Like many of my generation, the murder of Trayvon Martin, acquittal of George Zimmerman, and murder of Mike Brown were key moments in my radicalization. These events happened in my college years, and in some way or another, I’d become vocal against police brutality, social injustice, and anti-Black racism. My vocalization deepened, widened, and evolved the more I grew up, learned, and continued to be radicalized. For several years, I…
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It was 2008. I was 13. I don’t remember where I was going––perhaps violin rehearsal at my instructor’s studio or choir rehearsal at the community music school. What I do remember is that, at that moment, my life was about to change. I looked up and saw a billboard. On it was a woman who would mean more to mean than I knew at the time. She was in front…
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Dear Obama Family, I begin this letter already knowing that whatever words I write will not adequately express my gratitude. I can’t believe today is already your last as our First Family. Time has flown by. Your first day was just a heartbeat ago. I was 14 when you first moved into the White House; 18 when you were voted in again to stay. I have so far been alive…
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This past Friday, Solange released her third studio album, A Seat at the Table. I’ve had three days to listen and re-listen and re-listen again to this project, and my ears and heart are full. To have a seat at the table is to have power and influence; it is to be included and have your opinions heard and validated. A Seat at the Table is Solange’s first LP since 2008, and…
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It’s the same person who says, “Maybe if her dress wasn’t so short, she could have prevented it.” It’s the same person who asks first, “What was she wearing? Was she drunk? Did she lead him on?” It’s the same person who cites someone’s sexual history as a justifier. It’s the same person who dismisses and attributes physically rough behavior to “boys will be boys.” It’s school dress codes, in…
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Millions, if not billions of singles walk around the planet, and contrary to popular belief, not all of us are looking for love. I am one of the many singles who remain so by choice and are completely satisfied; however, so many people around me are not satisfied for me, and I am bloody weary of hearing the below phrases. Perhaps my fellow singles can relate. 1. “Why are you…
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The names, times, and places have been changed to protect identities and my now lowered self-esteem. I remember the first time I saw Smith. I was riding in a car; he was riding in another. I immediately thought he was attractive, but forgot about him just as quickly. I didn’t think about him again until I saw him later that week. I didn’t know his name or who he was that week.…
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Warning: The following post contains stereotypes and overgeneralizations. So you’re a good girl who likes bad boys, but you don’t know why. You know he’s no good for you, but you date him anyway. You don’t understand. But before you start smoking, drinking, and wearing leather, let me share five reasons why bad boys are irresistible and why you should resist. Steve Boyd by Ryan Orange Bad boys are hot. Let’s be…
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Today, I mourn the loss of a dear friend named Clay. I met Clay over three years ago in Los Angeles, California. He was such a beautiful soul. He was full of effervescence, and he gave life and positive energy to everybody around him. Clay was “groomed for greatness,” as his father puts it. He was ready to change the world and inspired others to do the same. It’s crazy…
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This story was my first publication outside of NIA SPEAKS. “Don’t Get Ahead of Me” was published as the cover story last December in Insight Magazine, an international magazine for high school and college-age Christians. My father rushed down the stairs, faster than I’ve ever seen him run before. He was out of there. Gone. In the middle of Detroit. And I knew he wasn’t going to stop until he…
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