Welcome to the space versus this podcast. We are a wellness podcast for black women and teen girls who are ready to dream decide and do what's necessary to live well. Today you'll hear from me. I have no guest scheduled. I want to share three life-changing lessons from Brittney Griner who has spent inspiring the world. By being true to herself. It is coming from my blog that is recently posted, but I want to share what I reflected on. It started off as a journal entry.
Then a few social posts, then it turned to a blog article and now I want to bring it to you on the podcast. Brittney Griner quoted when you're confident you're going to do things a little differently. You're not going to be hesitant to take a shot. You're not going to be hesitant to make a certain move. Brittany.
Yvette Greiner is an American professional basketball player for the Phoenix mercury of the women's national basketball association, or w MBA professionally Greiner was selected as the first overall pick in 2013 w NBA draft by the Phoenix mercury with whom she won the 2014 w NBA championship and became an eight time all star. Standing six feet nine Greiner led the us national team to victory at the real Olympics in 2016.
Greiner was named to the national team for the 2020 Olympics, which was held in 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. Where she won her second gold medal. She is also a two time F I B a women's world cup winner. With team USA in 2014 and 2018. If you have not heard by now, Brittney Griner has been released from prison in Russia. And many around the world are elated. Just purely honoring her return. They have expressed. Thanks to God. That she's home and safe.
Wondered about the prioritization of her emotional wellness declaring it's about time. And no matter who they exchanged her for it, wasn't going to seem fair because of her crime. Ultimately, there are just as many who are disappointed and frustrated that she was exchanged over other prisoners who have been there perhaps longer. They suggest it's not a fair trade due to geopolitics. Her mouth got her in trouble. She shouldn't have broken the law and more.
One person suggested Greiner identifying as a lesbian was enough cost to keep her in prison. According to the wall street journal. Who offered a timeline of Greiner's detainment and release. She was convicted of smuggling. 0.7 grams of hashish oil into Russia while on a basketball trip for a Russian team. She was sentenced to nine years in prison and fine. 1 million Please, which is equivalent to today's $15,996 and 17 cent. In us dollars. At the time of her release, she served 10 months.
Minnie express outrage in comparison to Audrey Lorber CBS news reported Lorber who was a 19 year old American convicted in Russia for attempting to import 19 grams of marijuana while on vacation with her family in 2019. She was fine. 15,000 rupees, which is equivalent to 235 us dollars as of today. Credited for time served and released after a two month detention stay. Lorber was allowed to travel independently back to the us.
This is a vital comparison and speaks to a deeper issue of how black people are portrayed in the media. And the efforts taken to search for them, even when they go missing. And less than 72 hours after getting released meme started circulating, showing individuals with a male light features, walking around suggested Griner has become more male license or incarceration. Why is this funny?
From my perspective, there is nothing funny about the memes and it speaks volumes to about how these individuals and groups view Greiner's traumatic experience. It is impossible to truly see support and attempt to keep black women and girls psychologically safe. If you are mocking our painful experiences. This can include not speaking up for us when it's deserved or even sharing a meme, adding to society's attempt to make us a mockery it's low. It's defining.
For black people joining in the wave of means it's your truth, mass buy suggestions that you care. Because you are married to a black woman, you have black sisters, you have black daughters, et cetera. What's been most interesting to witness is the number of black women expressing their disagreement and preference for Griner to have stayed in Russia. I'm sure this isn't because they are trained in negotiations. Believe the time truly fit the crime.
Or have an in-depth understanding of the situation. This is a reminder that anti-blackness does. Doesn't just come from non-black people. It's quite concerning when the direction of this level of anti-blackness is unfounded and likely rooted in their own traumas. This is called projection, a defense mechanism. The FIS mechanisms are psychological strategies that we unconsciously use to cope and protect ourselves from difficult thoughts, feelings, or events.
Think of projecting as splitting off, which requires disassociation or detaching. Or denial declared that something is untrue. Internally a person is playing out this whole dilemma in their mind. This doesn't apply to me. I'm not like them or it's no big deal. Everyone's doing it. Just like the exchange of Greiner. This dilemma turns from it being about oneself or one's feelings or the facts to what everyone else is doing.
And he lacks emotional intelligence, also known as E Q. I'm sure you've witnessed this in many spaces where you don't feel like you belong or your wellbeing is threatened. In short, emotional intelligence is your ability to identify and manage your own emotions as well as identify and adapt to other people's emotions.
It's essentially about emotional sensitivity to the world around us, which is discussed further in one of my frequent blog articles, exploring self advocacy strategies, using emotional intelligence. When it comes to eat queue. Social skills include social decision-making. And in the main instance, it was not present. Projecting positions us to treat other people with how we feel about the quality or circumstance showing up in ourselves. This happens consciously or unconsciously.
And it's not excusable, especially once you are made aware of its impact. An attempt to have civil conversation and advocate for Grindr as well as many other black women and girls on the socials. I was met with language such as it's just a meme. I don't do this consistently. It ain't that serious and more. While protecting my own peace and desire for high vibration conversations that promote growth. And healing. I disengaged. Through all of this, I'm reminded of a quote from Greiner.
Don't worry about what other people are going to say, because they're always going to say something, but. If you're just true to yourself, let that shine through. Greiner we'll have a tremendous recovery journey as she's been physically released, but mentally it will likely take an unknown amount of time. Allow her story to serve as a reminder, to be slow to judge and project. Consider these three life-changing lessons from Griner. One played a win. Greiner quoted I'm a competitor, you know?
I don't just play. I played a win and I want to win it all. And reality. I can imagine her time in prison. Was hard-fought. And her release was hard. One. With all the judgments and criticisms many are mentally in competition with Greiner because no one saw. Supported or kept them safe perhaps at many points of their lives. Also let's be clear. She didn't co-sign to the rules of your judgmental and critical game. Number two. Figure out where I fit. Greiner quoted.
It's taken me a long time to figure out exactly where I fit. During that journey. I realized that everyone has a unique place in this world. As we listen, read and watch the aftermath of grinders release. You have a choice in what comes out of your mouth or the click of a button? Truthfully. No one wants to hear your Google intellect and attempts to convince others that you are not anti-black or LGBTQ. A plus or believe in fairness. Number three. We can all learn from one another.
Greiner quoted. I think that's what makes life beautiful. Everyone is different and we can all learn from each other. In order to learn from one another, we are tasked with having civil conversations and interactions, to evolve as a culture where people can feel like they belong and their wellbeing is considered. Sure. This seems like a wish or dream, but it takes action to make wishes and dreams come true for the greater good.
I am honoring Brittany Greiner's release and anticipated healing after a traumatic experience. If you or someone, you know, needs mental health support, please dial 9, 8, 8. Which is the national crisis line they're available 24 7 365. Or reach out to a local mental health professional. Thank you so much for listening, please subscribe, download, and share. Got a topic you would like us to cover. Don't hesitate to send us a message.
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