Author Archives: Alaya Dawn Johnson

so long, and thanks!

so-long-and-thanks
As I am about to embark on my Great West Coast Adventure (starting with a three day cross-country train to Vancouver, would you believe it), I must bid farewell to the ABW. It’s been an educational experience, to say the least. I don’t know if I really have the constitution for regular blogging, but it […]

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so long, and thanks!

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An Open Letter to Eric Kripke

an-open-letter-to-eric-kripke
The following open letter to Eric Kripke contains spoilers for all currently-aired seasons of Supernatural (though nothing about season five). It also includes a racial critique of all currently-aired seasons.
Dear Eric Kripke,
I want you to know that this is a fan letter. I’m saying this upfront because I’m aware that it might not seem […]

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An Open Letter to Eric Kripke

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Posted in Race, racism and related issues, Syndicated feeds | 27 Comments

The Bechdel Test and Race in Popular Fiction

the-bechdel-test-and-race-in-popular-fiction
It occurred to me, after reading this excellent post on women in fiction and the Bechdel Test, that perhaps you could construct one to address issues of POC and race. The analog seemed obvious, so I just wrote  it out.
1. It has to have two POC in it.
2. Who talk to each other.
3. About something […]

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The Bechdel Test and Race in Popular Fiction

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Posted in Syndicated feeds | 79 Comments

Tips for Going into Battle with Your Natural Hair

tips-for-going-into-battle-with-your-natural-hair
It is a truth universally acknowledged that when three or more black women are engaged in conversation for more than fifteen minutes, they will start to exchange hair-care tips.
Honestly, it’s uncanny. And in the spirit of that, here’s some of my ABW tips for Going into Battle with Your Natural Hair. (For the record: I […]

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Posted in Site and Admin Stuff, Syndicated feeds | 5 Comments

Get back, get back, get back

get-back-get-back-get-back
By now, you’ve probably heard all about the dust-up surrounding Justine Larbalestier’s latest novel, Liar.
If you haven’t, you can start with Justine’s big post on the subject, and follow that up with this Publishers Weekly article, in which Bloomsbury has some very fascinating things to say.
The short version: Justine Larbalestier, a fairly well-known YA writer, […]

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Posted in Race, racism and related issues, Syndicated feeds | 3 Comments