Great Spirit, Help me to reconcile all of the emotions and sentiments boiling inside of me, and thank you for stirring the pot.
I grew up in black and white spaces all of my life. I was one of a handful of African Americans enrolled in a Catholic school outside of Philadelphia, and then I experienced culture shock at a racially diverse public high school where kids of color accused me of “talking white.” Eventually, I was forced into isolation while attending a predominantly black college. I was too intimidated by the black kids at that point, and I did not want to hang with the white kids for fear that my people might accuse me of “selling out.”
I grew up in black and white spaces all of my life. I was one of a handful of African Americans enrolled in a Catholic school outside of Philadelphia, and then I experienced culture shock at a racially diverse public high school where kids of color accused me of “talking white.” Eventually, I was forced into isolation while attending a predominantly black college. I was too intimidated by the black kids at that point, and I did not want to hang with the white kids for fear that my people might accuse me of “selling out.”
By the time I reached my late twenties, I was proud to have friends from all different races, ethnicities, and walks of life. I was more comfortable in my own skin, which allowed me to be who I was, no matter the company I kept. Now, in my mid-thirties, my experiences as a black woman have come full circle. As I dedicate more time to social justice activism, I must navigate, once again, white spaces, and spaces of color.
I believe that my role in the movements to which I am most dedicated (Black Lives Matter, Palestinian Human Rights, Women’s Empowerment) is that of a bridge. My life to date has put me in a position to close tragic gaps in an increasingly divided world. The older I get, however, the harder it is for me to be in all white spaces, or all male spaces; I am acutely aware of biases and prejudice. But my discomfort lets me know that such spaces are exactly where I am supposed to be – where I seem to be needed the most.
Many people are still processing the election results that named Donald Trump the next President of the United States. There is a growing collective discomfort that change is on the horizon. I suspect, however, that that discomfort has less to do with the disastrous agenda that Trump will attempt to implement, and more to do with the adjustments we will have to make in our own personal lives – our values, our traditions, and all that is revealed after a deep reflection of who we truly are. Where can I insert myself is the question I keep asking. What matters now? The answer to these questions can only be found while sitting in a place of discomfort.
The Sun just transgressed the sign of Sagittarius the Archer, which is quite timely. While moving through Scorpio, we as a country came to terms with an inconvenient truth: close to half of the population found it reasonable to elect for President a man who is racist, misogynistic, and power seeking. Now in the sign of the truth-seeker, we are being forced to address what has been rattled to the surface. This will require courage and action; Sagittarius will push us to explore all aspects of self and society in order to reach a fuller understanding. The Archer never misses a mark in its aim for truth. The adventure begins, dear Friends. It is time to step outside of our comfort zones, and evolve.
Check your horoscopes to see what’s in store this week ahead, and don’t forget to read for your ascendant sign too.
I believe that my role in the movements to which I am most dedicated (Black Lives Matter, Palestinian Human Rights, Women’s Empowerment) is that of a bridge. My life to date has put me in a position to close tragic gaps in an increasingly divided world. The older I get, however, the harder it is for me to be in all white spaces, or all male spaces; I am acutely aware of biases and prejudice. But my discomfort lets me know that such spaces are exactly where I am supposed to be – where I seem to be needed the most.
Many people are still processing the election results that named Donald Trump the next President of the United States. There is a growing collective discomfort that change is on the horizon. I suspect, however, that that discomfort has less to do with the disastrous agenda that Trump will attempt to implement, and more to do with the adjustments we will have to make in our own personal lives – our values, our traditions, and all that is revealed after a deep reflection of who we truly are. Where can I insert myself is the question I keep asking. What matters now? The answer to these questions can only be found while sitting in a place of discomfort.
The Sun just transgressed the sign of Sagittarius the Archer, which is quite timely. While moving through Scorpio, we as a country came to terms with an inconvenient truth: close to half of the population found it reasonable to elect for President a man who is racist, misogynistic, and power seeking. Now in the sign of the truth-seeker, we are being forced to address what has been rattled to the surface. This will require courage and action; Sagittarius will push us to explore all aspects of self and society in order to reach a fuller understanding. The Archer never misses a mark in its aim for truth. The adventure begins, dear Friends. It is time to step outside of our comfort zones, and evolve.
Check your horoscopes to see what’s in store this week ahead, and don’t forget to read for your ascendant sign too.
