Living my values—a change of heart

Shay Stewart-Bouley

Last year, I made an announcement that changes were in the works for Black Girl in Maine Media. Namely, that after offering my writing free of charge since 2008, I was planning on putting the bulk of my work behind a paywall on Patreon. It is the direction that most writers and bloggers have taken, …

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Why Black folks die so young: Sometimes it’s all about the cash

view from an operating table looking at ceiling as 8 people in surgical attire loom over you

My critics—and those who just plain dislike me—often accuse me of being “obsessed with race.” The truth is that they are both right and wrong. You see, racism factors into our lives on a daily level, in both macro and micro ways. Also, most people confuse personal prejudice for racism and don’t know the difference. …

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Where did the allies go? Or, the DEI rollback

Person running away from a beach with only one leg visible as they run off-screen

Back to the not-so-good old days… For over a year now, I have taken notice of the gradually shifting anti-racism and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) landscape. I don’t know exactly when things shifted but it was subtle—well, at least until it wasn’t anymore. I occupy a rather unique space in this landscape. I am …

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