2016– Two years ago on Thanksgiving, I was sitting in a hospital room while my younger brother was in a coma. The stark white walls of the trauma ICU screamed sterile, but a small turkey decorated a window reminding us that a holiday was upon us. A week prior, he was brutally stabbed and almost lost his life. The universe works in mysterious ways, that … Continue reading Truly Thankful
“So let me guess, your friends convinced you to leave the house again?” Shane diverted his eyes away from the bathroom mirror. He could not stand to look at himself. It had been two weeks since he had gotten out of bed. Two weeks since he brushed his teeth or washed his hair. By day 14, he finally decided to get up and check his … Continue reading Flash Fiction: Drowning
It is tiresome to constantly feel the urgency to watch my back. I have yet to find proof that it is safe for me to let my guard down and run into the arms of a world free from harm. My hypervigilance is intersectional; I have three strikes against me. I am a woman. I am a Black woman. I am a Black woman with … Continue reading Hypervigilance is Exhausting
A phrase that, theoretically, is supposed to stop us in our tracks. Someone with coerced authority tells us to stop resisting and we are obligated to become compliant. Despite the egregiousness of the offense, we are expected to relinquish opposition and concede. We hear this command from police officers. We hear this command from government officials and leaders. We hear this command from complete strangers. … Continue reading “Stop Resisting!”
One of my talents is that I have a really good memory. I am good at recalling names, dates, statements, significant events, and useless trivia. Trust me, it is not photographic or anything, but I have to admit, it is pretty impressive. I surprise a lot of my friends when I can bring up something they said last week or even last year. I surprise … Continue reading Having a Great Memory & Secondary Trauma
