If you were writing to Black people, you wouldn’t have to edit so much.

a late night thought about my music, my audience and my writing.

I want to say shit the way I understand shit. I want to say shit once— and the shit be understood the first time I say it. I’m tired of speaking to “everyone” through my music. Even though I’m not speaking to everyone all the time, when I am, I’m constantly backspacing, editing, deleting, over-explaining, diluting, faking—fucking torturing myself trying to say shit in a way non-Black folks can understand. I am exhausted. So I’ve decided: I want to talk only to the people who can understand me the first time. An epiphany hit me in the gut after a cup of ramen: create what you wish…

saved by

• Alana Mackey

related reading

• Pick an audience that is into the illegible you of today, not your past achievementshenrikkarlsson.xyz
• communication - by Molly Mielke - Mind Mudmindmud.substack.com
• I'm at a Fred again concert but he only performed once wtf manaadillpickle.substack.com
• nothing will change your life more than saying what you actually want to sayavabear.xyz
• "Make Good Art" by Neil Gaiman speech transcriptjamesclear.com
• Write what you wanteliqian.substack.com
• My Mother’s Dreams for Her Son, and All Black Children | The New Yorkernewyorker.com
• Writing as self-flagellationashleydzhang.substack.com
• silencing thought - by Uzay - zephyr songzephyyr.substack.com
• on eloquencefolieimposee.substack.com
• Substacksubstack.com
• i don’t think a lot of friends know me that welloizystunmise.substack.com