“Black men are the face of risk and responsibility.
The commercial calls itself education and hands the audience a script on who to fear, who to watch, who to want.
The camera does not just warn. It lingers. It traces his jawline, the angle of his smile, the way his shirt hangs off his chest. It teaches people how to look at Black men: as danger wrapped in desire, as sex wrapped in statistics.”
You take my breath away, Taylor. Lord, what a gift. 😭
You need to know that I keep coming back to this piece. I’ve read it probably twenty times now, and twice to my teenage son. It’s so profound, so moving. And I cannot say enough about it. Easily my favorite piece on here. Have you thought about putting it somewhere else as well? Maybe a paper, a magazine? I want so much for you, Taylor. And this is an incredible piece of literature that CRAVES to be held by readers everywhere.
I’m rarely without words, so this feels ironic. My Sag energy usually has something to say.
I’m deeply humbled, and more than anything, I feel seen. Sometimes I wonder if the language reaches who it’s meant to wrap itself around. When it does, I’m reminded why witness matters so much to me. I had to learn how to witness myself before I could responsibly witness others.
The way I give witness is through the written word. It’s the clearest way I know to communicate with care and precision. When I speak, I wander. On the page, I can stay.
The fact that you’ve returned to this piece and even read it to your son means more than I can say. If you’re open to sharing, I’d love to know what conversations it sparked between you.
As for where else this could live, I hadn’t thought about that yet. You’ve given me something to consider. Thank you for that.
I’m so glad you asked! 💕 We are focusing on the difference between seeing someone and reducing them to a statistic. We’ve also talked about how media and institutions shape who we see and who we ignore, and how to see those attempts and stop them in their tracks.
This is exactly the conversation I hoped it might open.
The difference between seeing someone and reducing them to a statistic is the whole fault line. The fact that you’re teaching your son how media and institutions shape who is visible and who is disposable means the piece is doing its work. That carries weight.
Taylor, Taylor, my fabulous fave. 💛💛 wonderful work as always from a mind full of wisdom and insight. 💛After 24 years of living and loving with this virus, I’m tired of being a specimen as well. Not to all, but to enough of them. I no longer “speak” to be seen. I advocate. But not for free. I demand payment like I know others get payed. They do not pay others with gift cards. I have been asked to be a case worker, but I wonder what type of strain that entails. I know that life can be lived well and that the narrative must change. And so I take more of a grassroots approach. I don’t know if I am making an impact. But if I help just one person, perhaps it is enough?
I hope you reach a spot where you’re able to share your gift with the world, Taylor. You are such a talent. 💕 Don’t let people dim you, babe. You’re meant to shine.
“Black men are the face of risk and responsibility.
The commercial calls itself education and hands the audience a script on who to fear, who to watch, who to want.
The camera does not just warn. It lingers. It traces his jawline, the angle of his smile, the way his shirt hangs off his chest. It teaches people how to look at Black men: as danger wrapped in desire, as sex wrapped in statistics.”
You take my breath away, Taylor. Lord, what a gift. 😭
The fact that this is the part you grabbed tells me you were really in the room with me. Thank you for reading all the way down into it.
You need to know that I keep coming back to this piece. I’ve read it probably twenty times now, and twice to my teenage son. It’s so profound, so moving. And I cannot say enough about it. Easily my favorite piece on here. Have you thought about putting it somewhere else as well? Maybe a paper, a magazine? I want so much for you, Taylor. And this is an incredible piece of literature that CRAVES to be held by readers everywhere.
I’m rarely without words, so this feels ironic. My Sag energy usually has something to say.
I’m deeply humbled, and more than anything, I feel seen. Sometimes I wonder if the language reaches who it’s meant to wrap itself around. When it does, I’m reminded why witness matters so much to me. I had to learn how to witness myself before I could responsibly witness others.
The way I give witness is through the written word. It’s the clearest way I know to communicate with care and precision. When I speak, I wander. On the page, I can stay.
The fact that you’ve returned to this piece and even read it to your son means more than I can say. If you’re open to sharing, I’d love to know what conversations it sparked between you.
As for where else this could live, I hadn’t thought about that yet. You’ve given me something to consider. Thank you for that.
I’m so glad you asked! 💕 We are focusing on the difference between seeing someone and reducing them to a statistic. We’ve also talked about how media and institutions shape who we see and who we ignore, and how to see those attempts and stop them in their tracks.
This is exactly the conversation I hoped it might open.
The difference between seeing someone and reducing them to a statistic is the whole fault line. The fact that you’re teaching your son how media and institutions shape who is visible and who is disposable means the piece is doing its work. That carries weight.
Thank you for carrying it forward like this.
Taylor, Taylor, my fabulous fave. 💛💛 wonderful work as always from a mind full of wisdom and insight. 💛After 24 years of living and loving with this virus, I’m tired of being a specimen as well. Not to all, but to enough of them. I no longer “speak” to be seen. I advocate. But not for free. I demand payment like I know others get payed. They do not pay others with gift cards. I have been asked to be a case worker, but I wonder what type of strain that entails. I know that life can be lived well and that the narrative must change. And so I take more of a grassroots approach. I don’t know if I am making an impact. But if I help just one person, perhaps it is enough?
I hope you reach a spot where you’re able to share your gift with the world, Taylor. You are such a talent. 💕 Don’t let people dim you, babe. You’re meant to shine.