Navigating Imperfect Alliances: Transparency, Values, and Accountability
Transparency and accountability are the foundation of everything I stand for. Recently, I’ve realized that in my pursuit of promoting causes that matter, I’ve sometimes amplified voices or organizations that didn’t fully align with my values. I want to take a moment to be upfront about that. It’s important to me that I’m transparent with you all, and moving forward, I’ll continue to hold myself accountable to you and to my core values.
At the heart of it, I’ve always tried to amplify work that brings about positive change. Whether it’s mutual aid, organizing, or support for marginalized communities, I’ve been drawn to people and movements that are doing the work—real, tangible work. My support was never about endorsing everything a person stands for, but amplifying the impact they’re having. It’s been about the cause, the collective care, and the idea of building something better together.
But here’s the thing: as I’ve learned more, I’ve come to realize that some voices or organizations I’ve supported hold views that contradict the inclusive, intersectional values I strive for. Whether it’s exclusionary rhetoric about gender, race, or identity, I’ve had to reckon with the uncomfortable truth that my support might’ve inadvertently enabled harmful ideas. I’ll always be open about my mistakes and my learning process. This doesn’t erase the work that’s been done, but it also doesn’t mean I can stay silent when those actions or words are harmful to others.
No one is perfect, and many of the people I’ve admired and supported are, in some ways, imperfect—doing good work in one area, but holding beliefs that harm in others. This doesn’t mean I disregard their contributions, but it does mean I need to critically assess who I’m backing. The reality is that some people, even with the best intentions, have blind spots, and it’s on us to be honest about when those blind spots turn into harm. It’s about learning how to support without blindly endorsing everything someone says or does.
This is a tough one, and I know it’s not an easy conversation to have. But I think it’s necessary for progress. Moving forward, I’m committed to holding my platform to the highest standard. This means I’ll be more intentional with who I amplify and why. My commitment to inclusivity will always be at the forefront. So, from here on out, I’ll ensure that the voices I lift up truly reflect values of inclusivity, respect for all identities, and a commitment to collective care.
I’ll make sure to:
Do deeper research before spotlighting someone or something.
Listen to marginalized voices who are often the first to recognize when harm is being done.
Engage in ongoing conversations that challenge my own biases and perspectives.
And, most importantly, I’ll continue to be open and honest with all of you if I make a mistake or if I need to reassess my stance. Transparency is important to me, and I want you all to feel like we’re in this together.
I also want to hear from you. How do you navigate these situations in your own life? Have you ever supported someone or something that, over time, didn’t align with your values? How do you balance admiration for someone’s work with the need to challenge their harmful beliefs? Let’s keep this conversation going. Share your thoughts and any organizations or people you know who are doing inclusive work in ways that reflect our shared values of empowerment and care.
Navigating these situations is messy. There’s no perfect answer. But the goal is always progress—progress toward a more inclusive, compassionate world. We can continue to learn, reflect, and grow together, and I’m committed to doing just that. Thanks for being part of this journey. Together, we can keep making better, more intentional choices and create the kind of community we want to see.
With Love,
Mia Marie
The Star Tarot Card: Finding Hope, Renewal, and Power in the Darkness
When I was contemplating the progression of this series, I thought about doing the Sun, but as I reflected, I realized that the Star would be more appropriate. The typical depiction of this card is with 8 stars - 8 being about balance, resilience and infinity. Additionally, our ancient foremothers have always looked to the stars for help, just as I have, in a much more metaphorical sense. The Star in tarot often represents hope, renewal, and faith.
“But MIA! I’m not there yet!”
No, but you certainly aren’t ready for the message of the Sun, either. Baby steps.
Last week, we spoke about candle holders and light bearers on our path. What those people really symbolized more than anything was:
Hope that things weren’t as broken as they seemed
An offer of a new perspective, a renewal of sorts
Faith in myself. Because if they can do it, so can we.
If you aren’t feeling very hopeful right now, I understand.
Truth is, Bernie Sanders was supposed to be our Sun moment back in 2016, but the Moon obscured him. Sanders has been fighting the same fucking fight for civil rights and the working class since he was a young man. Now, as an elder in this struggle, he sounds the alarms on an Anti-Oligarchy tour, urging us to listen before it's too late. And while the Sun moment he could have been was eclipsed, another star burns bright—one that refuses to be drowned out.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is for the people. She has a spine. Since taking office in 2018, she’s fought for her constituents—educating them about their rights, advocating for justice, and refusing to back down. And for that, she has been met with resistance, threats, and smear campaigns. They call her radical for reminding people they have power. They undermine her while wrapping themselves in “law and order”—a phrase that only seems to apply when it protects the powerful.
Turns out, “law and order” isn’t about justice. It’s about control. As long as the enforcer is a straight white man who hates the people you do, anything goes.
But AOC isn’t the only one proving that power doesn’t belong solely to the privileged. Another star rises, equally fearless, equally relentless. Enter Jasmine Crockett.
Crockett isn’t here to play nice. She’s here to fight. A freshman congresswoman from Texas, she’s made it clear that she has no patience for hypocrisy, no tolerance for those who weaponize the law while ignoring justice. Whether it’s calling out corruption, holding the line on voting rights, or refusing to let bad-faith actors rewrite history, she shows up ready for battle. And of course, that means she’s been met with the same resistance, the same attempts to silence her, the same tired outrage from those who fear a Black woman with power and a microphone.
And history tells us exactly why.
This country has always had a problem with women who refuse to be silent. With Black leaders who refuse to be controlled. With anyone who dares to challenge the system instead of upholding it. The attacks on Crockett echo those faced by Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress, who was dismissed, undermined, and ridiculed for daring to demand a seat at the table. They echo Barbara Jordan, another Texas powerhouse, who stood before Congress in 1974 and laid out, in deliberate, unwavering tones, why Richard Nixon had to be impeached—only to be met with the same patronizing condescension that Crockett faces now.
And just like them, Crockett isn’t backing down.
It’s fully a shame that we, the people, are still fighting the same battles our grandparents and their parents fought—racism, sexism, classism, and the ever-looming threat of authoritarian regimes. But if history has taught us anything, it’s that the fight has never truly ended. Each generation picks up where the last left off, adding new voices, new tactics, and new resistance.
Shirley Chisholm fought, so Jasmine Crockett could take the mic. Barbara Jordan fought, so Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez could hold the line. And we fight, so those who come after us don’t have to start from scratch.
The stars in the sky may be ancient, but they still burn. And as long as we refuse to let the darkness swallow them, the fight isn’t over.
Spotlight:
This week I want you to tell me about the people you are looking to for hope right now. Who is leading? Who is offering perspectives worth hearing? You can email me @ andnowmau@gmail.com, leave a comment here or on any platform that brought you here.
With my eyes on the stars,
Mia Marie
Embracing Light Bearers: Navigating Darkness with Guides of Hope and Transformation
Light Bearers: Illuminators of Truth and Transformation
When we looked at the moon last week, I told you, "You have to learn to see in the dark." I did not elaborate, when perhaps I should have. When we are in the dark, it’s less about learning to see in the dark and more about finding the people already holding the light. The truth is, the dark isn’t something to conquer alone; it’s something to navigate with others who have already found their way. Those are the people who light the path for us when we can’t see the next step. And sometimes, we don’t realize how much their light is guiding us until we find our own.
As I reflect on this, I see how my own journey has unfolded through cycles of darkness and light, through fog and clarity. The dark—those moments of uncertainty and struggle—have been my teachers, just as much as the light bearers have been my guides. But it’s the light bearers who truly carry us through, illuminating the spaces where we can’t see, leading us when we’re uncertain of our own way forward.
Historically, the term "light bearer" originates from figures like Prometheus or the morning star, symbolizing enlightenment and divine illumination. In modern society, light bearers can be seen as those who challenge darkness—whether ignorance, oppression, or systemic injustice. They are the activists, educators, healers, and artists who spread awareness or foster change.
I’ve been reflecting on my personal path a lot lately, especially in light of the challenges a few close women in my life are facing. It has made me deeply grateful for the women who helped shape me—those who, like lamp posts in the dark, held up a light just when I needed it most.
I’ve often spoken about the fog—the uncertainty, the confusion, the feeling of being lost. At times, it felt like nothing was clear, and the path ahead was veiled. But every time I’ve found myself lost, I’ve been guided by women who carried their light. These women didn’t just show me the way; they shone through the fog, their presence a beacon that led me forward, offering clarity when I needed it most.
I am thankful for my mother. She broke many cycles for her children, showing me what strength looks like and instilling in me high standards, a strong work ethic, and a drive to succeed. Yet, for all she broke, she also passed down family trauma and patterns I had to learn to dismantle. In a strange and twisty way, that too was a blessing. It forced me to become conscious of what I carried, to decide what was mine to keep and what needed to be left behind.
Because of the way my life unfolded, I met many strong and wonderful women—cycle breakers in their own right. These women appeared always at the right time, guiding me through the fog.
To my foster mother, who tried so hard to build a relationship with me—thank you for putting in the work. It wasn’t easy, but you never gave up. You helped prepare me for my role as a step-parent and showed me that healthy relationships were possible, even when I didn’t yet know how to create one.
To my friend in Quasqueton, who taught me how to have fun but also showed me the importance of self-sufficiency—thank you for opening your home and your story to me. I know I didn’t finish school, but I promise you, no one has ever been able to trap me. I always found a way to take care of myself. And more than that—I'm still here because of you. I was so close to giving up back then, but you gave me a reason to hold on.
To my friend from the little golf club restaurant, who was always unapologetically herself and inadvertently set me on a career path that lasted a decade—thank you for believing in me.
To the woman from that same restaurant who taught me that liking your partner is just as important as loving them—thank you for that wisdom. Love can be complicated, but genuine fondness is a strong foundation.
To my former boss, at that same restaurant —thank you for being an example of strength and grace. You showed me what leadership should look like, and your presence was refreshing in ways I didn’t fully appreciate at the time.
To the woman who trained me in my first career outside of food service—thank you for teaching me, for loving me, for seeing something in me when I wasn’t sure what I had to offer.
To my friend in Badger, who loved me when I questioned if I was even lovable—thank you for sharing your pain and letting me share mine. More than anything, thank you for gently pushing me to create. Your perspective shaped me at a pivotal moment, and I carry it with me still.
To my sisters—thank you for letting me watch your journeys unfold, sparing me from learning some lessons the hard way. Your growth and healing made it possible for me to start my own.
I am grateful for all these women and many more. I didn’t feel like an adult until I turned 30, but now—now I get to be the candle for others. The women before me carried their light, passing it down when I needed it most. And now, it is my turn to hold the flame for those still finding their way.
To all who have shared their wisdom, their kindness, and their light—thank you.
Connection to The Star Tarot Card
As we transition to exploring The Star tarot card next week, consider how your journey from darkness to light mirrors the card's symbolism of hope and renewal after upheaval. The Star represents the guiding light that appears after the destruction of The Tower and the illusions of The Moon—much like how the light bearers in your life appeared during your times of uncertainty and struggle.
This Week's Spotlight: Kamilah Joy
Kamilah Joy (@healwithkamilahjoy on TikTok) is emerging as a prominent figure in the field of Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Coaching. Her impact was particularly felt during last year's Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, when she courageously invited survivors to share their stories.
As a Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Coach, Kamilah Joy embodies the role of a "light bearer," guiding those who have experienced narcissistic abuse through their healing journey. Her approach aligns with the growing recognition of the unique challenges faced by survivors of narcissistic abuse and the specialized support they require.
Kamilah Joy offers various resources through her TikTok account, including her "Wounds to Worth Express" class and other events. These offerings likely focus on empowering survivors, helping them rebuild their self-esteem, and providing tools for recovery - key aspects of narcissistic abuse recovery coaching.
Her presence on social media platforms like TikTok allows her to reach a wide audience, providing accessible information and support to those who may be struggling with the aftermath of narcissistic abuse. By encouraging survivors to share their stories, she's creating a supportive community and raising awareness about narcissistic abuse.
For those interested in learning more about Kamilah Joy's work or accessing her resources, her Linktree can be found in her TikTok bio. As a beacon for those navigating the darkness of narcissistic abuse recovery, Kamilah Joy is indeed "one to watch" in this crucial field of healing and empowerment.
With Love holding my little candle,
Mia Marie
