I was saddened because as much as we’d like to believe otherwise, these systems are still in place. They may have had a face lift, but at their core they are still steeped in racism, ableism, hatred, and supremacy. Systemic racism didn’t just make a debut last year. This is our history.

We don’t love on ourselves enough. Instead, we choose to compare ourselves to others, put immense pressure on our individuality, and look for reasons to confirm the lie, while ripping apart our self-esteem, bit by bit.

The equipment is old, maintenance has been neglected, erosion has set in, but somehow we are surprised at how unstable it all is.