blog – JustAskMaia

Is my living in vain?

Posted on September 23, 2018 by JustAskMaia

In the midst of this dark cloud lingering over my head, I am forced to work through tears shed.

No matter what I am doing, in the blink of an eye, I will find myself crying. I snickered to myself appreciating the fact that I do not wear make up. What a waste it would be right now.

Funny, no matter what we go through as parents we still must be sure our children are living their best life. For me that is forcing a smile with uncertainties lingering like a lone cloud on a sunny day.

Isn’t it ironic how we do so many good deeds and it feels, sometimes, as though they measure up to nothing? I remember when I was a young girl, my mom told be to be sure that my good far outweighed my bad. I literally live by that staple. Yet, I now find myself perplexed as to why.

Why then, do I still endure such unbelievable pain? Why is it life seems a constant test? When the heck is the exam so I can pass already!

I don’t know everything there is to know about life, but I do know this, its yours to live. Choose happiness and pass it on.

I’ll tell you what. When my daughter passed away I no longer took each moment I had with my children for granted. Not that I ever did but every breath seems even more previous to me. That is part of my reason for homeschooling. I always say that God has given me a charge (or 10) and I take that charge very seriously. These are little people who will soon try to find their own place in the world. It is my job to assist them as much, and as early, as possible.

Does my heart hurt every morning? Absolutely.

Do I have butterflies since this incident. Always.

But it will not stop my unwavering love and care. I push through, as we all do.

Am I always going to get it right? Nope.

Is my living in vain. Of course not.

How to homeschool without going crazy 😲

Posted on September 18, 2018 by JustAskMaia

Today started out a little to early for me. My oldest had to be to work at 7 and while some may think 7 a.m. is not early, first of all, YES IT IS! But more importantly, we are no small family so just dropping him off at work calls for me to not only rise earlier to get the RushBunch together but STAY up. In this house, once I get them up, there is no laying back down.

Getting them up means extra time needed to wash faces, brush teeth, wash, make beds, get dressed and grab a snack on the way out the door. Yes, just to drop #1 off. These tasks usually take me about an hour and that’s if I don’t do the girls’ hair.

I was literally dragging and absolutely moody. In case some of you have forgotten, I am six months pregnant. And while McRush usually helps with the ease of getting out the house, he had long been gone for work.

There are several ways I lift the weight of homeschooling without hassle. Today I am going to share with you one of them. But first, let me just state that every morning they have to write the creed and study their spelling words. That takes no effort from me at all. The purpose in the creed writing is to work on their handwriting, in the event that you were wondering. While they do this, I am making breakfast.

Packet Privilege.

This is something that is an absolute life saver to me. Usually, prior to the start of the year, I print out grade appropriate worksheets for each child. In my case its head start to 12th grade. I make packet that contains anywhere from 5-10 worksheets. I do at least 20 per person, so make sure you have paper for your printer. (In the event you do not have a print, I will get to that.) I put these packets away! Packet Privileges can be earned or used as a “substitute teacher” for the day. 🤗

For days like today when I just did not feel like adulting, it was a substitute. I hand out the packets and let them work at their pace. Here is the thing though, the packet must be more like review work because, as with a substitute teacher, you are not available to “teach” so should not introduce new works you may have to explain. It should also contain learning games like word search puzzles or sodoku. With that being said, that is why I say packets can be “earned”. It can count as a free day to the children. We work on a bonus system. Following the rules of both school and home and doing at least one thing ‘above and beyond’, you can earn a packet privilege for a day.

This is one of the many ways I keep my sanity on school days when I want to call out and binge watch Netflix or even work on my business.

For those of you who do not have a printer, for the younger, elementary school children, you can find workbooks at Dollar Tree for them. Tear out all of the pages, shuffle them and staple. Voila! Packets. For parents with older children, you may have to spend more than $1 but go to Wal-Mart or Target and get the more advanced workbooks (in the books section) and do the same thing. (You can also find these in book stores like Barnes and Noble but you WILL spend at least $20 per book and you know I like my budget 🙂)

I hope this was helpful and hit the follow button for more homeschooling tips.

iRush.

Be BOLD honey!

Posted on January 20, 2018July 28, 2018 by JustAskMaia

Can I be honest with you guys? I know I don’t have to ask that question because everyone who knows me, from clients to friends, know that I am an open book. You can literally ask me anything. I do not have time for secrets or facade. And I can honestly say that I have never said this before but 2018 is my YEAR!

Let me just toot my horn for a minute. I give phenomenal coaching advice and I am an awesome consultant. I don’t say this just because I believe it; because I do. I say it because I have coached and consulted hundreds of people and I, to date, have not had a single complaint, ever! Now here is my issue coupled with my transparency.

I suck at taking my own advice. Like literally. I will give out tips tricks and ideas for my clients to implement and next thing I know, they are calling me telling me how wonderful the outcome was and while I am completely happy for them, I could slap myself for not following suit. It’s ridiculous!

The problem is, I believe, my time. While my clients may be just starting their business and have none to maybe a couple of children, I have 10 so my structure is a little different. But you all know how I hate excuses so this year that is unacceptable. In addition, I am one of those people who hates to delegate because every time I do, it goes wrong. I have attempted at 3 virtual assistants and even hired one on but it just never seems to work out. Can a sister get an honest worker?! But this year, I am going to lose some of these time-consuming tasks and enjoy my business. I am going to shoot my shot and go big! You will be surprised at some of the things I have in the making for my company and my children!

Of Course, this means I will be blogging more so I am excited about that as well.

So share this blog and subscribe and let’s enjoy 2018!!!!

-Rush

View More: http://foreverinamemoryphotography.pass.us/rushfamily2017

Back in the swing of things.

Posted on January 16, 2018 by JustAskMaia

What does that even mean?

Closing out last year was pretty tough for me, my family, and my business. But alas, here we are in 2018 running free.

I stopped working on Rush Consulting Firm on November 1 in preparation for #10 within the coming weeks; unbeknownst to us, he would make an early arrival.

In that time things got tight and hectic and I realized the time I dedicated to taking off, albeit unwillingly, was much needed.

I have notes everywhere! In notebooks, post-it notes, whiteboards, notes on the fridge, on my phone, and on my laptop. I am finally sitting down and compiling them into the form necessary to build a prosperous brand in 2018.

What that actually means, although it sounds great, is late nights, early mornings, busy days, and long nights.

While on my break I have managed to mentally compile what will change for the businesses. I will utilize Heels & Hustle more, I will be scaling way down on Slips Socks and Bows, I will be pushing my erotica, and I will only work my set hours of Rush Consulting Firm. The children will go on a more structured (un)learning schedule and I am planning a vacation.

Now, while I have set all that in motion in my mind it is time to put in the hard work to make this come to fruition.

#1 has also decided to jump on the YouTube bandwagon and he wants to drag me along with. I do not mind because we have an awesome relationship but I do wonder how this may conflict with my plans. We shall see. I already told him he can not prank me in any way. I don’t like pranks or surprises… or gifts or being put on the spot but that is a list for another day.

I am excited that we have finally gotten our family pictures back but I cannot say I am 100% satisfied so since I am in the business of promoting businesses with my complete honesty, I will leave that alone.

I look to bring you bigger and better things in 2018 with the iRush Brand which include more youtube videos and more check-ins. Greater encouragement and maybe even a short summer tour as requested, but only for the east coast because Y’all not funding us….yet!

-Rush

To beat their butts or not…..

Posted on July 3, 2017 by JustAskMaia

I’m not here for a debate so I will just jump right into it.

As a mother to 9, soon to be 10, children, I assure you that this is the most asked questioned we get. It is usually dressed up nicely by those who try to be politically correct or just plain nosey. “How do you get them to behave?’ or “What do you use?”

The answer in my head is, none of your dang business, but I play nice and smile and say “Love.”

Believe it or not children do respond well to it. Now, please do not be misinformed, they CAN get it but it doesn’t resort to that.

I have my days when I want to pull my hair out or simply state to my husband, ..”and we have NINE”. I get headaches and I fuss. Most times I put myself in time out which is usually the attempt to hide in my closet from the littles who have not yet learned my moods and patience level.

Every time, and I do mean every time, we are out in public we are approached with statements like, “I can’t even get my two children to behave, I cannot imagine having nine”. The truth is, if you cannot get your two children to behave then you probably should have stopped at one. I know, that was harsh but you are the parent.

As for me I am the most impatient person I know and I do not accept anything less than your best and that goes for my children as well. If they are wrong, I tell them they are wrong. If they are not doing their best, I tell them that too. If they are acting like a jerk, I let them know that as well. I am really bad at sugar coating things and that goes for my children as well. I pretty much treat my children like I treat my clients. I am not here to feed you fairytales about how wonderful you are and how great the world is. I am here to tell you the truth and prepare you for an even harsher truth called life.

So I suppose by now you are like, answer the question already! So, No. No I do not beat my children into submission otherwise my life would be much simpler. My children are very well behaved in public but let me tell you something, they are absolutely barbaric at home! I mean really, flipping through the house, jumping down the stairs, running around like loose weirdos, but in public, not a peep.

There really is no secret to it at all. Do I believe children should get their butt beat? Yup. I have seen some children that I just want to beat on site, old school with an extention cord but they are not mine so I digress and mind my business like I would like people to do about mine.

Again, I definitely have my days, especially trying to work on my businesses and homeschool whilst continuing to be a good wife and mother. It is tiring and oftentimes stressful. I recently spoke with someone about this issue I have about feeling like I was going to go crazy and she suggested I, get this, get organized!!! What, the nerve! But I took her advice and spent the last week in June creating a slew of schedules that I implemented starting July 1st. And although it is only the second of July, my life has never been so smooth sailing, even before the RushBunch. We stick to those schedules like my life depends on it (because I think it does). This is the second night where nine o’clock hit and all of my children are asleep. This feels like heaven! If I keep this up, this may not be the last Rush out of me yet [LIES].

I am so grateful for her and her wise words to me. Now I am like a child in a candy store; excited to get to bed before one a.m.

Caught in the middle.

Posted on June 20, 2017June 20, 2017 by JustAskMaia

There is a man that I look up to very much, yes someone outside of McRush. He is a very wise man and a very prosperous business owner, which is why I look up to him and have been even before Rush Consulting Firm was thought of. He keeps me on my toes with his creative ideas and desire to continue to move forward. He gave me some advice awhile back and I was hesitant yet equally as eager to take it. For those who know me or my Facebook page, I am very vocal when it comes to Reflections, whether it be for self accountability (which I blogged about and if you didn’t read it, you should) or for the injustices and/inequalities of Reflections. I am very unapologetic and dedicated to moving forward in what some would call the revolution, but I call Stand up.

This amazing man told me that I should clear my Facebook of things on my personal page that would be deemed as biased which in turn would potentially turn away clientele. I thought that he had a point and so I tediously went through my Facebook page and deleted all of my ‘controversial’ posts. I was compliant and I did not feel as sad about it as I would have thought. HOWEVER, moving forward as well as thinking back, I should have left it although I still agree that in general it was a very wise decision, just not for me.

Let’s think back first. Rush Consulting Firm, rather the intent for Rush Consulting Firm, was for the empowerment and building along with self sufficiency FOR Reflections not the general population. Yet going along with the general conception, I was quickly seen as an asset to ‘other’ communities rather than that of Reflections. Business is business and I rarely turn it down so I found myself oftentimes promoting to all as opposed to some which is where fine tuning my very public Facebook comes in.

Now let’s look at moving forward. The goal for Rush Consulting Firm still remains, in my heart, one of the biggest assets to Reflection’s community. Although it’s like pulling teeth, I will not lie, to get Reflections to support, I still have much confidence in my vision for my company. It is a matter of showing that Rush Consulting Firm is indeed an asset.

As I look through my Facebook feed, It really breaks my heart all of the stories I hear about police brutality towards Reflections. As a mother and wife I cannot take the pain of so many people lost at the hands of police. I want to yell and scream and cry and fight. Therefore I find myself here, knowing the advice is very good advice but do I post about it?

Let me say that I know posting means NOTHING! Nothing! You can post and cry, you can post and march but change will not come until we stand. I am so tired. Everyone is waiting for a leader, someone to follow, but that is what is wrong with the community of Reflections, we are not taught to lead ourselves. We are so busy fighting among one another; who is more black, is Jesus real, black on black crime vs police on black crime. We are literally fighting the injustices of our people, the injustices for our people, AND our own people. When will enough be enough? What is wrong with us?

I know the revolution isn’t for everyone, but are we really this naive as a people? I do not know about you but I will NOT die with my hands up and I will NOT die on my knees.

All power to the people.

-Rush

My transparency because I am so tired of holding it in.

Posted on June 4, 2017July 11, 2017 by JustAskMaia

As most of you know, in late 2011 my husband lost his job. It was just weeks after I lost mine. With no income and unemployment barely paying bills, we became homeless.

We were homeless for about six months. We lived in our car and McRush picked up odd and end jobs to pay for a night or so in a hotel. We caught a break in a neighborhood that we would rather not be in but it was better than out Durango. We moved in the apartment May 31. On June 16, we received a phone call from my sister in law whom I had never met. She said my brother got locked up and she couldn’t care for their baby and waned to know if I could come get her TODAY. I said yes, she said she would call me back in a few but never did. The next day we were walking into church, yes church, we used to do that, and she called again, I told her we would be right there after service assuming she was not serious again. After church I called her and she still wanted us to come. We went home, changed clothes, and headed to Florida.

We got my niece with a few outfits and a walker. Before we jumped back on 95 to head home we stopped at the store to get diapers, bottles, and milk for her. she was just three months older than our youngest. We tried desperately to get something in writing stating we could care for her but they never obliged and they wouldn’t come to get her either so we took them to court. They were on drugs and in the streets and frankly a child was just not in their plans. She is 5 now.

This put a slight strain on the relationship I had with my mother because she felt like she should get my niece because she was her grandmother. I felt like it was my duty to grant my brother his wish to keep his child. This ‘beef’ eventually died off, at least for me it did.

Jump to 2015.

For whatever reason, my brother and his wife decided, despite the fact that they have absolutely NO connection with my niece (whom I call my daughter), they were going to have another child. This time they had him in South Carolina. Immediately upon giving birth, child protective services was called in and they lost custody. The child was given to my husband and I upon discharge. Again, my mother felt she should have this child because she is the grandmother and at this point, I was pregnant myself and she thought I had too many children as it is.

Now backing up just a little, we let my niece stay with my mom for awhile (1 year) and when we wanted her to come home she was livid. so keep in mind that added fuel to this new issue which was happening almost simultaneously.

So we now have custody of my nephew. My mom said some very harsh things to me and about me. Most of them were not true and were spewed out of anger. I maintained my respect for her and let her say what she wanted because I am a coward. I have always been a coward. I have let people use and abuse me mentally, physically, and most of all emotionally. I have always been the punching bag and I never strike back. It has taken me all my life to realize I do not deserve this and that the only way to move forward with peace happiness and harmony is to cut ties. It hurts like hell but for once in my life I have to be truly happy.

In my line of work, I have to motivate people on a constant and consistent basis. I tweet empowerment often, but what people do not know is those tweets are really for me. They keep my going and they keep me in good spirits.

It is time for me to give back to me.

My mother is not the only one. Just know this. I am getting to old to continue to endure pain pointlessly. I implore you to do the same.

-Rush

To entrepreneur or not…

Posted on February 28, 2017February 28, 2017 by JustAskMaia

I have known my entire life that I never wanted to work for someone besides myself. I also knew I was destined for, well, more. I couldn’t quite put my finger on that ‘more’ but I knew that I would know it when I seen it. At fifteen, I worked at Burger King and McDonald’s and Taco Bell. When I was seventeen I got a night job in the mail room at Corestates bank (which became First Union which became Wachovia which became Wells Fargo). I would get off at 7 am and rush down Center City to my second job, United way, and work from eight until two and then I would rush down to my first class, English, at Peirce College. My whole life has been about the hustle and bustle, which I never really minded being a city girl and all but there was nothing to show for my hard work, dedication, and drive except a very exhausted me.

In 2009 after the passing away of my daughter, Madison, I decided I needed to live! I started my company Rush Consulting Firm from literally nothing and I just kept pushing. Every time I wanted to quit I thought about the times I never quit on my bosses out of a sense of obligation. Every time I felt like I just couldn’t do it, I reminded myself of all the late nights and early mornings I pushed for companies who never even noticed my hard work. And every time I felt like a failure, I remember the courage it took to build what I have built.

I want to say that entrepreneurship is not for everyone, but I know that is not true. Even if you decide not to leave your full time job, I implore you to never give up on your dreams. Just a few minutes a day, a couple hours a week, a few weeks out the year will have you feeling more dedicated and refreshed to do more, be more, even in your everyday life. There is something amazing about giving a little bit of you to yourself that makes it all worthwhile, and if you can inspire someone along the way, even better.

I know what some of you may be thinking; Time. Let me tell you a little something about time. Time is your most valuable asset. Time is something you can choose to be generous with or selfish with. Time is something that is yours to do with as you please. Time is one of those things that you can never get back. So you can spend your life planning it or you can spend your life living it, but its your time to do with as you wish.

As a wife, mother, and serial entrepreneur, I can say that sometimes things will get hectic but for me, I choose not to make a fuss over time as long as I spend it the way I desire to. I have 9 children and I home school them all. That is in addition to running a seasonal toddler boutique where the items are made by hand, by me; I also run a successful Consulting Firm where I do everything from coaching to speaking, resumes to job placement, and, our specialty, helping people start the business they always wanted to. In addition, I host Meet and greets called Heels&Hustle where we bring together women who do, did, and want to start their business for the purpose of networking, collaborating, and mentoring. Trust me when I say that I know all about time management and that is why I believe, no, I KNOW you can do it too.

Entrepreneurship IS for everyone. Whether its full time, part time, seasonal, or weekends only, be sure to give it a go. There are people around you that believe in you and your vision and they are just waiting for the opportunity to support you. You can do it.

-Rush

Nosey black people

Posted on November 25, 2016November 25, 2016 by JustAskMaia

So I come outside to find a portion of peace with Roger (pictured below) and unbeknownst to me there are three police cars and a white car which looks like a Chevy Malibu (you can thank McRush for my knowledge of cars). Two police officers are searching the Malibu and one officer is keeping them, occupied, for lack of a better word.

There is a woman standing in her yard where the people were pulled over on her phone with an attitude, loud. Catercorner to her is a large group of people standing outside just looking. Now, I know I am going to catch plenty of backlash for this but why are you watching? You have nothing better to do? My people! Does watching the incident unfold make you feel better about your life? Does it give you something positive to converse about?

I am sure many of you, both black and white, will respond stating something along the lines of; ‘With the string of murders of our black people, we should be watching to be sure nothing happens to them.’ To that I respond, Yeah right. First of all our community has been nosing in other peoples businesses well before that with or without police presence. Second of all what exactly would you do if something were to happen besides grab your phone and record?

McRush hates when I categorize us in a negative manner because really, lets face it, all races have their nosey tendencies. But, I can only speak for mine because I am black, not too black according to a few of my fellow peers, but just black enough to reap some benefits.

So here I sit my beneficial behind in the grass observing the observers and blogging about it. I guess that makes me nosey too. Hmmm.

-Rush

I never knew.

Posted on October 23, 2016October 25, 2016 by JustAskMaia

Hello Gems!!!

It has been a couple of weeks since I posted and a little more than that since I had a rant but….here it goes.

Did you know that I was not light skinned or skin, or skint (smh). Apparently a few women whom deemed me unqualified to speak out for people, my people, because I am brown skinned and therefore I am somehow in a category that places me in a realm of privileged.

Now, I do not necessarily refute this but being an entrepreneur I have not had to endure this in the working world. A young lady posted about light skinned people basically carrying their privilege around with heads touted in the air proudly. I made the mistake of commenting on her post stating that we need to stop allowing the divide within our race and stand together. I gave an example of my cousin and the trauma she went through and ultimately spilling my own beans out of frustration and bewilderment as to how they just did not get it. Well, let me tell you, these ladies had a field day demeaning my complexion (or my thoughts of it) as well as my character, views, intelligence, etc. I looked on in amazement that the fact that I was speaking in unity and NOT dark skinned was an issue. I HONESTLY do not know how what I was saying was taken so far out of context in a matter of minutes. Now, I LOVE my extra dose of melanin people, their complexion is so very beautiful to me but these particular ladies attitude… straight horrible. I never one time demeaned anyone or their views, I was even agreeing with them but please do not get it twisted, I am still black. I was raised to not speak to people in a manner I did not want to be spoken to. This conversation had my heart beating so fast and my palms sweaty. Why do we scream out BLACK LIVES MATTER yet continue the divide within our own race? No. One. Else. Does. This. Not like we do. but we want equality and justice but we continue to rob, kill, and destroy one another. We cannot even respect ourselves to stand united. What are we going to do with equality? Yes I am aware it exists but don’t blame me for it. I did not Write a memo to God stating I will only go to earth if you make me…..smh.

So, I open up the dialogue for advice and conversation. I am posting the conversation below. But first this:

“You must use the dark skin slaves vs. the light skin slaves and the light skin slaves against the dark skin slaves” -Willie Lynch

post on facebook: ‘Okay so I’m still mad, how does a person deal with opression everyday and then still fix their mouth to say someone else’s opression doesn’t exist because it’s one form they don’t experience? I’m calling out all light skin people, do fucking better. If I catch you I will come for you, with all of the fury I have stored in this short fluffy body I swear!’ (I left the typos intentionally as to not tamper with her words)

My (along with everyone else’s reply. ( I will try to remove names because I do not want anyone confronting these ladies because they are still my sisters)

Me:

Maisha Rush

👀 the biggest problem, in my opinion, is how WE as black women choose to seperate our struggles! We are all black no matter what the complexion. We all have issues that we shouldn’t have to go through but intead of supportinng one another we try to demean one another in attempts to exemplify how our light skin isssues are bigger than our dark skin issues and vice versa. I watched as my dark skin cousin was constantly told that she was pretty for a dark skin girl girl. Meanwhile I was being rejected because I was so called light skin and proceeded to have a nasty attitude by thinking I was better than someone else. I have seen the problems from both spectrums and her problem was not bigger than my problems and my problems were not bigger than her problems, but collectively WE had a problem as black women. There is too much division. Smh it is time out for this, like literally, we are being killed in drones and here we sit sulking and complaining about complexion issues. #PettyMinds

Like · Reply · 2 · 11 hrs

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Ebony Murphy-Root ‘Both sides’? Nah

Like · Reply · 5 · 11 hrs

Maisha Rush ????? My point exactly. You’re focusing on a statement I made that you do not agree with instead of seeing my point… smh. I digress. You’d rather be argumentative than objective. We have to do better.

Like · Reply · 1 · 11 hrs · Edited

Ebony Murphy-Root Maisha Rush So does racism go ‘both ways’ too?

Like · Reply · 5 · 11 hrs

Maisha Rush Nope. Black people aren’t racist, they are defensive.

Like · Reply · 1 · 11 hrs

Ebony Murphy-Root Maisha Rush BINGO

Like · Reply · 4 · 11 hrs

Maisha Rush We can only be biased in reference to the initial comment I made.

Like · Reply · 11 hrs

Ebony Murphy-Root Maisha Rush Same with dark-skinned black women.

Like · Reply · 5 · 11 hrs

Maisha Rush I get that. I cried with my cousin. Defended my cousin. FOUGHT for my cousin. I get it, hell, I almosted hated light skin people in the midst of it. It is sad. I love her melanin, even more than she did. Our relationship was cut off because she one day decided to hate me too, even still not loving herself. So yes, despite your opinion, I have seen the pain from both spectrums ( light vs dark).

Like · Reply · 1 · 11 hrs · Edited

Ebony Murphy-Root Maisha Rush There is no ‘both spectrums’.

And colorism is not the result of ‘low self esteem’ and ‘even still not loving yourself’. I can understand why she stopped talking to you though, if this is how you talked to her. Would you be friends with a white person who told you racism was a result of not loving yourself enough? Can you truly not hear how obtuse that sounds?

Unlike · Reply · 10 · 11 hrs

Maisha Rush What are you even talking about? I’ve never once mentioned how I spoke to my cousin all I did was uplift her and encourage her and tell her how beautiful she was and how she didn’t have to listen to the things that people were saying about her. I only speak now about knowing botj spectrums because I seen the pain that she went through and I know the pain that I went through and my bottom line is we are black women, we need to uplift and encourage and Inspire one another learn to be there for each other. I have no idea what you THINK you read but I impore you to re read. I never said one was better than the other or she should not feel the way she felt after suffering the name calling. I just reminded her. How beautiful she was. She will even tell you that. Tje reasom she atopped talking to me is because she could not see past the pain and she apologized to me for that. So please do not come for me because you misinterpreted what I said. All you had to do was ask for clarification instead of attacking my opinion.

Like · Reply · 2 · 11 hrs · Edited

Heather Lovechild *rolls eyes at folks who purposely miss the point*

Like · Reply · 7 · 11 hrs

Maisha Rush Furthermore it would. Seem you are being argumentative for the same reason. #JimCrow got us by the balls.

Like · Reply · 1 · 11 hrs

Heather Lovechild #you
#aint
#light

Unlike · Reply · 7 · 11 hrs

Kio Shaala Sapey I agree with you coming from a 3girl household with 3 extreme variations of skin tones. Thank good my mother called out every ignorant comment directed and it taught is to love our differences and embrance them.

❤

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Ebony Murphy-Root Maisha Rush LOL I’ll take definition B

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Maisha Rush @ Heather Lovechild I totally agree. However society says otherwise. I have been arguing about it all my life. But thanks for the verification.

Like · Reply · 2 · 11 hrs

Maisha Rush Getting tired of being told I am too light to know the real struggles but too dark to reap the privileges.

Like · Reply · 2 · 11 hrs

India Camille Viguerias Sigh lightskin privilege is a thing, it has nothing to do with being “division” just as much as talking about racism isn’t divisive. Being too light doesn’t bar you from jobs. It doesn’t make you a target for violence among other things. You will lose nothing by confronting your privilege to help our darkskinned sisters in their struggles. Light skinned people are told they think they are better because of their light skin, dark skinned women get compared to animals and insects and dehumanized completely the struggles aren’t the same. Just like it’s not the same when a black person calling a white person cracker as the white person say the n word.

Unlike · Reply · 14 · 10 hrs

Maisha Rush Thats what everyone thinks (referring to jobs) but plenty of my friends (purposely taking myself out of the equation for aforementioned reasons) who did not get a job because they were black. Regardless the complexion, you are still black. Thats what they see. The biggest division in the color scale is our own. But you are correct, affirmative action would pull the lightest brightest

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India Camille Viguerias Again it’s been proven that if they believed you are mixed you are twice as likely to be hired then those who don’t come of as such. Your reply is Ill informed

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Maisha Rush My reply can’t be ill informed when it is my experience and opinion…

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Andrea Seals Erm pardon me for interrupting but uh Maisha.. you ain’t even light skint. 🤔

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Maisha Rush Andrea Seals I am aware of that and have already stated and agreed. However I have not always been this tanned and I was speaking of my younger years. Thanks for the dig though…. smh

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Andrea Seals I think we need to start remembering there is the third category of being brown skint.

😂 Not being dark isn’t automatically light. Seems to happen a lot lately.

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Andrea Seals Not a dig I promise.

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India Camille Viguerias Lmao opinion can be ill informed look at white people. They also voice from their opinions and experience, due to their privilege they are also more like to miss judge the severity of an issue.

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Maisha Rush Good point India Camille Viguerias

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Maisha Rush I promise I did not come on here to argue (or be reminded I am not light/dark) just voicing my opinion like everyone else.

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India Camille Viguerias So duly noted

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Ebony Murphy-Root Andrea Seals Yes, but there is being dark and ‘not dark’. Being ‘not dark’ is the privileged category for skin color.

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Andrea Seals Definitely Eb. Dark skint here. Lately just too many folks love claiming light when it’s not true. Even looking at the 4 of us here, India is the only one actually light skinned. The rest of us would all be “dark” because people are too lazy to think otherwise. But you and I actually are, Maisha is somewhere in the middle. All relative.

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Maisha Rush How bout we work together so its not a privilege category. It seems I am being attacked because I am brown skin and now know no struggle.. my initial comment was said to say we have to unite ourselves so we can stand together instead comments were made inside and outside of this post about how I was not light skinned to which I never said that I was. I believe that is a big problem because instead of unifying we are still dividing. But thats fine, maybe not you and me. But one day we will. Be blessed my loves.

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Andrea Seals No ones attacking you for being brown. We don’t care, you’re brown. Just stating the right category lol. Have a nice day.

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Rachel Chance Her problems are bigger than yours, when she is at an increased risk for abuse and discrimination. You’re being ignorant, stubborn, and obtuse.

It isn’t about separating struggles, but acknowledging the nuances of oppression.

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Maisha Rush I have 9 children of every complexion and I will disagree because when I moved to a new neighborhood when I was younger I was beat up everyday for being lighter. My daughter used to Come home crying because people would tease her because she isn’t black. You beautifully melanates sisters don’t know my stories. Being gang raped and called white girl. Not being dateable by dark skin men because I cannot connect with the struggle. Light and brown skinned girls get it too.. When I said her problems were not bigger than mine and vice versa I meant in the realm of coming together and not pointing fingers at who has it worse but what we are going to do to make it better. Instead I got this. Name calling. Its time we understand one another. Grow from there. Unite from there. Thats all. That was all.

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Andrea Seals Some folks do this shit on purpose to make themselves the victim. 😑 I don’t even bother anymore. Can see racism but colorism… no speaka da English.

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Maisha Rush But do see it everyday. Every single day. I choose. Not to play victim, but fight and build and uplift. I take no pity and I offer none. Thats why I started my business to help black people have their own so we are not subject to scraps.

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Rachel Chance Your exceptional experiences aren’t representative for the majority.

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Rachel Chance No one is saying you can’t experience oppression. We’re saying dark skinned women have a bit harder, and the stats speak for themselves.

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Maisha Rush Not a bit harder Rachel Chance a LOT harder. A whole lot harder. I never refuted that. All I was saying was instead of increasing the divide by pointing out who has it worse which ultimately results in conversations much like this thread, we bond toget…See More

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Andrea Seals The marginalized are not the divisive ones. The ones who wanna keep their privilege, are. They don’t get to be comfortable at our expense. Interesting since the OP is doing her part, checking her privilege while calling out others then you come along trying to get her to stop doing the right thing? Ok den.

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Maisha Rush I never did though. I understand you are angry at the injustices, but what did I do? Say we need to stand together as sisters and fight for one another? That was th only point I made. I speak at functions, I rally and protest. I have been in meetings with government officials, non government officials, travel speaking on the injustices but to you guys, because I am not dark skin, I am no better than the enemy? I did not ask to be born this complexion or this race. I can fight for US just like any other brown skin person can. Who says I never stopped someone from using their privilege? some of you made an assumption from my face and barely bothered to read my words. At no point was I creating a divide, calling people out of their name, or telling someone they were wrong.. it was unity all along but I guess I cannot call for unity.

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Lacey So Heather Lovechild, I was about to say the same thing. She’s not even light skinned……

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Andrea Seals Now you’re just making shit up LMAO stop calling us angry anytime we speak up. If anything, my comments are snarky at the most. Now you think we are calling you the enemy? You just wanna be the victim here while claiming you are above that mentality. I’m gonna go enjoy my Saturday, enjoy yours and cut the bullshit please. Stop using words like unity and division in these discussions when you ain’t about the former and the latter is gaslighting.

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Maisha Rush Andrea Seals what did I make up? I never called *US* angry…again taking words out of context. I was talking to you directly about being angry about the injustices as we all are. You are making it to imply I am just calling black women angry and I wasn’t. Please do enjoy the rest of your day. I apologize my comment went left. It was never my intention.

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Tisha Tyacke You sound like a poor white person who doesnt understand they have privilege too

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Rachel Chance Pointing out colorism isn’t “increasing the divide.” The divide IS colorism. How is confronting the problem the issue to you?

When has pretending problems don’t exist ever been the solution? Dark skinned women are hurting, and they are rightfully angry… and we have people telling them they are the problem. Tuh. We all should be angry.

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Maisha Rush Tiffani Dowell where did I go wrong?

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Tisha Tyacke ^your very first sentence sis

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Maisha Rush Thank you Tisha Tyacke not sarcastically either.

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Tisha Tyacke No problem. It was problematic from jump. It definitely rubbed me the wrong way. We live and we learn 🙂

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Andrea Seals

Heather Lovechild Makes a post about problematic light skints. Problematic light skint hops on with tears

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Ebony Murphy-Root Always

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Maisha Rush *but I’m not light skin*

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Heather Lovechild Nah. You aren’t.

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Tisha Tyacke Typical

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Chantal Monique Come awn. My mom and sis are darker than me. My mom is black skinned. I know DAMN well/ my light skin was/is a privilege. I’ve suffered from discrimination and oppression- but not like them and not in that area. I KNOW- ignorant folk think I’m “safer”. I saw it. I saw their pain & it’s not my job to compare it to mine. My job it to be their voice. My job is to use my privilege.

I cannot understand why some light skinned folks wanna complain about “I got picked on for being light.”

My FAMILY- picked on me for being light. And SO?? So what?? What the hell?? How does that really hurt me/ besides hurt feels (as a little girl).

I feel like it’s a game of oppression olympics. Some of us have privileges that others do not. Just admit it – do what you can to help & hush about the woes – regarding being “lighter”

*ROLLS EYES*

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Mae West Washington Not at all!!!

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Write a reply…

Heather Lovechild Also, she ain’t light skint either. Lmao

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Ebony Murphy-Root Not at all

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Heather Lovechild When colorism is so firmly rooted that she attempted to convince folks she was light

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Write a reply…

Sharon Wood Thorndike I am definitely aware of my “light skinned” privilege and try to always be mindful of that. I ALWAYS check assholes as well that ever DARE have some negative shit to say about my darker hued brothers and sisters!

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Constance Johnson goodness. I’ve seen thin people tears and NOW light skin tears. I’m getting off before I see able people tears and white people tears

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Heather Lovechild Man I saw the thin tears about an hour ago. I had to walk away from that

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Constance Johnson so disgusting. no one wants to admit their privilege. always pointing fingers and we’re all one, and we all have problems, see i’m just like you, i don’t have privilege, i have to suffer too. just shut up! everyone has problems, but people have privileges too

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Heather Lovechild Right. Girl I’s is tired

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Write a reply…

Mae West Washington I see it to often dark get played to the left for light shit. The moms from fresh prince, how Paula Patton is glorified for being light, but Meagan good still have to prove herself. I’m light and I see how most dark skinned women a treated as if she isn’t as sexy or beautiful and I’ve always noticed it. I hate it I’m tired of it and as long as I breath air I will stand up for my dark skinned goddesses because y’all/they deserve it. Our race deserve it.

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Shanythia Cook Marginalized people can still be bigots.

*End of post*

Sigh. I am so confused and this negative energy had my vibes all off. I was angry all day. I cannot even with some people, I wasn’t mad at the name calling, even though it was childish and showed lack and inability to have a grown conversation without attitude I was mad at the fact that they could not look past my complexion. Like you took an OPINION and turned it into ‘tear Maisha Down day’. But some will say I am again trying to play the victim but for those who know me I, that is not even in my DNA, like foreal, don’t touch me, don’t sympathize, nothing.

What are your thoughts? Do you think I spoke incorrectly or am I just expecting unity too soon, because THIS, this is not it.

*decided to leave the names, they may want the fame.

-Rush

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