Watch to nurture…….
Everything is a remix by Kirby Ferguson - A go-to video from grad school. Every single year, I show all of my students this because I think it is that important.
Bodies as Resistance by Sonya Renee Taylor- Her words are medicine. She is the voice I never knew I needed in my head. I follow her on instagram (she’s currently taking a break/moved to Patreon) and I patiently wait for her pearls of wisdom every moon. This ted talk features a gorgeous poem that will be just the beginning of your long-term relationship with her- trust me.
Implicit Bias: Peanut Butter Jelly & Racism A short, concise video I have also used in the classroom. Worth sharing with those fun family members you got to avoid this past year at the holidays ( gosh darn it!).
Milos by Anis Mojgani- This was my first introduction to spoken word in college. I have never heard a speaking voice I love to listen to more. Not to mention this poem speaks to the hidden hopeless romantic deep, deep underneath the calloused layers of my feminist armor ( Damn, my libra sun).
Follow to grow…..
@samulewhiting Serious breathwork and a total smoke show. He offers free breathing sessions every Saturday morning- you can sign up through the link in his bio.
@the.korean.vegan Recipes and storytelling that are sheer magic ( albeit slightly cheesy, but I’m into that).
@thelovelyalea Spiritual teacher and energy coach that I am convinced would be my friend if she gave me a chance.
@pussywitch Self-love and sexual satisfaction guru. She also speaks my mind when it comes to reimagining our flawed economic systems.
@eve.ewing My favorite TA from grad school and possibly the smartest person I have encountered. Her political commentary is spot-on, her poetry is haunting, and she has a million and one cool projects that she shares with her followers.
Read to root…….
( apparently I’m really into essay collections these days….)
BOOK: Girlhood by Melissa Febos- A collection of essays that I could not put down. I was entranced by words that felt immediately familiar. Febos dives head-first into what it means to be a socialized female. She addresses her experiences in sex work, calls out the culture of consenting to touch she didn’t want, and she adeptly explores her queer identity within the cult of cisheteronormativity. I was led to this book after reading several articles published in The Atlantic and NYT.
BOOK: Untamed by Glennon Doyle - I have been thinking about this book ever since I read it June 2020. It sticks to your bones. Required reading for all women searching for something more. (BONUS: Her podcast “ We Can Do Hard Things” is also a staple on my walks. Every word she speaks clings to me.)
BOOK: Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi - An unbelievably deep, rich YA fantasy novel. Layers of excellent storytelling tangled with universal themes of marginalization and belonging in a way I have not seen written for some time. This book will keep you reading straight through the night the way that Harry Potter did when you were twelve. Good news: there are two more books in the series.
BOOK: Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner In wake of a year of horrific and highly visible violence against Asians and Asian-Americans throughout the United States, this memoir allowed me some much needed insight into the complexities of the Asian-American identity. Zauner intertwines stories about food, her music career, and growing up in a predominantly white town together to paint a tapestry of what it means to straddle multiple identities in a world that forces us to choose one. It’s poignant, heart-felt, and definitely a tear-jerker.
ARTICLE: There is No Debate Over Critical Race Theory by Ibram X. Kendi. The noise that this issue is creating is mute, and frankly a series of smoke and mirrors to distract us all from the issues of voting rights being slowly eroded through covert legislation. This article, like all of Dr. Kendi’s work, should be required reading.
Listen to expand…...
Code Switch Podcast: The Racial Reckoning that Wasn’t Remember that time last year when white folks seemed invested in racial equity work? This episode sparked my curiosity because I, too, was wondering where everyone went. Why did the momentum stop after last summer’s protests? A 30 minute exploration into what went wrong.
Brene Brown Unlocking Us podcast- Specifically the Sonya Renee Taylor Episode Anytime I walked to work this past school year, this podcast helped me ease my travel time. It is uplifting, invigorating, and inspiring- just like everything Brene touches. She is my forever queen.
Organic Olivia What’s the Juice? Podcast- My go-to for Traditional Chinese Medicine and herbalism. One can say I dabble in both. Olivia is honest, modern, and earnestly seeking the best way to keep us all healthy and grounded. In one episode, she relays the harrowing experience of both of her parents getting COVID-19 at the beginning of the pandemic. This riveting three hour podcast helped me to understand the many layers of the pandemic through both an allopathic and naturopathic lens. Her most recent episode with Dr. Aviva Romm is one that I’ve listened to three times already! She’s the real deal.
Seeing White from Scene on Radio - This podcast is a tremendous resource on the history of racism in the United States. I’ve never found anything else that explains how we got to where we are today better. The whole season is worth your time.
New Moon Playlist- Following the moon cycles has shifted my life. As we are just about to enter into the New Moon in Leo, my personal practice has called for an internal assessment of what it means to create from the heart. I am reexamining my relationship with taking up space and boy, is it hard. This playlist is inspired by that idea (aka its mostly sapphic folk!)
Support if you can….
Empress stone from Wildling - Sculpt your face to the gods. And support a woman owned small business while you are at it! If you haven’t heard of Gua Sha- let me tell you about the glory of this small stone. This wonderful piece of smoothing goodness is a spa oasis at your fingertips. It is one of the most meditative, addicting beauty treatments I have ever found. As a woman who is serious about good skincare, this little ditty is priceless. If I can’t sit still to meditate, a few minutes with this baby leaves me calm, cool, and collected. Not to mention an irresistible and ridiculous glow every single time. Amen to its newfound popularity. Still confused- watch this video for an excellent how- to guide. Trust me, it's worth the treat yo’self moment!
Loveland Foundation - A fund that collects money for black women to find high quality therapists. Founded by the incomparable Rachel Cargle. This is a wonderful opportunity to create and fund healing spaces for women of color. I am a big believer that everyone should go to therapy, why not make it more accessible?
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