Simone Monique Barnes

June 19, 2013

Juneteenth circa 1900, Austin, Texas

The official Juneteenth Committee in East Woods Park, Austin, Texas on June 19, 1900. (Courtesy Austin History Center, Austin Public Library) Read more: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/Juneteenth-Our-Other-Independence-Day.html

May 28, 2013

New Yorker’s Lament.

Weekly convo with random folks I meet in Austin, TX (although this story could easily take place in many other cities and towns in the US): “Where are you from?” I’m from New York. “Oh? Really, what part?” New York City. “How long did you live there?” Huh? I’m from there. “I know, but for…

June 11, 2012

Editing is not for the weak

“Writing is one of those talents that don’t get easier with practice. Every time I sit down to write I feel as though I have to poke around to find a new vein to slice in order to get the words to come. The most that a writer can hope for is to be surrounded…