Black Stories You Must Pick Up This Month

This #BlackHistoryMonth has been eventful, to say the least. There seemed to be a lot less empowerment and more disappointment this time around. If you know, you know. But, what we're not going to do is allow that to eclipse what this month should really be about. Let's step back away from all the drama on social media, stop feeding into it and get back to supporting our brothers and sisters. The actions of a few do not and cannot negate the significance of our month. We could do so much more to help by making conscious decisions in our own personal lives that positively affect the black people around us.

Black History Month is not postponed y'all! To remind us of that here are, Three Black Stories You Must Pick Up This Month.

Welcome to #BlackHistoryMonth with Matthew

For the entire month of February all my blog posts will be centered on celebrating my brothers and sisters. From giving writing advice about how to write black characters to showcasing some amazing black content creators changing the game right now, I'll be pushing out fully black content all month long. Not to mention, for this limited time I'll be uploading twice a week instead of once. So, you need to get in on this. Subscribe below to never miss an update!

The Poet X

I'm currently reading this one and I have to let you guys know, it's incredible. I also think it's amazing how though Xiomara and I are different in so many ways, she's also so much more relateable to me than any other white character I've ever read. It says a low about representation in modern literature, I think.

The Poet X is a brilliantly told coming of age story told through the poems of a 15 year-old girl. Like everyone at her age, her feelings are so amplified that it really does seem like her world is fragile enough that any movement too quick, will shatter it in an instant. She deals with heavier topics like sexuality, religion and the inner battle with her writing. A lot of the poems in this book have resonated with me and after finishing every page, I'm a little better for it than before.

This book is a must for lovers of poetry, especially women of colour. It will slam new meaning into your heart about the lives we live and the world around us with poign words and deliberate lineation.

Beasts of No Nation

This particular one, isn't a book at all. Beast of No Nation is a 2015 movie that tells the story of young Agu, a little boy caught up in a civil war in his unnamed African country where he quickly learns the fragile brutality of life and in turn, becomes the same to negate its effects on him. I saw this movie late last year on Netflix and I was in awe all throughout. The narration of little Agu as he navigates the violence contaminating his country is heart-wrenching to listen to, however it is an easier pill to swallow than watching the camera pan from an innocent little boy to a monster and back again. It's jarring and raw to watch but more than anything it describes how the longing for a male role model in a young boy's life can really make him do anything.

Though Beasts of No Nation is not directed by a black man, I don't think it takes away from the strength of the story so much that we cannot appreciate it. It's still a brilliant story with an all-black cast and the characters have not been white-washed at all. The movie is certainly gripping and I am sure I will remember it for a long time. You need to experience the same.

Purple Hibiscus

This one, I actually read with my literature class last year. Good times. This novel served as my first proper introduction to Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche and it was a first impression that sticks, I must say. Purple Hibiscus is a Bildungsroman of young Kambili and describes with vigour and pain the violence her and her family must deal with at the hands of their patriarch, Papa. Adiche‘s strength lies within her purposeful description that bed the readers attention to consume the imagery alongside it’s meaning and the harsh tellings of the characters. Kambili, Jaja and Mama all undergo similar traumas but how they come to terms with them are strikingly different and it is painful to read but necessary.

All in all, this book is for everyone. Though it is not a direct condemnation against anything it does feel like it is combating relevant issues and bringing awareness to a less discussed subset of our society.

Conclusion

All these stories are important, readers and I highly recommend each of them. Go pick them up and be changed! Support the culture!

Also, if you’ve already read/seen these comment and let me know which ones and what you thought of them! Out of 1-10 what’s your score? Dont forget to click that little heart button as well to show me some love (it’s free)!

Lastly, don't forget to follow me on Twitter and Instagram where I occasionally rant, share music and discuss the pains of being a creator. Oh, also, I share sneak peeks of my novel and new blog posts at times too, if you're interested in that. That's a wrap, readers! Go check out these amazing stories and I'll you next week!