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Jayson Kristopher
Jayson Kristopher

405 Followers

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Published in An Injustice!

·Pinned

No, You Don’t Understand Racism

I am not a dog — It was 2016 and Donald Trump was just elected President. I couldn’t help but dwell on how we got here. Just eight years prior, I was sitting in my college dorm watching the polls come in; watching Barack Obama, the first Black person to be elected into the highest office…

Racism

3 min read

No, You Don’t Understand Racism
No, You Don’t Understand Racism
Racism

3 min read


Pinned

If You’re Ever Afraid, Jump Anyway

A letter to my unborn child — I have so much to tell you. As I’m writing this, I’m sitting a few yards from the ocean, watching the waves crash against the coast as the Caribbean breeze kisses my skin. We’re an hour from sunset and I’m very much looking forward to the pink and purple hues…

Life

11 min read

If You’re Ever Afraid, Jump Anyway
If You’re Ever Afraid, Jump Anyway
Life

11 min read


Published in An Injustice!

·Pinned

How Does it Feel to Be Black?

You asked. Here’s your answer — Let’s take it back to May of 2011. I was proud, carefree, and for once, my walkthrough campus had nothing to do with anything remotely academic. Senior Week was a blur and rightfully so. It was a time to let go of past inhibitions and do everything that you missed…

Culture

6 min read

How Does it Feel to Be Black?
How Does it Feel to Be Black?
Culture

6 min read


Published in LEVEL

·Pinned

I Got Vaccinated Because I’m Selfish

And that’s God’s honest truth — Five minutes of vomiting followed by another seven minutes of groaning in agony. Twelve minutes in total, sitting on my mom’s couch, as she got ready for the day ahead. When she finally exited the bathroom, it was clear that I startled her. “Oh, Jay! I didn’t know that you…

Covid 19

5 min read

I Got Vaccinated Because I’m Selfish
I Got Vaccinated Because I’m Selfish
Covid 19

5 min read


Published in Momentum

·Pinned

Not All Black People Can Rap, and Other Confessions

I’m from Brooklyn, so I quote Jay-Z like pastors quote the Bible. I truly believe that there’s a Hov line for any occasion; if you can’t think of one, then your knowledge of his catalog isn’t deep enough. But, I don’t have that problem because I love rap. I’m a…

Humor

6 min read

Not All Black People Can Rap and Other Confessions
Not All Black People Can Rap and Other Confessions
Humor

6 min read


Published in CRY Magazine

·Jan 10

I Quiet Quit Years Ago

And, I’m better for it — It’s 2013 and I’m 24. I’m staring into her eyes, damp from the freshly drawn tears, and I imagine they must have once been filled with light. I imagine that everyone’s eyes are filled with hope, like those of children, at least once. But, not now. Now, they are weary…

Mental Health

5 min read

I Quiet Quit Years Ago
I Quiet Quit Years Ago
Mental Health

5 min read


Published in An Injustice!

·Dec 29, 2022

How to Be Friends With Black People

A guide to your first cookout invitation — If you’re here, then you may have read about my neighbor’s racist dog. Well, I hate breaking it to you, but we have another. I spotted little Donald in the building lobby as their owner was buzzing in. Before I could finish saying, “Goodnight,” the barking commenced, the leash was…

Race

5 min read

How to Be Friends With Black People
How to Be Friends With Black People
Race

5 min read


Published in Counter Arts

·Dec 4, 2022

My Celebrations Are Sh*t

Thoughts on Parenthood — I haven’t returned your calls or texts, or messenger pigeons. There are forty-three of them circling my home, as I write this, waiting to be welcomed in. The sidewalk is covered in blobs of white, green, and brown, waiting to be washed away by the coming rain. Except, here, it…

Parenting

3 min read

My Celebrations Are Sh*t
My Celebrations Are Sh*t
Parenting

3 min read


Nov 16, 2022

I Started a Union When I was Four

Recalling my first job — If you asked her, she’d probably tell you some crap about being influenced by the great organizers of the past and wanting to further their legacy. She’d probably relate it back to our family’s humble beginnings and not wanting to see people get taken advantage of. She’d say that she…

Humor

7 min read

Two Kids, a Contract, and a Union
Two Kids, a Contract, and a Union
Humor

7 min read


Published in An Injustice!

·Aug 25, 2022

My Kid’s Name is Too “Ethnic”

Whatever that means — What’s in a name? Some seem to believe that your name will spell out your entire life, each letter giving meaning to some future challenge or triumph. They believe in the meaning of every name and say things like “Mark? You look like Mark,” or “John? You don’t look like…

Race

5 min read

My Kid’s Name is Too “Ethnic”
My Kid’s Name is Too “Ethnic”
Race

5 min read

Jayson Kristopher

Jayson Kristopher

405 Followers

Black. Ornery. Brooklynite. Sarcasm is my love language. linktr.ee/jaysonkristopher | jaysonkristopher.com

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