-
The Pure Voice
10/20/2017 As I read the poetry and short stories of Latin American Women writers, a voice inside my head said, “Just say you are Latin American”. As I contemplated this it occurred to me that my parents don’t speak latin (or Spanish), and we speak English. I was born in Illinois. I have ancestors from many tribes. I was born on what was formerly Sauk land. So were my parents. The Native Americans died. My dad eats corn tamales. As I read these women’s stories I realized that I never thought white was any more synonymous with purity than black. If I can not claim a sort of unity with…
-
Broom at the Jazz Showcase
9/22/2015 I was making my way down the slightly snow covered sidewalk when I started to think about the Jazz Showcase. I had been here years ago looking for a job as a cocktail waitress on the day that Quinten Marsalis happened to be there. I didn’t interview well. I was too busy staring at all of the photographs on the wall and the stage. I didn’t maintain eye contact. Oh well, that was an awesome spot. I am going to have to come and see a show one day. As I made my way down the street toward the club I knew I was gonna need some coffee…
-
Lieutenant Nun: Freedom Through Violence?
This next paper was a response to Catalina De Erauso’s The Lieutenant Nun. The main character runs away from the convent, dresses in drag, and has a fantastic life as a man. This was my response. Lieutenant Nun: Freedom Through Violence? In my opinion, Catalina De Erauso’s adventurous tale of the transvestite nun is fascinating. Her story exposes how a woman views man’s social standing through freedom and access. Even an unknown man has the freedom to gamble, make money, and receive an education if he chooses. However, it soon becomes clear that this freedom is attained through violence. Soon after Erauso flees the convent she is offered a job…
-
The Cemetary On the Colored Side (Buried Alive)
By Joy Lynn Clark 3/12/2021 Published on: Oct 9, 2017 @ 05:03By Joy Lynn Clark (this story has been edited from the original) 10/12/2017 I have four ancestors buried at Burr Oak Cemetery on the famous Colored Side. Mother Mamie Roberts, Bishop William Matthew Roberts (CME ), Mamie Thompson and George Thompson I. My ancestor Bishop William Matthew Roberts started Chicago’s Original Roberts Temple. Bishop William Matthew Roberts has an honorary street on Chicago’s Southside (crossing 42nd Street west of Vincennes). The Historic church was much farther East (near Drexel) and was demolished in the mid-1990’s. I am no blood relation to the founders of the New Roberts Temple CME located…
-
Roy G. Biv is Stalking Me
By Joy Lynn Clark August 11, 2016
