Brittney Griner is at home.
Hearing the news that the WNBA star would be released from Russia, where she was jailed for several months after being sentenced to nine years for drug smuggling, brought tears of joy and happiness. My excitement not only came from this unique news, but also reflected Griner’s journey to this point and that of all black women in America.
In the government’s negotiations for Griner’s release, the idea that a Black woman was advocated was that her full humanity was seen. It was an act that said a black woman’s life should be cherished and saved, and the President of the United States himself would support efforts to bring her home.
That was a first in my life.
While others debate Griner’s worth, black women are here to rejoice in this moment.
But after the excitement came the frustration: The public debate surrounding Griner’s release was maddening. On the one hand, there was the joy with which other black women and I celebrated their freedom. On the other hand, there were strong negative opinions about Griner’s swap for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. This criticism was largely dished out by men on social media who suddenly took the position of foreign policy pundits. But many of those comments were based on an inherent disrespect for Black women.
Because I know how stories like Griner’s usually end. I have come to know deeply the experiences of black women from the past, in today’s news, and in my own life. What I know to be true is that when it comes to black women, no one comes to save us. As Black women, we are almost always left to our own devices.
Evidence of this is everywhere: Black girls and women go missing or are killed every day, and yet These stories never make the headlines; it’s the alarming maternal death rate among blacks, the highest for any group of women in America; It is in the coming of age of black girls in schools; and it’s the countless black women who experience misogyny in the workplace. And when we have the courage to name racism, we face even more harassment; Overwatched when it comes to our hair, clothes, tone, time and the way we speak, we are constantly reduced to the “angry black woman” trope that tries to justify why we empathize or are not worthy of humanity.
That the arrest earlier this year of Griner, a black queer woman who found success as a college and professional basketball player, did not immediately receive more media attention was also a reminder of the existence of black women in this country.
But in the end, the reality of Griner’s triumphant release was made possible by the steadfast efforts and work of other black women. In the last 294 days, black women – led by Griner’s wife Cherelle Griner and the collective Win With Black Women – campaigned vehemently for them. They have continually put pressure on political figures, the media and other organizations, refusing to let their name disappear from the zeitgeist. The same black women have also drawn attention to the Wage disparities faced by black women athleteswhy Griner had to play basketball in Russia at all.
Unfortunately, as I expected, a lot of people had criticism to offer, asking if Griner even deserved to come home. Pundits and social media commentators offered opinions on whether it was the right geopolitical decision or whether such a deal should have been negotiated on Griner’s behalf in the first place. It was painful but not surprising to see how many people were angry that a black woman was freed. Yes, angry that a black woman was being fought over. These “whataboutism” sentiments speak to the inherent contempt this country has for black women as we are viewed as worthless commodities.
My question is: don’t black women deserve the consideration shown to others – especially after our country’s dark history, that of protection and freedom?
While others debate Griner’s worth, black women are here to rejoice in this moment. And the celebration will not be quiet. This historic victory represents the sovereignty of the black woman. In that moment, we feel valued and cared for, and we know that in no small part, that’s because black women have always come out to support and speak up for others in this country, even when that advocacy hasn’t was answered.
Griner’s release was a step towards repaying a debt that countless black women, my ancestors, have paid back with their lives to this country.
Black women deserve to celebrate Griner’s homecoming, and the joy we feel shouldn’t need to be justified, argued, debated, or held on to racial double standards. And when the celebration is over, black women will do what we have always done: carry on the good fight until all black women are free to be their authentic selves in schools, in the workplace, and in society at large.
Greiner is free. Can you imagine a world where all black women are free – and where our freedom is not up for debate?
Image Source: Getty Images / Michael Hickey