Break Ups are Hard...

I am in the final phase of my break up with my J-O-B. To disengage from a community is hard, and so bittersweet. I will miss the daily, "Hi Ms. G" and the regular check-ins with students as we pass in the halls. Its been harder to let go than I thought it would be. Hardest part has been trying to think about how to say "see you later" to students that I have connected with during my time there. I have been avoiding it, but next week I have to face it. I will have to schedule lunch visits with some particular students... I will miss them!

Preparing my heart and mind to LET GO...

-WonderWoman

Work That...

The first few days of school have begun, and I have been so glad to see the students coming back after having a good summer. I cut my hair over the summer, and I am loving my wash and go... so of course students noticed the change. Several of the girls said things like, "Ms. G it looks nice, but why did you cut your hair. You have "good"/"long" hair. Why you want it short? I wish I had hair like yours."

In those short moments I remember the reality of Black girls hair and body image complexes. I reminded them that I am so much more than my hair. One student was hanging out with me for a little while so I let listen to one of my favorite Mary J songs: Work That from the Growing Pains Album. We had a really good conversation about the message in this song and the need for all of us to love and celebrate our beauty!

Remember that we are teaching the next generation, through our actions not just our words. We can't tell young women they should love themselves and we don't love ourselves.