A few days ago, someone asked me who I wanted to be, and what I wanted to do. I couldn’t answer it. I was paralyzed for 2 minutes, until I found something to mumble. It’s not for lack of ambition, but I didn’t want to speak my truth yet. I don’t know what success always looks like, but I can tell you you’ll always fail when you refuse to be honest with yourself. Humility quickly becomes subservience when we don’t give our hopes and dreams the ability to flourish. Speaking them out loud is only the first step, but that’s where the foundation gets built.
There’s a reason we love Maya, honor Malcolm, and adore Mandela. They were exactly who they said they were, even when it became increasingly uncomfortable to do so. They spoke because they had to, and we are better for it.
Here’s what we have in store for you in Volume 5:
- Shantre Pinkney is telling the history of San Francisco that people too easily forget and neglect.
- The weather is changing, and the Season of Cuffs is upon us. Move accordingly and don’t get caught up.
- Do you know who made your shoes? Jamien Sills is on a mission to make sure you never forget what you’re wearing, and why you’re wearing it.
- You had no idea next week is Thanksgiving in Canada. It’s cool, because Amy once again gives us a crash course on all the things our Canadian neighbours (<— yes, Queens English) are up too.
- So many ways to shhhmoney, so little time. We give you the team’s top 5 picks from the Vine.
- Music is literature over a beat, and Dominique gives us a lecture of on why we love it so much (especially Hip-Hop).
and…a VERY SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!!!
We are HUGE fans of spoken word over here, so it’s only right that we linked up with our friends Button Poetry, for a brand new series called Behind the Mic. They bring the poets, we tell the story, you get to watch stages crushed and microphones bent. Check out the talent we have lined up for you:
- Alex Dang explains why “Hip hop has everything to do with everything. She doesn’t need to be defended, she doesn’t need to explain herself ” in his poem “Always Love H.E.R.“
- Anthony Ragler knows what it’s like to consistently be a “Target.“
- Clinton Smith will touch your pulse when he tells you why “There is no treason like that of your own body turning against itself” in his poem “My Father Is an Oyster.” Read our exclusive interview with this Harvard scholar.
Turn your mic up.
Sincerely,
Thank you for supporting Blavity and giving US a chance to speak, make sure you’re signed up below for our email list to get posts directly in your inbox.
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