Hurts my heart reading this. Thank you for sharing your much needed words on the subject.

Your article reminded me of something that happened last summer at a BIPOC poetry writing workshop. There were two persons in the room who I'm convinced are whyte (spelling intentional - see Aza Alam).

I sent an email to the administration of PSNY (Poetry Society of New York), noting how these spaces are supposed to be safe for us, and that allowing others who aren't BIPOC makes it less safe, less comfortable.

They replied saying -

"As of our last Free Verse workshop led by Leilani, the instructor for every Free Verse workshop will read a statement at the beginning of the session clarifying that the workshop is a strictly BIPOC space, and that folks who are not BIPOC are welcome to attend other PSNY events. Additionally, I will be sending a similar reminder via email to all the participants who register for the Free Verse workshop. We also intend to make the marketing of Free Verse more explicit as a BIPOC space moving forward."

As someone who identifies as Indigenous Afro Boricua - and who is fair-skinned - I am keen on the issue of respecting Black-only spaces.

Jajom again for this post. Sending warmth from Boriken. 💛