Black Lives Matter
Artwork by Valentina Alvarez
There is no piece of drywall more important than my body,
or building sturdier than my thighs.
There is no window that can see more than my dark eyes,
or cry louder than the one coming from my lips.
There is no door that conceals more than my smile,
or rounded hips hiding the edge in my voice.
There is no bullet stronger than the heart that beats behind my breasts,
but I am tired.
We pretend but we don’t have to pretend,
while pretending none of it really matters anyway.
Black lives do matter,
but here, now,
only as a figment of your imagination.
Spoken Black Girl Magazine is back with a new issue! This time our theme is “Diaspora”. Enjoy essays, letters, poetry, photography, and artwork from powerful new voices in our community!
This issue features work by: Erika DeShay "Black Lives Matter", Adrienne Prather " Hear our Ancestors Roar", Tsebiyah Derry "Earth is Home", Donauta Watson "How to Drink Water from a Coconut Without a Straw", Sherese Francis "How Can You See in the Dark? (EnTalechy of a Diasporic Misfit)", Angela Miskis "Inside my Lungs", Kristin Jere " The Things That I Love About Wash Day", Elizabeth DeHaan "I am a Child of the Diaspora", Krystal Camacho "Dear Abuela", Eunice Brownlee "Lost Heritage", Rowana Abbensetts-Dobson "Novel Excerpt: Departure Story", Maholin Navarro "The Venezuelan Diaspora", Mari Corona "Who is Responsible? The Race Cards are on the Table", Lauren Morton "Find Our Way Back"
Photography By: Adeline Nieto (Cover Photo Image, Design by Valentina Alvarez), Valentina Alvarez, Steven Jermaine, Vithoria Escobar
Artwork By: Monifa Kincaid “Her Black Body” / “She Still Hears Me” / “Acceptance”, "Maho" Portrait by David Booth
Layout and Design: Valentina Alvarez
Publication Date: May 15
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