Light-skinned-ed Girl

Nella Larsen headstone unveiling

Look for a post that announces the day of the unveiling.  It could be as early as December --but most likely at the beginning of the year.

being an artist, feeling lost

"Sometimes melancholy, longing, pain, or sadness can be a journey to something else.  They can be a part of an inner mourning process that helps you leave a part of your life behind so that you can go on to the next phase."  --Anna Deveare Smith, Letters to a Young Artist

the headstone

today i received the mock-up of the headstone for Nella Larsen.  it seems that the cemetery has given the okay for her name to appear as Nella Larsen and not Nella Imes.  i will hold onto the papers for a couple of days.  it feels like such an immensely important thing to do--i suddenly wonder whether it is right for ME to do it.  but, i admit, i do think of her as my Nella--and so in that way--who else would be more suited than me?

Writing always means hiding something in such a way that it then is discovered. Italo Calvino

I am in the middle of collecting notes on my manuscript and about to settle in with these words again for a revision.  I've hidden things in the writing even from myself--I'm looking for the open window in my work.

Light-skinned-ed Girl in Portugal where Nella Larsen Stayed

What must she have seen?  The same things?  The same kinds of faces?  The Hotel Avenida Palace near the Praca Restaudores was beautiful.  I sat in the lobby yesterday and imagined her there: enjoying a glass of vinho verde or porto --imagining the stories she would write.  Like I did.

Nella Imes?

According to the rules of the cemetery, Nella Larsen's headstone must bear the name under which she was buried: Nella Imes.  I am hoping that the cemetery will allow the addition of the name Larsen.  Nella Larsen Imes: that would be a good result.  But Nella Imes?  Is that what she would have wanted?

Nella Larsen & Me

i feel like i should keep this a secret for some reason -- though i don't know the reason.  but i am just incredibly excited.  so . . . shhhhh . . . but, . . . i ordered nella's headstone today -- she will forever be found.

the blue bottle

my character, rachel, has a way of dealing with all of the uncomfortable feelings she has.  she has a blue glass bottle with a cork stopper.  all the feelings she doesn't understand plus mad go in there.  what's in your blue bottle? 

This Is Not Biracial Identity 101

a few years ago, i performed in an ensemble show about biracial/bicultural identity called hybrideyes.  the show, developed through improvisation, was a fun look at the common threads of experience we all had.  i think it's time for a new show that addresses the same issues--but maybe in a deeper, more complicated way.  anyone in?

Biracial (Black-White) Hall of Fame

Possible inductees (in order of importance)--A DEVELOPING LIST

1. Homer Plessy
2. ???
3. ???
4. August Wilson
5. Bob Marley
6. ???
7. ???
8. Nella Larsen
9. Barack Obama
10. Halle Berry