Brene Brown — Sincerely, Jess--BLOG

I must admit that prior to now, I was not ready for you. It took keeping a personal blog since 2008, obtaining two graduate degrees that privileged reflective writing and processing, sending a tweet with a link to half blog post half academic assignment to THEE Brene Brown, an invitation to collaborate with writers such as Sonya Renee Taylor, Kiese Laymon, Luvvie Ajayi Jones and Tarana freaking Burke, and TWO WEEKS on the New York Times best sellers list for me to feel like maybe I am ready.

Jessica WilliamsMay 14, 2021Brene Brown, Tarana Burke, Sexual Assault, Writing, Honesty, Luvvie Jones, Sonya Renee Taylor, You Are Your Best Thing, New York TimesComment

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.

Jessica WilliamsJune 30, 2020Brene Brown, shame, vulnerability, Black Lives Matter, Ferguson, social justice, healing Comments

...the world in my words