I said people were dying. I said children were dying of malnutrition. I got thrown out.
Politics and the Pen / La politique et l’écrit was short this year.

Black and Indigenous resurgence is necessary and where all struggles must lead

If you can no longer use your words in a rap battle, you have lost.

Is it just me or is half the suggested content on social media platforms now obviously written by AI?

Update! Through conversations with management at the Saskatoon establishment, the outdated policy regarding backwards hats has been changed. Thanks everyone for your support and offers to boycott in solidarity. Dialogue for the win!

I know hat direction may seem insignificant to some. But policing people’s attire is one of a thousand ways in which white supremacy is upheld and enforced. Defying conventional dress norms is one of a thousand ways we resist it.

“Sometimes revolution wears a backwards cap.”

Last night at a casual establishment in Stoon an employee actually asked me to turn my hat forwards like it was 1993. No thank you. Passed several whiteboys with backwards hats on my way out.

Welcome to the Cypher is the little rap book that could! Much thanks to Sask Book Awards for this recognition!

#kidlit #hiphop #BookTwitter

Back to reading.

stay up: racism, resistance, and reclaiming Black freedom by Khodi Dill

Author Maria Campbell writes Halfbreed beautifully, and with such matter-of-factness that one is forced not to sit in the joy or in the hardship, but to live and move forward with both, as one does in reality. The social lessons, too, are timeless and invaluable. I’m grateful. 🙏🏾

Today my six-year-old daughter who’s often been labeled as shy spoke up on the playground at school to combat homophobia. Overflowing with pride right now.

Say what you will about J Cole’s apology, but giving it in the hyper-masculine realm of hip-hop took more bravery than any diss track ever would.

#coleworld

Khodi Dill Annick Press Khodi Dill Such a powerful listen! Thank you for sharing this with the world, Khodi. 🧡 💪

The incessant instructions from authorities not to look directly at the sun is a poignant metaphor for everything else they tell us to look away from. Free Palestine. 🇵🇸

If You’re Reading This It’s Not Too Late!

The stay up AUDIOBOOK is available now via Audible! You can listen to a sample when you search the title. Oh yeah, and it’s narrated by yours truly!✌🏾

Shouts to Annick Press! 🙏🏾

Friendly reminder that some of us have been doing anti-racism since before it was cool. And we’ll be doing it long after it’s cool as well. Rest assured.

Collecting incredible experiences as an author. From dialoguing with soon-to-be teachers who were studying stay up in university to chillin’ with Grade Ones from Montreal over Zoom, this journey has been amazing. Grateful for every step. 🙏🏾

Coming up tomorrow at 12 pm ET. Join me and my fabulous literary agent Carly Watters || Literary Agent (she/her) for a chill conversation about the writerly life and all things related to my creative journey. Grab a cup of coffee and join us!

Really lookin forward to this! Humboldt let’s go.