The following poem was inspired by National Kiss and Make Up Day. This day was meant to inspire release from past sorrow and to remind you that though wrongs exist and pain is there to follow, forgiveness and letting go will bring you the happiness you seek. Further, this poem was inspired by my pain, […]
Forgiveness: The Reminder that National Kiss and Make-up Day Brings Read More »
A Look at Birth Trauma and the Maternal Health Crisis “A Black woman having a baby is like a Black man at a traffic stop with the police.” A jarring statement uttered by expecting mom Felicia Ellis in the Hulu documentary “Aftershock.” “Aftershock” explores the effects of the maternal health crisis in the United States,
In recognition of National Smile Week, I wanted to take the time to honor a universal yet agitating term: “You should smile more.” A phrase that often rings through the streets, at women scorned from the daily struggles of life, angry teenagers getting their first taste of it, and people in general who have chosen
Advice to Non-Queer Parents from a Queer Kid There is no guide to raising kids. As many books as we might read or research we might do, truly no parent or parent-to-be knows what they’re doing. Parenting serves as the ultimate form of trial and error, where the pressure is higher, the stakes are greater
The only other word spoken during the month of June other than pride is that of Juneteenth. While historically celebrated amongst smaller communities of Black Americans in Texas and branching out to the larger community of the Black American diaspora, Juneteenth is becoming a widely celebrated holiday all across the nation. With its recent declaration
How to Spend Your Juneteenth in Washington, D.C. Read More »
It had been months since I sent in my application to be an intern at one of the largest organizations for LGBTQ+ equality in the country. I had done internships before, but none like this one. I would be offered a decently sized stipend, working alongside a great and fast-paced group of changemakers, and serving
How To Fight Imposter Syndrome as an Achieving College Student Read More »
I arrived at about 4:05 p.m., already a few minutes late, at the corner of Maryland Avenue SW, peeking around each corner to find a sufficient parking spot. Frustrated, I drove around in circles, rather squares, to find a parking space that didn’t have one of those famous confusing parking signs that allow for 2-hour
After taking a couple of shots of D’ Usse to take the edge off, we walked a couple of blocks up from where I parked my car near Union Market. It was a slightly breezy Monday night, and as we approached, my friend CJ whispered, “I don’t know about my outfit, the colors kind of
Open Mic @ the Song Byrd: A Tale From One of Milaka’s Rare Friday Night Outings Read More »
Growing up a young Black queer trans child wasn’t always easy. Navigating the often complex and unfamiliarity of sexuality and gender without community and without images of self was difficult. For it is in seeing images of one’s self reflected back to you that we are able to envision the future. It is these images
Celebrating Legacy: Honoring Transgender and Nonbinary Icons Throughout History Read More »
While being a Black person living in America does come with many joys, like the beauty of our community or the uniqueness of our cultures, being Black in America is not an experience of only sunshine and rainbows. From the systemic racism that plagues our society to the compacted experience of other intersections such as
Dealing with Depression: Unpacking the Stigma of Mental Health in The Black Community Read More »
