I was raised in your voice Precious Lord on the ride to church while I tugged at itchy crinoline and tried not to mess the perfect plaits my mother made Feet swinging off the floor in spinning salon chairs while Ms Reed scratched out my scalp… humming Until You Come Back to Me right into…
Author: Rawiyah
Rawiyah Tariq is a Black, gender non-binary, fat, disabled and neurodivergent artist and kink aware professional.
Their roots are in queer, poly-amorous, fat community.
Their tone is reflective of these roots. Their work is informed by how these intersect with their Blackness.
Magic, massage, storytelling and performance art are tools they use to liberate, heal and reclaim space for marginalized communities. they believe in cohesive and somatic healing and holding practices that align body, mind and spirit.
Currently, they are living in the Bay Area while working on their book and their healing and holding practice A Sovereign Embodiment (ASE) . Through ASE where they provide ritual creation, divination, heart holding and graphic design.
I don’t usually hire fat chicks but…
A while ago a producer said my voice inspired him to create a show. He said it was going to be a jazz show ,live music was going to be a focus. I noted that his main singer, main musicians, main performers were white and slender. I’ve only performed there once. Since then he’s said…
I find my lack of faith disturbing
A friend reached out to me today. Someone I’ve known for over a decade. We don’t talk often but when we do it’s always been a bit transformative. She has a way of hitting the nail on the head with precision and a gentleness that I’ve only seen in people who are truly strong. I…
Proud
While looking for photos to send as a headshot for a panel I tripped across this one. I think this is from my first photoshoot with Ryan Donahoo. It was the first time that I felt so effortlessly glamorous, interesting and unique. I’ve had great photoshoots before but I have always been aware of the…
Letting Go
It took me years to process my abuser I was told that I needed to learn to “just let it go”. I find the idea of “just letting go” to be inadequate and lacking in compassion. I knew letting it go was the polite thing to do but I left that kind of politness…
Storytime: Solstice
Every year in ritual I retell this story. I also tell it before my Bawdy Divine Workshop. It’s part of my glitter magic and as we descend into the darkest night in what seems the darkest year I cast it out again into the world as a way to reel in the light. The…
A Letter to My Dear and Future Lover
(Trigger warning: sexual abuse/violence/racism) * * * This is why I’ll always flinch when you touch me. Because at 13 in a crowded wave pool on a sunny southern Sunday I had to choose between drowning and biting my tongue when he slipped a hand under my bathing suit and forced two fingers inside of…
You’re normal #nationalcomingoutday
The first thing my mother said to me when she called me during my staycation at one of Colorado Springs more middle of the road mental institutions was I love you and you’re normal. You’re normal Irene. I love you and god loves you too. You’re normal sweetie. It’s just a phase. Everyone goes through…
The Rules Have(n’t) Changed
You only have so many character points And you can’t go up every talent tree at once When the nurse gave me the results of my MRI I was relived. It was so visceral that my legs got weak and my skin flushed. I had her repeat it just to be sure. “No changes.” Since…
#MammyisDead 