UnMASKING

So yesterday I did something I never taught I would be ready for ,I finally removed my mask, no not the pretty fabric mask that has offered protection from the dreaded Corvid ,but the invisble one ,the mental one that has held us captive for so long   and told my full story to someone , sharing about my own physical and  mostly emotional abuse .

For years I have kept that part of my story ,private , yes I admitted to having come out of an abusive relationship , but that was as much as I would say about the experience. I would never delve into details , because like a pandora,s box it was tucked neatly away in the furthest part of my mind 

I am an advocate against Gender Based Violence , I write about it , I speak out against it , I share the stories of the other peoples experience , but never spoke of mines 

A while back I initiated  a Pod cast series along with my friend  Sherna Alexander , Guest Dr. Mary Odom and Physocologist Mudusah Mohammed in which we discussed the growing scourge of Domestic Violence that plaqued our nation , seeking for solutions , at times the topic was discussed in a way for us to share our own experience , but I hid behind my veil ,just carefully constructing my responses so as not to give out too much imformation.

I cringed at the idea of sharing about someone , now forgiven ,the father of my children and now transformed husband ,and father, to others , they I taught or my own children were not deserving of having this issue resurface like garbage thrown in prestine water . I  was content in my mind that I was way over this , I was healed and had moved on with my life 

But I always came away feeling like a cheat  from discussions  like these especially when survivors  shared so  openly  and honestly about their  own  experience , it was unfair of me to hold back.

Why was it so difficult , mostly it was the shame that this  had happened to me , I protected my children,s relationship with their dad  by never sharing this experience with them ,and I preserved my character by not sharing with others , not even my relatives or closest friends .

But last evening my converastion with a very kind lady working on a project, of which Im pleased to be  part off,  lead me to open up, to remove my mask to stand naked ,unhidden, fearless before my past , and it was freeing , it was better than I taught it would be  , I felt good , I have experienced healing 

There were moments in the process of sharing that my host felt anger as she listened  to me reveal those private moments of the  abuse inflcted on me , which placed me and my young babies in life threatening danger , but there were moments we shared laughter as well ,because now we can .

For the frist time I really took stock of the fact that I was blessed to be alive ,without any physical scars, although the threat was made so often . I made it out and thats the reason I hold the torch for those still in the deep .

I UnMASKED and it felt good .

So coincidently on the 03rd of December ,we will gather with a cross section of supporters of my Fashion Brand  Christiqueclothing  to its official  launch and  The Creation   of a Fund for my Iniatative SETUP  and guess whats the name of it ,you are correct UNMASKED . 

Because like me so many Hide behind invisible mask ,especially as we face two years of untold hardship during the pandemic and even enduring the economic fall out of that period. people are hesistant to share their real emotions for varying reasons .

I am using the opportunity to raise funds for my initiative well  as  to encourage those present , through a scripted presentation of Art , Dance , Fashion , Food and Music ,to take the mask off , to breathe again 

 I encourage you today if theres anything you are holding unto or too ashamed like me to admit , may the opportunity be presented for you to UnMASK , become visible , be free.