IS VULNERABILITY REALLY A FORM OF WEAKNESS?.

I fall directly into the infamous stereotype of a strong black woman. One who is supposed to handle everything that comes their way. It is a cocktail of batman and Wonderwoman infused with spider man’s superpowers. I’m that chick. This girl is not afraid, she takes up space and is aware of most of her flaws. The strong black woman can weather it all, after all, it ain't hard, is it? The strong black woman is independent, so much that she forgets to ask for help. She simply wings it. Finds a way of making it, a way of shouldering it all by herself.

As I was scrolling on the Linked In streets I came across a post by Brene Brown that read, Vulnerability is our most accurate measure of courage. I scoffed and continue scrolling. It's a job opportunity that I’m seeking not quotes from one with white privilege. I’d find the same post on my explore the next day, the nerve! I decided to check her out, I mean what was I going to lose? my perception of vulnerability apparently. As the strong black woman that I’ve mentioned, I have been nurtured by nature to believe that vulnerability is a form of weakness. I can't exactly pinpoint when this lesson took place but I’m well aware of the fact that people like me don't have time to show emotion. We do not have time to vent and don't get me started on crying. We simply sigh and heap it on our heads, shoulders or any vacant place on our bodies.

You can imagine my shock when I realised that this white, pretty, educated lady mentions that vulnerability is a measure of courage, I had to request for Googles services. Vulnerability according to Merriam Webster is susceptibility to emotional hurt or pain. It is the letting go it’s the risk we all face when we let in people or ask for help. As an individual who grew up believing that vulnerability is a form of weakness and not a show of courage, I was awed.

According to Brene, it takes valour to be vulnerable.