Megan Thee Stallion and Anxiety
In October of 2022, Megan Thee Stallion performed her song, “Anxiety,” from her album, “Traumuzine,” on SNL. Throughout the song, Megan lists her personal traumas and how they have been factors in the decline of her mental health. It’s no question that Megan Thee Stallion is a force. However, songs like “Anxiety” illustrate the daunting reality that most Black women face: having to be a force while simultaneously not letting the weight of the world crush them.
Throughout some of the biggest moments of her career, Megan also experienced unimaginable loss and trauma. As her career began to take off in 2019, Megan’s mother passed away due to brain cancer. Two weeks later, Megan lost her grandmother, leaving her without a parental figure at a time some would consider to be the height of her career. In reaction to these instances, many may refer to Megan Thee Stallion as “strong,” as she was able to maintain success in the face of tragedy. However, as admirable as Megan’s tenacity may seem, she represents a host of Black women who suffer from the “strong Black woman” stereotype.
The “strong Black woman” is a persona. It often causes Black women to forfeit vulnerability and mental wellness in order to combat the disparities that they already face in society. It weaponizes their vulnerability, making Black women out to be villainous if they don’t perform the way society wants.
When Simone Biles withdrew from the Olympics in 2021 to prioritize her mental health, she was ostracized by the media and the public. People claimed that her motives were selfish and that she was less of a team-player for withdrawing. The general public's reaction to her decision demonstrates that society doesn’t value Black women unless they perform. For Simone, over-performance caused by the pressure of being a “strong Black woman” could have resulted in life-threatening injuries. Due to poor mental health, Biles was facing mental blocks, preventing her from executing skills to the best of her ability, but no one believed her because her suffering wasn’t visible. Why must Black women suffer publicly to be believed?
In Megan Thee Stallion’s performance of “Anxiety,” she appeared visibly shaken as she recounted the experiences that worsened her mental health. In 2020, Megan Thee Stallion was shot. Instead of believing her, people tried to push the narrative that she was lying and instead chose to side with the aggressor who has a history of violence and abuse towards women. Megan aired her grievances with society’s purposeful ignorance to her struggle saying,“They keep sayin’ speak your truth; And at the same time they don’t believe, man.” Too often, this is the reality for Black women; when they are vocal about their struggles, they are met with ridicule and dismissiveness.
Dismantling the “strong Black women” stereotype starts by relinquishing the belief that Black women owe society perfection. Megan Thee Stallion can be a “hottie” with anxiety. Simone Biles can be a world class athlete who needs to take breaks. Black women only owe it to themselves to do what’s best for their lives, and the world either needs to stand behind them, or move out of their way.