Focus on me|| Damon sims

Prologue

"So this is Bringston," Malani says, looking at the school in awe. "Wow. I bet Princeton isn't doing all this for their homecoming," Jordan adds, watching the performance with the crew. "Princeton who?" Malani asks, her tone dismissive. "Exactly. If they're too wack to accept you, forget them," Spencer says as they continue walking. "Guys, I thought the whole point of this trip was to cheer us up and take my mind off that school," Simone says, holding Malani's arm. "Well, yeah, and to scope out the HBCU experience," Olivia chimes in. "You're one of the only ones with HBCUs on your list, Liv," Jordan notes. "Who else has a list?" Olivia asks, raising an eyebrow.

"Malani, of course... anyways at least y'all have a list. I ain't got nada," Simone says, sulking. "All right, stop the college talk, okay? This weekend is about visiting your aunt and having some G.A.F. Am I right? Grown-ass fun. Come on, guys," Jordan says, trying to rally the group making the group look at him with a weird expression.

"That's really your man, Mone," Malani jokes, causing Simone to nudge her sister playfully. "Hold up, is that really Cordae on the stage?" Spencer asks, chuckling. "All right, y'all. Welcome to Bringston University. It's time to turn up," Simone declares as they make their way to the crowd and the performance.

...

"In the future, as Black journalists, you will be held to a higher standard. There will be a larger, unrealistic burden on Black journalists. And for someone like me, who lies at the intersection of journalism and activism, that burden will be even greater," Amara explains to her class as the crew quietly walks into the classroom.

"Is that your aunt?" Olivia whispers to Malani, who nods as they watch Amara teach.

"Keisha?" Amara calls on her. "How will you maintain journalistic objectivity?" Keisha asks.

"The same way white reporters do," a student responds.

"Except, do they? Just because the views of whiteness are normalized as the objective neutral doesn't mean they actually are," Keisha retorts. Before the student can continue, Amara interrupts.

"Alright, forget about journalistic objectivity, Keisha. Instead, focus on being ethical, fair, and truthful. There's a difference. Regarding ethics, my philosophy is this: if it doesn't cross your line in the sand, there's no shame in walking away. But if it does, pursue it until you have it right, and then bring it all to light," Amara explains, causing Keisha to nod in agreement.

"OK, Yas, poetry!" Keisha exclaims, causing the class to erupt in laughter. "Alright, see you all Tuesday. Keisha, you're a mess," Amara says, smiling at Keisha.

"Hootie hoo!" Simone and Malani call out to their aunt. "Hootie hoo!" Amara responds with a chuckle. "Hi, Auntie," Simone greets her, moving in for a hug. "Oh, my baby girl. I can't believe you're really here," Amara expresses, embracing her niece warmly. "I know," Simone replies, smiling.

"Olivia," Amara points out, prompting Olivia to shrug with a smile. "And is that Malani?" Amara gasps, causing Malani to grin. "Hey, Auntie A," Malani greets her. Amara starts to hug her but then pauses. "Which makes you Spencer. And you must be the nephew-in-law," Amara says, trying to identify everyone.

"Something like that. Uh, by the way, thank you so much for letting us stay this weekend, Ms. Patterson," Jordan says politely. "Dear God. Call me Amara. I am not that old," Amara responds, making the crew laugh. "So, what do you have going on?" Malani asks curiously. "What do you mean?" Amara asks, looking at her niece.

"Teaching. You're never just teaching. I know you've got some amazing article brewing somewhere up in there," Simone says, making her aunt laugh. "I'm still putting the pieces together. In the meantime, it's homecoming," Amara points out. "Yeah, you all seem to take that real seriously out here," Spencer adds in.