Book Review: Ida B. Wells-Barnett Still Speaks: Mob Rule In New Orleans.

Being a Native New Orleanian I admit this book was a difficult read. There is no sugar coating the hatred, violence, and terror. The sheer inhumanity is blatant to the reader. Though I remember hearing stories about a time that mob rule took over the streets of New Orleans, this book tells the stories and gives a name to victims. The horror came to life on the page. These were human beings going about their life, some were driving back into town, some headed to work, others visiting from out of town, but they were all spotted, hunted, and attacked for no other reason than they were Black.

Book Review: “The Light We Carry” is a Lesson in Realness.

This book was an amazing read. I walked away learning more about how I would like to shape life for myself. I appreciate Michelle Obama breaking down: “When they go low, we go high”. I never saw it as a passive position, though in our current climate I understand how others could perceive such. This is a great book for everyone to read, and I think it has such a special meaning for Black Woman as we endure so much in many areas of our life. As we continue to press toward our purpose as women, partners, mothers, and active members of our community “The Light We Carry” is another light we can look to help us chart our path as individuals and as a collective.

Moving to Action Can Be Grounding.

One thing that came to me was constant movement…constant action. My grandmother worked through difficulty by physically moving, and mastering the things she could control until she found a way to manage what she was facing.

Book Review; “How Your Wings Grow”: A Lesson in Family.

The dynamics of the parental relationship can deeply affect that of siblings. The book shows this to be true at every turn. I’m definitely not one to give spoilers, but this is something else that can be flushed out in discussion. “How You Grow Wings” is a book that should be read individually, and collectively.

Changing How We View Wash Day.

Self-evaluation is always a blessing because it leads to right thinking which can lead to healing and progress. I realized a crown is something to be loved, adored, handled with care, and respected. It is a symbol of power. Sistahs this is what our hair is…a symbol of a more internal power. I began to meditate on this revelation, only to decide how I view and engage hair day needed to be different. I needed to schedule a time to tend to my hair so that I wouldn’t be tired or irritable.

Experience Can Be A Cage.

Which is it? Please understand this kind of cage can restrain us in every area of our life that it allies. Some of us are in spiritual cages, cultural cages, and even academic cages. This happens any time negative experiences become the reason that we disavow a whole when the whole is not what caused us harm.

One Room at a Time Sis.

It is important to realize there will always be laundry to tend to, dishes to wash, and something to clean. There will days when all you can muster is making the bed or taking a shower…that is quite okay; it is still progress. Give yourself the grace you give others, and more importantly the grace you deserve.

Control Can Be Dangerous.

Loving them means showing respect for them, even when you disagree with their course of action. Remember, you also have a path that must be charted and that requires your energy. Don’t risk the relationships you value over control. Don’t sell yourself short by focusing so much on others that you neglect the one you have a right to control, self.

Drake: Sis Are You Surprised.

Though it’s on the list of few songs I like by Drake, my introduction to him was “Brand New”. Truth be told he hasn’t changed much. His disrespect of these black women is upsetting, but sistahs unfortunately he hasn’t surprised me yet.

Your Feelings Don’t Make You Right.

I remember my dad instructing: “get out of your feelings and look at the situation truthfully even if you don’t like it…your dislike doesn’t change the truth”.

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