It hurts the most when it’s said by other black people 💔 pic.twitter.com/jzxpsOa0I9
— Mbali Mashinini (@mbalis_bakery) December 17, 2024
In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Mbali Mashinini, known for her baking skills under the handle @mbalis_bakery, shared a poignant moment of personal pain. The sentiment expressed in her post, “It hurts the most when it’s said by other black people,” resonates deeply with many who feel the sting of criticism within their own community.
The post, which includes a TikTok video of Mashinini under a shower cap, captures a moment of vulnerability and introspection. The accompanying image, a cute cartoon of a sad cat with a broken heart, amplifies the emotional weight of her words. This visual metaphor speaks to the universal experience of feeling let down by those with whom one shares a cultural or racial identity.
The Context of Criticism
The thread that follows her post reveals a broader conversation about community dynamics, particularly around issues of overcrowding at beaches. One user, @OzalwauMaMnguni, commented on the irony of overcrowded beaches in Europe being acceptable, while similar situations involving Black people might be criticized. This highlights a double standard that often goes unnoticed or unaddressed.
Historically, beaches have been a battleground for racial equality in many parts of the world. In places like the United States, beaches were segregated until recent history, with Black individuals often facing discrimination or exclusion from what are now considered public spaces. The access to these beaches was hard-fought for, and the commentary on overcrowding can be seen as a painful reminder of past exclusions and current inequities.
Community Reactions
The responses to Mashinini’s post range from support to critique. @complexrori encouraged letting people be, signaling a call for acceptance and less judgment within the community. Meanwhile, @popular_lonxr posed a pragmatic question about why one wouldn’t stay home if overcrowding is an issue, touching on personal choices in dealing with public spaces.
This conversation touches on several layers of internal community critique, where race, class, and cultural expectations intersect. There’s an underlying question about who has the right to enjoy public spaces, and how judgments within one’s own community can carry more weight due to shared history and struggles.
Conclusion
Mbali Mashinini’s post and the ensuing discussion shed light on the complexities of identity, belonging, and critique within Black communities. It’s a reminder that unity doesn’t mean uniformity; differences in opinion and lifestyle do exist, and they can lead to pain when expressed harshly or with judgment. This discourse is a call for empathy, understanding, and a recognition of the shared yet diverse experiences within marginalized communities. It’s a poignant reflection on how criticism can hurt more when it comes from within, urging us to foster environments of support rather than division.