1. What are you currently reading and what’s on your to-be-read pile?
2. What type of writing influences your work most: fiction, poetry, or non-fiction?
3. What 3 characteristics, elements or themes are prevalent in your work?
4. As a writer and reader, does gender matter? Please consider responding in more depth at Poetry Collections by Women.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Sunday, January 27, 2008
National Poetry Month Contest
Color Online is sponsoring a poetry contest. This event is hosted by Alternatives for Girls, 903 W. Grand Boulevard, Detroit, 48208. Contestants may submit poems in any form they choose. Works must be original and not previously submitted for competition or publication. Contest deadline is April 23rd.
Prizes will include gift cards, collections and books. Writing workshops to help craft your pieces will be offered Wednesdays between 5-7pm on 4/2, 4/9, 4/16 & 4/23rd. Participation is not required but encouraged. Register for workshops with Annetta in the library.
A reception and reading will be held on April 30th in the Ford Room. Awards will be presented to winners and honorable mentions.
We encourage poets to explore themes that are central to girl and women studies: empowerment, spirituality, body image, inner strength, community activism, self-awareness, equality, political action, diversity, multiculturalism, self-esteem, reproductive health and sexuality.
Rules
Contest deadline is April 23rd.
• Entries must be submitted via email at cora_litgroup@yahoo.com
• 3 entry maximum; submit each entry separately.
• Email subject line should read: CO Poetry Contest.
• In the body of the email include full name, phone number and title of poem.
• Submit poem as an attachment; only put title on attachment.
• Minimum line length: 3 Max: 25
PRIZES
1st place- $50 cash and poetry collection
2nd place- $25 cash and poetry collection
3rd place- gift card and poetry collection
Honorable mentions will receive gift cards or poetry collections
Prizes will include gift cards, collections and books. Writing workshops to help craft your pieces will be offered Wednesdays between 5-7pm on 4/2, 4/9, 4/16 & 4/23rd. Participation is not required but encouraged. Register for workshops with Annetta in the library.
A reception and reading will be held on April 30th in the Ford Room. Awards will be presented to winners and honorable mentions.
We encourage poets to explore themes that are central to girl and women studies: empowerment, spirituality, body image, inner strength, community activism, self-awareness, equality, political action, diversity, multiculturalism, self-esteem, reproductive health and sexuality.
Rules
Contest deadline is April 23rd.
• Entries must be submitted via email at cora_litgroup@yahoo.com
• 3 entry maximum; submit each entry separately.
• Email subject line should read: CO Poetry Contest.
• In the body of the email include full name, phone number and title of poem.
• Submit poem as an attachment; only put title on attachment.
• Minimum line length: 3 Max: 25
PRIZES
1st place- $50 cash and poetry collection
2nd place- $25 cash and poetry collection
3rd place- gift card and poetry collection
Honorable mentions will receive gift cards or poetry collections
National Poetry Month Contest
Color Online is sponsoring a poetry contest. This event is hosted by Alternatives for Girls, 903 W. Grand Boulevard, Detroit, 48208. Contestants may submit poems in any form they choose. Works must be original and not previously submitted for competition or publication.
Contest deadline is April 23rd.
Prizes will include gift cards, collections and books. Writing workshops to help craft your pieces will be offered Wednesdays between 5-7pm on 4/2, 4/9, 4/16 & 4/23rd. Participation is not required but encouraged. Register for workshops with Annetta in the library.
A reception and reading will be held on April 30th in the Ford Room. Awards will be presented to winners and honorable mentions.
We encourage poets to explore themes that are central to girl and women studies: empowerment, spirituality, body image, inner strength, community activism, self-awareness, equality, political action, diversity, multiculturalism, self-esteem, reproductive health and sexuality.
Rules
Contest deadline is April 23rd.
• Entries must be submitted via email at cora_litgroup@yahoo.com
• 3 entry maximum; submit each entry separately.
• Email subject line should read: CO Poetry Contest.
• In the body of the email include full name, phone number and title of poem.
• Submit poem as an attachment; only put title on attachment.
• Minimum line length: 3 Max: 25
PRIZES
1st place- $50 cash and poetry collection
2nd place- $25 cash and poetry collection
3rd place- gift card and poetry collection
Honorable mentions will receive gift cards or poetry collections
Prizes will include gift cards, collections and books. Writing workshops to help craft your pieces will be offered Wednesdays between 5-7pm on 4/2, 4/9, 4/16 & 4/23rd. Participation is not required but encouraged. Register for workshops with Annetta in the library.
A reception and reading will be held on April 30th in the Ford Room. Awards will be presented to winners and honorable mentions.
We encourage poets to explore themes that are central to girl and women studies: empowerment, spirituality, body image, inner strength, community activism, self-awareness, equality, political action, diversity, multiculturalism, self-esteem, reproductive health and sexuality.
Rules
Contest deadline is April 23rd.
• Entries must be submitted via email at cora_litgroup@yahoo.com
• 3 entry maximum; submit each entry separately.
• Email subject line should read: CO Poetry Contest.
• In the body of the email include full name, phone number and title of poem.
• Submit poem as an attachment; only put title on attachment.
• Minimum line length: 3 Max: 25
PRIZES
1st place- $50 cash and poetry collection
2nd place- $25 cash and poetry collection
3rd place- gift card and poetry collection
Honorable mentions will receive gift cards or poetry collections
National Poetry Month
Color Online is sponsoring a poetry contest. This event is hosted by Alternatives for Girls, 903 W. Grand Boulevard, Detroit, 48208. Contestants may submit poems in any form they choose. Works must be original and not previously submitted for competition or publication.
A reception and reading will be held on April 30th in the Ford Room. Awards will be presented to winners and honorable mentions.
We encourage poets to explore themes that are central to girl and women studies: empowerment, spirituality, body image, inner strength, community activism, self-awareness, equality, political action, diversity, multiculturalism, self-esteem, reproductive health and sexuality.
Rules
Contest deadline is April 23rd.
• Entries must be submitted via email at cora_litgroup@yahoo.com
• 3 entry maximum; submit each entry separately.
• Email subject line should read: CO Poetry Contest.
• In the body of the email include full name, phone number and title of poem.
• Submit poem as an attachment; only put title on attachment.
• Minimum line length: 3 Max: 25
PRIZES
1st place- $50 cash and poetry collection
2nd place- $25 cash and poetry collection
3rd place- gift card and poetry collection
Honorable mentions will receive gift cards or poetry collections
Workshops will be held at Alternatives for Girls, 903 W. Grand Boulevard. Wednesdays: 4/2, 4/9, 4/16 & 4/23 5:00-7:00ppm
Sundays: 4/6, 4/13 & 4/20 2:00-4:00pm
A reception and reading will be held on April 30th in the Ford Room. Awards will be presented to winners and honorable mentions.
We encourage poets to explore themes that are central to girl and women studies: empowerment, spirituality, body image, inner strength, community activism, self-awareness, equality, political action, diversity, multiculturalism, self-esteem, reproductive health and sexuality.
Rules
Contest deadline is April 23rd.
• Entries must be submitted via email at cora_litgroup@yahoo.com
• 3 entry maximum; submit each entry separately.
• Email subject line should read: CO Poetry Contest.
• In the body of the email include full name, phone number and title of poem.
• Submit poem as an attachment; only put title on attachment.
• Minimum line length: 3 Max: 25
PRIZES
1st place- $50 cash and poetry collection
2nd place- $25 cash and poetry collection
3rd place- gift card and poetry collection
Honorable mentions will receive gift cards or poetry collections
Workshops will be held at Alternatives for Girls, 903 W. Grand Boulevard. Wednesdays: 4/2, 4/9, 4/16 & 4/23 5:00-7:00ppm
Sundays: 4/6, 4/13 & 4/20 2:00-4:00pm
Friday, January 25, 2008
Women's History
January 25, 1996: Constance Baker Motley becomes first black woman appointed to a federal judgeship.
September 4, 1921-September 28, 2005
"When I went to law school, nobody heard of civil rights."
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Let's Talk About it: Sexual Abuse
Our focus at Color Online is to promote a love of reading, to encourage young women to express themselves in writing and to support their emotional and social development. And we want to help them heal. Each month we will highlight books that address a myriad of crisis that plague women. We’ll begin with sexual abuse.
Sexual abuse is difficult for most of us to talk about, but if we’re going to heal, we have to address it. Reading can be a first step. If you’re looking for works suitable for young adults, we recommend: When Kambia Elaine Flew In From Neptune by Lori A. Williams , I Hadn't Meant to Tell You This by Jacqueline Woodson and Sold by Patricia McCormick. For non-fiction, we recommend, The Enemy Between My Legs by Stephanie Jones.
When Kambia Elaine Flew in from Neptune is the story of two friends. Kambia Elaine tells Shayla, "They live in the wallpaper... they have five-inch fangs, fiery red eyes, purple horns, long sharp claws, and spiky gray fur... they whisper horrible, nasty things in your ear... then they make you do them."
I hadn’t Meant To Tell You: “Two girls: one white, one black; one abused, one protected, both missing their mothers. An unlikely friendship ignites between the two, and, in sharing their differences, both of their lives are transformed.”
Sold is the story of a young girl sold into sex slavery. From a review on Amazon, “Lakshmi, 13, knows nothing about the world beyond her village shack in the Himalayas of Nepal, and when her family loses the little it has in a monsoon, she grabs a chance to work as a maid in the city so she can send money back home. What she doesn't know is that her stepfather has sold her into prostitution.”
The Enemy Between My Legs is a personal testimony written by Stephanie L. Jones a local Detroit motivational speaker and community activist. Ms. Jones is committed to helping all women heal.
If you know of other titles that address molestation, rape and incest, share them with us. Let’s talk about healing.
Sexual abuse is difficult for most of us to talk about, but if we’re going to heal, we have to address it. Reading can be a first step. If you’re looking for works suitable for young adults, we recommend: When Kambia Elaine Flew In From Neptune by Lori A. Williams , I Hadn't Meant to Tell You This by Jacqueline Woodson and Sold by Patricia McCormick. For non-fiction, we recommend, The Enemy Between My Legs by Stephanie Jones.
When Kambia Elaine Flew in from Neptune is the story of two friends. Kambia Elaine tells Shayla, "They live in the wallpaper... they have five-inch fangs, fiery red eyes, purple horns, long sharp claws, and spiky gray fur... they whisper horrible, nasty things in your ear... then they make you do them."
I hadn’t Meant To Tell You: “Two girls: one white, one black; one abused, one protected, both missing their mothers. An unlikely friendship ignites between the two, and, in sharing their differences, both of their lives are transformed.”
Sold is the story of a young girl sold into sex slavery. From a review on Amazon, “Lakshmi, 13, knows nothing about the world beyond her village shack in the Himalayas of Nepal, and when her family loses the little it has in a monsoon, she grabs a chance to work as a maid in the city so she can send money back home. What she doesn't know is that her stepfather has sold her into prostitution.”
The Enemy Between My Legs is a personal testimony written by Stephanie L. Jones a local Detroit motivational speaker and community activist. Ms. Jones is committed to helping all women heal.
If you know of other titles that address molestation, rape and incest, share them with us. Let’s talk about healing.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Birthday Shout Out!
Martin Luther King, Jr. January 15, 1929- April 4, 1968“Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.”
~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
To read more:http://www.stanford.edu/group/King/about_king/biography/
http://www.myhero.com/myhero/hero.asp?hero=mlkjr_quotes2003
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Portpourri: Literature & Women's Studies
Answer the quiz and your name will be entered in a monthly drawing. Post your reply to the comment box. Must include your e-mail to be eligible to win.
QUIZ #20
On January 15, 1908 the first black sorority is founded at Howard University. What is the sorority?
QUIZ #20
On January 15, 1908 the first black sorority is founded at Howard University. What is the sorority?
What Are You Reading?
What are you reading this month? Have you set in reading goals this year? Does it matter if we are a literate society? What do we gain by reading?
We want to hear from us. In 2008, make Color Online more than a place to stop by for book snapshot or biography sketch to read. This year, tell us what you think.
We want to hear from us. In 2008, make Color Online more than a place to stop by for book snapshot or biography sketch to read. This year, tell us what you think.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Fertile Ground: Selected Poetry Read
Ethiopia
for Tifa
Seven years without milk
means everyone dances for joy
on your birthday
but when you clap your hands
break at the wrist
and even grandmother's ghee
cannot mend
the delicate embroideries
of bone.
From Our Dead Behind Us by Audre Lorde
for Tifa
Seven years without milk
means everyone dances for joy
on your birthday
but when you clap your hands
break at the wrist
and even grandmother's ghee
cannot mend
the delicate embroideries
of bone.
From Our Dead Behind Us by Audre Lorde
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Potpourri: Literature & Women's Studies
Answer the quiz and your name will be entered in a monthly drawing. Post your reply to the comment box. Must include your e-mail to be eligible to win.
QUIZ #19
Who wrote, AFTER READING MICKEY IN THE NIGHT
KITCHEN FOR THE THIRD TIME BEFORE BED
I'M IN THE MILK AND THE MILK'S IN ME...I'M MICKEY!
QUIZ #19
Who wrote, AFTER READING MICKEY IN THE NIGHT
KITCHEN FOR THE THIRD TIME BEFORE BED
I'M IN THE MILK AND THE MILK'S IN ME...I'M MICKEY!
Monday, January 7, 2008
BIRTHDAY SHOUT OUT!
Zora Neal HurstonJanuary 7, 1891- January 28, 1960
"From the 1930s through the 1950s, Zora Neale Hurston was the most prolific and accomplished black woman writer in America. During that thirty-year period she published seven books, many short stories, magazine articles, and plays, and she gained a reputation as an outstanding folklorist and novelist. She called attention to herself because she insisted upon being herself at a time when blacks were being urged to assimilate in an effort to promote better relations between the races. Hurston, however, saw nothing wrong with being black: "I do not belong to that sobbing school of Negrohood who hold that nature somehow has given them a lowdown dirty deal." Indeed she felt there was something so special about her blackness that others could benefit just by being around her. Her works, then, may be seen as manifestos of selfhood, as affirmations of blackness and the positive aspects of black life. "
From Gale publishing: http://www.galegroup.com/free_resources/bhm/bio/hurston_z.htm
For more information: http://www.zoranealehurston.com/
Fertile Ground: Selected Poetry Read
Burning the Water Hyacinth
We flame the river
to keep the boat paths open
your eyes eat my shadow
at the light line
touchless
completing each other's need
to yearn
to settle into hunger
faceless
a waning moon.
Plucking desire
from my palms
like the firehairs of a cactus
I know this appetite
the greed of a poet
or an empty woman
trying to touch
what matters.
from Our Dead Behind Us by Audre Lorde copyright 1986
We flame the river
to keep the boat paths open
your eyes eat my shadow
at the light line
touchless
completing each other's need
to yearn
to settle into hunger
faceless
a waning moon.
Plucking desire
from my palms
like the firehairs of a cactus
I know this appetite
the greed of a poet
or an empty woman
trying to touch
what matters.
from Our Dead Behind Us by Audre Lorde copyright 1986
Holiday Winners
Congratulations Anna and Jennifer!
Color Online thanks you and all our readers who visit our blog regularly, support our efforts and encourage us to continue.
Look for more book reviews, biography sketches, poetry, interviews, quizzes and more in 2008. If you are writer or reader and would like to share your impressions of a work by a woman of color, please contact us. If there is a topic you feel strongly about and want to share your opinion, contact us about publishing your essay. We welcome poetry as well.
Happy 2008,
Color Online thanks you and all our readers who visit our blog regularly, support our efforts and encourage us to continue.
Look for more book reviews, biography sketches, poetry, interviews, quizzes and more in 2008. If you are writer or reader and would like to share your impressions of a work by a woman of color, please contact us. If there is a topic you feel strongly about and want to share your opinion, contact us about publishing your essay. We welcome poetry as well.
Happy 2008,
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