Alexandria Bennett, Author at Black Girl in Maine

African American Vernacular English: Different but equal

June 14, 2019June 14, 2019 by Alexandria Bennett

I’ve been lauded for my speaking abilities since I was a child. I delivered a commencement speech at a local school when I was just in the 8th grade. I may have been in more speech competitions than I can actually remember, but I know that I’ve never lost one. Mastery of Standard American English …

Invisibly disabled at the intersection of marginalized identities

May 7, 2020May 11, 2019 by Alexandria Bennett

I knew something was wrong long before I was diagnosed. I was gaining weight. I was reasonably active or at least maintaining a certain level of activeness. I was a healthy eater. I didn’t fry anything but an egg and rarely that. I didn’t eat canned foods. I made baked goods with almond meal and …