Titeanya
My first contact with Titeanya was as The Poet T, which is her email handle. She discovered The PartBlack Project through Whitney, a friend and co-worker. We exchanged a few emails back and forth, and set a date to shoot. I could tell from her emails that Titeanya was chill and laid back. She told me that she was a musician, a writer, an activist and an artist. As I do with all subjects, I asked her to dress comfortably and to choose a location for us to shoot where, at the very least she would be comfortable, and ideally, someplace that possessed some meaning for her. She told me to meet her at Amoeba records in Hollywood. We walked around the block, shooting images and capturing moments of an area undergoing a transformation, recording a person and a place that would never be the same as they were this morning, at the end of summer 2019.
Q: Do you identify as Black? White? Mixed? Something else? Please describe your ethnic/cultural background.
A: I identify as black and mixed. I am proud of everything in my blood that makes up me so I always say everything. I have Black, Native American and Puerto Rican blood.
Q: Who are some PartBlack people that have inspired you?
A: Wow. There’s so fuckin many. Tessa Thompson, Kehlani, Alicia Keys, Kendrick Sampson, Shaun King, the list goes on and on.
Q: Which public figure, of any ethnicity, has had the greatest influence on your life?
A: Lena Waithe. Without a doubt. Seeing a black, lesbian, women of color just killing the game in all aspects of her life is just inspiring. I’ve worked with her a few times and one of my ultimate goals is to collaborate with her which I know will happen soon, but until then just supporting her and seeing myself in what she is doing and who she is, is extremely motivating and inspiring and has absolutely helped me grow more into myself and my voice.
Q: Are there any fictional characters in film or literature that have inspired you?
A: A film character that has influenced my life would have to be Creed. Creed actually influenced me to not only get into boxing (simply because I thought the sport itself was just phenomenal) but also in allowing myself to grow into who I am supposed to be not based on what my parents want or even their legacy. In both Creed films that resonated with me and I feel like I’ve grown along with the franchise. I’d love to play Adonis and Bianca’s grown up daughter so putting that into the universe.
Q: What countries have you traveled to, and how does your physical appearance influence how people treat you around the world?
A: I’ve actually traveled a bit. Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Dominican Republic. Of course I stand out in Venezuela and the DR because I’m lighter I didn’t have any negative interactions when I traveled to those two places if anything I felt like a celebrity. In Puerto Rico while I do look like some of the natives there due to not being able to speak Spanish fluently there is a vibe and different treatment I get when I’ve gone over there. It’s usually just being talked down too because of the language barrier but there’s also a negative treatment I get from the darker skinned women there because of how the society treats them. On tv there and here Puerto Rican’s are usually shown as just being light. That’s not the case at all we come in all hues, shapes and sizes. And due to the misconception that’s put out there, there is just this stereotype that lighter skinned Puerto Rican’s think they’re better or more valued than darker skinned ones. I don’t think that nor will I ever and I do correct peoples ignorance whenever I can.
Q: Are there other PartBlack people in your life, and/or how do you feel when you meet another person who is PartBlack?
A: I have a couple I can think of off the top of my head. One is actually one of my best friends. When I meet them I honestly feel at home if that makes sense. I say that because there’s an instant connection that’s unspoken because we both know the other is part black (speaking from my personal experience here), and there’s an understanding of certain struggles that we’ve had to overcome in validating our blackness. Not to say that that doesn’t happen when I meet an all black person, but I generally get asked or people assume I am black and white and nothing else and that’s not true at all, those assumptions have generally come from white and black People.
Q: Which part of your background do you identify with and/or who are you closest to in your family?
A: My parents are divorced so my mom is who raised me and who I’m close with. My dad is Puerto Rican and my mom is black and Native American. The roots I’m closest to are my black ones however we grew up in the suburbs so I generally say I’m a black suburban because a lot of black cultural I had to seek out to find I didn’t just grew up with it. We did go to the Puerto Rican Day Parade almost every year so I’d say I also grew up with knowing a bit on my Hispanic roots. I’m currently looking into my Native American roots more thoroughly.
Q: What are your thoughts on descriptors like light-skinned, high yellow, Mulatto, etc?
A: I personally am not a fan of those terms. I understand them, I’ve been called them before and have used them to describe a persons skin tone but not in describing it as who they are. I say that distinction because skin tone is deceiving. I know White passing Hispanics and white passing part black people. Everyone is so quick to judge someone based solely on hue and that’s gotta stop it’s hurtful (speaking from experience), you don’t know what makes up there DNA. So I as often as I can try not to use any of those terms but if I have to I clearly state that “it looks like they’re..”, I never say that’s who they are.
Q: What are your feelings on the N-Word? Do you use it?
A: The N word. On occasion I use it. Only with people I really fuck with. Like my homies. And I use it with the “a” not the hard “r”. I have many friends who use it as well. I have no problem with it as long as it’s used properly and not meant to offend. Hard “r” without exception is always said to offend in my opinion and that I’m not okay with.
Q: In your career, how has being PartBlack helped or hurt you?
A:Career wise I feel at times because of my appearance looking like black and white mixture or Hispanic that I’ve gotten certain opportunities because people are more comfortable with thinking I’m a certain way that I’m not. On the opposite end of it I haven’t gotten certain opportunities because I’m not white or because I’m not enough of one of the things I am. It still happened once in a while especially now that I’m back modeling.
Q: Has ethnicity played a factor in your romantic relationships?
A: So I will be completely honest in saying that I give every race, gender, sexuality etc an equal opportunity. My previous partners show that in the fullest. However once someone shows how they feel on certain issues or sometimes even just opens their mouth and pure willful ignorance comes out that’s when it’s a wrap for me and that also for me has been consistent amongst the white race.
Q: Growing up, do you feel that you experienced unique challenges being PartBlack?
A: Growing up? Absolutely. I grew up in fuckin Twinsburg Ohio. OHIO! One of the most suburban areas (45 minutes from Cleveland where I also hung out). I never felt like I fit anywhere. I’d try to hang with the black kids and I wasn’t black enough to them for that. I tried to hang with the white kids but I’m not white. The Hispanics I couldn’t cause I didn’t speak Spanish. So that left the school rejects (the goths and theater kids) and occasional sports teams (when I had games or meets outside of that they didn’t want me to hang with them either). So it was fairly hard being a kid cause of that (among other things). I also at times felt ashamed of who I was and absolutely did at times wish I was one race verse many. I am so grateful wishes in that way don’t come true because myself today couldn’t be prouder of who I am and all that has happened to me I wouldn’t change for a thing because it shaped me into who I am today
Q: Do you consider yourself political, and in what ways?
A: Political? I do in the sense that I’m an Artivist. So I advocate for change in many areas and am actively involved with organizations such as BLM & ReformLAJails. I also am a Womanist.
Q: What would you tell your 12-year old self?
A: 12 year old self? I would tell her that you’re gonna be good. You’re a fighter and every challenge you will face or are facing is making you stronger. I would tell her to keep being her. Trust God, Universe and her mom. I would tell her to never be ashamed of who she is.