Why The Hashtag #blackgirlmagic Became Popular

#BlackGirlMagic, #BlackBoyJoy, #BlackExellence, and #BlackLivesMatter are just a few recent trending hashtags that have become popular in recent years. These hashtags are examples of black empowerment in the technology fueled 21st Century. One of the most popular hashtags is #BlackGirlMagic. In recent years the hashtag has taken off and is used constantly to describe black women. Unlike other hashtags this one has yet to die down, but instead is picking up popularity and is in constant use. A personal definition of Black Girl Magic is “a variation of black excellence. Explains the automatic grace and wonderfulness that black girls naturally radiate with any and every accomplishment, no matter how big or small.”

First and foremost, Black Girl Magic was created as a hashtag on Twitter by CaShawn Thompson in 2013. Black Girls exude magic in everything they do. CaShawn penned the term of Black Girl Magic to “celebrate the beauty, power and resilience of black women”. An etymological breakdown of the term “Black Girl Magic” is dark-skinned young person with the art of influencing events and producing marvels using hidden natural forces. According to dictionary.com, the phrase Black Girl Magic was “created to celebrate the accomplishments and general amazingness of black women. It is used as an expression of positivity and empowerment.” According to Urban Dictionary, Black Girl Magic is defined as “The art of pure, unadulterated dopeness that every black woman exudes, which beholds not only her internal and external beauty, but demonstrates the glory of God the creator.” While, the phrase has not yet made it into official dictionaries, the term has been hashtagged over 10 million times across platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Moreover, there are several examples of Black Girl Magic in popular culture. For example, Beyoncé has been one of the highest paid entertainers in the county with a net worth of 290 million dollars. Kimora Lee Simons was the first black woman to independently own her own billion-dollar fashion industry, Baby Phat. Michelle Obama was not only the first Black First Lady of the United States, but also a successful lawyer, role model, and fashion icon. Viola Davis was the first black woman to win an Emmy for Best Actress in a Drama. Even the 19-year-old Simone Biles, who took home four Olympic Gold Medals and one Bronze Medal from the 2016 Rio Olympics exemplifies Black Girl Magic.

However, even though the most common examples of Black Girl Magic are only seen in mainstream media, there are several examples of Black Girl Magic that may be considered small achievements. From a black woman beating the odds and graduating from college to a young black girl graduating from kindergarten, that’s Black Girl Magic. The black girl who passed a test she thought she would fail, is a prime example of Black Girl Magic. A black girl who simply looks and feels confident, is exuding Black Girl Magic. There is no stock example of what Black Girl Magic, just like there is no stock example of what being a black girl is.

Ultimately, Black Girl Magic is not just a hashtag that is popular on Twitter, Black Girl Magic is a natural state of being. Especially being on a Historically Black University campus, like Hampton’s, Black Girl Magic practically oozes down the walls and radiates throughout the campus. Many may doubt the magic of David Copperfield. Others may believe that Harry Houdini was nothing but an illusionist, not a magician. However, no one can deny the confidence, elegance, wonder, and beauty that all black girls exude, these things can only be explained by their Black Girl Magic.