Quarantining While Black
2020-2021
I Realized How Much I Internalized My Stress Trying to Keep Everything Afloat
Black mother sharing story of cumulated stress w her daughter
I Have to Remain Hopeful… Well I’m Not
Black husband vs White wife’s pessimism vs optimism for change in the future.
The Media Coverage Has Been a Complete Stressor for Me
Black husband vs White wife’s take on media coverage of Capitol riots vs BLM protests.
The Law Exists in a Binary
Black husband/white wife talking about disparity between Capitol riots and BLM protests.
Nothing Happens to Them… It Has to Be a Structural and Institutional Change
Black woman sharing story of police murder of brother and nephew.
I’m Not Just on One Side or the Other
Black man police officer sharing with Black woman police officer his feelings about how defund discourse is wrong one
“It Must Be So Hard Being a Colored Officer”
Black woman police officer sharing with Black man police officer story of white police officer calling her “colored.”
If We Can’t Connect Over a Dog
Black woman police officer sharing with Black man police officer story of vet office refusing to take her money because she’s a cop.
New Leadership
Black man and Black woman police officer dialoguing on new leadership in police department.
This Is When Leaders Are Supposed to Step Forward When Things Are Really Tough
Black man police officer shares his perspective on the chief of police leaving and the impact of her leaving.
They’re Seeing When It Gets Hard We Just Leave
Black woman police officer shares her disappointment with leadership in this moment of police accountability and racial reckoning and how dialogue was limited and their community relationships were devalued.
What Are We Doing Right Now
Black man and Black woman police officer dialoguing on political atmosphere in this moment.
Impact of George Floyd’s Murder on a Black Man Officer
Black man sharing with Black woman police officer on the missed opportunity to see how race and social justice initiative failed.
Race & Social Justice in the PD
Black man sharing w Black woman police officer on community race connections.
Not Being in the Office Every Day Is Therapeutic
Black man sharing with woman police officer on how working from home has provided him with much needed rest.
I’m Too Busy Taking Care of Everybody Else
Black woman police officer sharing with Black man police officer that she can finally take time – and feels guilty over missed time too
I Actually Think Nobody’s Taking Care of Me Except Me and God
Black man police officer sharing with Black woman police officer about being alone now.
The Black Tax
Two Black Gen X era sisters, one West Coast, one East, talking the summer of 2020 about microaggressions during the dual pandemics
Online Creative Community
Black friend describes her desire to find an online creative community for people of color to share their art.
Finding a Therapist in the Pandemic
Black friend talks about the challenges of finding therapists and seeking mental health services during the pandemic
Coping and Sharing Space
Black friend describes how White roommate has become main support because they can be in person
Racism in Science
Interracial friends talk about how racist science as a field is especially in terms of population samples
Seeing Alone Time as Good
Black friend describes how her isolation during the pandemic has made her see alone time more positively
Watching Police Brutality Videos Has a Visceral Reaction for Me
Black friend talks about how watching police brutality on social media is a major stressor and makes her feel sick and tense
Stressors on Social Media
Black friend talks about how stressful it is to be on social media and how it no longer is a platform to destress
Do Videos Mobilize?
Interracial friends talk about how videos of police violence do or don’t mobilize individuals
Does It Really Actually Help Anything?
White student discusses impact of watching videos of police violence on social media
Black Mental Health
Black student describes how mental health is often not discussed in communities of color
We’re Not Experts, We’re Just Doing Our Best
White student describes how faculty in her department place the responsibility of education and representation on her
Of Her Own Volition
Two friends discuss the significance of the white friend taking the time to read and educate herself without placing the burden of education on Black friend
Boundaries
Online school invasive, anxiety about return to school, boundaries with family (erasing + redrawing them)
It’s Made Me Look at Family Differently
Black sister and brother on reaching out to family post-deaths
It’s All About People… We Are Not Opening Our Doors
Black sister and brother on heightened anxiety that comes during COVID and what that means for how they approach work and their community.
I Don’t Know How to Get the Vaccine
Black sister/brother on vaccine and how to get the COVID-19 vaccine
We Have to Fight for Our Lives
Black sister and brother on heightened anxiety that comes during COVID
The World Is Never Going to Be the Same
Black sister and brother lamenting the role that 45th president played in neglect of COVID.
Racial Reckoning: Living Under Twin Pandemics
Black woman grad student in dialogue with fellow Black grad student about why folks are waking up during our COVID-racial reckoning moment
How Does My Life Not Matter?
Black woman grad student in dialogue with fellow Black grad student about experiencing hyper-visibility throughout the pandemic and BLM
Not Even Engaging With Trump Supporters
Black grad student in dialogue with fellow Black grad student about setting limits with Trump supporters
Black Women Expending Labor
Black grad student in dialogue with fellow Black grad student about being supported, having opportunities, but also experiencing increased demand for labor.
Prioritizing Self
Black grad student in dialogue with fellow Black grad student about needing to prioritize self in midst of disparities.