Sometimes the best protest is to find pleasure in yourself. The seats had definitely got smaller, either that or airlines, unlike Sir Mix-a-lot, did not like big butts… Bemused by her own thoughts, happy to still be on the flight, Talia hummed the old school 90s the tune to herself…

First time … long time … rainbows were not enuf (see Ntozake Shange) … Not for this coloured girl. Let me move from BrownSkinGal speak, and change to the more acceptable writewhitespeak for ye, but mind that takes longer so settle in for a story of abuse of power —…

This is a new year. But a new digit on a date can herald no real change when it starts, as it has here in Ireland with a Black man named George (Nkencho) being gunned down by armed police in Dublin, in front of his family. When we see on…

In the lead up to 2020 Summer Solstice, what clutter did you throw out? What has for so long shouted, ‘I am essential to your life, your happiness, your wellbeing, your place and value in the world’ and in the end has not been needed? What changes will you create…

‘That’s such an unusual name, where does it come from?’ And other polite ways people ask — ‘what sort of black are you?’ Well now that you ask, Let’s consider. A name Is a peculiar thing Not a thing you choose Chosen for you. Not a thing you will use, As much as it is used To command you Into forms and official boxes of Acceptable identification. An appellation for Adoration Anointment To shame, mock, tease.

Mixed Race Mamma The first act of harm I will (unwillingly) Inflict On any sweet, Immaculate, Child of mine Is giving it Life. In a world that will abominate The simple complexity, Of its mixed up, Miscegenated, existence Boats, Borders, Boxes… (ticked, packed, buried in) Where do we go? Sweet unwanted (desperately wanted) child of mine? Where do we live, That I do not bequeath you these hurts? Originally published at https://shivarjoyce.com on April 4, 2020.

A Review of Experiences at the Paisley Book Festival I am a writer in search of eclectic literature spaces that challenge the ‘stale’ and cultivate something of benefit to society. Otherwise what is the point? Sometimes travelling to places off the beaten track can yield the most enlightening experiences and the Paisley Book Festival was a recent exemplar. Committed…

Ahhh February: hearts, cards and roses quickly replace festive holiday merchandise — and we are expected to collectively leap into LOVE. LOVE is all around us. All you need is LOVE. LOVE lifts us up… da da da… The ever-elusive grand romantic gesture is everywhere being scurried around for —…

‘She was one of those black mothers, unwilling to either seek or accept help from others. Unwilling to suffer any small blow to her sense of independence or her vision of eventual arrival. And so if a job suddenly arose in some distant part of the city but held the…