By Sesali B. • @BadFatBlackGirl • 7 years ago

See You Later Feministing

Sometimes I can’t believe it’s been almost 4 years since I screamed at my coworker in our hotel: “OHMYGOD I WON!” I was traveling in Denver, CO doing voter outreach on behalf of the United States Student Association where I worked at the time when I got the email notifying me that I had been selected as one of the winners of So You Think You Can Blog contest. In the back of my mind, I knew that I wanted to pursue writing seriously, but outside of a personal blog, academic papers, and my private journal entries I’d never actually sought out a platform to do so. Joining this site put me on a fast track towards that dream, which is why I feel bittersweet about announcing that I am moving on from my position at Feministing.

Through 2 full time positions, two cities, unemployment, depression, and graduate school I have held on to Feministing and this team. I am so proud of the work that I’ve done as a columnist and editor. Our sex column, Fucking with Feministing, allowed me to continue a trend of engaging with issues of sexual and reproductive justice that started when I was a reproductive justice organizer in undergrad. Trap Feminism has perfectly framed my feminism and that of so many other Black girls who don’t see themselves in other iterations of feminism online. During all 3 and a half years, I was supported in writing think pieces about some of my favorite things: hoes, Hip-Hop, and Beyoncé. Overall, I have become a better writer, and certainly a better feminist because of Feministing. I am so grateful to my team here and our readers for providing me with this amazing platform.

But back to that dream I had of being a professional writer. After over 2 years working as an organizer in the non-profit sector (meaningful work, but ultimately a “safe” choice for me) and a 2 year stint in graduate school, I am elated to be moving to New York to accept a staff writer position. Not only that, my beat will be focused on my unique area of expertise: politics & pop culture. Feministing has allowed me to realize this dream and I hope that I make you all proud in this new role. You can look forward to the final installation of Fucking with Feministing’s Dildo Extravaganza and thankfully the internet will never allow us to be too far apart. You can keep up with me on Twitter and Instagram!

See you later,
Sesali B.

Feministing's resident "sexpert", Sesali is a published writer and professional shit talker. She is a queer Black girl, fat girl, and trainer. She was the former Training Director at the United States Student Association and later a member of the Youth Organizing team at Planned Parenthood Federation of America. She received her bachelors in Women's and Gender Studies from Depaul University in 2012 and is currently pursuing a master's in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality studies at Georgia State University in Atlanta. A self identified "trap" feminist, and trained with a reproductive justice background, her interests include the intersections of feminism and: pop culture, youth culture, social media, hip hop, girlhood, sexuality, race, gender, and Beyonce. Sesali joined the team in 2010 as one of the winners of our So You Think You Can Blog contest.

is Feministing's resident sexpert and cynic.

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