The Writers’ Block Podcast

This bonus show is dedicated to the memory of Anne Rice who passed away on December 11, 2021. The book mentioned: CAMILLA. Good Night, Anne. Thank you.

This week’s episode focuses on Chelsea Lockhart, writer, activist and force for the melaninated good! For this show, we find out the mission of The Melanin Library, what fuels it, and the support Black writers need to succeed. Follow The Melanin Library on IG: melanin_library, and support this work on Patreon for as little as $5/month. Also bookmark & follow here: https://www.melaninlibrary.com/.

There is SEND FOR A POET segment! Work title: SPEECH TO THE YOUNG by Gwendolyn Elizabeth Brooks! Follow The Melanin_Library on IG: @melanin_library.

We are in a time of opposition as it relates to The Arts! For all the progress, platforms and the resurgence of Black writers, actors and directors, this craft—this work!—is hard. But it still has to be done.

TW: Body horror (There will also be spoilers). There is one thing to be said about this classic urban legend! The fact that Nia DaCosta and Jordan Peele were able to reimagine the short story that was created by white man (Clive Barker) from Boogieman to anti-hero? Is a testament to the power of the black imagination and that in the black history is black horror.

We all have a crisis of confidence as it relates to writing every now and again. Sometimes you can get out of that Meyer by yourself, sometimes you need help! Either way, let this bonus episode episode will be a reminder that you are not alone, pencils have erasers, and always save your work… You still have to go back to where you started in order to keep going.

The 2021 Emmys were trash. Representation still matters, and is rooted in respect. Black artists are worthy of respect. Always.

There is a power in representation. Since language is legacy, what legacy are you writing to leave?

Tutenese. A language spoken by enslaved peoples. And this language…is a link to past. Language is legacy. Follow me on TikTok: @whatjayesaid/@shesgottapen. The favorites mentioned: @miawarpath, @auntcalei, @jay.warpath.

Elle Dowd is a powerhouse for all good things. 

Wife, mother, student, interferer, activist, clergy and purveyor of bold lips and a lip ring. Elle and her husband, Adam, came into my sphere during what is now being remembered as the Ferguson Uprising. In this turbulent time, I met many people, heard of more people, under the scariest of circumstances! I came across Elle through Twitter, and followed her through Facebook! When I heard that she had written a book, I knew two things:  I needed to read it and she needed to be on this platform! 

As Elle is a member of the clergy, and I am a woman of faith, the conversation does delve into faith, the power of it, and how what we know s modern-Christianity glosses over needed issues relating to social justice, racism, and even how we as the Body of Christ gloss over how Christ was killed by the state.  From speaking about John Lewis, Martin Luther King, Jr., Dr. Traci Blackmon and James Cone, Elle makes room in this conversation to have harder conversations. Why? The are needed and necessary.

Baptized In Tear Gas is available August 10.

Follow Elle on Facebook here. 

To learn more about SOUL (Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation) click here.

Keturah Kendrick is a force of nature, and it is fitting seeing that her hometown is New Orleans, Louisiana! This interview is the continuation of the conversation that Keturah and I had last year on Instagram dealing with the value of representation. This conversation is a reminder that representation is a process, erasure is a choice, and owning all of yourself as a Black woman--walking in an anti-Black world!--is a revolutionary act. 

The take away from this conversation, remember:  "Freedom is a moving target."

Follow Keturah on social media and get your entire life!

Site:  https://www.keturahkendrick.com/

IG:  keturahkendrick

Twitter:  @HappySingleGal

Articles:

https://www.huffpost.com/author/keturah-kendrick

FOLLOW AND SUPPORT HER PATREON!

Keturah Kendrick, Ambassador of Freedom

BUY MY SISTER'S BOOK:

https://www.amazon.com/Keturah-Kendrick/e/B07NTMV5GS%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share