Feb 18Village Talk with Toni MorrisonProvincial: Adjective: of or concerning the regions outside the capital city of a country, especially when regarded as unsophisticated or narrow-minded. “Toni Morrison is far too talented,” the critic professed, “to remain only a marvelous recorder of the black side of provincial American life.” I have long shared my complete…Toni Morrison9 min readToni Morrison9 min read
Aug 2, 2021For a prophet, on his birthday.Born this day, August 2nd in 1924, James Arthur Baldwin, was a prophet, poet, playwright, novelist, essayist, and importantly, our witness who brought with him, into the earth realm, language to loose our chains and move our mountains. This essay is also published in my newsletter, subscribe here. “Depends on…James Baldwin18 min readJames Baldwin18 min read
Apr 22, 2021Deep into the night, while roads cleared, sirens blew, the unhoused wonder; as the sun begins to…Deep into the night, while roads cleared, sirens blew, the unhoused wonder; as the sun begins to shine elsewhere, and our moon herald’s darkness, you’ll hear the laughter of the survivors. For just one, maybe two moments, they’ve forgotten the cold night of nightmares that awaits all who dare to…Love3 min readLove3 min read
Mar 29, 2021Trees are regaining their colors; spring is almost fully sprung.Trees are regaining their colors; spring is almost fully sprung. Last Friday morning, in between my sips of coffee and reading of Toni Morrison’s Sula, I got a chance to have an early morning chat with my mama. Our conversations are always warming, especially now, after not seeing each other…Spring7 min readSpring7 min read
Dec 14, 2020We Demand WitnessGetting on with James Baldwin, Lorraine Hansberry, Toni Morrison, and Alice Walker “In Paris, I began to see the sky for what seemed to be the first time. It was borne in on me and it did not make me feel melancholy that this sky was there before I was…8 min read8 min read
Aug 27, 2020What do we tell the children?Walking steadily: a right on to Washington, D.C.’s Michigan Ave, Jimi bolting for the fire hydrant, gospel begins to play. Simple pleasures of walks outside, which all should be able to enjoy, are not only a refugee from the trappings of working from home but a constant reminder: I am…7 min read7 min read
Jul 22, 2020Naming“Once you know who you are, you don’t have to worry anymore” — Nikki Giovanni When one, with a very limited understanding of oneself, and even more so, a constricted view of how they operate in and through community, gets into the ring of freedom work, they often don’t want…Naming5 min readNaming5 min read
May 29, 2020The trumpet of revolution is blown.“Negros — sweet and docile. Meek, humble and kind. Beware the day They change their mind.” Langston Hughes Comrades, The trumpet of revolution is blown. Throughout our nation, our brothers and sisters, have begun the long bloody journey towards the liberation of Black people. They changed their mind. …BlackLivesMatter4 min readBlackLivesMatter4 min read
May 19, 2020By Any Means NecessaryI wonder what the world would look like today if Brother Minister Malcolm X were still around. I ponder what diverse causes coalitions of folks would advocate and rally behind. I wonder what we could be if El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz hadn’t lost his life for speaking truth to power. Today…Malcolm X12 min readMalcolm X12 min read
