#blackbloggers

[longliveblackness]

Ronald McNair was 9 when a South Carolina librarian told him he could not check out books from a segregated library in 1959. Refusing to leave, a determined McNair sat on the counter while the librarian called the police, as well McNair's mother. The police arrived, told the librarian to let the young boy have his books, and McNair walked out alongside his mother and brother.

McNair went on to earn his Ph.D. in physics at MIT and became one of the first African Americans selected as astronauts by NASA, alongside Guion S. Bluford, Jr. and Frederick Gregory.

McNair's first spaceflight was the STS-41B mission, aboard the "Challenger" shuttle. He successfully maneuvered the robotic arm, which allowed astronaut Bruce McCandless to perform the first space walk without being tethered to the spacecraft.

The second space flight for McNair would be his last. He, along with six other NASA astronauts, were aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger when it exploded 73 seconds after takeoff in 1986. Everyone on board the shuttle was killed.

Today, the library in South Carolina where McNair was refused books is named after the heroic boy determined to make a difference.

•••

Ronald McNair tenia 9 años cuando una bibliotecaria de Carolina del Sur, le dijo que no podía sacar libros de una biblioteca segregada en el año 1959. Rehusándose a irse,un McNair muy determinado, se sentó en el mostrador mientras que la bibliotecaria llamaba a la policía y también a la madre de McNair. La policía llegó, le dijeron a la bibliotecaria que dejara que el niño sacara los libros. McNair salió de la biblioteca junto a su madre y hermano.

McNair ganó su doctorado en física en el Instituto Tecnológico de Massachusetts (MIT) y se convirtió en uno de los primeros afroamericanos en ser seleccionado como astronauta por la NASA, junto con Guion S. Bluford, Jr. y Frederick Gregory.

El primer viaje espacial de McNair fue la misión STS-41B, abordo del transbordador espacial llamado Challenger. Logró maniobrar el brazo robótico de manera exitosa, esto permitió que el astronauta Bruce McCandless realizara la primera caminata espacial sin estar atado a la nave espacial.

El segundo viaje espacial de McNair, fue su último. Él, junto con otros seis astronautas de la NASA estaban abordo del transbordador espacial Challenger, cuando este explotó 73 segundos después de su despegue en 1986. Todos los que estaban a abordo de la nave fallecieron.

Hoy, la librería en Carolina del Sur, dónde le negaron los libros a McNair, ahora se llama igual al niño heroico que estaba determinado a hacer la diferencia.

[mamawritten]

Day Four…

This is the fourth day that I have been stuck. Stagnant. During the weekend I made an attempt to get all the laundry done but as usual I fell short a load. Where I’d usually just finish it during the week, I just now today was able put some of the clean basket away. I am frustrated to say the least.

Our dog passed away last week. It was pretty traumatic for the family. I could tell by the way my aunt reacted that she was worried this would trigger me into an episode. As soon as I felt that energy I began to fear it too. I tend to pretend it’s not happening and when it begins. So naturally that is what I have done. I have accepted the bouts of tears in the bathroom and ruminating about what I could have done differently. I knew that I would get down but had things to do at the same time. Now that all the ‘have to-s’ are done I remain imprisoned in my mind.

It’s almost the weekend which means the kids will be home all day. I need to go to the grocery store. Tomorrow night is my girl’s basketball game and I need the energy for that. I can’t miss that. I know that I will push through and get done what has to get done. But what am I making for dinner tonight?

I am really tired of this.

[virgointerlude]

People dont actually listen to black women… PEOPLE DONT i feel so alone with how everyone screams for black girls is so performative bc you disregard us and place stereotypes on us… im sensitive bc of this- i block ppl out bc of this, I stay cutting ppl off bc of this

I just want other black friends bc everyone is wildin… poc solidarity but yall shit on black girls

it jsut makes me so sad- no one is more unintelligent or uninformed then me… but im a black queer women. I feel like im able to illustrate everything into a story, a lesson, a reason! i have so much experience and from that- so many points and topics, but no one listens- i feel like im unable to share how deep i can think.. ive been playing dumb for too long, even tho i can’t find my smart virgo self- ill find her and prove these bitches wrong. this whole time I knew everything- I just acted like I didnt bc I thought you were better, didnt think id have to even act like you were acting up- I guess I just expected you to not fuck it all up

[mahognylights29]

So i just stepped outside to grab my mail and one of our abroad aunties were walking down the street from the store, i go “hello how are you?!” &

she replied in her beautiful Caribbean voice “hi baby, how are you?” I said “im fine how are you? she says, oh fine, you have a beautiful day sweetie”

That lit my heart up. It was so natural and kind. Stop pre-judging our people man.

My roots go back to North Sudan 🇸🇩 and its been proven long ago. A lot of us are strangers to one another cultures but not mis judge but accept one another in unity & love!

Photo Credit: Andr Normil

[voyeuristicvixen]

Randomthoughts.txt

A SAD & TIRED GURL POEM.

day in and out stuck on a loop

what is life but visions come and gone too soon

its tiring to wake up its tiring to end the day everyday im tired

when will life get tired of me too?

[williesparks]

Rooftop restaurants and a beautiful sunset are my love languages. #SparksNTheCity #rooftop #Panama ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #rooftopview #sunsetlovers #travelblogger #travelgram #newfriends I don't do dates unless it’s out my city. ❤️‍🔥#SparksNTheCity #Panama ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #lifewelltravelled #lamenswearblogger #luxurylifestyle #gucci #guccishoes #travelspiration #blackmentravel #blackisbeautiful #gaytravel #blackgay #blackbloggers #blacktravelers #blackswhotravel #travelgoals #lookdodia #mensstyle #menswithstyle #guyswithstyle #igersla #menstyle #fashionblogger #passportheavy #travelblogger (at JW Marriott Panama) https://www.instagram.com/p/CowAlt_rUAq/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[montanabaker]

WHO AM I?

When I was in high school, (... years ago) I wrote a poem titled I Am. The poem talked about me being a mimic of whatever group that I was in at the moment. Let me give you a breakdown of my high school years.

I was a cheerleader, a singer, a leader, a dancer, a "little sister", a caregiver, and a church girl. I had different friend groups for each region of my teenage life. Each group saw what I wanted them to see. A mimic, a copy of each member of that particular group fused together to form who they thought was....Me. In the beginning I would sit silently and absorb all they all were, to make myself who they wanted as a new addition to their group.

But in all actuality that fusion of pieces just formed a mask. Well, not just one mask, but many masks more than I could probably count. I carried them with me everywhere and was ready to put on whichever I had to when I had to. Church, cheerleader camp, in the streets, at work...well wherever.

I experienced a lot of death in my young life.... people who were close to me. When I lost my grandmother I changed and didn't care to wear all those different masks. Then I began the process of finding who I was. And from 2003 until today I am still developing who I am.

So, can I answer the question Who Am I? The answer is yes and no, because I know my likes, my dislikes, my wants, my dreams, and my desires as of today. But I also know some of these might develop differently and possibly change throughout my life.

I refused to be the same person at 17, 27, and now 37. I vow to forever grow, learn, and develop into my best self possible.

QUESTION TO YOU:

*Are you still changing your mask for different crowds?

*Have you begun the journey to who you are?

*Are you trying to be your best self?

[vanessa-jackson]

A barbie you can’t play with🙅🏾‍♀️

[thelettilady]

Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood

Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood

If I had a song that described every inch of me…it’ll be by the lovely Nina Simone. It’s so easy to be misunderstood, and I had to learn that everyone isn’t even trying to understand. Go where people want to list. Want to learn. Want to grow. An overthinker needs a good communicator. A good communicator needs a great listener. And a great listner also needs a listener even if they talk with…

[thechroniclesofpms]

Affirmation: As I travel on this journey of the unknown, I call on God and my spirit guides for clarity, direction, and most of all, patience. I release the need to know every twist and turn, and trust that this road designed for me will never mislead me. I release the desire to control. I release attachment to the outcome and instead embrace the experiences that await me along the way. I look forward to the unfathomable possibilities and the opportunities for expansion. I will appreciate the ride, for this is only the beginning of my wildest dreams.

[longliveblackness]

Slavery was legal.

Colonialism was legal.

Jim Crow was legal.

Apartheid was legal.

Legality is a matter of power, not justice.

—Jose Antonio Vargas

•••

La esclavitud era legal.

El colonialismo era legal.

La era de Jim Crow era legal.

La segregación racial era legal.

La legalidad es una cuestión de poder y no de justicia.

—Jose Antonio Vargas

[survivingnarcissism]

Rumination

It has been almost five years since leaving the narcissist. In that time I have done a lot of ruminating. I mean A LOT. Rumination has brought some reconciling with past traumas. And realizing that some of those traumas have contributed to me accepting being treated poorly.

In this time I have gone through many episodes of depression. I have reflected on past experiences and tried to see these things through more mature eyes. I have learned about forgiveness. Not only of others, but of myself. This has been the most difficult part of my journey, forgiveness.

But fast forward to now and the narcissist has been locked up for almost three years. Nothing that had anything to do with me. Just his addictions placing him in a situation that resulted in poor decisions being made. I saw him the day before he got arrested. We had an argument about him getting his life together. He had been staying between his mom and sister’s house, who were both alcoholics as well. I told him he would wind up dead or in jail if he didn’t get some help.

In the time that he has been in jail he has gotten his GED, attended several classes in anger management, sought therapy, among other positive things. In that time I have also allowed him to maintain communication with the kids. He has been very consistent in that. I however, have been mean, disrespectful and more. I have cussed him out for next to nothing and get defensive when he tries to give advice. I mean who does he think he is, right? But seriously I find it difficult to accept this change. I don’t trust it.

I find myself resenting his ascension into his higher self. All his reading, exercising, and reflection. His patience with me is unnerving. I know that this is the toxicity in me that has grown over time. I know that I remain in my lower self. I am uncomfortable with him having to pull me out of the shit he put me in. Or was I already in it? But I am proud of him nevertheless. I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I have reservations about who he will be when he gets out. Sobriety changes a person. But addiction never goes away. I would be taking a huge risk in reuniting with someone who is capable of the things that he’s done. Yet I stand conflicted.

[virgointerlude]

T4T Hypersexual Virgo- femme💸 I love my sexuality, queer ppl are just so hot, Trans ppl Intersex loves🫧⚜️T4T T4T T4T

[meyahw]

Lancôme Absolue Product Review

My experience wit Lancôme Absolue product line and what you should know.

Hello everyone and welcome back to The Selfish Column. It has been a hot minute since you saw me write an article, but I promise it has been for good reasons. The last two years have been hectic on my end, with planning a wedding, enjoying the newlywed months, and transitioning to pregnancy and now motherhood. Nevertheless, it has been a very blessed and fruitful season in my life.Throughout all…

[williesparks]

I don't do dates unless it’s out my city. ❤️‍🔥#SparksNTheCity #Panama ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #lifewelltravelled #lamenswearblogger #luxurylifestyle #gucci #guccishoes #travelspiration #blackmentravel #blackisbeautiful #gaytravel #blackgay #blackbloggers #blacktravelers #blackswhotravel #travelgoals #lookdodia #mensstyle #menswithstyle #guyswithstyle #igersla #menstyle #fashionblogger #passportheavy #travelblogger #panamacity #blackandabroad #blackblogger #blackswhotravel #blacktravelfeed https://www.instagram.com/p/Coc5hbvv2wg/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=