A friend/student of mine walked up to me yesterday apologizing for not being able to make it to class due to sadness over the global situation she’s been witnessing via social media. She asked me how I do it, how I bring joy and light into class while simultaneously holding space for the G3noc1des happening. Honestly, I can’t take responsibility because all that I know is that once I get into teaching mode, I’m in my special interest and it pulls me out of my head. I feel I’m in a state of flow and without dance, and this beautiful community, I would not be able to create that on my own. Sharing joy is a form of resistance, and I’m grateful to be able to share joy and celebrate with my friends and loved ones. Teaching Kizomba/Semba makes my cause and resistance more significant because the dance was created during a time of revolution and liberation for the people of Angola. For this reason, I will continue to share joy and resist! 🕺🏿 Rodal Issema 📸 Robert Uehlin 📍Kizomba Team Two at Salsa Con Todo, in Seattle.

It is a flex to FEEL. It is not a flex to be emotionally numb to what’s happening in the world. Avoiding feeling those feelings is what perpetuates the oppression and trauma that we experience on a smaller scale(inner circles) to a larger global scale. Look around you, you think we are all not gonna be depressed and stressed with the state of the world? Stop, pretending that you don’t care, it takes more effort to do that.

If we don't kill the parents, there will be no orphans. Keep the parents alive so that children have their families. Stop sending snacks when what people need is to NOT be bombed or sniped while they're existing. Your donations aren't being received by the people that need it because of the blockade. Lets take care of that first, then we can help with food, water, shelthering, etc. If you want to help, call for a cease-fire and do everything that Palestinians are asking you to do 🍉Keep talking about what's happening and continue calling for a cease-fire.

I feel myself hardening with every passing day. I can feel as my spirit strengthens to support me as I watch this world unfold. I expect certain human behavior, but one of the most painful ones to deal with recently has been the silence of those around me. It has seriously impacted my relationship with these people today and moving forward. How can we see so many innocent lives being taken and not raise awareness? #FreeCongo #FreeSudan #FreePalestine #CollectiveJustice #BreakYourSilence