347 Search results for "conversations"

Reproductive justice advocacy requires more than being “pro-choice”
Editor’s Note: June is LGBTQ Pride Month. At BYP, we will be exploring gender, sexuality, transgender issues and queer theory, and we are interested in publishing works that address these topics and the things surrounding them. We want to hear from you! Send us your pitches at info@blackyouthproject.com By Jallicia Jolly Amidst the spate of […]
Why we need to stop excluding Black populations from ideas of who is “Indigenous”
*Editor’s note: This piece has been deeply informed by conversations with my friend and colleague Preston Anderson through the years, among other things. A few months ago, I posted a Facebook status regarding a viral meme featuring Disney’s cartoon version of Pocahontas and John Smith, arguing that it promoted white supremacist ideas of interracial relationships […]
We shouldn’t be surprised by Jay-Z’s NFL move. He’s always been a capitalist & this is what capitalism looks like
By Brittani McNeill By now, we’ve all seen the news about Jay-Z’s new partnership with the NFL. The rap mogul, through a deal between the league and his company Roc Nation, will serve as an advisor, helping to select music for NFL events, including the Super Bowl, and lead conversations about “social justice.”
The trans child in me still needs to feel wanted
by Jamila Dawn Mitchell I’m writing this because I need to feel wanted. That’s it. It may sound selfish to most. To a psychologist, though, this makes sense. Most things we do are done in spite of our desire to want to be loved. The sense of belonging is the essence of our humanity and […]
The Black body remembers our traumas even when we try to forget
By Najya A. Williams Throughout my childhood, my mom always scheduled early morning dental appointments to accommodate the remarkably busy lives we both led. Once I was old enough to schedule my own visits, I unsurprisingly fell back into this familiar routine. I normally don’t think twice about my check-ups, especially if I’m not experiencing […]
Comic: Allies, respect that some spaces aren’t for you
by JeCorey Holder As discourse bubbles over a white cosplayer winning first place at a Black Nerd convention (something that I, in my naive sliver of optimism, am still hoping was a misunderstanding), my mind falls upon the white allies who celebrate Black people having our own spaces… Only to swerve well out of their […]
For Black women and girls who aren’t “autistic enough”
by Jo (Foderingham) Brown I remember sitting in the cafeteria in kindergarten when something made me feel anxious. When I was around this age, if I felt that way, I would physically ground myself: I’d clench my fists really hard or get up and move around. This particular day while my empty lunch box was […]
Separating art from the artist debate misses the mark
by Shae De Pass Content Warning: this article contains discussions of abuse and sexual assault The “separating art from the artist” debate – which is usually mentioned in light of celebrity wrongdoing – is nothing new. However, it seems to come up more often as we are constantly exposed to the intimate life details of celebrities. […]
Anti-Asian Violence—it runs deeper than hate
by Diane Wong Since the start of the pandemic, there has been an alarming increase and series of violent hate crimes against Asian Americans. In the last two months alone, Pak Ho a 75 year old Chinese American was killed in Oakland Chinatown, Vicha Ratanapakdee a 84 year old Thai man was violently shoved to […]
When Black women make mistakes, we deserve compassion, not public ridicule
By now, many of us have learned of Tessica Brown’s devastating story. Last week, Brown, a Black woman from Lousiana, posted a TikTok that went viral when she admitted her hair has been stuck in the same hairstyle for a month. After running out of her usual Got 2 B Glued freezing spray, Brown decided […]
Comic: Tired of hearing about slavery? There is plenty more to discuss.
by JeCorey Holder I’m sure you’ve seen white people get their trust funds in a bunch and moan about how ”All you Black people do is talk about slavery” whenever one of us breathes funny or something. White people do know that slavery isn’t all we have on them, right? There’s plenty we can talk […]
My mother proved protection is possible without police, even if she doesn’t know it
Sometimes, an answer is not an answer to everyone. Sometimes, whether something is an answer depends, like seeing a blue or gold dress or hearing yanny or laurel in that auditory illusion. Or like when Black people are finally allowed in token numbers to receive a few of the laurels we hear we should always […]