00:00I think when all of this happens it can feel like it's not okay for us to have fun, right?
00:08There's so much going on in the community, there's so much pain, every day is a different story.
00:12We don't feel right just relaxing or letting loose or doing anything other than being a part of this movement.
00:17Is it okay for us to take a moment for self-care to just have a little fun in light of what's going on?
00:22Lisa, would you like to answer first?
00:25Sure. It is important for us to continue to be able to find joy in our everyday lives.
00:33And the thing that I worry about sometimes in our conversations about self-care is that it's so individualized.
00:41Yes, there are things that we need to do for ourselves to be in our full dignity everywhere that we go.
00:47But we also know that we're not the only people as individuals who are being impacted by a daily onslaught of news about our murders.
00:56And so it's really, really important in times like this to be connected with community.
01:01Sometimes talking about what you envision for a world where Black lives actually do matter can be healing.
01:09It's the thing that actually helps us move forward to the next stage.
01:13And so, yes, take care of yourself.
01:16Do what you need to do to find your dignity, to feel how you're feeling.
01:20But also don't do that in isolation.
01:22Do that in community and in relationship with other people who also need that support and also need that love.
01:29Absolutely. Thank you, Alicia. And Japan?
01:32I think it's not only important, it's necessary, but taking care of yourself is the first step to being able to fight for our rights and making sure that we're in the right mental space to do so.
01:45And just like Alicia said, with the community, Alicia actually came to one of my organization's conferences in October and spoke with us.
01:54And I think that conversation that she and the others had was so vital.
02:00And I make sure I spread that message regularly because it's necessary to be able to have that conversation with others and be able to share their emotions they may not be able to process.
02:09And telling their story or you telling their story may give them the courage to be able to process it and express those emotions and move them forward in the necessary fight that they need to be a part of as well.
02:24Thank you very much.
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