Emefa Anka

“Fight until you can’t breathe, & if you have to forfeit, you forfeit smiling, make them think you let them win while smiling the whole damn time.”
― Elizabeth Acevedo, Clap When You Land

“Playing chess taught me a queen is both: deadly & graceful, poised & ruthless. Quiet & cunning. A queen offers her hand to be kissed, & can form it into a fist while smiling the whole damn time.”
― Elizabeth Acevedo, Clap When You Land

“If you asked me what I was,

& you meant in terms of culture,
I’d say Dominican.

No hesitation,
no question about it.

Can you be from a place
you have never been?

You can find the island stamped all over me,
but what would the island find if I was there?

Can you claim a home that does not know you,
much less claim you as its own?”
― Elizabeth Acevedo, Clap When You Land

“Who knew death must be so damn polite?”
― Elizabeth Acevedo, Clap When You Land