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Wow. I’m a little late, but I just happened on an article in the New York Times called “Why America’s Black Mothers and Babies are in a Life-or-Death Crisis“, and it is a MUST READ. We have to thank Linda Villarosa for sharing such a poignant and eye-opening piece with the world.

The prevalence of racial and cultural disparities in health care in the US is not new news. It is the disheartening reality of a society founded on the backs of slaves; a society that claims to be “post-racial” while simultaneously allowing our children to be slaughtered by the very people who are enlisted to protect us; a society that rebukes women for standing up for themselves against flagrant injustices. If people are angry, they have every reason to be.

But reading this article really brings tears of frustration to my eyes. It’s truly heart-wrenching to know that even in health care of all fields– an industry that is supposed to look out for the well-being of people– people of color are consistently denied the same standards of care as whites. This should not be the case in health care, nor should it be the case in women’s reproductive care.

I work in health care and am continuing to further my career in the field, but there are so many times when I feel jaded and doubtful of my decisions. Is it possible to truly make a difference when so many factors work against progress? But when I read or hear about these infuriating stories, I am reminded again of why I want to pursue a career in health care in the first place. Because as small as I am in this world, at least I can try to do things differently.

It is NOT okay to selectively offer medical treatments to a patient based on race. And it is NOT okay to ignore the individual needs of any expectant mother, no matter her race.

We can do better than that. We must do better than that.

The beauty of maternal care is that a part of the process involves bringing life into this world. But what mother would feel assured and confident in bringing her baby into a world that cannot even offer her the basic right to equality in health care? A world that so begrudgingly cares for her and the wellbeing of her child? I would be terrified, but there are so many women of color who stand in the face of it all, and go on to raise beautiful, brilliant and powerful children.

That is true strength, and that speaks to me.

Rainy days make me reminisce.

I used to take a lot of photos of flowers and plants because they really just make the world a more beautiful place, and I always wanted to capture that. The same flower on a rainy day appears so different in comparison to how it looks on a sunny day. And they are both alluring in their own right.

But on rainy days, with the beads of water weighing down on the delicate petals, I just get drawn in.

It’s what speaks to me.

I have this really bad habit of starting things and never finishing them. Blogs would be one of those things. But a friend of mine told me that I should just start writing and don’t look back. That the stars are aligned in my favor if I just write. So here I am.

For the longest time, I thought it was in my nature to be a giver. I love caring for others and making sure others are happy, and so all my life, I just gave. But at some point, I realized that I am as much a consumer as I am a giver. I am a sucker for good stories. Tell me a good one, and I eat it right up. I binge listen to music that reach into the depths of my heart…or just make my body move. Beautiful things inspire me, and I have a propensity to collect them–in my drawers, in my photos, in my memory. I love to travel and take in sights, sounds, aromas. And let’s not even talk about food, because my consumption levels are astronomical…dare I say, gastronomical?

I guess I ramble on to say this: I am a lover of life and I enjoy giving and receiving the best from it. So this blog is both an acknowledgment of myself–the good and the bad, and a means for me to share some things that I enjoy. So that you might enjoy them too.

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I’ve been in a pretty low place lately. Just the satisfaction in my life is not quite where I’d like it to be. And I’ve been trying to pull myself back up, but I have to admit it’s been hard. But today, Spotify shuffled me onto this song, and it kinda just hit me.

yes, you got to be strong. and be all the best you can. the world is out there, conquer your fears, and don’t you wait too long.

Sizzla always speaks the truth.

And that’s what speaks to me, my friends.