Musings2021 was an incredible year. Now, I am willing to concede that any block of time sparkles – blindingly – in comparison to the hellscape that was 2020, however in real and quantifiable terms I can confidently say that this year was one of the most amazing of my life. Let’s acknowledge the givens: There […]
MotherhoodThe rules of Thunderdome are easy: Two men enter, one man leaves. This is what it’s felt like living with my son for the past 18 months – like I’m locked in a cage fight with an adversary bent on bending me to his will or causing my destruction if I refuse to break. All […]
MarriageAhhhh, the Yuletide. Do you know why they call this the “most wonderful time of the year”? Okay, truth be told there isn’t one specific reason, but for folk like me the Chritsmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa portion of the year brings so much joy for one simple reason: It’s changeless, stable and in many cases solid in its […]
MotherhoodThis morning I got a call from my son’s homeroom teacher. She told me she had a bit of bad news to share. My thoughts immediately went to the worst possible scenario. Was my son dead??? And how did it happen?!? Why else would she be calling me at 8:20am, when I had just dropped […]
MadnessI am not the most meticulous person, but I do believe in the power and efficiency of lists. Most mornings I create a to-so list for the day and relish the rush of crossing off action items throughout the day. Extra thrill points if I’m able to accomplish these items on their designated hour. Two […]
MusingsI was a Mass Media major at Hampton University. When I graduated in 2000 you had to wait for your roommate to get off the phone so that you could use the internet; Facebook and Twitter did not exist; we were all getting our music on Napster and chat rooms gave us (or we believed) […]
MusingsTW: This post discusses suicide and suicidal ideations. “Mom? What are your flaws?”“I don’t have any flaws,” I tease. “I’m so amazing even my mistakes are perfect.” My teen snorts dismissively at my brash declaration – something I borrowed from my Harlem Renaissance reader and a great Black mind I have misquoted – and begs […]
The South African SeriesIt’s finally November! While our cousins in the Northern Hemisphere are busting out their boots and preparing to flavor everything with pumpkin spice, we down here in Mzansi are getting ready for summer. It took a while to get used to spending Thanksgiving and Christmas in the heat, but I can think of worse ways […]
MotherhoodIt hits me, on occasion. What, you ask? That I am nearing the end of my motherhood journey… Or at least in the conventional understanding and/or definition of the term. Who is a mother? What does she do? She’s someone: Who wipes your noseWho cooks/provides your mealsWho taxis you from one venue to the next… […]
MotherhoodI have a friend named D*. She is a soulmate and a light in my life; and if our friendship could be described as a masala, she brings the sweetness while I contribute the spice. My life is far more interesting with her in it, and through her life I’m able to get a glimpse […]
MotherhoodGuest post written by Elena Stewart Most parents want the absolute best for their children. You want your children to live a vibrant childhood, and when you imagine your kids growing up, you probably like to think of them achieving their goals and living happy, healthy lives. A healthy life, both now and in the […]
MotherhoodDisplacement With a week left before I had to fly back to South Africa, I decided that another trip to Davistown, KY would be in order. When would I have this opportunity again? God and the ancestors had extended what was supposed to be a seven week sojourn to collect my daughter into a three-month […]
MotherhoodSummer is in full swing and with it has come all the joys of the season:Lightning bugs on full bioluminescent display.Lips stained purple, red and blue from frozen popsicles sucked lazily through a plastic case.Bike rides, jump rope and asphalt turned a temporary chalky rainbow if it’s not too hot out, and hours indoors spent […]
GH2013My earliest memories of Ghana are centered the market. “They” must’ve taken me there often in order for these memories to be so indelibly printed in my mind. Or perhaps a singular visit left such an impression that my imagination has created multiple visits. I have memories of a muddy ground.Nkatie cake cut into sharp-edged […]
Musings“Are we the Gatekeepers of the Great Negro Library?” “What?!?” “The Negro Library. Are we the Gatekeepers?” “Malaka, what are you talking about???” “Oh, God. No! I’m gone again…” Whoosh! Off I went to the next corner of space. I may – or if I actually had some shame – may have not told you […]
MusingsI was doomscrolling Twitter yesterday while waiting for my daughter to finish her hair at the salon. My Twitter feed is usually a mashup of human rights violations out of West Africa, Eskom plunging Mzansi in relentless darkness and food preparation videos. It can get really heavy, but at least Twitter’s algorithm gives me some […]
UncategorizedCagney was incensed. “You mean to tell me these people can’t tell the difference between me and my boojie behind and these ghetto birds strolling around here in their socks and fuzzy house shoes?”She was reacting to Enrique’s analysis of events. I hate to categorize people one way or another, but her description was not […]
UncategorizedI woke up the next morning with a burning throat and the flames of my compassion doused. I was sick; my body reacting to the numerous allergens in the hotel room and my psyche affected by the series of quarrels the evening prior. The Fellowship had been broken. Frodo had lost his damn mind, Legolas […]
MadnessThis story concludes the events of Day 3 For the first time that we’d been in San Juan, I didn’t notice the side cut eyes, the inhospitable nature of the hotel staff or the way locals looked through you as you walked by. You have to understand: I’d lived the majority of my life in […]
MadnessTrauma bonded. That’s how our quartet described itself after we’d spent the day together. We’d been corralled together by one person’s inconsideration and neglect and would remain tethered to one another for…God knows how long? Individually we’d imagined a long time. “Last night I told Cagney that you two better be our friends after this!” […]
Madness“The girls will meet us at El Jibarito for lunch. Then we’ll figure out what to do next.” My sister was standing on the balcony overlooking the lagoon. In 24 hours we’d been in Puerto Rico, the balcony had become the place that she retreated to when she felt angry, despondent or disappointed. She spent […]