Mind of Malaka

Disappearance and Displacement: What I Learned When I Went Back to Davistown

Posted on August 24, 2021
by Malaka
with 0 Comments

Displacement 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…

Motherhood

What I Told My 11-year-old About Her Body, Her Swimsuit, Judgement and Shame

Posted on July 29, 2021
by Malaka
with 2 Comments

Summer 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…

GH2013

Once Upon a Time, Men Held Hands in Ghana

Posted on July 23, 2021
by Malaka
with 0 Comments

My 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…

Musings

I May Not Be My Ancestors’ Wildest Dreams, But I Hope That My Life Is Something They Are Proud Of.

Posted on July 19, 2021
by Malaka
with 2 Comments

“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…

Musings

Soon Leaving Africa Voluntarily & Expeditiously

Posted on June 9, 2021
by Malaka
with 2 Comments

I 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…

Uncategorized

5 Days in Puerto Rico: Day 5 – Behind Her Smile

Posted on May 26, 2021
by Malaka
with 2 Comments

Cagney 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…

Uncategorized

5 Days in Puerto Rico: Day 4 – High Art, Low Fares

Posted on May 25, 2021
by Malaka
with 3 Comments

I 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…

Madness

5 Days in Puerto Rico: Day 3.5 – Island Vibes & Front Desk Bile

Posted on May 23, 2021
by Malaka
with 3 Comments

This 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…

Madness

5 Days in Puerto Rico: Day 3 – Rock Pools and the U-Haul Krewe

Posted on May 23, 2021
by Malaka
with 0 Comments

Trauma 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…

Madness

5 Days in Puerto Rico: Day 2 – Aggressive Raindrops, Pugnacious Dish Towels

Posted on May 21, 2021
by Malaka
with 3 Comments

"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…