Generational trauma, unfortunately, is something we all suffer from–regardless of gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation. Some’s been passed on for centuries (such as the effects of slavery throughout the makeup of Black people or the idea that you endure Hell on Earth to see Heaven). Meanwhile, some have been passed on from grandparent to parent to child. An example of this people only using corporal punishment to discipline their children because “I turned out okay.” Another example is the “ride or die” partner who’s been conditioned to stay with an abusive partner because “we need to stick together” or “if I don’t stay, who else will they have?” It’s up to Millennials to break free from trauma imposed by Boomers and Gen Xer. It’s to Gen Z to break free of any trauma Millennials may’ve imposed (due to their own trauma), up to Generation Alpha to break free of any negativity Gen Z may’ve imposed and so on. I could go on for a few pages with my own thoughts on trauma, but you get the idea. Trauma runs deep, for everyone.

On the song “Made to Suffer,” UK duo MELONYX speak on “the burden to sustain hardship in order to be deserving of blessings wrapped in survivor’s guilt.” While discussing the topic, the song (which is a good “hard listen”) takes up the position that people shouldn’t go through Hell just to feel “worthy” of positivity in life. Humanity (well, the “good ones”) can struggle, win out easily and be deserving of that win without losing everything. Just because one person’s plight was more difficult, that doesn’t mean that your journey isn’t worth it or can’t be compared to theirs.

Diving deeper, as Black women, the song has a Black woman’s gaze. Yes, it speaks on Black people’s struggles as a whole, but hones in on Black women. They are made to suffer, at times, by those who are different shades and those of the same race. Hearing it spelled out here, though? Again, it’s a hard listen that’ll leave you questioning your entire thought process, even if you’re a protector. It’s also a song where you’ll marvel at the resiliency of Black women. Black women are tough. However, it’ll also make you want to tell the ones in your life that “you don’t have to carry that load alone” and “you don’t need to go through Hell to be worthy of a good life.” That said, they need our protection as a society. We need to protect all women as a society, of course. However, we definitely need to look out especially Black women.

I’m not perfect and was on some F-boy stuff with Black women in my teens and early 20s. However, Mama Young was Black. I wouldn’t’ve wanted someone to treat Mama Young F-boy-like, so I changed my ways. That said, the next time you’re thinking you think about messing with a Black woman? Just don’t. Know that she’s been through a lot (even if she hasn’t been through that much) and you need to look out for her. Not because she’s weak, but because we can’t just let them suffer in silence because Black women are “supposed” to be the “ride or die” type. Screw that noise.

Check out the song below, protect Black women, be on the lookout for Soul Glow (MELONYX’s debut album due out in early July) and support dope music in all its forms. No, seriously. Protect them. They deserve to be able to win without going through Hell.