Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #blackwhysmatter
Most recents (24)
1/
Today I held a hand that needed to be held. You were so afraid. So, so afraid.
You: "I don't want to die from this."
Me: "I don't want you to, either."
You: "No, I mean this shot."
I opened my mouth and then closed it. Before I could speak, you had the phone to your ear.
Today I held a hand that needed to be held. You were so afraid. So, so afraid.
You: "I don't want to die from this."
Me: "I don't want you to, either."
You: "No, I mean this shot."
I opened my mouth and then closed it. Before I could speak, you had the phone to your ear.
2/
You called someone in your family. And then someone else. One said one thing. Another said something else.
You: "I just don't know."
Me: *listening*
You: "I don't know what to do."
Me: "Tell me what you are afraid of."
You: "Dying."
Dying.
You called someone in your family. And then someone else. One said one thing. Another said something else.
You: "I just don't know."
Me: *listening*
You: "I don't know what to do."
Me: "Tell me what you are afraid of."
You: "Dying."
Dying.
3/
Me: "I think we're both scared of the same thing. I don't want you to die either. Or get disabled, you know?"
You took out your phone and called someone else. That person said you should get it. I wanted to say, "Hello! I'm a doctor! Ask me! I can answer questions!"
But.
Me: "I think we're both scared of the same thing. I don't want you to die either. Or get disabled, you know?"
You took out your phone and called someone else. That person said you should get it. I wanted to say, "Hello! I'm a doctor! Ask me! I can answer questions!"
But.
1/
Car Wash
I was mindlessly scrolling though emails while my car finished up in the car wash. A giant flatscreen television perched on the wall of the waiting room blared out a news program.
Her: “Oh HELLS no.”
I glanced over at the woman beside me and then at the screen.
Car Wash
I was mindlessly scrolling though emails while my car finished up in the car wash. A giant flatscreen television perched on the wall of the waiting room blared out a news program.
Her: “Oh HELLS no.”
I glanced over at the woman beside me and then at the screen.
2/
It only took two seconds for me to register to what garnered that reaction. Scenes of children proudly flexing band-aided arms as happy parents looked on flashed before my eyes.
Her: *to no one in particular* “5-year-olds? Girl bye.”
She let out a laugh and shook her head.
It only took two seconds for me to register to what garnered that reaction. Scenes of children proudly flexing band-aided arms as happy parents looked on flashed before my eyes.
Her: *to no one in particular* “5-year-olds? Girl bye.”
She let out a laugh and shook her head.
3/
I decided to bite.
Me: “You talking about them giving little kids the vaccine?”
Her: “Girl, yeah. Ain’t no way in hell.”
She paused for a moment. Then she doubled down.
Her: *shaking her head* “Oh HELLS no.”
I gave a slow nod to acknowledge her position.
Me: “Hmm.”
I decided to bite.
Me: “You talking about them giving little kids the vaccine?”
Her: “Girl, yeah. Ain’t no way in hell.”
She paused for a moment. Then she doubled down.
Her: *shaking her head* “Oh HELLS no.”
I gave a slow nod to acknowledge her position.
Me: “Hmm.”
1/
The other day at Grady
You: “Heeeey!”
Me: “Heeeey!”
You raised your eyebrows in a mischievous expression. You started laughing before you could even get it all out.
You: “So these folks got you out here being the #COVIDVaccine cheerleader now, huh?”
You laughed again.
The other day at Grady
You: “Heeeey!”
Me: “Heeeey!”
You raised your eyebrows in a mischievous expression. You started laughing before you could even get it all out.
You: “So these folks got you out here being the #COVIDVaccine cheerleader now, huh?”
You laughed again.
2/
Me: “That low key sounded like shade.”
You: *shaking head* “Nah doc. You know I got love for you.”
Me: “Mmm hmmm.”
We both forced out a chuckle. From our prior conversations, I knew you weren’t a fan of the vaccine and only got it because you had no choice.
*silence*
Me: “That low key sounded like shade.”
You: *shaking head* “Nah doc. You know I got love for you.”
Me: “Mmm hmmm.”
We both forced out a chuckle. From our prior conversations, I knew you weren’t a fan of the vaccine and only got it because you had no choice.
*silence*
3/
Me: “So. . . You doing alright?”
You: “Yeah. My ear didn’t fall off and I’m not magnetic. So far so good.”
Me: *sigh*
That ask was general. I wasn’t in the mood to banter with you about all that you thought about the vaccines. Not right now.
Even me—“the cheerleader.”
Me: “So. . . You doing alright?”
You: “Yeah. My ear didn’t fall off and I’m not magnetic. So far so good.”
Me: *sigh*
That ask was general. I wasn’t in the mood to banter with you about all that you thought about the vaccines. Not right now.
Even me—“the cheerleader.”
1/
Grady Hospital Lobby
We had just finished up at the #NoJudgmentZone table. I slung my backpack over my shoulder and began heading out.
"Ma'am. . .scuse me."
I turned in the direction of the voice. 2 young women stood side by side in the information line.
*details changed
Grady Hospital Lobby
We had just finished up at the #NoJudgmentZone table. I slung my backpack over my shoulder and began heading out.
"Ma'am. . .scuse me."
I turned in the direction of the voice. 2 young women stood side by side in the information line.
*details changed
2/
One was tall and slender with thick locs piled on top of her head. She wore a t-shirt with a faded screen of the words "Black Girl Magic" on the front. The other had on a sweatsuit and had a network of tiny braids that fell nearly to the small of her back.
Me: "Hey there."
One was tall and slender with thick locs piled on top of her head. She wore a t-shirt with a faded screen of the words "Black Girl Magic" on the front. The other had on a sweatsuit and had a network of tiny braids that fell nearly to the small of her back.
Me: "Hey there."
3/
The taller one spoke first.
Locs: "We was looking at your hair. It's so pretty."
Sweats: "We saw you and said, 'Werk sis!'"
*laughter*
Me: "That's kind. Thanks!
Sweats: *looking close* "Is it a color process?"
Me: "A color process? Girl. Courtesy of mother nature."
The taller one spoke first.
Locs: "We was looking at your hair. It's so pretty."
Sweats: "We saw you and said, 'Werk sis!'"
*laughter*
Me: "That's kind. Thanks!
Sweats: *looking close* "Is it a color process?"
Me: "A color process? Girl. Courtesy of mother nature."
1/
Grady Lobby
You: "Y'all dead set on trying to get folks to take that devil shot, ain't you?" *shakes head*
Me: *shrug* "I'm pretty dead set on trying to stop this virus from killing and disabling folks. So if that means getting a shot, I guess so."
You snorted.
Grady Lobby
You: "Y'all dead set on trying to get folks to take that devil shot, ain't you?" *shakes head*
Me: *shrug* "I'm pretty dead set on trying to stop this virus from killing and disabling folks. So if that means getting a shot, I guess so."
You snorted.
2/
Me: "How you doing today?"
You: "Say what now?"
Me: "I mean, seeing as you rolled up on me throwing shade I figured we could at least get cool first."
*laughter*
You: "I'm good. But I damn sure ain't taking that devil shot. You can bet on that."
Me: *listening*
Me: "How you doing today?"
You: "Say what now?"
Me: "I mean, seeing as you rolled up on me throwing shade I figured we could at least get cool first."
*laughter*
You: "I'm good. But I damn sure ain't taking that devil shot. You can bet on that."
Me: *listening*
3/
You: "And low key--I feel some type of way about siccing Black folks on other Black folks to get them to take that shit."
Me: *raising eyebrows* "Ouch."
You: "I'm for real. I feel like they got y'all hoodwinked and bamboozled, too."
*silence*
Me: "I hear you."
You: "And low key--I feel some type of way about siccing Black folks on other Black folks to get them to take that shit."
Me: *raising eyebrows* "Ouch."
You: "I'm for real. I feel like they got y'all hoodwinked and bamboozled, too."
*silence*
Me: "I hear you."
1/
#WhatsYourWhy
You: "People say I'm a Grady miracle after I survived that accident."
Me: *listening*
You: "But I just tell 'em God had more for me to do, know what I'm saying?"
Me: *nodding* "Yeah. I think I do."
*silence*
You: "Shit, I need to be on a Grady billboard!"
#WhatsYourWhy
You: "People say I'm a Grady miracle after I survived that accident."
Me: *listening*
You: "But I just tell 'em God had more for me to do, know what I'm saying?"
Me: *nodding* "Yeah. I think I do."
*silence*
You: "Shit, I need to be on a Grady billboard!"
2/
Me: "I know that's right!"
You: "Go on and holler at the billboard folk for me."
*laughter*
Me: "It is quite a survival story."
You: "Damn right! They just KNEW I was gon' die. But real talk, them trauma doctors at Grady? They ain't no joke!"
Me: "That's what's up."
Me: "I know that's right!"
You: "Go on and holler at the billboard folk for me."
*laughter*
Me: "It is quite a survival story."
You: "Damn right! They just KNEW I was gon' die. But real talk, them trauma doctors at Grady? They ain't no joke!"
Me: "That's what's up."
3/
You: "I had a bunch of stuff after that accident. But they went hard for me. The doctors. The nurses. The therapists--all of 'em. I had a trach in my neck, a colostomy, and had to learn how to walk all over again."
Me: "Wow."
You: "A Grady miracle. I told you."
*listening*
You: "I had a bunch of stuff after that accident. But they went hard for me. The doctors. The nurses. The therapists--all of 'em. I had a trach in my neck, a colostomy, and had to learn how to walk all over again."
Me: "Wow."
You: "A Grady miracle. I told you."
*listening*
1/
#AmazingGrady
The Visitor
Her: "Girl, she snuck up on me."
Me: "Who?"
Her: "Honey, Miss Delta! Girl, I will be the first one telling folks that she ain't to be played with."
*laughter*
Me: "That's hilarious."
Her: "Shiiiit. It's hilarious NOW."
Me: *nodding*
#AmazingGrady
The Visitor
Her: "Girl, she snuck up on me."
Me: "Who?"
Her: "Honey, Miss Delta! Girl, I will be the first one telling folks that she ain't to be played with."
*laughter*
Me: "That's hilarious."
Her: "Shiiiit. It's hilarious NOW."
Me: *nodding*
2/
Her: "You know I had #COVID back in April of '20 when everybody was getting it."
Me: "Oh wow. Did you get pretty sick?"
Her: "Sick enough to be in my bed for a few days. But mostly it was just inconvenient for everybody that live with me, you know?"
Me: *listening*
Her: "You know I had #COVID back in April of '20 when everybody was getting it."
Me: "Oh wow. Did you get pretty sick?"
Her: "Sick enough to be in my bed for a few days. But mostly it was just inconvenient for everybody that live with me, you know?"
Me: *listening*
3/
Her: "Folk don't talk enough about that part. The way she bust a groove in all your plans even if you don't get real sick."
Me: "Yeah."
*silence*
Me: "So. . . . I'm surprised after all that you weren't first in line to get vaccinated."
Her: *shrugs*
Her: "Folk don't talk enough about that part. The way she bust a groove in all your plans even if you don't get real sick."
Me: "Yeah."
*silence*
Me: "So. . . . I'm surprised after all that you weren't first in line to get vaccinated."
Her: *shrugs*
1/
This week at Grady
You: “They stay talking’ ‘bout how everybody could get that shot if they want it. All they got to do is walk in.” *making air quotes* “But that’s some bullshit.”
Me: *listening*
You: “That AIN’T all you got to do.”
You folded your arms in a huff.
This week at Grady
You: “They stay talking’ ‘bout how everybody could get that shot if they want it. All they got to do is walk in.” *making air quotes* “But that’s some bullshit.”
Me: *listening*
You: “That AIN’T all you got to do.”
You folded your arms in a huff.
2/
You: “Like, you go up in there and it AIN’T straightforward. ‘Specially at the regular pharmacies.”
Me: “No?”
You: “I mean, not if you ain’t good with filling a bunch of stuff out on line. Plus you got to have certain information.”
I stayed quiet. You went on.
You: “Like, you go up in there and it AIN’T straightforward. ‘Specially at the regular pharmacies.”
Me: “No?”
You: “I mean, not if you ain’t good with filling a bunch of stuff out on line. Plus you got to have certain information.”
I stayed quiet. You went on.
3/
You: “I mean yeah, it IS some folks who dead against that #COVIDVaccine—but it’s a whole bunch of folks that would get it if it wasn’t so got-damn hard.”
*silence*
Me: “So, like what would be best? In your opinion?”
You raised your eyebrows and laughed.
Me: “I’m for real.”
You: “I mean yeah, it IS some folks who dead against that #COVIDVaccine—but it’s a whole bunch of folks that would get it if it wasn’t so got-damn hard.”
*silence*
Me: “So, like what would be best? In your opinion?”
You raised your eyebrows and laughed.
Me: “I’m for real.”
1/
You: “Hello! Will this be your first dose today?”
Me: “No. Second.”
You nodded and then entered something into the tablet in your hands. Suddenly your head flung up as if you’d forgotten something.
You: “I’m sorry. How y’all doing this evening?”
I offered a thumbs up.
You: “Hello! Will this be your first dose today?”
Me: “No. Second.”
You nodded and then entered something into the tablet in your hands. Suddenly your head flung up as if you’d forgotten something.
You: “I’m sorry. How y’all doing this evening?”
I offered a thumbs up.
2/
Me: “Especially glad to get here before y’all closed.”
Son: “Not me!”
*laughter*
Me: “What about you, friend?”
You: “Ma’am?”
Me: “How're you doing?”
You: “Oh! Me? I’m good!”
Me: "Yeah?"
*laughter*
You: “You’re the first person to ask me that all day!”
Me: “Awww dang.”
Me: “Especially glad to get here before y’all closed.”
Son: “Not me!”
*laughter*
Me: “What about you, friend?”
You: “Ma’am?”
Me: “How're you doing?”
You: “Oh! Me? I’m good!”
Me: "Yeah?"
*laughter*
You: “You’re the first person to ask me that all day!”
Me: “Awww dang.”
3/
You handed me two forms to fill out and gestured for us to roll forward.
Son: “Do you think this one will hurt more?”
Me: “Mine didn’t.”
When I finished filling out the forms, you were back beside my window.
You: “Perfect. Y’all should be next.”
Son: *groan*
*laughter*
You handed me two forms to fill out and gestured for us to roll forward.
Son: “Do you think this one will hurt more?”
Me: “Mine didn’t.”
When I finished filling out the forms, you were back beside my window.
You: “Perfect. Y’all should be next.”
Son: *groan*
*laughter*
1/
#WhatsYourWhy
RN1: “I’ve known her since she was carrying them babies!”
RN2: “I’ve known her since she had all black hair and was fresh out of residency!”
*laughter*
Me: *patting my hair* “Well, if she knew me pre-grey, we have a winner for sure.”
We all laughed again.
#WhatsYourWhy
RN1: “I’ve known her since she was carrying them babies!”
RN2: “I’ve known her since she had all black hair and was fresh out of residency!”
*laughter*
Me: *patting my hair* “Well, if she knew me pre-grey, we have a winner for sure.”
We all laughed again.
2/
For me, they’d both become woven into the fabric of the Grady I know and love. Experienced nurses who’d already been around the block a few times before I even arrived back in 2001.
I was always happy to see them.
Always.
For me, they’d both become woven into the fabric of the Grady I know and love. Experienced nurses who’d already been around the block a few times before I even arrived back in 2001.
I was always happy to see them.
Always.
3/
RN1: “You have a patient here?”
Me: “Yes, ma’am.”
RN2: “Yeah, that’s my patient today.”
Me: *pretending to leave* “Oh, YOU have my patient? I’m good then.”
*laughter*
Even with her caramel complexion, her eyes told me that she was blushing from the compliment. I smiled.
RN1: “You have a patient here?”
Me: “Yes, ma’am.”
RN2: “Yeah, that’s my patient today.”
Me: *pretending to leave* “Oh, YOU have my patient? I’m good then.”
*laughter*
Even with her caramel complexion, her eyes told me that she was blushing from the compliment. I smiled.
1/
#WhatsYourWhy
You: “It’s a no for me, dog.”
That’s what you said when I asked your thoughts on getting a #COVIDVaccine. We both laughed—but the way you paused, then returned to your industrious task of clearing crumbs from the table made me know you weren’t joking.
Nope.
#WhatsYourWhy
You: “It’s a no for me, dog.”
That’s what you said when I asked your thoughts on getting a #COVIDVaccine. We both laughed—but the way you paused, then returned to your industrious task of clearing crumbs from the table made me know you weren’t joking.
Nope.
2/
I lifted my laptop on cue as your hand swept under it quickly and collected the crusty bread remnants into your other cupped hand.
Me: “You sound serious. Are you?”
You: *shrug* “Serious enough.”
I nodded slowly and tightened the drawstring on my hoodie.
I lifted my laptop on cue as your hand swept under it quickly and collected the crusty bread remnants into your other cupped hand.
Me: “You sound serious. Are you?”
You: *shrug* “Serious enough.”
I nodded slowly and tightened the drawstring on my hoodie.
3/
It was a cold day for outdoor dining—especially of the solo nerdy type. But seeing newly arranged and spaced tables thrust along the sides of some my favorite ATL eateries made me happy and willing to brave the chill for a slice of normalcy.
I was glad to see you.
It was a cold day for outdoor dining—especially of the solo nerdy type. But seeing newly arranged and spaced tables thrust along the sides of some my favorite ATL eateries made me happy and willing to brave the chill for a slice of normalcy.
I was glad to see you.
1/
#WhatsYourWhy
Grady elevator
Her: "Is that my girl Dr. Manning?"
Me: "Heeeey! I haven't seen you in a minute!"
*elbow bump*
Her: "I ain't used to seeing you with scrubs on and not in your heels!"
Me: "Girrrrl. It's crushing my soul to not wear heels!"
*laughter*
#WhatsYourWhy
Grady elevator
Her: "Is that my girl Dr. Manning?"
Me: "Heeeey! I haven't seen you in a minute!"
*elbow bump*
Her: "I ain't used to seeing you with scrubs on and not in your heels!"
Me: "Girrrrl. It's crushing my soul to not wear heels!"
*laughter*
2/
Her: "At first I didn't even know that was you! And you grew your hair some."
Me: "And you changed your hair, too. I like it!"
Her: "Girl, this a wig."
*laughter*
Her: *patting head* "The #COVID makeover, chile."
Me: *nodding* "I know that's right."
*silence*
Her: "At first I didn't even know that was you! And you grew your hair some."
Me: "And you changed your hair, too. I like it!"
Her: "Girl, this a wig."
*laughter*
Her: *patting head* "The #COVID makeover, chile."
Me: *nodding* "I know that's right."
*silence*
3/
Me: "Hey--you get the #COVIDVaccine yet?"
Her: "Nah."
Me: *raising eyebrows*
Her: "I decided to wait."
I jutted out my lip under my mask and nodded.
Her: "I'm in my 30's. And nobody older or sick live with me. So I'm waiting."
Me: *squinting* "Waiting for. . . ?"
Me: "Hey--you get the #COVIDVaccine yet?"
Her: "Nah."
Me: *raising eyebrows*
Her: "I decided to wait."
I jutted out my lip under my mask and nodded.
Her: "I'm in my 30's. And nobody older or sick live with me. So I'm waiting."
Me: *squinting* "Waiting for. . . ?"
1/
#WhatsYourWhy
Next to Grady garage
Him: “Heeeey! I been hoping I’d see you.”
Me: “Heeey!”
Him: “I just wanted you to know that I thought on that talk we had that one day.”
Me: *listening*
Him: “I changed my mind ‘bout the shot.”
I placed my hand on my chest.
Wait. What?
#WhatsYourWhy
Next to Grady garage
Him: “Heeeey! I been hoping I’d see you.”
Me: “Heeey!”
Him: “I just wanted you to know that I thought on that talk we had that one day.”
Me: *listening*
Him: “I changed my mind ‘bout the shot.”
I placed my hand on my chest.
Wait. What?
2/
See, he wasn’t just a no. He was a hard no.
A hell no even.
Me: “Wow. That makes me SO happy.”*sigh*
Him: *chuckles*“You ‘bout to cry?”
And that took me over the edge. I shook my head and patted my eyes with the heels of my hands.
Me: “See what you did?”
*laughter*
See, he wasn’t just a no. He was a hard no.
A hell no even.
Me: “Wow. That makes me SO happy.”*sigh*
Him: *chuckles*“You ‘bout to cry?”
And that took me over the edge. I shook my head and patted my eyes with the heels of my hands.
Me: “See what you did?”
*laughter*
3/
His voice softened and his eyes grew warm.
Him: “Naaah. See what YOU did.”
Now I was full on weeping. I nodded my head and tried to get it together.
Me: *sniffling* “Thank you, friend.”
Him: “Nah, Ms. Manning. Thank YOU.”
Whew.
His voice softened and his eyes grew warm.
Him: “Naaah. See what YOU did.”
Now I was full on weeping. I nodded my head and tried to get it together.
Me: *sniffling* “Thank you, friend.”
Him: “Nah, Ms. Manning. Thank YOU.”
Whew.
1/
#WhatsYourWhy
At the curb market by Grady
Them: "Hey, Dr. Manning!"
Me: "Heeeey!"
*air fist bump*
Me: "You doing alright?"
Them: "I'm making it."
Me: "Guess that's all we can do right?"
Them: "Exactly."
*pause*
Them: "Hey, I'm glad to see you feeling better."
Huh?
#WhatsYourWhy
At the curb market by Grady
Them: "Hey, Dr. Manning!"
Me: "Heeeey!"
*air fist bump*
Me: "You doing alright?"
Them: "I'm making it."
Me: "Guess that's all we can do right?"
Them: "Exactly."
*pause*
Them: "Hey, I'm glad to see you feeling better."
Huh?
2/
Them: "Look like you was in a bad way this weekend from what I saw on social media."
Me: "Haaaa! Can't even front. . . I was, man."
In a bad way. A perfect descriptor.
In fact, I'd just used that very phrase with my teenaged son just an hour before.
Yup.
Them: "Look like you was in a bad way this weekend from what I saw on social media."
Me: "Haaaa! Can't even front. . . I was, man."
In a bad way. A perfect descriptor.
In fact, I'd just used that very phrase with my teenaged son just an hour before.
Yup.
3/
Son: *frantic* "Mom, I can't find my computer charger! Where's yours?!"
Me: *calm* "I took it to work."
Son: *frantic* "What I am supposed to do?"
Me: "Are you testing?"
Son: "No."
Me: "Use your phone. Otherwise you in a bad way until I get home."
Mmm hmm.
But I digress.
Son: *frantic* "Mom, I can't find my computer charger! Where's yours?!"
Me: *calm* "I took it to work."
Son: *frantic* "What I am supposed to do?"
Me: "Are you testing?"
Son: "No."
Me: "Use your phone. Otherwise you in a bad way until I get home."
Mmm hmm.
But I digress.
1/
#WhatsYourWhy
In front of Grady
Them: "Scuse me--did I see you on TV talking about the #COVIDVaccine?"
Me: "Hey there. I think so, yes."
Them: "I liked what you said."
Me: "Wow. I appreciate that."
The wind whipped around as we stepped aside for someone to pass.
#WhatsYourWhy
In front of Grady
Them: "Scuse me--did I see you on TV talking about the #COVIDVaccine?"
Me: "Hey there. I think so, yes."
Them: "I liked what you said."
Me: "Wow. I appreciate that."
The wind whipped around as we stepped aside for someone to pass.
2/
Them: "There was one thing I was wishing y'all had talked about. But I guess you can't go over everything."
Me: "You mind me asking what?"
They pulled their coat in tighter. I did my best to look like I wasn't in a rush.
Even though I kind of was.
Them: "It's okay."
Them: "There was one thing I was wishing y'all had talked about. But I guess you can't go over everything."
Me: "You mind me asking what?"
They pulled their coat in tighter. I did my best to look like I wasn't in a rush.
Even though I kind of was.
Them: "It's okay."
3/
Me: "Happy to give it a try if you think it might help you."
Them: *thinking* "I kind of feel like to a doctor it might seem stupid. But I know a whole bunch of people who wonder about this."
Their internal deliberation continued as the wind kept punishing us. I waited.
Me: "Happy to give it a try if you think it might help you."
Them: *thinking* "I kind of feel like to a doctor it might seem stupid. But I know a whole bunch of people who wonder about this."
Their internal deliberation continued as the wind kept punishing us. I waited.
1/
#WhatsYourWhy
Clinic
Her: “You probably think I’m stupid.”
Me: “That’s not true, sis. I’ve worked with you too long to think that.”
Her: “Okay. Well I bet you think me saying no to a #CovidVaccine when I work in a hospital is dumb.”
I shook my head.
#WhatsYourWhy
Clinic
Her: “You probably think I’m stupid.”
Me: “That’s not true, sis. I’ve worked with you too long to think that.”
Her: “Okay. Well I bet you think me saying no to a #CovidVaccine when I work in a hospital is dumb.”
I shook my head.
2/
Me: “I think you’re amazing. And if you’re holding off on getting it, you probably have your reason.”
Her: *sighs*
Me: “Can I ask you what it is?”
Her: “What—my reason?”
Me: “Yeah. I mean, if you cool telling me.”
*silence*
Her: “Maaan. I just don’t know, Dr. Manning.”
Me: “I think you’re amazing. And if you’re holding off on getting it, you probably have your reason.”
Her: *sighs*
Me: “Can I ask you what it is?”
Her: “What—my reason?”
Me: “Yeah. I mean, if you cool telling me.”
*silence*
Her: “Maaan. I just don’t know, Dr. Manning.”
3/
Me: “Okay.”
Her: “Okay?”
I touched her arm.
Me: “Yeah. Okay. I mean. . .We can talk about it if you want. Or not if you don’t.”
Her: “I. . I just. . .” *looks around* “Um, can we chat someplace private?”
Me: “Sure.”
We stepped into a patient room and closed the door.
Me: “Okay.”
Her: “Okay?”
I touched her arm.
Me: “Yeah. Okay. I mean. . .We can talk about it if you want. Or not if you don’t.”
Her: “I. . I just. . .” *looks around* “Um, can we chat someplace private?”
Me: “Sure.”
We stepped into a patient room and closed the door.
1/
#WhatsYourWhy
Last week
Him: "Are you. . . Manning?"
Me: "Yup."
*pause*
Him: "Okay, just to be clear: Ma'am, I'm here only to take payment and remove the immobilizers from your tires. I can't handle any disputes or anything."
Me: "Uhh. . .okay."
He adjusted his mask.
#WhatsYourWhy
Last week
Him: "Are you. . . Manning?"
Me: "Yup."
*pause*
Him: "Okay, just to be clear: Ma'am, I'm here only to take payment and remove the immobilizers from your tires. I can't handle any disputes or anything."
Me: "Uhh. . .okay."
He adjusted his mask.
2/
Me: "Excuse me, sir. May I ask a question?"
Him: *looking up from credit-card reader* "Yes, ma'am?"
Me: "Is 'immobilizer' a new fancy name y'all use for 'boot?'"
*laughter*
Him: *shaking head* "You funny."
Me: "Immobilizer? This is downtown ATL, shawty. That's a BOOT."
Me: "Excuse me, sir. May I ask a question?"
Him: *looking up from credit-card reader* "Yes, ma'am?"
Me: "Is 'immobilizer' a new fancy name y'all use for 'boot?'"
*laughter*
Him: *shaking head* "You funny."
Me: "Immobilizer? This is downtown ATL, shawty. That's a BOOT."
3/
He laughed again and took my credit card.
Me: "Dang, so you must really meet some characters."
Him: *shaking head* "Maaaan, listen. These folks be going off on me. And I be like, 'Look, I'm just here to take your boot off.'"
Me: "You mean immobilizer."
*laughter*
He laughed again and took my credit card.
Me: "Dang, so you must really meet some characters."
Him: *shaking head* "Maaaan, listen. These folks be going off on me. And I be like, 'Look, I'm just here to take your boot off.'"
Me: "You mean immobilizer."
*laughter*
1/
Waiting for takeout
Her: “Girrrrl! Who is that random white man all over your face?”
*leans closer*
Her: “Waymint—is that my man #Fauci? Oh, okay, sis. You good.”
Him: “Oh yeeeeah, that’s our dude. Fauci definitely invited to the family BBQ.”
*laughter*
Waiting for takeout
Her: “Girrrrl! Who is that random white man all over your face?”
*leans closer*
Her: “Waymint—is that my man #Fauci? Oh, okay, sis. You good.”
Him: “Oh yeeeeah, that’s our dude. Fauci definitely invited to the family BBQ.”
*laughter*
2/
Me: “Plus you know he’ll wear a mask.”
Him: “And he already got a #COVID shot.”
I mean . . how could I resist?
Me: “So what y’all thinking about getting a #COVIDVaccine?”
Her: *shrugs*
Him: “Shiiiiid. I already got BOTH a mine.”
Me: “Yeah?”
Him: “Heeeeell yeah. At my job.”
Me: “Plus you know he’ll wear a mask.”
Him: “And he already got a #COVID shot.”
I mean . . how could I resist?
Me: “So what y’all thinking about getting a #COVIDVaccine?”
Her: *shrugs*
Him: “Shiiiiid. I already got BOTH a mine.”
Me: “Yeah?”
Him: “Heeeeell yeah. At my job.”
3/
Her: “You wasn’t scared?”
Him: *shaking head* “F that. I’m way more scared of suffocating to death.”
Her: *listening*
Me: “I got vaccinated, too.”
Her: *swinging head to me* “You did?”
Me: “Yup.”
Him: *gives me elbow bump* “That’s what’s up.”
She looked intrigued.
Her: “You wasn’t scared?”
Him: *shaking head* “F that. I’m way more scared of suffocating to death.”
Her: *listening*
Me: “I got vaccinated, too.”
Her: *swinging head to me* “You did?”
Me: “Yup.”
Him: *gives me elbow bump* “That’s what’s up.”
She looked intrigued.
1/
#WhatsYourWhy: Day 7 of 7
Car Wash
Me: *approaching car* "Oh my bad. I thought they called for me."
Him: "Hey Doc . . . almost done." *looks over at co-worker* "She a doctor. Ask her."
Me: *turning to her* "Ask me what?"
She snapped him with a towel and scowled.
#WhatsYourWhy: Day 7 of 7
Car Wash
Me: *approaching car* "Oh my bad. I thought they called for me."
Him: "Hey Doc . . . almost done." *looks over at co-worker* "She a doctor. Ask her."
Me: *turning to her* "Ask me what?"
She snapped him with a towel and scowled.
2/
Her: "Forget him! I ain't buggin' you out here."
Him: "Doc, you want air freshener today?"
Me: "Sure." *turning to her* "Happy to answer a question if you have one. But I also understand if you didn't want him putting you on blast."
*laughter*
She was limping.
Her: "Forget him! I ain't buggin' you out here."
Him: "Doc, you want air freshener today?"
Me: "Sure." *turning to her* "Happy to answer a question if you have one. But I also understand if you didn't want him putting you on blast."
*laughter*
She was limping.
3/
Me: "Something with your foot?"
Him: "See? Tell her!"
*pause*
Her: *shaking head* "My foot be killing me. 'Specially in the morning when I first get up."
Me: "Yeah?"
Her: "Yeah! Like that first step out my bed?" *squeezing her eyes* "Baybaaaay! You talkin' bout some pain?"
Me: "Something with your foot?"
Him: "See? Tell her!"
*pause*
Her: *shaking head* "My foot be killing me. 'Specially in the morning when I first get up."
Me: "Yeah?"
Her: "Yeah! Like that first step out my bed?" *squeezing her eyes* "Baybaaaay! You talkin' bout some pain?"
1/
#WhatsYourWhy: Day 6 of 7
You
You know how much I love you. We’re so close that sometimes we do that thing where we call each other at the same time. Because, in that precise moment, we both felt a cosmic need to connect.
That close.
And, on top of that, you trust me.
#WhatsYourWhy: Day 6 of 7
You
You know how much I love you. We’re so close that sometimes we do that thing where we call each other at the same time. Because, in that precise moment, we both felt a cosmic need to connect.
That close.
And, on top of that, you trust me.
2/
I told you that I thought you should be vaccinated. You said something like, “I hear you.” But that? That was before we actually had a #COVIDVaccine.
So I didn’t press you.
But then the news hit. 2 vaccines—and an EUA for them to be injected into arms ASAP.
Yup.
I told you that I thought you should be vaccinated. You said something like, “I hear you.” But that? That was before we actually had a #COVIDVaccine.
So I didn’t press you.
But then the news hit. 2 vaccines—and an EUA for them to be injected into arms ASAP.
Yup.
3/
I brought it up again. You answered quickly.
You: “I’ll get it.”
Me: “Wow. Okay.”
And you went back to doing whatever you were doing.
Me: “That's all? Did you want to talk about it?”
You: *shrugging* “I mean. I’m getting it. So . . . “
You laughed.
I did not.
I brought it up again. You answered quickly.
You: “I’ll get it.”
Me: “Wow. Okay.”
And you went back to doing whatever you were doing.
Me: “That's all? Did you want to talk about it?”
You: *shrugging* “I mean. I’m getting it. So . . . “
You laughed.
I did not.
1/
#WhatsYourWhy: Day 5 of 7
Neighborhood Pizza Spot
Them: “Hey doc. . . gon' be a few more minutes.”
Me: *pinching down nose of my mask* “No prob.”
Them: “Sorry ‘bout that. You doing okay?”
Me: “Yup—you?”
Them: “Hangin' in.”
I nodded and stepped over to the side to wait.
#WhatsYourWhy: Day 5 of 7
Neighborhood Pizza Spot
Them: “Hey doc. . . gon' be a few more minutes.”
Me: *pinching down nose of my mask* “No prob.”
Them: “Sorry ‘bout that. You doing okay?”
Me: “Yup—you?”
Them: “Hangin' in.”
I nodded and stepped over to the side to wait.
2/
Them: *calling to back* “Y’all almost got that Brooklyn Style XL ready?”
Someone yelled back that it was coming out now. They looked over at me and gave me a thumbs up. I returned the gesture.
Them: “Bet y’all super busy. This pandemic is still bad!”
Me: *sigh* “Yeah.”
Them: *calling to back* “Y’all almost got that Brooklyn Style XL ready?”
Someone yelled back that it was coming out now. They looked over at me and gave me a thumbs up. I returned the gesture.
Them: “Bet y’all super busy. This pandemic is still bad!”
Me: *sigh* “Yeah.”
3/
A man walked in with a fluffy salt and pepper beard peaking around his mask. Without getting a name, they handed him two pizzas.
Man: “Be safe!”
Them: “You, too!”
Be safe.
You, too.
Me: “I love how you know everyone.”
Them: “I do know y’all!”
That made me smile.
A man walked in with a fluffy salt and pepper beard peaking around his mask. Without getting a name, they handed him two pizzas.
Man: “Be safe!”
Them: “You, too!”
Be safe.
You, too.
Me: “I love how you know everyone.”
Them: “I do know y’all!”
That made me smile.
1/
#WhatsYourWhy: Day 4 of 7
Senior Center
I stood with my gloved hands folded as she approached my station.
Her: *calling out* “Sorry I’m moving so slow.
Me: “It’s okay. Take your time.”
Slowly she approached, leaning her weight onto a four-prong cane with each step.
#WhatsYourWhy: Day 4 of 7
Senior Center
I stood with my gloved hands folded as she approached my station.
Her: *calling out* “Sorry I’m moving so slow.
Me: “It’s okay. Take your time.”
Slowly she approached, leaning her weight onto a four-prong cane with each step.
2/
She handed me her consent form and ID.
Me: “Hi! My name is Dr. Manning. I’ll be administering your #COVIDVaccine today.”
Her: *nodding* “Nice to meet you. I’m Eloise.”
Me: “Likewise, Ms. Eloise. Thanks for being so patient with us.”
Her: “It’s okay.”
*name/details changed
She handed me her consent form and ID.
Me: “Hi! My name is Dr. Manning. I’ll be administering your #COVIDVaccine today.”
Her: *nodding* “Nice to meet you. I’m Eloise.”
Me: “Likewise, Ms. Eloise. Thanks for being so patient with us.”
Her: “It’s okay.”
*name/details changed
3/
Me: “Ms. Eloise, you right-handed or left-handed?”
Her; “I’m both handed. I was left but when I was little mama’nem made me learn to use my right.”
Me: *chuckling* “Well, let’s see. . . .which arm do you prefer me to give your shot in?”
Her: “Really? Neither.”
*laughter*
Me: “Ms. Eloise, you right-handed or left-handed?”
Her; “I’m both handed. I was left but when I was little mama’nem made me learn to use my right.”
Me: *chuckling* “Well, let’s see. . . .which arm do you prefer me to give your shot in?”
Her: “Really? Neither.”
*laughter*
1/
#WhatsYourWhy, Day 3 of 7
Parking lot
I was walking to my car and saw 2 men next to a car and laughing. They appeared relaxed with one another.
Me: *waving* “Y’all doing alright?”
Them: *waving back* “Good and you?”
Me: “Trying to make it.”
They gave knowing nods.
#WhatsYourWhy, Day 3 of 7
Parking lot
I was walking to my car and saw 2 men next to a car and laughing. They appeared relaxed with one another.
Me: *waving* “Y’all doing alright?”
Them: *waving back* “Good and you?”
Me: “Trying to make it.”
They gave knowing nods.
2/
"Trying to make it."
An expression Black folks know well.
Yup.
One was wearing an Atlanta Falcons hoodie with the hood up. Only a strip of pecan-colored skin could be seen above his mask.
The other had on a thread-bare short-sleeved t-shirt & a neck gaiter over his nose.
"Trying to make it."
An expression Black folks know well.
Yup.
One was wearing an Atlanta Falcons hoodie with the hood up. Only a strip of pecan-colored skin could be seen above his mask.
The other had on a thread-bare short-sleeved t-shirt & a neck gaiter over his nose.
3/
Me: “Dang! You ain’t cold out here with that short-sleeved shirt?”
He rubbed his dark brown arms and laughed.
Hoodie: “Nah, the ashiness is protective.”
*laughter*
T-shirt: “I’ll take ashy over that wack ass Falcons hoodie.”
Me: “Yeeeah. . .not the best year for us.”
Me: “Dang! You ain’t cold out here with that short-sleeved shirt?”
He rubbed his dark brown arms and laughed.
Hoodie: “Nah, the ashiness is protective.”
*laughter*
T-shirt: “I’ll take ashy over that wack ass Falcons hoodie.”
Me: “Yeeeah. . .not the best year for us.”
1/
#WhatsYourWhy: Day 2 of 7
Cashier
Them: *ringing up items* “You find everything okay?”
Me: “Yup.”
Them: “I like your hair.”
Me: “Hey—thanks.”
Them: *nods while continuing to swipe items*
*beep-beep-beep*
Them: “Is that highlights? Or . . . .“
Me: “Grey?”
*laughter*
#WhatsYourWhy: Day 2 of 7
Cashier
Them: *ringing up items* “You find everything okay?”
Me: “Yup.”
Them: “I like your hair.”
Me: “Hey—thanks.”
Them: *nods while continuing to swipe items*
*beep-beep-beep*
Them: “Is that highlights? Or . . . .“
Me: “Grey?”
*laughter*
2/
Me: “Yup. I’m openly grey.”
*laughter*
Them: “Well, it’s working for you.”
Me: “’Preciate that.”
*beep-beep-beep*
Me: “Can I ask you a question since you got all up in my grey-hair business?”
*laughter*
Me: “You getting the #COVIDVaccine when it’s offered to you?”
Me: “Yup. I’m openly grey.”
*laughter*
Them: “Well, it’s working for you.”
Me: “’Preciate that.”
*beep-beep-beep*
Me: “Can I ask you a question since you got all up in my grey-hair business?”
*laughter*
Me: “You getting the #COVIDVaccine when it’s offered to you?”
3/
Them: *raises eyebrows*
Me: “Ha ha ha that’s not a answer.”
*laughter*
Them: “Wait--you a doctor or something?”
Me: *patting my head* “One with grey hair, yes.”
Them: *laughing* “You funny. But nah, doc. I’m cool on that vaccine.”
“Cool on” the vaccine. Hmmm.
Them: *raises eyebrows*
Me: “Ha ha ha that’s not a answer.”
*laughter*
Them: “Wait--you a doctor or something?”
Me: *patting my head* “One with grey hair, yes.”
Them: *laughing* “You funny. But nah, doc. I’m cool on that vaccine.”
“Cool on” the vaccine. Hmmm.
