Womxn of Color

Womxn of Color H AV E R F O R D C O L L E G E 2 0 1 7 - 2 0 1 8 A P H OTO J O U R N A L B Y A L L I YA H A

when conflict leaves your home uninhabitable: pledge allegiance to the nectar in your own veins, to the sweetness of your disparate pieces, to crumbling, and then— to settling as dust does. pledge allegiance to the revolutionary softness of the skin on the backs of your hands— to your hands that have been given more names than the ocean, to each name as transient as the last. this oath is the subtle alchemy of returning. by safiyah

KIAMANI

S H A N TA L

SASHA

FEVEN

MICHELLE

ARI

M AYA

SANJEEVI

K AT I E

KIERRA

K E L LY

VA N E S S A

TA N I S H A

TINA

ELIZABETH

GUADALUPE

ASZANA

M AY R A

PRAXEDES

A N A N YA

ADDY

JULIANA

SIERRA

LIANA

TA N I A

S A F I YA H

CAROL LEE

ALEX

MARIANA

SHU

ROSA

LESLIE

NICHOLE

AMANDA

REBECCA

ENIOLA

A L L I YA H

ARTIST NOTE In efforts to create an archive of the womxn of color at Haverford College, I asked my sisters to come take a seat with me. I wanted to take a pause to simply check in. This photoshoot was a reminder that we are not here simply to be of service. But I wanted to remind the womxn here that they too are allowed to dream. We have goals, passions, and aspirations.

Therefore, the 15 short minutes under the light was their time. To laugh, to smile, to cry, to think, and to be present. In a world where self care can easily be overlooked, this shoot felt like a remedy. I felt I had a great deal of responsibility taking these photos, but I was reassured by the feeling that I am not alone. The Womxn of Color at Haverford College are bosses.

They are leaders, athletes, poets, artists, models, advisors, friends, lovers, treasurers, presidents, facilitators, researchers, artists, writers, musicians, and so much more. At the end of the day, this project will show that we are here, and ultimately we will grow —not just for others, but first, for ourselves.

Thank you to the staff in VCAM for letting us use your Create Space and yellow stool. :) We really appreciate it.

Thank you to all the womxn who participated in this photoshoot. We hope you all are thriving.

With light and love, Alliyah and Shantal, Your Womxn of Color Co-Facilitators