Zine and Mean

Self-publishing gives authors the means to tell stories that often get left out of the mainstream, corporately published narrative. Albuquerque performance artist Marya Errin Jones will add to that DIY archive with her newest zine series, Mocha Chocolata Mamma, which focuses on influential black women. "I was getting really sad...

By Robin Edwards

April 19, 2012

Audio By Carbonatix

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Self-publishing gives authors the means to tell stories that often get left out of the mainstream, corporately published narrative. Albuquerque performance artist Marya Errin Jones will add to that DIY archive with her newest zine series, Mocha Chocolata Mamma, which focuses on influential black women.

"I was getting really sad about the depiction of black women in society and entertainment and things like that, and it just came to me that I know these stories," explains Jones, founder of the Albuquerque Zine Fest. "I need to share them with people so that there are more facets to what they know."

Tonight, Jones will read from the first installment, which explores the life of Bessie Coleman, the first black woman to get her pilot's license. When the daring Coleman learned that she couldn't get a license in the United States because of her race and sex, she decided to learn French, move to France and learn to fly. Through the story, Jones explores WWI as well as the way her own life was affected by Coleman's journey. "Black girls need to know this, that we're not just learning how to speak for ourselves," says Jones. "There are so many ways to approach personhood; there are so many ways to teach people how to treat you, and this is one way."

Take Flight: A Zine Reading, at the Denver Zine Library, runs from 1 to 3 p.m. today at 2727 West 27th Avenue, with readings by Kelly Shortandqueer and other local zinesters. A donation of $5 to $10 is requested, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. For more information, visit denverzinelibrary.org.
Sat., April 21, 1-3 p.m., 2012

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