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Dear Black Girls: WNBA Player's Powerful Essay Hits Home For Young Women

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July 24, 2020, 8:02 AM

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A WNBA player's powerful message to young Black girls is resonating with readers as the nation continues to grapple with conversations on racism.

"People see me as an athlete, a basketball player out there entertaining -- at end of the day, I'm still a Black woman," A'ja Wilson, 23, told "Good Morning America." "I wanted to put it out there and let Black girls and women know, 'I see you. I hear you. I am you.'"

In a piece for The Players' Tribune, A'ja Wilson shared her experiences as a Black woman -- stressing how regardless of her status, she's "been through it, too."

Wilson, a forward for the Las Vegas Aces, said she wanted to be as relatable as possible in sharing her story, which was published Monday.

In a piece The Players' Tribune, WNBA player A'ja Wilson, 23, shared her own experiences as a Black woman -- stressing how regardless of her status, she's "been through it, too."

In a piece The Players' Tribune, WNBA player A'ja Wilson, 23, shared her own experiences as a Black woman -- stressing how regardless of her status, she's "been through it, too." Laquan Sumpter

She wrote, in part:

This is for all the girls with an apostrophe in their name.

This is for all the girls who are "too loud" and "too emotional."

This is for all the girls who are constantly asked, "Oh, what did you do with your hair? That's new."

This is for my Black girls.

Wilson went on, revealing a friend told her in fourth grade she'd have to stay outside during her birthday party because her dad "didn't like Black people."

No one's story is exactly the same. But every Black girl, at some point in her life, has her own version of The Birthday Party. That's why I'm writing this to you. I know what it's like to feel like you've been swept under the rug. I know what it feels like to not be heard, not be seen, not be taken seriously.

Wilson said her father read her essay and said he recalled going to her school to talk about the incident.

In a piece The Players' Tribune, WNBA player A'ja Wilson, 23, shared her own experiences as a Black woman -- stressing how regardless of her status, she's "been through it, too."

In a piece The Players' Tribune, WNBA player A'ja Wilson, 23, shared her own experiences as a Black woman -- stressing how regardless of her status, she's "been through it, too." A'ja Wilson

"It's things like that, as a family we all went through," Wilson said. "It's something I'm sure my mom, my dad hated going through."

Fans and friends reacted to Wilson's essay after she shared the link on Twitter.

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Wilson said she also addressed certain stereotypes like Black women being "loud," "ghetto" and "too much." She wants to encourage girls to always speak out, regardless of what people say.

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"It's tough because no matter what, you're always going to get labeled," Wilson told "GMA." "If I get mad or upset, I'm seen as the angry Black woman."

"Go out on a limb ... Don't feel like you have to say things a certain way, or look a certain way," she added. "Take that chance of speaking your truth and being who you are."

Wilson wants girls to know that they're part of the movement toward change -- just as she uses her own platform to promote justice for Breonna Taylor, a Louisville, Kentucky, woman who was shot and killed by police earlier this year.

In a piece The Players' Tribune, WNBA player A'ja Wilson, 23, shared her own experiences as a Black woman -- stressing how regardless of her status, she's "been through it, too."

In a piece The Players' Tribune, WNBA player A'ja Wilson, 23, shared her own experiences as a Black woman -- stressing how regardless of her status, she's "been through it, too." Laquan Sumpter

"That could be me, that could be my mom," Wilson said. "I want every young girl to know that's not all about police brutality."

"The key thing is demanding a change around us so we're not the next hashtag."

'Glee' Star Chris Colfer Remembers Naya Rivera In Emotional Essay: 'Losing Her Is A Nightmare'

KEY POINTS

Chris Colfer penned an emotional essay for "Glee" co-star Naya Rivera 

Colfer stated that her death has been such a "nightmare" for him 

The actor also praised Rivera’s acting and singing prowess 

“Glee” star Chris Colfer has penned a heart-wrenching essay following the tragic demise of actress Naya Rivera, who passed away after drowning in Lake Piru, California, last week at the age of 33.

In his essay for Variety, the 30-year-old actor noted that losing Rivera has been such a “nightmare” for him, and he also praised the actress for all her talents. Colfer also shared that Rivera was responsible for so many “wonderful memories” since she always wanted everyone to be happy. 

He also revealed that  no one on planet Earth would be able to give Rivera the tribute she truly “deserves.”

“I am not sure anyone on Earth could give Naya Rivera the tribute she deserves. In fact, the process of losing her has been such a nightmare, I find myself wondering if Naya was even real or if she was just a dream all along. How could a human being be that talented, that hilarious and that beautiful at once? How could one person be responsible for so much joy and be the subject of so many wonderful memories?'' Colfer wrote.

Later in the essay, Colfer stated that Rivera was the kind of friend he could talk to “about anything” and she always had his back regardless of the situation. He even called her the “cool older sister” that he turned to whenever he wanted some “advice.”

''As a friend, you could talk to her about anything. She was the cool older sister you went to for advice, to blow off steam, or to get the hottest take on the latest gossip. Just being in Naya's presence made you feel protected and regardless of the situation, you knew she'd have your back,” Colfer added.

The “Struck By Lightning” star also went on to praise Rivera’s ability as a singer and an actress. He shared that the “Step Up: High Water” star could “break your heart” in one chorus because of her magical voice.

“When Naya sang, you could feel her soul resonating through your own. Her voice would break your heart in one chorus, only to rebuild it in the next. Watching her perform was like watching the magic unfold before your eyes. Naya didn’t just sing a song. She brought it to life. And with every note, she exposed the old sage living inside her young body,” Colfer wrote in his essay.

The actor further stated that the actress always wanted to become a “mother.”

Colfer concluded his essay by saying that Rivera’s tragic death is a reminder to everyone that people should “celebrate” every moment with the people that they love because life can be quite “fragile.”

“Her loss is a tragic reminder to celebrate every moment we possibly can with the people we love because the only thing we know for certain about life is how fragile it can be,” Colfer wrote.

Rivera went missing after a boat ride on July 8. According to the authorities, she saved her son by pushing him onto the vessel but unfortunately could not save herself. 

Naya Rivera is best known for her starring role in the hit TV series "Glee" Photo: GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / David Livingston

Rapper J. Cole Confirms He Has 2 Sons In Personal Essay

The private star, who quietly married his college sweetheart Melissa Heholt years ago, recently spoke of fatherhood in a March 2019 interview with GQ. At the time, it was known J. Cole had welcomed one son. A few months later, in July 2019, he rapped on the track "Sacrifices," "She gave me the gift of my son, and plus we got one on the way." However, the performer had not confirmed the second little one's arrival until now. 

Regarding the recurring question of whether being a dad has change him, he told the magazine, "For a while, I felt a little weird about it. Like, nah. I felt, 'Did I miss something?' 'Cause I didn't feel the change that people talk about. And then I figured out what it was."

He further explained, "I changed my life in order to get ready to have a family and to have a son. I literally changed my life, where I was living, the things that I was doing. I changed. So because of that, when my son came, I was ready. I already made room."