Cookin' n Heels

We been gone for a min, but we back with the jump off! But no we’ve been tired, but like, we would be remiss if we did not continue with our series highlighting all the ways in which we are exhaustion. And I don’t know about y’all, but boy have I had it!

I. Am. Tired. Maybe it’s because I’m getting older and more wise. Or, maybe it’s cuz Mercury still ain’t took out her micro-braids just yet, but like am I the only one who feels like they just don’t have it for these people who just don’t seem to understand (or at least respect) what it like to be a black person in this here America? Let’s not even get into being a black woman cuz baye-by…

William Smith first conceived of the term Racial Battle Fatigue as an inset of Critical Race Theory in 2008. He defines this as the “cumulative result of a natural race-related stress response to distressing mental and emotional conditions. These conditions emerged from constantly facing racially dismissive, demeaning, insensitive and/or hostile racial environments and individuals.” He also went on to state that this was not only a public health issue, but also a mental illness.

I’m not gonna go all academic on y’all today, but I could if I wanted to. Nonetheless, I just find it funny how…all of a sudden the Senate decided to pass a bill making Juneteenth a federal holiday, whilst completely ignoring any real legislation that will result in actual, effectual change for the blacks. Like, who asked you to do this, girl?? Black people go cook out (barbecue), take off work, play spades, etc. whether you make it a holiday or not. Was this supposed to be some sort of olive branch to make up for the persistent and ongoing systemic oppression that we are confronted with on a daily basis? Like, for real y’all lynching is still not a hate crime! TF?!?!?!

“cumulative result of a natural race-related stress response to distressing mental and emotional conditions. These conditions emerged from constantly facing racially dismissive, demeaning, insensitive and/or hostile racial environments and individuals.”

Medium Article on RBF

It’s astonishing how we’re seeing this protest of teaching Critical Race Theory in schools, whilst your people just pulled the grandest stunt of them all by making Juneteenth a holiday. It’s almost as if they purposely trolling us! And I, for one, am TIRED!

And while I’m at it, the whole ‘returning to normalcy’ idea that includes everybody going back into the office aint it. I don’t miss being exhausted from having to code-switch to make myself more palatable so that everybody in the office feel more comfortable. Frankly, it’s exhausting and during this pandemic I have decided that I am no longer willing to perform for these heaux. Code-switching is not of God!

Black people are tired.

Skillet Corn Bread

Since it’s Juneteenth and all…You gone eatcho corn bread???

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 c corn meal
• 3/4 c all purpose flour
• 1/4 c sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/3 c whole milk
• 1 c buttermilk
• 2 eggs
• 1 stick (8tbsp) melted butter, plus more for coating the pan
• 8 oz corn kernels, cooked and cooled
• honey

Preheat the oven to 425°F.  Heat an empty 9″ cast iron skillet in the oven for about 20 mins

Meanwhile…whisk all the dry ingredients in a bowl to combine.

Beat the eggs with the milk and buttermilk and combine them in with they dry ingredients.

Lastly, add the melted butter to the mixture and then fold in the corn.

Remove the skillet from the oven and reduce its temperature to 375°F.  Grease the pan with the extra butter and pour the batter into the pan, working while its still hot.  Drizzle some of the honey on top of the batter.

Bake for about 35 mins or until it’s done.  Baste it with additional butter and honey and enjoy!