Threat Level Thursday.
“When Black women resist their status as pets, they find themselves transforming into threats.”
—Erika Stallings, “When Black Women Go from Office Pet to Office Threat.” Zora Magazine.
Mood & Aesthetic
I’ve just gotten back to work, and my schedule is relentless, so this will be shorter than usual.
Last week Thursday, I shared an article on Facebook that resonated with a lot of sisterfriends and family. Written by Erika Stallings for Medium’s Zora, “When Black Women Go from Office Pet to Office Threat" received 40 likes and nearly a dozen comments.
I was hoping to have the bandwidth to reflect deeply on workplaces, schools, and communities seeing Black women, girls, and femmes as pets (animals) or threats (monsters), since I reflected a bit on that in The Dark Fantastic. But I am exhausted. Prepping for three courses, getting students set, putting in a mini grant, playing tennis with writing deadlines, editing, and service on campus and to the profession means I’ve burnt the candle on both ends.
I left home at 9:45 am and worked until I got in my car around 8 pm. On campus days, there really aren’t any breaks. Those happen when you’re out of sight and out of mind.
Therefore, long and beautifully written journal entries won’t happen each time. Instead, I’m going to treat myself to watching the premiere episode of Star Trek Picard, and then I’ll power down so I can get a good night’s rest… my first meeting tomorrow morning begins at 8 am, and we’ve got a full day…
Right before ALA Midwinter begins.
Today, however, is Threat Level Thursday. Checking in on my mental, emotional, and physical state means that I’m slipping from yellow to orange. To keep myself sane and serene, it’s time to power down.
In lieu of my post, I encourage you to read Erika Stallings’ brilliant essay. It’s one that I know I will return to again. I hope that it helps others understand how difficult it is for the world to lens Black women outside our prescribed (stereotypical) roles.
I hope to pick up this topic again in a week or two…. working title of that entry is “Thursday on the Ropes.”
What I Am Reading
—Any and all things related to syllabi. And university email. And drafts of journal articles. And texts from folks who genuinely need things done. (The beginning of each semester’s always like this. Always.)
—I hope to have bandwidth to get back to reading after ALA leaves down next Tuesday. It’s nice when conferences are here, but also, not so nice, because you’ve got to get to conference events, and also, you’ve got 100% of your work schedule and home responsibilities.
What I Am Writing
—It’s beyond crunch time for one of my outstanding book chapters. Again, I have had no bandwidth. I hope that I can get a good headwind Saturday morning and afternoon so that I can file it.
—I only have 2 other book chapters to draft after this one.
—I have no idea when I am going to find time to address novel revisions. Or take the creative writing course that I need.
—I need to get some editing done.
Being/Doing/Going
—Last week, I attended the Philadelphia Villain Arts Tattoo Convention. That’s the thing about bandwidth: I could have written a super cool post about it, because wow, what an event, but it’s the first week of term, so that’s that.
—It was so great to see my sister Lorri “Lady L” Tattoos in action with her crew, the Ladies of Ink. I am in awe of their talent.
—I’ve got a few more events lined up on my 2020 schedule that I’m excited about, and will say more about next week.
—ALA Midwinter should be fun. I’ll probably have more to say next Thursday.
Word(s) of the Week
Pace. I am a huge pacer; if you’ve ever spoken to me on the phone, and I am not driving or sitting in my campus or home offices? I am probably walking back and forth.
But I’ve also been thinking about how much I’d like to slow down in 2020, and how my ambitions often exist in conflict with the elusive desire to be balanced. (Balance is a myth, by the way.)
Pace yourself, I’m telling myself. Either someone’s just going to have to be angry, or you’re going to harm yourself working from the time you open your eyes until the minute you close them.
Pacing myself. The stakes could not be higher. The threat could not be greater…
I’ll be checking my threat levels, today and from now on.