Late night thoughts

How mediocre white women discredit Black Leaders — We all know what a Karen is and today I would like to tell you about Sarah. Sarah slides under the radar because everyone is paying attention to the loud Karen asking to speak to the manager. Sarah wants the same thing as Karen but she is underhanded and manipulative…

How white “allies” turn against their Black “friends — It happens like this. You, a Black person, makes some white friends. It might start as one friend but they always have other friends so in the end it’s some white friends. You’re really excited because they talk the talk and walk the walk. They used phrases like “listen to…

Why we need to move past diversity and inclusion and create a new framework based on centering neglected voices — In early spring of 2007 I sat in a brightly lit room of fellow cadets and officers to have an honest discussion of race in America particularly how we could improve race relations at the Coast Guard Academy. We had just watched a performance of the play spinning into butter…

A Poem by Monetta Wilson — you show up all dolled up They look at you sideways talking about “you changed your hair again” “why are you always changing your hair?” they have no idea they have no idea how many hours it takes how much coins it takes they have no idea they don’t know…

How Black women’s hair is used to define out gender and sexuality. — When I cut off my hair in December 2011 my aunt asked “how will you go to work”. When I I went to work the principal asked “what kind of style is this?” Short hair has been seen as many things on black women and I learned all of them…

Recounting the first time I experienced racism at the US Coast Guard Academy — Previously published on the now defunct Contemporary Spinster online magazine in summer 2020 The year is 2004. It’s December in Connecticut. Finals season. I have a long weekend and my computer needs to be sent away for repairs. I request some days off base and head to IT to turn…