Karyn Washington eulogized by fellow bloggers
Karyn Washington’s untimely death is continuing to rattle the black blogging community and her fellow scribes are paying tribute. As previously reported, the beautiful For Brown Girls creator committed suicide after reportedly battling depression. It’s since been confirmed that the 22-year-old Baltimore, Md., native died by means of asphyxiation.
A bubbly advocate for self-love who rescinded colorism, Washington’s spirit is continuing to live on through her peers who are using Wordpress, Tumblr and other blogging tools to eulogize her.
Blogger Angel Laws, formerly of ConcreteLoop.com, noted that she was “shedding tears” in memory of her fellow blogging sister and praised Washington for making a difference in spite of her youth.
“I appreciate the impact her brand made; showing the beauty of our black sistas and hope that her family and friends can some day come to terms with her sudden loss. She was only 22. So young,” wrote Laws.
Sophia A. Nelson, a scribe and a political commentator, inked a tribute piece titled “Black Butterfly: A Tribute to Karyn Washington” recalling her own past as a 22-year-old and wishing she could’ve been around to help the sister whose depression had become crippling.
“She had everything to live for. She was already changing the world at 22. She was brave. She was focused. She was kind. She was passionate. […] “I wish that I had known Karyn. I wish she had me in her phone contacts. I wish I could have talked to her. Held her hand. Encouraged her. Given her a hug. And told her that she was not alone.”
Blogger Ty Alexander of GorgeousInGrey arguably has the most soul-stirring of all posts in tribute to Washington, considering that the young woman reached out to her personally for her support. Back in August when Washington’s mother was preparing to pass away from cancer, she reached out to Alexander who previously penned a piece on losing her own mom to lymphoma.
The two ladies then had email exchanges where Alexander gave her very personal tips on how to brace herself for the loss; “Have her say something that you can listen to later […], take a picture of you and her holding hands.”
Washington’s mother died on September 25 and Alexander coincidentally wrote an email that day to check in on her friend.
Fast forward to the days following Washington’s death, and Alexander has scribed very bravely about how losing the young writer hits all too close to home.
“I should have told her I had thought about suicide. That … I think about it daily,” wrote Alexander. “That … I wonder how much easier my life would be to not wake up everyday in tears. That … I wonder what my mother is doing without me. Although I’ve never had suicidal ideation (plotted my death), I still wonder what would happen if I just wasn’t here. If life just stopped. […] ”
“All too often we look down on Karyn. She’s that unstable creature (insert B word) who hasn’t learned to deal with life’s obstacles,” she added. “She hasn’t learned how to become this beacon of strength that represents all Black women. But I am Karyn Washington!”
More outpourings of love for Karyn Washington can be found on DivaSnap and MoMerrellSays.com.
Rest in power Karyn.
-danielle canada
