ZORA

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ZORA Check-In

Checking In: An Equal Partner Is Necessary

Aug 19, 2020
Black and white photo of Assata Shakur against a violet background.
Photo illustration; Image source: Ozier Muhammad/Newsday RM/Getty Images

“A revolutionary woman can’t have a reactionary man.” — Assata Shakur, freedom fighter

Hi ZORA fam,

I think it is exciting that we live in a digital age where women, especially women of color, can explain the weight and expectations of emotional labor within heterosexual relationships. It was something that I wasn’t privy to growing up. I thought it was just something women were supposed to do without any rhyme or reason as to why. But as my consciousness has grown, I’ve realized that my expectations for a partner have grown, too.

If we are interested in doing the necessary and often comfortable work for liberation, we cannot carry the emotional burden of our male partners. They need to be partners in every sense of the word. We need to be able to have tough conversations about how not to silence each other but to grow, to love, and do the work together.

How are you endeavoring to have an equitable relationship? #ZORACheckIn

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ZORA
ZORA

Published in ZORA

A publication from Medium that centers the stories, poetry, essays and thoughts of women of color.

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