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…

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…

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…

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…

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 …

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…

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…

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…

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…