Charisse

“I couldn’t imagine the complexity of domestic violence, the internalization of the idea that pain is part of love, that love is defined by possession, that return to the scene of the crime is proof of devotion.”
― Glory Edim, Well-Read Black Girl: Finding Our Stories, Discovering Ourselves

“I asked Grandmama why she whupped me on my legs when I was doing quick feet, and not my head or my neck or my back like you would. “Because I don’t want to hurt you,” she said. “I want you to act like you got good sense but I don’t ever want to hurt you.”
― Kiese Laymon, Heavy

“And don’t fight when you’re angry. Think when you’re angry. Write when you’re angry. Read when you’re angry.”
― Kiese Laymon, Heavy

“And it only existed on Cosby’s show because Bill Cosby seemed obsessed with how white folk watched black folk watch us watch him.”
― Kiese Laymon, Heavy