A Writing Contest HOSTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH Sweet July

Here We Are Again

By Chanelle Ferguson

Runner up

From the sweet july judge’s panel:

There’s a relatable honesty to this piece: Not all traditions passed down from generation to generation are positive. But there’s also glimpses of praise and admiration. The writer’s way of acknowledging their family’s severe selflessness left us feeling deep hope that she’ll break the cycle.

A tradition that has been passed down in my Jamaican family is fear of choosing self.
Waking up to rise into a new day thinking of someone else other than God.
Multitask with roles of family, love, work, home, pain.
Sometimes repeating the same lessons from yesterday.
Ignoring the fire in your gut reminding you to choose yourself.
Just for one moment.

We are here right now physically present.
That is what I remind myself when a thought of fear runs up my mind.
Shaping a purpose for self healing.
Expressing it on the page with a pen…

In celebration of Women’s History Month in March, and the impact of strong female role models, we partnered with Ayesha Curry’s Sweet July for a writing contest to elevate the voices of girls and gender expansive young adults.

Girls Write Now participants answered a prompt from On the Art of the Craft, our 25th anniversary guidebook coming soon from HarperOne: Tell the story behind a family heirloom or tradition. How has it shaped who you are?

SEE THE COLLECTION

About the Artist

Mentee Asma Al-Masyabi designed illustrations for the winning piece, “Deliberately Feathered” by Kayla Misa, and the runner-up, “Here We Are Again” by Chanelle Ferguson. The illustrations include flowers inspired by the themes and cultures represented in each piece.