healing — Sincerely, Jess--BLOG

Dear Sha'Carri

I hope that you know how many people stand with you and will be with you should you chose to push against the unjust, and quite frankly racist laws and regulations that classify cannabis use as illegal for anyone, including athletes. I hope that you know how many people will stand with you should you not. I hope that you know that you are not wrong for smoking weed. You are human. You deserve to grieve and heal and.manage that process in a way that feels right for you so long as it does not harm you. I hope that you know you are worthy of peace. That includes peace of mind and I hope that you are able to find it. I hope that no one ever tries to bring shame to your healing. I hope that you do not allow this moment to deter you from your dreams of Olympic gold.

Been that girl, still that girl. Will forever be that girl.

Jessica WilliamsJuly 2, 2021grief, healing, sadness, cannabis, advocacy, olympics Comment

Vulnerability in Black Skin

Yesterday, I made a bold proclamation, as I sometimes do. I told myself, and soon thereafter twitter and Instagram that “I want to have a public conversation with Brené Brown about shame specifically as a tool of White Supremacy; relooking at the paradox of vulnerability as an act of liberation and sovereignty but also the high risk of vulnerability in Black skin. I’m ready Brene.” As soon as I wrote it, my whole body got hot. I was terrified, what had I done?

Immediately, admittedly, I wanted to delete the post. Forget the proclamation. I quickly realized that what I was feeling was shame, specifically imposter syndrome of the “Who does she think she is” variety. The feelings came quickly and flooded my body with panic but before I could delete the sentiment, I made myself put my phone down and just wait. I made myself breathe through all the reasons why I actually was uniquely qualified to have this conversation.

...the world in my words