As I write this, I'm reminded of "Scandal", season 3 when Mama Pope was introduced. It would be another almost 4 years before she would be gifted a monologue that could make Eli/Rowan fall to his knees, but she has always been a formidable beast.

While Rowan likes to boast growing up in Detroit, I imagine that it was actually the suburbs of D-town, than the actual city. Maya/Marie grew up in Flint.

"Hood" girls are fetishized. We're desired. Until we aren't. Until, despite our pedigree, we respond in a manner that, of course, isn't appropriate of "a lady."

I sit here, born and bred of the east side of KC: big hair, and hoops, the fantasy of many men, no matter the race. Oh yeah, PG/Johnson County women, please know that it is us that your men are longing for--not you. WE love your men. We nurture them. We are the women who are hired to attend to their needs.

Why?

Not because we're easy. But, because, to them, we are what defines Black womanhood. Strong women. Those who can take whatever is thrown our way.