by Bree Jones I have never been one for democracy Or the hypocrisy of vicious politicians Twisted with deceit, hungry for the defeat Of opulent opponents Making lions of lambs The slaughter of women and men in different lands The trifles of rifles, cease fires Or murders by the invisible hand So paint the …
by Aja Witt inspired by Feminista Jones When I am Liberated I will learn to love I will learn to trust To see my worth My worth Which you ignore To harass my spirit My soul My people When I am Liberated I will speak freely Understanding that your ‘isn’t’ ain’t better than my ‘axe’ …
by Marquise Jackson *Shhhhhhh…* Listen to how her voice carries the softness of her words She speaks with such confidence because the people around her don’t give her any or have much of it themselves. Talk about an unstable environment The people around you love to see your success grow as long as it doesn’t …
by Jim Baker I shoulder open the door of Rosemont Middle School’s boys’ locker room for the first time in seventeen years. It swings inward with an oxidizing metal-on-metal screech. By now someone has probably replaced the ancient hinges that used to make that noise, but that sound is indelibly etched in my memory. I …
by Victoria Hatch Beauty Because I am Black. I am beautiful. My skin is rich, blended with melanin. It glows and glistens in the light. My natural curls blow in the wind Kinky, bouncy, and full of life. Because I am Black. I am beautiful. From my sweet honey stare To my little brown toes. …
by Erica Ramaekers I desperately needed answers. In was the summer of 2016, a month before my 21st birthday, I found myself at the Seashore Psychology Clinic. I had spent two and half years in community college and one semester at the University of Iowa, but had not yet gotten my AA degree. There were three …
by JaMeisha Morgan Growing up in Flint, Michigan, contrary to popular belief, was really good for me. It was my mom, me, and my siblings, and we were living a happy and comfortable life surrounded by extended family. All that changed when I turned seven years old. My mom started dating a guy she knew …
Audrey Lyall, “Join My Militia, 2016” Between you and the people you love, between you and your body, between you and your dreams, regrets, and fears, where and how does power and politics insert themselves? The personal is political, and yet the moments in our lives where power is felt most acutely are the ones …