(Image creator with Maya Angelou quote unknown)
I've survived wondering how I would make it through with no safety net.
I've survived work place bullying and harassment
I've survived being underpaid and unappreciated.
I've survived depression.
I've survived health conditions I never planned on struggling with
I've survived grief
I've survived the kind of disappointment and pain that causes people to walk away.
Here is what I have learned in my short lifetime. We are in this together. I knew this when I was a child afraid of Maitesine, when I have been an adult in my partner office crying because boko haram was killing people and I couldn't reach my family, or when I saw my family members grieve loved ones lost in the so-called civil war in Sierra Leone.
I also learned that we must speak for each other. I am not gay or transgender. But I will speak for our brethren who are LGBT. Because they are as deserving of dignity, love and respect as every other human being made in the image of God. I will speak for my Muslim neighbors because in my heart dance memories of the people who have loved me the most who are Muslim, and because they are covered by grace as am I. I will speak because the darkness cannot survive the light. I will speak because courage is a practice. And in a political environment where people draw artificial barriers between work and life, where we don't discuss social justice issues, I know that my failure to speak will inevitably lead to me being silent when I should not.
Read MoreWe meet Miguel as the delightful young boy in “Coco". He is born into a family of shoemakers where music is banned but he has a problem. He loves music. He knows he is a musician. He has built his own guitar resembling the guitar his idol used. That’s how we meet the most famous musician, Ernesto de la Cruz, beloved and adored. Miguel soaks in every word Ernesto says in videos of concerts, and in movies he acted in. Ernesto represents the story of a man who set out to follow his dreams and never turns back, whose tenacious commitment to his success meant doing whatever it took to “seize the moment.” “The rest of the world may follow the rules but I must follow my heart.” That is where the unease set in. Ambition that sees no limit — “is that a good thing?” I wondered.
Read MoreWhen my oldest daughter was a mere 18 months old, I shared some pictures from our family vacation. Someone commented that she looked like she had an “attitude.” She was 18 months old. She was having fun in the sprinklers and was posing.
It never occurred to me that if I as a Black woman (symbolically) was portrayed as the maid and revealed a hidden figure, hyper-sexualized, portrayed as the sassy Black woman that my Black daughter would be exempt.
Read More"They are hiring Black support staff for Kori because her client says diversity is important." This claim made in clusters of groups led to several conversations in an organization I once worked at. When I started working at the organization, I was one of only two Black people. Over time, and with new administrative leadership, a Black female administrative staff person was hired. And then a second one was being interviewed to support me and my team. I came to learn there was scuttlebutt and this statement was made. Apparently, the hiring of new employees who were diverse (specifically Black) was of concern to some.
Read MoreIt was a lovely event — lots of ladies and a lot of tea. We were all giddy about the baby on the way. Somehow or the other we got on to a topic and the story involved Bruce. “Who is Bruce?" I asked. Person after person kept describing him. The descriptions kept coming and I didn’t get a picture. I just couldn’t figure out who they were talking about. I sensed something in the air but wasn’t sure what it was. Although I was hosting this baby shower, I didn’t know most of the ladies well. It was then that the guest of honor, who was sitting next to me by the fireplace said, “Oh, for heaven’s sake, Bruce is the tall, Black guy on the worship team.” I started laughing.
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