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Category: PanAfrican Liberation Coalition
On February 14th, 2023, I stopped having sex. Cold turkey. It wasn’t planned, it was triggered. My trust was betrayed and from that day on, I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. It didn’t matter the man or the circumstances, I just wasn’t interested. Now, it is July 7th, 2024 and I just recently broke my celibacy streak.
As a Scorpio, sexuality oozes through us naturally. It is almost always assumed that we are overtly sexual and lustful beings. In actuality though, yeah, we kinda are… but only if we are enthralled with someone who we trust entirely. I’m talking years of pulling back layers to uncover the sexual prowess that is so frequently assumed of Scorpios. Unless… the scorpio is un-evolved.
Once upon a time, I was sacred with sex, but not enough. I fell in love with emotionally unavailable men and often found myself in relationships where I gave more than I received. As I age and reflect on my love life, I realized I was disrespectful to myself back then. I didn’t love me enough to wait… to be loved correctly. Why was that?
This betrayal jarred me to reality. As much as I love sex and all things pertaining to it, I knew was worthy of better. I am worthy of receiving the kind of love I give. & No matter how much of myself I gave, it wasn’t enough…so I stopped.
In the beginning, it was hard. There is no feeling quite like the feeling of the tip of a hard dick splitting your walls apart on the first stroke. But I had to commit to loving myself, before I could love the way someone else could make me “feel”. Things were dry at the start.
I didn’t twerk for my health. I couldn’t be naked for long. I didn’t feel wanted or I did feel wanted, but only in that way. I was just going about my days seeking pleasure in other things like food and outings. & for a while, I had forgotten about sex. During that time, I re-found my love for many things outside of sex again.
Eventually though, I began to feel lust building in my body. It started subtly. I could feel my pussy get a little wet with the forbidden glimpse of a jumping dick in public. I’d catch myself getting lost in a daze of hot ex sex flashbacks. Until, one day, I couldn’t resist. I let myself touch me again.
I made love to myself incessantly. Like I had just discovered myself for the first time in life, all over again. I explored the depths of my solo desires alone for months. I researched all the kinks and freak shit my little heart could take. & soon, I emerged a new woman.
One day, I woke up feeling like I knew myself in ways I had never known before. It wasn’t just because of the bean-flicking either. The combination of abstaining completely, even from solo play, to a period of only sexual self exploration introduced me to a version of me I had never been before. A woman that loves herself first.
I emerged more confident, self-aware, and strong. I was no longer influenced by desire and empty advances. I allowed myself to be sexy and sexual without that having to involve anyone else at all. I began adorning myself and doing my make-up again, a practice that had taken a backseat to my relationships many years ago. I started caring about what I wore in public again and began taking more detailed pride in the way I cared for myself.
Once all these stages were complete, I had come to conclusion that not only did this hiatus do me well. It opened my eyes to the reality of sex. That while it is enjoyable and desirable, it is not meant to under indulged or overindulged. Sex is a human entity and facet of life. It is meant to be explored and enjoyed. It is meant to be what each person makes of it and should leave those participating feeling loved, empowered, sexy, and safe.
Ultimately, pondering on this notion is what prompted me to rediscover penetration. This time, as a WOMAN. I went into sexuality without shame or pressure. The power and the plays are in my hands, I determine who I climb on and when I will indulge myself in dick. This time, it won’t be about trying to fulfill societal roles or pleasing a man. It’ll be me getting dicked down because I want it, I deserve it, and because I can.
Ebony Queen
As I approach the halfway point of my 30th year and reflect on my youth, I finally realize what that shift that no one tells you about is.
It’s accountability, perspective, and composure. Turning 30 is a jarring wake up call that if you aren’t already on the track that you want to be on in life , you’re behind and/or you’re settling for less.
You’re forced to take a long hard look at yourself, your relationships/friendships, and previous mistakes. You accept accountability for where you are in life and forgive yourself for the consequences you are facing for your choices as a youth.
Once you accept accountability your perspective changes. You realize that you can’t live everyday on a whim and if you want what you dream of, you really have to work for it. You find yourself doing what you want more than feeling forced to people please. You spend less time trying to escape reality and more time creating a better one.
As you get more comfortable with life and growth, your composure changes. It’s easier to control your emotions about things that would previously ruin your whole day. You no longer want to waste a minute of your life on anything or anyone that doesn’t align with the life you envision. You find the beauty in life and the joy of living it.
Although this shift can happen before 30 (or for some never 🤣), it cements itself once you hit that 30 year milestone. 30 is the beginning of the rest of your life. 30 is the crossroad at which you have to decide if your going to make the same mistakes, let go of your dreams, and fall into oblivion forever OR if you’re going to have faith, do the work, and create the life of your dreams.
💭
Queendom 👑
We decided recently that instead of a #BookOfTheMonth every month , we’re going to switch & up and do an #AddedToTheLibrary collection 📚
Last week (feeling inspired x @bridgertonnetflix) we added a hardcover gold trimmed copy of Jane Austen’s classic romance novel Pride & Prejudice 📕 to our library.
The best way to kick off summer is with a blooming romance 🌻
“When Elizabeth Bennet meets Fitzwilliam Darcy for the first time at a ball, she writes him off as an arrogant and obnoxious man. He not only acts like an insufferable snob, but she also overhears him rejecting the very idea of asking her for a dance! As life pits them against each other again and again, Darcy begins to fall for Elizabeth’s wit and intelligence and Elizabeth begins to question her feelings about Darcy. But when Darcy saves her youngest sister Lydia from a scandal, Elizabeth starts to wonder if her pride has prejudiced her opinion of Darcy. Through this tale about two warring hearts, Jane Austen weaves a witty satire about life in eighteenth century England.”
Find the version we selected at PRIDE & PREJUDICE
BookOfTheMonth #AddedToTheLibrary #Bookworm #WellRead #Romance #Novel #Novels #Writer #JaneAusten
Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen
Our April #BookOfTheMonth is Skin of the Sea by @natasha_bowen_
This month we opted for a fantastical fictional read that promises to transport us to the world of mermaids & enchant us with lush folklore +t
Synopsis:
A way to survive.
A way to serve.
A way to save.
Simi prayed to the gods, once. Now she serves them as Mami Wata-a mermaid-collecting the souls of those who die at sea and blessing their journeys back home.
But when a living boy is thrown overboard, Simi goes against an ancient decree and does the unthinkable-she saves his life. And punishment awaits those who dare to defy the gods.
To protect the other Mami Wata, Simi must journey to the Supreme Creator to make amends. But all is not as it seems.
There’s the boy she rescued, who knows more than he should. And something is shadowing Simi, something that would rather see her fail…
Danger lurks at every turn, and as Simi draws closer, she must brave vengeful gods, treacherous lands, and legendary creatures. Because if she fails, she risks not only the fate of all Mami Wata, but also the world as she knows it.
#SkinOfTheSea #NatashaBowen #Folklore #Mermaid
Queendom 👑,
Happy April ☔️🌷
April is National Garden Month and includes National Wildlife Week. 🪴👩🏾🌾
It’s also Stress Awareness Month, National Volunteer Month, National Poetry Month, National Humor Month, and more. ✨
This month we’re expecting a Solar Eclipse on April 8th 🌞 and lots of warm, rainy days as we enter the next phase of spring 🌸
We have an amazing month planned this month including an exciting announcement 📣
Subscribe at queendomentertainment.com and follow us IG to be the first to get the news 🗞️
April #NewMonth #QueendomEntertainment #Queendom #EbonyQueen
Ebony Martin
ENC 1101
“The Problem We All Live With.” 1963
Norman Rockwell captured the woes of attending public education as a Black American back in 1963 with “The Problem We All Live With”. Although Ruby Bridges’ experience is incomparable, is it still painstakingly obvious that our schools are still segregated by classism, under-protected, and unsafe for our society’s children. Norman’s painting paid extremely well attention to detail. The anonymity of the men walking her into school for protection, the tomatoes splattered against the wall, and Ruby Bridges carrying her head and her book high at 6. This image is painfully still a reality today in a sense. With AP African American studies under attack, specifically in our state, it is imperative we have this conversation as a society. Have things changed much since Ruby Bridges? Was it Norman Rockwell‘s intention to capture such an everlasting situation?
Ruby Bridges was a child, aged 6, who was subjected to the ill feelings of adult people without restraint. These people despised the thought of a young black child pursuing education. Norman captures that reality within the painting by clearly sending the message the Ruby was not welcome. Adults who could not look beyond her physical attributes and recognize the genius in all minds? We all deserve a chance! Starting with a quality and whole education, free of bias. Where would be as a society if all these barriers did not exist? The breakdown of the artistic values of the photo gives a more in-depth look at how meticulous every detail in this painting was.
Color is one of the most important aspects of this photo. What would the cultural significance be if race were not the focal point of the picture? In plain words, it gives the photo depth. Ruby is obviously a black child and, given the history of racism in American, race was an important aspect in 1963 and to this photo. For other example, the pale colors of the bodyguards’ suits give an “official” feeling. This points to the fact that Ruby is likely being escorted by people designated to be there for her protection. If this picture did not highlight the tones of skin or the color of what each person is wearing, would its significance still be recognizable?
(Rockwell)
Lines are the most inquisitive visual aspect of the photo to me. There could be lines anywhere in a picture. This photo reflects lines that not only build the atmosphere but give significance to the clothing/genders of the subject and were used to form the “N” word in the background that really gave the photo its great significance. Without lines, a lot of photos would lose their significance and even sense of reality. The lines in “The Problem We All Live With” are mostly rigid and firm. This gives a sense of firm realism and coldness that makes the photo real and extremely sad, for most. Could THAT word be written without lines? Can you draw people accurately without them?
Unfortunately, in a society where race precedes all, education is impacted the most. Norman Rockwell’s painting “The Problem We All Live With” cemented that into truth, visually. Segregation in education in America was amplified by this photo and sparked a generationally conversation that is still happening today. African American AP studies was just recently banned in Florida because of ONE politician’s personal view about Critical Race Theory. Is it just for a human to deny the existence and quality of life of an entire people because of subjective opinions? From 1963 to this day, race and inequality still corrode our educational system and many other aspects of our society from the inside out. While uncomfortable, it is important that this topic continues to be at the forefront of our generation’s history. If not for our survival, at least for the generations of the future.
Works Cited
Rockwell, Norman. “”The Problem We All Live With” – Norman Rockwell (1894-1978) – Google Arts & Culture.” Google Arts & Culture, artsandculture.google.com/asset/the-problem-we-all-live-with-norman-rockwell-1894-1978/qwGpXUCsX0RPAQ. ReplyForward
Queendom 👑,
This year we’re kicking off our first annual Easter hat competition. Submit your best Easter hat shot on Easter Sunday to ebonyqueen@queendomentertainment.com to be entered in the competition.
The winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card ✨
Easter #EasterHat #EasterSunday #Competition #DoItForJesus
Queendom 👑
We are officially signed up for this year‘s local MUDGIRL RUN 🏃🏾♀️
The MUDGIRL RUN is an all inclusive, 5km (about 3 miles) race, consisting of 17+ obstacles.
Whether you are by yourself or in a team, the course is committed to testing your strength, endurance and above all, your spirit.
There is no timing and no obligation to complete all the obstacles. You are here for the sole purpose of having fun and having a great experience, regardless of your athletic ability.
Get 10% off your mud girl run ticket by using our personal invite link 🔗 https://ice.social/NDTBva
#MUDGIRLRUN #TPA
Queendom 👑,
This month’s book of the month is in honor of women’s history month, and of course, black history. I was watching the movie, Harriet, about Harriet Tubman, and was inspired by Harriet & Marie Buchanan’s storyline. Although Marie Buchanan, played by Janelle Monáe, was a fictional character it got me thinking about the stories of the women who escaped slavery, as well as, those who assisted the women who had escaped from slavery by introducing them to new life in the North.
The author Karen Cook Bell is a Professor of History and the Wilson H. Elkins Endowed Professor at Bowie State University. Her areas of specialization include slavery, the Civil War and Reconstruction, and women’s history.
Her non-fictional book “Running From Bondage” mirrors the work of William Still, who in the movie Harriet & in real life, collected slave stories and records of those searching for freedom on the Underground Railroad during & after The Revolutionary War. Karen’s work focuses specifically on the stories of the women during this time.
Synopsis:
“Running from Bondage tells the compelling stories of enslaved women, who comprised one-third of all runaways, and the ways in which they fled or attempted to flee bondage during and after the Revolutionary War. Karen Cook Bell’s enlightening and original contribution to the study of slave resistance in eighteenth-century America explores the individual and collective lives of these women and girls of diverse circumstances, while also providing details about what led them to escape. She demonstrates that there were in fact two wars being waged during the Revolutionary Era: a political revolution for independence from Great Britain and a social revolution for emancipation and equality in which Black women played an active role. Running from Bondage broadens and complicates how we study and teach this momentous event, one that emphasizes the chances taken by these ‘Black founding mothers’ and the important contributions they made to the cause of liberty.”
Queendom Entertainment 