My Blog

Over the past year or so we have seen what some have called a “reckoning” with a mainstream focus on the #metoo movement. We have seen some powerful men lose their jobs, or even get arrested, for the sexual violence and misconduct that they have perpetrated. In September, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, Deborah Ramirez, Julie Swetnick, and at least one other woman who remained anonymous came forward with credible allegations of sexual violence at the hands of then Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. And just last week the documentary, Surviving R. Kelly, aired highlighting horrific and ongoing violence that the artist has perpetrated against numerous girls and women. Throughout this time, we have talked about the importance of believing women. We have marched, protested, and demanded that Sentors look at us. At the same time, though, we have largely centered white women.Lest we forget that Tarana Burke, a Black woman, created #MeToo through the work she has done with victims of sexual violence in Black and Brown communities for over 20 years, and R. Kelly’s downloads increased during the airing of the documentary highlighting his abuse of Black girls and women.

So I’m left to wonder, what does it really mean to believe women?

After staring at my blank computer screen for two days, yesterday I decided to make a video instead of writing a blog. I have been thinking a lot lately about embracing a “both/and” life and I wanted to share some thoughts. Sometimes writing is hard! So first, I’d love to hear from y’all. Do you like the videos or are blogs better? A combination, maybe?

I spent most of my life living in a very black or white, good or bad mindset. It wasn’t until I found out that my Mom had cancer — on my son’s first birthday! — that my mindset started to shift. Over the next 6-9 months every day felt bittersweet.