Queen Salute

I am currently sat outside in the sunshine, topping up the melanin and recharging before the daily grind.

I kid you not, the past 2 weeks have been different on so many levels. I’ve encountered Karens and Karenjits – yes, they’re a thing! Once again I’ve been frustrated, disheartened and disappointed, but not surprised by some. I’ve dealt with absent fathers with absent minds. I’ve had my firstborn return home, only to prepare for her to leave again, and I saw and felt the heavens open leading me to being crowned Ms Wet Maxi Dress 2023.

It’s been a trip y’all!😂 

Each one of those tales will be broken down in time, but there is a common theme between all of them, and that’s women.

I’ve dealt with a varying array and unfortunately the majority of my negative experiences have a colour label attached, which is a damn shame.

No matter what shade you are, women have always held the rough end of the stick throughout time. You’d like to think that that would be enough to unify us, but despite there being many things we share in common with other females, a Black woman’s journey tends to be a little rockier; and that isn’t me talking chips on shoulders with extra salt for taste; it’s coming from the perspective of a real talking, grown ass woman with nearly half a century’s personal life experience. 

I don’t think I’ll ever fully comprehend the minds of those who choose to hate over nothing more than what shade of skin you’re born with. Well, that’s to say that’s what it appears to be on the surface, but if you dig a little deeper I think it boils down to something a little more basic – good old fashioned jealousy.

We have things thrown at us from left, right, centre, back, sides, top and bottom, and yet we manage to hold on to our crowns, rising and shining through. We truly have endured the most and are phenomenal, and thankfully more of us are now recognising that despite having the strength to do it all, we deserve to have that soft life others have been afforded. To put it bluntly, we deserve a fucking break!

Our ancestors are too great to let that internal fire die so we need to allow ourselves some slack. They’ve got us! And in turn we need to have us – all of us!

I love seeing the bonds and unity the younger ones are displaying. The pride in being who they are, fully comfortable in their skin, hits my heart differently. I pray it continues to flourish, but they also need to be mindful that some of our crowns may have slipped, or were always positioned a lil’ wonky from the beginning, but that doesn’t make us any less of a Queen. There’s strength in numbers, even the small ones. A little gesture can go a long way to make someone’s day.

With that in mind I’m shouting out and sending love to the Queens who have seen me through this past fortnight;

Tashi  Brown – for being my firstborns ‘Work Mum’ I will be forever grateful, Aunt Janet, Debbie Charles, Nasheta Daniel, Alvina Connor, Charlotte Weston, Natasha (Tashi) Williams, Monique Norris and last, but most definitely not least, Dolly Katherine Fernella Bridges – Mumsy and my ancestors, who gave me life and have seen me through and continue to guide me.🙏🏾

I’m fortunate to have some real gems who help see me through in many ways, and I’d like to think they know I’ve got them too. It’s not always easy, and it can take some sifting through, but there’s nothing like real ones.

R.I.P to all those who have lost their lives recently.

Mahoosive thankhs to all those who came out and braved the storm to bid Isis farewell! Safe travels for Saturday firstborn. Ancestors I’m trusting you to do the ting!

Good luck Josh Parker and the Antigua Football Team!🇦🇬

NuDawn Love Collective! ~ Crown Fixers, Stay Blessed & #CelebrateLife