Planned Parenthood

There were shouting protesters. There were also people holding signs with pictures of fetuses and warnings of doing things Jesus’ way. It was odd seeing all this up close. The first time I really understood abortion was when I was thirteen. I watched a close friend of mine endure being called a baby killer after other people found out about a choice she’d made. We were both young, but I quickly learned how cruel people can be. As I got older, I’ve talked with other women who’ve shared their experiences of entering Planned Parenthood to do what they believed was the right choice for them, and while I listened to their stories, I never judged them. Why would I?

I’m a Christian, but I’m not God.

There’s a lot of controversy surrounding Planned Parenthood and I wonder do people who are in protest of it and suggesting it be defunded, have a warped perception of it? Planned Parenthood provides birth control, various forms of contraception, and healthcare, and for many women, it’s the only affordable healthcare they’re able to receive. As a believer, I understand doing things God’s way, but I also understand loving and praying for people vs. criticizing them. You never know what someone’s situation is or what you’d do if you were in someone else’s shoes. Even if you think you’d know what you would or wouldn’t do.

I can also empathize with women that want to have children, but can’t. I’ve also heard the stories of women who’ve loss their babies, weren’t able to carry their babies full term, or have been unable to get pregnant at all. Some of these women may detest the thought of women choosing to terminate their pregnancies. And that’s understandable, too.

But is anyone in a position to judge someone over their choices? I don’t believe so. At the end of the day whatever a woman decides to do with her body is between her and God. It’s none of my business or anyone else’s to debate about what’s going on with another woman’s uterus.

Is Planned Parenthood helpful or hurtful? Guess it really depends on your definition of help or hurt.

Thoughts From a Black Educator: Qualified, Credentialed, and Constantly Undermined

I’m a Black educator in my fifth year of teaching middle school English, and in my third as the 8th Grade English PLC (Professional Learning Community) Lead. And while I genuinely enjoy the purposeful work I get to do, seeing the growth of my scholars, and continuing to hone my skills in a content area I’ve loved since I was a little girl, I’ve had to confront some unpleasant experiences in this space. I’d been through much worse when I was an academic advisor at a Christian university. Racism, sexism, harassment, and workplace bullying were sadly norms in that environment. However, some of what I’ve experienced as a Black educator hasn’t been normal … It doesn’t seem normal to be the only Black educator in my department – in a predominantly Black school. One of my Black colleagues once said, “It should look like a Tyler Perry movie in here.” But it doesn’t. It didn’t feel normal being reprimanded in a meeting (during my second year of teaching) by an administrator who went in on...

Ditching Dating And Decentering Men

Today’s current dating climate is bizarre. It’s grown so bizarre, that men barely, if ever in some cases, will approach a woman in person and ask her out on a date. Instead, the new normal has become DM sliding, creeping on social media accounts, and liking photos to build romantic connections, which honestly doesn’t sound too romantic or appealing to me at all. As a child of the 90s and a teenager of the early 2000s, I miss and prefer the time when men interacted with women without hiding behind technology. There was something special about handwritten cards and notes, thoughtful dates, serendipity, and intentionality. After having some unpleasant encounters, embarrassing moments, and failed set ups (from well meaning people who believe I need to be partnered), I’ve decided, that now, at 36, to choose me. I’m ditching dating and decentering men. I’m no longer interested in meeting anyone, dating, or creating space to prioritize a relationship. I’ve never been a male-centered woman any...

The Day I Took A Concealed Carry Course

Ability, opportunity, and intent are three words I’ll never forget after taking my first concealed carry course. Learning about firearm safety, how to properly purchase and use a firearm, and obtaining my concealed carry license were goals I set for myself and accomplished at the end of last year. Although I felt completely outside my comfort zone, I knew taking these steps were important to me. Mainly because of the current state of our world and society in general. During the course with Concealed Coalition, our instructor began by stating that the world seems more hostile than ever. He shared how you could be an innocent person minding your own business and suddenly find yourself in a situation where a firearm is present or needed. When he asked, “What made you take this course?” I responded, “For protection.” The course was filled with men and women there for the same reason and others. We all learned about specific laws in place surrounding firearms, the steps to purchase them, ho...

Making Waves