The Reason Behind My Voice

  Photo by  annie pm  on  Unsplash As we celebrate National Poetry Month, I figured it is fitting to share my favorite poetry collections with you.  Poetry can be such a joy. I know many detest the art form as it tends to be intimidating but for some of us poetry is a balm.  I have always loved books but some modern poetry collections resonated differently. They've helped me step out of the shadows and into my voice.  I believe that good poetry is like medicine. When I am spiraling or need a pep talk I just grab one of the poetry books from the bookshelf, run myself a bath and let the words work their magic. If I had not found poetry when I did Lord knows where I would be.  This is why I have chosen Rupi Kaur's The Sun and Her Flowers as my first pick to share with you.  Photo by  Sincerely Media  on  Unsplash Lessons from The Sun and Her Flowers Flowers and plants can teach us a lot about ourselves. We go through stages too. W...

Photo Credit: Wherbson Rodrigues The senseless killing of George Floyd has sparked protests across the United States, parts of the United Kingdom, and Canada. Those present at rallies and marches have been calling for the end of racism, defunding the police and justice for black lives which were prematurely ended. These calls are very timely and these protests have been a long time coming.   These recent events made me realize how many systems around the world have been built to keep Blacks suppressed; whether subtle or out-rightly. The system has not been kind to us; it never was. We were taught to hate the color of our skin. We were taught that the lighter your complexion the more beautiful you were and the more favor you would find with "kings". We were taught that the straighter your hair was as a black woman, the greater your chances of finding a good husband and climbing the social ladder. We were taught to hate our gods and not to mention our ancestors. We were...