An Ode to Joan

The see through flouncy blouses, The straight and narrow career path abandoned for a life’s passion, the neuroticism, and pattern of overthinking damn near everything.

Joan Carol Clayton, the fictional representation for Black girls that have a mixture of nerd, fashionista, and  creative wizard. She taught us that it’s never too late to ditch our seemingly perfect career tracks to follow our passion- and that doubting ourselves never serves anyone.

Some would say that Joan was crazy, it’s true,  she was crazy. However, Joan was always willing to be transparent with her closest friends. She didn’t always own up to her short comings but she was willing to work through them in Front of an audience of a world that was picking her about rather than cheering for her.

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Joan was a peak into what my 30 year old self could be. Sure I could identify with the Kadijah’s (Living Single) of the world but Joan was awkwardly feminine and suited only certain taste buds. I remember in middle and high school nobody really liked Joan because she was bougie and “weird”; everyone wanted to be Toni with an occasional Maya thrown in the mix. But I appreciated Joan and her west established wardrobe of leopard print heels and sequined tops. 

So cheers to the girls with the quirky way about her and the mix match attitude and style. When you feel like you’re up against the proverbial wall; let Joan remind you that you have a place in this world.

+Rukiya