PinnedIt’s 4:30 AM, December 4, and I am stricken by survivor’s guilt.It’s 4:30 AM, December 4, and I am stricken by survivor’s guilt. On this date in 1969, Chicago police, colluding with the FBI, executed Fred Hampton while he slept. He was twenty-one. On this date in 1969, I was midway through my freshman year of college, oblivious. What have I…Fred Hampton1 min readFred Hampton1 min read
Published inZORA·PinnedI Joked About My Husband’s White PrivilegeUntil it wasn’t funny. — Pak’s Alterations squatted third from the corner, one of a handful of tiny businesses that butted up against each other, along the block. A rare books shop, a used-record store, a juice bar. Their doors opened right onto the sidewalk, hand-lettered signs on cardboard stuck in the windows. Curbside customer…Racism3 min readRacism3 min read
2 days agoDamn Fine Sentence #27Frequently while I’m reading, a sentence grabs me and forces me to stop. I pay tribute to other authors by sharing their Damn Fine Sentences with you. Then I recount a memory the words bring up for me. It’s about how books connect with your life. “Witchiness is essential.” —…Sangu Mandanna2 min readSangu Mandanna2 min read
May 23Damn Fine Sentence #26Frequently while I’m reading, a sentence grabs me and forces me to stop. I pay tribute to other authors by sharing their Damn Fine Sentences with you. Then I recount a memory the words bring up for me. It’s about how books connect with your life. “The scent of…Toni Morrison1 min readToni Morrison1 min read
May 5Damn Fine Sentence #25Frequently while I’m reading, a sentence grabs me and forces me to stop. I pay tribute to other authors by sharing their Damn Fine Sentences with you. Then I recount a memory the words bring up for me. It’s about how books connect with your life. “He wasn’t being nervous…Toni Morrison2 min readToni Morrison2 min read
Apr 14Damn Fine Sentence #24Frequently while I’m reading, a sentence grabs me and forces me to stop. I pay tribute to other authors by sharing their Damn Fine Sentences. Then I recount a memory the words bring up for me. It’s about how books connect with your life. “What business did she have being…Nnedi Okorafor1 min readNnedi Okorafor1 min read
Apr 2Damn fine Sentence #23Frequently while I’m reading, a sentence grabs me and forces me to stop. I pay tribute to other authors by sharing their Damn Fine Sentences. Then I recount a memory the words bring up for me. It’s about how books connect with your life. “Rich met my eyes with a…Author Annie Raab2 min readAuthor Annie Raab2 min read
Mar 24Damn Fine Sentence #22Frequently while I’m reading, a sentence grabs me and forces me to stop. I pay tribute to other authors by sharing their Damn Fine Sentences. Then I recount a memory the words bring up for me. It’s about how books connect with your life. “And the overgrown park hid a…Nalo Hopkinson2 min readNalo Hopkinson2 min read
Mar 17Damn Fine Sentence #21Frequently while I’m reading, a sentence grabs me and forces me to stop. I pay tribute to other authors by sharing their Damn Fine Sentences. Then I recount a memory the words bring up for me. It’s about how books connect with your life. “Christ, it’s bright when you’ve been…Motel Noise2 min readMotel Noise2 min read
Mar 17Kansas City Was Not My Soul MateMy relationship with Kansas City was doomed from the outset. I dislike sports. I’m not Christian. Barbecue makes me gag. My husband’s company relocated us to KC in 1990. On my initial foray into apartment hunting, the company-recommended realtor introduced me to her city. “You do not want to live…City Of Fountains3 min readCity Of Fountains3 min read
