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The Wrath of Truth

Sionne, I want to first thank you for at least breaking your silence. I’m sure that it took a lot of strength and gumption, and for that if nothing else I applaud you.   I am aware of the passing of your father and you have my sincerest condolences as I cannot imagine what it is like to loose a parent. I could speculate as to how what transpired in your attack affected the timing of his death, but because it is not my story I will leave you to do that when you are ready. However, I find many of the claims you are making in your statement released on September 12 th to be extremely problematic. First, Sionne, I harbor no sentiments of contention in anyway towards you. Notice my tone in “We Should All Be Ashamed” was one of compassion and love. I want you to know that hasn’t changed. However, in love, sometimes we have to do what is uncomfortable, tough and even harsh in our pursuit of holding our loved ones accountable. I love you enough to tell you, woman to woman, you ar

We Should All Be Ashamed.

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Writing this piece I am emotional. I am almost too shaken to write. My heart is heavy and I am disgusted to say the least. This year marks the 8th annual Chale Wote Street Art Festival in Accra, Ghana. As an African woman when I first learned of Chale Wote, circa 2013, I was beyond thrilled; ecstatic, even elated that such a creative and inclusive arts festival was taking place in a country that I have so much regard and reverence for. I then learned one of the co-founders and, dare I say, the “brains behind the operation” was an African American woman, Dr. Sionne Rameah Neely, and the other a native of Ghana, Mantse Aryeequaye. Dr. Neely’s presence and powerful position in the Accra [dot] Alt organization gave me hope, inspired and even instilled a sense of strength and empowerment in me. This newfound sentiment of belonging and prominence really changed my outlook on life as an African woman and expanded the boundaries of what I knew to be possible for a globally marginalized