While doom scrolling the other night attempting to catch up on the latest atrocity happening in America, I thought to myself, “Dang I’m going to have to cancel my “menty b” (mental breakdown) to help save the world. If you share my sense of humor then you understand that might be one of the funniest thoughts I have ever had during a crisis. Before you question my choice of words, yes, we are in the middle of a national crisis, crises to be more accurate. It has been happening for a while now.
If you haven’t been living in a pineapple under the sea, then you know the start to 2025 has not been great. Between two terrorist attacks, school shootings, multiple airplane crashes, and a leadership that is dismantling the foundation of this nation, a lot has happened. I’m sure right now the future looks bleak and you may be feeling nervous and overwhelmed with all of these things happening right after the other.
I think we are suffering the most right now because as a society we are not united. Our metaphorical house is full of chaos and the building is on fire. We are all grappling with the choice to save the house, save ourselves, and how to foster unity amongst one another despite our many differences.
Black women are tired and disappointed
As a black woman, the emotion I have been dealing with lately is disappointment with a hint of anger. I think many black women will agree with me when I say a large majority of us did our part, but we don’t feel supported and feel lied to by many people who said they loved and supported us.
I want to place my anger in so many places, but I’m also aware that placing my anger on any particular group of people who may have let me down isn’t going to solve anything. It is only ever going to cause more disruption and keep us from what should have been a shared goal. But this is where my disappointment stems from because how can I have this understanding and knowledge, but not the people who have let me down?
The “f around and find out” era isn’t helping anyone. It only means a more crowded prison for us as we wait for justice to be served, but justice hasn’t been showing her face. All we are seeing is ignorance and corruption. It can be overwhelming.
If you feel as though everything happening is too much for you, please reach out to someone. Therapy for Black Girls can be a useful tool. There is nothing wrong with seeking out professional help.
I hope we can allow the collective grief and pain we may be feeling to bring us together so we can not only make a difference, but remind one another that we don’t have to go through this life alone.
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
We can’t expect evil to have a moral compass nor for it to be willing to give us a break. So, what do we do?
Take a break and make sure you are rested. I don’t care what anyone says, you are no good to anyone if you don’t take a break. You can rest, but you can’t stay down. Although evil can sometimes come like a thief in the night, you have a community that loves and supports you. You will never be alone. When you rest there will be others to watch over you and fight for you.
There is no place in this world for evil to thrive. The light will always shine through the darkness. You only ever have to be patient to see good prevail. In this history of this world, we have had some pretty dark days, months, and years, but with every troubling story there has always been some good at the end. So don’t lose hope. You can grieve and feel any pain you may feel, but know that change always comes.
When you’re done resting
After you’ve taken your rest and you feel energized to make a difference there are many ways to help, learn, and take care of your wellbeing. When I am searching for ways to help, I often find myself searching to see which sites have the most up to date information and which organizations are providing resources for communities. Here are some resources I commonly use and a few I found today that I believe may be helpful:
- The American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU, site has some helpful information. They have provided a guide that offers ways for people to advocate for our freedoms.
- With the recent changes to public health information and important sites being taken down I would suggest utilizing the Internet Archive to archive websites you deem important or to view websites that may no longer exist.
- I personally suggest to spend less time arguing with internet trolls, but instead spend your time educating yourself on important topics. I think this also will give you the space to be quiet but still active by immersing yourself in important knowledge. Invest in a library card or support a local book store. The American Library Association compiles data on book challenges. Here is their list of the Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2023.
- Resources for pro-choice Catholics
- Abortion; what it is and where you can seek help
- Breathing Exercise for Stress & Anxiety brought to you by The Trevor Project.
- Mutual Aid Network Map
Outside of these resources I would also suggest to limit your screen time and go outside and smell the flowers. Doom scrolling can be overwhelming and it important that you also enjoy your life. A form of protest can simply be allowing joy to still exist in your world. Regardless of what happens in this life, never let it turn you into stone. Continue to be full of love and open to creating joy in this world. Be hopeful. If you cannot see the light in the darkness then become the light.
As always, I am praying protection over all of you. Take care of yourselves.
