: Giphy

If we're silent, we're too submissive, and if we speak up for ourselves, they say we always want to argue! We really can't win, can we? I think that most people who associate this as a common trait for black women need to understand the difference between arguing and debating. Most of the time we're just debating.

Here's a rule of thumb: Don't engage in a conversation where you're trying to assert your position, or prove your point, if it doesn't make sense, or if you don't have your facts together. Black women are the queens of pulling receipts, and in most cases, we don't bow down to assertions that aren't backed by logic.

2. Black women don't want or need a man.Photo: Giphy

I believe that it is a common stereotype that black women have no desire to be in a relationship. But in reality, I think that black women enjoy their independence, and reject traditional ideas of women just staying home and not having a voice. It's not that we don't want to be in relationships, we just need someone who is progressive, ambitious and a believer of equality in the household.

3. Black women don't get along.Photo: BLACK&SEXY.TV

Reality TV shows and Hollywood have done a great job of painting the picture that black women don't like each other and don't want to see others succeed. But there are so many black women organizations and support groups working under the radar, and public figures who are defying this stereotype. Queens uplift queens!

4. Black women are promiscuous.

Photo: Nicki Minaj – "Anaconda"

History shows us that black women have always been marginalized as "jezebels" or "hoes" because of our curves and unique features. Unfortunately, this has led to a lot of dangerous and unwanted actions imposed upon us. The way we dress and dance is of cultural significance, and it does not warrant permission to hypersexualize us as a group.

5. Black women are not educated.Photo: Cartuna

Let me drop a few statistics for you:

— In a report by the National Center for Education Statistics, black women were named the most educated group in the United States.

— Between 2009–2010, black women earned 68 percent of associate degrees, 66 percent of bachelor degrees, 71 percent of master's degrees and 65 percent of all doctoral degrees awarded to black students.  

How 'bout dat!

What other stereotypes do you think need to be put to rest? Drop them below!