Archive - The WHAT IT'S LIKE Newsletter

I used to be a middle school science teacher, and one of my favorite kids — let’s call him Ryan — was sensitive.

Jan 31, 2021 •

Jesslyn Shields

Blood is made in the dark

It’s the last day on the Gregorian year 2020, and I have broken down crying about a sofa twice in the past 24 hours.

Jan 1, 2021 •

Jesslyn Shields

December 2020

Storms and Shoes

A friend of mine has trouble talking to his dad about politics.

Dec 11, 2020 •

Jesslyn Shields

November 2020

The other day I was on a video conference with some people I didn’t know, and the host thought it would be fun if we all introduced ourselves by…

Nov 11, 2020 •

Jesslyn Shields

October 2020

“What did you think you were going to be like when you grew up?” asked my friend Kate today, after she told me about how she knew she was going to be…

Oct 20, 2020 •

Jesslyn Shields

Render Unto Caesar What Is Caesar’s

In my family, as in the world, there are some things I can’t have because I’m a girl.

Oct 11, 2020 •

Jesslyn Shields

September 2020

August 2020

Yesterday I got an email from my mom, subject line: “Sad.” The first line was, “I should never, ever, ever try to do this kind of project on a…

Aug 31, 2020 •

Jesslyn Shields

There are two men in my kitchen running a machine.

Aug 26, 2020 •

Jesslyn Shields

Aug 18, 2020 •

Jesslyn Shields

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