Daughters of Color

In light of recent events, primarily the Olympics now being held. It has drawn my two Daughter's attention, who are People Of Color (POC). The first topic of discussion in our home, was Simone Biles. It was her ability to think for herself under immense pressure. Pressure many may not understand, nor may encounter at such a young age or at all in their lives.

The difficulty to make a clear-cut decision on such a notable international stage as the Olympics, is at the very least horrifying for anyone. Now add in the fact she is a woman of color. Let me give you some insight. I've been a professional in three sports. The criticism some women may face, those who are unsupported can be great (I understand much of that). Yet, even if you have great support of family and friends, there's still this cultural pull that you some how, amazingly without any effort of your own attained a high level in athletics. And that you owe everyone else who didn't get there any and every anticipated performance scheduled.

What Simone Biles diplomatically and graciously expressed was that she is a great athlete who is also human. That she is not owned. No one owns her. She owes none of us her life nor limb.

So, as my two daughters grappled with this idea. My oldest mostly, wondering was it acceptable. Which over a few dinners she realized that self-preservation is the most logical decision. That your health and well-being should never be sold. Because when it is, the world will be void of who you could've been, especially if you decided to acquiesce the critics.

Thank you Simone for refreshing and giving US a clearer view of self-care and preservation for all, yet especially young women. Young women were watching and it mattered. ---Jody-Lynn Reicher

Comments

Completion of Humanness

Completion of Humanness As we arrive to the completion of the first year without Norman, I had decided long before he'd passed that I would continue to do things certain things he liked yet could no longer do. I decided I would not take a day off of fitness. I would run at least for 500 days in a row. I began that in early 2020. I'd not be concerned with the distance I'd run. It was the very thing I convinced Norman and the thing that mattered to him, from the very first discussion we had August 11th, 1981, was fitness. I loved that he was a College Boy. He loved that I was a Marine. We tickled each other's soul with such admirations. Later fitness continued as an old discussion from 1994 ...getting outside and to run no matter what. I would say to him, "Run 200 meters, then 400 meters. If it doesn't feel good, stop. Turn around and walk back home and know you did your best. That is all you can ask of yourself." I said this, knowing he would get dow

In My World

As I finish putting away the week's groceries, I contemplate other's lives. Aside from my two daughters, I consider what may be other's lives. How they have conducted their lives over the past two years. This is a thought not unusual for me to have. Yet, it occurs more often than not. Especially now, as the population is probably feeling ever more irked. Regarding perhaps. their illusion of any lack of their freedom. But isn't that what life is about? The illusion of who we are. What we are about. Where we stand on the planet. Who we love. And who loves us. Our significance. Couldn't we imagine if this were all just an illusion? Sounds like a "Twighlight Zone" episode, perhaps. My aim here, are the thoughts of reckoning. I'll explain why I'm claiming such a thing. For about twenty-eight years of a career in dealing with injured athletes, pain patients, chronically ill and the terminally ill. I found that there were many people who lied to

Reicher's 2021 Holiday Letter

11/23/2021... The Reicher Holiday Letter... Yes, finally I'm on time...LOL. As the late November wind whips and the delayed leaves fall to the ground in our neighborhood, I await the first sign of snow. I stand outside, begin a run, do outside chores, bring in the mail and sniff the air for the smell of snow. Yes, humans can smell snow. Just like a spring rain approaching. It is awaiting to provide a cleansing of the dreams that need to be refreshed or re-routed. It’s all how you look at it. Really. Oh, the word ‘really’. Per a few grammar writing geeks. A good writer is not supposed to use the word, ‘really’. I’ll say it again. Really? There is another word I discovered this year, not supposed to be used in writing by writers. I cannot at this moment remember what word that may be. But I’m sure, it’ll arrive in my mind as I write this Holiday letter to you all. A reading audience. Where to begin this 2021 Reicher Holiday Letter? I’ll start with our smallest resident. T

Writing Reality

Search This Blog