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Soror to Soror: How I'm Learning to Be About That (Greek) LifeĀ
There was nothing like the first time I heard āSororā in front of my name. Many Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLOs) recently had their new member presentations/reveals for Fall 2018, but many people remain unaware that BGLOs exist at the graduate/alumni level. So, when photos of my induction into Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated were…
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Daddyās Girl, Daddyās Critic: Finding Peace With My Fatherās Flaws
I have three dads. But I have a biological dad, whom I met over eight years ago. Then thereās my adoptive dad, whose last name I share. And then I have my stepdad, who came into my life when I was about 9 years old. My relationship with each one varies, and accordingly, every year…
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āIt Gets Betterā: The Lie We Tell LGBTQ Youths
Editorās note: For Pride Month, The Root and Jezebel are teaming up once again for JezeRoot, with content by writers of color around everyday life for LGBTQ individuals. Recently, I went to an LGBTQ āIt Gets Betterā panel at a comic convention. The panelists, one of whom is a good friend, talked about how things…
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The Mama Dilemma: Adoption, Racism and the Search for Answers
Eight years ago I got a Facebook message that said, āDo you remember me?ā I was prepping for a staff meeting and couldnāt place the name or the blond woman in the icon. I shot back a quick sorry that I didnāt remember her and turned my back to the computer. When I turned around,…
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Out of the 5 OāClock Shadow: I Shave My Face, and Thereās No Shame in That
The hair on my face feels like it has daily plans for a takeover.
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The Voices Missing From #MeToo: Experiencing Sexual Assault as Butch
He was my dude, my nigga, my friend. The details of that night are mine to keep, a privacy I allow myself, even as I often openly share my childhood sexual trauma. This particular violationārapeācame at a crossroads in my life. I was figuring out two things: blackness and butchness, and trying hard to do…
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#MeCrushMonday: The Audacity of Loving Yourself
A really good friend once told me, āI take care of myself extremely well. So whoever Iām with has to be just as good to me or better.ā Anyone who overheard that conversation might have thought that the beautiful Native sista with the long, flowing hair and carefully crafted earrings was full of herself, but…
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Youāre Fired! What to Do WhenĀ Youāve BeenĀ Let Go From Your Job
Last week I was told that my position at my day job is being eliminated. Itās the second time this has happened in the past two years. The first time, it was under very different circumstances; to be honest, being let go from a gig that caused me very real emotional and mental stress was…
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The Trouble With Hero Worship: Is #TeamKillmonger Also #TeamToxicMasculinity?
Editorās note: Multiple spoilers ahead.Ā After this blockbuster weekend, weāre all talking about Marvelās Black Panther. Weāre talking about the powerful women of the Dora Milaje and the scene-stealing MāBaku (Winston Duke), and we even got a new handshake to share with our folk. But as excitement reached its peak after our first look, or…
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Sex Trafficking and the Super Bowl: Thereās More at Play Sunday Than Just Football
On Sunday, when the Philadelphia Eagles and the New England Patriots meet for the Super Bowl, the spotlight in Minneapolis will be on more than the gridiron clash at U.S. Bank Stadium. Minnesota is the 13th top child trafficking and sex trafficking state in the country, and this poses a problem with the presence of…
