My 30 for 30
2016, I am actually grateful for you.
I’ll start by stating the obvious: in 2016 we saw some extreme cases of bullsh!t. People and events such as the presidential election, Ryan Lochte, Kanye West, Abigail Fisher, the death of Prince, Tomi Lahren, CMA Awards, the season finale of How To Get Away with Murder, and Game of Thrones not coming back until late as hell next year had me thinking I was somewhere between being punked and living in a horror movie.
We had some great moments: Kim pulling the receipts on Taylor Swift (I liiiiivvveeedddd), Beyonce at the Super Bowl *cues tears from middle America*, Black Girl Magic, Simone Manuel, the Cubs winning, and the irony of JLo literally being on the 6 as she dates Mr. Six God himself Drake. Some of these are profoundly petty, but because I am a resident in the town of Pettyville, I was pleased.
Overall, the year definitely seemed to suck. It shouldn’t even be put in rice to fix the damage. Let’s just move to the shredder. I found myself like a lot of people saying that I will never talk about 2016. Ever. It will be the year I infinitely skip when telling my hypothetical children and grandchildren about the best years of my life. During the average “I hate 2016” conversation, I stopped and realized what I was actually saying.
me to me: 2016 was a rough year. I just don’t want to talk about it.
also me to me: Sike! Humbly talk your sh!t
I had to pause and think about how blessed I really was. As many low, hurtful and distressing experiences that I dealt with, I had at least two amazing ones to make up for it. I didn’t find the silver lining. For me it was gold. The small moments added up. I won in 2016. Weaving in and out of jokes and seriousness while adding in some great gifs, these are some of my favorites:
- I gave the middle finger to a job that was killing me physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
- I relocated to Dallas and haven’t had to wear a North Face down coat. (I really don’t know how to act when it’s December and 75 degrees outside. )
- I was able to walk away from draining situations. A few I may have hit the Usain Bolt Sprint on because I needed to exit with a swiftness.
- I gained clarity and my soul was cleansed.
- The Obamas and their Black Love story. I will truly be sad to see Uncle Barry and Aunty Mo leave the Black White House.
6. I witnessed my friends’ celebratory moments (home ownership, new positions, relationships, cars, weddings, graduate degrees and babies on the way. My circle is extremely legit. )
7. I had the opportunity to engage and build with some extremely dope individuals. Check out Jeff Williams and Brandon E. Miller as great examples. We get it now, so let’s get it now.
8. Jon Snow came back and R + L = J was finally proven. I don’t care how predictable it was. I was overcome with joy.
9. I figured out who I was, despite what other people expected or wanted for me. ’Cause I went from negative to positive and it’s all good *Biggie Voice*
10. The greatness that is Joanne the Scammer. Honestly, truly. Iconic.
11. FRANK CAME BACK. I personally loved Endless more than Blonde but neither as much as Channel Orange. Still…FRANK CAME BACK. I vividly remember the “Frank is back…This is not a drill. I repeat. Not a Drill” message I recieved.
12. Rihanna’s “Needed Me”. Pretty much said everything I ever needed to.
13. My curl pattern has flourished. My hair is literally my crown.
14. My skin became golden. It could also be a fck boy free glow. Read the article by SF Ali. He gives great examples of fck boys if you are unfamiliar.
15. I mended my relationship with God.
16. DVSN’s One in a Million cover. Traditionally I loathe all Aaliyah covers, but this mixed with Prince’s “Purple Rain” did something for me.
17. Our “ok ladies now let’s get in formation” pic made it to CNN, instagram and twitter backgrounds. There were a few sprinkles of hate, but the love we received was outstanding.
18. My eyebrows got shaped to perfection. This is highly important. Do not trust anyone with bad eyebrows.
19. Chance the Rapper’s Coloring Book. This will be a classic when I’m in my old(er) years. “How Great” gets played daily. This guy rapped about God and Harry Potter in the same verses. He is something special.
20. Black Twitter remained undefeated. We delivered some of the best memes and gifs such as Kermit and Arthur. The trolls were infinite.
21. I experienced the Texas State Fair in all of its fat glory
22. All of the tacos I have been blessed with since moving to Texas. This really deserves several lines, but I’ll keep it to one and add in elotes too.
23. Black Girl Magic in all its glory. (Please see: Olympics, Entertainment, life, etc)
24. Beyonce’s Lemonade and Solange’s Seat at the Table reminded me that I ain't no average bih boy and that no, people don’t need to touch my hair. See point 13. It is my crown.
25. The amazing ass balcony at the Charlee Hotel in Colombia.
26. I’m seeing things come into fruition for 2017 and beyond.
27. Chance’s verse on “Ultralight Beam.” No debate on this. I know Chance already received a spot for the album but his verse on the song deserves a line by itself and it’s my list, so here we are again.
28. Usher at Roots Picnic. His cover of Nice and Slow over Break You Off was perfection. I may or may have not dropped a tear. Could of been allergies though.
29. I have an amazing support system. My unfriendly black hotties that are my closest friends. They are the best. TUC has held me down and motivated me consistently as well as my Young Black Professionals in Chicago. I am thankful.
... and the most important of all…
