Protect Ya Neck (And Ya Peace)
August 22nd, 2020
“Protect Ya Neck”, Wu-Tang Clan
Protect Ya Neck (And Ya Peace)
Back at it like a chiropractor! I know y'all... I know. It has been a month since I've graced you with the lyrical stylings of Jam Master Shae, and I so sincerely apologize for that. You never know what can happen in a matter of weeks, and I can attest to that. Howeverrrr, I am here to give you a little love to make up for lost time.
During this time apart, many of us have been ending our 104 days of summer vacation to embark on our collegiate journeys. Many of us have been juggling life altering decisions and events that are truly testing our perseverance. And if you're reading this, you've made it through the summer!
*Alexa, play Summers Over Interlude by Drake*
Now, Quarantine has taken me through some pretty deep revelations. I've been having Sunday service in this thang for five months! And, I want to share with you what I've come to realize, what I've always realize, and what I will continue to realize.
First, I just want to say: people are very bored in quarantine. It is causing people to reconnect, disconnect, and inject themselves into spaces unprovoked! This shows up in the constant discussions, debates, and debacles that have taken place on Twitter. It shows up in the quarantine parties that are obviously a contradiction to the name. It even shows up in the interpersonal relationships that may be strained as a result of distance. I get it, the emotional strain that Miss Rona causes us is something that cannot be understated. People are gripping and grappling for some sort of normalcy and serotonin in a completely chaotic time; however, it is so important that we prioritize the little ounce of peace and sanity we have left! Y’all, this country is showing its behind with the way it’s handling this pandemic both physically and emotionally. So, let me give you three little gems I’ve learned to protect ya neck (and ya peace)
Cut It Out: “If I ain’t gotta deal with it… I ain’t”
Amongst the circumstances that are beyond our control, we try to grab a hold on the situations that we can control. From bleaching our eyebrows to turning our rooms into plant sanctuaries, we are all trying to find some semblance of reality in this simulation. Outside of the physical, maintaining control over our mental and emotional spaces is just as important. Over these few but loooong months, I had built an intolerance to unwarranted negativity and pain. The first realization I had during this pandemic is that there is no reason to maintain or continue to have negativity around me if I can help it. Prioritizing your peace by removing unnecessary and unwarranted negative interactions and situations is key to controlling your simulation! It is a dreadful existence to let anger and hate sit in your chest like a weight, bothering you and keeping you from being your best self. And, ain’t nobody got time for that. So, Cut It Out.
Death of Ego: “Ain’t Nobody Coming to See You Otis!”
As individuals, we are conditioned to always see things through rose-colored glasses. Our perceptions and individual conceptions can stifle us from seeing what is truly important. Often, we are keen on only caring about the direct impact of a situation on ourselves and our emotions. I’ve learned that the world does not revolve around my experience or my beliefs. Once I let go of my inflated ego, believing that my individual thoughts made the world rotate, I could truly move through this pandemic with clarity and awareness. As you can see through social media, a lot of individuals are collectively projecting the agreements they’ve made in their heads to the world. For the world to see, people are projecting their insecurities and emotional burdens in an attempt to be visible and highlighted. I mean, we have grown up in a society that conditions us into competitiveness and individualism. Now, the smoke screens are dissipating to show how emotional stifled our society is and has been. So, my advice? Therapy. But no really. Take the time to assess if it is really worth it to engage in a social media argument, or an argument in general. Once you realize that most (if not all) arguments are projections, you will personally divest from engaging. Because, it ain’t about you. And once you realize their comments ain’t about you, it ain’t ya business.
Protect Ya Neck: “It’s Either You or Me, and It Sure Won’t Be Me.”
This is a very plain and simple piece of advice. Choose yourself. Choose your health. Not only for you, for everyone around you. I’ve always been a precautious person, yet I can understand the wave of skepticism that occured at the beginning of this pandemic. From the government’s response to the media, we had no real clue as to what was to come. However, I chose to believe, especially when the CDC and other countries’ officials asserted the gravity of this situation. It should not take someone you know or yourself getting sick to take the precautions necessary. I truly did not feel the gravity of the situation or the reality of it all until I lost my grandfather days ago. Doing everything possible to be safe and having something so devastating happen can truly rattle your spirit; however, I know that we can persevere through this. So if the government won’t, It’s up to us to Protect Our Necks. Practice social distancing. And please, wear a mask.
