I grew up in the heart of the Midwest during the 1970s, the era of peace, love, Vietnam War protests and what…
I need to remind myself that Mama is human, that she is not endless love, and food, and sacrifice. But she makes…
I was ten years old when I first witnessed domestic violence. It was a hot summer day on Hobart street. Children were…
“If I didn’t define myself for myself, I would be crunched into other people’s fantasies for me and eaten alive.” — Audre…
“Have you considered writing a book about your life?” It is likely someone has asked you this question, or maybe you have…
Today is our long day. We need to drive nearly 200 miles to cross state lines. Mom and I take shifts, plying…
“I’m sorry for your loss. Though the coroner’s report said your father departed on June 29th, July 1 (2005) will be the…
When I was surrounded by white people, knee-length plaid skirts, and crucifixes, I told my mom I wanted my hair to look…
Quickly and carefully, I crossed the street with my best friend at the time. Her name was Jalia, a tall and skinny…
My mother’s eyes are bulging, glassy and wild, almost spinning in their sockets with fear. Her cracked lips are pulled back from…
I watched from my seat in the sparsely populated bleachers as the swimmers began to assemble for the first race. Underlying the…
I don’t remember how old I was when my parents bought the brown metallic closet with the mirror on the front, but…
I climbed the stairs to Aunt Tee’s apartment. The hallway was dark but the semi-opened blinds let in a hint of sunlight…
I remember the time you left your phone at home in our first apartment. It was an old loft close to campus.…
Virginia Woolf once said: Writing is like sex. First you do it for love, then you do it for your friends, and…
By age 6, I knew what nostalgia meant, and it already felt like a dirty word. Nostalgia was a lecture about old…