My great aunt Emma's hands have experienced and lived many things in her 95+ years of living. Growing up and still today, she tells me stories about her #blackexperience as a woman living in America because I am #neverforget the path that was so lovingly cleared for me with the hope for me being able to safely walk down. Pride filled while walking from who I came from with my head held high in that fact. She shares the many stories of horrific things done and said just by her existence as how she was so loving brought into this world. No matter how hard or tired she was, she remained focused on my walk ahead and not the journey she was on, focused on the move to push past the harsh inequalities that existed in the perception of being a black woman. I was always touched by her nonviolent repsonse during the fights, protests and stands she took fighting, always leading with and by love, and reminding me no matter how hard things are to live and lead in love. You see the fight was based on the most American of ideals, those of equality and the pursuit of happiness, to have a better black experience living in America. As of late the weariness and heart break has creeped in within me. Hope in the goodness in other people becoming a little harder to see due to the consumption of hate. That consumption that has lead to the experiences of many people and sadly myself, being slapped in the face with mirror of my perceived place in their ideal America based on my birth right of a black woman born and living in America. So I will stand and fight the fight how I was taught by her and like many others because there is more work to be done. I will always stand up for the fair treatment of every human being no matter what with an open heart and mind spreading love and using my voice to speak out for what I beleive in. Leading with love embracing the fight I strongly believe is how we are meant to exist and coexist with all, no matter race, religion, birth place, or preferences of all kinds with and by love focused on this pursuit of happiness! #bethechange #livingthechange #HappyMLKday #onelove #Godislove
