I thought ending my own life was the only way to be done with all the pain. Many people don’t know that when I was a teenager, I was suicidal. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people from 10-24. Kids and teens are more likely to think about and commit suicide: one in five adolescents contemplate suicide daily. This takes so much courage! I’m always honored and grateful when my clients bravely talk about their thoughts, especially the dark ones. Let that sink in.Īs a counselor, I’ve often listened to my clients discuss ending their lives. Around the globe, someone ends their life every 40 seconds. Also, I believe is this a great episode for those that have a team - encourage your team to listen to this as well. These were just a few of the books that have come HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to get me started.I just wanted to give a quick trigger warning - especially if you have little ones in the car or around who may be listening … it might be a good idea to pop in some earbuds or save this episode for later.
So, I thought to cookie-fy my new anti-racism reading list! To broaden my own understanding and empathy, I am seeking out the voices and perspectives of BIPOC and the black lived experience. I wanted to channel this recent surge of momentum of energy and passion into sustainable and impactful action. Personally, the last two weeks have been a complete wake up call for me - kicking my ass into gear to DO more to be an ACTIVE ally. It is so encouraging to see people come together to protest, sign petitions, call legislators, and do the inner anti-racism work to dismantle systematic racism. Thank you for organizing the #BLMbakercollab and for organizing the #doughsomethingcollab to bring this amazing community together behind the #blacklivesmatter movement!
#antiracistbookclub #antiracism #antiracist #antiracisteducation #antiracistbooks Between the World and Me by accounts that I have been following to continuously do anti-racism work and be informed about social justice and reform are: Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson (movie If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin (movie Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Your Silence Will Not Protect You by Audre Lorde
How to be an Antiracist by The Hate U Give by White Fragility by Robin Diangelo I bought book I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a world made for Whiteness, and book pictured above Let’s amplify and listen to black voices, invest in their perspectives, and start stepping into the discomfort of facing and dismantling racism #blackpublishingpower #blacklivesmatter #blm #elevatemelanatedvoices #amplifymelanatedvoices I hope you buy a couple, or a few, for you to read, gift, or start a discussion with your children. This week, the campaign #BlackoutBestSellerList is being held, encouraging people to buy at least 2 books by black authors, and from black owned book stores if you can. #thecookiestache #pride #pridemonth #stonewall #lgbtq #happypride #happypridemonth #loveislove #stonewallinn #stonewallriots But this progress was fought for and we can’t take that for granted! Seeing the progress and success advocates have achieved makes me hopeful about how much can be accomplished, but we still have so much work ahead to fight for the rights of trans and black trans lives. Acceptance seems to be the status quo as companies sponsor parades and brand merch. Lots more glitter and sequins and rainbows. Pride looks a lot different now than it did 51 years ago. It was so humbling to stand in front of Stonewall Inn and learn this important history they don’t teach you in school. We stopped at Stonewall and learned about the riots and what the establishment represents as the initial spark for pride. When I moved to New York City for grad school, I did a walking tour in the West Village as part of orientation that first week and it made a lasting impression on me forever. The riots were led by trans women of color and lasted 3 days in Greenwich Village, which sparked a national movement of pride. 51 years ago today, queer and trans people rioted in New York City at Stonewall Inn to protest anti-LGBTQ laws and police brutality and harassment.