You Will Meet Many Disabled And Mentally Ill People Who Won’t Fit Into Your Idea Of How A Mentally

After learning what Black Out Tuesday was originally intended to be, I too would like to use this opportunity to boast about some black creators and their work that needs more attention.

These are the three books, two graphic novels and one poetry book that I will be reading this week.

✊🏾 I Am Alfonso Jones by Tony Medina and illustrated by Stacey Robinson & John Jennings with a foreword by Bryan Stevenson:

When an off-duty officer mistakes a hanger for a gun, Alfonso Jones wakes up in the afterlife guided by fellow victims of police shootings. Meanwhile, Alfonso’s family and friends struggle with their grief and seek justice for Alfonso’s murder.

✊🏾Your Black Friend and Other Strangers by Ben Passmore:

Described as a required reading for those seeking to be useful allies in the fight for justice, this collection of culturally charged comics tackles race, gentrification, the prison system, racial micro-aggressions, and more with both humor and relatability.

✊🏾Say Her Name by Zetta Elliot and illustrated Loveis Wise:

In this collection of haikus and poems, Elliot creates a chorus of voices celebrating the creativity, resilience, and courage of Black women and girls while also paying tribute to victims of police brutality as well as the activists championing for the Black Lives Matter cause.

I encourage everyone to check out these books, support a independent bookstore (especially Black-owned ones!!!) and your local libraries. And as always, BLACK LIVES MATTER! And please don’t forget to let your Black joy show!

- Veronika ✊🏾

refinery29.com

The Traumatized 17-Year-Old Who Filmed George Floyd's Killing Is Already Being Harassed

"I don't expect anyone who wasn't placed in my position to understand why and how I feel the way that I do," she wrote on Facebook.

Ppl targeting this incredibly BRAVE BKACK TEENAGE GIRL are sick.

She needs to be protected and given mental health support

Ladies, please normalize being high maintenance. Keep your standards high, expect people to climb to reach them. Tell them that yes, you do plan on spending your money, your time, and your energy on yourself first. Unabashedly tell people “no” with no explanation. When they ask you “who do you think you are” tell them that you’re you. And that is enough. 

extensive thread of blm related petitions that still haven’t reached their goal

May the 10 of Pentacles bless your account with more money than you can spend. 💵✨

In the afternoon heat with the sun scorching my back, I walk barefoot along the city Adorned in rags and disheveled hair I’m a walking tragedy  That’s been plowed into every corner of the world Half kindness from a stranger is plenty But I’m a whisper uttered as an eternal curse The children’s choking laughter And women clinging to their purse Wandering eyes search my desolate face I look around in anticipation Searching for something clean, something beautiful Love.

Lady Sira

When karma turns out to be a bigger bitch than you.

Being a minority does not give you a right to be an anti-black piece of shit.

“I kept running the trail to you

And the closer I got

The more splinters appeared on my chest

But still, I had to hold you

I had to believe.”

- Lady Sira