The Big Cry 😭

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#WednesdayWisdom

"If Black women were free, it would mean that everyone else would have to be free since our freedom would necessitate the destruction of all the systems of oppression." — The Combahee River Collective, April 1977

Morning Musings

A few weeks ago, I tweeted about feeling a Big Cry coming on and asked the Internet ways to coax it out so as not to arrive at an inopportune time. Yes, the planner in me never ceases. And while I received a lot of helpful suggestions, my Big Cry simply decided it wasn't ready yet and would arrive on it's own timeline.

Well, homegirl came, saw and conquered for three days in a row. It seems like all of the stress and anxiety of the pandemic and recent racial reckoning, combined with a twinge of sadness and a dash of jealousy for good measure along with Mercury retrograde AND a full moon were just too much for my poor tear ducts to handle.

And thus, the tears.

I was almost at my wit's end, when I came clean to my friend and work bestie Pam about all the above and she not only heard me, but held me. It was an uncomfortable situation as some of that jealousy was misdirected toward her and the recent success of her bestselling poetry book, but it was also comfortable because I felt safe enough to show up as my full, authentic imperfect self. I felt like we deepened our friendship as I'm not accustomed to that level of honesty and vulnerability with just anybody.

Safe to say, my mood improved drastically afterward. A walk to the local library to pick up my holds also helped (I stand by my declaration that we are complicated house plants and need fresh air, water and sunshine), as did a long overdue therapy session and impromptu solo dance sesh to Gabrielle Union's #BlackGirlMagic playlist.

After 48 hours of meh, ya girl is back to feeling like herself. Thank you, Pam. I love you. 

Love,
L'Oreal

ICYMI

Fun fact, shortly after The Election, friends and colleagues encouraged me to run for office. I assured them my political aspirations began and ended as class president in eighth grade. But I love how Vote Run Lead is encouraging women to run for office. In my latest for Shondaland, I interviewed co-founder Rhonda Briggins about putting women in positions of power.

Virtual Happenings

July 12: How to Grow Plants & Friendships. My friend Vanessa Flowers of Flower Girls Meet is hosting a conversation with Jasmine Jefferson of Black Girls with Gardens. (FREE)

July 16: I Can't: Side-Hustle. My girl Jessica Williams is back with another crash course on all things side-hustle. ($34)

Links I Love

1. Michaela the Destroyer. The journalist in me stans a good story. This week, Vulture senior writer E. Alex Jung has blessed us with two. (after you finish reading the one on Michaela, be sure to read the one featuring Thandie Newton -- reporting at its finest!). (Vulture)

2. How I Get it Done: Writer and Activist Raquel Willis. I've become a bit of a Raquel Willis fangirl of late. The former executive editor of Out magazine and the newly named director of communications for Ms. Foundation is doing BIG things. Get into it. (The Cut)

3. Reading Anti-Racist Nonfiction Is a Start. But Don't Underestimate the Power in Black Fiction. If y'all have been around for a while now, you know my love for Jasmine Guillory (for a refresher, please see my Q&A with the romance writer from last year). Here she makes the case for Black fiction and I concur (because tbh, it's the only thing I've been able to successfully read during this pandemic anyway and her novels are a salve for the soul). (TIME)

My Latest Obsession

I've had "Black Parade" on repeat since the Queen debuted it on Juneteenth and it's giving me "Formation" Part II vibes (like I can see the choreo in my head against the backdrop of NOLA).

I am keeping my fingers crossed that there's a full-length video to accompany it in the highly-anticipated Black is King visual album (inspired by last year's The Lion King: The Gift, which I listen to religiously at least three times a week) coming to Disney+ later this month. 

P.s. If you haven't checked the Black-owned businesses spotlighted on Bey's virtual parade route, you're missing out!

Now Hiring

1. Content Director for SimplyBe. Agency

2. Communications Intern for NCAN

3. Senior Staff Attorney for Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation

4. Social Media Insights Analyst for Peloton

5. Content Marketing Manager for the Pat Tillman Foundation

6. Program Manager for Code Nation

7. Director of Communications for Public Citizen

8. Data Manager at Color Change

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