Heyyyyyy Sis (sans underhanded, petty, internal side-eye)…I mean, like a real life HEYYYYYY Sis!
How are you? No, for real…how are YOU?!?
?!?
?!?
?!?
Ok, I think we’re alone now. So I can say it…
We are gathered here today, for the post that was originally titled Ain’t nobody capin’ for Black Women…
Capin’ (with a hard long “A”) meaning…there’s no one ripping off their overcoat, three piece suit, ball shorts, baby bonnet, bowtie, or little black dress and tying on a silk superhero cape to check in, on, or up for Us.
But I figured 1) we know that already, 2) ain’t much power in restating the obvious, and 3) I’d rather be the one to truly inquire about you than beat a religiously undying horse.
So here we are. Alonnnne in a proverbial room (in my best Yolanda Adams’ voice).
How are YOU?!?
FINE, is unacceptable and likely untrue. GOOD is probably inaccurate. ALRIGHT is just as bad.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I am the queen of positivity, speaking life, meditating on good vibes, and faithfully walking on air (and tightropes).
I am simply asking YOU, Us, ME, to check HONESTLY, fully, and freely in with what, how, and why we are feeling, being, doing (or not) at this and any moment we need to in order to simply preserve our power and wield it in ways that empower our lives and the lives of those we love.
I know you’re out in this world identifying the problems and being the solution.
You are queen, woman, wife, mother, warrior moonbeam, single, saved, savory, side-hustling, and two-stepping twice as hard to be looked at as half as good; graciously accepting what’s given and mysteriously multiplying it to make ends meet and dreams come true.
You are at the center of everything, yet on the sidelines cheering everyone and everything else on. Meanwhile, your own moments of silence are misread as anger, fear, shy, standoffish power plays. When sis, all you really want is a slice of peace here on earth before it all sends you to the big pie in the sky. I get it.
I may not be you (in particular), but I see you, PERIOD.
I am with you. I am cheering you on. I am caping for you.
So, I’ll ask you again…
Sistahs, how y’all feel?!?