Mama’s Writing | Bassey Ikpi
Mama’s Writing is Raising Mother’s monthly interview series, curated by Deesha Philyaw. Bassey Ikpi is a writer, performer, mental health advocate, and author of the instant New York Times-bestselling book, I’m Telling the Truth, but I’m Lying, a debut collection of essays about living with bipolar II disorder and anxiety. Bassey first gained public acclaim as an internationally recognized poet featured on HBO’s Def Poetry Jam. She has been published by The Root, Huffington Post, Essence, and elsewhere. As the founder of The Siwe Project, a mental health organization, Bassey created the global movement #NoShameDay, an initiative that aims to reduce stigma and increase mental health awareness. Raising Mothers: Are there days when you feel like a mother who writes and other days where you feel like a writer who is a mother? Bassey Ikpi:I always feel like a writer who is a mother. I have a huge amount of privilege because I have a family who is co-parenting with me. So it’s rarely a choice between doing the work and making sure that my …