This is the Friday of the week beginning on May 25, 2020. Welcome to Free-thought Fridays!
We continue with GEMINI SEASON! The most wonderful time of the year!
This week there is Africa Day, May 25, and the final day of school in our District.
A moment of silence to the fallen servicemen and servicewomen this past Memorial Day.
Guess whose birthday is next week? MINE! I have a special post that publishes on birthday. Come back next week to check it out.
At some point this week D.C. enters Phase I of Reopening. They are calling it Stay at Home Lite.
These are my top ten (shareable) thoughts in this week’s rhapsody of Miss Jae’s Musings:
Africa Day. Africa Day fell on the same day as Memorial Day this year. It’s a strange feeling if you’re both African and American. The intersection between theses two identities give some of the greatest complexities of my life. Nonetheless, I carried on in the spirit of both … as best any African-American can. On 25 May 1963, Africa made history with the foundation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), which led to the African Union (AU) in 2002. Africa Day is an annual commemoration and celebration to acknowledge the success of the AU in the fight against colonialism, apartheid, and more. This year’s celebration was virtual due to the pandemic with the theme of Silencing the Guns: Creating Conducive Conditions for Africa’s Development and Intensifying the Fight against the COVID-19 Pandemic. If you’re a parent, Africa Day is also a book that is relevant to read to your children during this time. #mamaafrica
Another One. It was just a few weeks ago where I listed Ahmad Aubrey as a topic in Ms. Jae’s Musings, and we’re back again. Another Black man. Another death. Another white police officer. Another body. Another hashtag. Another whack-ass excuse. Another outcry. Another race war. Another Black mama ponders if now is the time to have “the talk.” Another Black papa winces in his contempt that he cannot really protect his Black son. Another Karen spews defensive views of her own racism. Another Black person explaining another Black death to their white lover. Another pastor preaching to Black folk to love our enemies. Another trauma for the Black community. Another reason why Kaepernick knelt. What about the knell that officer took into Floyd’s neck? Another Black man screaming, “I can’t breathe.” Another. Another. Another. When does it end? Rest in Power, Gentle Giant. ~An exhausted Black boy-mama with a protective heart for Black men. #GeorgeFloyd
High School Planning Series. On Thursdays I am beginning to share educational info on my social media pages. Starting next week, I will debut my high school planning series. It includes blog posts to introduce that week’s topic, a corresponding teaching video, and freebie worksheets for students and checklists for parents. If you are planning for high school, this is just for you and is applicable for both homeschoolers and non-homeschoolers. The first post and video go live Thursday, June 4. Tune in! #highschoolmama
Holidays. Seven x Seven + 1. 50 days. It’s the math of the Hebrews in the counting of the omer from Pesach (Passover) to Shavuot (Feast of Weeks). One concept that I appreciate about ancient Hebrew stories are the dual meaning in agricultural and spiritual significance. In this season, the wheat harvest in the Land of Israel and the day that the Most High revealed the Torah is remembered. Though I am not sure that the latter is connected in the Scriptures. Doesn’t matter. The revelation is still worthy of commemoration for these people. I love teaching agriculture to my sons. It’s amazing how many truths and life moments you can impart into children with an agrarian understanding. There is also a wisdom in agriculture that yields even a child wise. For that reason, I am in on cultures who teach their people to respect the land and to grow food. And, who teaches how to live more righteously through the connected-ness of living things which begins with The Land. This weekend, we’re baking bread to remember the wheat harvest—the God of the Harvest, the Land, and how we treat others when we are blessed with something to give. If you are celebrating, Happy Shavuot! #agriculturerocks
Ride, Sally, Ride. Bike riding is one of my favorite outdoor activities. The weekend goes by so fast and in D.C. weather is so fickle that it hard to plan a good afternoon of biking. This Memorial Day was incredibly kind with its free day off and sunny, breezy weather—the perfect pair for a bike day. I rode almost 4 miles enjoying the murals and city imagery of upper Northeast D.C., and it did my nature soul well. This week’s pic of the week is ya’ girl outchea’ on ‘dat bike. #bikingbeauty
Professional Panelist. I did it! I interviewed for the panelist seat and the interviewer liked me—or rather my personality. But, I was still wait-listed in the first round. In academics, volume and qualifications are not lacking. Most of us are highly qualified and we are many. While qualifications get me in the door, it is my energy (how I make others feel) that keeps me in the room. I made it! I sat on a (virtual) panel with other faculty members for online teaching twice this week. After my first round, they asked me to attend another similar session. It was engaging and definitely the high of my week. #beefinuptheresume
White Male Racists. This week has been more anti-Blackness stained across the Internet. And, it got me thinking that we have Beckys, Karens, and Susans (BKS) as if white women are the only ones. Why do we not have corresponding names for white men? When you don’t know (on matters like these), you poll your social media followers. I conferred with Black folk and they agreed that we need names. I started with Brad, Connor, and Donald; but then one of my favorite 12-year-olds told me that one of the names should be Bob and I couldn’t agree with him more. Introducing BKS’s fathers, husbands, and brothers as Bob, Connor, and Donald. You know…because white male racists exist too. #representationmatters
New Content. On Mondays I publish new content here at JaePhd. This week, my post “These Three Women” went live. I offer tips to women on how to design their Circle. Then, I share an anecdote using one friendship example from my own life to help you see it in practice. The response was amazing. Thank you to each woman who messaged me privately and personally to tell me your story and how my piece was timely for you. If you have not checked this post out yet, please do! While you’re at it, leave a comment with your thoughts! #ilovethecomments
Movie Buff. Did y’all know there was a movie released about three generations of Black women with supernatural abilities? First, I will give any film with either Gugu Mbatha-Raw or Lorraine Toussaint in it a chance; but in this one I get them both? Um, yes please! This young woman (played by Gugu) goes on the run when her powers discovered. Her abilities are so strong and literally Earth-changing that she is hunted down by an elite group of scientists. With nowhere else to go, she returns to her childhood home to confront the mother she isolated and the daughter she abandoned. In mending these estranged relationships, she learns that her true power has lived inside of her all along. The film’s title, Fast Color, presents these supernatural powers in the manifestation of color for both the mother and daughter as their abilities are similar. The young woman’s powers are manifested more with natural phenomena like earthquakes and rain. Check it out. It’s free on Amazon Prime. You’re welcome. #fastcolor
Numerology. The numbers 2, 3, 5, and 7 have always resonated with me. I was born in the third month (astronomically) or the sixth month on the Gregorian calendar—either way it is 3. I was born on the second day of the month. This year, I close my Fifth Seven on the third day of the week (beginning with Sunday) at 2:35P. This coming birthday is special. It feels so good to be me! #birthdaygirl
Love, Light, & Musings,
I’m loving this new version of you! Keep sharing your thoughts and pressing towards your goals because we need the joy that you bring to the world! ❤️