So upset about that awful teacher! I was a 7th grade English teacher for 9 years...and I would have LOVED you. My students were the best part of the job...far better than the paycheck, for sure lol.
People sometimes hate gentle people because they perceive them as weak, and that reminds them of their own weakness, which reminder they find intolerable.
It says things about them. It says nothing about you.
It’s funny. I’m currently reading bell hooks’ “Rock My Soul” about the self esteem of Black folk. Saw your title and thought, how apropos! Turns out we’re drinking from the same well.
Sometimes I wonder if fathers hate their children when they see them having a better life than the fathers ever did. So they determine to make their children’s lives miserable. I love seeing people break out of mental or emotional prisons through a change in perspective — bravo to you!
Robert, thank you for sharing this. It takes so much vulnerability and strength. I can feel how freeing it is. I learned about Nora Zeale Hurston from a dedication I saw on a school campus and bought her book, Their Eyes Were Watching God. Loving yourself is the first step to freedom. It's not a selfish love (the world or the Devil makes us think so), it's a love of the gift we are given to live. To honor our life. It actually makes us more loving outwardly.
On another note, I just read this from a favorite Substack. You are not alone on your journey and I'm so glad you're here. God keep you. ox
I just want to say I’m sorry for your pain. As a 60 year old white dude there is likely no way for me to get close to it. But I can at least acknowledge it and let you know I care and I’m still learning about a lot of things. Including your pain. Keep loving. Yourself and others. And I will do the same.
I admire your openness to share your story in writing and also to cry in the gym. I've definitely experienced times where exercising and music lets some part of me speak and there's a big ugly cry (but I workout at home). In public I probably would have tried to tamp down the feelings, which isn't very helpful to loving myself and releasing what needs to be released. I'm glad you didn't do that and through the process, found a bit of self recovery.
I'm a crybaby through and through. and even if I wanted to try and tamp down...my tears come anyway lol. each year I get older I get softer. for better or worse ha. I absolutely hear you. It has taken quite some time to embrace this about myself.
I just had to comment because I had an evil seventh grade English teacher who had nothing but contempt for me and I could never understand exactly why either. I was a decent student, fairly quiet and excellent at English and spelling but she just hated my very essence.
First of all, I have to say that I love and respect your vulnerability here. This was so liberating to read. When I tell you that those song lyrics from So Good took me back to my childhood/teenage years in the best way? I love that song so much. Thanks so much for sharing! Keep it up!
This line is a huge reminder of how blessed I am to have on this journey. Thank you brother.
"Storytelling allows us to be free from being collapsed into others’ conceptions of who and what we are."
When you read my stuff: 🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹
I’ll be here every week my guy ✊🏽
Brb gonna cry
Reading this was very touching and inspiring to read ✨. I'm proud that you know how far you've come and even more proud that you're glowing.
keep on going!
So upset about that awful teacher! I was a 7th grade English teacher for 9 years...and I would have LOVED you. My students were the best part of the job...far better than the paycheck, for sure lol.
thank you so much. I sometimes wonder what happened to her?
People sometimes hate gentle people because they perceive them as weak, and that reminds them of their own weakness, which reminder they find intolerable.
It says things about them. It says nothing about you.
♡
you’re so right
There's nothing quite like the contempt of a teacher. I still remember my 5th-grade teacher and the snide comments she made to me.
Thank you for writing this and sharing it. It's beautiful! And I love the songs you shared too!
i’m sorry you experienced this also. it’s terrible
It’s funny. I’m currently reading bell hooks’ “Rock My Soul” about the self esteem of Black folk. Saw your title and thought, how apropos! Turns out we’re drinking from the same well.
Ayeee ✊🏾 I see you
Sometimes I wonder if fathers hate their children when they see them having a better life than the fathers ever did. So they determine to make their children’s lives miserable. I love seeing people break out of mental or emotional prisons through a change in perspective — bravo to you!
I agree with you.
You’re beautiful!!! They saw and knew this, but didn’t want you to. So glad you broke the spell 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
♥️
Robert, thank you for sharing this. It takes so much vulnerability and strength. I can feel how freeing it is. I learned about Nora Zeale Hurston from a dedication I saw on a school campus and bought her book, Their Eyes Were Watching God. Loving yourself is the first step to freedom. It's not a selfish love (the world or the Devil makes us think so), it's a love of the gift we are given to live. To honor our life. It actually makes us more loving outwardly.
On another note, I just read this from a favorite Substack. You are not alone on your journey and I'm so glad you're here. God keep you. ox
https://open.substack.com/pub/seandietrich/p/kansas-city?r=kn8dx&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
thank you so much for sharing. Oh and I just read Their Eyes Were Watching God and loved it.
Soooo good ❤️
An amazing woman!
I just want to say I’m sorry for your pain. As a 60 year old white dude there is likely no way for me to get close to it. But I can at least acknowledge it and let you know I care and I’m still learning about a lot of things. Including your pain. Keep loving. Yourself and others. And I will do the same.
thank you for seeing me
Oh your teacher was definitely wrong! You keep giving that little boy what he needs, tears and all. It helps us all to learn how to do the same.
thank you so much. She was definitely wrong.
You are not the only one who loves you, Robert. Thanks for sharing yourself.
I admire your openness to share your story in writing and also to cry in the gym. I've definitely experienced times where exercising and music lets some part of me speak and there's a big ugly cry (but I workout at home). In public I probably would have tried to tamp down the feelings, which isn't very helpful to loving myself and releasing what needs to be released. I'm glad you didn't do that and through the process, found a bit of self recovery.
I'm a crybaby through and through. and even if I wanted to try and tamp down...my tears come anyway lol. each year I get older I get softer. for better or worse ha. I absolutely hear you. It has taken quite some time to embrace this about myself.
May we all hope to get softer as we get older <3
Truly
Beautiful. Insightful. Inspiring. THANK YOU!
aww thank you
I just had to comment because I had an evil seventh grade English teacher who had nothing but contempt for me and I could never understand exactly why either. I was a decent student, fairly quiet and excellent at English and spelling but she just hated my very essence.
First of all, I have to say that I love and respect your vulnerability here. This was so liberating to read. When I tell you that those song lyrics from So Good took me back to my childhood/teenage years in the best way? I love that song so much. Thanks so much for sharing! Keep it up!
aww thank you for reading. and whew that song took me backkkkkkkk
You’re so welcome! Yes! @Robert