Black Future Month // 2-14-11 // #blackfuture is love
Posted on February 14, 2011
Today, I diverge a bit from our regular format to bring you a different kind of mash-up. In a rare mood of craftiness and unusual reverence for Hallmark rites, I woke today to hand-make some valentines for my friends. Clutzy as ever, I decided to forgo the Elmer’s paste and sequins, and ended up with this:
Now that you’ve seen my humble photoshoppery, let’s go back. To February 14th, 1992. It is second grade. You’ve got a pocket full of Smarties smashed to fine powder. Your teachers have given up on maintaining order. Justin Pleasants and Brian Clark have begun trading chocolate hearts for Ninja Turtle cards. One of the cool moms helped get Lipsmackers balm for the girls at your table. It’s nearly 3pm and you’re already fighting the wrapper off of a Hershey’s kiss when someone slips the perforated card into your left hand.
You look down.
It reads:
Dear Lauren Whitehead
Even though you’re far away, and my good wishes might freeze if i overnight them to you, I love you. Happy Valentine’s Day.
Love,
Naka
The girl next to you opens hers. She’s a pretty faced brown girl with neat hair and clean nails. She pulls hers out of the envelope gingerly.
Dear Jasmine Johnson,
I like your shoes and your suspenders and the way you read books aloud in class. You should be a teacher when you grow up.
Love,
CH
Or at least, that’s what today’s post feels like in my head. To help visualize, I’m including the following images. They’re some of my favorite short writings by black female authors, paired up with recent tweets of some of my favorite word smiths: Check for @mobrowne, @KiryaTraber, @OpalPalmerAdisa and few other literary giants. Feel free to download, send to the cute chick in human relations — throw up all over your boo-face’s fb wall — rt to your followers — make into your desktop — or just comment on down below.
self love is #BlackFuture.
VC
February 14, 2011 (1:26 am)
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
chinaka
February 14, 2011 (1:39 am)
thanks for coming by, leaving comments and putting me up on game about mirrors.
caits meissner
February 14, 2011 (8:21 am)
everything you are. Why haven’t I known about this blog? I am submerged & thankful. One day, let’s please sit across the table with cups of hot chocolate.
chinaka
February 14, 2011 (10:54 am)
caits, i would love it. one day we connect over bread stuffs and such?