A Woman’s Worth Is Not Determined by Her Proximity to a Man

Women like Vanessa Bryant and Lauren London are deserving of respect, regardless of their connections to beloved men

David Dennis, Jr.
LEVEL

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Vanessa Bryant speaks at the Celebration of Life for Kobe & Gianna Bryant at Staples Center on February 24, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Update 6/7/22: Level has a new home. You can read this article and other new articles by visiting LEVELMAN.com.

Over the weekend, Vanessa Bryant logged onto Instagram to once again address a grievance on behalf of her family. This time it was about an ill-considered punchline from Meek Mill on a recent song: “If I ever lack, I’m goin’ out with my chopper, it be another Kobe.”

Bryant’s response was short and to the point. “I find this line to be extremely insensitive and disrespectful. Period,” she wrote. “I am not familiar with any of your music, but I believe you can do better than this. If you are a fan, fine, there’s a better way to show your admiration for my husband. This lacks respect and tact.”

It’s another in a long list of times Bryant has had to speak out publicly to defend her and her family’s peace. It seems like every month she’s either dispelling rumors, asking the media to respect her family, or checking someone for the way they address her husband and his legacy. It’s all so sad, honestly, that this grieving widow and mother has to keep doing this. And it’s…

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David Dennis, Jr.
LEVEL

Level Sr. Writer covering Race, Culture, Politics, TV, Music. Previously: The Undefeated, The Atlantic, Washington Post. Forthcoming book: The Movement Made Us