Tag: my world

gratitude, Life

Clyde Kennard and JET Magazine

Shaun Bradford

Last night I attended a lecture about a local civil rights icon, Clyde Kennard. Clyde Kennard was the first African American to attempt to enroll at what’s now the University of Southern Mississippi. Although he became part of civil rights history, he wanted to enroll for the same reason as everyone else—to get an education.

Clyde Kennard’s story is one of segregation, mistreatment, betrayal, imprisonment, illness, and unwavering hope. Until his death, Mr. Kennard hoped to see a world where everyone was treated fairly, equally, and had the same educational opportunities.

Here’s a short documentary about Clyde Kennard— Measure of Progress: The Clyde Kennard Story. Produced by Dr. Alysia Burton Steele and Bobby D. Steele, Jr.

Research on Clyde Kennard’s story was conducted by Dr. Sherita L. Johnson, Dr. Loren Saxton Coleman, Dr. Cheryl Jenkins, and Dr. Rebecca Tuuri. Their latest project is the book “Mixing: Race, Higher Education, and the Case of Clyde Kennard.”

So, you may be wondering why I included JET Magazine in the title. Well, much of the information gathered for the book came from the scholars (mentioned above) following the work of journalists and photographers who documented Clyde Kennard’s story in JET Magazine. Last night, they explained how Jet Magazine was the only national publication that humanized Mr. Kennard’s story.

From their lecture, I also learned that JET Magazine was one of the few national publications that conducted extensive research to present African American stories. For me, learning this was one of those indescribably beautiful moments. You see, I still have copies of JET Magazine. I look through them from time to time, but rarely stop to read the articles. I’m pretty sure I read a few of the articles when I purchased them, but I never considered the work that went into presenting those stories. This week, I plan to take a moment and read a few articles with this thought in mind.

I also have copies of Ebony, Essence, and Sister 2 Sister magazines.

Y’all, I truly love my life! If you only knew what I’m feeling right now. The only way I can describe it is Forrest Gump-ish—I’m surrounded by and standing in the midst of history.

My life and MY GOD! I can’t express it enough, I just love the way He loves me. I am truly blessed.🥰

This is all I have for now. Thanks for stopping by and reading. I pray you have a wonderful day!♥️

I love you,

Shaun

**Be sure to stop by Shaun’s Daily Inspiration and get your daily dose of inspiration.

Life

Just Gonna Sit This Right Here

Shaun Bradford

Feeling a bit disturbed. Didn’t wake up this way, but feeling it now.

A few weeks ago, I saw that an ex had started following me on Facebook. I tried to ignore the likes. But then he messaged me. That was the wrong move. I knew that responding would’ve opened a door that closed decades ago. Forgiveness doesn’t mean access. BLOCKED.

Just checked another Facebook account and here he is again with another follow—not even four hours ago. This time BLOCKED off the bat.

I’ve come too far to relive 30+ years ago. It took me forever to get my life back on track. That time and space is somewhere I never want to revisit.

If he’s the same person I knew back then, then I know he’ll see this message.

This is for YOU…

The love I had for you was ages ago and only for that moment. There’s no going back. I’ve moved on. You may have changed like you said, and I pray that you truly have. I wish you nothing but peace. I pray that you find love and live out the rest of your life at its best. May everything you touch prosper and be successful. I truly want you to be happy and blessed.🙏🏽

My life…

Why am I hearing Mary J. Blige singing “No more pain…”

No more drama.

No more pain.

Not this time.

Sorry to have included you all in the conversation, but it needed to be said.

I pray y’all have a glorious Self-Love Saturday! May it be filled with lots of love and joy.♥️

I love you,

Shaun

**Be sure to stop by Shaun’s Daily Inspiration and get your daily dose of inspiration.

Life

Hands Off The Brakes, Part 2

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning☀️

I’m just going to jump right into this ramble. I have a lot to unpack. Today, I’m more focused on the release than the structure of how it flows. Please bear with me.

First, when I saw Tyler Perry’s post about this being one of his most powerful films, I already knew it was going to be deep. So I intentionally waited until the end of the day to watch it. I needed to be able to sit in whatever he was bringing. Yeah… he can get deep like that.

Anyhoo… yesterday was already emotional for me. I saw that a magazine article I interviewed for had been published. According to the date, it was actually published two days earlier, but I had just received the link. I had so many mixed emotions about the article. I second-guessed everything I had said. I kept thinking, maybe I had overshared or didn’t share enough. But the biggest thing was what my siblings would think about what I shared. It was nothing bad, just my take on our reality growing up. I wish that I could’ve shone a better light on my mom in the article. It doesn’t mention that she graduated early from high school and went to college. It doesn’t mention her surviving abuse and paving the way for me and my siblings to have better lives than she did. There was so much I wish I’d mentioned, but didn’t. So yesterday, when I received the link to the article, I hesitated to share it with them. I shared it with my daughter first, and she said it was a great article. She couldn’t understand why I didn’t want to share it. But I know my siblings…

I finally got the courage to share it with them and let them know I was going to post it on Facebook. It was my homage to my mom. The sacrifices she made were so that we could be who we are. So that I could be who I am. Here’s the link to the article if you’d like to read it— Conversations with LaShaundrea Bradford

Back to Tyler Perry’s movie, Doing Life, without giving too much away. The story isn’t only a love story but also centers around a sick mother and her three adult daughters and their dynamics. Unlike the mom in the movie, my mother was never harsh or cold. Now, she wasn’t the hugging type and did yell a lot, but she never cussed at us or called us out of our name. Not even when she was frustrated with us and in pain. In all honesty, she was a people pleaser, and she got her heart broken so many times, but it never stopped her from doing for others or giving. That was my mom.

So when I said I was feeling so many mixed emotions, that’s what I meant. The next is about the main storyline itself. I ended my last post with, “Every woman deserves a Carousel.” Well, Carousel was the main male character, and Anika was his love and one of the sick mother’s daughters. Again, not going to give anything about the movie away. I just loved the way Carousel cared for Anika. He kept telling her that he had her, and y’all, he did!

I don’t know about you, but that’s what I’ve always longed for in a relationship. For a man to have my back. For him to be someone I can truly count on. Not someone who talks the talk but can’t walk the walk. Carousel was that man. Whatever he said, he backed it up with action! Now, I know this was just a fictional story, but I truly believe men like Carousel exist. I always have. Hence the reason I want to get married again. I want my Carousel!😂 So, yeah, that was the other part of my mixed emotions.

Y’all, life is something else! It definitely be lifeing. You never know what people are going through unless they decide to share. Like I just did. Smile

Welcome to my world!

This is all for now. It’s Self-Love Saturday. Be sure to do something extra special for yourself. You deserve it!♥️

I love you,

Shaun

**Be sure to stop by Shaun’s Daily Inspiration and get your daily dose of inspiration

Ummm… why didn’t nobody mention that I was misspelling BRAKES!!! I just caught this!🥴

hope

Happy 7th Anniversary

Shaun Bradford

All smiles! I wasn’t expecting to see this—the notification just popped up!

I can’t believe I created “It’s Shaun’s World” seven years ago!! Wow! Happy Anniversary to me!✨

Thank you for rocking with me for seven years! I love you!!♥️🥰♥️

hope

Three More Weeks!

Shaun Bradford
I’m almost 52!!☺️✨🥰

Lately, I have been intentionally stepping outside my comfort zone, doing new things, and meeting new people. I’m absolutely loving this space over 50. I will be 52 in exactly three weeks.

God is so good.

I am truly, truly blessed.🥰

Shaun

hope

My Journey With God, No. 83

Shaun Bradford

This morning, I’m so very thankful and grateful I am not in the same space I was six years ago. On April 11, 2019, I reclaimed my life by sharing my fears with the world. Before then, the only ones who knew, and I feel cared, were my two hearts. When I tried to share my fears and concerns with other close family, I was told I was overreacting. That the fear was all in my head. I’ve said this many times before, when I say I’m so grateful to still be here, believe me, I’m grateful to still be here. Y’all, God is so good, merciful, and gracious. Here’s the mental and emotional space I was in six years ago.

April 11, 2019

That day, I stopped living and moving in fear. A little over a month later, my ex finally signed the divorce papers. Although I felt somewhat free, it wasn’t until a week before my 46th birthday, when the judge signed my papers, that I knew I was actually free.

When someone tells you they are afraid, believe them. I don’t care how nice or good you may believe someone to be, believe the person who is afraid. They’re not overreacting. My ex did not want to let me go. We had been separated and going through the divorce process for over four years and he was still texting me saying I would always be his wife (kept the communication open because my son was still a minor). It was a very scary situation to be in. Again, I am so grateful I am still here. I’m so grateful I’ve been able to watch my babies become thriving adults. Y’all, I do not take my life for granted at all.

I’m still here!

Beyond Blessed♥️

Shaun

hope

Encouragement

Shaun Bradford

This is very random…

Sitting at my desk and noticed the “Trust” rock I wrote about several posts ago. It’s funny how, in years, I have rarely turned the rock over. I never had a reason to until today. After picking it up, I noticed a bit of white paint peaking around the side, so I flipped it over. I forgot that I had written “Encouragement!!” on the other side. Now, I really want to know the full story about the rock. What was the assignment that day, and why did I write encouragement on the other side instead of something else? Life is truly interesting. I have to do better at leaving myself notes. Lol

This is the Facebook memory I shared with my other post.
Here’s the front of rock today (7 years later).
Here’s the backside.

All I can think of is I must have known I would need encouragement to rebuild trust.

Or maybe the two aren’t even related. Perhaps I just needed encouragement.

I guess we’ll never know.😅

Welcome to my world!♥️

Shaun

hope

Love, AGAIN?!

Shaun Bradford

HAAAA!!

NOPE.

I believe I have written enough about love. I’m just going to let it flow freely from me to you. May you feel it through every post I make. Feel it. Receive it. Then, pass it along. Just know that I really do love you, though.🥰

Here’s a find from my saved photos. As always, I’m not sure why I take pictures of random things, but they always make me smile whenever I come across them. This one definitely made me smile. The 80’s. MTV. Cyndi Lauper. Love (yeah… there’s no way around it🤷🏽‍♀️😌).

March 24, 2020

“Time After Time” by Cyndi Lauper

Welcome to my world!

Gotta love life.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

hope

Create

Shaun Bradford

Create!

Create whatever your heart desires.

Creating what you’ve envisioned may take years, but don’t let time and setbacks discourage you.

Never, ever stop creating.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

Life

I Gave In

Shaun Bradford

Soooo….

I’m now on Threads! Yes, I’m finally there. I was so hesitant because I did not want to get sucked down another rabbit hole. However, when I found out I could share links, I was sold. Now I can finally share my blogs with my IG family.

Let’s see where this goes!💛