I remember talking to my mom about the book I was reading, “Feminist Queer Crip” by Alison Kafer. When I talked to my mother about disability, she pointed to an experience in her past. She said, she remembered back in her country seeing a man without legs or arms in the streets with a sign that asked others for food. My mom made a point to tell me that the man wasn’t sad, but was singing about the glory of God. Continue reading
Author: journeytonirvanna
“Illegal” Immigrants
TW: Violence, shooting, election results, war
I hate using the word “illegal” as a label for a group of people. It is such a dehumanizing term. Something that is illegal on UMBC is smoking inside the buildings. An illegal item on an airplane is a whole bottle of shampoo or a weapon. No human being on earth is illegal. Earth is our home. Continue reading
Split Second
Change happens very slowly. You can feel it weighing down on you overtime.
It squeezes you until you can’t take deep breaths anymore. It’s a white entity that gets heavier and heavier until you feel suffocated and start seeing flashing lights. It’s a gloomy creature that rests on your neck and crushes your vocal chords, until your voice crackles and then disappears.
When you least expect it, your eyes lose their shimmer and are replaced by glass with no reflection.
Change happens slowly. But I saw someone change before me in a matter of seconds. Continue reading
The Burden of Emotional Labor
A red faced woman stands in front of me with her lips pursed and a pink plush pig toy on the counter in several pieces. She reaches into her bag and throws more white stuffing onto the counter. Along with a balled up receipt, she throws at my chest. “I want a refund.”
I hate this part. Continue reading
Unruly Bodies 