(PITTSBURGH) – The world is not tender with Black women. And Pittsburgh, in particular, is not known for tenderness where Black women are concerned. TENDER a literary anthology & book of spells: evidence. is a fruit that grew out of local Black women’s longing–for connection, for comfort, for each other’s company. The multi-generational collection of poetry, prose and visual art by 19 Black Pittsburgh women writers and visual artists is now available for purchase.
In January 2017, artist vanessa german and writer/editor Deesha Philyaw formed a collective, These Black Midwives, and issued a call to local Black women for writing and visual art on the subject of tenderness. Their original intention was to publish 10 submissions, but they received dozens.
“We hadn’t ever done anything like this,” german said. “We moved with tenderness, faith and patience throughout the process. Both Deesha and I have very full lives— we were the team. Sometimes it was very difficult for me to keep up with everything. But, once the call for artists went out, and submissions began coming in, it was so exciting! And, moving! And… the number and quality of submissions took our breath away.”
The collection’s contributors included previously published writers as well as emerging writers, ranging in age from 18 to 50-something. The contributors are Mequitta Ahuja, Melanie Dione, vanessa german, Ada Griffin, Cheryl Hall-Russell, I Medina, Tereneh Idia, Tyra Jamison, a.k. payne, Shanikqua Peterson, Deesha Philyaw, Lisa Pickett, Almah LaVon Rice, TeOnna Ross, Jennifer N. Shannon, Celeste C. Smith, Christina Springer, Aaliyah Thomas, and Alona Williams.
Deesha Philyaw, co-editor and co-publisher (along with german), said, “When we were sending the book to press, Pittsburgh’s Gender Equity Commission had recently released a report on stark racial and gender inequities and disparities in the city, experienced by Black residents, particularly Black women. The report applied statistics to what we already knew: This ‘most livable’ city is most unlivable for us, thanks to generations-old systemic racism. So we are writing to you from a city that is, quite literally, killing us. Our intentional process of collaboration and creation with TENDER was a much-needed healing process. And through this book, we hope to bring healing and a sense of boundless possibility to other Black women and girls.”
Shanikqua Peterson, 28, of Homewood contributed two poems to the anthology. It’s her first publication. “I didn’t think anyone would like or even read my work. I had a baby really young, and my focus has been on taking care of my kid, not on writing. I didn’t think anyone would care what I had to say. But my English teacher at CCAC told me about the call for submissions, so I did it. I couldn’t believe my work was chosen. And the fact that I did this with a group of Black women? I’m honored.”
Copies of the 93-page collection may now be purchased online. On Feb. 27, 2020, City of Asylum will host a book launch celebration for TENDER. Also in 2020, the collection will be available at independent bookstores around the city, and the contributors will embark on a local book tour. They will also tour the book nationally in partnership with the Free Black Women’s Library.
“We hope that if other Black Women are inspired to publish books,” german said. “TENDER gives them the fuel that they need to act on their deepest inspirations, to pool their resources and publish the books that shape us whole and help to re-shape the world of possibilities.”
More information about TENDER, the City of Asylum launch event, and the book tours will be shared on These Black Midwives’ Facebook page.
About TENDER a literary anthology & book of spells: evidence.
TENDER is brought to you by late-night conversations among Black womxn and femmes telling our stories, talking about us, loving on us. Conversations of reckoning and consideration of the heart and the soul and how we are living with ourselves, friends, family and lovers, through times of stress and social media and false media. This book is brought to you by healing hands, prayers, loud laughter, and freestyles.
Connect with These Black Midwives
Facebook: @theseblkmidwives
Shopify: These Black Midwives
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