POETRY AND ARTWORK SUBMISSIONS FOR FALL 2018 PUBLICATION RE-OPENING FROM JUNE 1ST - JULY 31ST

We are looking for spoken word poetry and artwork that capture the topic of mental health, both wellness and illness, through your experiences as a racialized individual.  The material does should be centered around your own experience through mental health as well as that of your racial identity.  

Even if you do not experience or struggle with mental health issues, you can also submit work that speaks to how you provide care and support to those around you and in your community.  

Submission requirements:

• The submitter must identify as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Colour.  
• The submitter must be a resident of and/or settler of (Colonially Known As) "Canada"
• The work must be original work belonging to the Author, not previously published, and is not being considered elsewhere for publication.   

VISIBILITY, INCLUSION & ANTI-OPPRESSION:

The publication's main mission is to provide a platform for Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPoC) from across (Colonially Known As) "Canada" to speak about the social impact of mental health through the lens of racialized experiences. 

The project originally comes from a need to highlight more BIPoC artists and writers in the predominantly-white "Canadian" spoken word scene (especially wimmin, femmes, and folks outside the binary), as well as the social and psychological impact of mental health narratives long dominated by white supremacy.

Although explicitly titled and focused for BIPoC, this project also recognizes the need for welcomed inclusion LGBTQQIP2SAA, queer, genderqueer, trans, non-binary, bigender and agender representation, visibility for disabled individuals, and across intersections of all social marginalization.    

There will be no consideration for any material embodying or representing the same hateful, discriminatory, and oppressive systems which currently exist as the object of our resistance.  This includes (but is not limited to): anti-blackness, homophobia, ableism, Islamophobia, misogyny, misogynoir, cis-sexism, transphobia, anti-Semitism, serophobia, classism, etc.Kyriarchy is a Rubik's cube of various systems we can unlock and break down with time, patience, energy, care (for self and community), and most importantly, love as radical justice.        

As with the first edition, this release will highlight and showcase contributions from (Colonially Known As) "Canada". We hope to open future editions to folks of other geographic locations. 

AUTHORSHIP AND OWNERSHIP RIGHTS FOR SUBMISSIONS

Submission of poems (the "Work") by you (the "Author") to 'these pills don't come in my skin tone' (the "Journal") will be taken to mean that:

• it represents original work belonging to the Author not previously published,
• it is not being considered elsewhere for publication; 
• the Author, remaining full owner of the work accepted , is willing to license the right to publish their work for the publication as per a contract that will be sent to the author just prior to publication. 

What this means: the accepted work remains yours, you're simply granting us the right to publish it.  While we are looking for original, unpublished submissions belonging to you, you can choose to publish it elsewhere afterward, subject to other publications' guidelines (if any).  

The Journal does not retain ownership over work that is not accepted for publication, nor will it be subject to our use.  The work remains entirely the property of the Author.  

SOCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY STATEMENT

As full disclosure in the interests of accountability, the good intentions I hold do not absolve me from the potentially negative impact on anyone. I am not a community authority but an artist with organizational experience in radical activism and project work in the arts. I am dedicated to the work, the learning experience, seeing this project to fruition so that others may be empowered to create similar, necessary spaces. Most importantly, fortifying the necessary bonds with new and existing individuals through radical vulnerability and communication. 

I acknowledge, that like any community-focused project, it cannot be done alone. I also have no need for additional visibility or establishing myself as an individual authority or expert based on this project's success (it is a direct reflection of the collective). If there are any ongoing concerns that you hold and would like to express (assuming you have the spoons), I will exercise compassion in seeing and hearing you, whoever you are, first and foremost.

Thank you,

Samuel Bassam Halévy
Editor-in-Chief,
these pills don't come in my skin tone
BIPOC.pills@gmail.com

PS: This is a living, breathing document, and will be subject to change, based on clarity and commitment.