Dear Diane Abbott,

Thank you for paving the way for Black British women in politics, although it is a road that has often cut your feet.

The first thing I feel compelled to do is apologise. I am sorry for the misogynoir you suffer from all corners of society. From the political establishment to the white working class to the black working class.

At a march a few weeks ago, to protest youth violence on the streets, I watched as a man called you out, suggesting you could not be bothered to come out and support your community. You had indeed come out to support your community, by listening to mothers who had been bereaved, rather than taking centre stage. As you took the mic to defend yourself, I struggled to hear as someone in the audience shouted that you were a “wicked woman”.

Thank you for continuing to defend yourself despite the noise. In a world that constantly silences black women, you are an important example.

To the black man I came to march with, I remember remarking that every day you struggle because you work within a system that was made to oppress you. It hurts my heart. Our political system is one that was made by, and continues to be dominated by — rich white men. Your survival within it every single day is nothing short of miraculous. Too often, people forget to stop and recognise these odds you are up against.

No sane soul can doubt that you persevere through it all out of a love for your community and its people. The salary you receive will never be able to compensate you for the way you consistently respond to ignorance with intelligence and grace. The Cambridge degree you received means there are so many other options, where you would not be so misused and abused, available to you. Thank you for choosing to walk this road, although it is not an easy one.

Only last week, I witnessed as you became the source of intense internet mockery because you messed up some figures. I noticed that although Jeremy Corbyn and Theresa May had also fudged their figures during their election campaigns — they were not nearly as criticised in the national media. Like all black women who have felt the prick of a microagression, I immediately knew why. I felt sick as I saw another journalist had photoshopped you into bed with him, suggesting he had calmed you down. Sadly though, I did not feel surprised.

I want to thank you for reminding Black British women everywhere that excellence is possible even in the most hostile of environments — where your womanness and your blackness are so threatened and violated.

Ten years before I was even born you were elected the MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington. You are the first women from an Afro-Caribbean background to become an MP. Before I even became passionate about politics. Before I had watched BBC Parliament and realised that there were nearly no women like me in a place that makes so many decisions which affect women like me — you were there, sparking something that is so much bigger than yourself. For so long, single-handedly fighting a battle that is so much bigger than yourself.

The life you have lived, and the work you have continued to do despite insufferable and unfair abuse is testament to the remarkable strength and resilience that black women possess. Your example is a shining one. Thank you.

Your resignation will no doubt be subject to as much intense scrutiny as your political career has been. I want to thank you for it also - for reminding black women that although we possess incredible strength, we are allowed to rest.

Ms Abbott, for your future I wish you whatever you continue to hope and dream for.

From myself, I promise you to continue walking these roads, sparking these fires and fighting these battles that are so much bigger than me.

For many reasons, I will not do so in the political sphere.

But from the very core of me, Ms Abbott, I want to thank you.

Yours sincerely,

Izin Akhabau