• On Life and Love

    Attending a Charlottean Protest

    I visited uptown Charlotte tonight, amidst the current protests and unrest after Keith Scott’s death. My friend and I had a few tidbits of info on where people were meeting, but nothing concrete, so we wandered along several streets. In areas where people weren’t protesting, businesses were closed, and the streets were unusually silent for 20:30 on a Friday night. Troops stood in clumps of three on corners, waving or saying hello when you passed them. The occasional humvee or police SUV drove by. Things were more lively at the Omni Hotel, where folks had covered the sidewalk in chalk. There were lots of media there: it was clearly an…

  • On Life and Love

    A Return to Hair Simplicity

    Three-something years ago (okay, okay, three years ago on February 25, 2008), I started growing my hair out into locs. I plaited my 2 inches of ‘fro and let it go. This was a month after I left teaching and the night before I started my first post-teaching job, and it was a big life transition for me. I was mourning having “failed” at being a teacher and wanted something personal to accomplish as I reentered corporate software development.

  • On Life and Love

    The spook who counted her money

    I finished The Spook Who Sat By the Door yesterday morning. Sam Greenlee has one hell of a knack for sharp writing, and regardless of my not being a proponent for militantism, the book struck a chord with me. Greenlee got at the heart of the loneliness of being black in a nation and profession that both expects you to act white “enough” (but only so much) and simultaneously disdains you for doing so (as you disdain yourself). It was and is a fine line to walk. There are going to be spoilers here, but nothing that actually ruins the novelty of the book, I hope.

  • On Life and Love

    New Witches Story: “Interception”

    Part seven of The Witches of Ming Ung: “Interception” Here’s a snippet: “Yeah, sure,” Markos said. “When are you coming home?” he whined. “This place is all big and lonely without you.” “Markos, it took forever just getting here,” she said. “We’re just getting into the swing of things. It could be a while before I’m set to go.” Markos’s pout became a frown and Hardi realized she’d protested too much. His chuckle was forced as he said, “You sure you aren’t enjoying the sights while you’re out there?” Hardi’s smile was weak. “Well, it is a lovely planet.” As I mentioned earlier this week, from here until Witches is…