As a Black woman growing up in and living in a white supremacist society I’ve long struggled with “permission.” As in, am I permitted to speak about this? Am I allowed to talk about that especially if I’ve not had training or years of immersive education in a specific field?
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I wrote a piece here about words that white people use to shy away from the truth of white supremacy and its continuing crimes and impact on Black people. I think what I’m reacting to here Ed Witek, is there seems to be a certain discomfort with a Black person…
I had a panic attack. At the time I thought it was a heart attack or a stroke. Maybe all three?
It was my fourth day into my new 44 hour work week. I was overwhelmed, exhausted and just sad. I hadn’t eaten dinner with my family in months, my…
Whites were never UNAWARE — just unwilling to admit you’ve been complicit all along
I can’t count the articles, notes, comments, with the lie, “I was unaware” of my privilege. …
A few weeks ago, I reached out to Journal-isms editor Richard Prince for work he’d advertised. I didn’t get the job. What I did get was the incredible opportunity to sit in on a Roundtable with journalists of incredible talent, and accomplishment.
Nichelle Smith the Enterprise Editor, Racism and History…
Sophia Burthen Pooley in her own words
I was born in Fishkill, New York State, twelve miles from North River. My father’s name was Oliver Burthen, my mother’s Dinah. I am now more than ninety years old. I was stolen from my parents when I was seven years old, and…
I go to sleep early and still wake up exhausted. I do this every day. I put it down to my 9–8 stressing me out and it does. It does. We’re constantly monitored at my work, and my tone is always policed.
I was certain I was on my way…
My daughter said she wanted to study engineering, hence another year at High school and a fleet of advanced math and physics courses. She was flying along, acing the programs until she stopped. Just refused to open another screen.
Every inquiry I made was met with a “you’re breaching my…
To say that a Black woman, “cries racism when she doesn’t get her way” is racist and shameful. It denies the racism that Black Canadian women experience. It’s a dog whistle that feeds into the racist Canadian trope that calls Black women’s experiences false. …
On Friday, October 29, 2021, a white teacher walked into a Toronto classroom wearing blackface. His students sat stunned, in shock and discomfort. When students questioned what he was doing, the teacher said “it looked cool.”
The teacher remained in blackface for the entire 75-minute class. At an assembly later…
Racism, injustice, inequality, climate change. I’m getting angrier as I get older. If you enjoy my writing, share a tea at Ko-fi.com/kvalley
