Reproductive coercion is one of those things people rarely name, but too many of us have lived through.

It’s when someone strips you of the right to control your own body—pressures you into pregnancies, hides your birth control, uses religion or fear to manipulate your choices. It’s abuse. Period.

For me, it looked like being told motherhood was my only option. That my value was tied to how much I could give—even if I was dying inside while doing it. I didn’t get to choose when I became a mother. I was never asked if I wanted to carry that weight. And when I tried to speak up, I was met with silence or shame.

This happens to Black women more than people want to admit. We’re forced to be strong, to endure, to never break. But what about rest? What about freedom? What about the version of our lives we never got to live?

Some of us are still grieving that life—the one where we were allowed to choose.

You are not broken for feeling that grief.

You are not ungrateful for wishing things were different.

You are human.

This isn’t about blame. It’s about truth.

And the truth is: you deserved better.

“I didn’t choose this, but I’m choosing to heal from it. That is my freedom.”

– Rebecca Fox

👩🏽‍💻 we’re talking The Rise and Fall of Celebrity Worship Culture.

Before the episode drops next week make sure you read Wednesday’s blog: ⬇️

“Double Stand Why Some Celebrities Get a Pass.”

It all leads to Next Friday’s conversation.

where the truth speaks louder than the hype.