Explain Yourself
feminism
Ali Wong
A lot of people like to ask me, ‘Ali, how on earth do you balance family and career?’
Men never get asked that question.
Because they don’t.
Concealed
Inspired by Paulina Porizkova’s commentary that there are no other famous women on the Internet her age, untouched by plastic surgery. Women her age are “invisible.”
Truth
You’re looking at f***ing determination and truth and creativity. You’re looking at loss and sorrow and the effort for a deeper perspective. You’re looking at satisfaction and happiness. You’re looking at a manifestation of a connection so deep and rooted that it’s more real than I am. You’re looking at my face.*
FACE: One Square Foot of Skin by Justine Bateman
*https://time.com/5953951/justine-batemans-aging-face-and-why-she-doesnt-think-it-needs-fixing/
Incessant Noise
Mrs. Chung-Wipff what are you?
Mrs. Chung-Wipff I’m sorry this is
Mrs. Chung-Wipff how do you pronounce
Mrs. Chung-Wipff your order has been
Mrs. Chung-Wipff your father has
Mrs. Chung-Wipff you need to
Mrs. Chung-Wipff you must
Mrs. Chung-Wipff you have a beautiful
Mrs. Chung-Wipff what did you make for
Mrs. Chung-Wipff do you speak another
Mrs. Chung-Wipff according to our records
Mrs. Chung-Wipff the district is asking
Caroline that’s not
Caroline would you please
Caroline I didn’t mean to
Caroline I’m sorry you feel
Caroline where is the
Caroline do we have
Caroline have you seen
Caroline stop saying
Caroline you’re so lucky you
Caroline where do you keep
Caroline why is your name
Caroline did you receive
Caroline where are you from
Caroline why did you
Caroline when will you
answer
*Inspired by Destiny O. Birdsong’s poem “Bandwidth” which was inspired by a poem dedicated to Wanda Coleman (Wanda Why Aren’t you Dead”)
About the Duds…
I was sitting outside with four of my 6th grade students – all girls. Tomorrow is Spring Picture Day and students don’t have to wear their uniform of red/white/blue polo shirt and tan pants. It’s a rare “Free Dress Day” for them.
“It’s Free Dress Day tomorrow!” One hollered.
“I’m not wearing a dress though, even though it’s picture day,” sighed another.
“Yeah, wearing a dress on Free Dress Day is a total waste!”
I have no idea about the arm…
Book Update
I’ve chosen the font and set the text for my third book. It just needs some tweaking here and there, but I’m almost ready to do the illustrations! The goal with this one is experimental: write about “adult” issues in a children’s book style.
What We Tell Girls
He didn’t mean to be mean
He was just playing when he grabbed you too hard
He’s sorry and you should just move on
He’s not stalking you, that’s your imagination – you need to work out it, both of you
What did you do to make him do that?
What were you wearing?
Why were you alone with him?
He’s just a touchy-feely kind of guy
He does that to everybody
“Bad” Guy
Nothing really scares me, to be honest.
Billie Eilish
Kismet 
