When we were children, we might have heard “don’t sass me” from our mothers or grandmothers, but since the time of enslavement, Black women have used sass to protect themselves, their families, and their friends from exploitation and oppression.
Enslavers used the word “sassy” to diminish Black women they considered disobedient and deserving of punishment. In the century since, outspoken and defiant Black women were called “sassy” by both Black and white men, always as an insult.
In the English language, “sassy” started out as saucy, meaning “outspoken” or “bold.” In the Mende language of West Africa, the term “sasi” can mean “prideful boaster,” and in Gullah, “sasi” means “proud one.” And while there’s nothing wrong with being proud, bold, or outspoken, it becomes a problem when it’s used to put Black women “in their place.”
Using one term to stereotype an entire population is stigmatizing. Stigmas and stereotypes of Black women deprive them of the opportunities they have earned.
Black women have always had to protect themselves, their families, and their communities. Resistance is only part of their identity. We cannot allow stereotypes to define us and diminish our history.