June 14

2017

by YCA Volunteer

Hello YCA Fam,

Today is Wednesday, June 14th, and we have two prompts for you today. Every Wednesday we will be sharing a writing prompt to help you write. If you choose to write, please tag us on social media: @youngchiauthors on Twitter & @youngchicagoauthors on Instagram.

Today’s prompt features work from Jamaica Kincaid, Cortney Lamar Charleston, G Yamazawa, & Nikki Giovanni:

HOW TO BE [__________]

List:
Things you are expected to be good at based on your identity
Quintessential books/movies/songs associated with your identity
Dangers/challenges people of your identity face
Sayings or tropes you often hear people of your identity say to each other

Read:

GIRL by Jamaica Kincaid

Blackness as a compound of if statements by Cortney Lamar Charleston

Write:

A poem giving insider instructions on how to be a member of your identity.

CHILDHOOD PORTRAIT

List:

– Chores and responsibilities you had
– Places you didn’t like being brought to
– Places you liked to go to
– Sayings/advice your parent/elders use to tell you growing up
– Things you wished you had when you were younger
– Prized possessions when you were young
– Anything you got disciplined/in trouble for
– Things you remember loving to eat when you were young

Watch/Listen:

“Dining Room” by G Yamazawa

Read:

“Nikki-Rosa” Nikki Giovanni

Prompt:

Write a portrait of your childhood the way you would want it to be remembered.