About Confronting Your Fears

Fear is a liar.

It’s false evidence appearing real. But it’s something that hinders a lot of people’s lives and causes them unwanted stress, pressure, and anxiety.

And I don’t like it one bit.

The thing about fear is that aside from the fact that it’s present at times, it’s something that can be moved through. Some things have scared me. Some things still do. And then there are other things that I’ve simply decided I’m not going to be afraid of anymore. Instead, I’ll move through them. I’ve moved through bullies that used to pick on me growing up. I’ve moved through insults and shade from internet trolls who have criticized my writing, I’ve moved through confrontations I was scared to have with certain family members, former friends, and different colleagues. And I’ve even moved through fears about different insecurities I’ve struggled with.

You have to confront your fears head-on and move through them, or else you’ll have a hard time getting through this life and its challenges.

Now, understand, there are some things you should legit have fears and reservations about. Mainly things like putting yourself or your life at risk by getting involved with unsafe people, places, or things that could cause harm to you or others, but ultimately, I don’t believe God wants any of us living in a state of fear. I believe He wants us at peace and for our spirits to be at ease. If there’s something or someone in your life you’re not confronting, and it’s put fear in you? Move through it. Those fears can’t hold you hostage anymore. This is your life. So start living it.

The Day I Became A Kidney Donor

About a year ago, I had a dream my dad wanted to talk to our family about something serious. I wasn’t sure what he wanted to discuss, but I knew it was something I needed to prepare myself for. Around the time after I had this dream, I remember stopping by my parents place and sensing something was going on that they weren’t telling me. I tried to dismiss what I’d been feeling, but I couldn’t shake it. Something serious was happening. As I returned to my home after visiting them one day, I was in my kitchen washing dishes when a heaviness hit my heart like nothing I’d ever felt before. Something’s wrong with dad. That’s what that dream was about. God, what’s going on? As I continued washing dishes, I started crying and praying. Then in mid-spring, my dad held an unexpected family meeting that would change all our lives forever. He hesitated at first, and as his voice started cracking and he started crying, he said, “Well, I wanted to talk to ya’ll to tell you that I have kidney disea...

Dear Young Black Professionals

As you embark on your career, I want you to know some things and stay woke about what you’ll be up against. Please understand that no matter what, you have value, and you matter. Always remember that. As progressive as this world and different workplaces may seem, every workplace has a culture. You’ll be in different places where a lot of people who don’t look like you will be in the room. But know that you belong in those rooms too. Spend some time observing and studying those spaces and learn as much as you can. There will be people you work with who will make presumptions about your competence, education, and ability to fulfill your job duties. There will be more who will think less of you because of the color of your skin and try to disqualify you the moment you make an error, mistake, or ask questions about things you may not understand. This will all feel uncomfortable and you may get insecure, feel like you’re all by yourself, and think you don’t belong there, but ride it out...

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...

Making Waves