#read BIPOC

[indigo-sodapop]

Snippets from Substack, people kept complaining that all the essays sounded the same and it pissed me off because that's an algorithm issue which makes it a YOU issue. I keep my typos in for authenticity.

[moonlightsapphic]

shut the fuck uppppppp you people make lesbians do EVERYTHING for you. bi women in het relationships DO NOT need lesbians to validate them, both because you are grown adults but also because you guys NEVER validate us. case in point, that entire little speech you wrote never once validated the unique experience of lesbians as non male attracted people in a patriarchal society. yes we all like women, but NOT liking men is almost always the greater burden and greater isolating factor in our day to day lives. stop thinking about yourselves and just LISTEN for once, all you EVER do is talk over lesbians and paint us as villains. and next time you are walking down the street hand in hand with your boyfriend take a moment and be grateful that you don't have to have your head on a swivel waiting to be harassed for daring to show affection to your partner in public. that sense of unease you feel brining your boyfriend to pride? that's what we feel the other 364 days a year, except the unease comes from the fear of ACTUAL VIOLENCE not of SOCIAL DISAPPROVAL from a minority group comprising 3% of the population.

Ma’am I am a brown bisexual woman in a Muslim-majority country in the global south and I’ve been dating my (also bisexual) girlfriend since we were 20. It has been five years and even our best friends don’t know we’re dating because we’re afraid of word getting out and being targeted and killed. (People are murdered for less.) There is some minimal social acceptance of transfem folks in our country but even they are treated like garbage. Anybody found to have same sex attraction is cast out by their families. (Families are known for casting you out for even interreligious marriages.) Or worse, they might force conversion therapy on you. They would not distinguish between you being bisexual or gay. The last queer activist in our country was murdered in cold blood 10 years ago and we haven’t had a strong movement since. LGBTQ+ community exists in small, secret bubbles. We’re all afraid.

My relationship takes place only behind closed doors. In a more accepting country, my girlfriend and I would be thinking about marriage and kids by now. She is my soulmate and we initially tried to keep it casual but we couldn’t. Despite all of the above, we chose each other, even though we could hypothetically look for legitimate partner in a man. I didn’t even realize I was bi until adulthood after I broke up with my high school boyfriend, though my girlfriend has known she is queer since she was young. My girlfriend and I spent two years (the worst mental health period of my life, when I made this account to document it) of struggling to unlearn comphet, because I often felt this overwhelming imposter syndrome that I was “faking” my very genuine attraction and romantic love for her. (if you’re a baby gay reading this and struggling with that, it passes I promise!) We also had to deal with the very special bisexual guilt of actively choosing to be in a same-sex relationship every day. We still do.

I wish I could avoid coming out to our families forever to protect the pain and heartbreak that will cause them. They really love me and have given me everything I’ve asked for (I wish I could say I was romanticising, but it’s true), however they have not been raised in a society to understand queerness and I’m afraid they’re too old now. In my darkest moments, I wish that my parents will be able to die without knowing, while still fully loving, supporting, proud, and happy for me. But that’s not sustainable, because already our parents are already asking us when we’re going to get married (to men, of course). Soon, that will become constant nagging, confusion, disappointment and eventually suspicion. If I did come out (which will hopefully happen when I’m much older and wiser and can survive without anyone’s support), I would say I was a lesbian, because 1) they don’t know what bisexual is and I can’t teach them; and 2) if they know I’m bi, they might have more hope they can “correct” me, or even try to sabotage my relationship. And you can be sure as hell I’m not asking some internet lesbian stranger for permission beforehand.

We have gone long-distance across the globe more often than not. We are trying to secure permanent residency in a more queer-friendly country by migrating with stable jobs (which can be a 10+ year process of proving to a country that you are worth giving residency to). We wonder if we’re doing the “right” thing taking it a day at a time, how many people we’re going to hurt for our own selfish happiness. If we’ll ever be able to visit our home country and culture again if word gets out. If we’ll ever have children, and would they be accepted by our families. If we’ll ever be 100% safe. Sometimes, I wish I was a lesbian like you, so I would not have to bear all that AND the guilt of the knowledge I could give it all up for a different loving relationship. If I were a lesbian, at least I would have the conviction of not having a choice. And that is a bisexual struggle you won’t understand, just like you have lesbian struggles that I won’t understand. I am ok with admitting the latter—are you ok with admitting the former?

I have a bisexual friend whose husband abuses her specifically because he suspects she is queer. I have a bisexual friend (in denial) whose fiancé insecurely and derogatorily jokes about her possibly being queer (much like my ex) and because of that she will never come to terms with her own sexuality, and will suppress it for her entire life. I have bisexual friends in very happy and loving M/F relationships. Some of these bisexuals do the work for the community from their position of privilege, others who are annoying mansplainers (much like yourself) to those of us who they perceive as more privileged (because, y’know, we’re not out to them as a WLW couple or even as queer). I’ll tell you now (if it still needs to be said) that most of the bisexuals in the world are actually not privileged at all. If you made a scale of “most privileged” to “most oppressed” (which is nonsensical but this is apparently the intelligence level we’re working with), then bi people in M/F relationships would be pretty much right next to other queer people, and not even close to endo allocishetero people. I have a difficult queer life to build so I have zero interest in playing stupid oppression Olympics and decide whether or not any other letter is “more” oppressed for the sake of internet keyboard warriors who can’t check themselves (or read a book, a paper, a research article anything). What I will do is fight for everyone’s rights (yes, even yours) to talk about their unique personal struggles.

At the end of the day, the bisexuals in privileged M/F marriages are allies to me and my girlfriend. And that means the world to us. When our entire society (and our families) turns their back on us, our queer friends will be all we will have left. Their straight boyfriends will be allies to us and welcome to our community, and symbolic of a world where more endosex allocishetero folks accept us. I want good straight men at Pride. The world listens to them. The point of queerness is deviance, but the point of Pride is liberation, and movement needs numbers. Immersion and understanding leads to acceptance. Are you with the cause or not?

Back when I was with my boyfriend, I avoided addressing my own queerness. And it was in part thanks to gatekeepers like you. Do you guys want more WLW or not? If you do, be kind to bisexual women. Celebrate their love, regardless of their partner. If more bi women were encouraged to find genuine love, if they were told unlearning comphet is not lesbian-only experience, if they had a queer support system when they faced statistically high rates of intimate partner violence due to their bisexuality, if everyone actually validated the unique struggles that lead to statistically poor bisexual mental health and substance abuse, then more of them would seek out healthy relationships with partners that see them for who they are, rather than any available subpar man. If you don’t want to date bi women, that’s fine. But if we include them in our community, they’ll have the opportunity to immerse in the culture, know themselves better, and eventually find each other. We contain multitudes. We do not exist in phases of “straight” and “gay”. Being rude to us when we’re in hetero-presenting relationships only makes us more likely to associate with queerness. Our identity is not inherently privileged, it’s intersectional. We are your peers. And we have every right to point out when anyone is being exclusionary and biphobic towards us, which includes the LGBTQ+ community.

I believe that someone who can afford to be unkind and unempathetic to another queer person, who dares play oppression Olympics like it’s a little game, doesn’t know what it’s like to actually be oppressed. Or maybe they have some insecurities and frustrations they need to work out in therapy. I have so many reasons to be jealous of my foreign queer friends (including lesbians, including trans people) flaunting their privileges, but I’m happy for them instead, I even listen to them when they talk about their (relatively minor) queer struggles in life, and I sure as hell did not have access to therapy to help me with that. I have not met a single queer person who actually engaged in community organising and mutual aid, that is also argumentative like people are on the internet. I don’t know if you’re aware it was proto-TERFs during second-wave feminism that separated the lesbian and bi women in the US, and that some of you have been unknowingly parroting frankly dumb purity culture rhetoric that harms trans people as well as bisexuals.

One of my deep regrets is not having queer elders in my part of the world to represent what my life could look like in the future. I literally contemplated on the phone for two hours with my partner this morning about what the fuck to do with our lives. As you’ve decided to graciously bring so much lesbian wisdom (not at all in the tone of a villain) to my account whilst so bravely hiding as an anon, tell me—what the fuck should we, lowly bisexuals who haven’t even “decentered men”, do? Or do I suddenly strike you as a different person now that you know I’m WLW, or about my other intersectional identities? Do you think I don’t understand your experiences? Do you think I don’t face lesbophobia—because people perceive all WLW as a lesbian? Do you still feel the need for me to acknowledge a bunch of other identities just because I spoke about my bisexuality? I was the same person when I was with my boyfriend. I will be the same if (God forbid) it doesn’t work out with my partner and I find myself with a man at some point again, and I will have to live with the truth of having my heart broken by a woman that I chose (in EVERY sense of the word) to be with. I will forever be queer enough. My hypothetical boyfriend WILL be coming with me to Pride. And if I sense unease because of that, I WILL call you out on it.

[brittanyisbookish]

PSA

Before you add The Handmaid's Tale and 1984 to your Banned Books list, I want you to remember they're two of the most accessible titles today. Instead consider titles by Black, Indigenous and authors of Colour who are more likely to and have already been banned instead.

[artemiseamoon]

🤎 Melanin May 🤎

Status: Complete

As I warm back up to writing, after an unplanned break, I’m doing this little drabble challenge. Hopefully I’ll be inspired to revisit wips soonish. I do not write reader inserts, minus rare exceptions, like this. I am not taking requests.

ALL my f! Readers in this challenge are intended to be over 30 and woc (Black, Caribbean, Bipoc, Poc etc). And all the Moodboards will have representation for us brown gals. Anyone can read, and read the RCs as OCs if they like.

Challenge includes the specific readers mentioned above and Ocs. Again, I am not taking requests.

Fandoms: multi

Read on A03 📚

Prompts from this list

Moodboards

Day 1: Strawberries | Tumblr teaser (Max Phillips)

Day 2: Adventure | Tumblr teaser (Marcus Pike)

Day 3: Golden hour | Tumblr teaser (Benny Miller)

Day 4: Lake house | Tumblr teaser (Will Miller)

Day 5: Picnic | Tumblr teaser (Nico)

Day 6: Mayflower | Tumblr teaser (Ezra)*

Day 7: Nostalgia | Tumblr teaser (Poe Dameron)

Day 8: Homecoming | Tumblr teaser (Mando)

Day 9: Juice Box | Tumblr teaser (Frankie)

Day 10. Farmer’s Market | Tumblr teaser (Javi G)

Day 11: Morning light | Tumblr teaser (Will Miller)

Day 12. Birdsong | Tumblr teaser (Steven Grant)

Day 13: Drive-in theater | Tumblr teaser (Santi, Benny)

Day 14: Island | Tumblr teaser (Lucien Flores)

Day 14: Photographs | Tumblr teaser (Marcus Moreno)

Day 15: Riptide | Tumblr Preview (Billy)

Days 16 - 19: Multi prompts | Tumblr teaser (TF multi)

Days 20-22: Multi prompts | Tumblr teaser (Ezra)

Days 23-25: Multi prompts | Tumblr teaser (Rick Flag, TF)

Day 26: Milkshake | Tumblr teaser (Max P)

Day 27: Orchid | Tumblr teaser (Tf, Yovanna)

Day 28. Field | Tumblr teaser (Willian Tell, omc +)

Day 29. Petrichor | Tumblr teaser (Poe Dameron)

Day 30. Sketching | Tumblr teaser (Oberyn, Ellaria)

Day 31. Memory Lane | Tumblr teaser (TF multi)

🤎🤎🤎

My A03

Masterlist

💫💫💫 No promises, but if this goes over into June, I would use these prompts: June prompts

⬇️

Next: Black, Brown & Beautiful June

A03 link

Tumblr info post

[hiiragi7]

Our Top 5 5-Star Reads of 2024!

1. Cripping Intersex, Celeste E. Orr

Honestly just an incredible book. I think everyone should read it. Really gave me a lot to think about with intersexuality and disability, and I really appreciated it going into the racism of sex and pathology.

-Rainii

2. Refusing Compulsory Sexuality, Sherronda J. Brown

(Yes I finished the rest of the book today just so I could include it here because I liked it so much)

Definitely another "everyone should read this" book!! Brown does a fantastic job discussing asexuality, blackness, white supremacy, and compulsory sexuality. The affirmations throughout were also really soothing to us as an asexual, and the book really provides a good structure for thinking about asexuality and acephobia. Extremely good book!!

-Fennel

3. A Short History of Trans Misogyny, Jules Gill-Peterson

Another extremely good book I think everyone should read. Gill-Peterson brings more of a racial lens to transfeminine history that I've found was sorely lacking in other trans history and theory books I've read, and I've enjoyed her work so much that I plan to read all of her books when I'm able. It's a short book, but has a lot of good content.

-Rainii

4. Braiding Sweetgrass For Young Adults, Robin Wall Kimmerer with Monique Gray Smith, Nicole Neidhardt

I listened to the audiobook of this one, but from what I've seen of the illustrations online, they are absolutely wonderful. This book had a lot of good stories, some of which we've heard before from the elders in our own community, some of which were new to us. It gives good advice and wisdom, and I like the reflections it asks of the reader. Definitely a good book for older kids or young adults!

-Fennel

5. The Selected Works of Audre Lorde, Audre Lorde with Roxane Gay

I'd been wanting to read Lorde's works for a while, considering how incredibly important they are. This collection of her works was a really great way to get into it, and I definitely highly recommend it. I think reading Audre Lorde really affected the ways I think about things and how I view the world.

-Rainii

[jgoddesstarot]

Pick-A-Pile: What Your Future Spouse Finds Sexy About You?

👑Check out my masterlist to see all of my pick-a-card readings😊

✨ Visit my shops at Ko-fi.com or J.Goddess Tarot✨

🔮Disclaimer: This reading is for entertainment purposes only. Tarot readings are based upon my intuitive interpretation of the cards and about possibilities based on your current energy. Energy is forever changing and nothing is set in stone. Always remember, you have your own free will to make whatever decision you feel is best.

🔮How I read: I use a mix of tarot cards, oracle cards, along with my intuitive abilities of claircognizance, clairaudience, and clairsentience.

🔮How this works: Close your eyes and take deep breaths, pick the pile you are most drawn to. If you aren’t drawn to any pile then that’s okay, these messages aren’t for you.

Pile 1

Tarot Cards: 8 of Wands, Ace of Cups, 4 of Swords, The Moon, Death

Greetings my Pile 1's! Your reading begins with the 8 of Wands, a card that signifies rapid movement and progress. This suggests that your future spouse finds your energy and zest for life incredibly attractive. They're drawn to how you seize the moment, meet challenges head-on, and how you always appear to be on the move, mastering the art of balancing many tasks simultaneously.

Next, comes the Ace of Cups, a card of new emotional beginnings, love, and happiness. This card hints that there's a deep emotional connection that your future spouse finds irresistible about you. Your ability to openly express your feelings and share your emotional depth is something that they truly value. It's your emotional intelligence and capacity for empathy that they find sexy.

We then move on to the 4 of Swords, a card of resting and rejuvenation. This suggests your future spouse admires your ability to switch off, to take time to recharge and rejuvenate. They love that you understand the importance of mental rest and self-care. Your zen-like calmness in a world of constant hustle is what they find very appealing.

The Moon, a card of intuition, dreams, and the subconscious, comes next. This indicates that your future spouse is captivated by your mysterious and intuitive nature. They find your innate ability to understand things that are not immediately obvious, your dreaminess, and your deep connection with your subconscious incredibly sexy.

Finally, we have Death, a card that signifies transformation and change. Fear not, for this does not predict a literal end. Instead, it points towards your ability to let go, to change, and to evolve. Your future spouse finds your resilience, your ability to transform and come out stronger after every setback, very attractive.

In conclusion, my Pile 1's, your future spouse finds your energy, emotional intelligence, calm composure, intuitive abilities, and your capacity for transformation incredibly sexy. Remember, these qualities make you unique and beautiful in your own way. Cherish them and let them shine!

Pile 2

Tarot Cards: The Lovers, Queen of Cups, 3 of Wands, 4 of Pentacles, Ace of Wands

Let's take a deep dive into the cards, my Pile 2's. The first card that we have for you is The Lovers. This card represents harmony and union. Your future spouse is drawn to the way you harmonize with the world around you, creating a sense of unity and balance wherever you go. Your ability to love unconditionally and make those around you feel cherished is incredibly appealing to them.

Moving on, we have the Queen of Cups, a card of empathy, compassion, and emotional openness. Your future spouse is attracted to your emotional intelligence, the way you understand and empathize with others. The depth of your feelings, your kindness, and your nurturing nature are all qualities they find irresistible.

The third card in your reading is the 3 of Wands. This card symbolizes foresight, planning, and expansion. Your future spouse finds your vision, your ability to foresee and plan for the future, and your zest for expansion very sexy. They love how you are always looking forward, seeking new horizons and greater development.

Next, we see the 4 of Pentacles, a card associated with control, stability, and security. This indicates that your future spouse admires your stable nature, your ability to keep a level head, and your knack for creating security in your relationships. They find your ability to take control and maintain stability very appealing.

Lastly, we have the Ace of Wands, a card linked to inspiration, creativity, and new beginnings. Your future spouse is captivated by your creative spark, your enthusiasm, and your ability to always start fresh. Your inspiring nature and your zest for life are what your future spouse finds incredibly sexy.

In conclusion, my Pile 2's, your future spouse is drawn to your harmonious nature, emotional openness, visionary thinking, stability, and creative spark. These qualities make you irresistibly attractive to them. Remember to embrace and cherish these qualities because they make you unique and are the essence of your charm.

Pile 3

Tarot Cards: King of Swords, Knight of Pentacles, 10 of Cups, The Star, Justice

Alright, my Pile 3's, let's dive right into this spicy tarot reading about what your future spouse finds irresistibly sexy about you. First up, we have the King of Swords. This card represents intelligence, truth, and clear thinking. Your future spouse is wildly turned on by your intellect and your ability to approach problems with a clear, rational mind. They find your assertiveness and decisiveness incredibly sexy, and they love the way you're not afraid to speak your truth.

Next, we have the Knight of Pentacles. This card is all about efficiency, routine, and consistency. Your future spouse admires your work ethic and your commitment to achieving your goals. They're attracted to your determination and your ability to turn dreams into reality. They find your practicality and dependability incredibly alluring.

The third card is the 10 of Cups, a card associated with harmony, love, and happiness within relationships. Your future spouse is enchanted by your capacity to love deeply and your pursuit of harmony in your relationships. They're drawn to your genuine happiness and your ability to spread joy wherever you go. This emotional depth and genuine warmth is a huge turn-on for them.

Next up is The Star, a card linked to hope, faith, and rejuvenation. Your future spouse finds your positivity and hopefulness incredibly appealing. They love your ability to keep faith even during the tough times and your knack for turning negative situations into positive ones. Your optimistic outlook and your ability to inspire others is a big part of what they find sexy about you.

Lastly, we have Justice, a card associated with fairness, truth, and law. Your future spouse marvels at your sense of justice and your commitment to truth. They find your balanced perspective and your ability to stand up for what's right incredibly attractive. They're turned on by your moral compass and your refusal to compromise on your principles.

In conclusion, my Pile 3's, your future spouse finds your intelligence, practicality, emotional depth, optimism, and sense of justice immensely sexy. These qualities are what make you irresistible to them. Always remember to value these traits in yourself, for they are what set you apart and make you uniquely alluring to your future spouse.

Other Resources:

Website: https://www.jgoddesstarot.com/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/JGoddessTarot

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Continual Improvement Survey: https://forms.gle/MYnBds9oZUHJ7VWa8

[mueritos]

started a new job recently as a research assistant for a gay Latinx professor in my grad program, and while I definitely don't have the time to be doing my own research, working with this professor on his book projects has been so affirming and healing. i'm working on a book he hopes to publish soon that is full of interviews of gay and trans Latine men...and it is so fucking awesome. I feel so seen by the words I am reading, and I feel tears spring to my eyes looking at the photographs of these men. They look like family members, distant cousins, and family friends. They look so happy and full of confidence. I see myself in their eyes, recognizing the "fish" shape in our eyes that is so distinctly tied to Latines. One of the men in the book is a pup! And it is so beautiful seeing his smile as he holds his pup mask.

I have met very few queer latines. I don't know what it's like to have the tio or tia that has some secret aura to them, that "no se habla" vibes where everyone knows they're queer but just won't acknowledge it. Hell, this professor I'm working with is the first gay Latine man I've ever spoken to. I wish I had a community of gay Latines. I hope I am able to access that one day :)

[ireadyabooks]

Fallen Angels: Read an Excerpt

An exciting, eye-catching repackage of acclaimed author Walter Dean Myers' bestselling novel with an Introduction by National Ambassador of Young People's Literature Jason Reynolds and bonus material by Coretta Scott King Award winner Christopher Myers.

A coming-of-age tale for young adults set in the trenches of the Vietnam War in the late 1960s, this is the story of Perry, a Harlem teenager who volunteers for the service when his dream of attending college falls through. Sent to the front lines, Perry and his platoon come face-to-face with the Vietcong and the real horror of warfare. But violence and death aren't the only hardships. As Perry struggles to find virtue in himself and his comrades, he questions why Black troops are given the most dangerous assignments, and why the US is even there at all.

READ AN EXCERPT

Fallen Angels Excerpt by I Read YA on Scribd

GET YOUR COPY

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Books-A-Million

Bookshop.org

Apple Books

Google Play

[writingwithcolor]

Stuff your kindle day is September 20, 2023

Hey, everyone! Sept 20 -22 is Stuff Your E-Reader/Kindle Day, where you can download tons of FREE eBooks to own.

Amazon.com: stuff your kindle day

Let us know what you get and/or would recommend!

Romance bookworms: free books for a limited time

For romance readers, check out Romance Bookworms for links to free romance books.

They have sections for:

Black romance books

Books written by BIPOC Authors

Books with LGBTQ+ Protagonists

Books written by authors with disabilities

Colette's recommendation

A book series I personally recommend is the Isaac Taylor Mystery Series by Lashell Collins. It's a psychic mystery thriller series with a sweet, lightly spiced BWWM romance throughout. Their meetcute is *chef's kiss* it has an interesting cast of diverse characters and the writing is superb!

Book 1 of the series, Voices & Visions, is free to download and own today!

Happy reading!

~Mod Colette and WWC

Edit: $0 Sale continues into Friday, Sept 22! Also, you do not need Kindle Unlimited to get the eBooks. this sale applies to Nook Books and can be found in other ebook formats as well.

[karl-marxs-ghost]

It is kinda weird how people insist on getting their #diverse stories from major conglomerates ie Disney n such. Like is the only way you’re interested in learning about other cultures is if it’s in the form of a multi-million dollar 2-hour-long kids’ movie designed by white execs to be as palatable and profitable as possible?

Black and Latino and indigenous people create their own media that is them telling their own stories and you can watch/read/buy their comics/novels/films etc and put money into their hands and not some fucking shareholder ghoul.

All you gotta do is google for 5 minutes and I promise you’ll find something you’ll like from someone that actually needs your fan interaction/money.

[bookish-afrolatina]

AfroLatine Authors by Bookish AfroLatina

A few folks have asked me for book recommendations by and about AfroLatine folks so here are some amazing authors I want to introduce y'all to:

Romance:

Adriana Herrera (Dominican) She's one of my favorite authors of all time! Herrera writes both Contemporary and Historical Romances with nuanced, fun, and tender characters and plenty of heat.

A.H. Cunningham (Panamanian) I'm just starting to get into her books but I already know I need them all! The chemistry! The heat!

Mia Sosa (Puerto Rican & Brazilian) My first introduction to Mia Sosa was The Worst Best Man which was messy in the best ways. I love the scenarios she puts her MCs in!

Young Adult Fantasy

Julian Randall (Dominican) He has a lot of range! I've read 3 out of his 5 books and each one has opened me up to processing my own identity and experiences.

Maya Motayne (Dominican & Guyanese) Her series is gripping and fascinating. It surpassed my expectations!

Young Adult

Maika & Maritza Moulite (Haitian) Dear Haiti inspired me to learn more about the Haitian Revolution! I haven't read their second book yet but I'm very excited for The Summer I Ate The Rich.

Jessica Parra (Guatemalan & Cuban) This beautiful soul sent me her work last year. I read and loved Rubi Ramos, so I expect I will probably enjoy The Quince Project as well!

Literary Fiction & YA

Camille Gomera-Tavarez (Dominican) High Spirits knocked me off my feet! The stories were so real but also used elements of Magical Realism.

Elizabeth Acevedo (Dominican) Another of my favorite authors! Acevedo's books give me a sense of belonging and warmth every time I read them.

Ibi Zoboi (Haitian) Zoboi writes in many genres but I've only read her YA so far. Her voice is powerful and her characters have strength through their vulnerabilities.

Books listed on my website: https://www.bookishafrolatina.com/blog

What AfroLatine authors do y’all recommend?

[ID: Slide 1-Gabby smiles behind a copy of An Island Princess Starts a Scandal. Text: AFROLATINE AUTHORS. I WANT TO SHARE WITH Y'ALL. Background is light purple with white stars. Slide 2-TEXT: ROMANCE. ADRIANA HERRERA. Adriana poses in black rectangular glasses and a burgundy top with her hair in short honey curls. 9 of her book covers surround her and a small Dominican flag sits below her. Slide 3-TEXT: ROMANCE. A.H. CUNNINGHAM. The author smiles in a floral top/dress and honey-colored braids. Below her sits the Panamanian flag. 9 of her book covers surround her. Slide 4-TEXT: ROMANCE. MIA SOSA. The author smiles in a denim top, dark rectangle glasses, and dangly earrings. Her dark brown/black hair is in short curls. Slide 5-TEXT: YA FANTASY & SPECULATIVE FICTION. DANIEL JOSÉ OLDER.  9 of her book covers surround him with a small Cuban flag below him. The author poses in the middle with a dark blue hat and gray shirt. Slide 6-TEXT: YA FANTASY, POETRY & ESSAYS. JULIAN RANDALL. The author laughs with his eyes closed. His hair and facial hair are black/dark brown. He's wearing a red and black jersey. Below hit, a small Puerto Rican flags sits and he is surrounded by 5 book covers. Slide 7-TEXT: YOUNG ADULT. FANTASY. MAYA MONTAYNE. Maya smirks with her dark hair in curls and wearing a dark green v-neck top. Below her, the Guyanese and Dominican flags sit above her three books. TEXT: MAIKA MOULITE & MARITZA MOULITE. The authors pose back to back. Maika smiles in her red lipstick, a tan fitted dress, and is bald. Maritza smiles in dark red lipstick, a blue, red, and white striped dress, and her black hair extends below her shoulder. Above them sit their 3 books and below them is the Haitian flag. Slide 8- TEXT: LITERARY FICTION & YA. CAMILLE GOMERA-TAVAREZ. The author poses with her hand under her chin. She wears her shoulder-length, dark brown hair in tight curls with 2 braids framing her face. She has dangly earrings and dark pink lipstick. Below her are a small Dominican flag and her two books. TEXT: JESSICA PARRA. The author poses in a pink tank top with her dark brown/black hair in loose curls reaching her shoulder blades. Her two books sit above her and mini ‎Guatemalan and Cuban flags flank her name. Slide 9-TEXT: LITERARY FICTION, POETRY & YA. ELIZABETH ACEVEDO. The author wears her honey brown, curly hair out and a patterned orange and purple top. A dominican flag sits below with 5 book covers surrounding her. Slide 10-TEXT: YA/MIDDLE GRADE & MORE. IBI ZOBOI. The author poses with her hand under her chin. She has her dark hair in short coils, large cat eye glasses, and a turquoise, orange, and cream top. The Haitian flag sits below her and 7 book covers surround her.]

[black-is-beautiful18]

The West, and we all know exactly who I’m talking about, will never understand the plights of the global majority. Sure we have popular book series like The Hunger Games but we saw just how “colorblind” they were when a semi-accurate Rue made her first appearance on their screens. Ppl were literally saying that they lost empathy for her cuz she was Black when she was quite literally Black in the freaking book. The same thing happened with Babel by R. F. Kuang. White bookstagramer showed her whole behind cuz apparently the book discussing oppression made her “feel bad for being white” cuz the white girl in the story literally was apart of the problem. Even had the audacity to label it as racist. This all goes hand-in-hand with my other post where I said they need to start making stories from the eye of the oppressor and not the oppressed. They don’t get it. They want to “save” us but really just want to be heroes. That is not the same thing as fighting against an oppressive ppl and system. It is a god complex. Let the MC learn how corrupt their country and system is. Let them realize that they most likely are part of the problem! This is also how we wind up with them using our experiences and placing them on elves and orcs even after we’ve said that it’s not doing what they think it is. If they don’t understand Star Wars and can’t see that it’s always been political then they do not need to be writing these stories.

[shefightsforall]

It goes without saying: read the books they are trying to ban.

[incorrect-jojolands-quotes]

Hot take but I think what we saw in chapter 13 was necessary.

I don't think a lot of people realize how important it is for Araki to portray what he did, even if it extremely difficult to take in. Let me explain.

Araki has discussed about topics like racial and class disparity through both Steel Ball Run and Jojolion, but JOJOLands is different because the discussions are now very direct. We had Chapter 1 open up with police brutality and Chapter 13 open with intense bullying; both acts were committed by people of higher social standing/power and seemingly White (or white passing) and both are harming a dark-skinned queer individual. Not only that, remember that Hawai'i is an island stolen and colonized by the US and many indigenous individuals who were supposed to live and maintain kapu are being forced to endure housing problems, loss of culture, etc. due to gentrification and exploitation of its lands. 2020 was when we saw global protest towards the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor due to police brutality, which has spread as far as Japan in terms of demonstrations and rallies. Araki has made it clear that he tries to take real world experience into his writing, and this is no different. He is also no stranger to portraying law enforcement throughout his parts without glorifying or downplaying their behavior.

As a mutual of mine (who themselves identify as a black GNC individual based in US) has put it, those who identify or even appear as Black while identifying as trans-femme or women are subjected to some of the worse kinds of oppression possible in America. Queer women of Color are one of the most susceptible to sexual violence-- especially when they are young, and the darkness of their skin really plays into it. This is transmisogynoir; it is a hard pill to swallow and acknowledge, even if it feels excessive, and its a multilayer of oppression that connects a person's racial identity, gender, and sexuality as targets of discrimination. It's the fact that one is POC, a woman, AND queer that makes one a target--- not just one or the other. You can’t turn a blind eye to this because it happen constantly throughout America's history and American society even today, but you can't simply water it down or downplay it. In fact, many victims of transmisogynoir have no choice but to downplay their experiences because of their Black identities or because they appear too dark to be taken seriously; when they, especially if they are Black, try to hold people in power accountable, these individuals are suddenly labeled aggressive, indignant, etc. and they are further discriminated for attempting to speak up. Dragona downplaying the bullying isn't them just trying to avoid further conflict but a reflection of how many who were in similar situations like Dragona are forced to simply forgive and forget the trauma they have to endure. To downplay it ourselves is reinforcing the narrative that individuals like Dragona in real life should remain silent and endure their harassment rather than rightfully protect themselves and others from it.

Another thing to add is that the way Japan portrays and treats the LGBTQ community, particularly the trans community. In Japan, the process to legally change your gender is complicated and requires a lot of steps that include, but not limited to, being diagnosed with gender identity disorder, proving you have no kids/guardianships, and sterilization. This causes a lot of individuals to be forced to quickly transition as a means of getting their gender recognized, which takes away the time to let them explore at their own pace, and this is due to how the process can lead to hindering career and life opportunities that wouldn't be hindered had they already transitioned or stayed closeted. Many Japanese trans individuals unable to go through the process quickly either remain closeted or move away from Japan to transition at their own pace. So, as a result, the trans community and its struggles is not as noticed compared to outside of Japan. Another thing to add is that the trans community in Japanese media is often portrayed as comedic relief or a gag. Oftentimes, the trans character or character who diverts from gender conformity (i.e cross-dressing, acting more flamboyant) is the butt of the jokes. Some thing to note is that, when Dragona was first introduced, a lot of people thought that Araki put Dragona in simply for comedic purposes. I had people joke about how Dragona is just there because they believed Araki is trolling. Not only that, the racial issues that Japan has often results in jokes towards non-Japanese individuals in media, especially if they are of darker skin color.

So, Araki putting Dragona in these difficult situations is also meant to subvert expectations that his Japanese, and possibly Western, audience may be expecting. The expectation was to laugh and toss Dragona aside as a single-dimensional character, but Araki instead forced us to face the trauma through Dragona's experience head-on. We are made aware of Dragona's situation, how real and difficult the struggle is, and we end up emphasizing with it rather than laughing at it. Through this, we get a glimpse into real life experiences of trans POCs without it being downplayed and have it show how Dragona is a fleshed-out character with importance to the series. As some have put it, this chapter proved that Dragona isn't just a side character but arguably a complex individual on the same level of importance as Jodio. I don't think it would have been easy to have the same impact if another approach was taken.

While talking to others who identify as trans and/or GNC about their thoughts on the chapter, I was told by many of them that, while Dragona's experience hits close to home and was hard to digest, they appreciate seeing it being expressed and hope it will help other people understand their struggles. One noted how the introduction of Smooth Operators with the backstory as empowering, seeing the Stand as a symbol of surviving the trauma that comes with trans discrimination. I do find this a bit telling with how many people online who are against Araki's portrayal barely mention what trans/GNC people have said about it.

My main concern, as well as what I see people have rightfully critiqued, is the excessive trauma reinforcing the fetishization and violent voyeurism towards trans individuals; it also reinforces the problematic narrative that dysmorphia can only happen as a result of trauma and the trans experience can only be full of pain. There's also the issue that Dragona's experience also happened while they were under age and their harassment is similar to that of Lucy. It's a common trope in Western media to put marginalized people into these situations while upping the ante simply for clicks and pleasure, and even worse when the character portrayed is a minor. As I reiterate, it is a very uncomfortable chapter to read and I don't find it enjoyable at the slightest. Just because I understand why it is necessary doesn't mean I condone the approach done. I also understand Araki as a Japanese man can only relate and portray a queer American's experience to an extent. But, at the same time, the exposure was necessary because it gives us the awareness and a voice to trans people that is lacking within media even today. We need to be aware and acknowledge what our BIPOC trans community goes through as a means of being better humans--- and especially our younger community members. We need to make our society safer for them so they can thrive and have the respect they deserve. Oftentimes, that starts with how they are portrayed and how their experiences are portrayed. While it is still a journey and not every representation will be perfect, we can't simply toss it aside and bash those who try to show something realistic just because it is uncomfortable.

I only hope that Araki wrote Dragona and these scenes as a result of doing extensive research and reaching out to actual POC queer individuals, particularly transfemmes/women, to understand their experiences and have their blessings to use their words to shape Dragona. I feel like that would show that Araki was serious about discussing these issues through his characters rather than simply using Dragona's traumatic experience it for entertainment. I have higher expectations for Araki now, knowing that it may not be the last time he shows a character experience harassment and possibly have Dragona be harassed again, so I will keep my eyes open for this.

[jgoddesstarot]

Pick-A-Card: What Your Future Spouse Finds Sexy About Your Body?

👑Check out my masterlist to see all of my pick-a-card readings😊

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🔮Disclaimer: This reading is for entertainment purposes only. Tarot readings are based upon my intuitive interpretation of the cards and about possibilities based on your current energy. Energy is forever changing and nothing is set in stone. Always remember, you have your own free will to make whatever decision you feel is best.

🔮How I read: I use a mix of tarot cards, oracle cards, along with my intuitive abilities of claircognizance, clairaudience, and clairsentience.

🔮How this works: Close your eyes and take deep breaths, pick the pile you are most drawn to. If you aren’t drawn to any pile then that’s okay, these messages aren’t for you.

Pile 1

Tarot Cards: 6 of Wands, The World, Ace of Pentacles, King of Pentacles, Queen of Swords

Hello, my Pile 1's! Let's dive right into your reading about what your future spouse finds irresistibly sexy about your body.

First off, we have the 6 of Wands. This card signifies victory and success. Your future spouse finds the confidence in your body language highly attractive. The way you carry yourself, the assuredness in your stride, and the comfort you have in your own skin is a definite turn-on for them. They love how you wear your victories and accomplishments on your sleeve, so to speak.

Next, we have The World card. This card represents completion, achievement, and fulfillment. This suggests that your future spouse is in absolute awe of every part of your body. They see you as their world, a complete package. They see your body as a map that they want to explore fully, taking their time to appreciate every curve and edge.

Moving on, we have the Ace of Pentacles. This card symbolizes abundance, prosperity, and new beginnings. Your future spouse finds your body to be a treasure trove of wonders. They're especially attracted to the sensual physical aspects of your body, and they find themselves captivated by the abundance and bounty of your physical form.

Then we have the King of Pentacles. The King of Pentacles represents reliability, abundance, and security. Your future spouse appreciates the strength and reliability of your physique. They are attracted to the solidity that your body communicates, reflecting an innate sense of security and dependability.

Finally, we have the Queen of Swords. This card is associated with independent thought and communication. Your future spouse finds your body language and non-verbal communication sexy. They love how you express yourself through your physicality, the way your body tells a story or makes a statement without you saying a word.

In conclusion, my Pile 1's, your future spouse finds your confidence, completeness, sensuality, strength, and expressive body language incredibly sexy. These are traits that they not only find attractive but deeply arousing. The cards suggest a profound physical connection and mutual desire that will be a key component of your relationship. Always remember, your body is a beautiful, powerful, and expressive tool, and it's one of the things that makes you irresistible in the eyes of your future spouse.

Pile 2

Tarot Cards: The Chariot, The Empress, 4 of Cups, 4 of Pentacles, Queen of Wands

Hello, my Pile 2's, let's dive into the tantalizing world of tarot and discover what your future spouse finds irresistibly sexy about your body.

First up, we have The Chariot, a card that symbolizes your powerful drive and willpower. Your future spouse finds your physical energy and vitality incredibly sexy. They are drawn to your strength and stamina, the way you push your body to its limits and are not afraid to tackle challenges head-on. Your body is a testament to your determination and resilience, and this is a massive turn-on for your future partner.

Next, we have The Empress, a card of sensuality and abundance. This indicates that your future spouse is captivated by your natural allure and feminine charm. They find your curves and softness incredibly sexy. You embody fertility and the richness of the female form, which is incredibly attractive to them. They adore the way your body moves and how comfortable you are in your skin, which is a reflection of your inner confidence.

The 4 of Cups is next, suggesting that your future spouse finds your reflective and introspective nature sexy. They appreciate the stillness in your body language, the way you carry yourself calmly and with poise. This tranquility in your physical demeanor is incredibly appealing and provides them with a sense of comfort and familiarity.

Next is the 4 of Pentacles, a symbol of stability and security. Your future spouse finds comfort in the solidity of your body, appreciating your strength and dependability. Your groundedness and the way you carry yourself with dignity is a testament to your inner strength and stability, a trait that they find deeply sexy.

Finally, we have the Queen of Wands. This card represents your passion and zest for life. Your future spouse loves the fire in your body language, the way your physical expressiveness communicates your exuberance and zest for life. They are turned on by your vivaciousness, your joie de vivre, that is channeled and communicated through your dynamic and energetic body language.

In conclusion, my Pile 2's, your future spouse finds your strength, femininity, calm demeanor, stability, and zest for life incredibly sexy. You have a profound physical connection with your future spouse, who appreciates your body for more than just its physical appearance; they love how it is a reflection of your character and spirit. So keep being you, because it's you - body, soul, and all - that they find irresistible.

Pile 3

Tarot Cards: 2 of Cups, The Emperor, The Magician, 8 of Wands, King of Swords.

Let's dive right in, my Pile 3's, starting with the 2 of Cups. This card represents a deep and mutual attraction, suggesting your future spouse is captivated by the harmonious symmetry of your body. They admire the unique balance and proportion of your form, finding it both physically appealing and intrinsically satisfying. They won't be shy to admit that your figure turns them on immensely.

Next up is The Emperor, a card that embodies power and authority. Your future spouse finds the strength and firmness of your body incredibly sexy. They appreciate your well-defined muscles, your strong posture, and your overall athletic build. They are drawn to your assertiveness and the commanding presence you hold with your physicality.

On to The Magician, a card that speaks to transformation and manifestation. Your future spouse adores your vitality and versatility, how you can adapt your body and appear in different forms, whether it's dressed up for an elegant night out or dressed down for a relaxed evening in. They are mesmerized by your ability to transform and express yourself physically, making their desires and fantasies come alive.

The 8 of Wands represents speed, rapid change, and movement. Your future spouse is wildly turned on by your dynamism and agility. They love the pace at which you move, the rhythm and cadence of your steps, the fluidity and grace in your movements. They find your physical spontaneity and liveliness utterly attractive.

Finally, the King of Swords suggests intellectual power and authority. Your future spouse is deeply attracted to the precision and purpose of your body language. They find your gestures and mannerisms sexy, especially how they reveal your sharp mind and confident personality.

In conclusion, my Pile 3's, your future spouse is wildly attracted to the balance, strength, versatility, dynamism, and precision of your body. They see it as a testament of your unique character and personal power. Remember, it's not just about physical attractiveness, but also about being comfortable in your own skin and expressing your personality through your physicality. So, keep embodying your authentic self, because it's you - in mind, body, and spirit - that your future spouse finds utterly irresistible.

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