So grateful for your work both here and on YouTube. I was lucky enough to be living and working in South Africa when Obama was elected, both times. The joy! Now, I struggle with "If we have sworn fealty to a myth for generations, now what do we do?" It's heartbreaking and exhausting but still we rise.
Love your Sunday conversations and would enjoy listening to conversations with Rachel True- that's how I found out about you and Gina Breedlove, I've heard her on a few (oldest) podcast speak about grief which many of us are struggling with. Always a joy to see a new Youtube!!!!!
I have felt rebellious today! Sent an email to Senator Lisa Murkowski and told her how disappointed we as US citizens are in her vote to pass a bill that creates a police state. ICE is currently funded at 4.3 Billion and the Bill takes the funding to 45 Billion This is a game changer & in the wrong direction. Plus maybe her state is now a candidate for its own concentration camp since Alaska has bears. 🙄
Yes I know it was mean but when I read the details of that bill, I was totally incensed I posted the details on my facebook page & told friends & family members to call their representatives today! I am still hopping mad…don’t get mad…get even My resistance flag goes up tomorrow & will fly on the 4th!
Thank you Erika. Your interpretation of the cards is beautiful. I will avail myself of the beautiful cowrie shells to purchase warm scarves for the collective. It is time for us to acknowledge our gifts and our innate ability to have faith in things not yet made manifest. This is not denial, as one might interpret, but a knowingness that what we seek is already available to us. We are stronger than we think. I choose to believe and be “woke.” Much Love! 🤎🤎
Yesterday I watched your latest video and was really impacted by you saying we need to examine what we, as a country, really are. In my opinion, humble though it may be, racism is a huge problem for us in this regard. I'm white and can only reference racism from that perspective. As such I have limited understanding of it and no idea how to fix the problem. Could I prevail upon you to pull some cards on IF we will be able to right this ugly wrong? Thank you for your work and your words.
Thank you, Erika, for the clarity your writing always provides. I feel like your voice and message has its own variety of the “insouciance” you’re remembering that your brother showed in younger years. I appreciate the boldness of your perspective; it’s elucidating. Also I had to look up the difference between “perpetrate” and “perpetuate.” Thanks for helping me keep my language skills honed!
I know the upcoming holiday is a mobius strip of true and false — but/and I hope you have the opportunity to do whatever renews your spirit and makes you feel free. Blessings.
This is my first time reading your Substack. So very enlightening. I feel I am waking up. Also, I am learning new words. Your writing is so eloquent and really makes me think outside the box. Thank you for sharing your gifts. Have a wonderful day.
Erika, I have been a big fan of your YT channel for some time now. Finally checked out your substack and I'm so glad I did. I've been reading through your writings tonight and they are just a balm to the soul after such a grim day. I love your insight and analysis.
And I gasped when I saw the title of this article! From the great Langston Hughes poem that I've been sharing every fourth of July for years (and have been wondering if I have the heart to share this fourth.)
I have long believed that our country has been built on a lie. The lie of 'freedom' that was built on the backs of enslaved Black bodies and and on the oppression of and violence to Black and brown bodies. (And all women, but of course many of us white women are happy to be in service to this oppression.) In my opinion, until white people (like me) acknowledge that and really confront and own that we are the drivers of this violence and oppression, none of us will ever have a chance to truly be free. But like Langston, I declare that America shall be. Maybe it's good that ship is sailing.
Thank you for all you do. You're a national treasure, in my book.
I've always felt that America is an opportunity, It is a question, one that has given me hope at times, but more often than not has left me heart broken. I know what America could and should be be, and what it promises or says that it is, only to disappoint time and time again. Now we are forced to begin to answer that question fully, it cannot be avoided any longer. It's reaching the tower moment, and I'm feeling both extreem dread, and like this is the moment that I've waited for my entire life, this is where real change will begin to happen. My fear keeps telling me that the worst may overtake us. But what I know in my heart is that The Light will prevail.
Thank you, Erika, for your courage, which feeds my own courage to persevere and to stand up and play my part in this moment.
Your voice and messages are beautiful, powerfully inspiring, and so deeply needed and appreciated.❤️
Hello, Tami. I really like your post! You speak of the disappointment "time and time again" that we see and feel. The people "in leadership" in the U.S. seem tone-deaf to the moment and only interested in their own power and money. As you say, "... this is where real change will begin to happen". I agree. It's up to We-the-People now. May we be brave and committed to the change that must come! I'm feeling exhausted, but will tend to my physical need for rest for a few days. And then I will continue. ❤️🩹
Thank you Nancy, I love your prayerful sentiment of "May we be brave and committed to the change that must come" I think it is an already answered prayer! 💞
Not that it's important, but I didn't realize that I had made my handle on substack my legal name, Tammie Rae Somonick. I'm going by my original name on line which is Tami Floyd. I'm new to tech, still learning. Taking baby steps.
So grateful for your work both here and on YouTube. I was lucky enough to be living and working in South Africa when Obama was elected, both times. The joy! Now, I struggle with "If we have sworn fealty to a myth for generations, now what do we do?" It's heartbreaking and exhausting but still we rise.
Love your Sunday conversations and would enjoy listening to conversations with Rachel True- that's how I found out about you and Gina Breedlove, I've heard her on a few (oldest) podcast speak about grief which many of us are struggling with. Always a joy to see a new Youtube!!!!!
I have felt rebellious today! Sent an email to Senator Lisa Murkowski and told her how disappointed we as US citizens are in her vote to pass a bill that creates a police state. ICE is currently funded at 4.3 Billion and the Bill takes the funding to 45 Billion This is a game changer & in the wrong direction. Plus maybe her state is now a candidate for its own concentration camp since Alaska has bears. 🙄
Yes I know it was mean but when I read the details of that bill, I was totally incensed I posted the details on my facebook page & told friends & family members to call their representatives today! I am still hopping mad…don’t get mad…get even My resistance flag goes up tomorrow & will fly on the 4th!
Thank you for your thoughtful writing! 🌷
Thank you Erika. Your interpretation of the cards is beautiful. I will avail myself of the beautiful cowrie shells to purchase warm scarves for the collective. It is time for us to acknowledge our gifts and our innate ability to have faith in things not yet made manifest. This is not denial, as one might interpret, but a knowingness that what we seek is already available to us. We are stronger than we think. I choose to believe and be “woke.” Much Love! 🤎🤎
Yesterday I watched your latest video and was really impacted by you saying we need to examine what we, as a country, really are. In my opinion, humble though it may be, racism is a huge problem for us in this regard. I'm white and can only reference racism from that perspective. As such I have limited understanding of it and no idea how to fix the problem. Could I prevail upon you to pull some cards on IF we will be able to right this ugly wrong? Thank you for your work and your words.
Thank you, Erika, for the clarity your writing always provides. I feel like your voice and message has its own variety of the “insouciance” you’re remembering that your brother showed in younger years. I appreciate the boldness of your perspective; it’s elucidating. Also I had to look up the difference between “perpetrate” and “perpetuate.” Thanks for helping me keep my language skills honed!
I know the upcoming holiday is a mobius strip of true and false — but/and I hope you have the opportunity to do whatever renews your spirit and makes you feel free. Blessings.
This is my first time reading your Substack. So very enlightening. I feel I am waking up. Also, I am learning new words. Your writing is so eloquent and really makes me think outside the box. Thank you for sharing your gifts. Have a wonderful day.
Thank you for that message great reading and touched my spirit and soul . I didn't think anything could make me happy. These
days hearing about what they want to do with Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security was making me anxious. After reading this I feel hope and joy.
Erika, I have been a big fan of your YT channel for some time now. Finally checked out your substack and I'm so glad I did. I've been reading through your writings tonight and they are just a balm to the soul after such a grim day. I love your insight and analysis.
And I gasped when I saw the title of this article! From the great Langston Hughes poem that I've been sharing every fourth of July for years (and have been wondering if I have the heart to share this fourth.)
I have long believed that our country has been built on a lie. The lie of 'freedom' that was built on the backs of enslaved Black bodies and and on the oppression of and violence to Black and brown bodies. (And all women, but of course many of us white women are happy to be in service to this oppression.) In my opinion, until white people (like me) acknowledge that and really confront and own that we are the drivers of this violence and oppression, none of us will ever have a chance to truly be free. But like Langston, I declare that America shall be. Maybe it's good that ship is sailing.
Thank you for all you do. You're a national treasure, in my book.
I've always felt that America is an opportunity, It is a question, one that has given me hope at times, but more often than not has left me heart broken. I know what America could and should be be, and what it promises or says that it is, only to disappoint time and time again. Now we are forced to begin to answer that question fully, it cannot be avoided any longer. It's reaching the tower moment, and I'm feeling both extreem dread, and like this is the moment that I've waited for my entire life, this is where real change will begin to happen. My fear keeps telling me that the worst may overtake us. But what I know in my heart is that The Light will prevail.
Thank you, Erika, for your courage, which feeds my own courage to persevere and to stand up and play my part in this moment.
Your voice and messages are beautiful, powerfully inspiring, and so deeply needed and appreciated.❤️
Hello, Tami. I really like your post! You speak of the disappointment "time and time again" that we see and feel. The people "in leadership" in the U.S. seem tone-deaf to the moment and only interested in their own power and money. As you say, "... this is where real change will begin to happen". I agree. It's up to We-the-People now. May we be brave and committed to the change that must come! I'm feeling exhausted, but will tend to my physical need for rest for a few days. And then I will continue. ❤️🩹
Thank you Nancy, I love your prayerful sentiment of "May we be brave and committed to the change that must come" I think it is an already answered prayer! 💞
Not that it's important, but I didn't realize that I had made my handle on substack my legal name, Tammie Rae Somonick. I'm going by my original name on line which is Tami Floyd. I'm new to tech, still learning. Taking baby steps.
My first read of your Wednesday writing.
I’ve enjoyed it immensely just as I enjoy your YouTube channel.
See you in the cards!
Asè
Thank you, Erika. Just like others here, I am so grateful for your work. 🕯️