Black Women Have Been Saving America for Generations—But Now Many Are Saying, ‘Get Someone Else to Do It’

For centuries, Black women have been the backbone of American progress. Whether on the frontlines of the Civil Rights Movement, leading political campaigns, or rallying communities to exercise their rights, we’ve been there. We’ve marched. We’ve voted. We’ve organized. We’ve saved democracy more times than history will admit. Yet, in 2024, an unmistakable shift is happening: Black women are taking a step back and saying, “Get someone else to do it.”

It’s not a resignation. It’s a revolution.

A Legacy of Carrying the Weight

America has always leaned on Black women without ever giving us our due. Harriet Tubman risked her life to lead enslaved people to freedom. Fannie Lou Hamer endured beatings to fight for voting rights. Stacey Abrams architected a political movement that flipped Georgia blue in 2020. We’ve saved systems that weren’t designed to save us, often at the expense of our own mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

For decades, we’ve heard the refrain: Black women will save us. The truth? We shouldn’t have to.

The Toll of Constant Heroism

The weight of saving a nation is heavy, and for many Black women, it’s become unbearable. The expectation that we will show up, fix the problem, and save the day—without adequate resources, recognition, or rest—has created a cycle of burnout.

The 2020 election was a prime example. Black women turned out in record numbers, organizing in ways that no other demographic could rival. We did this while surviving a pandemic, racial violence, and economic instability. And yet, after the victory parties were over, the policies we fought for were watered down, our contributions overlooked, and our communities left to fend for themselves. The 2024 election was more of the same, and with a Black woman at the top of the Democratic ticket, this was amplified.

Now, many Black women are choosing themselves over the systems that exploit their labor.

Turning Inward: A New Kind of Revolution

“Get someone else to do it” isn’t apathy; it’s a conscious reallocation of energy. Black women are redefining what activism and leadership look like. Instead of pouring into systems that deplete us, we’re pouring into ourselves, our families, and our communities.

Self-care is no longer a buzzword; it’s a survival strategy. From therapy and rest to reconnecting with cultural practices that center joy, Black women are reclaiming their time and peace. Collective care is also on the rise. Grassroots initiatives that prioritize mutual aid, Black-owned businesses, and community healing are flourishing.

This isn’t a retreat—it’s a recalibration.

A Warning, Not a Goodbye

America should take note. When Black women step back, things fall apart. The absence of our voices, votes, and vision is felt in every corner of society. We’ve been the architects of progress, the moral compass, and the driving force behind transformative change.

But we’re no longer willing to carry this nation on our backs without accountability, respect, or reciprocity.

To the allies who claim to stand with us: now is the time to do the work. Step up, take the lead, and redistribute the burden. To America at large: invest in Black women—not just when you need us, but consistently and unconditionally.

A Future Rooted in Balance

Black women’s shift inward isn’t an ending; it’s a beginning. It’s a chance to build a future where saving America isn’t our responsibility alone. By centering self-care and community care, we’re creating a model for sustainable leadership that serves everyone.

If America truly wants to be saved, it must first learn to save itself. Until then, Black women will be here—choosing ourselves, preserving our peace, and building the kind of world we deserve.

This isn’t defeat; it’s self-preservation