In case you’ve missed it, Solange Knowles recently released her third full length album, A Seat at the Table. Come through Solange …with your Brandy riffs and Janet Jackson tones. It’s almost as if Sade tagged out and tagged you in as the new chosen songstress for rainy days, bad break-ups and I just need to sit and chill music. (My favorite song on the album has to be Cranes in the Sky.) A Seat at the Table gives the same vibe as Lauryn Hill’s, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill and Jill Scott’s, I am Jill Scott. To that extent, Solange just scooted some divas over and created herself a seat at the table amongst other great musical icons. I so respect the title of the album, A Seat at the Table because that is what I am attempting to create with I Press On.
It’s Breast Cancer Awareness month. This is a special time to remember lives lost and celebrate survivors of this disease. (Special shout-out to my grandmother, Lula Belle Bracken.) All around the world people who see a pink ribbon immediately know to associate it with breast cancer. However, it wasn’t always this way. Nancy Brinker founded the Susan G. Komen foundation in 1982. It is her efforts that helped to shift society’s attitude toward breast cancer, breast cancer patients and the family and friends of those battling the disease. It is my hope that one day depression will become just as accepted in the community as breast cancer. Here are 3 steps I am taking to help make this happen.
Self-Acceptance
The first and most consistent fight I face in helping to bring awareness to depression is the fight of self-acceptance. The one thing that I have learned most about my struggle with depression is that I have to own it. I have to constantly remind myself that it is okay to be Sonya, and that it is okay to be going through the struggles I face. Owning my story means that I can have pride in who I am. Having confident and proud people promote depression is a great way to show the community that everyone facing depression isn’t broken beyond repair. Since I consider myself a reasonably normal person, my self-acceptance might help to elevate some of the stigma associated with who actually battles depression.
Starting a Conversation
Let’s talk about how I like to talk. I enjoy communicating. God has blessed me with the gift of gab and the ability to write. The IPO Blog is one way that I am starting a conversation. What’s great about the blog is that it is helping the family and friends of people battling depression just as much as it is as those who are personally affected.
Visibility
It is my desire for the I Press On logo to be just as recognizable as the pink ribbon. When people see the I Press On logo, I want them to immediately associate it with depression awareness. But most importantly I want the logo to inspire people to know that they can press on through any obstacle life might throw their way.
Nancy Brinker started with“$200 and a shoebox full of potential donor names.” I know that it won’t be easy, but I also know if she can do it; so can I. I am determined for depression to have a seat at the table amongst other accepted diseases within the community. Help me create this space by allowing yourself room to fully accept your depression and by promoting the IPO Blog. I also need your support in sharing the I Press On logo. Soon you will be able to purchase your I Press On merchandise! Thank you Solange for reminding us that acceptance is possible. Let’s get a seat at the table and as always, let’s press on together!