Black Reads: Issue 029
Another week of Black women writing our pretty little asses off, cause we have some things to say, okay?
Y’all, I had so much fun putting this week’s newsletter together. Over the past few days, I’ve been reading and getting an idea of who I planned to share this week, but then this column’s idea came in my head, and I had Antoinette Davis’s submission with the idea of including it in a Black Reads newsletter, I just didn’t know how at the time, then boom.
For a little razzle dazzle, I included some polls to make the newsletter a little more engaging, so please let me know in the comments if y’all vibing with it or not! Lowkey, I think I kind of like it!
Let’s get into these Black Reads for this week!
As a Black woman in America, watching the world rush past me, at times, it does feel like I’m in a window seat. I learned to leave my heavy bags and travel lightly on this journey, to a place that I have yet to experience, filled with peace. Jay Tea did an amazing job with this one, the way she poses the question, what happens when a Black woman chooses not to choose between being Black and being a woman? This question lingers in my mind.
This is definitely, without a doubt, a 10/10 Black read!
Reading this one by Sierra felt like a sermon in the best way. A gentle reminder that we don’t need to hover over our manifestations and dreams. Our ancestors are working through us, not necessarily for us. There’s a level of honor and respect we must always show towards them for the paths they have cleared for us to exist in the world the way we do today. This is one of those reads that will have you inspired to do your part, and Sierra breaks that down beautifully.
Highly recommended Black read, 10/10!
When I think about what it means to carry a lineage, I think of the matriarchs of bloodlines. But when I imagine the inheritance I will be able to imprint in my lineage, enscripted in peace, softness, safety, and preservation—I see myself in this piece written by Ryen. What she does so beautifully in this piece is give us, as the readers, a chance to experience her observations too, with her. And through that, some of us will start to see our own experiences mirroring back at us. This reflection had me in tears reading this one.
Absolutely a 10/10 read for all Black women!
Now, I don’t normally showcase my own work; however, this essay is one that every Black writer needs to read. I wrote this one because I don’t see people talking about the publishing industry from this perspective, and Toni Morrison told me to write what I wanted to read. I think this one is going to hit you in the best way. If you didn’t know, I be writing my Black ass off on Substack.
I want to test out what a “column” would look like, formatted into our already existing newsletters. Let me know in the comments if we like this.
Women Don’t Want Flowers
Written by Antoinette Davis
Why is it that whenever men show interest in a woman, their first instinct is to buy them flowers? I just wanna know who started that. Was it these cheesy ass rom-com movies that y’all never wanna go see with us? Or was it the fairytale-like, unrealistic ass romance novels that become best sellers because we’re too naive to actually consider enjoying romance novels based on real life experiences?
Every woman in every book, movie, tv show, and now real life gets a bouquet of roses from the man they think they love. At least now they change it up a little bit and get something other than red roses. Now there’s a whole plethora of colors—red, pink, white, yellow.
But like damn, what if I don’t want no damn flowers? What if I want an edible arrangement (which I would very much so prefer)? What if I want him to give me a spontaneous massage that I don’t have to ask for? My feet be hurting after a long day at work. What if I just want a man to tell me that I’m beautiful or that I’m not too much, but just the right amount? What if I want, instead of going out to dinner, to stay at home and read a damn book together? I like to read. What if we just ate a bowl of ice cream and watched Love Island Season 6—again? Serena and Kordell are love icons at this point. What if we could’ve stayed together and made our relationship work? What if you would have been okay with the fact that I said “I don’t like flowers” and instead, “I want to do a Valentine’s Day paint and sip with you”? What if you never told me that I was “doing too much”?
I just don’t get it. Why was it so hard for you to accept that I don’t like flowers? Is going on a romantic ass date with me really that bad? I told you I didn’t like flowers, and you bought them anyway. Were you even listening? Or did you just not care?
Maybe I should have just accepted the flowers. Then, I could be as happy as the women in those movies, tv shows, and books I’m always using to pass the time. Maybe we could have used the flowers as decorations on our paint and sip. But, then again, you never wanted to do that—at least not with me.
Now, here I am. A whole year later. No dates. No roster. That’s not to say that I’ve given up on love, because there’s definitely someone I’m feeling, but like maybe this time I can change the scenario. Maybe I could be the one to give him flowers.
 | A guest post by
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Thank you so much for the feature!! 🥹💐🫶🏾
I want ALL my flowers!