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[braveboldbasra]

Juneteeth lesson you never got

and as a resposible student, here are my sources: 

Official Juneteeth Website: https://www.juneteenth.com/history.htm

New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/article/juneteenth-day-celebration.html

Smithsonian: https://nmaahc.si.edu/blog-post/historical-legacy-juneteenth

JSTOR (Origins of Policing): https://daily.jstor.org/the-origins-of-the-police/

Videos to Watch: 

Trevor Noah: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIuLL3lmwo4

Vox: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FX-Iisvrj8

Washington Post: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CynwsY_Ak0s

Resources: 

Petition for Juneteeth to be a Federal Holiday: https://www.change.org/p/united-states-congress-make-juneteenth-a-national-holiday-in-2020

BLM Resources: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/

Teaching Juneteeth: https://www.tolerance.org/magazine/teaching-juneteenth

[braveboldbasra]

don’t look away

It’s a paralyzing, sickening fear. Like a pit in the button of your stomach. It pulls at every nerve in your body and doesn’t let go. You know you never did anything wrong, but it feels like it. It feels like you’re wrong. As a first generation black woman in America, I grew up not wanting to say it. I was scared to call out the jokes, the slips, the so-called “little things”, but nothing is little when it comes to racism. Nothing is little when it comes to injustice. There’s a point in which silence is no longer an option because when you give injustice an inch, it takes a life. It reaches a point where it’s okay for someone to kneel on someone’s neck for eight minutes and have no one help them. It makes it okay for someone to barge into someone else’s home and rip dozens of bullets. It makes it okay to mock the unjust death as a social media challenge. To use a national call to justice to loot, attack, and consume the lives of millions. And what does that prove? That we are “the land of the free”? Because if that were true, we wouldn't be calling out and chanting the names of lives lost in the middle of a pandemic. Wouldn’t have to march. 

We are at a point in history that depends on real social change, but the only way to get to the other side is to not look away. Don’t look away. Don’t be silent. Don’t be neutral. Hiding behind ignorance is no longer an option. Because there’s always something to do. I’m a black woman who has the privilege of having education, a home, a family, a job. I’m using what I have to do something. 

I have a phone, so I am bringing awareness to the peaceful protest that has little coverage on the national media circuit. 

I have a job, so I am donating what I can to funds and shopping at black small business. I have time to sign petitions and share them with people. 

I have a voice so I am using it to speak up now.

 Today, June 5, Breonna Taylor would have been 27 years old today. She was killed in her home when police officers barged into her home on a no-knock warrant. No criminal charges have been brought and the civil suit has garnered little to no attention. Her family had a hard time trying to find funeral homes because the police referred to her as a “suspect”. She was an EMT who loved to work in the healthcare field because she cared about people. She never wanted to hurt anyone. She is one of hundreds upon thousands of lives than were taken and ignored. But no more. Say her name. Say his name. Say their names. These are no hashtags or headlines, these are people. 

This is a constant cycle of ignorance when the pure evidence of racism and white privilege exist that goes ignored. If we look away, who knows if we can ever reach another side. 

Black Men Lives Matter

Black Women Lives Matter

Black Trans Lives Matter

Black Queer Lives Matter 

Black Immigrant Lives Matter

Black Incarcerated Lives Matter

Black Disabled Lives Matter

BLACK LIVES MATTER 

And we know “all lives matter”, but how can “all lives matter”, when so any of them are being taken? 

Below I’ve linked various resources to help to fight for injustice against police brutality, violence, and injustice persecution of black people. We all need to fight because we are all human. 

Resources

Changing Womxn Collective Resources Document: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Gwl9omY8l5dUCkK4Y2llKAsfx5asES9zWn4Tr27QhTU/mobilebasic

Black Lives Matter Official Website: https://blacklivesmatter.com/

Mutual Aid Document: https://docs.google.com/document/u/1/d/12y7-Wa4gi8HUeFTv17gPcbMGuVX5cqIudLJmhOrq1-k/mobilebasic

Black Lives Matter Resources Toolkit:https://blacklivesmatter.com/resources/

Resources for Black Healing: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Eg2S10NPYhAVEMKwicHn2SHpT6KKW0aP/view?fbclid=IwAR0Or8vEP9gdWJxxKEde0sVUidwih0glHg1SJ2IPido1Ikor33_rWNJDk_E

How to Help Back Owned Business in your Area: https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/03/success/consumers-support-black-owned-small-businesses/index.html

These are not all the resources that exist. If you have resources to help support black communities, PLEASE comment them below and I’ll be reposting them in another post. 

[braveboldbasra]

my college decision experience II

Hello bees! 

I’m part with part two of my college decision experience story. I just finished my freshman year at university studying Neuroscience (pre-med). When applying to schools last year it was stressful enough without a worldwide pandemic so I wanted to share my story in hopes of giving some insight into what deciding college is like. 

DISCLAIMER: I am NOT a college counselor or an expert in college admissions. I’m reflecting on my experience to provide insight on the process. I’m also reflecting on the AMERICAN college admission system. 

---------------------------------------------APPLICATION TIMES-----------------------------------------

The biggest piece of advice I can give any student applying for college is take advantage of THE SUMMER before your SENIOR YEAR. This time was when I truly took time to consider my future which was scary in hindsight, but I found ways to make it fun. 

First: Testing 

The not so fun part is testing and I used the summer to patent and pull up my test scores. It’s a great time because I don’t have other school work and can focus on testing. I took about two tests over that summer. The one thing to remember is that since it’s the summertime, there will be less test location available. I had friends who had to go to a different state to take their test and driving at like 4 am is not a vibe ;). I recommend picking test dates at the beginning of the summer because there will be more locations. It is really nice to have testing done in the summer because trust me things get intense after that. 

Visit/Tours 

The best way to get a feel for the campus is always to visit. Sadly due to current circumstances that may not be possible. That’s what is great about technology. I couldn’t visit most of the schools I applied to and that made me lose a lot of perspective. That’s what’s great about virtual tours. I also recommend talking to current students if possible. Some schools have programs where you can pair with a student, talk to them or video chat to get a realistic perspective of what life is like. This is a big thing that is very useful especially in the case you cannot visit. There’s no problem in asking questions. 

Let Senior Year Begin…………………………………… 

When senior year started I had a general list of schools that I wanted to app;y to, but not definite. One resource that was incredibly beneficial was college visits. This when admission officers from different schools visit your school. Now this may not be available in every high school, but in some cases, universities will post when they are in the area on their website. I got information on a visitation for the school I currently attend at another local high school and I actually got a free application from it. If you don’t see such information on their website, CALL THEM. Universities have phone numbers for a reason, to call and inquiry for information that can help in this life changing decision. Since school events are kind of up in the air, calling is a great way to see what this school has to offer.

Pros and Cons List Are Friends: I know I love lists and organizations, but honestly a good old spreadsheet can sometimes be your best friend. I applied to a total of 11 schools. To some that is a lot, and to some that’s not enough. For me, I can come up with this list based on factors I discovered while touring and researching schools. Now these factors are subjective to the programs I wanted to partake in. 

Factors: Financial Aid/Scholarships, Campus Size, Diversity, Study Abroad, Undergraduate Research/Clinical Work, Jobs, Academic Support 

This wasn’t everything that I based my decision on. There was also the X factor. That gut feeling you get when faced with someplace new. I am a STEM major who wants to go into medicine. While doing research into different schools, I looked at not only good programs for my major, but what they can help in view of my future. I’ve always wanted to do research and travel, but also am not oblivious to the fact that anatomy and chemistry might be a challenge. This list took me months to make, so take your time and find what’s important to you. 

From here I compared these factors for all my schools on a spreadsheet while also counting the biggest factor being money. I was able to boil down which schools I wanted to apply for to 11. 

Application Process: I used the Common App which is really useful, but also confusing, but the biggest thing in applying especially to a lot of schools is organization and pacing. There was a lot of essay to fill and a lot of files to send. What I did was separate the more important tasks like finishing the overall common information versus university specific essay. Then I prioritize when schools I applied Early Action and which schools I applied Regular Decision. From there I chose the applications that took the least amount of time to do first. Remember some schools require multiple essay prompts especially if you want to apply to Honors or Speciality programs. It’s all about timing and organization. Now applications are expensive to apply. The reason I was able to for so many schools was I got a fee waiver from Common App. These you can request to throw out your school or if you got a fee waiver for the SAT/ACT you can inquiry one for applications. Also be mindful of documents like transcripts and test scores. Sometimes they can take longer than the Common App and can cut the deadline short. I recommend submitting documents before your application because they do take longer and if you wait you may have to spend an extra $75 express delivery. When SENDING IN applications, it’s okay to keep an eye on those document statuses, but not too close. Once you send it in though, leave it to the college admission powers! 

Now Some REAL TALK……………………..

College admission is a system filled with unfair subjectivity that favors rich and connected people. I am grateful for the schools I was accepted into, but it was no piece of cake. 

I got into my dream school. I have known of this school for a while.

Close, but still far away from home. Challenging, but had the familiarity. I was really excited because it made me feel like all my hard work in high school paid off, but this is where that unfairness comes into play. I had applied to financial aid months prior, but there was an error. So I redid my financial aid on the phone and papers. Mailed them within a week of the paperwork made available. I was patient until about a month from decision day. I spent the following three weeks on the phone with their financial aid department until decision day where I was hung up three times. At that moment I committed to my current school. I would like to say this was isolated, but there are a lot of stories like. I learned that my dream school, not so much a dream school. It was terrifying and heartbreaking because I thought I made the best choice. Turns out I did. I committed to a school that I have family that went to it and I live down the street from. It tends to get a bad rep at my high school because I went to a competitive high school where a lot of students go to name brand schools. The thing is no matter the name is on your degree, what matters is having a degree. Don’t let anyone make your future feel smaller. I made that mistake and it caused pain. Your future is up to you. Don’t let anyone control that. 

I hope that everyone is staying safe at home and to all the students out there, I hope this helped. I went through a tough decision process and I made some mistakes, but I wanted to share it because everyone deserves as much as a fair chance at their future. I wish you luck on all your future and feel free to leave questions and I’ll help in any way I can.  

[braveboldbasra]

my college decision experience I

hi friends! 

With so many student displacement because of the COVID-19 pandemic, I thought I would reflect on an important decision and possibly help those currently making those decision now. 

DISCLAIMER: I am NOT a college counselor or an expert in college admissions. I’m reflecting on my experience to provide insight on the process. I’m also reflecting on the AMERICAN college admission system. 

-----------------------------------------------COLLEGE---------------------------------------------

We dream about if as freshmen but as soon as the junior year bell dings is it go time! I’ll be going over some major experiences as well as resources that help in finding the right school for you. 

I. JUNIOR YEAR (11th Grade)

This is time of testing. They are not fun, but a lot of schools require them and a lot of scholarship use them. I have taken both the SAT and ACT. I ended using my SAT score for my application because I was more used to that testing style, which brings me to my first tip: TAKE BOTH TEST and TAKE THEM MULTIPLE TIMES. These test require time and practice, but they are also subjective. I have had friends that prefer the SAT to the ACT and vice versa even though we were taught to take one. My advice is to start in advance two to three months before your test and do reguarly practice. I recommend the Khan Academy practice because they do small daily practices that don’t take up the entire day. Praticing over a long period of time is more effective than cramming a couple weeks before the test. Now testing is expensive which is why if you need finiancial aid towards tests, inquiry either your school counselour or the company is it. Collegeboard and ACT sometimes offers fee waivers to student. The best to do is ask. 

Also in junior year this when I recommend to patent that GPA! Depending if your school weights your GPA or not, it’s always a good idea to bump up that GPA. Not only does look better, but showimg growth on your transcript is something my counselour said to me that helped me in the end. Taking AP/IB classes are always a good start, but if your school doesn’t offer those, checking to see if you can take college classes at a community college is also a great way to boost your numbers. 

The other big thing I did in junior was start to think about what type of schools I would like to attend. I already knew I wanted to major in the STEM realm so that helped me narrow my search, but things like distance, school size, city, campus life, and so many other factors can contribute to your decision. You don’t NEED to know what your major is to apply, but an general idea can help, but isn’t required. I recommend doing research on websites like Niche because it takes more into account than just the school ranking or cost. I understand that it’s hard to visit schools right now but a lot of school may have virtual alternatives. Also speaking to students is one of the best ways to get an understaong about how college life is like espeically if you plan to move on campus.  

These are a couples of thing I did in my junior to prepared for college decision. I’m going to go a lot more in depth with college decision in part 2 and senior year next week. If you have any question around college decision feel free to message me and ask and I’ll try my best to answer them. 

[braveboldbasra]

may thoughts

A couple of days before may, I finished my first year of college. Harder than expected, but not in the way I thought. It did not feel like an END. It felt like a pause. Upon this pause, I closed my door (and my bullet journal) don’t bother looking at unless there’s someone knocking though it. My only contact were Netflix and Hulu. In my mind I was resting from a long year, but once that week turned into two I realize that I hadn’t opened my curtain but stared into my cellphone. I embrassed this hermit lifestyle and in the mits of it I found myself going back into old stories. Before my exams, I had started “The Sun is Also A Star” by Nicola Yoon. The book filled with far fetched love stories and overflowing optism was the type of book that would I wouldn’t think about much after reading it. But in the space of qurantine hermit life (which I’m happy I’m able to work from home and eternally grateful for the frontline and essential workers everyday) I thought about it. 

From grinding daily, to a complete pause, there was something missing in the middle. That’s what inspired my spread for this month. Qurantine feels constricting and like there’s no point even getting up sometimes. It can also seem overwhelming to have all this time and space and nothing to show for it. I opened my window and sat down with my journal and admired looking outside the same view I’ve had for nine years to remember: THERE’S A WORLD OUT THERE! Everything may seem small now, but if you look close enough there’s a world out there. 

stay healthy and safe everyone!

[braveboldbasra]

First year of college✅. Not as I expected (obviously) but still a step in the right direction. Quarantine was definitely not how I thought the year would go, but I’m making the most of situations. One of my favorite ways to wind down after working hard: BEING CREATIVE! After learning and studying I want to mindlessly fill colors and stickers and notebooks with words. As a STEM major, I always try to find a new creative outlet. What’s yours? #coloring #stationary #stayathome #stayhome #staysafe #stationery #stationeryaddict #studygram #studyblr #motivation #supertips #coffee #bulletjournal #bujo #chill #funcrafts #crafts #thingstodo #qurantine #qurantinelife #keepgoing https://www.instagram.com/p/B_097DRgWYl/?igshid=1cofjc0u0wfnd

[braveboldbasra]

online exam tips (while in quarantine)

First off, hope everyone is safe and staying healthy. This time is both testing and trying to many people around the world. I understand there’s so many who cannot stay home because of work or other reasons, but those of you can stay home, it is really IMPORTANT you do. Stay home for those who cannot, for who don’t have a place to go. If you’d really like to help, please consider donating to the WHO COVID-19 Relief Fund (link below) and to learn more about the COVID-19 situation. Love y’all.

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/donate

Now switching to online classes was an experience that I was not into and still not a fan of. I am grateful that we have the technology to continue school, but we have to move forward. Now going into exams week it’s a little different than usual. I usually like to go to the library and surround myself by the fact it’s LIKE TIME TO WORK! Now it can be hard to do that especially if you’re at home with family that’s not in school. Here’s a couple of thing I’ve been keeping in mind as a I prepare for exams:

Make a Plan-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now that we’re home, you may think you have all the time in the world, but that time will fade after the second season of Scandal or fifth painting. The best way to be effective is to make a plan of your time so that not only can you be prepared but rested and ready.

Summary to Plan:

Braindump all your taks into a masterlist

Divide into categories (subjects or urgences)

Grad a calendar and divide up studying into days

Start with the easiest of tasks to get the ball rolling

Unload and Refocus------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Exams are always stressful and overwhelming and maybe even more considering the current situations. In these times where you cannot seem to finish that paper or read that lecture, IT’S NOT YOUR FAULT. At some point your brain needs a break and eyes need to pull away from the blue light of the screen. Having something to focus on, to unload is a healthy way to lead back into a productive mindset.

Unload:

→ I recommend journaling. Writing things down helps make them clear and out

→ Working out is a good way but dancing is much more fun

→ Reading, not on a tablet(gives your eyes a rest) is break

Refocus:

→ Hot drinks (not necessarily coffee, but always for me)

→ Changing up your work space. Working from a desk and maybe moving to the floor (if comfy) or another table (I invested is bed desk that use everywhere in my house as a book stand).

Remind Yourself IT MATTERS---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It can be hard to separate work and home when you're working from home. My motivation in the first couple days because it just seemed like, “work will never end”. The way to motivate and push yourself is to remind yourself that what you’re doing MATTERS. Education. Work. Hell even rest. It all matters. You don’t need to be the productivity maverick, but you can do what you can. I remind myself by baking a treat with my family or having a game night (online) with friends. Remind yourself that there’s more than the number on your transcript or in your bank account.

Good luck with your exams and with your isolation. Please message me with what you're excited to do once quarantine is lifted!

[braveboldbasra]

It's SPRING! (stay home though). Hope everyone is happy and healthy in this strange and difficult time. Remember that even though you may have more time on your hands, you don't need to write thenext great novel. You don't need to be in the best shape ever by the end of this. You don't need to make a masterpiece. Your time is yours.

[braveboldbasra]

feminism isn't in my blood, but it's my heart

I grew up with a relationship to my culture. I'm a first generation, meaning I was born and raised in a different culture than most of my family. It's not I'm blaming anyone, it's just were different. I've lived with liberal ideologies in a conservative background. I believed for a long time that I did things wrong. That my aspirations were naive and that my achievements were means to an end. Thus I learned a very important thing: WE'RE ALL DIFFERENT FOR A REASON!

Feminism is all about equal opportunity for the sexes. When you look at our society we are made different for a reason and instead of embracing our differences we categorized and place blame. My relationship to feminism is listening, learning, and growing because I see point in shitting on something that is out of control of a person. What's the purpose of deciding the lifestyle of an entire demographic when you have no experience with it? Just because I came from a different cloth doesn't mean I'm one thing. And that can be said about feminism. It's up to you to make it your own and work for something bigger.

[braveboldbasra]

we are all in this

I’m not gonna lie. I didn’t think that COVID-19 was that big of a deal, but within less than a week the world has shut down with the foreseeable future up in the air. Everyday the numbers keep rising and more things just keep coming at you. It’s fucking insane. Believe what scared me the most is watching a person put 4 packages of 12 rolls of toilet paper in her cart. These things just make wanna stay in bed and never step outside. It’s a reaction. Feeling afraid, anxious, frustrated, mad, sad, terrified, and anything you coming up with. It’s okay to feel different because everything is. It’s like if a storm washed away your home or your country went to war. Just because there isn’t a battle field or rubble doesn’t mean that things aren’t changing. What’s different that this isn’t clear because there isn’t someone to blame. There isn’t something to fight or to run away from because viruses aren’t responsible. They don’t care who you are, what you like, who you love, or what you believe. It’s not a weapon or an excuse to hurt someone who had fault in this because no one does. In this we are the same thing to COVID-19. We are no different therefore we are all on the line, but it also means we are the key to stopping it. It’s gonna be hard, probably messy, but we are all in this. We all have a part. It sucks but no one is too little or too big today. We are all in this together.

[braveboldbasra]

Happy March. I hope everyone is happy and healthy and taking precautions to do so. With schools and jobs closing, it's more time than ever to stay productive and working. #stationary #stationery #bujo #bujoinspiration #bujoideas #bujoweeklyspread #bujojunkies #bujolife #planneraddict #plannercommunity #studygram #studyblr #studymotivation #productivity https://www.instagram.com/p/B9xF9Gcgyc6/?igshid=1ntb1q6wh2mf

[braveboldbasra]

But with every falling apart there is a coming together 

[braveboldbasra]

Prompt #267

“I’ll give you 10 seconds.”

“To what?”

Person A looked over, eyes dead.

“Run. Run as far as you can.” Before I find you

[braveboldbasra]

Describes me perfectly

A character is punished for breaking the rules despite being well-intentioned

[braveboldbasra]

My mood about the first month of college

“I’m not brave any more darling. I’m all broken. They’ve broken me.”

— Ernest Hemingway

[braveboldbasra]

Prompt #467

“Look at us, starting where it all ended.”

{Submitted by: braveboldbasra}

[braveboldbasra]

It’s the beginning of school!! What bts experience are you excited for?