Over the last year or so I have heard the phrase I am my ancestors’ wildest dreams” from so many different sources and what a powerful statement that is to reflect on.
When I think about my Native American ancestors and how land was taken from them as Christopher Columbus “discovered” land that was already inhabited, I am so proud of all of my family members including my husband and I who have purchased and will continue to purchase property for this land is OUR land!
When I think about my African-American ancestors and all that that endured, marched and fought for, how can I not exercise my right to vote? How can I not continue advocate and battle on for equality for women and all people of color? How can I not pursue an education when it was once denied to us?
How can I not use the voice they gave to me?
A gift and a curse for me is my voice, I will NOT be silenced! Oppression is not an option for me! The primary reason I left my last job was because of a few people in leadership positions higher than mine believing they could attack my character, attack my integrity and I would sit in silence! NEVER!
I recall a time when my immediate supervisor was told feedback for me that she and I both knew to be untrue and when I called the guilty party, instead of answering for me, they ignored my call and texted her instead to see as to why I was calling. You already know why!!! (Don’t play)
You cannot tell me who I am, for I know who I am..
I will not ever allow anyone to be comfortable mistreating me or others in my presence.
I had nothing else to give them! God told me it was time to move and I did and I walked right into the favor he had waiting for me!
One day when I get to stand among my ancestors, I refuse to be the only one who did not contribute anything! I will charm them with all my wit and sarcasm but I will also make them proud from my life’s journey! (And I’m just really getting started!)
Ava DuVernay is someone I have been following for awhile now, her success seems to have generated overnight but I am without a doubt sure that she will tell you it took much longer to get to the level of success she is experiencing. The movie “Selma” really brought her into dinner conversations in the home back in 2014 but now she’s ever more popular than ever.
She is so beautiful, humble and intelligent. She is not only basking in these dream moments for her but also staying mindful of her position of influence and using it create lanes for others.
I can tell without meeting her face to face that her spirit alone is inspiring.
Find you some people who inspire you and use them as encouragement on tough days when it seems your dreams are far away and unattainable!
Think about the plights our ancestors took for us to be able to dream out loud and especially to live them! I don’t know about you but even if there wasn’t anyone here in present day to inspire me, I am forever indebted and inspired by all of those who came before me.
I will use the platform I am given and the one I am creating to spread encouragement, wisdom and power to all!
Lord knows we can all use more encouragement. This world needs us to step up more than ever for the youth, for our communities and for each other!
Together, let’s make our ancestors proud with even the simplest of acts; having courtesy, showing respect, embracing our differences, and standing for something so we don’t fall for just anything!