Comrades,
I started this for a few reasons. Just like at the beginnings of Burnt Roti, I find myself here again. I started the magazine to create space to discuss radical politics, identity, mental health and sexuality, in a way that other spaces didn’t allow, or care.
(As an aside, it was the lack of care that deeply affected me. I feel like I can sense it again.)
But activism is only allowed space within allotted times, celebrated months, for diversity quotas - otherwise funders could get upset. The cis straight white men could get uncomfortable. The roles they played in genocide could be revealed.
As I was pitching articles on multiple platforms, I noticed I was rarely hearing back - even for a “we don’t have space for this”. But importantly, I had become frustrated at the political censorship fuelling our media landscape.
My pitches to political editors on Palestine, history and colonialism across almost all publications were being ignored. There are things I want to share and censorship does nothing but drive me.
Aside from these frustrations, I’m here because I’m consciously writing more. While attempting to write a novel, I realised I need to expand my writing space and allow for deeper breaths. I can breath here, outside of my novel and that feels good. It feels healthy.
Speaking of health, I want somewhere to talk about my physical and mental health. There’s been a few changes in the way I navigate it. 2023 was better, but still not a great year for my mental health and my physical health took a nose dive. I want a space that others can reach out to - whether it’s for care of their own health or a generous hand to hold.
Us writers are known to romanticise loneliness and I’m not one to shy away from drama. So, hold my hand.
Here is my space to say what I want, and need to say.
And there is a lot of it, bubbling in my brain. At times there will be nothing - the bubbles pop and nothing appears - but more times than none, I will need this space.
I hope you find something here too.
x