iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Raya Yarbrough

Raya Yarbrough @rayaswritings.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

This is the beginning of a personal essay, part of my multiracial origin story, if you will. It’s one of many stories in a fascinating book called, “what are you mixed with? “ by Dr.Wendy Ashley. www.barnesandnoble.com/w/what-are-y...

“When I was little, I thought Billy Crystal was Black.
My father used to watch his stand-up and laugh about him all the time. I noticed that Billy Crystal had dark curly hair, like me, and his eyes squinted like my father’s did when he smiled. Most of my dad’s friends were Black, and they made my dad laugh too, so in my baby mind, Billy fit into this group.
All this is to say that for me, being Black had more to do with being warm and familiar than being a particular color. The equation was simple: Black = warm + familiar. Skin color was a detail. This was the way of people, and my flexible view of race would not be challenged until one day in 1989…”

This is part of a personal story, which is part of a fascinating compilation called. “what are you mixed with? “ by Dr. Wendy Ashley

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/what-are-you-mixed-with-navigating-anti-blackness-white-supremacy-and-light-skinned-privilege-wendy-ashley/1147832001

152

Reposted by Raya Yarbrough

Raya Yarbrough @rayaswritings.bsky.social · 10/03/2025

What do my boobs have to do with #Outlander? More than you think. I was pregnant when I sang the theme for the show, so by the time my daughter was born,I was well into the joys & indignities of early motherhood. Including breastfeeding drama.story is available here www.amazon.com/dp/B0DZTTLX9...

1164

Raya Yarbrough @rayayarbrough.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

I’ll be reading my poetry LIVE tonight 7 pm PST! Join me! us02web.zoom.us/j/8848489314...

130

Raya Yarbrough @rayayarbrough.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

A new poem about trying to find peace, in a world that seems to be doing everything it can to deny us that. Inner peace, joy, inspiration, and love, are all also essential forms of resistance. thirdwednesdaymagazine.org/2025/02/22/i...

thirdwednesdaymagazine.org

I Untangle the Chimes / Raya Yarbrough

Visit the post for more.

041

Raya Yarbrough @rayayarbrough.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

#Poetry #FindingMyPeace #SmallWays daring to move slowly through a raging world, is a form of resistance.

0113

Raya Yarbrough @rayayarbrough.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

Hello friends! Need a momentary escape from the world? Join me in a parallel Los Angeles County, where mysterious crafts have appeared over Sherman Oaks. It could happen! You can read my story, or you can listen to me speak into your earholes!Feel free to share! amazingstories.com/2025/01/the-...

amazingstories.com

The Crafts by Raya Yarbrough – FREE STORY

An alien visitation comes to everyone, and everyone’s reaction to the aliens and the hum they make is different. They give everyone a different impression, and then, all reality changes… S...

032

Raya Yarbrough @rayayarbrough.bsky.social · 16/12/2024

I have a new piece published today, in a magazine about music and memory. It’s about a song that I wrote a long time ago, forgot about, and found again right when I needed it… Tap the link, and scroll to page 43! static1.squarespace.com/static/63488...

020