Life is Too $hort... (An Ode to Angel Reese)

Too: adverb, to an excessive degree 

Disclaimer: This post is dedicated to Black women. 

(I think I did good with the disclaimer seeing that I am a Black woman, and I think no further discussion is warranted. That's that on that.)

Now, this is dedicated to Black women... specifically, Black women who have ever found themselves on the receiving end and/or trying to protect themselves from the passive aggressive descriptive insult that starts with "too". 

• Too Loud 
• Too Ghetto 
• Too Hood
• Too Intimidating 
• Too Timid
• Too Educated 
• Too Dark 
• Too Light 
• Too Thick 
• Too Skinny 
• Too Black 
• Too Angry 
• Too Smart for your own good 
• Too Quiet 
• Too Much 

I sit and think about the times I've wondered if I'm taking up too much space, being too smart, too opinionated and in those moments, impostor syndrome creeps in and I shrink myself not to cause too much of a ruckus. Then I have to remember who I am and whose I am, roll my shoulders back, and keep pushing. Some days that's easier said than done. I don't want to be perceived as the disruptor, or getting hit with the classic, "Ohhh, there she goes again." And yet here I am again, deserving to be here to express myself authentically and respectfully so. Am I intimidating or are you intimidated? In my experience, I've found it to be the latter. 

Many Black women that I'm acquainted with have heard the adage that we have to work twice as hard to get half as much. And truth is... I'm fucking tied. I don't want to nor should I have to work myself to the gristle, damn the bone. My work speaks for itself. The way I carry myself speaks for itself. My dedication speaks for itself. You don't have to question my professionalism, my credentials, my tone, nor my presence. I am here and I deserve to take up space in my Jordan 1s, doorknocker earrings, and Fenty red lip. AND I'm allowed to express emotions that aren't happy, positive, joyous. That doesn't mean I'm classless, ghetto, or angry. It means I'm human. 

As my friends Jose & Sean so eloquently put it, tell your friends to pull up! Support Black Women. Love Black Women. Do not degrade us. Do not diminish our shine. Do not sully our reputation. Do not shrink us into these dainty packages that you deem to be appropriate. 

Auntie Mary says it best... Take me as I am or have nothing at all. And let's keep a buck, without Black women, what does this world have?