Feminism, Gender, In the News, Pop Culture, Race, Rape culture, Trigger warning
More specifically, these are questions I thought of after talking about the Lifetime documentary series “Surviving R. Kelly,” to a Black man who thinks protecting his 3 daughters is enough to stop a system of predatory behavior against Black girls and to counter his...
Black Lives Matter, Feminism, Gender, History, In the News, Race, Reproductive Justice, Social Justice, Tyranny
Upon the news of Justice Kennedy’s retirement, I, like most other freedom-loving people I know, fell into despair. Others were quick to remind those of us falling into the abyss that Black folks have endured and survived circumstances infinitely worse than what...
![The Role of the [Unknown] Artist](https://www.mariamwilliams.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Window-look-e1514861803736-1080x675.jpeg)
Education, Gender, Pop Culture, Race, Social Justice, The Writing Life, Tyranny
Posted Jan 1, 2018, 10:03 P.M. On December 7, 2017, I went to see Ntozake Shange in conversation with Yolanda Wisher, Philadelphia’s current Poet Laureate, at the Free Library of Philadelphia. At about the 22 minute mark, Wisher asks Shange, “What do you think...
![Cause of [Erica’s] Death](https://www.mariamwilliams.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Screen-Shot-2017-12-30-at-11.07.57-PM-930x675.png)
Black Lives Matter, In the News, Race, Social Justice, Trigger warning, Tyranny
Update, Dec. 30, 2017: Erica Garner died early Saturday, Dec. 30. A family spokesperson announced news of her passing via her official Twitter account. Erica Garner, 27, a well-known activist and daughter of the late Eric Garner, suffered brain damage following a...
#BlackChurchSex, Black Love, Gender, Love Single Life and Marriage, Pop Culture, Race, Religion Faith and Spirituality
Over the past week or so, as “For the D” and “For the P” challenges have overtaken attention spans, Christians have stepped in with remixes espousing what they would do “For the D [after a ring],” “For My Jesus,” “For My God,” and “For My Husband.” At least, Black...
Best Of, Black Love, Feminism, History, In the News, Pleasure, Race, Religion Faith and Spirituality, Sex, Social Justice, Tyranny, Writing Intimacy
For two weeks after the election, I wrote nothing. I was enrolled in two writing workshops for my MFA, and I wrote nothing. I submitted a poem I had written over the summer and didn’t bother to revise for my poetry workshop that week. The following week, I skipped my...
Best Of, Black Love, In the News, Pleasure, Race, Sex, Tyranny
Like many people, I spent most of Saturday at my computer and on my phone reading and re-tweeting updates about the white supremacists who had descended upon Charlottesville, Virginia. My emotions ranged from anger to sadness to disgust. And try as I do to promote...
Best Of, Education, Race
Originally published May 15, 2017 I sent this letter via email to senior high school students I teach in Camden, NJ, earlier this month. If it suits you, consider it Monday Motivation. What can you conquer today? Dear Students, I took one AP exam when I was in...
Best Of, Feminism, History, Pop Culture, Race, Rape culture, Trigger warning
“If a woman says she was raped, I believe her, because for all she has to go through, why would she lie?” The words I heard my freshman year in college in a discussion group between black and Jewish women greet me as I unlock my bicycle. Riding my bike often helps me...
Best Of, Black Lives Matter, In the News, Race, Social Justice, Trigger warning
Originally published June 20, 2015 I’m willing to let this one go. Earlier this month, Louisville Metro Police Officer Nathan Blanford shot Deng Manyoun, a Sudanese refugee, after Manyoun attacked him with a flag pole. Though I do believe, can envision, can imagine,...
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