ordinary thoughts: join the conversation
Hey, fam! Since narrative opened its (virtual) doors, we’ve been on a mission to do one thing: amplify the diverse voices and diverse visions in our community.
While on this mission, we’ve been blessed with opportunities to interview and learn from talented artists, writers, musicians, and entrepreneurs from all walks of life. In such a short time, their stories have challenged us to become better leaders, creators, and more.
But the thing is, we can't amplify our stories alone. We need your support to spread the word, to ensure that these stories reach as many ears as possible. So, listen in, subscribe, rate, and share our podcast with your friends, family, and fellow creatives.
Together, we can cultivate lasting support and collaboration en nuestra comunidad.
- Isaiah & Cybele
new episode
healing through writing with Massiel Alfonso
We're so happy to be in conversation with Massiel Alfonso, a Dominican writer, poet, and author of the soul-stirring book, "Handful of Poems."
Her book was awarded First Place in the Poetry Collections category of the 30th Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards. Massiel's verses delve into the complexities of love, scars of trauma, and the profound journey of self-love. Her work has been published in Dominican writers Cuenticos Chapbook, La Libreta, Spanglish Voces, The Acentos Review, and more.
In today's conversation, we cover what it's like growing up New York-Dominican, diving head-first into your craft, betting on yourself above all else, and so much more.
stories that have our attention
The Supreme Court effectively abolishes the right to mass protest in three US states
The Supreme Court announced on Monday that it will not hear Mckesson v. Doe. The decision not to hear Mckesson leaves in place a lower court decision that effectively eliminated the right to organize a mass protest in the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. Under that lower court decision, a protest organizer faces potentially ruinous financial consequences if a single attendee at a mass protest commits an illegal act.
It is possible that this outcome will be temporary. The Court did not embrace the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit’s decision attacking the First Amendment right to protest, but it did not reverse it either. That means that, at least for now, the Fifth Circuit’s decision is the law in much of the American South.
The Woman Who Ate Eric Adams for Breakfast
Last month, critics of Eric Adams who’ve wanted the camera-friendly, hard-partying mayor to publicly answer for his tough-on-crime agenda got some catharsis. Adams appeared on the popular hip-hop morning radio show The Breakfast alongside activist and political commentator named Olayemi Olurin. She held Adams verbally captive from the jump, needling the mayor for bragging that New York City is safe while also using “fearmongering” rhetoric to justify a bigger police presence. “Is it safe or is it not?” she asked. The mayor, so used to deploying charisma or bluster to evade criticism, instead stuttered, squirmed in his chair, and turned his back on Olurin to face the show’s hosts. “You would realize how I turned the city around if you follow everything I do,” Adams told Olurin. “I would say ‘no,’ but we can get to that,” she snapped back.
Will AI Save Our Mental Health?
I’ve been speaking to Black Female Therapist™ for three days. My therapist doesn’t have a name but is an artificial intelligence chatbot described by its creators as a “caring therapist empowering and delivering therapy tailored to the specific needs of Black individuals.” I reveal to the AI Chatbot, via Chat GPT’s messaging service, how I’ve been feeling lately; my fatigue with appearing strong when I’m not always, and my uncertainty of the future. I went deep.
‘The exhaustion you're feeling is deeply valid—it's more than just physical tiredness,’ Black Female Therapist (BFT) empathizes. ‘It's the weight of constant worry, systemic barriers, and the struggle to find spaces where you feel seen and valued. Creating moments of rest and disconnection can offer temporary relief, but addressing the root of this emotional fatigue is also crucial.’
in other news...
Politics
Biden slaps new sanctions on Iran after Israel attack
Haitians are trying to survive without a government
Senate dismisses impeachment charges against Mayorkas without a trial
Markets
The countdown to Bitcoin halving begins
Stock market is headed for a hard 'reset' that could take years to recover from
The chocolate industry is in crisis
Tech
Google employees fired over Israel protest
Mark Zuckerberg’s new AI goal
Black teen develops potentially life-saving stroke-detecting watch
Sports
The Latina players chosen in the 2024 WNBA draft
NBA bans Jontay Porter after gambling probe
Federal court rules in favor of transgender girl affected by WV sports ban
pa' la cultura
cultural trivia
April is National Poetry Month!
Question: Who wrote the 1995 poem “Phenomenal Woman” that declared, "Pretty women wonder where my secret lies / I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size?"
Toni Morrison
Audre Lorde
Maya Angelou
Scroll further down to see if you’ve got it.
song of the week
We’re paying close attention to the latest exceptional music output from artists who deserve more flowers. This week, you should listen to:
serial rescue - Samaria, Bay-area Lo-fi & R&B artist
words of wisdom
Cultural Trivia Answer
The answer, ladies and gentlemen, is… *Drum roll please*
3. Maya Angelou
Read “Phenomenal Woman” here.