May The Bridges We Burn, Light Our Way
What is a world where we don’t care about the next? A world that centers itself solely on the self, blind to the reality of others? It is cold. Dark. A nightmare. The selfishness of it all is detrimental, and the inability—or rather, the unwillingness—of others to see is gut-wrenching.
I sit here in disappointment, confusion heavy on my shoulders. How can people not understand? How can they lack the empathy I hold so deeply—for myself, for humanity? Over the last few weeks, I have seen and heard so much. And to my foolish surprise, I’ve learned that many people are simply untouched by the struggles of others and do not care. They move through life unscathed by societal expectations, covered by patriarchal norms… by the burdens that weigh others down. Because if it does not affect them, it does not exist.
Shame
Attention seeker. Crazy, Sl*t, Wh^re… N*gga.
“You’re actually pretty for a Black girl…”
These words, while not a reflection of my identity, still cut deep. They move my spirit. They ignite shame—not because of who I am, but because of a world that refuses to see me as I am. Being a Black woman without a father (who is alive and well), a woman forced to learn lessons he should have taught me, a woman navigating a reality she never asked for—these are truths that some will never have to face. And because it is not their truth, it simply does not matter to them.
A world filled with misogyny and racism, hidden beneath the smiles of partners, friends, colleagues. A world where those who were handed privilege refuse to acknowledge the weight others carry from birth.
Do they see you? Do they hear you? Or are they committed to misunderstanding you?
For years, I operated from a place of desperation. I shrank myself to fit in. I sat in rooms where I never belonged, forcing myself to accept words and actions that should have never been tolerated. I searched for love in places that were never meant to hold it. The wounds left behind, deep and raw, went unnoticed—until now.
But clarity is painful. It forces you to see what you once ignored. It demands action and understanding:
Peace requires recognition, accountability, and discipline.
Freedom is only accomplished when you are released from the narratives people place on your life.
Only focus on what you can control.
Burn your bridges and go forward.
Let go of the people who refuse to see you. Walk away from the ones who disregard your existence, your being, your pain. Stop making excuses for those who choose ignorance over understanding. If they cannot care, if they cannot hear you, if they are committed to looking away—leave them behind.
Because the truth is, those who dilute your experiences, who judge your story from the comfort of their privilege, are throwing rocks from glass houses. And one day, those houses will shatter.
But you? You will not be there to pick up the pieces.
So move. Move forward with a clear mind, a soft heart, and an iron spirit. This is a war we will all have to end up fighting one way or another, regardless of what is right now. So, burn the bridges and let them light the way.
Until Next Time…