It's been a rough week for black women.

R. Kelly is allegedly holding black women captive against their will. (And there's still fans defending him.) Eyricka King, a black transwoman who's incarcerated at Franklin Correctional Facility in the state of New York reported that she's been assaulted by inmates and sergeants in the facility. She's since been denied medical attention and was sent to solitary confinement. The families of Sandra Bland, Korrine Gaines, and countless other black women who have been harmed by the police have yet to gain justice.

This is all leading to the continuing belief that the world doesn't care about black women.

Malcolm X wrote about it in 1962's "Who Taught You To Hate Yourself" when he said "The most disrespected woman in America, is the black woman. The most un-protected person in America is the black woman. The most neglected person in America, is the black woman." Abbey Lincoln wrote on it in "Who Will Revere The Black Woman?" in 1966. Tupac, as well, in "Keep Ya Head Up." And in 2017, it seems nothing has changed.

But, luckily, there's a strong support system within the community of black women. And these black women often show their love through art in films like Girls Trip and The Incredible Jessica James, TV shows like Insecure and music that heals. Check out our 10 Songs By Black Women for Black Women list below.

 

  • 10

    "Q.U.E.E.N."

    Janelle Monae ft. Erykah Badu

    When these two creative queens got together, we knew it would be great. And naturally, the name of the track is "Q.U.E.E.N." And ultimately, it's the perfect song to shamelessly dance in the mirror to -- one of the best ways to practice self-lov

  • 9

    "Doves in the Wind"

    SZA ft. Kendrick Lamar

    This song might set the record for how many times the word p----y is said in a song. But within all of it, SZA sings about how special we are over chill vibes as the crooner tells listeners to "sit back and relax your spine.

  • 8

    "Ladies First"

    Queen Latifah ft. Monie Love

    In 1989, Queen Latifah and Monie Love made sure to put "ladies first." It was dope in itself that the two rhymers went bar for bar but the message is just as good.

  • 7

    "Girl"

    The Internet

    While this song is by The Internet, the group's frontwoman, Syd The Kid takes on the vocals. But the best lines come as Syd sings "Girl, they don't know your worth" and that "anything you want is yours."

  • 6

    "Good As Hell"

    Lizzo

    Lizzo's "Good As Hell" has us feeling...well, "good as hell." As the singer talks about focusing on yourself, sipping on something nice and being a bad bitch.

  • 5

    "Diddy Bop"

    Noname

    This song gives us pure nostalgia vibes and certainly brings us to our happy place as Noname raps about the old days of B2K and "jumping in the pool knowing I can't swim." *diddy bops to "Diddy Bop"*

  • 4

    "Grown Woman"

    Beyonce

    Beyonce definitely does whatever she wants but just in case you didn't know, she tells us so in "Grown Woman." In this track, Queen Bey comes through with boastful lines that tell us that she can be "bad if I want, I can say what I want, I can live fast if I want, I can go slow all night long." Amen.

  • 3

    "Cranes in the Sky"

    Solange

    Solange brought everything with "Cranes in the Sky" as she talks about trying to overcome depression. But as she sings the word "away" in overlaying harmonies, we can't help but to feel our troubles be soothed as well.

  • 2

    "Video"

    India Arie

    India Arie preaches in this song about loving yourself unconditionally and providing yourself with "whatever feels good in my soul." Preeacchhh.

  • 1

    "Feeling Good"

    Nina Simone

    Anyone who's heard Miss Nina Simone's voice, has felt the magical, healing powers of it. Her song, "Feeling Good" is no different as she relays that "it's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life" and she's "feeling good." Us too!

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