The first, the beginning, the start.
Some Assembly Required Issue #1
It’s here!
I want to first acknowledge the collective pain and trauma we are all enduring right now. Particularly with regard to police brutality and racialized violence. Rest in power to all those who have lost their lives. The fight for justice continues!
Thank you for subscribing and for joining this community in its infancy! There are four segments for you to enjoy in this month’s newsletter. Let’s dive in!
Women and Womxn
RE: “The X Factor: One Letter, Multiple Identities, and a Complex Future”
I think a lot about language. I am the type of person who can articulate something clear as day but internally berate myself for using the wrong word, the wrong tense or mispronouncing something. It’s exhausting and I’m working on it. That said language matters. This is why this article published by Bitch Media is what I’m thinking about a lot these days. The usage of the gender-neutral “x” has me alllllll confused. I am here for inclusivity but I have no idea if I’m actually being inclusive by using it. I want my LGBTQIA+ family to know that they are seen, heard, and welcomed in this space. With that comes the understanding, as mentioned by the article’s author Oliver Haug, that they are not a monolith. In other words, there is no consensus on the use and inclusivity of “x”.
Why does the dominant culture need “x”? There are so many good reasons but today I have some ideas that are more on the cynical side of things...
the need to make things tidy
the need to compartmentalize
the need for “clarity” around what group we belong to
the need to portray safety without guaranteeing it
But is seeing accepting? Is it a guarantee of tolerance? Does language equate to safety? Belonging? I think the answer is largely no and Haug seems to think so too. To quote Haug:
“Your organization wants to create a “safe space” for all womxn? That’s great, in theory—but are there any trans women in your group or on your steering committee?“
That quote right there is one of the few things that makes perfect sense to me. A letter, and language, can only signal to you that something or someone is safe or inclusive. With no consensus on the use of “x”, how do you know what message is being received? Ultimately, as the saying goes, actions speak louder than words. And it is action that ultimately shows us the truth.
That’s what I hope to do with Some Assembly Required. As this community grows I hope to show you all that all women are welcome, and black women are centered. All gender-marginalized individuals are welcome. If the broad spectrum of womanhood is something that resonates with you, you are welcome here. Trans. Cis. Non-binary. You are welcome here. Everything is not for everybody but if you find value here then this is the place for you!
Have you thought about or used the gender-neutral ‘x’? Share your thoughts on its usage in the comments!
Check out ggggrimes, whose work you can find here. (ages 18+) They are one of my faves on social media and have been so refreshing during a tough year.
The murder of Daunte Wright hits especially close to home. I haven’t got the words but Roxane Gay always delivers. This article shares some ways you can support his family.
The internet is fired up about Amanda Gorman, and rightfully so! Now April is national poetry month. Here are 7 black poets you should know. ;-)
AfroPop: The Ultimate Cultural Exchange season 13 kicked off this month!
Whoopi Goldberg is talking about her EGOT status in Variety.
The oscar-nominated movie Promising Young Women has everyone talking, but before you watch it listen to two of my favorite podcasters. They are Still Processing.
You’re excited about Zola, right? It can’t just be me.
Introducing Niecy Nash and her greatest love.
Tina Turner is the GOAT of all GOATs.
A blood test for depression and bipolar disorder?!???!!!
Che’z Cocco is honoring Afro-Mexican heritage.
Remembering DMX through a review of Belly
How four WOC heal.
Some things you might be interested in:
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture is looking for a publicist.
J.M. Kaplan wants to fund your innovation.
A directory of literary agents of color.
UJUU Media is hiring for multiple positions.
Leaving you all with some GIFspiration in honor of the first issue!
Loved discovering ggggrimes' art and also now also very excited for the Zola film!
I remember reading an article by a Mexican woman who argued against using the term "Latinx", but of course I can't find it now :) Anyway, the discussion did remind me of this short thought piece on the usage of "person/people of color": https://medium.com/@odjaxx/i-am-not-ambiguous-e0f84c0c1651 - even though (I think) that's a more widely accepted bit of language than the "x", people still hold very different views on it