Notes by La'Rue

“As women, we should always be connected to each other, because our chains are much stronger when linked together”. ~ Deetra La’Rue

Ever rode a bike and then you heard this “clink, clink clink” noise, only to look down and see that the chain had come apart? Were you able to keep riding or if you were anything like me, did you have to keep putting the chain back on the link in which it was connected to? What happened next? You probably started to ride again, until the chain fell apart. As long as the chain was detached from the bike, you weren’t able to do anything, right? Honestly, I feel that’s what women experience when we aren’t connected together. As long as there is a detachment from one another, we aren’t really able to accomplish all that we need, and we are exactly what the other needs. 

Bonds, friendships and camaraderie are important to me, especially amongst women.  A lot of times we are met with hate, dislike and rivalry with one another, when we’ve never met each other’s acquaintance.  We make our assumptions (often times they’re wrong), judgements and opinions, without a word of “hello” and no chance at a conversation. Why? Is it intimidation? Are we jealous or envious? I’m not sure, but what I am for certain of, is women need to stay connected to each other.  We’re all powerful in our own right, but when we stick together, we are indestructible!  We can accomplish so much more, if only we extended a hand to pull the other woman/sister up.

Two of the most profound things Mrs. Michelle Obama said that stuck with me is when she spoke at a 2009 Women’s State Department Women of Courage Awards.  She stated, “Women, we must stand up for ourselves. We must stand up for each other. We must stand up for justice for all”.  Secondly, at the 2012 DNC Convention, she stated, “When you’ve worked hard, and done well, and walked through that doorway of opportunity, you do not slam it shut behind you.  You reach back”. Have you ever thought what would happen if you decided to “reach back”? Your kind gesture and moment of selflessness could be the very thing someone else needs to bring them out of a bad situation, or possibly give them the motivation and drive they need to do something for themselves, or someone else, even.

There’s this big stigma that’s followed women for years, and it’s the fact that we are catty, combative, confrontational, and simply “don’t get along”.  I wouldn’t necessarily refer to myself as catty, but I’ve been combative and confrontational, to say the least.  However, my boldness and irregards to others feelings, damaged a few relationships I’ve had with some women. My get-with-you attitude caused hurt, dissension and discord amongst us, and the moment we became disconnected, our goals and agenda suffered, and the people we sought to help were affected, in a bad way.  As a result, I lost a few links in my chain, and even though I could’ve gone on to do things on my own, I feel we would’ve been more impactful and stronger had we stayed together. 

Sometimes it takes people seeing the “team”, before they can recognize individual players. Innately, I feel women are caring, nurturing, loving and giving people, and if you’d multiple that by ten, one-hundred or one-thousand even, there’s no telling what we can do! But, we must do it together! There’s strength in numbers, and we’re stronger when were together!

Until next time my “Note” takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue