Blessings, affirmations, grace, and reflection

Sometimes you've just got to tell folks that "they've got to do better."  Today was one of those times. Girlfriend was mad, but she knew she had to step her game up. I think she is finally realizing that this is real life. I'm going to need you to do your job and I need you do it well. So I put a plan of action into place. Weekly meetings to check in on her progress, prioritizing projects for her (since she can't seem to handle it on her own), helping her plan ahead so our volunteers can help her get organized and stop hiding work!  This girl has a lot of poor work habits. I think she thought it was enough to just show up to work on time every day [insert buzzer] WRONG! If she needs to come in early or stay late to get her work done then that is what she has to do. Hell, everyone else does it. I hope that we can eventually be on the same page, because I am about ready to beat her ass! If she can't handle this job I am wondering how the hell she is goin...

There have been many emails, memes, and blog post about what it means to be a Strong Black Woman. Michelle Obama spoke recently about the stereotype of the Angry Black Woman (ABW) but what about the fallacy that we must always be strong? As the product of generations of female headed household, I was raised to be fiercely independent and a SBW. This made me an ABW in the long run. I thought of this when Michelle spoke of being labeled an ABW, but also when I spoke to someone today who told me that her father passed, but she didn't show emotion to her daughters. How the hell do you NOT show emotion when your father dies? It is an unrealistic an unhealthy expectation. Little black girls should NOT be raised to hide their emotions. I know how damaging it was to me. I used to cry at the drop of a hat as a child. They called me sensitive. I was labeled weak. Eventually I learned to hide my emotions. To develop a "poker face." To never "let them see me sweat." I deve...