Hannah L Drake is a blogger, activist, public speaker, poet, and author of 11 books. She writes commentary on politics, feminism, and race and her work has been featured online at Cosmopolitan, The Bitter Southerner, Harper’s Bazaar and Revolt TV. In 2019 during Super Bowl Sunday, Hannah’s poem, "All You Had To Do Was Play The Game, Boy," which addresses the protest by Colin Kaepernick, was shared by film writer, producer and director Ava DuVernay, and then shared by Kaepernick. The poem has been viewed more than two million times.
Hannah’s commentary on life and challenging others to dream bigger have been recognized by First Lady Michelle Obama. Hannah Drake was featured on the Tom Joyner Morning Show with Jacque Reid to discuss her international movement, Do Not Move Off the Sidewalk, which addresses the power of holding your space. Hannah was selected by the Muhammad Ali Center to be a Daughter of Greatness which features prominent women engaged in social philanthropy, activism, and pursuits of justice. Hannah was selected as one of the Best of the Best in Louisville, Kentucky for her poem Spaces and recently was honored as a Kentucky Colonel, the highest title of honor bestowed by the Kentucky Governor recognizing an individual’s noteworthy accomplishments and outstanding service to community, state, and nation. Labeled as a change agent, Hannah’s message is thought-provoking and at times challenging, but Hannah believes that it is in the uncomfortable spaces that change can take place. “My sole purpose in writing and speaking is not that I entertain you. I am trying to shake a nation.”
Dr. King wasn’t fighting, so you could dust off a quote, post it on social media one day out of the year and do nothing to advance race relations in this country. On this day and every day, I challenge White people do not just read the Dr. King quotes that make you feel good. Read Dr. King’s work in its entirety and ask yourself. “Am I contributing to the dream or helping to facilitate the nightmare?”
How is it that an innocent Black woman is being cast as a problem in Louisville? To even ask, “Did the Breonna Taylor protest hurt Louisville,” is egregious. As usual Black women are being blamed for the response while people ignore the action that ignited the protests. Why not ask, “Did the MURDER of Breonna Taylor Hurt Louisville?” Why not ask, “Did the MURDER of Breonna Taylor Hurt Louisville?”
Yesterday I was scrolling through Twitter, and I happened to read a tweet by State Rep. Patricia Morgan regarding her “Black friend.” In her tweet, Patricia states, “I had a black friend. I liked her and I think she liked me, too. But now she is hostile and […]
In the Bible, the book of Deuteronomy tells the story of Moses speaking to the Israelites. They have been set free from bondage; however, they have been wandering in the wilderness for 40 years during this time. Finally, Moses tells them a message he has heard from God, […]
And my question to White people is, “Who told you it would feel good?” (Pause and answer that question. Sit and think about the person who told you it was going to feel good? Have you come up with any name? I want you to really reflect on who told you it was going to feel good.) Who made that promise to you because they told you incorrect information. Let me tell you the truth. Facing you is never easy.
OFF TOP: EXCUSE MY LANGUAGE. I HAD TO SAY IT LIKE I FELT IT. Yesterday the Democrats got their asses kicked, and rightly so. Am I shocked? No. Black people can always smell the rain coming, and we knew this would happen. Undoubtedly many people will study the […]
Drip is defined by Urban Dictionary as swag, sauce, swank. Reflect back to elementary school for those in their 40’s when you got a new outfit. It wasn’t the start of the school year when everyone had new outfits, but you had a new outfit on a Monday […]
Immediately my mind found the pathway back to when another friend met with me on Zoom. It was for a pre-call to a workshop that I was conducting for their organization, and they asked how I was doing. I said, “I am fine.” Then they asked, “No, really, how are you?” Even on that Zoom call, I fought back the tears. I lied, forcing a smile that I hoped looked genuine as I said, “I’m good. I’m good.” I am the strong one. I am not allowed to have bad days.
It is easy to sit in some office and send out an email when you have no skin in the game, but Black people and others have given their very blood, sweat, and tears trying to impact this city and state. In 2020 we were fighting for our very right to breathe. We were fighting Breonna Taylor – for a 26-year-old Black woman murdered in her home. And we are still fighting to find some point of restoration and reconciliation. Something it would be wise for the Louisville GOP to contribute to for the betterment of this city. But that isn’t your goal. Your goal is division. Your goal is to sow and water seeds of racism. Tell me, Louisville GOP, what fruit do you want to bear within this city? HAVE YOU NOT SEEN ENOUGH?! Are you living in the same Louisville that I AM?! Because I am tired. I want to live somewhere, where every day isn’t a fight. Where every day I don’t have to try to prove to you that my life matters. I want to live somewhere, where those in positions of power are not working overtime to divide us. Where those in power are not sending out emails to scare people into hating me because I am Black. I want to live somewhere, where we are not fighting to survive but for once, just once, we ALL work TOGETHER to create a world where everyone can thrive.
Disclaimer: Before I get into this blog, this is not about placing yourself or your loved ones in any danger. Please note, many of these incidents do not involve someone using a physical weapon but instead using tears and Whiteness as a weapon which can become deadly for the […]
