Don't Get Political They Said...

They always said “don’t get political” in the workplace.

But what do you do when your whole existence is political?

When the validity of your birthright on this bordered land is up for debate in court rooms?

When protected status that cover loved ones are threatened?

When your people learn to hide and walk with bowed heads because their skin color and accents may just reveal some truth. A truth that, if in the wrong hands, could be used politically against them.

We did it for a while. The “don’t do politics here” thing. But we’ve carried the weight of it despite. We learned to silence our voice and confine our opinions with fragile walls of complacency for the sake of golden handcuffs.

We kept the corporate space ‘peaceful’ and ‘safe’ yet chaos filled our lungs with every headline and we learned breathing exercises to remind our nervous system we’re okay, we’re safe. But are we? Were we?

What do you do when politics do you?

When the systemic disrespect finally catches up and the reality is broadcasted for the masses? And now they know, too.

What do you do when you can no longer run on the hamster wheel and you stop long enough to realize politics has always affected you, loomed over you, lived with you, walked by you. How do you move in this moment? When truth is blatantly obvious to everyone, too.

I'm choosing to move the only way I really know how to — with the people. Art is resistance and my art form is storytelling. I used to think consistency was key, to put out something often as possible. But a friend, and recent Hella Latin@ guest Dani Adaliz reminded me that art isn't meant to be a full time job.

There are two recent conversations I've had that give you a glimpse into my life and my experience living in the in between. If you haven't already, check out this conversation with Hady Méndez on her series, Latinas Front & Center. We talk all things first gen and navigating career and workplaces in this climate.

Another convo you should check out happened on Travarus Fauntleroy and Taylor Falls's Care to Elaborate Podcast where they talk tech, business and beyong. This episode is HEAT — we keep it real, and the chisme is hot. Sneak peek below:

Even our bodies are political — and I mean the literal female body. In the recent Hella Latin@ episode, I talk to a certified menstrual nutritional fitness coach to discuss body literacy. We dive deep into our biological make up and how we're quite literally not designed to function in a regular 9-5 daily structured routine.

So no, you’re not crazy. You’re just operating in a system that wasn’t built for you.

I really do believe we have choice, so, how will you choose to move in this moment?

Hella Latin@ available on all major podcast platforms. Tap in. Audio and video available on Spotify, or watch on YouTube.

Con mucho amor,

Odalys Jasmine