Status Updates From Afrekete

Take Care by Sharee Nash is the most Sapphic Piscerian story ever

Ruby by Cynthia Bond if piercingly beautiful telling the story of generational pain, but also generational ties that give hope and meaning even when trapped in the most haunting of storms. 5 stars

Kaleidoscope 5stars, so sensual and honest. feeling like you are not Black enough and how it causes discord and division

Wink of an Eye discusses Jewelle Gomez’s relationship to Black men as a Black lesbian, it’s not a topic I usually care for, but it made me ponder on the many “whys” behind why that is the case for me

“"I do love, or at least I want ... , at least I try … , at least I walk toward love in the way that I can," said the old lady, the old black lady, who walks every day by the sea in Gloucester with her African hair and her Moses staff; the old lady, the old black lady, for whom even now the winter comes on that brings no spring.” (The Old Lady) What a beautiful, mediative story

Dear Aunt Nanadine and Water Call

Testimony If a Naked Woman didn’t move me, but provide a very insightful perspective on sex work from someone who found it disempowering.

Tar Beach 5/5: this is the story of Audre Lorde’s encounter with Kitty, short for Afrekete. I had read a version of this story in Zami, but, perhaps because it’s already been two years, this work lifted me up just like the first time. The love shared and its healing power is to be dreamt of. Not only that, but seeing a DARK skin Black woman be loved in a non fetishist way makes my heart tender

9:30-7 shift at the pool = read 150 pages and don’t put this book down bc i love

got this second hand and it has a handwritten note from the author. super cool book so far.