I’ve ordered my personalized license plates! But, first…
In Black news,
Recently, Nelsan Ellis died from heart failure. We were about 15 months apart in age. This troubles me because all 5 (ALL FIVE) of my paternal uncles died of heart related issues before the age of 45. Forty-fucking-five. Nelsan and I made it to 39. My father is the last remaining male of his siblings. Dad’s in his 80s. My maternal great grandmother lived past 100. My grandmother is 94. With that mix, I hope to live a long life. (But, I don’t have that much estrogen.) I’d be lying if I said, I wasn’t worried about dying before 50.
Recently, a White man used the word Nigger on the mic, in front of an audience in a New York venue he owns. He excused his use of the pejorative term as a joke. (Jokes are funny, what he said was not.) Dear White People, The next time you or your friends ask the question, “Why can THEY say it if I can’t?” The answer IS a question. Why is it so important that you be able to say it (out loud) in the first place?
Recently, a White man called me the same pejorative term in an email. He defended his use of the term saying that he didn’t mean it in a racist way. (True story.) Now, the people who still kick it with him and invite him out to events are the people that I no longer want to hang with. Dear White People, If your friend calls me a Nigger and you stand by and do nothing. Your message is clear to me that WE are not friends. Period.
So, for those who wonder about the source of my motivation, I’ve chosen a two word mantra to summarize the following: A desire to move my body in the name of health and fitness. Standing up to White men who think it’s ok to cross boundaries because of their unchecked privilege. Knowing the difference between allies and those who do what’s in their best interest. Two words that remind me that I must do for self instead of relying on others. I’ve ordered my personalized licensed plates. They will read (and remind others to)…
GET UP
Get up. Stand up. Stay up. Speak up. Power up.
This is similar to something I say in my fitness classes. I tell them to “Get it!”
Let’s get it! Get it! Get it good! Get it right! Get it slow! Get it tonight! Just. Get. It. What do you want? Don’t over think it! Answer with your emotions and pause the pragmatic voice-over in your head. I’m not talking about the small things. I’m not talking about placing wants before needs. I’m talking about your goals. The goals that you set on January 1st, the goals that you set this morning and the goals that you will set when you wake up from your happy birthday hangover. (BTW, if that was yesterday, happy birthday.) Do you have an answer? Do you know what you want? Good. Now get it. Less talk, more action. Less planning, more movement. “I want to run a marathon. But, I don’t know how to start training.” Go to a playground, watch the kids run. They don’t think about form, how they look to others, barefoot running shoes or carbo-loading. They just run their little legs off and giggle while they do it. They get it. “But, how do I start!?” Lace up. Run. If it sucks, if you hate it, ask for help. If help from a running coach still doesn’t stop it from sucking, that’s cool. Running isn’t for everyone. Get on a bike. Get in the water. Get on a hang glider. Find something that literally and emotionally moves you and just get it. Have you been dreaming about it? Get it. Have you been passionately pursuing it? Get it. Don’t be confused. Don’t take it. Don’t steal it. Don’t mishandle it. Don’t be arrogant about it. Be kind on your quest. Get it by earning it. Get it by paying with your own sweat as currency. Get it by studying for it. Get it as a reward for your passion, patience, and persistence (yes, those concepts all work together). Stay focused. Give your best effort. I hope that you’re picking up what I’m putting down. If so… Get. It.
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