Stunning 'Scandal' Monologue Captures The Emotional Burden Black Women Carry
During the “Scandal” season finale, Mama Pope spoke to a truth that many black women deeply understand.
While being detained for conspiring to kill the president-elect, Olivia’s mom, Maya (played by Khandi Alexander), addresses her ex-husband, Eli, whom she accurately suspects is behind her arrest.
Maya pleads her case to Eli, who’s behind a one-way window, insisting that she’s in Washington, D.C. to help protect their daughter.
She comes to the realization that Eli thinks he doesn’t need her help. Every second of her monologue is a seething reminder of how tragically under-appreciated, devalued and disrespected black women are by everyone, including black men:
“Damn shame. I tell you... being a black woman. Be strong, they say. Support your man, raise your man, think like a man. Well damn, I gotta do all that? Who’s out here working for me, carrying my burden, building me up when I get down? Nobody. Black women out here trying to save everybody and what do we get? Swagger jacked by white girls wearing cornrows and bamboo earrings. Ain’t that a bitch? But we still try. Try to help all y’all. Even when we get nothing. Is that admirable or ridiculous? I don’t know.”
The scene was shared on “Scandal’s” Facebook page on Thursday, and it’s been viewed more than 2.4 million times. Many people commented about how much Maya’s monologue resonates with them.
“I had all of the feels and the chills during this monologue,” Carla Bronner wrote. “This is a description of African-American women’s lives that only A-A women can write (thank you, Shonda) and speak fierce authenticity (thank you Khandi Alexander).”
Facebook user, Kay Lowe, echoed that sentiment. “If this does not speak to the souls of black women...past and present...feels sudden urge to *stomp feet? Amen? Shout?...so many feelings*...that is an EMMY award by itself. That moment in TV right there....#TRUTH,” she said.
Folks on Twitter weighed in, too.
Maya Pope better preach about privilege and culture appropriation and misogynoir!!! Yassssss gurl! #ScandalABC pic.twitter.com/qnenuKr6j7
— Soul & Substance (@SoulNSubstance) May 19, 2017
@ScandalABC This epitomizes how black women feel at one point or another. Admirable or Ridiculous.Thanks for articulating that feeling so well #scandal
— KayRushin (@Specialup) May 19, 2017
@ScandalABC I tell you black women have it the hardest. In the end we will be the ones who survive though,and for that it is admirable!
— Jenelsbeth B (@jenelsbeth) May 19, 2017
Maya Pope is trending bc that monologue was that damn good & told our collective story as BW. Go Khandi Alexander get that Emmy! #Scandal
— Ebony Iris (@DarlingEbony) May 19, 2017
My goodness, this Mama Pope Monologue! about the strength of Black Women!! #Scandal #ScandalABC pic.twitter.com/jmSc5IwyMy
— April (@ReignOfApril) May 19, 2017
@ScandalABC Summed up my damn life!!! No more!! Is the sacrifice worth it?!?!?
— Angie Storm (@med_angel) May 19, 2017
@ScandalABC I lo💜ed everything about this performance. She was telling the truth and that was ADMIRABLE 👍🏽 great writing📝 "swag jacked!"
— neily dickerson (@nEiLyville) May 19, 2017
@sassysag11963 @ScandalABC She spoke to the core of black women in front of the whole world!!! SR thank you!!!
— imprrfckt (@delitdbutifl) May 20, 2017
Also on HuffPost
May 16
In his first comedy special since his serious 2014 car accident, Tracy Morgan returns to tell jokes about everything from being in a coma to the dissolution of his first marriage. Morbid, but funny.
Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.
This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
