Reading Zora Neale Hurston and Audre Lorde led me to question myself about the stance I take on activism. These writers represent two polar ideals of being that I have struggled to find identification with. Zora Neale, my humanist hero who finds that everyone should enjoy being in her company, and Audre, my radical writer … Continue reading Oppression Expression: Answering Zora Neale and Mother Lorde
Botham Jean: When Your Politics Present a Challenge
Amber Guyger was sentenced to 10 years in prison on October 1st, 2019 for the murder of Botham Jean on September 6th, 2018. The murder of Black folks by the hands of officers is nothing new. What made this case extremely peculiar was that he was murdered in his own home. Guyger, apparently, thought that … Continue reading Botham Jean: When Your Politics Present a Challenge
What My Mama Told Me
What my mama told me My mama told me to grow up And be beautiful like our sunset, But what she forgot to tell me Was to pack a gun for the world I was growing into had men with no scruples And no respect for women So before the sunset I had packed my … Continue reading What My Mama Told Me
My Name Resides in Shabby Conformation
My name resides in shabby conformation I take a few steps but then Fail to find the strength to face them Spank! I feel a hand on my bum I turn to shriek but words do not come out of my mouth Words have always failed me I cover my body in thick robes For … Continue reading My Name Resides in Shabby Conformation
To All the Men Who Have Fetishized Me Before
“I’m a gentleman lives in _____________ looking for a long term relationship dating also hanging out. I believe in treating a woman with respect and honor I am 5”11 prefer African American and Hispanic types of women no offense at all just my preference of what I like also open to dating outside my race … Continue reading To All the Men Who Have Fetishized Me Before
Crown Her With Many Crowns
I did not always appreciate my Blackness. I used to be one of those “I’m not Black, I’m O.J.” types that purposefully eschewed the culture in favor of a more centrist approach to interpersonal relationships. I grew up and still reside in a place called Woodbridge, Virginia, just a half hour down the road from … Continue reading Crown Her With Many Crowns
An Excerpt From the Upcoming Novel “Of Cats and Women”
The Following Excerpt is from Brittany Jeter's upcoming novel, "Of Cats and Women." "Var always been dismissive to Joy, and Joy always been the type of girl who takes up space without even trying. Vita knew Var hated that shit about her so every time she calls she brags about Joy getting her LPN and … Continue reading An Excerpt From the Upcoming Novel “Of Cats and Women”
Fire and Mud
Dirt on my tongue Each time I swallow my protests It travels past my throat And down my esophagus Each time I walk into a room And see stolen work caged and imprisoned Dirt in my mouth As I listen to them speak About those that look just like me A pat on my shoulder … Continue reading Fire and Mud
Black Music
The nerve of white men To read my email To read my email To read my email And still misspell my name He giggles and shrugs and says "its just so different" He’s never heard it before "Just where does that name come from?" "How does one get it out?" It is one name that … Continue reading Black Music
Stage 2
angry black girls clenching desks with tight fists holding their breath a breeze passing through their hair the pale hand of yet another ghost angry black girls the blacker the berry, sweet blood from biting lips holding one's tongue angry black girls sitting on stoops braiding hair summer was made for us and yet, Double … Continue reading Stage 2
