Unsolicited advice to skinny girls with bitten nails and awkward glasses after Jeanann Verlee.
When you’re best friend’s father invites you over, say no.
When the girls at school tease you for wearing Payless light-ups, do not wrench your face. Smile and tie your laces.
When you finally learn how to Dougie and it’s 2011, show off to everyone you know.
You finally learned how to do the original Harlem Shake and it’s 2011, keep it to yourself.
When your mother asks you to buy her a pregnancy test, do not slam the door behind you; do not snatch the 20 from your birthright when she says she is pregnant.
Do not sacred suck your teeth; do not holy roll your eyes when the boy with the intrusive shadow calls you a white girl.
Do not cower your head.
Do not question you’re black when your grandmother says you act like and old lady.
Take it as a compliment.
Set the teapot, nick the turtleneck, check on the apple pie.
When the next NY student asks to touch your hair, laugh, and then ask if you can touch theirs.
When your best friend’s father invites you over, say no.
When you catch your brother with a porno, act surprised. Laugh it off; do not call him a sinner.
When your mother asks why you take so long in the shower, tell her you hate this cancer, this dark that wears you like a plague.
You discover your grandmother is bipolar and schizophrenic. Hug her; then Google each illness.
When you question if you are anything like her, hug yourself. Then Google each illness with pride.
When you cry in front of your brother because he has just learned you are not his full sister, do not slump your shoulders. Your eyes are a wealth of thirsty crave; pour into him.
When you visit your brother on Riker’s Island, do not blink to hold back the tears.
You are Moses, he is the miracle, this is the Red Sea.
When your mother brings your sister home the hospital, do not hide your hands, do not fear you will drop her.
She is a medallion in a collection plate of screws. Treasure her.
When the older woman with silver hair and loose teeth calls you a n—–, give her the finger.
Give her Jay Z’s The Blueprint. Give her the word of God.
When your mother’s ex-boyfriend puts his hands on your brother, grab the chair.
When your mother’s ex-boyfriend puts his hands on your sister, grab the frying pan.
When your mother’s ex-boyfriend puts his hands on your mother, grab the phone.
Grab the knife.
Grab your voice.
This is Armageddon.
This is taking back [inaudible 00:03:01] do not fear. Do not cower. Do not question.
Your best friend’s father invites you over, say no.
You are resurrection.
You are silenced turned shotgun – and death has no place here.
