Dear Philomena • Mugabi Byenkya
#VULNERABILITY
#STRENGTH
#MENTAL HEALTH
#DISABILITY
#SEXUALITY
#RELIGION
#GENDER
#BLACKNESS
Dear Philomena, is the story of two strokes, one boy, one girl and a whole lot of magical realism. July 1991, Leocardia Byenkya underwent an ultrasound that informed her to expect a baby girl. She chose the name Philomena. January 16 1992, her baby was born as a boy. Filled with shock and surprise, Leocardia named her baby boy Mugabi. December 2014, Mugabi suffered from two strokes within a week of each other. Mugabi was 22 years old. 'Dear Philomena,' is a series of thoughts and conversations between Mugabi and Philomena (the girl he was supposed to be) about the year he was supposed to die but somehow lived through.
This is my debut novel and was a work of vulnerability, strength and purpose that addresses mental health, disabilities, sexuality, religion, gender and their intersections with blackness.
Contributed by: Mugabi Byenkya
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Contributed by: nènè myriam konaté
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Contributed by: Andre Fenton
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Contributed by: Andre Fenton
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Contributed by: Shaya Ishaq