Woman With the Issue of Blood
Tonight, as I listened to Stephen Thurston explain the very claims I raised in Valentine vs. HGV and Pleshette Robinson, something settled in my spirit. Hearing someone else outline the facts of my current life made me pause and ask myself a question I’ve carried for years:
Where were you when I was in Chicago?
I think back to those days dark, heavy, lonely and how badly I wanted to stand tall among the very people who heard me crying. The same people who watched me walk through hell back then are now translating and interpreting my present-day experiences, as if my life is their sermon material.
And let me tell you something: Using Dr. King as a talking point does nothing for me anymore, especially when so many of you treat me like his bastard child someone you expect to stumble, fall, and break so you can gather around and analyze me like a case study.
I broke the chains of ignorance to satisfy your curiosity.
I survived what you whispered about behind closed doors.
Pleshette did what she did to herself when Davis shared his notes with the “upper room.” That’s not on me that’s on them.
And to Cameron, who always finds me at any PUSH event for a hug I appreciate you. Jackie, kiss Jackson for me.
But hear me clearly: "I am not returning to Chicago for any reason".
Deja has already said she wants to stay, and I respect her choice. As for me, I’ll manage my health, handle my life, and keep moving. Because life goes on.
I’m 57 years old now.
I’ve been celibate sex-free since 2018. That’s not a punishment; that’s me loving myself first.
When I look back, I understand the motives, the intent, and the hate behind certain people’s actions. When someone makes a tasteless joke like:
“Don’t die in my face.”
It’s not funny. And my mind immediately asks:
“Were you trying to kill me?”
People say I think too much. But tell me how should a person feel knowing someone had that kind of intent?
And worse… that they admitted it, even if they failed?
This is my truth.
This is my healing.
And just like the woman with the issue of blood, I’m reaching for wholeness after years of being overlooked, dismissed, and talked about instead of helped.
I’m still here.
Still rising.
Still choosing myself.
