COVID and Black Folks....Whew Chile!

I have no idea what day of COVID 19 it is but, I know my Saturdays have changed dramatically. I woke up this morning feeling lazy and hungry. I was gonna have some brunch food delivered to my house but, I rallied and went to pick it up myself. I also decided I would go by this Farmer's Market I had been passing by. That trip was a fail. I had to sign up to get a bag of veggies each week. I decided today would be the day I would push myself to start back exercising. There was a time when I enjoyed working out but, this right here....ain't that damn time. Now I want to let you know I went to the baby gym in my building with Clorox spray, wipes, and paper towels. If they got the COVID in that little bitty ass gym I was making sure my black ass did not get it. They don't really care that much about that gym because there is a really nice one in the building next door. It's always pretty empty and I welcomed this today. So I was on the treadmill singing Musiq Soulchild's cover of Reasons by the elements Earth, Wind and Fire at the top of my lungs trying to distract myself from the fact I was drowning in sweat and so out of shape. I kept making these promises to myself to get back in shape. Just as I was about to give up on the workout I realized it was time for Jazzy Jeff's Magnificant Pool Party. I head over to Instagram to listen to his mix. Welp, I was waiting for some upbeat music and to my surprise, he was playing something more mellow. Oh well dammit I tried. Sheesh.

So here I am writing this blog and enjoying a glass of red wine as my neighbors who are mostly white are partying at the pool. I thought I might go to the pool but I can not see how I am gonna make it without slapping the shit out of one of these drunk ass white people. So I may just nix the pool. Who the hell am I kidding I ain't getting my ass in no pool. Not with all this hair! Speaking of hair. Sisters I had an encounter in my office this week......yup I am back to work and they got the nerve to have us working regular hours. So this Sister is running for office and she is meeting with my boss and a few other coworkers. I looked up at this sister's head and whew chile it was a travesty. I don't know if it was a wig or a weave but, the front of her head looks like nappy chest hair aka taco meat. You know when you see something that just ain't right and you try with all your might to ignore it. But, you can't stop looking at the thing you tell yourself not to look at. Then her assistant broke Fashion Commandment 4,987 by wear open-toe shoes with her toes hanging off the front of the shoe. I wanted to intervene but, I decided against it. I just felt like that hair stank and ole girl needed to either buy a half size bigger or put those pads in her shoe to keep her foot from sliding in her shoe. This is why it is important to have friends in your life who will tell you the truth. I mean if my hair looks like chest hair I am gone rock a mini fro or I am gonna pay a grip and get that good good weave. But, I was shocked that she looked a mess. Then listening to her conversation I realized she not only looked a mess but, she couldn't answer a question. Let me put a pin right here and say a few things. As a person who has gone on multiple interviews, I have learned to research the place I am going and hit up that Linkedin page to see who I am meeting with and what they got going on. Nobody had that conversation with this sister.

So basically we are living in a time of protest and for some folks revelation about race relations and racism in this country. In KCMO we have had over 100 murders 102 to be exact. The youngest victim was four years old. My organization has been busy doing the work we do in the community surrounding violence. I took the job I took because I felt like God was calling me to this city to do work. My heart breaks for those who have lost their lives to gun violence. Let me just pause for the cause and say this. I have had to get a whole bunch of educated black folks all the way in check. I don't even understand why some black people think other black people don't care when black folks die at the hands of black folks. I have worked in the nonprofit sector for over 20 years in many different areas. One thing is clear there are always black people on the ground trying to keep violence from happening. On my job, we used to hold lots of vigils for folks who were killed. Due to COVID we had to stop doing them. I was discussing with a friend how much we take for granted. When a person who is already struggling loses a loved one it is devastating not just emotionally but, they already don't have what they need so this situation is exacerbated but they have no savings or life insurance. I can't imagine how heartbroken I would be to lose my child but, I also would have the means to take care of what is needed. In this violent time and this racially charged time, I have had to practice self-care in some different ways. I recently found a new massage therapist who has gifted hands. I typically carry stress in my chest and neck. I was in physical therapy for almost a year for my right shoulder and neck. However, it wasn't until I laid on the table and felt the stress and tension in my body. I knew I needed to get regular massages and find a therapist here in KC. Dealing with trauma, pain and death almost daily can take a toll on you. I know God has called me here and has given me everything I need to have to sustain me. But, Sis I have to put those things in motion. In this crazy time we are living in please let someone know that you are not alright. When you are alright check on someone else. I have no earthly idea what our new normal will be but, I know it will be different. So to all my badass WWRS take care of yourself. Get your sleep, eat your veggies, double up on your vitamins, drink alkaline water, and exercise. And then do things and Run The Shit !!!!!