So I've gotten a few messages questioning my views on the intensely traumatic situation in Israel and Palestine, namely that I made a post and then removed it. Firstly, I removed that post because I realized I needed to be more educated on the history and weight of life and the struggles in the region. Real talk? I'm still seeking ongoing knowledge and understanding. But I'm more learned than I was a month ago, and I'm still learning enough to continue unpacking my biases and beliefs but be clearer about the intent and impact of my views and statements. So, if you're one of the people who questioned me about my stance or are new to these parts and don't know me or know where I stand on current events, please read and absorb the following words:

Free Palestine.

Ceasefire now.

I care about the impacts of this escalated state of violence on people living in the United States, watching their friends and families suffer through the harshness of war, as well as those experiencing this pain in Israel, Palestine, and neighboring regions. The short-term and long-term mental, physical, and emotional impacts of this state of violence will be something I will never fully understand. But I'll be damned if I'm not going to be there for people and continue learning what I can to be a decent human being and global citizen.

Oppression is oppression, even if you are historically oppressed and wielding your trauma to oppress other oppressed people. Being oppressed and obtaining what you view as safety and freedom does not give you a pass to wield the tools of oppression. Healing is so necessary.

We can all believe in freedom and safety for everyone affected in the SWANA diaspora while condemning hate and harm because what we're all sadly witnessing is the product of long-term trauma and oppression for everyone in harm's way and those doing harm. We must acknowledge that this isn't some cut-and-dry, black-and-white situation that sprouted up overnight and that human lives are at stake.

Human lives lost due to the throes of colonialism, prejudice, and white supremacist ideology is not a good look. Ever. There will never be anything that can be said to me that would convince me otherwise.

There you go. That should tell you precisely what you need to know about me, how I view and value human life, and how I feel about oppression, colonialism, genocide, war, violence, hate, and white supremacy. And that's all I've got to say about that because I do not engage in debates about human lives and oppression with people who want to play devil's advocate or categorize me as hateful for not "taking a side." The only side to take in this horrific ordeal is valuing human lives and freedom. If that's not a side you're comfortable with, I'm sorry your empathy settings need adjusting.

Vitriol will be deleted.

I now return you to your regularly scheduled programming.

This Week's Opening Thought: October 23, 2023

This week's opening thought: Remember to take a moment today to remind yourself of how awesome, valuable, and splendid you are. Why?

Because you are all of the above, silly.

You're all the abovementioned and then some.

I know the world is heavy right now. The exposure to the pains and traumas all around us is heavy. Life can feel so heavy. The traumas so many of us are enduring right now are extremely heavy. But none of that weight diminishes the fact that you deserve love and horn-tooting. You deserve to love yourself and show yourself that love every chance you get. And that love deserves to extend to every part of you.

Every nook and cranny.

You're a biscuit, baby. Butter yourself up.

On People of Pallor, Law Students, and White Supremacist Ideologies

I recently saw a video where a young, inebriated woman of pallor was pulled over for a suspected DUI. She failed every field sobriety test with flying colors. When the officer informed her that she was under arrest, the young woman, who shared she was a law student, told the officer she could not be arrested unless she consented to, and was willing to be, arrested.

This sentence was one of the whitest things my ears have heard in the entire year of someone’s Lord 2023.

The things that white supremacist ideologies implant in the bodies, brains, and belief systems of the un-melanated masses never fail to shock me.

Does she think that if people of culture, Black, Brown, and Indigenous people, consent to the harm that policing systems have levied against us for centuries? Does she think the melanated are willing participants in centuries of traumatic events administered by policing? Did she believe the officer, a white male, was going to agree with her and let her go because she thought she was more learned than him on the law and could outsmart them? Did this un-melanated woman believe she was above the law, even though she posed a threat to other civilians by being above the acceptable breathalyzer test levels?

Or is it all the above?

And how many people of pallor have similar beliefs and values?

And how many of them are lawyers?

The things that make you go “Hmm.”

I hope she never gets to practice law.

This Week's Opening Thought: October 9, 2023

This week's opening thought: Much love to my Native and Indigenous friends, family, and colleagues on Indigenous People's Day. Y'all matter, your heritage and stewardship matter, and I see y'all.

Remember white people: you can't discover something that was already there and inhabited by people for thousands of years before yo' asses popped up.

Also, Columbus was a [redacted] jive [redacted] turkey. End of discussion.

On "Fit," Belonging, Copping a Squat, and Sitting a Spell

For those who have never felt how it feels to understand that there isn't a workplace where you "fit" or belong because of your identities and that your only recourse is to do what you must to survive, count yourselves lucky.

But while you're counting your lucky stars, sit a spell and unpack how privileged you are to feel like you belong everywhere with no feelings of discomfort or attacks on your personhood.

Or cop a squat and mull over how unwilling you might be to acknowledge that you've accepted assimilation and suppression of who you are in some fashion as a form of survival.

Acknowledging these things isn't intended to make you feel guilty.

Acknowledging these things is intended to help you tap into your humanity.

Workplaces aren't one size fits all.

Identities, safety, and belonging aren't either.