shea wesley martin

But I keep being told that I'm overreacting when I say anti blackness and transphobia are related, and Black cis women are routinely denied womanhood due to white supremacy

being "born a real woman" doesn't protect Black women.

In moments of potential despair, I often look back at LGBTQ activists, communities, and educators before me. @sheathescholar.bsky.social and I wrote about being positioned as ~*~queer elders~*~ in our work with LGBTQ youth, specifically reading about ACT UP: publicationsncte.org/content/jour....

I’ve said it before but @sheathescholar.bsky.social is a master at facilitating writing. From the materials they share, to the prompts they use…an absolute master. 🔥🔥🔥

I do not have any coping mechanisms for the next four years. I am all tapped out.

At Furious Flower 2014, Nikki Giovanni joked that she was pissed at Maya Angelou for dying so soon because Jay Z had just sent Maya some fancy liquor and they were supposed to share it.

I’ll never forget that lesson on the complexities of love, grief, and humor.

Forever grateful. 🖤

lol so many liberal white women are talking about how much they resonate with Elphaba in the “Defying Gravity” scene.

um…who’s gonna tell them?

“It is hard to have hope in the trickle-down rewards for Black trans youth in a fight for trans whites/rights.”

The Supreme Court is currently hearing a case on gender-affirming care for trans youth. May we win — in the Blackest, most liberatory way.

scholarscompass.vcu.edu/jqtsie/vol1/...

indeed! If you applied, you’ll get an email within the next 24 hours!

In the essay, I wonder aloud what it means to truly write, dream, and teach with a pro-Black/pro-trans orientation. I hope my wonderings inspire more nuanced and critical thinking (and action) around how we might fight alongside our students in the next four years (and beyond).

In the essay, I analyze 11 articles about trans pedagogies and explore the politics of authorship and “inclusive” recommendations within the (overwhelmingly-white) discussions concerning trans youth in schools.

we’ve got a lot to catch up on.

like in July, I published this theoretical meditation in the Journal of Queer and Trans Studies in Education on the impossibility of Black trans safety, recognition, and futurity within our U.S. K-12 educational landscape.

scholarscompass.vcu.edu/jqtsie/vol1/...

last update: there’s only 2 spots left for this winter’s workshop and I cannot wait to write in community with so many amazing educators!

last night, I told someone “I think I am a red state person…” which is to say I am wholly invested in rethinking what we mean when we describe places as “unlivable” and “impossible” for folks like me.

It is also to say that I am committed to dreaming and fighting for what has always been ours.

As a person who’s spent most of the last decade in red states, I know the only way we’ll get through the next four years (and beyond) is by intentionally investing in community and care-filled organizing.

And not that fake stuff either — like real, ride-or-die, “no matter what” community care.

I spent the last few days at LRA 2024 and I left feeling so incredibly grateful — particularly for the BIPOC scholars and teachers who are thinking, talking, and writing alongside me in this work.

Trans students deserve so much better than this Supreme Court.

an update: applications have been open for ~ 1 day AND half the spots are already taken for this year's workshop.

if you're thinking about it, just leap. we'll be there to catch ya with open arms, great writing prompts, and the best music.

Opinion | The Supreme Court’s Trans Health Care Case Is About Normal Things That Make a Big Difference (Gift Article) Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for transgender adolescents has personal implications.

From my colleague Chase Strangio:

"My presence at the Court as a transgender lawyer will have been possible because I have had access to the very medical treatment at the center of the case. Though some doubt the lifesaving properties of this care, I know them personally. And so do my clients."

If I didn't have plans for much of this time period I would be in on it as I've been multiple iterations. shea is amazing, and so is the community! <3

I cannot recommend this workshop enough. I would be joining myself if I wasn’t gonna be laid up from surgery. Give yourself the gift of shea and their brilliance this season 💜

also, hey. how's it going? you hanging in there?

i'm glad you're in this world today.

I try to keep the workshops small so there are only 15 spots (which is even a little bigger than I'd like).

Anyways, I hope to see you there. I'm excited to read and write alongside y'all this year.

this winter, we'll be reading @maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social and Hanif Abdurraqib and also @mosababutoha.bsky.social on grief/Palestine and Ross Gay on joy and also @biidaasamose.bsky.social + Robyn Maynard on world-building and also @hcodymiller.bsky.social on politics/ education and so much more.

before you ask...

educator is defined broadly and if you're asking, then it probably includes you. :-)

former and future educators welcome.

also, don't let cost be a barrier. if you need this space, we'll figure it out.

no writing experience necessary!

each winter for the past 3 years, I've offered this personal writing workshop for educators needing a space for processing, healing, and community.

applications for this winter are open now.
come write and heal with us, fam. 💜

bit.ly/trulylight

A picture of shea martin, Cody Miller, and Carrie Mattern. Cody is holding a plaque.

I'm beyond honored and grateful to have received the #NCTE2024 National Intellectual Freedom Award this year! I'm thankful to be in coalition with so many awesome educators (including @sheathescholar.bsky.social and @thoughtsthatcarrie.bsky.social here) fighting book banning and fascism!

Proud of the heart work @sheathescholar.bsky.social @hcodymiller.bsky.social & I shared at #ncte. In Feb. I told shea I don’t think I’m ready for this but they believed in me, in us, & in our work. Plus Cody’s infectious laugh always helps even w/the beast of a topic that is grief & shoutout Hanif!

I couldn’t think of a better way to close out my Saturday than talking about reading/teaching Black YA speculative fiction, mapping, and freedom-dreaming with these brilliant and inspiring scholar-educators.

💜 @ebonyteach.bsky.social, @srtoliver.bsky.social, @thekinglamar.bsky.social

This Trans Day of Remembrance, the only message I have is:

It's not enough to remember us, you need to support us while we're still here.