There are two warring emotions colonizing my body. The first emotion is a popular one that I was prepared and excited to feel: the wave of unconditional love that hits and settles in a new parent’s heart. The second emotion is one that is often felt and then placed in the back closet of ourContinue reading “Parenting: To Love and Mourn at the Same Damn Time”
Add “No” to your close friends
How beautiful would it be if individuals were unaware of the pressures of the world that force them to say “Yes” when they want to say “No”? “No” is a powerful word with a terrible reputation. The person who wields a “No” is seen as difficult, obstinate, or mean. “No” often feels like the enemyContinue reading “Add “No” to your close friends”
Two Words For 2021
Last year was a year of awakening and reflection. 2020 was about looking inward and examining myself. I completed a full inspection of my humanity with a focus on studying my trauma and the ways in which it manifests in my behavior, relationships, and self-concept (shout out to my therapist!). With this new level ofContinue reading “Two Words For 2021”
I Am: An extended affirmation for a soul engaging in a human experience
I am a freedom fighter. I’ve fought for the freedom of others and I am learning to prioritize fighting for my own freedom. I am working on speaking life over myself with a resonance that disturbs my own unhealthy patterns. I am an explorer. I’ve explored the maze of my mind and the labyrinth ofContinue reading “I Am: An extended affirmation for a soul engaging in a human experience”
Are You a Toxic Empath? The Start of Establishing Emotional Boundaries
Are you an empath or do you lack healthy boundaries? Many of us have learned to guard our flaws by dressing them up nicely and calling them something else. 2020 was a year of awakening for me and as time progressed, I was able to identify many of the untruths I had told myself. UntruthsContinue reading “Are You a Toxic Empath? The Start of Establishing Emotional Boundaries”
Who should be the valedictorian?
The way that we know we have done our jobs as abolitionist educators is when, 15 minutes into the first lesson of content at the beginning of the school year, our students ask us, “how do we know the information you are giving us is factual? How do we know you are telling the truth?”Continue reading “Who should be the valedictorian?”
Journal prompt: like a river
Make room for my melody It details the vibration of my being And it flows like a river If you had to write a song about your life what instruments would you use to create the melody and why? What would the lyrics say?
The duality of black womanhood
The duality of black womanhood is rooted in the foundation of history. The vibrancy of womanhood and the richness of blackness are in bed with the oppression and cruelty we experience as a result of our gender and race. Our bodies are glorified and sexualized. Our ideas are celebrated, but only after they have beenContinue reading “The duality of black womanhood”
Finding happiness in the most expensive places
This is our wild reality A ravaging urge to consume as feral animals thirst for water in the desert Scratching pus filled wounds on the Black Friday register line Hungering for 3.0 even before 2.0 has hit the shelves, Finding happiness in the most expensive places.
journal prompt: Value in the valley
Think about the most recent obstacle you experienced. What value did you find in that valley?
Erin Franklin-Cato 