Ten.Nine Hundred & Forty-Four

1. 1:45 am. So loud. But why? Full-on party. But it is New Orleans after all. And maybe they don’t need to get up in the morning. But seriously does it need to be so loud.

2. I get ready quietly. I’m the first one awake. I head downstairs and make the coffee, remeasure the coffee with the tablespoon.

3. The four of us walk to the event center. We don’t like to be late.

4. Black Women and Labor. Build your own table.

5. She takes us to church. I already knew by the way she talked that she was a preacher or the daughter of a preacher. There’s just something about the way she talks.

6. Unbought and unbossed.

7. Tears.

8. Motherhood and hospitality.

9. I realize that there’s no way for me to present any kind of notes because in order to share what I’m learning, you’d need to have context and I don’t think they will want the context. And I don’t think I’m capable of providing it. Nor should I have to do the labor.

10. So many people.

11. Who’s funding who?

12. Tears. I need to listen to the episode.

13. More tears.

14. Am I even in the right place do to the right things? What does it mean to work within the system I’m a part of to make change? Particularly change that affects black and brown bodies?

15. Owning a table and owning the tent.

16. “If a person doesn’t feel comfortable in my space, then I’ve failed.”