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Ashley Simpo
Ashley Simpo

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Published in ZORA

·Nov 29, 2019

Kamala Harris’ New Bill for Working Families Doesn’t Go Far Enough

We need to get real about family-friendly schools and workplaces — I rushed over to my son’s parent-teacher meeting and waved hello to the front desk officer, then scrambled past the congregated parents collected in the hallway and signed my name on the check-in sheet sitting outside the classroom. It’s a rare moment, interacting with my son’s teacher, who is only…

Perspectives

7 min read

Kamala Harris’ New Bill for Working Families Doesn’t Go Far Enough
Kamala Harris’ New Bill for Working Families Doesn’t Go Far Enough
Perspectives

7 min read


Published in THOSE PEOPLE

·Oct 22, 2018

It’s Time to Talk About Our Light-Skinned Leadership

I remember the first time anyone ever called me “light skinned.” It wasn’t until my first day at Frick Middle School when a boy named Milton leaned over in first period and said: “Aye. What you mixed with?” My lineage was Chapter 8 in our social studies book: slavery. We, us black children, are sorted into rows and sections based on…

Advice And Opinion

6 min read

It’s Time to Talk About Our Light-Skinned Leadership
It’s Time to Talk About Our Light-Skinned Leadership
Advice And Opinion

6 min read


Published in THOSE PEOPLE

·Aug 28, 2018

Loving While Black

No one taught us how to do this shit. — My mother and father never taught me that ‘forever love’. I learned a temporary love from them. The kind that lasts minutes, lingers on a perfectly timed kiss, falls off, fades to black. I learned how to put up my hands in defense of love. How to cherish its memory. I knew love by ubiquitous reputation, but it slipped through…

BlackLivesMatter

5 min read

BlackLivesMatter

5 min read


Mar 8, 2017

The Mother On The Train With Bruises On Her Neck

A brief encounter with a woman on the subway this morning reminded me why International Women’s Day has to be about more than just a hashtag — I woke up this morning feeling conflicted about International Women’s Day. As I was getting ready for work, I reached for my favorite grey t-shirt (I don’t own any red clothing) and questioned my solidarity. I felt much like I did the day of the Women’s March when I chose…

Short Story

5 min read

The Mother On The Train With Bruises On Her Neck
The Mother On The Train With Bruises On Her Neck
Short Story

5 min read


Published in Bullshit.IST

·Nov 4, 2016

Your Mom Swallows

For Millennial Moms Who Like It Rough — When you become a mother, you tend to swallow. Not that. (well, yea. that too.) But I mean life. You tend to swallow life. You have to because it rushes at you in unforgiving waves. It doesn’t ask if you can take a little more. If you want to slow…

Prose

2 min read

Your Mom Swallows
Your Mom Swallows
Prose

2 min read


Published in Athena Talks

·Sep 27, 2016

Things I Write But Never Say

Men have picked me up Warmed me in hot hands Left me for dead Placed their baggage on my neck Belittled me Forced me to smile Or stay when I needed to leave Described me Without knowing me Needed me Believed in me For a time Chose me above others …

Poetry

1 min read

Poetry

1 min read


May 13, 2016

How To Raise a Child With Your Ex-Lover

You’ve Seen Each Other Naked. Now Go Forth And Co-Parent. — My ex-husband and I started out as best friends. Then accidental lovers. Then we were obsessed with each other for a while. We got married, we fought like dogs, we ended and got back together and then ended one last time. That’s the short version of our story. All lovers…

Love

8 min read

How To Raise a Child With Your Ex-Lover
How To Raise a Child With Your Ex-Lover
Love

8 min read


Published in Be Yourself

·May 7, 2016

To The Mothers of Black Sons

Everything We Fear We Must Embrace — He looked down at my son, who smiled immediately. He towered above him, 6 feet tall, posture erect from the hold of a bullet-proof vest. He smiled back at my son and asked how old he was. My child replied that he was “three and a half” and raised his…

Motherhood

5 min read

To The Mothers of Black Sons
To The Mothers of Black Sons
Motherhood

5 min read


Apr 24, 2016

Amy Joyner-Francis, Who Died For Our Sins

You Are Your Sister’s Keeper — Amy Inita Joyner-Francis was a 16 year old girl who I only know a few things about. I know she died on April 21st. I know she died in a bathroom. I know she died at the hands of her peers. The media seems to enjoy focusing on the fact…

Lemonade

4 min read

Amy Joyner-Francis, Who Died For Our Sins
Amy Joyner-Francis, Who Died For Our Sins
Lemonade

4 min read


Apr 13, 2016

Black Women Are The Black People of Black People…

A Rant About Kehlani, Trump & Why This Shit Is Your Fault — I hate that I’m uttering this name in this context but I wrote this because, Kehlani. I keep having the same conversation over and over again. The topic comes up and immediately the focus turns to Kehlani being cyber bullied. It turns to Black men and how they don’t support Black women. It turns to how suicide is “taking the punk way out”. But what is…

BlackLivesMatter

3 min read

Black Women Are The Black People of Black People…
Black Women Are The Black People of Black People…
BlackLivesMatter

3 min read

Ashley Simpo

Ashley Simpo

1.3K Followers

Freelance writer living in Brooklyn, NY.

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