1. A history of the world in 8 minutes and 46 seconds. — 1. A history of the world in 8 minutes and 46 seconds. And then they came and got us from our homes and they came and got us from the shores and then they took us on the boats and then they took us to the land we didn’t know…

Many of you who are well-intentioned will talk about how awful things are for Black people “right now.” You’ll express shock and awe and I… — Many of you who are well-intentioned will talk about how awful things are for Black people “right now.” You’ll express shock and awe and I need to tell you something: When you say things like “right now” or express your righteous outrage in the sense of surprise you are reinforcing…

“Baby, we’re not going home. This is our home now, OK?” After my mother explained to me, not for the first time, that we’d now live with… — “Baby, we’re not going home. This is our home now, OK?” After my mother explained to me, not for the first time, that we’d now live with grandma and grandpa and that daddy wasn’t coming with us, I cried the rest of the day and didn’t stop for a year…

The Saturday Rumpus Essay: Fluids — The Saturday Rumpus Essay: Fluids “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” — Maya Angelou My mother is exhausting. When she comes through the door I brace myself to be loved. I prepare myself to be cared for. Her love is suffocating. …

undated, 21st century  middle of everywhere, in plain sight — undated, 21st century middle of everywhere, in plain sight To black girls everywhere, There are letters to us about finding things and people, about how to lose other things and other people. There are books to us, prayers to us, for us. I wonder how many times you have felt…

Essence just released its February issue, celebrating the “#BlackGirlMagic Class of 2016.” I first noticed the popular term “Black Girl… — Essence just released its February issue, celebrating the “#BlackGirlMagic Class of 2016.” I first noticed the popular term “Black Girl Magic” as a hashtag on Facebook and Twitter, attached to posts by girlfriends celebrating themselves, their loved ones, their babies, their lives. I’ve seen it on t-shirts spread out on…

“If two people come together,” my mother began, “who’ve never had any power except by the way of abuse, it’s going to be bad. Both of us… — “If two people come together,” my mother began, “who’ve never had any power except by the way of abuse, it’s going to be bad. Both of us had power exerted over us as children. I eventually learned that as an adult, I was still doing the dance, seeking out abusive…

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS — THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS …When lesions are found on your brain: The resident calls you. You’ve given him permission to tell you on the phone. You step out of class. The resident, who’s more nervous each time he talks to you, lets you know the lesions could be evidence of…