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Tawnya Layne's avatar

I'm also learning not to share my space, to take up space instead. I'm trying to unlearn my habit of saying, "sorry" when someone else gets in my bubble. I'm not sorry. I'm taking up space. Thanks for the validation and the reminder.

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Juana Jordan's avatar

Dr. Walker-Barnes! Wow! This article was so on point. I loved the lines, "That is what eldest daughters, StrongBlackWomen, parentified children do. It’s what the responsible ones do: we constantly look around to make sure that everyone has what they need, sacrificing our own needs in the process." I am an only child, the oldest grandchild of an oldest daughter and noticed this was the posture of my mother, who would move off the sidewalk to let others pass or quickly say "Excuse Me," even though someone else had taken up her space. I noticed that in some small ways I have done the same. Thank you for bringing to my attention to take up space for myself and all the times my momma forgot to do it too!

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