**Spoilers**

#BlackPantherSoLit 🔥#WakandaForever 🙅🏾‍♀️🙅🏾‍♂️anyone who knows me knows I’ve been the Captain of #TeamBlackPanther since the announcement of his presence in Captain America Civil War. I was introduced to the character several years ago when BET did an animated series on him. I’ve always loved comic book animated series & movies but I admit that I didn’t start purchasing comics for real for real until about 4 years ago. I read a few here and there growing up. I say all of that to say, after seeing the Black Panther movie and digesting the few write up, think pieces and video reviews I have looked at, I’ve decided to take a moment and give some props to my Girl Nakia! 

Now don’t get it twisted, I’m definitely here for the “let’s talk about Killmonger and was he reeeeeeaaally a villain” conversation. I really am. Mostly b/c the best antagonists make you think they may be right. Like a lot of people, my heart broke for him. We all know Killmongers. The ones that are so hurt and consumed by untreated trauma in their lives that they destroy any and everyone in their path to feel some sort of validation. The problem (which this movie does an absolutely beautiful job of illustrating) is that you can’t be a good King/leader if you’re all broken up inside. Broken people, BREAK people. 

ANYWHO…back to my Girl Nakia! First of all, she rocks my absolute favorite color,💚green then entire movie. So I was already living! Lupita Nyong’o: a Goddess walking among us is rocking my favorite color while being a bad ass spy AND the King’s in love with her?!  #Goals

And let’s talk about the King, T’Challa for a moment.

*takes a moment to acknowledge the FINENESS that is Chadwick Boseman*

The man who was measured enough to listen to Nakia when she said that Wakanda should be doing more. He didn’t brush her off. He listened, gave his thoughts, but still was pondering what she said, so much so he brought it up with his “homie” W’kabi. Even without Killmonger, I think he would have eventually gotten to a point where he knew Wakanda could & should do more. I’m cheating b/c I’ve read several runs of the comic but yea. Even if we take the movie alone, if Wakandan leadership didn’t think they could be doing more, why would they have “war dogs” and spies in every major country in the world? Initially they’re there to track potential threats to Wakanda, but my Girl Nakia was on a mission to save kidnapped (non-Wakandan) women and children in the beginning of the movie. 

As Reagan Gomez says in these tweets: “Nakia is what yall want Killmonger to be.” 

👏🏾THAT👏🏾PART!  

Nakia had similar views as Killmonger, but she chose to play chess rather than checkers. But another reason why my Girl Nakia needs more love is b/c she decided to save her country, not just stand by and watch it into ruin. And she saved her man’s life in the process! All I’m sayin is 🗣put some RESPECK on Nakia’s name. 

I get it, General Okoye kills the game. M’baku gave us LIFE, Shuri 👸🏾being the dopest Disney Princess out here & Killmonger’s depth all deserve the shine they’re getting too. I’m just sayin…NAKIA, saved Wakanda & she deserves her props! 

NOW, when yall ready, we can talk about how T’Challa is an amazing representation of how powerful men NEED strong, intelligent & opinionated women around them. We’ll talk about how he didn’t feel less than when they “gave him a hard time.” We’ll talk about how his strength was never diminished by the equally as strong and intelligent women around him. We’ll also talk about how these strong women were allowed to be feminine & fierce at the same time. How they could be fearless and show fear & sadness all at the same time. How they were also able to love & be loved by their men without dimming their own lights. Whenever yall ready though…

I know right! Like, yall probably thought I forgot how to write these. Thanks to the magic that is Facebook memories, I was reminded of how extremely helpful these were to me in the past. Self-reflection has helped me grow, heal & give myself some hard truths. These randoms are brought to you in part by January 2018 feeling like the longest YEAR ever (someone on Twitter said that & I felt it on a spiritual level) lol & by perspective: the mental yoga. 

1. Well January feels like a complete blurr. New city, new car, new apartment, job, new challenges. Oh, the challenges! I told a friend recently that I feel like I have been chasing a level of “comfort” for some years now & every time I feel like I’m getting closer,  a bomb comes & blows it all to pieces. There’s the constant “starting over” thing that, although can be exciting & liberating, also makes me feel anxious, overwhelmed & somewhat disappointed in myself. Like, I’ll never really get to a place where I can comfortably provide for myself. Anxiety: something that my 30s didn’t tell me was included in my “getting older” package. I also always hoped I’d be doing life with a partner by now which I can admit, makes me feel sad & a bit lonely at times. I do fight the, “Lord, this would be so much easier if I didn’t have to do it myself.” But I’m learning about perspective & really trying not to focus on the “whys” as ,much as the “okay Dré, HOW are we going to make it happen.”Whatever the “it” is. I also have to remind myself that I’m never really alone & take comfort in that. 

2. Perspective: The Mental Yoga- I literally just came up with that now. lol So       yea, my work life is a little more complicated than expected. I’m doing my best to navigate both the familiar & unfamiliar terrain & trusting that this experience will teach me everything God is looking for me to learn. Jesus be some patience & the right “chess” moves. 

3. It’s Black History Month aka Black Panther Movie Month aka I’m about to be living my most unapologetically proud to be a Black Woman life! Like, really. Like REALLY! I just want to step into my super powers b/c I am my ancestor’s wildest dreams. 

4. I’ll be 33 next month. Apparently 33 is a symbolic number.  Google told me “The number 3 refers to the Trinity, and means that you are receiving divine protection, help, and guidance. In most cases, if you are seeing a lot of 3s, this is an Angel Number sign that you have a close connection to Jesus, the son in the Holy Trinity. 33 means that Jesus is with you and helping you.”….Hmmm, well alrighty then! I’ll take it. 

5. YALL, BLACK PANTHER IS GOING TO BE AMAZING! IT’S HERE, LIKE IT’S REALLY HERE! IT’S REALLY TIME! I’M NOT READY, BUT I’M SO READY ALL AT THE SAME TIME! 

6. Los Angeles is my new home & so far I absolutely love it. I love the weather, I love the energy & somewhat surprisingly, I really love how nice everyone I have met has been. I’m also extremely grateful for the amount of folks that I already know that are here. Through those people, I’ve already met some amazing new people. The saying “it takes a village” doesn’t just apply to raising children. I think your village keeps you sane & covers you. I’m so grateful for mine, at home & in EVERY place I’ve ever lived. This place makes me want more & want to give more to the world. LA, what’s up? 

7. I walked by an extremely attractive man & didn’t say anything yesterday. Like I was walking out of church & saw a man that I should’ve at the very least said, “hello” or “good morning,” to & instead, I looked down & kept walking. I declare that in this here year of 2018, I will do better & stop acting like the little girl who got called an “ugly bitch” in 8th grade. I am not that. I’m actually pretty fly & I will walk in that, no matter what! Just b/c others didn’t choose me, doesn’t mean I’m not worthy. #Perspective

8. DID I MENTION THAT BLACK PANTHER IS COMING! LIKE WE’RE ONE WEEK AWAY. What are yall wearing? 

9. Dear Lord, don’t allow this place to shrink me. I don’t want to take all of the work I did before this & have it crushed under insecurities, fear & doubt. You brought me here for a reason & I just want to live out your purpose.