Like many kids, Ness struggles to find belonging at school, and strives for perfection in an attempt to be liked. But what does it mean to seek perfection as a Black queer child, when society’s model of perfect is a white man? With the help of his grandma’s advice, adult Ness finally finds someone strong and powerful staring back when he looks into the mirror.
I pretend I have confidence. I pick someone I see with it and model myself after them. Usually this person is a white man. White men have everything, and can do anything they want.
Episode Notes:
This is Episode 3, Season 4 of The TMI Project Story Hour: Pride Stories featuring Ness White. This episode was written collaboratively by Eva Tenuto, Blake Pfeil, and Julie Novak, produced and edited by Eva Tenuto, mixed and mastered by Stevie Manns. It was co-produced by Radio Kingston and sponsored in part by MrJulieTees.com.
Ness (he/him) is a storyteller living in Rosendale, NY. Taking a pause from the -poet duo Nia & Ness, he is refocusing his energy in developing individually as an artist and human. When he’s not writing, you might see him walking or jogging the Rail Trail, or bringing a food delivery to your door.
Resources/Links:
Episode Contributors:
Blake Pfeil
Julie Novak
Eva Tenuto
Ness White
Storytelling Prompt:
Write a true story about a moment when you looked in the mirror and noticed something different.
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