It’s been nearly a month since I touched down in London briefly to talk about Black Joy for the launch of the
@blackjoyhealing project at
@kings_college_london .
I was given the chance to co-edit this book alongside
@charliebcuff when I was 22. At the time I was so gassed, but in the years that followed, I’ve avoided ever discussing it. I rarely bring up the fact that I’m *technically* published because in my head I ask myself: “what has come of it?”
I abandoned writing in an attempt to make it in the music industry, but after realising quickly that wasn’t my path and after being diagnosed with cancer, I moved to NYC to commit to writing for good. Life is too short, I told myself. It’s been a tricky few years, and as time has progressed, this book has weighed on me, serving as a reminder of a peak that I hit too young, and one I’ll potentially never to reach again.
Anyway I’m saying all of this bc after that panel in London, I realised that this way of thinking was all bullshit lol. My journey is a long and winding road, I’m so proud of myself for taking this big bet and finally investing in my creativity in NYC. I’m proud of 22 year old Timi who wrote a brave essay about how the One Direction fandom taught her about online communities, and became one she leaned on when she came out as queer and faced familial exclusion.
If you read it this far, I only have 3 weeks left in my MA and I’d love to stay in the USA to be with
@sophiamatheney so let’s pray I make that happen. Thanks xx
