Minimalism has been a mainstay in the wellness and financial spaces for the last decade for good reason. As a life> Black women are 72% more likely than average to be considered “upscale fashionistas,” compared to 54% of Asian consumers and 37% of Hispanic consumers. Against that backdrop, luxury purchases carry symbolic weight: not just about owning, but about being seen and taking up space.
But Ashley Viola, a social commentator known for her critiques of capitalism and culture, prompts us to ask a deeper question:Even if luxury feels empowering, what system are we still perpetuating? “Even when luxury is framed as self-affirmation for marginalized groups, it still rests on the same capitalist logic of validation through ownership and exploitation,” says Viola. “While I understand why that performance can feel empowering in a society that denies Black women dignity, we need to remember that true liberation will never come from proving our worth through buying things.”
Liberation comes from getting clear about what we’re truly entitled to: rest, stability, and dignity. “Too many of us are pushed into underpaid, grueling jobs in industries like domestic work, retail, nursing homes, or food service, while also doing unpaid labor at home like raising children, caring for elders, and holding our families and communities together,” says Viola. “Our labor keeps the entire system running, but it’s often made invisible and undervalued.”
A Black minimalist framework, then, needs to blend personal expression, intentional consumption, and political consciousness to challenge us to interrogate our relationship with ownership and consumption—not just what we hold onto, but why we acquire, how we use, and what our choices mean for our communities and the world. Embarking on this journey can start by integrating these principles:
Living With Less, Liberating in Color
1. Understand your why.
Ownership has always carried a double edge for Black people in America—denied property for centuries, then shamed for “wanting too much” once access was partially gained. As Platt reminds us, moving toward a healthier relationship with ownership means reclaiming our power by being intentional. Ask: Why do I want this? Does it align with my needs, values, or story—or is it about performing for someone else? Letting go of items you no longer use, need, or love is not loss and lack—it’s liberation.
2. Be reflective about your authentic > The Frugal Feminista and author of heal your relationship with money and Unmasking the Strong Black Woman.
The post Owning Less, Living More: How Black Women Are Reshaping Minimalism appeared first on Essence.