Currently Reading: Assata: An Autobiography

I'm currently reading Assata: An Autobiography. Women of the Black Panther, Civil Rights and other black advancement movements have my current interest. It started when I read A Taste of Power: Elaine Brown's Autobiography last may for a black feminism class. I've never officially referred to myself as a feminist, but reading these stories have made me look at women and feminism in a different light.

Assata starts out getting arrested in New Jersey, and after months of being pulled, slapped and treated horribly around in the judicial system. Her story reads rightfully angry as she jumps back and forth through the story's present time and her childhood. Assata's time jumps kept me interested and pulled me in as I learned about her life and foundation as a woman, along with how she kept that same foundation and morals as an adult. I believe what I enjoy the most about her story is how hopeful she was about having her child despite her current conditions and how much of a badass she was during her court trial and jail time. She stood for what she believed in no matter how many court marshalls and jail security guards tried to break her.

Her story is inspiring to me as a young black woman, although I may not have faced the same adversaries as Assata, it shows me that no matter what is thrown my way not to break my ground and have my demands met. Giving it is too easy, fight for what you want and even if you don't get it, at least you went down with a fight.

Sister Circle

I've always wanted a sister circle. Two or three women who loved me unconditionally as a sister, and wanted the best for me. I've come across a lot of women in my lifetime, but none of them have been "sisterly" to say the least. I've wondered a few times why this is the case, should I be more patient? Or maybe I'm not looking hard enough, or being open enough but at 22 I'd hope to be about 3 years in. Sometimes I wonder if my generation values sisterhood, I see tons of cattiness, jealousy, and downright hatred, but never any love or genuine support systems. Why is this? Has anyone else ever felt like this? Does anyone else feel the need and importance of a sister circle? Sometimes it really can be all we have, and although there might be ups and downs, it's nice to know that you have people who genuinely love you and are willing to help you grow, build and succeed spiritually, mentally, and support your endeavors. Sister circle, where art thou?

Self Validation

Self Validation was not a trait I was taught as a child. It was always "Do this or that to make your parents proud" or something along those lines. Once I got older, I stopped trying to get validation from my parents, and looked for it through lovers. This turned into a dangerous mixture of confusion. attachment, low self-worth and seeking validation through everyone but me. Such a dangerous life for an emotionally developing young woman. I was on a destructive path, full of karmic cycles until I finally learned my lesson. I never would have found the self-love, discovered my self-worth and started validating my damn self. I never understood how important self empowerment was. I started meditating hard for hours at a time focusing on releasing negative emotions towards myself and others. This was the hardest part of my development, finding the love in myself while forgiving myself for past actions. I now understand that whatever it is that I could possibly ever want can be found in myself. Finally realizing that putting self-worth, and validation in the hand of others will leave you feeling worthless and pathless once they are no longer with you.

Love is not just a verb, it's you looking in the mirror

I've had a lot of days when I didn't feel pretty, probably even more when I felt downright ugly. Needless to say, these were not my best days. Learning to love myself just the way that I am, no makeup, #nofilter, hair undone and crust in my eye was one of the hardest yet most rewarding things I have ever done. I've felt ugly so many times by the words of others, until one day I looked in the mirror and realized that I am the shit. No one can make me feel inferior, ugly or anything less than beautiful without my consent. I created, cultivated and grew a new sense of confidence. A confidence that could not be moved by any force outside of me, something that I could call my own. I began to make myself beautiful on the inside so that it would have no choice but to radiate outward. Now I look in the mirror and see the same beautiful face everyday, instead of picking flaws I admire not only my facial features but my body as well. I love myself, and I adore myself without being obsessed with myself. That balance in itself is beautiful. Have you loved yourself today?

Queens & Things

Queens and Things is a blog about self love, my journey with it, things that have helped me and still are helping me. Love is something that I believe makes the world go round, and until you learn to properly love yourself, you cannot love those around you or live in love. Reminding myself and showing others how to live in the moment, forgive and appreciate even the smallest of things by documenting my growth and new experiences. I hope this blog reaches whoever may need it, I hope the words resonate and I hope at the very least that the words will make your heart a little lighter.