december 2020: new year, new you
Happy Holidays, baby girl! You made it to another New Year! May blessings rain upon those of you who stayed locked down and masked up. A pox on those who are still out here celebrating their birthdays. Damn. You’ll have another one next year! Probably. Maybe.
SPACE IS THE PLACE 🛸
SUN RA was born in 1913 on Saturn or in Birmingham, Alabama. Who can say? To call Sun Ra a jazz musician would be like saying Beyoncé is a singer. His work encompasses so many mediums: music, cinematography, fashion, science fiction, visual art, performance art, all the art! In 1974, he wrote and starred in a sci-fi film called SPACE IS THE PLACE. In it, Sun Ra and his Arkestra land on a new planet. Using music they transport Black people to a new colony there, away from the violence and racism of planet Earth. I can’t emphasize enough how good his discography is. His body of work is so vast and its influence is everywhere, you should check it all out.
samantha jo's balm yard 
I met SAMANTHA JO in Chicago on the set of a web series called Brown Girls. She made the amazing shirt I’m wearing above. Her online store BALM YARD sells clothes, jewelry, custom made essential oils, handmade greeting cards, an ancestor money bundle! Buy some things for your loved ones or just you boo, support a Black-owned business 👇🏾
"they are not demoralized or defeated persons..."SMALL AXE is a collection of five films from Steve McQueen, centered on the lives of the West Indian community in London from the late 60s through the 80s. The first movie, Mangrove, is about a Caribbean restaurant that is the center of the community, the one place residents can gather to (*read with West Indian accent*) eat, play dominos, grind, drink good rum, eat well-seasoned food. And the white police want to shut it down b/c they hate fun and seasoned food. Admittedly I sometimes avoid films about racism. It’s exhausting enough living here and now as a Black person. But I think having a Black creator behind the camera makes a huge difference. It’s not trauma porn. There are no white saviors. Despite the forces working against them, they enjoy their lives, they keep their traditions. They channel their anger, organize, and turn Britian’s racist justice system against itself.
black lit📘
New Year, New You. Maybe 2021 is the year you become someone who reads. Some of you are like I’m already reading this and it’s long as hell!
Seji aka THE ARTISAN GREEK has created the BLACK LITERATURE COMPENDIUM— an expansive list of short stories, children’s books, science fiction, horror, non-Fiction, and so much more. All of it written, illustrated, or edited by Black people.
'tis the seasonThis year the holidays are weird. (Unless you’re a Kardashian with private island money and I’m not saying we should kill the rich but I’m not not saying we should kill the rich.) We’re here though. And this year that’s saying a lot. Treat yourself. Indulge in self-care, moderately harmful vices, exes with good 👀.
If you got it, pay it forward. Here are some organizations you can donate to and actually know where your money is going—
There are so many people stuck in jails right. They haven’t been convicted of any crime. But their families can’t afford their bail so they’re punished for being poor. I support the BROOKLYN BAIL FUND but you can look up the local bail fund in your area. Donate and help someone go home for the holidays!
TRANSANTA is an organization that lets you view letters and wishlists from trans youth in need. You can see exactly what they need and donate anonymously.
You can also donate to a TOY DRIVE FOR THE KIDS OF MORGAN STANLEY CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL located in New York. Give the joy of a Pokemon or a unit of fort nite (I’m so old) to one of the babies.
FINALLY, I send you into 2021 with this month’s playlist which is free for everyone because hoo hoo hooo. The theme is TWERKIN’ ALONE IN THE HOUSE. If you’re like me your new favorite pastime is dancing… alone. You started the lockdown thinking you’d be productive, do a lot of writing like Shakespeare during the Plague. But mostly you just taught yourself how to make your butt move in fun new ways. Half the songs are vulgar because this isn’t a playlist for the kids or your parents. It’s for you to get your Magic City Magic Mike liiife.
