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POEM: I Am from…
I am LaShawnda, sister of Kim and Nicolette. We are daughters of Terry Ann, the daughter of Bessie Mae, The daughter of Lizzie, the daughter of Mae Emma, the daughter of Many Unknowns. I am from coconut oil and bergamot grease From pinto beans and bananas. I am from the light. From home-cooked meals and shadowy corners, From Thanksgiving feasts are for week-long leftovers. I am from the iris; The majestic maple tree, Whose thick trunk I remember climbing and falling from. I am from nowhere and everywhere. From many mothers and no real fathers. From silence, violence, solitude and perseverance From hard work tempered with spots of joy. I…
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I AM WOMAN: A Book List from the Timeline
421 Years of Black Women Using Their Words This book list is derived from the African American Women Using Our Words Timeline I developed for I AM WOMAN: Expressions of Black Womanhood in America. As with most creative projects, I had no idea where the timeline would lead. This is by no means a full list of creative works or published/recorded documents by Black Women in America. More accurately, it’s a highlight reel of some of the historical works in the public domain. Some of the women were/are prolific writers and have multiple publications which are not listed within my timeline. Begin With A Seed The I AM WOMAN Project…
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I AM WOMAN: A Timeline
African Women In America: Using Our Voices A Timeline: 1500 -2000’s This has been quite an undertaking for I AM WOMAN: Expressions of Black Womanhood in America! At first I assumed there had to be chronologies of African Women in America and our contributions or achievements throughout the centuries. But there really weren’t any. I was able to source a chronology of enslaved African American Women. I was able to locate chronologies of African Americans in general and African American men specifically. But nothing that told a broader history of Black Women in this land. This has consumed a great portion of my development time on the I AM WOMAN…
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MLK Memorial Quotes
The opening of the The National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC was a big event for me. I had been looking forward to it for years and truly tried to score tickets to any grand opening event. It opened in its state of the art designer building in September 2016. I wasn’t able to reserve a slot online until May 2017. The museum was truly in demand. They are still issuing “timed-entry passes.” Despite being free, availability is limited. See how the museum is honoring Dr. King’s memory here. I made a weekend of the DC visit when I got my ticket to the museum.…
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Holiday Delight: Alvin Ailey’s Virtual Season!
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Poem: Why did God make me Black? by RuNell Ni Ebo
Lord, Lord Why did You make me Black? Why did You make someone the world wants to hold back? Black is the color of dirty clothes, the color of grimy hands and feet. Black is the color of darkness, the color of tire-beaten streets. Why did You give me thick lips, a broad nose and kinky hair? Why did You make someone who receives the hatred stare? Black is the color of the bruised eye when someone gets hurt. Black is the color of darkness, Black is the color of dirt. How come my bone structure’s so thick, my hips and cheeks are high? How come my eyes are brown…
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Poem: Be Anything
I had such bright hopes and dreams when I believed I could be anything I tried strived over-achieved if thoughts manifest reality the American Dream wouldn’t be unreachable and life would be different all I truly wanted was freedom to be me without threat, violence shame or compromise how tragic being me proved to be the hardest thing ~ LaShawnda Jones, 2020
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Isabel de Olvera: I Demand Justice.
Isabel de Olvera: I Demand Justice. "I am going on the expedition to New Mexico and have some reason to fear that I may be annoyed by some individual since I am a mulatta, and it is proper to protect my rights in such an eventuality by an affidavit showing that I am a free woman, unmarried and the legitimate daughter of Hernando, a Negro, and an Indian named Magdalena...." 1600 AD Follow link to read full post.
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When did you become radicalized?
When were you radicalized? A Self-Reflection Exercise. When did you first see yourself in the struggle? When did you become unapologetic? When did you know you wouldn’t turn back? When did you acknowledge your trauma? When did you acknowledge your helplessness? When did you acknowledge your rage? When did you acknowledge your grief? Follow the link to read and share your story as well.
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Poem: Death is passive. Killing is not.
Poem: Death is passive, killing is not. by LaShawnda Jones Breathing is active. Breath is sacred. Air is life. We are all created beings with the same Right to Life and unhindered breathing. Access to air should not depend on Assumptions, opinions, political views, Occupation, wealth, social status, Skin color, mood, hatred of fellow humans or self-hatred. Access to air should not require legislation. Yet here we are.
