Raw emotions: #RIPJemelRoberson

On By kassienetteIn ControversyLeave a comment

I am not even sure if I am mad.

I am not even sure if I am disgusted.

I honestly am not sure what my feelings are at the moment.

Maybe it is a combination. Or a culmination.

Whatever it is, I am tired of feeling it.

Jemel. Roberson.

Say his name.

Out. Loud.

Jemel. Roberson.

Now all I need to do is eliminate the space and period between his first and last name and add a #. After that, I am sure you will have already drafted the scenario.

Black man. White cop. Dead black body. Cop on leave. The end.

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Why black women across the world understood Serena’s soliloquy

On By kassienetteIn Controversy, Heroes, Life, Sports, Tennis, Women, Women in SportsLeave a comment

*originally posted on Women AdvaNCe’s website*

As I sat and watched Serena fight back, tears formed in my eyes.

Her words were sharp.

Her eyes were piercing.

Her body language was stern.

She was fed up.

She’d had enough.

She was exhausted.

I’ve only played tennis maybe three times in my life yet I knew exactly what she was going through.

I felt her pain.

I understood her pain.

I knew her pain.

Simply because, I, too, am a black woman.

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Why I: Love the North Carolina Coast

On By kassienetteIn Life, NatureLeave a comment

Aye ya’ll.

I’m nervous.

Hurricane Florence has me on edge and as much as I have been praying that she will make a hard right turn and miss the U.S. completely, I have accepted the notion that its highly unlikely. Won’t stop me from praying though.

But yeah, I’m nervous. For all of us and especially for the coast of North Carolina.

See, the coast of North Carolina is very special to me. While many residents flock to Myrtle and Virginia Beach when given a chance to go sit by the Atlantic, I am always in a state of contemplation wondering how long it’s going to be before I can get back our coast.

I fell in love with Coastal NC at a young age, thanks to my mama. She has always believed in exposing me to new things and experiences and trips to the beach were no different. We spent many summers trekking down the highway to The Crystal Coast aka the Southern Outer Banks for fun, adventure and family time. Emerald Isle, Pine Knoll Shores and Atlantic Beach were our shores of choice.

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#BoycottNike? Nah.

On By kassienetteIn 49ers, Controversy, Football, Giving back, Heroes, Life, NFL2 Comments

I said I was not going to write about it because I have discussed this topic more times than I can count. And I arrived at the point long ago where I am convinced that people are going to either accept the truth or they are going to spend the majority of their time redirecting it to fit their “cozy” narrative.

When Nike debuted their new face of their 30th Anniversary, “Just Do It” campaign this week, the internet nearly exploded. Half rejoicing. And the other half in a full blown tizzy.

It was comical.

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Why I: Take a Solo Retreat, Yearly

On By kassienetteIn Health & Fitness, Life, Life HappensLeave a comment

Dear future husband,

For the sake of our relationship, my mental health and sanity, I need to be able to go to a location outside of the city we live in, once a year without you or anyone else, for a few days to relax, be restored and spend my days doing only the things I want to do. This is non-negotiable.

KSL

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Why I: Try to Appreciate Our Legends While They Are Alive

On By kassienetteIn Entertainment, Giving back, Heroes, Life, WomenLeave a comment
{Source: Google Images}

I had a different blog post planned for today but then The Queen gained her angel wings yesterday and everything changed.

I wish I could remember exactly when I knew she was embodying a spirit that we had never seen and would never see again. I can remember, as a child, my grandmother would play some of her hits on the record player. She always loved listening to artist with very distinct voices. Mahalia Jackson and Aretha Louise Franklin immediately come to mind when that category is brought up.

Yesterday, like a lot of you, I spent the day listening to The Queen’s enormously long list of hit songs. From gospel classics to movie tunes to commands of respect, I sang loudly while also marveling at her even longer list of accomplishments.

First woman inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame
Over 75 million records sold worldwide
112 charted Billboard singles – making her the most charted female artist of all time
18 Grammys
Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Kennedy Center honoree
Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient
Street named after her in her hometown of Detroit

And one of my favorite accolades, Civil Rights Activist, which many are oblivious to. I am not going to lay that out for you. Google it cause you need to know. You need to know your history and if you do not share in this rich melanated skin tone that I have you can still Google it because you need to know Our history.

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