When you're reeling from the prospect of a post-Barack world #Weary

Since I moved to the US last year, I've spent a lot of time thinking about race. Not because I decided to jump on any specific bandwagon or anything, but literally because being here, it smacks you in the face. Growing up in my London bubble, I saw myself as a Londoner with Jamaican heritage. There were lots of us around and that's how it was. Of course, London isn't a complete safe, racist-free microspace, but compared to what this year and a half in the United States of America has shown me, that city is streaks ahead in Black White relations. 

This week, with the Trump election so fresh, I've felt completely overwhelmed by what feels like a very pointed hatred of Black people, Mexican people, Muslim people, LGBT+ people, in fact, everyone who seen as Other by the majority of the White electorate. Of course there were people of other backgrounds who voted for Trump, but the OVERWHELMING majority of White men (63%)  and the majority of White WOMEN (53%) still voted for someone who promises to restrict movement and freedom of people who don't look or think like them. Make America Great Again - when was it great and who was it great for? Certainly not us.

I'm so tired. Emotionally fraught and drained. Mostly I feel shocked and so sad - though most African Americans are shaking their heads at me as they read this going "really girl? How are you still surprised?"

Is this really what it feels like to be Black in America?

Thank God for Solange. 

I'm weary of the ways of the world

Be weary of the ways of the world

I'm weary of the ways of the world

I'm gonna look for my body yeah

I'll be back real soon

I'm gonna look for my body yeah

I'll be back real soon

I'm gonna look for my body yeah

I'll be back real soon

But you know that a king is only a man

With flesh and bones, he bleeds just like you do

He said "where does that leave you"

And do you belong? I do, I do

Be leery bout your place in the world

You're feeling like you're chasing the world

You're leaving not a trace in the world

But you're facing the world

I'm gonna look for my glory yeah

I'll be back real soon

I'm gonna look for my glory yeah

I'll be back real soon

I'm gonna look for my glory yeah

I'll be back real soon

But you know that a king is only a man

With flesh and bones, he bleeds just like you do

He said "where does that leave you"

And do you belong? I do, I do

image taken from Solange's digital book

With love,

Karla x