Because my enslaved ancestors dreamt a world where I could travel—anywhere— as I pleased. #TravelingWhileBrown
Because I dream a world where being disabled, needing oxygen and being chronically ill with Systemic Scleroderma and Advanced Pulmonary Fibrosis does not make that world impossible. #TravelingWhileBroken
Because I’ve learned the most, been inspired the most, been encouraged to “try one more time” the most by hearing straight from the mouths of other survivors and patients; maybe someone is waiting for what I will say. #TravelingTogether
Because I want to use my anger at the ways accessibility to an abundant and equal life is frustratingly INaccessible. #TravelingActivist
Because of the way my mother looked at me when recently, for the first time since my diagnosis years ago, I said, “I’m going to Paris and Barcelona and Budapest. With my oxygen.”#TravelingWhileBreathing
Because my mother thinks I have something to say in spite of her being afraid for me. #TravelingBrave
Because Mnikesa Speaks. She has—I have—always spoken. (Hi! I’m Mnikesa. You probably know that if you’re reading this. Resuming third person ——>) She speaks about injustice or what irritates her or what makes her irresistibly excited. (Hence why my therapist recently asked me if I thought I was a “reactive” person. I said no; it took me a few weeks to realize that (a) that wasn’t an information-gathering question and (b) yes, I am; I have thoughts about EVERYTHING. So, yeah. “Quietly” reactive, in honor of my introverted heart, but reactive nonetheless.) What are blogs if not a space for reacting?
So why this new shift/addition/component to this site? Because since it has always been true that #MnikesaSpeaks, today, she begins to speak of travel. She speaks of what it means to travel internationally, domestically and along the road of chronic illness advocacy towards a life on her own terms.
As we go, I can promise 2 things:
Everything here will be unpolished and in first draft, journal form. This is to ensure that I am able to keep updating this component as necessary without activating that teacher-part of my brain that is already in high gear telling me to fix all the things and make it perfect before I publish. I will do that eventually. Not now. Right now, I just want the words and thoughts out there.
Things here will change. I don’t know how, I just know they will. That is the nature of starting something, right? But it’s more important to me to begin simply and cleanly than to wait for perfection. That, for me, is growth.
A few notes: I started this blog to share my writing—mostly poetry. Any travel writing will have the heading #MnikesaSpeaksOfTravel and a subtitle, to differentiate them from poetry.~~I’ll be endeavoring to update frequently as I embark soon on a European adventure. I’m learning a lot.~~I do not argue online. I’m fighting an incurable illness and it is likely it will take my life; because of this, my time is among the resources I value most highly. For me, debating online is exhausting and wasteful. 🤨 So we don’t do that ‘round here. Thems the rules.
The exits are clearly marked. We are ready for departure…! Welcome aboard, friends and fellow travelers. ♥️