relief & regret

It’s OVER–thank God!  I’m just back from the Brooklyn Museum, where I delivered my paper on Mickalene Thomas.  My friend Pam was there, and with the exception of her friend and maybe two other women, the conference was pretty much all white.  Which is how it goes in the art world, and how it goes in the world of children’s literature, and in many of the other arenas I enter.  But showing up matters, and showing up with something to say is even more important.  Before I even got off the stage, a young woman of color came up to me and asked for a copy of my paper; she thanked me for my ideas and my very presence–she was afraid women of color wouldn’t be represented at all.  So for that reason alone, I’m glad I was there and was on point.  I was up late last night working on my paper, and only finished it this morning…it was well-received, but I missed my good friend’s one-woman show up in the Bronx, and feel awful.  So I’m glad the conference is over, but I’m sorry I chose to write a paper rather than support my friend.  Sigh.  I can’t wait until this month is OVER!  I want to order an entire pizza and stuff myself, but know I should venture out and buy a slice instead.  And maybe some cake.  I deserve a reward!  Actually, speaking of rewards…

Edi over at Crazy Quilts nominated me for the Splash Award!  The Splash award is given to alluring, amusing, bewitching, impressive and inspiring blogs.  Upon receipt of the award, one must

1) Put the logo on your blog/post.
2) Nominate up to 9 blogs which allure, amuse, bewitch, impress or inspire you.
3) Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4) Let them know that they have been splashed by commenting on their blog.
5) Remember to link to the person from whom your received your Splash award.

I check several blogs on a daily basis (including Crazy Quilts), and I hope you’ll check them out, too: Black-eyed Susan, where there’s always something going on related to women of color writers; Griotgirl, which blends the musings of a writer and teacher; Diary of an Anxious Black Woman,which keeps me on my black feminist toes, A Wrung Sponge got me writing haiku again and she always has insightful reviews of multicultural kidlit, and The Bottom of Heaven, which always has a provocative discussion on some aspect of black culture.

Ok, the couch is definitely calling my name…enjoy your weekend!