I recently posted on Instagram, “If one of us is burning, we all are on fire,” and three hours later, I was reconciling with my own words.

Last week I was reading a speech by the late great Andre Lorde, in which she said:

There is no such thing as a single-issue struggle because we do not lead single-issue lives. Our struggles are particular, but we are not alone. What we must do is commit ourselves to some future that can include each other. And work toward that future with our particular strengths of our individual identities.

Andre Lorde

I pondered her sentiments as I slept, and in her words, I found so many truths. With those revelations, I began my day. Frank shared a Facebook Live video that went viral this week by Dr. Tawanna Worlds. In the video, you see Dr. Worlds braving below zero degree temperatures in the territory of Texas to showcase the turmoil she and her beloved neighbors are facing as a result of the current blackout, which many are calling a “plandemic.” She shares her disgust and disappointment with the Texas authorities that are seemingly neglecting specific yet ethnically diverse populations. The most devastating address in the video is the number of people suffering from hypothermia in their homes. The effects of the blackout have left at least two elderly frozen to death in their homes. Countless other people are without food, water, and the means to seek help or travel to limited resource hubs, many of which vaccination is a requirement for assistance.

I was, to say the least, perplexed, disturbed, and very disheartened. I still am.

“And here I am writing about flowers,” I huffed with a bitter meh, as I put my phone down and picked up my laptop. From there, I proceeded to prepare myself to write an article for Visit Annapolis featuring local florists in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County.

It was only after I had completed my task that I began to eat my words as I stood in the low light of our kitchen, looking out in the living room at Tzar peacefully, sleeping on the couch. And that is when I felt the burning.

You see, careers often become routine. Even occupations as unpredictable as freelancing can begin to feel mundane, meager, unfulfilling, and unenlightened. Many days I have found myself looking at my due dates for blog posts and poetry features with those, “My life was meant for so much more eyes.” I often convince myself that my seemingly minuscule tasks are nothing more than steppingstones to a greater truth. Although I know the latter holds a fundamental truth, it was standing in the low light of the kitchen in which I found the depth of that truth.

Those magnificent florists I wrote about so passionately are my neighbors near and far, and like all of us trying to navigate through this madness, chaos, and disorder, they are burning.

Thus, I shall continue to write because today, I can no longer write for myself alone. I must write for those who cannot.

Inshallah,

Egypt


Video by Dr. Tawanna Worlds

I am posting this purely as the reference. Dr. Tawanna Worlds’ views and opinions are hers. Although I may share some, I have my own, and in due time I may share. Nevertheless, do sift her words and thoughts, and find the truth that hits your heart. Inshallah.

Compilation of videos compiled by Egypt. Music: Someday by FUGUE