621 Search results for "feel good"

Professionalism is a lie, sheltering in place is no exception
Whether we want to admit it or not, there’s a superficial boundary between professionalism and unprofessionalism that undergirds constant productivity, capital and unhealthy notions of self worth. This boundary exists to reinforce white supremacy, carcerality, punishment, policing and surveillance. The structures that legitimize this faux boundary do so in service of themselves always. All the […]
COVID-19 or not, Black folks are building virtual spaces of joy, intimacy and tenderness
The impacts of capitalism and society’s never ending romanticization of working hard, being productive and making money (lest we be labeled lazy) have done a disservice to our relationships. We usually don’t have time to check in because even when we are off of work, we’re too exhausted to be present enough to support vulnerable, […]
I became a sex and consent educator with Black youth in mind
by Maya Williams This essay mentions r/pe. One day, in the fifth grade, I was playing outside and fell on my crotch. I ran inside crying to my mom, “I hurt my…my…” gesturing to my pelvic area, “bad part.” The one thing I can appreciate from my mother was how she immediately responded, “No, your […]
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 […]
The Revolution of Black Mothering: Confronting a future that doesn’t always include us
by Hess Love belly of boat dissolves you, precipitates you into nonword from which you cry out, generates clamor of your protests, boat is your womb, a matrix, yet it expels you- Edouard Glissant I always wanted to be a mother. I wanted motherhood’s playfulness, its duty, its imagination and selflessness. Like most people that […]
The challenges of relearning intimacy as a Black woman when your parents never showed affection
Editor’s Note: This Sexual Health and Awareness month, we will be exploring related issues at BYP, and we are interested in publishing works that address these topics. What does sexual health look like outside of cishetero norms? Where does the #MeToo movement go from here? What can we do to better support survivors, including survivors […]
Make sure you affirm and support risk-takers in public, not in private with microappreciations
by Tynesha M. McCullers A few months back, I was in a training and I chose to speak up about the importance of understanding people’s varying identities in the workplace, and how those identities influence how they show up and how they are perceived as individuals. After I spoke, I was minimized by the presenter […]
Queer Black folks talk about masturbation, confront shame, and affirm their right to self-pleasure
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. Science […]
Why we need to weaken the link between appearance and health
Editor’s Note: March is National Disabilities Month and our themes at Black Youth Project are Ableism & Physical and Mental Health. 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
Liberals use “unity” to systematically silence women of color. It’s time to be divisive
By Clelia Rodriguez The persecution and hunt of non-white bodies is old news. Social media maps it up instantly with white liberals’ “I’m glad that’s not me or my family going through that,” or their almost gratifying pity. Each second, each moment, each hour, each day, each night, each week, each month, each year, each […]
To the friend who said I should be thankful for my online harassment while cosplaying: I ain’t thankful for shit
by Briana Lawrence Self reflection is… weird. You’re sitting there, drinking a cup of coffee out of your favorite mug (mine being a Tetris themed mug with the words “EPIC FAIL” plastered on them since the pieces aren’t put together properly — it’s me in a nutshell). You’re sitting there, minding your own beeswax when, […]
Masturbation as resistance, because I deserve to cum
by Wanda X. Lust There was a time in my life when I had no idea what an orgasm was or how I could experience one. Over time and throughout encounters with different partners, I eventually learned how it feels to climax and how to get myself to do so. Even better than learning how […]