Nah Kendrick, We Are Not Alright!

I woke up to a Tweet about the body of David McAtee, a Black man killed in Louisville by the police, laying in the streets for over 12 hours. I immediately started to cry and that shocked me.

After being known to feed the police for free, they killed him, and left his body in the street. For 12 hours. I dont want to hear shit about property damage. If you don’t have the same energy for Black PEOPLE… whew https://t.co/wrfGCw1vb5

— Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) June 1, 2020

It’s not like this groundhog’s day of a horror movie we’ve been living is new to us. I remember protesting when Rodney King was senselessly beaten by police officers in LA thinking to myself that this will be the change. And it didn’t happen.

The Rodney King not guilty verdict left me desensitized. At the time, it was the only way I knew how to protect my mind and wellbeing. Eventually, that wore off and here I am today, angry, heartbroken, and determined.

I still believe being intentional and mindful about my own actions can make a difference. Yet, I also realize it doesn’t stop the police from killing us. It also doesn’t stop the Amy Cooper(s) from threatening our livelihood. As the song Might Not Be Ok by Kenneth Whalum says:

Black folk been dyin’ and they gon’ keep dyin’

Police been firing’ and they gon’ keep firin’

The government been lyin’ and they gon’ keep lyin’….

‘Nother civilian, ‘nother not guilty

‘Nother T-shirt, ‘nother rap lyric

’Nother life gone

My soul feels like it can’t take it anymore.

Each time another name is added to a T-shirt I pray, “Lord, please let this be the last one, the one that brings us the needed change.” And then you have the President of the United States calling us “thugs” and declaring, “when they start looting, we start shooting.” That’s when I’m reminded that this war is far from over.

And yes, I said we are at war. We are fighting a system that wants to kill our wellbeing, our peace of mind, and our wealth, and I refuse to let THEM win. Not against me or you!

Your self-care isn’t a luxury. It never has been and never will be. Self-care is your armor and protection during this war. Audre Lorde said it best:

If there ever was a time I wished I was traveling out of the country, now is that time. I’d love to be in The Seychelles or Colombia on a beach away from the threats of being Black in America.

Traveling aboard and enjoying a self-care trip is one of the ways I and many others protect their wellbeing. However, the universe wants all of us here this time.

The universe is asking us to not escape or be silent, but instead, stand up and fight for our self-preservation, our self-care.

I don’t claim to have all the answers to win this war. But I can promise you that Rogue Experiences will do its best to be by your side on the battlefield providing you with tools and resources to help you create an active self-care practice. We also will continue to offer a safe space for women of color to talk and come together as sisters in war.

The victory is ours!!!

5 things you can do now to protect your self-care:

Limit the news you ingest. We all have a limit on how much we can take and it’s ok to tune it out.
Use your voice if you feel called to do so. Studies have shown holding in our emotions can negatively impact our mental and physical wellbeing. This could be journaling, sharing your thoughts online, or getting involved with the protests.
Do something that brings you joy unapologetically. Binge-watch your favorite show, chat with your girlfriends, or plan your next trip! Whatever brings you joy, that’s what you should incorporate into your life right now.
Get moving! Stretch, dance, or go for a walk to help release your emotions and lift your spirits.
Connect with loved ones. However, if this doesn’t provide you with comfort, it’s ok to ask for space.
Give yourself permission to not be ok. You don’t have to have the answers or be the strong one for others. Allow yourself space and time to feel whatever is coming up for you without guilt.