T he discovery of individuality and humanity is a journey seldom untangled. There are no proven strategies to ease navigating the voyage, nor perfect techniques to enduring or escaping unscathed. One must endure the plateaus of necessary isolation, rivers of uncertainty, and islands of desperation. Individuals, young and old alike, desire one thing above all… Continue reading Loved, yet Misunderstood
Category: Personal Essay
The Danger of a Single Story
“The consequence of the single story is this: It robs people of dignity. It makes our recognition of our equal humanity difficult. It emphasizes how we are different rather than how we are similar.” – Author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Recently I was reminded of the danger of a single story during a lecture by Robert… Continue reading The Danger of a Single Story
Thank You Kendrick
Fall 2013, I was a Junior at Georgia State University taking four courses. One of those being a dreadful Biology class that I had grown so tired of as the semester came to a close. A four-page paper was due in two days and procrastination had gotten the best of me yet again. It was… Continue reading Thank You Kendrick
A True Pomona Story
When I was small, maybe 4 or 5 years old, my mother had a friend named Jean. Jean was a robust and tough, a single Black woman who worked a man’s job at McDonnel Douglass. She’d come by after work in her work pants and boots. When she untied her bonfire bronze and oiled hair… Continue reading A True Pomona Story
Sipping Vodka in Prince’s Glam Slam
You can always tell how good a nightclub is by analyzing the girls bathroom scene. Prince’s Glam Slam in Los Angeles did not disappoint. I entered the opulent downtown club anointed with the neon gender-blending symbol Prince created after Warner Brothers castrated ‘The Purple One’ over contractual disputes, forcing Prince to forfeit his royal name… Continue reading Sipping Vodka in Prince’s Glam Slam
Letting Go: Leaving Guilt in The Past
About a year and a half ago I walked into a small family-owned funeral home down south. I was there to plan a proper burial for someone I loved. The days leading up to this visit were incredibly difficult to say the least, because the person I was planning a burial for was my mother.… Continue reading Letting Go: Leaving Guilt in The Past
My Stupid Mouth
I‘ve already begun this on a controversial note, because my title is based on a John Mayer song, and we all know he’s quite the headcase. Confession: I do still listen to his music. He knows how to talk about being an imperfect being in a manner that struck a cord when I was in… Continue reading My Stupid Mouth
Recovering from Childhood Wounds
Many have tried drugs, money, sex, or even moving to remote areas in order to escape the painful memories of their childhood. Maybe some think “if I don’t come home for Thanksgiving then I will forget that my daddy abused me – physically, emotionally, or sexually. Maybe if I don’t go to the high school… Continue reading Recovering from Childhood Wounds
Enjoying The Slow Lane
Living in the Washington DC area has taught me many things. My city is full of culture, good food, and some of the greatest architecture the world has ever seen. But dear Lord Almighty, our traffic is the worst. It doesn’t matter what time of day it is, there is always gridlock. Every time I… Continue reading Enjoying The Slow Lane
Dare to Dream Again
I ran full speed through the imaginary woods with one mission on my mind. “I must save my sister”, I thought to myself as I heard her gasping for air in the distance. “She’s drowning, she’s really drowning”, I said aloud while attempting to catch my breath. At last I reached the ocean of my… Continue reading Dare to Dream Again