- I’m on vacation!
- But first, I’m watching FL news and a young woman of color named Mya Marcano is missing. She’s been missing for a week. The FBI just decided to join. And a Black man is missing in Broward County. I *know* I would never have heard about these folks but for I wanted a little US news while in another country.
- It’s not that I think Gabby Pettito (sp) shouldn’t have got all that attention, but being young, white, blond, Eurocentrically pretty, thin and doing an instagram blog of her and dude’s great White adventure in a van helped drive that attention.
- It’s that I need that same energy for BIPOC folk who are missing. I need that same energy for everyone. Seeing the attention and resources always directed in one direction is really painful.
- BTW: I’m purposefully no longer saying “conventionally pretty.” What’s conventional about it beyond an fixation on Whiteness and White features. POC who are considered pretty, often have some features that mirrors White features–slim noses and lips, hair texture that is free of kinks, slim body with slim hips and butt. Those POC features that we celebrate are exceptions, caricatures at times. So, I’m going to narrow the scope and be specific about the generally accepted beauty standard, while recognizing that there are others.
- Now, back to my vacation. I’m here in Mexico alone. I’ve lain on the beach for a couple of days. I’ve eaten fairly modestly. I’ve drank excessively and alllllllll day. The beach bartender takes good care of me and quickly realized that if he just put the drinks in my steel cup, it would save himself some trips to my chair.
- I’ve got one more day before heading home; had my COVID test today.
- One thing I’ve done daily is read the WashPo and the NYTimes scrolling all the way to the bottom. The luxury of just reading the paper for enjoyment and to to find out if the world is going to end soon. I mean, it is, but I was reading to to read. I also allowed myself to read about rando ish I’m just curious about. I mean I usually do that, but this is more researchy stuff. I’ve realized I’ve neglected my nerdiness in ways I have been to overwhelmed to notice. That made me sad. Another daquiri helped.
- And I’m reading a book. At current rate it’s possible I might finish it before returning to work.
- I needed this and I”m looking forward to going home to my Hope and Yappy. I’m feeing refreshed!
September 30, 2021
Ten Things on Thursday: 9/30/2021
About AdoptiveBlackMom
AdoptiveBlackMom 
October 1st, 2021 at 12:37 am
Glad your vacation is being what you needed and wanted. THANK you for being kind enough to update us during it. Second hand vacations this way are always much enjoyed! (And no plane flight, no air ports, no crowds. THANK YOU.)
October 1st, 2021 at 7:40 am
Love the terminology and sentiment of an earlier comment “second hand vacations!” Congrats on this successful getaway; you deserve. Also: please detail the trip and travel when/if you feel like it. I’d love to learn your experience, as I intend to travel solo to Mexico (state undetermined; I’m weighing options) in February. For example, would you recommend the location (or do you want to keep your hideaways off the radar, lol)?
October 1st, 2021 at 9:40 am
Will definitely share when I get home!! It’s been a lovely trip.