Here I am doing it, despite all of my concerns mentioned last week, plus all of the concerns linked to in that post but expressed much earlier.
To those concerns, let me just add that if ever I find that someone I know harassed or annoyed someone because of my writing, I will find a way to make that regretted.
The more positive thing that I will say is that it is something that can build up gradually, in a self-sustaining manner. I did not set about intending to follow a lot of Black women and learn from them, but somehow comics and feminism (via Gail Simone) led me to some, and they led to others.
Then it was not just Black women, but Black men and several brown people and then there were gay and trans and non-binary people and lots of disabled people and more recently I have become connected to a few rabbis who are women, and none of it was expected. There were growing pains at times, but it is a beautiful thing and I am a better person for it. This post will focus exclusively on Black women, but it should be a starting point, not an end.
I still have a deep fondness for my first three, so I am going to start with them.
I am trying to link to pages, but generally there are Twitter links, which is generally where I got started and interact the most. I am not linking to Patreon pages, because those seem to be more helpful after you know you like someone, but don't forget that Patreon can be a great way to contribute.
Sydette Harry: https://modelviewculture.com/authors/sydette-harry
I adore her. She is especially well informed on tech and media, as well as immigration and vocal performance. She also had a great deal of experience with the limits of white feminism, especially in terms of when it caters to and protects abusive "feminist" men.
Mikki Kendall: https://mikkikendall.com/my-writing/non-fiction/
Especially informed on policing, assault, and gender. I have two of her books that I need to read now, or I would be able to say more, but I can wholeheartedly recommend Amazons, Abolitionists, and Activists: A Graphic History of Women's Fight For Their Rights, which is interesting and covers a lot of ground, but also does well at providing context.
Jamie Nesbitt Golden: https://blockclubchicago.org/author/jamie-nesbitt-golden/
Based in Chicago, Jamie knows a lot about that area and the sexualization of young Black girls, which converges on some really important writing she has done about R. Kelly.
Imani Gandy: https://rewirenewsgroup.com/
She is also the co-host of the #BoomLawyered podcast. She specializes in reproductive justice, which sounds like a focus on abortion access, but is also about maternal health and the ability to raise your children safely. I've heard her speak on this and it was an inspiration.
Shay Stewart Bouley: https://blackgirlinmaine.com/
Living in Maine, Shay knows a lot about being a Black face in a white space, but she is also the executive director of CCI Boston and recently elected to the Portland Charter Commission.
Tinu Abayomi-Paul: https://medium.com/@tinu
Founder of #EverywhereAccessible and a good source on pain, chronic illness and disability, leading chats and threads on the those topics with humor and compassion.
April Reign: https://spark.adobe.com/page/0X134IItMApVH/
Good insight on entertainment and representation. Known for #OscarsSoWhite, but also does #ReignyDayJobs as one way of trying to improve inclusion.
Tarana Burke: https://www.taranaburke.com/
Creator of #MeToo and director of Girls for Gender Equity, with many years working with victims of sexual assault. Most recently working on shame and resilience.
Stacey Abrams: https://fairfight.com/about-stacey-abrams/
Expert on voting votes, especially in Georgia, and hopefully an elected leader soon. Wonderful energy and strategic source.
Mari Copeny: https://www.maricopeny.com/
The youngest of the activists, Mari Copeny has been a leading role in Flint's water crisis, and continues to work with both a global and local focus. She is currently leading a school supply drive that can be supported via GoFundMe or Amazon and Target wish lists.
That's it.
On the one hand, it is just ten people, and I have left out many, which gives me a pang.
On the other hand, it is a start. You don't even have to follow all of them, but following a few can lead to more.
The other thing I will add is that as you start listening to Black women, it is likely that there will be moments of discomfort, where nerves are struck.
That discomfort is a gift if you will learn from it.
No comments:
Post a Comment