afrikah selah
@itsafrikah.bsky.social
(they/hir) multihyphenate dramaturg, arts writer, and new work producer based in Boston. words in American Theatre Magazine, American Repertory Theater, and ✨the ether✨. A pleasure to have in class.
itsafrikah.com 🇺🇦🇵🇸🏳️🌈
itsafrikah.com 🇺🇦🇵🇸🏳️🌈
Reposted by afrikah selah
If we can only have art from people who "aren't in it for the money" that means we can only have art from privileged middle-class dilettantes. Making art being a viable career is responsible for nearly all worthwhile art, and if it's not a viable career any more we will get drastically less of it.
December 4, 2025 at 3:13 PM
If we can only have art from people who "aren't in it for the money" that means we can only have art from privileged middle-class dilettantes. Making art being a viable career is responsible for nearly all worthwhile art, and if it's not a viable career any more we will get drastically less of it.
Reposted by afrikah selah
My latest is a love letter to Chicago. "I see you stumbling through the stubborn, awkward rhythm of showing up, again and again. I see you fighting alongside people who sometimes frustrate and confuse you, and defending neighbors you may have never met, because you know they’re all your people."
In Chicago, We Run Toward Danger Together
"Faced with unrelenting state violence, Chicagoans have refused to be cowed," says Mariame Kaba.
organizingmythoughts.org
November 8, 2025 at 2:46 PM
My latest is a love letter to Chicago. "I see you stumbling through the stubborn, awkward rhythm of showing up, again and again. I see you fighting alongside people who sometimes frustrate and confuse you, and defending neighbors you may have never met, because you know they’re all your people."
Reposted by afrikah selah
The Phelans ran the only bookstore in Vermillion, South Dakota.
But after the state passed a measure preventing transgender young people like their daughter from using girls’ bathrooms, they sold it and moved away.
But after the state passed a measure preventing transgender young people like their daughter from using girls’ bathrooms, they sold it and moved away.
A family opened a town’s first bookstore. A bathroom bill is driving them away.
The Phelans ran the only bookstore in Vermillion, South Dakota. They sold it and moved after a new law would’ve required their daughter to use a boy’s bathroom.
www.washingtonpost.com
August 10, 2025 at 2:17 PM
The Phelans ran the only bookstore in Vermillion, South Dakota.
But after the state passed a measure preventing transgender young people like their daughter from using girls’ bathrooms, they sold it and moved away.
But after the state passed a measure preventing transgender young people like their daughter from using girls’ bathrooms, they sold it and moved away.
Reposted by afrikah selah
July 25, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Reposted by afrikah selah
MAMAS will be collecting clothing and school supply donations every Saturday this July at Connexion Church (149 Broadway, Somerville) from 1-4PM to gear up for our Back to School Free Store on August 9th, 10AM-2PM (rain date 8/10)! 👗✏️👖📚
Español/Português/Kreyòl Ayisyen 🧵⬇️
Español/Português/Kreyòl Ayisyen 🧵⬇️
July 4, 2025 at 10:15 PM
MAMAS will be collecting clothing and school supply donations every Saturday this July at Connexion Church (149 Broadway, Somerville) from 1-4PM to gear up for our Back to School Free Store on August 9th, 10AM-2PM (rain date 8/10)! 👗✏️👖📚
Español/Português/Kreyòl Ayisyen 🧵⬇️
Español/Português/Kreyòl Ayisyen 🧵⬇️
Reposted by afrikah selah
Due to a court order staying the Trump administration's passport policy, trans people can once again receive passports in the correct gender. How long this option will remain available is an open question.
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
Passports Are Again Available to Transgender Americans, However Briefly — Assigned
Leading Off: Get your passport while you can. Plus, the Supreme Court will rule on trans sports bans and increasing legal activism targets the trans community in the U.K. The top storylines this week.
www.assignedmedia.org
July 7, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Due to a court order staying the Trump administration's passport policy, trans people can once again receive passports in the correct gender. How long this option will remain available is an open question.
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
Reposted by afrikah selah
internalizing american notions of race and ethnic division as timeless truths about the world is a shortcut to smoothing out your brain
July 6, 2025 at 5:20 PM
internalizing american notions of race and ethnic division as timeless truths about the world is a shortcut to smoothing out your brain
Reposted by afrikah selah
GoFundMe has set up a page for the Texan flood victims. Each campaign has been verified by the company's Trust & Safety experts, which means you know your money is going directly to families. Please consider donating if you can. Their stories are heartbreaking.
www.gofundme.com/c/act/flood-...
www.gofundme.com/c/act/flood-...
Donate to US Flood Relief Fundraisers
Help those affected by flooding across the US. Donate to verified fundraisers to offer flood relief to individuals & their families.
www.gofundme.com
July 5, 2025 at 9:22 PM
GoFundMe has set up a page for the Texan flood victims. Each campaign has been verified by the company's Trust & Safety experts, which means you know your money is going directly to families. Please consider donating if you can. Their stories are heartbreaking.
www.gofundme.com/c/act/flood-...
www.gofundme.com/c/act/flood-...
Reposted by afrikah selah
I don’t think anyone is prepared for what they just did w/ ICE.
This is not a simple budget increase. It is an explosion - making ICE bigger than the FBI, US Bureau of Prisons, DEA,& others combined.
It is setting up to make what’s happening now look like child’s play. And people are disappearing.
This is not a simple budget increase. It is an explosion - making ICE bigger than the FBI, US Bureau of Prisons, DEA,& others combined.
It is setting up to make what’s happening now look like child’s play. And people are disappearing.
July 3, 2025 at 6:58 PM
I don’t think anyone is prepared for what they just did w/ ICE.
This is not a simple budget increase. It is an explosion - making ICE bigger than the FBI, US Bureau of Prisons, DEA,& others combined.
It is setting up to make what’s happening now look like child’s play. And people are disappearing.
This is not a simple budget increase. It is an explosion - making ICE bigger than the FBI, US Bureau of Prisons, DEA,& others combined.
It is setting up to make what’s happening now look like child’s play. And people are disappearing.
Reposted by afrikah selah
Popping in for a minute to say that it really sucks that the murder bill passed Congress and ALSO to thank every single person who tried to stop the bill from passing. What you did matters. Finally, I wrote a few words: open.substack.com/pub/prisoncu... - I hope they might offer some encouragement.
People are in motion, everywhere.
Some thoughts on discouragement and also on noticing…
open.substack.com
July 3, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Popping in for a minute to say that it really sucks that the murder bill passed Congress and ALSO to thank every single person who tried to stop the bill from passing. What you did matters. Finally, I wrote a few words: open.substack.com/pub/prisoncu... - I hope they might offer some encouragement.
Reposted by afrikah selah
Democrats cannot defeat authoritarian fascism without an agenda that stands squarely on the side of working people.
We need a pro-worker, pro-democracy, anti-establishment movement that will take on oligarchy like never before.
We need a pro-worker, pro-democracy, anti-establishment movement that will take on oligarchy like never before.
June 28, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Democrats cannot defeat authoritarian fascism without an agenda that stands squarely on the side of working people.
We need a pro-worker, pro-democracy, anti-establishment movement that will take on oligarchy like never before.
We need a pro-worker, pro-democracy, anti-establishment movement that will take on oligarchy like never before.
Reposted by afrikah selah
It’s Friday, June 27th, the 22nd straight day of the ICE siege of L.A.
Topics:
- ICE Raids (targeting street vendors today)
- HP arrests ICE imposter
- What happened in Huntington Park
- FBI Ambushed an activist
- Another US Citizen detained by ICE is released
- SCOTUS ruling
@eltragon.bsky.social
Topics:
- ICE Raids (targeting street vendors today)
- HP arrests ICE imposter
- What happened in Huntington Park
- FBI Ambushed an activist
- Another US Citizen detained by ICE is released
- SCOTUS ruling
@eltragon.bsky.social
June 28, 2025 at 5:03 AM
It’s Friday, June 27th, the 22nd straight day of the ICE siege of L.A.
Topics:
- ICE Raids (targeting street vendors today)
- HP arrests ICE imposter
- What happened in Huntington Park
- FBI Ambushed an activist
- Another US Citizen detained by ICE is released
- SCOTUS ruling
@eltragon.bsky.social
Topics:
- ICE Raids (targeting street vendors today)
- HP arrests ICE imposter
- What happened in Huntington Park
- FBI Ambushed an activist
- Another US Citizen detained by ICE is released
- SCOTUS ruling
@eltragon.bsky.social
Reposted by afrikah selah
As Pride comes to a close, we check in with 4 of the recipients of TCG's Funds for the Dolls, unrestricted grants to trans women of color in the performing arts: Venus Kii Thomas, N'yomi Stewart, Ayo Jeriah Demps, and Alluorra Rose.
Hello, Dolls: The Impact of Unrestricted Grants on Trans Women of Color
As the first year of TCG’s Funds for the Dolls draws to a close, we checked in with the grantees about what this support has meant—and what lies ahead.
www.americantheatre.org
June 28, 2025 at 12:46 PM
As Pride comes to a close, we check in with 4 of the recipients of TCG's Funds for the Dolls, unrestricted grants to trans women of color in the performing arts: Venus Kii Thomas, N'yomi Stewart, Ayo Jeriah Demps, and Alluorra Rose.
Reposted by afrikah selah
"The rule of law is not a given in this Nation, nor any other. It is a precept of our democracy that will endure only if those brave enough in every branch fight for its survival. Today, the Court abdicates its vital role in that effort." —Justice Sotomayor
June 27, 2025 at 2:59 PM
"The rule of law is not a given in this Nation, nor any other. It is a precept of our democracy that will endure only if those brave enough in every branch fight for its survival. Today, the Court abdicates its vital role in that effort." —Justice Sotomayor
Reposted by afrikah selah
He just dropped $280,000,000 worth of artillery in a war that’s not ours, but our grandparents have to live on Ramen noodles because America can’t afford Meals on Wheels anymore.
Make it make sense.
Make it make sense.
June 22, 2025 at 8:27 PM
He just dropped $280,000,000 worth of artillery in a war that’s not ours, but our grandparents have to live on Ramen noodles because America can’t afford Meals on Wheels anymore.
Make it make sense.
Make it make sense.
Reposted by afrikah selah
We live in a rogue and dangerous country.
Do what you need to do to maintain your internal peace. Hold the core of your spirit. Pray for peace. Commit yourself to justice. And just rest.
Do what you need to do to maintain your internal peace. Hold the core of your spirit. Pray for peace. Commit yourself to justice. And just rest.
June 22, 2025 at 2:52 AM
We live in a rogue and dangerous country.
Do what you need to do to maintain your internal peace. Hold the core of your spirit. Pray for peace. Commit yourself to justice. And just rest.
Do what you need to do to maintain your internal peace. Hold the core of your spirit. Pray for peace. Commit yourself to justice. And just rest.
Reposted by afrikah selah
A Dem lawmaker and her husband were killed by a guy for their political views and it’s already out of the news.
June 21, 2025 at 11:05 PM
A Dem lawmaker and her husband were killed by a guy for their political views and it’s already out of the news.
Reposted by afrikah selah
y'know it's kind of a tell that they think celebrating the end of slavery is DEI
June 19, 2025 at 3:56 PM
y'know it's kind of a tell that they think celebrating the end of slavery is DEI
Reposted by afrikah selah
Fascinating piece by my colleagues
Five years after the anti-racist manifesto We See You, White American Theatre challenged the theatre industry, Gabriela Furtado Coutinho and Kelundra Smith search for answers and accountability. From our Spring 2025 print issue:
www.americantheatre.org/2025/06/16/w...
www.americantheatre.org/2025/06/16/w...
We Came. We Saw. Now What?
Five years after an anti-racist manifesto challenged the theatre industry, we search for answers and accountability.
www.americantheatre.org
June 16, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Fascinating piece by my colleagues
Reposted by afrikah selah
-A living wage
-Guaranteed healthcare
-The right to join a union
-The right to vote
-The right to choose when, how, and
with whom you start a family
-The right for you and your family to live free from gun violence
These are the foundations of real freedom.
-Guaranteed healthcare
-The right to join a union
-The right to vote
-The right to choose when, how, and
with whom you start a family
-The right for you and your family to live free from gun violence
These are the foundations of real freedom.
May 26, 2025 at 5:01 PM
-A living wage
-Guaranteed healthcare
-The right to join a union
-The right to vote
-The right to choose when, how, and
with whom you start a family
-The right for you and your family to live free from gun violence
These are the foundations of real freedom.
-Guaranteed healthcare
-The right to join a union
-The right to vote
-The right to choose when, how, and
with whom you start a family
-The right for you and your family to live free from gun violence
These are the foundations of real freedom.
Reposted by afrikah selah
THIS IS NOT NORMAL
Telemundo Nueva Inglaterra captured video of a 16-year-old girl's face being held on the ground by Worcester police officers; she and her mother were detained in an apparent ICE operation
#immigration
Telemundo Nueva Inglaterra captured video of a 16-year-old girl's face being held on the ground by Worcester police officers; she and her mother were detained in an apparent ICE operation
#immigration
‘Harrowing': Video shows Worcester police hold girl's face on ground during ICE operation
Telemundo Nueva Inglaterra captured video of a 16-year-old girl’s face being held on the ground by Worcester police officers; she and her mother were detained in an apparent ICE operation
www.nbcboston.com
May 9, 2025 at 3:13 AM
THIS IS NOT NORMAL
Telemundo Nueva Inglaterra captured video of a 16-year-old girl's face being held on the ground by Worcester police officers; she and her mother were detained in an apparent ICE operation
#immigration
Telemundo Nueva Inglaterra captured video of a 16-year-old girl's face being held on the ground by Worcester police officers; she and her mother were detained in an apparent ICE operation
#immigration
Reposted by afrikah selah
In an absolutely devastating ruling, the Supreme Court has allowed the transgender military ban to go into effect.
This is shocking - the ban explicitly called transgender people dishonorable for being transgender. It is as clear as day soaked in animus.
www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docke...
This is shocking - the ban explicitly called transgender people dishonorable for being transgender. It is as clear as day soaked in animus.
www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docke...
May 6, 2025 at 6:28 PM
In an absolutely devastating ruling, the Supreme Court has allowed the transgender military ban to go into effect.
This is shocking - the ban explicitly called transgender people dishonorable for being transgender. It is as clear as day soaked in animus.
www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docke...
This is shocking - the ban explicitly called transgender people dishonorable for being transgender. It is as clear as day soaked in animus.
www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docke...
The latest is out: Convening and Exploring Public Art for Public Good!
It was an honor of writing for Howlround & the Future of American Theatre Cohort 💖
Check it out below!
It was an honor of writing for Howlround & the Future of American Theatre Cohort 💖
Check it out below!
In September 2024, HowlRound and Company One convened leaders from the theatres in the Mellon Foundation’s Future of American Theatre Cohort. Dramaturg and Company One new work manager afrikah selah reflects on the experience and shares some of the group’s discoveries. howlround.com/convening-an...
Convening and Exploring Public Art for Public Good
|Afrikah SelahIn September 2024, HowlRound and Company One convened leaders from the theatres in the Mellon Foundation’s Future of American Theatre Cohort. Dramaturg and Company One new work manager a...
howlround.com
May 5, 2025 at 4:23 PM
The latest is out: Convening and Exploring Public Art for Public Good!
It was an honor of writing for Howlround & the Future of American Theatre Cohort 💖
Check it out below!
It was an honor of writing for Howlround & the Future of American Theatre Cohort 💖
Check it out below!
Reposted by afrikah selah
Imagine being lectured by RFK Jr about how to be healthy and then having Mark Zuckerberg tell you how many friends normal people should have
May 2, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Imagine being lectured by RFK Jr about how to be healthy and then having Mark Zuckerberg tell you how many friends normal people should have