Weirdos Lurking

Ever had those weirdos who lurk on your page like they’re auditioning for a reality show you didn’t greenlight? Yeah, same. I literally unfriended some folks to minimize the drama they bring. One stays up all night dissecting my posts, twisting them into some story about their lives, or convincing themselves it’s somehow all about them. It’s laughable. Someone once told me I was too nice. Maybe that’s true—but I can’t apologize for being raised to love God and live with compassion. My grandmother would just say, “Ignore them.” But here I am, finally saying what’s on my mind because staying quiet only enabled their nonsense.

Let’s break it down: These folks create their own soap operas, fueled by lies and “alternative truths.” At one point, I thought maybe my kindness could soften their hearts, but nah—scum doesn’t change. I’ve celebrated their birthdays, visited their sickbeds, called to check on them, even treated them to a meal. What did I get in return? Lies, theft, and silence when I needed them. I couldn’t even get a $1 birthday card. A whole dollar, y’all.

And then there’s the audacity. Someone lied about my child. Someone else lied to my face about throwing away food they ate. (Side note: Do y’all realize how petty and ridiculous that is?) Oh, and let’s not forget the time someone claimed I “stole a kid” like custody isn’t handled by an actual judge. Every time, I’ve chosen grace and kept quiet, but make no mistake—that silence isn’t weakness. It’s wisdom. There’s a time and place to speak, and trust me, when I do, lives would spiral faster than they’d expect.

Why share this on my art blog? Because as an artist, life inspires creativity, and sometimes, the most toxic situations and people make the best fuel for art. Recently, I watched a story, The Breakaway: Her Throne Awaits (check it out on GoodShort), where a biological child was mistreated in favor of the adopted one. That story brought up so many memories of mistreatment, lies, and betrayal I’ve faced. It reminded me that some people are here to seek and destroy. They’ll use you silently while disparaging you publicly.

But here’s the thing: I’m no longer that person who lets it slide. It’s okay to cut people off. It’s okay to set boundaries. As I celebrate my birthday, I realize my presence is a privilege, not a given. My energy is expensive, and my heart is worth defending. So, if you catch me “acting funny,” it’s not that—I’m acting renewed.

To the weirdos lurking: Don’t make something out of nothing. Yes, I posted a birthday card image of a Black woman to represent my culture. No, it’s not me—but go ahead, twist it into something it’s not. Meanwhile, I’ll be over here celebrating, knowing the truth. As the young folks say, “You don’t want this smoke.”