Angry Black Women Syndrome (ABWS)

5 Apr

ABWS (Angry Black Women Syndrome) – do you have it? A good friend of mine recommended a DVD he felt I shoud watch called “Diary of a Tired Black Man”. I guess its been out for a while,  but I am not really into the ghetto style DVDs that hit the street, so I am not surprised I could have missed it. I have to say I was surprised by the content. It’s not a movie per se; it’s a collection of film shorts with commentary from people on the street talking about all aspects of Angry Black Women Syndrome.

To be fair, the film creates the term Angry Black Women Syndrome, but as the film progresses the filmmaker clearly states all women can have anger issues. At the core, the DVD addresses a side of male/female relationships that aren’t always talked about. There has been so much said, written, sang and shown about how men mistreat women, but the other side rarely gets talked about. The fact this film was made from the perspective of a “good man”, made this film different. The term “good man” refers to a man who truly loves his wife/girlfriend and family; one who is trying his best to do right by them. The main point in this movie is “angry” women can make a good man “tired”. Tired to the point where he wants out of the relationship/marriage.

The DVD brings out a few interestings things. The main issue being – many women are angry from the result of bad relationships with men. The DVD talks to several women who admit they are angry and every one of them has had bad relationships. Another contributing factor is the lack of a father figure [people refer to this as having  "daddy issues"]. Women admitted to their own ”anger” and problems with men due to not having a good relationship with their father or the lack of their father’s presence during childhood. The film also talked about how a womens friend(s) can cause her to mess up her own relationship.  It’s a shock to see women finally admit these things, but it is no surprise to men !!

The film was interesting and I recommend you view it. If for nothing else, it will really create some good discussions with your friends, family or your significant other. The film made me want to throw the following questions out for your response:

Women:

Are you an angry woman?

Do you have friends that are angry women?

What normally caused your relationships to go bad?

What does it really mean when you say you are a strong woman?

Men:

Have you dated with an angry woman?

If you have been in a realtionship with an “angry” woman, How did it make you feel?

Did you become a “tired” man?

Both:

How do you resolve conflicts in your relationships (not what you should do but what you actually do ) ?

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  • Butler-robert
    Since Slavery, this society/culture has had a fundemental desrespect of black men.  Until
    an advanced age, adult black men are referred to as boys.  We are denied all oppertunities
    to advance in this system.  Even if we achieve great status - such as President Obama - we
    are still denied respect do to the Office of President! Since birth, a Black boy is virwed as
    less intellegent, less capable and more apt to be irresposible and eventually a criminal.
    We are really precieved as being sub-human. Being denied a father and growing up in
    a hostile enviornment many boys grow up confused have to speculate as to who they are
    and how do they fit in this rascist system? Viewed as being inferior, many boys just give
    up and accept the lower caste role of acceptable expectation! With the dissolution of
    the family and the emerging role of Women, many White boys are soon to join their
    Black Brothers!
  • Ted-Zee-Man
    I will answer your Questions from the perspective of a White man Married to a Angry Black woman. I have been married twice in my lifetime once to a white woman for 33 years. I have dated many Black Women was engaged to two and married one now for almost 8 years now.

    The way I have been made to feel is like I am on a Roller-Coaster Ride with all of it's ups and downs. Maybe she is Bi-Polar. I have no idea why she married me because I do not feel any love. I do not hear any love, and I get no love or respect.

    In some ways yes at times I become a Mentally and Physically tired man. To many times I have felt that the best thing for me would be just to get a Divorce and end all the bullshit garbage.

    I believe that to resolve issues each party must be willing to sit down and discus the problems while respecting the others opinion. That both parties should be allowed to present thier side of the difference. Both parties should have their time to speak respected. [that one should sit in the same room and close to each other while the discussion is going on.] That both should make suggestions about how to fix the problem. If one solution works for both people involved then it is an easy fix. If there is no agreement try to work out an exceptable agreement based upon two or more of the suggestions.

    Rarely do we resolve Conflicts in our marraige or relationship. I feel that it is either her way or no way. There is far to much Yelling, cussing and swearing. At least I am able to apologize for the things that I do that I believe are wrong or hurtfull. My wife has to be backed into a corner to admit she maybe wrong and it is like pulling nails with your fingers to get an apology

    I get the Pleasure of hearing her preach to me about everything I have done wrong during our marraige and made to feel that everything is my fault. But I can not blame her completely for our problems, because it takes two people to dance.

    She comes from a family that was Abusive both Physically and Mentally. She has been in Physically Abusive relationships before. She was Molested as a child. During the 9 years I have known her and her family I can clearly see the affect that her parents had on he Mental outlook on life. I can see her mother in the way she treats me, it is just like the way that her mother treated her dad. I do not believe that I ever saw any Physical display of love or affection in the parents. I believe that in the 9 years I could count the number of times that either said they loved the other on the fingers of one of my hands.

    I believe that the problem is that she believes that to be a "Strong Black Woman" you must be in total control and that is is permissable to Order, Control, Dictate and Boss your spouse around. That comprimise means giving up or giving in.
  • Hatgirl007
    Loved the documentary - it shed a lot of light on our relationship problems. I could feel his pain when he said he wanted to come home to a peaceful house. My mom raised me to know that when you come home you should come home to love, a place of safety from the world and not enter battle #2 when you walk in the door.
    Again - a lot of issues that create the Angry Black Woman syndrome can trace back to a girls relationship with her father and taking responsibility for the decisions she makes in her life (especially her love life).

    Read this short book called "Where's Daddy" that was a great approach to dealing with the many faces of women's relationships and how important it is to deal with one's issues from their first love - their father. I wish more women would look deeper into the mirror and work on themselves, love themselves, and choose men that reflect the love they have for themselves.

    http://www.amazon.com/Wheres-D...

    On the ABS Syndrome - I wrote a poem about it. When I wrote the poem I tried to really get inside of a woman with ABS to dig deeper and try to put words to their frustrations:

    ABS - If I never told you
    If I Never Told You……………………………

    I smile every time I hear you compliment how strong I am

    But

    Truth Is

    I’m not as strong as you think

    I am………………..
    Tired
    Burdened
    Disappointed
    Overwhelmed

    I never wanted to be the bread winner.
    My body is tired from being mother, maid, provider, cook, and protector of your ego.
    I don’t mind sitting in the passenger side seat instead of driving all the time.
    I wish I could count on you to handle business and speak on behalf of our family.
    I want you to be my strength, love, protector, and provider.

    I can’t replace your absence in our home

    Who will keep me safe at night?
    Who will I give the big piece of chicken to?
    Who will keep me warm in bed?
    Who will teach my son to be a man?
    Who will teach my daughter how a man loves a woman?
    Who will intimidate her dates and see through the games men play to protect her from harm?
    Who will I lean on when the world is too cold and tough for me to handle?
    Whose arms can I run to and feel safe and secure?

    I don’t want to fight with you.

    I want us to get along.
    I want you to love, honor, and respect me.
    I want you to be faithful and committed to your family and our journey.
    I want you to be my friend who I can laugh and share with.
    I want you to help because you know I’m not made of super human strength.

    I want us to stay together.

    How about if we both put work into this relationship?
    How about if we take time to see the other person’s point of view?
    How about understanding it’s not about fault or who’s right and who’s wrong?
    How about wanting to be happy with me?
    How about doing the little extra things for each other because we both benefit?
    How about communicating with me your needs and desires?

    So if I never told you:

    I’m dying from the inside out. The frown, anger, and attitude you see is simply me crying for help in a twisted way. I’ve been hurt, disappointed, neglected, abandoned, and overworked. I now understand that I can not blame anyone else for my situation as I took part in the creation and demise of my existence. I don’t have to remain this way but the burdens placed on me are truly greater than I can bear.

    I want to support you, but the same man I want to stand behind and cheer is killing me.
    I can’t be a man and a woman and be pleasant to deal with at the same time.
    I can’t do it all and I don’t want to.
    I’d much rather work as a team being your love and supportive foundation.
    I was created to be your co-pilot NOT the captain, co-pilot, gourmet cook, stewardess, navigation expert, f.a.a. guideline regulator and administrative assistant.

    I’m writing this because angry black woman syndrome does not allow you to see my hurt, fear, disappointment, and sadness hidden behind a mask of “I’m superwoman.” I just thought you should know that I’m hurting more than you know.
    I was never created to be the head of the household, yet it is a role so often given to me due to circumstances.

    If I never told you…………………..I cry
    If I never told you…………………...I’m sad
    If I never told you…………………..I’m not superwoman
    If I never told you……………………I serve as no replacement for you
    If I never told you………………….I don’t want to be alone
    If I never told you……………………I want to live happily ever after like Cinderella
    If I never told you…………………..I love you and want you around for a lifetime
    If I never told you……………………..I always wanted to a wife not a baby momma
    If I never told you……………………I miss you every day since you’ve been gone
    If I never told you………………………I want you. Who cares about right and wrong
    If I never told you……………………..I still want to believe in you and us
    If I never told you……………………….I’m still waiting for prince charming
    If I never told you……………………..I have a heart the size of the world for you
    If I never told you………………………..I need your help
    If I never told you………………………I’m not Super Woman or Wonder Woman
    If I never told you……………………..I am your rib sent by God to build with you

    If I never told you…………………………..
    Sad, disappointed, abandoned little girls turn into mean bitter women over the years.

  • Great post dude,I knew it...
  • The DVD is quite interesting. Good work I must say.
  • This is funny. Angry Black Women Syndrome. Very interesting.
  • hah i knew this wud happen, thanx.
  • hah i knew this wud happen, thanx.
  • Angry Black women Syndrome. Sounds interesting. This DVD & discussion done over here will prove helpful to those who are in bad relation.
  • This DVD seems very interesting. I am in great need of this. Having some problem personally,may be it can help me.
  • Hahaha! Great post! Very interesting, I never knew that ABWS exist. I had a nice read.
  • Thanks for checking out the blog and commenting. You've got to watch the
    video to get the full scope of it all. The acting is a bit over the tight,
    but nonetheless, the message is there and I'm sure it's an eye opener for
    many women.

    Naomi Williams
  • I can't wait to watch the article for myself, Therapy to control your anger wow that is a must watch video.
  • deannamcneil
    I didn't know how angry I was until my marriage finally ended & I entered into therapy. I have never felt better! I certainly learned a lot of passive/aggressive behavior from my Mom & I actively work now to "just say it" instead of trying to couch my comments in a way that I think my listener might want to hear my thoughts.

    I know I have an inner strength that I have never given myself credit for: when my Mom died, I was there for the rest of my family and learned a ton of things along the way, I have weathered moving across this country 4 times in support of my spouses career & any working woman who learns how to get along in the corporate world has learned to be strong to defend her opinions and perspective.
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