Look, let’s be real. I’m good. Actually, phenomenal. Black Girl Magic? Personified. Think mother, Black PhD, Nonprofit Founder, Professor, DEI consultant, and Mental Health Advocate. And on top of all that? A fun-loving woman who’s always ready for a good time.
But somewhere along the path of achievement after achievement, I realized I was only operating in my comfort zone, in spaces where success was practically guaranteed.
Then came the Tamia Dance. Seriously, is it just me? Because I cannot seem to nail it, and honestly, it’s driving me crazy. Me! The former high school cheerleader who brought that energy to the college dance team. The friend who could own any dance floor, move by move. The one whose dance skills (both formal and just for fun) opened doors in my professional and personal life.
I’ve been a Tamia fan since day one. Test me on her first album – I know every word. So, I’m genuinely confused. How could Tamia do this to me? Countless wedding receptions, YouTube tutorials, and backyard BBQ dance attempts, and I still can’t step, cross, and turn my way to understanding this dance. And I do not like the feeling one bit!
And that’s when it clicked. The Tamia dance is humbling me. It’s pulling me out of my illusion of perfection and forcing me to accept that I might never get this dance, and guess what? That’s perfectly fine. Joy can be found in being perfectly imperfect. Black joy can thrive in self-laughter, in embracing silliness, in letting go of external and self-imposed pressures, and simply in being present.
So, let’s take a moment to set aside the external pressures and societal expectations and just enjoy ourselves and our loved ones. Let’s channel that joyful energy and move our bodies at our next gathering. And if you happen to trip or step on a few toes on the dance floor, just laugh it off and thank Tamia for giving us the chance to be beautifully human.
