Yet, the whiteness of rigor prevents them from experiencing the multicolored, multifaceted curiosity, where the learning and growth reside.

This vicious cycle of oppression remains unchecked because the root, the lack of knowledge/oversaturation of misinformation, receives no positive attention, resulting in unawareness. Here are some tips to move beyond.

Racial solidarity suffers because in-fighting occurs as different groups compare their plights, pitting their need for healing in opposition to others’ similar needs. White supremacy supports this interracial squabble and internalized hate because it strengthens in the shadows and silence.

The self-congratulatory pat on the back for the positive thought sabotages real action from occurring. After the conversations, the task force, and the letters, schools are in the same place because the Secret’s secret necessitates action, which scares our risk averse schools.

So, let’s reconsider self-care as community care that impacts the self. And educators, find your community because our bodies, our mentals, our spirits need that care.

I’ve been blessed to have people say heartwarming, generous things about me. I humbly accept the compliments and smile because they should see my family. My Momma is dope. My Granny is dope. And I fantasize that one day my future descendants can add me to that dope lineage.

I find that my practice necessitates gratitude, a count of the awesomeness that is present in that moment. Repeat to oneself: “I am worthy. As is. I am grateful for this moment because…” This simple and powerful reminder centers one’s worthiness as one way to fight against the fear that too often steals our joy.

And this month, I want to honor Black joy that revives, replenishes, and restores spirits. That too is real and present and can be found everywhere. There is an abundance of Black joy and I am actively seeking it, celebrating and honoring its presence in me in all ways.

This month affirms me and, like Issa Rae, “I rooting for everybody Black” today, tomorrow, always in all ways.

Witness white supremacy at work.

I’m not arguing that their actions should be used as stereotypes for white people. I’m suggesting that we treat Black people and people of color as individuals too.

White supremacy is egregiously prevalent and manifests in a variety of different ways.

I apologize, Black Reality TV Shows

Today, we honor Hank Aaron for his greatness on the baseball field and, more impressively, his grace off of it. I worry that his legacy will be sanitized and America will intentionally forget and leave out its white supremacist and racist ugliness demonstrated toward Aaron and his family as he approached and shattered Babe Ruth's hallowed homerun record. I explore some of the possible reasons why America was so disgusted with Aaron's pursuit of America.

White supremacy, racism, sexism, homophobia and other -isms and -phobias disrupt communication because they speed us up to the point that we often just skip the conversation altogether.

The other problem with stain glass is that we do not see Dr. King for the “real, complex, and imperfect person.” His place on this mythical pedestal removes his humanity and perpetuates the disruptive fable that he alone - with some help from Rosa Parks - solved racism, freeing us.

This week, I share some thoughts that are on my mind - the importance of community and how Covid challenges it, the significance of "know your place," and a reflection about Dr. Martin Luther King's legacy. Take a listen and add your thoughts in the comment section.

One of the ways to challenge and push back against white supremacy is to “get proximate” and reduce the distance that separates us. And my Uncle reminds us, “All ah we.”

We must be aware of white supremacy, so we can accurately name it, which will allow us to see it and, maybe, solve it. Moments like this one purposely delay that journey.

The attack on the Capitol building was a gross display of white supremacy, white privilege, and white rage and, more significantly, highlights that America is not better than this moment.

We are witnessing what happens to the oppressors’ minds after 400+ years of killing, raping, pillaging Black and brown communities and then justifying it with false and dehumanizing narratives that dominant our society’s consciousness. What we saw yesterday was a fear-fueled desperate attempt to protect those narratives.

This investment hinges on our belief of and participation in the value structure. What would happen if every person woke up and said, “I am valuable and my value is not dependent on anyone else” and divested their energy, time, and money from racism and its dominant narratives who we are or who we can be.