‘Boundaries & Borders…captivates the reader with poems, fiction, and the personal journeys of women from across the Diaspora. Nigerian-American writer Iquo Essien offers a glimpse of her shifting identities and longing for home in her essay, ‘On Leaving Nigeria, ‘ while Palestinian writer Iman Hammad’s… ‘A Bullet and a Glass of Water’ takes us inside the brutal realities of a family living inside of a war zone… This is a courageous and bold undertaking from a place of deep reverence for the craft.’ – Carolyn A. Butts, African Voices
‘…A powerfully inspiring symphony of short stories and poetry that highlight…the varying experiences of women of color… You will find in our voices the many roads that lead to a host of freedoms and uncovered truths. Especially the revolutionary joy of loving each other while being uniquely different and brilliantly similar. Boundaries & Borders welcomes us all to share exactly where we each are, how we got here, and where we can go together collectively by sharing the journey and even the roadblocks.’ – Kim Brandon, Poet, Performer, Educator, and WOC Alum
‘When I returned to the U.S. from Liberia in 1997 after seven years of Liberia’s brutal civil war, I needed to tell the story of the tragedy I experienced. However, I could not imagine myself as a valued writer or find a place where I fit in. I decided then that I would create one-a space where women of color could comfortably write and be themselves. In 1999, I opened the doors of my nonprofit, Imani House, and WOC Writers (the first of its kind in NY) was born. WOC Writers provides in-person and virtual workshops, classes, readings, performances, and publications.’ We offer women a safe and supportive environment locally and globally, which is hosted from our Brooklyn Headquarters and other venues.’ – Bisi Ideraabdullah, Founder
Cuprins
When a Black Woman is Born 20
KIM BRANDON
Not a Silent Film 22
AIMEE SUZARA
A Bullet and a Glass of Water 25
IMAN HAMMAD
And When They Say We Can’t Be Mermaids 28
KAY HOLLINS
Say His Name! – Arthur Mc Duffie 30
OYABISI
Parking Lot Birthday 39
KRISTEL TORRELLAS
Bedtime Story 44
SOJOURNER WALKER
Coming Home 50
PEGAH MOTALEB
10 Boundaries & Borders
There is no mourning here 57
JORDAN E. FRANKLIN
Under the Boardwalk 59
ROSITA REYES
Confetti 66
TONYA TOBIAS
Ave Maria 68
TESS CRESCINI
The Walk 78
VALERIE VERDIA
On Leaving Nigeria 80
IQUO ESSIEN
No Matter What Happens, Don’t Move 90
KIM BRANDON
The Art of Birthing: A Mother’s Journey 92
OYABISI
Do You Still Want to Turn and Run? 102
CARLA BARNES
Wrapped in the Rainbow 104
KEISHA-GAYE ANDERSON
Cause Our Vigilance Increases Desperation 108
GLORIA VAUGHN
Bad Habits 109
NIVEA CASTRO
Chocolate Barbie 112
KUUKUA DZIGBORDI
(In the) Red 118
NICOLE LAVONNE SMITH
Pressure 122
KEISHA-GAYE ANDERSON
Silence 124
SIMONE GILL
Haiti My Love 128
CARMEN BARDEGUEZ-BROWN
Back to Black: Revisiting the ‘One-Drop Rule’ 129
PAMELA A. LEWIS
I Can’t Breathe 137
TERESA GREY
The Stolen Childhood 139
BRENDA MOORE
Sarsarita Time 141
LIS P. SIPIN-GABON
What Stops Your Writing 150
DAWN MOORE
12 Boundaries & Borders
October 11, 2001 152
SUNU CHANDY
Home 155
KIM BRANDON
Memories of the ‘Doodoo Birds’ 159
BRENDA MOORE
Poems to Costa Rica 165
REBECA TOLEDO
WHITE MAN 171
MELISSA DEL VALLE ORTIZ
The Lottery 174
ALMEDIA KNIGHT-OLIVER
Tissue Paper 177
CYNTHIA ROBY
2020 183
LINDA CUE
Runner in a Wall of Mirrors Reflected in a Wall of Mirrors 185
YIM TAN LISA WONG
My Demons, My Angels 187
DR. JUANITA KIRTON
Small Town 189
TERRY JENOURE
Secrets of Women Folk 190
RACHELLE PARKER
Bandh 192
RADHIKA VENKATARAYAN
Sigheh 195
SHABNAM PIRYAEI
Cracked 197
DOLORES JOHNSON
Rican Issues 200
CECIL RUFFIN
Sister Etta 208
Visit to a virgin 222
DANA STRINGER
14 Boundaries & Borders
Lingua Franca 223
DOREEN WANG
June 1st 225
KAY HOLLINS
Liberian Night Lights 228
OYABISI
Journey 236
MASAE OZAWA
Flashes of Clarity 239
KELLEY AKHIEMOKHALI
Soraya’s Hands 245
EMMA FARRY
Border Dweller 253
BHUMIKA MUCHHALA
Dreams Come True 256
ELIZABETH GREENE
Despre autor
When I returned to the U.S. from Liberia in 1997 after seven years of Liberia’s brutal civil war, I needed to tell the story of the tragedy I experienced. However, I could not imagine myself as a valued writer or find a place where I fit in. I decided then that I would create one-a space where women of color could comfortably write and be ourselves. In 1999, I opened the doors of my nonprofit, Imani House, and WOC Writers (the first of its kind in NY) was born. WOC Writers provides in-person and virtual workshops, classes, readings, performances, and publications. We offer women a safe and supportive environment locally and globally, which is hosted from our Brooklyn Headquarters and other venues. Please visit WOCWriters.org.
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