Author: Kara B (Twitter: @karabrazey20)
It’s time to break the mold on how we view and discuss women. We are more than strong in the face of adversity and more than resilient when overcoming failures, heartache, missteps and mishaps. We are Phenomenal. Nurturers of society, birthers of possibility and creators of dreams so vivid, we can color the world with our mood. Born of the rib, we are a direct reflection of who He is and what He has ordained for us to be. Vessels of life, love, hope and substance. We are Phenomenal Women.
I’ve been thinking long and hard about this term for about the past year or so. With no reason, it just popped up in my head and I didn’t know what to do with it or how to explain it. A few years ago, I experienced an awakening of sorts, as it pertains to the way women and particularly black women are portrayed in the media. How expectations and stereotypes effect the way we perceive each other. As I pondered on that thought, something kept bringing me back to Nicki Minaj. I finally understand why.
phe·nom·e·nal
/fəˈnämənəl/
adjective
1. very remarkable; extraordinary.
"the town expanded at a phenomenal rate"
2. perceptible by the senses or through immediate experience.
"the phenomenal world"
The Catalyst
Nicki Minaj is unapologetically herself and that requires a level of self-awareness, confidence and assurance that comes with success and losses. Having that keen sense of self awareness is what makes her the standout talent, artist and creative she is. But she is also aware of the world. Nicki Minaj has extended her influential voice to a myriad of different social issues and causes. She spoke out boldly against the use of excessive force by law enforcement in the death of George Floyd.
The power in being a Phenomenal Woman is first empowering yourself. Self-empowerment can look like a lot of different things to a lot of different women. And that’s the beauty in it. No two women are alike, so our paths may intertwine at points, but they are different.
Self-Love
RuPaul is famously quoted as saying “If you can’t love yourself how in the hell are you going to love somebody else?” Nicki Minaj has that self-love that comes from knowing when to prioritize yourself first, so you can be of service to others later. A broken vessel is of no use to anyone. Prioritizing yourself first will never take away from others. We all need those quiet times of self-reflection with our thoughts. Space to cry, pray and heal.
Non-conforming
Instead of towing with the collective, Nicki Minaj blazes her own trail. Seeking her own path of strength, fulfillment, and empowerment while becoming a catalyst for change. Looking at Nicki’s public life over the past few years, one can see she never bowed to the court of public opinion. She exercised her power of being the decision maker for her life on her terms.
Champion
Phenomenal Women are aware of how “herd mentality” and “group think” can be weaponized and contrary to the greater cause of women. Collective thought often comes with an agenda and can shutter smaller independent voices. In calling out the industry concocted effort to silence her, Nicki championed to be heard against an entity bigger than her. She was speaking up for the smaller voices that could be muted by the machine, if they found themselves unwilling to compromise on their talent. Never one to back down, Nicki’s actions are just as bold as her lyrics.
Nicki Minaj is a daughter, sister, wife, mother and business woman. She is Phenomenal.