40 Search results for "toxic relationships"

Black non-monogamy is a pre-colonial practice
Valentine’s Day is tomorrow and as usual it’s got me reflecting on how utterly diabolical consumerist culture is, how it influences and perpetuates our constant need to measure who is most worthy of love, affection and gifts. And why we think it is our business to begin with. It also has me deeply bitter about […]
When combatting colorism in dating practices becomes overcompensating for guilt
By Kui Mwai Whether my friends and I are out on the town, or at home relaxing with copious glasses of wine, we talk about it all. I adore our dynamic. We are of all colors and backgrounds but are united in our respect and love for each other. We’ve managed to create a safe […]
Loving trans and non-binary folks doesn’t make you a radical
This essay contains discussions of suicide, intimate partner abuse, and transmisogyny by Indigo Since last week, dozens of activists, journalists, influencers, and entertainers have come forward to tweet and post #RIPReese, a hashtag memorializing a man named Reese who recently died by suicide. Posts raising awareness of Reese’s death came after a video was shared […]
Kaepernick isn’t the only reason working with the NFL is making a deal with the devil
By Stanley Fritz Last week, rap legend and newly minted billionaire Jay-Z showed us the limits and flaws of “Black capitalism” when he signed a deal with the NFL. This is, of course, the same league that has gone out of its way to block Colin Kaepernick from playing because he kneeled during the national […]
I’ve been intentionally single for 2 years & it’s the best gift I could give myself in a patriarchal world
Tynesha McCullers In less than a week, I will have been intentionally single for two years. My last relationship lasted almost three years and contained elements of abuse and toxicity that left me both traumatized and pessimistic about the future in regards to relationships. When things ended, I promised myself time for me and only […]
Mental Health Awareness Month shouldn’t be the only time I can talk openly about my mental health
Editor’s Note: May is Mental Health Awareness Month and National Masturbation Month. This is also the month that we celebrate Mother’s Day. At BYP, we will be exploring these topics alongside the theme of Imagination and the Arts, and we are interested in publishing works that address these topics and the things surrounding them. By […]
Nipsey Hussle’s death warrants more than a “Black Man Take Down” conspiracy theory
Editor’s Note: April is Black Women’s History Month. Throughout this month, Black Youth Project is celebrating Black women. This month is also National Minority Health Month, Autism Awareness Month, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Child Abuse Prevention Month. We are interested in publishing works that address these topics and the things surrounding them. By Deria Matthews […]
How do I admit I’m lonely when this world only values the ones who get ‘chosen’?
Admitting that I might want to have some form of partnership in my life is hard to do. To be more specific, admitting to this as a consciously single, intentionally childfree, marriage-averse, asexual/aromantic Black womxn approaching thirty is hard for me to do. The words themselves aren’t necessarily hard for me to say or write. […]
Comic: Violent heteronormativity is destroying Black families, not Black queerness
by JeCorey Holder So here we are, minding our magical, savory, Black business. Letting sons express themselves with femme aesthetics. Gay fathers taking care of their little ones. Lesbian couples looking stylish and posing with their equally stylish children. And more queer family things. You know, just being generally amazing. As we in the LGBTQ+ […]
8 ways to exist in white spaces when setting them on fire isn’t an option
by Briyana D. Clarel This summer, I attended a conference for community-minded artists in New York City. Despite the conference’s commitment to activism, days passed without any Black presenters and the few presenters of color spewed dangerous rhetoric like “We’re all immigrants” and “It’s about class, not race.” Of course, the Black contingent came through, […]
Ro Élori Cutno’s “Wife School” has always failed Black Women by peddling misogynoir to teach submission
“Let’s be honest… If Sandra Bland had a husband, she would probably be alive today. Marriage matters. Who’s your protector?” —Ro Élori Cutno by Josie Pickens Man Leads author, Ro Élori Cutno, is in the news again because of her Roots of Royals and Black Wealth U companies, and the courses it offers—especially its wife […]
The bittersweetness in Junot Diaz’s #MeToo moment and how men traumatize women on their way to healing
by Briana L. Ureña-Ravelo Content Warning: This essay mentions of r/pe of a child I just read Junot Diaz’s essay about his childhood rape and the years of sexual, romantic, and relationship trauma and toxic patriarchal behavior that followed. I applaud him opening up and owning to some really deep, dark trauma on a significantly […]