🍋 When life gives you lemons... 🍋

#WednesdayWisdom

"Your self-worth is determined by you. You don't have to depend on someone telling you who you are." —Beyoncé

Morning Musings

Like a lot of people, I was bummed that Beyoncé didn’t walk away with Record of the Year or Album of the Year at Sunday’s 59th Annual Grammy Awards. Don’t get me wrong, I love Adele and I was a big fan of 25, but it was not, nor will it ever be, the cultural phenomenon that was LEMONADE.
I mean, even Adele thought Queen Bey deserved AOTY.



As I mentioned to my therapist the day after, I was surprised by my reaction to Beyonce’s loss. After all, it’s not like I know her personally, but in many ways, the upset mirrored what many Black women experience day in and day out.

We have to work ten times as hard just to get half as much. Don’t believe me? Whereas White women make 79 cents on the dollar compared to White men, Black women earn 60 cents compared and Hispanic women make 55 cents.

Listen. If Hillary and Beyoncé couldn’t achieve the pinnacle of success in their respective careers, then how the hell am I -- regular LT from the block -- supposed to achieve the seemingly impossible?

Obviously I’m not a politician, nor am I a pop star, but I’m willing to bet that each of us has experienced a similar disappointment in our own lives. Right now, mine is not making Forbes’ coveted 30 Under 30 list.

But like Hillz and 'Yonce, I will not allow these so-called “losses” to define me, my life or my self-worth. Does it hurt in the moment? Yes, of course. Will I rise above it? Absolutely. Because that’s what women, specifically BLACK women, do. All day. Every damn day. Persevere in the face of adversity. Succeed in spite of (or often times, because of) failure.

Because when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. So drink up, ladies. Our work is NOT over. We will NOT be defeated. And we SHALL overcome.

Love,
L'Oreal

ICYMI

Little known LT fact: Charreah K. Jackson, relationships editor at Essence magazine and founder of BossBride.com, is the person who gave me my big break into freelance writing many moons ago. So it's only fitting that I interviewed her for this week's Power Agenda feature over at Her Agenda. 

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Well, that's all folks. I hope you enjoyed this of LT in the City Weekly! Hit me up on the Interwebs below or simply click "reply" to tell me what you think. Thanks a bunches!