Youthful Life: X

Truth - We should all be feminists. For the sake of the world and creating the best reality possible, we must prioritize dismantling the patriarchal system we have been indoctrinated into. Everyone and I mean absolutely everyone has a stake in the fate of womxn across all diversities and intersections of identity. The liberation of womxn is inherent to the emancipation of all from rigid gender roles, societal expectations, and adverse stereotypes that prevent people by from reaching their full potential. Agency is the ability to choose, and to choose for yourself. Feminism is about dynamic agency in all aspects of life. "Feminism is hated because women are hated. Anti-feminism is a direct expression of misogyny; it is the political defense of women hating." Andrea Dworkin I am a feminist because people should be able to have choice in all aspects of life. Freedom is choice and to be so without the bondage of a world order that demands restriction, complacency, and...

Truth - Some people are amazing because of who they are, but there are a select few who are awe-inspiring in spite of the adversity they face. There is something profound to be said about those that society writes off in multiple ways. These are the people that are often overlooked, disregarded, and made to be invisible. What society doesn't realize is that in doing so it creates an undeniable power dynamic. Just as those who society uplifts have their power source, those that it disempowers get their strength from their disenfranchisement. When the world tries to break you, tell you that you are nothing, and whispers in the most insidious ways that you do not belong you break back, tell your own story, and shout that you are above it all. This is a special brand of awesome - this black girl magic.  "The kind of beauty I want most is the hard-to-get kind that comes from within - strength, courage, dignity" Ruby Dee Black girl magic is a term coined by CaShawn Thom...

The 20s are all about finding your voice. There are so many things that hold us back from being bold, but most of it is internal. Fear is a powerful thing. Going against the grain, being different, and changing the learned narrative can be terrifying. We're taught to not just ignore difference, but to avoid it and not to acknowledge it. The truth about is difference speaks loudly in a sea of sameness. There's more than one story. There's more than one voice in society, but it's called history for a reason. I want to hear herstory . All the women whose voices and actions we don't learn about - the heroines, victors, and femme fatales. "Women shouldn't be valued because they are strong or because they kick-ass, but because they are people" * This is part two and the conclusion to my social justice posts on feminism. Missed part one - catch up right here "Women's Intuition" . Here's a quote to keep in mind about this opinion post...

The 20s are all about speaking your mind. We can all think and we pretty much have ideas on just about everything, but it highly beneficial to know when you speak and when to listen. You pick your battles, and maybe for some that means fighting only the ones you can win, and for others that means speaking out and fighting until the end. We're all entitled to our opinions, but you're opinion is just that - your opinion. The harsh reality is, some people's opinions have more power, more clout, and more potency to make things happen. This is how society is shaped. Ready to take down society? All it takes is a little women's intuition. Recently my facebook newsfeed and twitter timeline have been inundated with links to other bloggers, inspirational videos, and heinous crimes on a wide array of topics. I realized there's one I haven't really mentioned much - feminism. Don't go running scared, hear me out. Feminism (just like all the rights ideals) is about pr...

Being a teenager is all about seeing, and hearing the most outrageous things possible. I don't know what it is about the summer but it makes the freak or the freaky side of people come out. Like chill the heck out and relax. Just because it's sweltering outside does not give people the right to strip down naked, go streaking or skinny dipping. There are children around, as in myself. I have no intention of seeing whatever you are or are not packing, or getting flashed. That's called indecent exposure and I am now scarred for life. Keep your damn clothes on, please and thank you. No matter where I am nowadays, riding in the car, getting the mails from the mailbox, or buying dorm supplies, I can count on seeing some skin. If you're an old man, it's not necessary for you to be shirtless while you tend to your yard or fire up your grill. If you're a middle-aged woman you don't have to be a bia when you're gardening, your damn radishes won't be ready to h...