All posts tagged: Pens Up

“Mother America”

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Mother America by Kristin Richardson Jordan America is the abusive mother I never should have had Way to young to have children She never really wanted me anyway Yet here I am outside the womb and taking up space Somehow she bore those hours of labor and nursed me so as a child I managed not to die but I still have this suicidal behavior and I won’t forget the times we’ve fought and how she beat me, my next of kin just so selfish yet still my mother I am often ashamed to admit that I often wonder if I might actually kill her in the middle of the night like it was just all wrong from the start but now it’s all stated and she’s right here and I’m right here as America still gave birth to me   (c)2015 Kristin Richardson Jordan   This post is responding toTiff Roma‘s 5 day poem challenge. This is my first of 5. I challenge Xi’an X Powers, Paris Amari, Raymond Vasquez, Janet Williams, K Qamar Cruz, …

TOMORROW A Lighter Shade of Black by Janet E. Williams

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A Lighter Shade of Black by Janet Williams is now at sister’s uptown bookstore PUBLIC READING AND BOOK SIGNING Tomorrow!! Wednesday Feb 25th 6pm – 8pm at Sister’s Uptown Bookstore 1942 Amsterdam Avenue New York, NY 10032 (212) 862-3680 All are welcome!! Lilly has just enough black not to be white and just enough white not to be black. As a slave caught in between two worlds she is kept out of the sun so as not to be burned by it’s rays and to keep her skin that tinge that the massa wanted. She is taught that she is slave yet she is also different from other slaves, distanced from those who work the fields. Her mother worries constantly about her virginity. In a boarder line that keeps her from fully feeling a part of either world, Lilly entertains notions of freedom while struggling with various challenges and figuring out her identity as a creamed colored girl. Through all her challenges, Lilly somehow finds the courage to redefine herself and chart a new path. This is …

NEW TITLE: A Lighter Shade of Black by Janet E. Williams (Feb 25th)

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Lilly has just enough black not to be white and just enough white not to be black. She is a Slave caught between two worlds… Pens Up Press is proud to announce a newly published book from our press: A Lighter Shade of Black by emerging author Janet E. Wilson! Book release, public reading and book signing on the 25th 6:00PM to 8:00PM at Sister’s Uptown Bookstore in Harlem, New York. All are welcome!! Details on the book and book signing below.

TOMORROW 1/29 Liberation Open Mic at 7pm

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Liberation Mic! TOMORROW Thursday January 28th, 7:00pm at the ANSWER COALITION OFFICE 2295 7th Ave. Harlem, NY 10030 Free!! (just $5 suggested donation, no one turned away) Sponsored by Uproar Poetry ALL ART WELCOME Come share a poem, story, rap, song, dance, comedy routine, instrumental piece…whatever moves you…or just come listen. This months theme is “Black Liberation”

THIS THURSDAY 12/11 Liberation Open Mic at 7pm – Free! Harlem Event

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Liberation Mic! THIS Thursday December 11th, 7:00pm at the ANSWER COALITION OFFICE 2295 7th Ave. Harlem, NY 10030 Free!! (just $5 suggested donation, no one turned away) Sponsored by Uproar Poetry, the ANSWER Coalition ALL ART WELCOME Come share a poem, story, rap, song, dance, comedy routine, instrumental piece…whatever moves you…or just come listen. This months theme is “Women in Struggle”

Dear NYC – Show that Black Lives Matter

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Do they?! Do our lives matter?! I find myself asking this question of our country in the light of the recent Mike Brown verdict. And with all this history of Blacks being killed by cops. And what’s sad is I could make a list of the cases I’ve heard and go on…and on…and on…and on…and at what point do we say STOP. At what point is anything going to change? I shared this poem with one of my writing circles today and it just rings so true. Now can be then. Our ancestors might as well be us. Have we made any progress? No. Think about it. Seriously. I know things are different. But is it progress? Because honestly it seems at times like we haven’t actually gone anywhere. Like we’re just spinning our wheels roaming in circles and cycles having one thing happen and then another…it’s time to fight back. I realize this post is a deviation from the usual Pens Up theme of inspirational words but, well, I can’t be inspirational all the …