My profession leads people to assume that I’m outgoing. I’m quite the opposite. I’m an INTROVERT to the max. I love reading, writing, good music, art, cozy socks, good food, small circles, and being at peace with my own good vibes and thoughts. Oddly enough, I found that the pandemic was enough to drive even an introvert to socialization.
Read MoreI’ve been a part of relationships that I only heard from some people if I was reaching out to the other person. There have been others that I only heard from when they wanted something. It was insulting and saddening. I hated being a part of lop-sided friendships. Truth be told, I have a lot of growing to do in accepting change and walking in perpetual love.
Read MoreOne day I was sitting at lunch as I thought about the systems of our country. I realized how difficult it is for a child to win with statistics stacked against them. Working with youth involved in the juvenile justice system has made the covert plans for Blacks apparent. But the justice system isn’t the only system that oppresses Blacks: there’s the workforce, education, healthcare, housing, plus some.
Read MoreI've asked some of my elders if they have ever seen anything like this in their lifetime before now; each of them said no. I certainly haven't. At the time of this blog, in North Carolina, we are in a state of emergency and under a curfew except for grocery shopping or essential employees. It's something interesting to experience: toilet paper shortages, dry good limitations, being treated like you have the plague because you've coughed or sneezed (despite allergy season) in public. As with every occurrence in life, there is a lesson.
Read MoreBefore the Black community knew that trauma, Depression, or anxiety had a name, there was an answer to all our problems: the answer was Jesus. Public tears were often mistaken for weakness. Silence was golden and a sure sign of [mandatory] resilience. People have taken family secrets and trauma to the grave because that’s what they did. It’s what we do. Generations of substance abuse and unexplained anger can be linked to unaddressed emotion or experiences.
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