What If It Was Your Child?

I never imagined that the Black Lives Matter movement would have the impact it’s had this year. I’ve always known how important the movement was, but after the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd? Even more people got woke. And fast. Many different races stood up this year. There were riots and protests and demands for justice, and the overwhelming amounts of love and support were inspiring and revolutionary. This past summer, different people and communities were coming together and were a united front. Sadly, at the same time, there were others who remained silent as others spoke and stood up.

And that was disappointing.

It was especially upsetting and painful seeing nasty, insensitive, and hurtful comments on the internet and in the press from different people who felt as if the emotions and responses stemming from communities all over the world were unwarranted and not okay. Seeing different people who have kids of their own be so dismissive is something I’ll never understand. I’m not a mother, but I can empathize with family members, friends, and colleagues who are. I’m a Black woman, and I’m also a Black educator. And the majority of the students I teach and work with each week are Black, so I’m well aware of a lot of what’s happening in the world. So to the individuals who feel like there’s an issue with people demanding justice and the peaceful protests that have taken place to promote change, what I’d like to know is how would you respond if your son or daughter was murdered?

What if it was your child?

The families that had their loved ones murdered due to police brutality, racism, and hatred are hurting. They're mourning. And they are in need of justice. I'm certain that if you were in their shoes and it was your child who lost their life, maybe you would feel differently. You would appreciate others supporting your family and being an advocate for justice and change. It's just something to think about. We all have a lot more in common than you may ever realize, so don't pretend you don't know what's happening and choose to remain silent. Speak up, stand up, and show love and support. We can't let hate win.

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...

I’m Glad I’m Not Married

When I was about five years old, I was sitting in the backseat of my dad’s car when me, him, my older cousin (my aunt’s son), and my aunt (my dad’s sister) caught my aunt’s fiancé with another woman. My dad had been driving my aunt out to run some errands since she didn’t have a driver’s license or a car. When she spotted her man with another woman, she told my dad to pull the car over, got out of the car, and immediately addressed him. She wanted the keys back to her apartment and was done with him. The other woman she caught her fiancé with slapped him when she realized what was happening, and that was that. When my aunt returned to the car, she was clearly and understandably upset, and the ride back to her place was quiet. Although I was too young to fully grasp what was happening at the time, I knew it wasn’t good. And now, at 34 years old, I can’t imagine how much pain she was in. Her wedding had been planned and paid for – and she never made it down the aisle. My aunt was a beaut...

How To Respond To A Nasty Email

Technology has made many people bold, rude, and incredibly messy. Often to the point where some may hide behind words they’ve typed instead of verbally communicating a message they want to convey. Such can be the case when it comes to sending emails. Ah, emails. You know what they are. Electronic messages that can be quickly drafted, sent, and misinterpreted (because you can’t always interpret tones or emotions through them). Which is why it’s key to know how to respond to nasty emails if they should ever come your way – especially in the workplace. As a working professional, there have been plenty of times when a coworker or superior sent an email my way that was petty, mad disrespectful, and unprofessional. And before I learned how to properly utilize email etiquette, my first instinct would always be to clap back. I just felt the need to respond and to communicate that I wouldn’t allow anyone, no matter who they were, to disrespect me. And while I haven’t taken t...

Making Waves