wings

Ever since Downton Abbey wrapped up in February, I’ve been missing the Sunday night teas I hosted at my apartment. Luckily, I wasn’t the only one experiencing “Brit flick” withdrawal, and so last night “the girls” reconvened at my place to watch the conclusion of Great Expectations on PBS. I missed Game of Thrones, but [...]

Read Full Post »

remix

Yesterday was not my best teaching day. I try to let my students express themselves in class, and I try to listen patiently even when problematic ideas are coming out of their mouths. After all, the point is to figure out where they’re starting from—what they know now so that we can try to move [...]

Read Full Post »

on a dime

I’m not a spontaneous person. In fact, I have anxiety issues, which means I try to plan as much of my life as possible. I walk with an umbrella in case it rains. I have a mini pharmacy in my purse to deal with any health emergency. When I travel, I use Hop Stop to [...]

Read Full Post »

gifts that keep on giving

If you don’t already follow the Crunk Feminist Collective, you should! I’ve just started my holiday baking (check out my guest post over at Crazy Quilts) so I especially appreciated this recent post on feminist gift-giving practices: This holiday I would like to actively engage in a more feminist practice of gift giving. I want [...]

Read Full Post »

Girls’ State of the Union

Author/activist Sofia Quintero shared this notice with me (she’s one of the judges). Please share with the young women in your lives. The Women’s Media Center invites girls from all over the United States, ages 14-22, to create a 1- 5 minute Girls’ State of the Union video. Five finalists will be highlighted on the [...]

Read Full Post »

the ethical professor

(l-r: J.E. Franklin, Rosamond King, Louise Meriwether, Angela Davis, Pamela Booker, Rashidah Ismaili, me) On Monday I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Angela Davis; she was being filmed by OWWA (Organization of Women Writers of Africa) and that interview will be added to their collection at the Schomburg. We gathered at NYU at the [...]

Read Full Post »

words of wisdom

Last night I had the honor of attending an awards ceremony at NYU’s Institute of African Affairs—the indomitable Maya Angelou was there to accept an award from OWWA (the Organization of Women Writers of Africa). I’m new to the board of OWWA and definitely felt out of my element (yes, I wore cute shoes that [...]

Read Full Post »

follow the leader

I watched I Will Follow this weekend—it’s a gentle, quiet film by Ava DuVernay. It was a bit slow and could’ve used tighter editing, but it was also a refreshing view of black women and their rich yet complicated relationships—something we rarely see on the big screen. No T&A, no cursing, no black men mocking [...]

Read Full Post »

rave reviews

Google Alerts drew my attention to a fantastic YA blog run by two feminists: Slatebreakers. They take their name from that memorable scene where Anne (of Green Gables) cracks her slate over Gilbert’s head for teasing her about being a redhead. They just posted a brilliant review of Wish. I love feminist readers! Elliot does [...]

Read Full Post »