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Welcome (back) to the Blog: 4 Years Later

Hi guys! Happy blogaversary. It's been a while I know, I haven't posted since February. A LOT has happened in my life since I began this blog exactly 4 years ago. I've also changed a lot as a person. So for this post, I'll be welcoming you all back to the blog, letting you know why I ghosted the blog, and welcoming myself back into posting here.  So Where'd You Go?  When I started this blog I was a freshman in high school, and I just finished my freshman year of college. And I'm graduating 2 years early next year. That should explain why I haven't been posting as much here, but if it doesn't, I have more.  I have been extraordinarily busy with a bunch of stuff inside and outside of school. Volunteering, trying to upkeep my mental and physical health, dealing with the transition of living in a new state for high school, and then living alone in a different section of the same state for college, all while essentially failing at socializing.  Definitely hav...
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Black History Month Read/Watchlist With Little to no Context

Hello! 

Recently, I've been engaging with many documentaries and books that involve Black history and culture, and I feel that it's imperative that I use this platform that I have to share the things I've watched or read that have changed my worldview. I would like to also emphasize the fact that it doesn't need to be Black History Month for you to educate yourself and others on or appreciate Black history/culture. 

Please look up trigger warnings if you do decide to read or watch anything on this list! It's good to educate yourself, and educating yourself on history is usually uncomfortable, but take care of yourself. Self care is an act of resistance! Without further ado, here is my read/watchlist recommendations for Black History Month 2026, with little to no context.  (None of this is sponsored by the way). 

Books to Read 

1. "N*groes with Guns" by Robert F. Williams 

This book will radicalize you so much. 

2. "Recitatif" by Toni Morrison 

This book will challenge your views on race and racial stereotypes, read this post about it. 

3. "Barracoon" by Zora Neale Hurston 

This book will also radicalize you and possibly make you cry. 

4. "The Willie Lynch Letter and The Making of a Slave" 

This book will anger you so much, but it also explains so much. 

5. "Feeling Black" by Charlotte Belle Brown 

Probably the happiest book on this list. 

6. "Passing" by Nella Larsen 

Read this post that I wrote on it. 

7. "African American Wisdom" by Reginald McKnight 

Super easy read. 

8. "The Best Short Stories by Black Writers" by Langston Hughes 

Long read but really good. 

9. "The Fire This Time" by Jesmyn Ward 

I loved this so much. 

10. "The Piano Lesson" by August Wilson 

Such a beautiful play. 

Things to Watch 

1. "13th" 

Police brutality, 13th amendment. 

2. "CRACK: C*caine, Corruption, & Conspiracy" 

Self explanatory. 

3. "Descendant" 

This inspired me to read "Barracoon". 

4. "Who K*lled Malcolm X?" 

Self explanatory. 

5. "Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am" 

Self explanatory. 

6. "Supreme Models" 

Documentary on Black models, my mom said there was a book to go with this. 

7. "Blood Brothers: Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali" 

Can you tell I love Malcolm X? 

8. "Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin"  

Queer, Black activism! 

9. "Hip-Hop Evolution"  

Please just watch it. 

10. "Piano Lesson"  

Movie version of the book/play by August Wilson. 

11. "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" 

Movie version of another play by August Wilson. Queer, Black people in the Harlem Renaissance. 

12. "I Am Not Your N*gro" 

I love James Baldwin 

13. "Hotel Rwanda" 

Super triggering but very educational. I believe African history should be included as apart of Black history. 

14. "Daughters of the Dust" 

!!!!!!

15. "Malcolm X"  

Self explanatory. 

16. "Marshall" 

One of my comfort movies. R.I.P. Chadwick Boseman. 

17. "Selma" 

Self explanatory. 

I hope you enjoyed this list I put together, and I hope that you try out some of my recommendations. If you liked this, you can check out some reviews of these books on my Instagram and Pinterest. Please come back soon for more words from Willow! 



BONUS: Research Topics!!! 

Harlem Renaissance, obstetric racism/violence, misogynoir, the ballroom scene in New York (and the impact of it on Black and Latinx queer people), the origins of country, jazz, rap, and R&B music, and the Combahee River Collective. 

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