Essays

Do Her Parent’s Know You’re Black?

It is a question I have asked my sons many times, usually before initial encounters with the parents of their white friends. It remains an unfortunate reality that Black people must announce our presence in new environments in order to prepare others for first-time appearances, lest we put ourselves in an uncomfortable, hurtful, or God-forbid, life-threatening position. The truth of the matter is Black people, young Black men, in particular, are still not welcome everywhere.… (click here for more)

How 2020 Reinforced Ujima: We are responsible for and accountable to one another.

The first time I celebrated Kwanzaa I was in college and, as the freshman representative for the Black Student Union, I was responsible for organizing a campus-wide event. This first celebration was also my last. This year is different, though, and I find myself being drawn to celebrate Kwanzaa once again… (click here for more)

A Socially Distanced Summer is Now a Fall Without Friends

We couldn’t believe it when we heard the news. 

We had just received our move-in date and time, read the emails about the back-to-school procedures, and started purchasing the items on the “what-to-bring” list. Finally, after a long and frankly, disappointing spring and graduation season, we were moving forward, until, suddenly… (click here for more)

Hand-Me-Down Blues

Earlier this summer, my youngest son and I decided to attend one of the recent protests planned in response to the horrific murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and countless others at the hands of the police. “I need a T-shirt,” he told me…(click here for more)

Forgetting Father’s Day

Between fighting a global pandemic, navigating newly remote work, and supporting my two black teenage sons during this time of racial trauma—Father’s Day had sort-of fallen off my radar. And perhaps it’s just as well.  You see, my father died in December, and this year, I just don’t feel like celebrating…(click here for more)