blackgirl on mars: notes on a life in copenhagen (or how my alienation brings me closer to people).

Chillin with friends in Copenhagen. I love it when friends come to visit me in Copenhagen. This time I have my old college pal Rayner Ramirez and his partner Amber Payne visiting me - with Rayner two teenage kids. This weekend we're off to Sweden. I'm pretty stoked.

upcoming panelists talk it out! It had been my intention to retire this blog - I mean, I've been blogging for a minute now. But then folks from all walks of life reach out to me - coming upon my blog through a variety of ways and a friend passes away and reminds me that there's something to the power of keep on keepin' on. I really wanted Brook Stephenson to see my latest piece for NBCBLK about Jason Reynolds .  Brook Stephenson was one of the brainchilds behind The Rhode Island Writer's Colony  and this is where I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Jason Reynolds. It was just Brook, Jason and myself most of the time and  I could not have asked for a better homecoming (return to the States) than to land in house with them both.  It was like I received a crash-course in what has been happening in the States (literarily speaking), and getting into politics from a global perspective.  It was like landing a refuge where I had the best companions/brothers/ca...

Brook Stephenson, Jason Reynolds Rhode Island September 2014 Jason Reynolds, Brook Stephenson and John Stephenson Harlem 2007 with the All-Star Cast at Marie D. Brown's Harlem Haven of Hope. I don't know what "death" is - but I learned a lot about Living from  Brook Stephenson - someone whose recent exit has left the world and my life, a lot poorer. I am thankful to have crossed paths with a soul who showed me laughter, positivity and an indomintable commitment to success - if even just by being there. Brook Stephenson was a true friend who not only talked the talk, but walked it. He was a champion of Blackgirl on Mars and Bandit Queen Press and knew how to pick hi s friends up and support them. I learned a lot from having his spirit in my life and I if there is one priceless gift he has left me with is a commitment to be half a good a friend as he had shown me. Many times when I was sad, feeling defeated, lonely - far away from home - it was Brook wh...

Standing from Kojo McPherson on Vimeo . Standing from Kojo McPherson on Vimeo . I love independent expressions - nothing says freedom to me more than an artist creating. Here's a powerful short by  Kojo McPherson  from Guyana. I loved everything about this: the cinematography, the narrative, the setting (reminds me of Trinidad) and the imagery. This is the story of the ordinary citizen, John, who must choose between living life as usual or resistance. When John chooses to resist he is apprehended by shadowy figures for execution. All seems lost. However, the power of many - people power - proves stronger than the power of those who would suppress dissent. https://vimeo.com/129322570

Kadija George of Sable Lit Magazine  recently posted this. I was lucky enough to meet Kadija George years back when I visited London. I am so sorry to hear the news that she describes below. Please read, sign and share. This is a global problem.   My cousin Sheku Bayoh was detained in police custody in Kircaldy, near Edinburgh, Scotland on Sunday 3 May. He did not leave police custody alive. Following is a statement from the Bayoh family: "Our son and brother Sheku Ahmed Tejan Bayoh  was only 31 years old when he was suddenly and cruelly taken from us. His mother and three sisters are devastated and still in shock. He has also left 2 small sons aged 3 and 3 months and a loving partner. Their loss along with ours is great. ‘Shek’ as he was fondly known was a warm friendly and gentle person.  Just a few hours earlier he was at his niece’s [niece’s]birthday party and sending his big sister a text message to wish her Happy Birthday. She didn’t know that wou...

fruit bowl in the kitchen I was re-visiting previous posts and realized that I hadn't completely updated you with the state of affairs on Mars. Well, I mentioned in a previous post that I was moving out of my apartment on Amager and about to move in with my friend from Brooklyn, Paulette. Well, I ended up moving to Vesterbro- as also mentioned before. Vesterbro is the neighborhood I first moved to when I moved to Copenhagen, so coming back here is a trip. Walking down its streets takes me back to the days when I Kai was just a baby. I began my journey into motherhood here - and with Kai growing up so fast, the memories are quite welcome. Vesterbro is an interesting neighborhood to say the least. The other morning I awoke the the sound of a john arguing with a prostitute about money. Sigh. Last night as I walked down Istedgade in the rain, I passed a group of men in front of the fixing room (for the heroin users) playing music and dancing. I also passed a young lady standi...