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Saraciea Fennell: "The Black Girl Survives In This One" Is The Representation I Didn't See In Horror Books
I've always been obsessed with horror. From childhood, when I bunked with my siblings and primas, we told each other spooky stories in the middle of the night to rock ourselves to sleep. Every evening we would take turns telling stories, and the stories seemed to get scarier and scarier. When it was my night to tell a story to the group, I knew I had to bring the best jump scares. I'd find myself spinning stories until my sisters' and primas' bodies would tense up in fear. I knew then that horror stories were something I could weave. There's something about having fear knotted up in your belly; it's like riding a roller coaster and waiting for the thrill of the drop.
Horror has always been a part of my life, so it felt natural for me to work on a book like "The Black Girl Survives in This One." My two brothers were obsessed with the genre and I was one of the youngest siblings, so it mostly fell on them to babysit me. As with most older siblings, my brothers lived to tease me. Everything was a joke or a moment to terrify. So it was natural for them to invite me to movie nights where we would watch films like "Candyman" (1992) featuring Tony Todd; "Child's Play" (1988), where a white man uses voodoo to transfer his soul to a doll to escape the police; "Night of the Living Dead" (1968), directed by Bronx native George A. Romero; and "A Nightmare on Elm Street" (1984). While these movies scared the crap out of me, I found myself facing my fears head-on, to not only prove to my brothers that I could handle whatever they threw at me but to prove to myself that I could stare in the face of danger and survive.
Once I overcame my fears, I instantly started to love the gore — the jump scares were my favorite too. I became obsessed with how the actors, the movie scores, and everything played into the fear of everything. Horror is a genre where we can explore the things that freak us out, that don't make sense, and that play on our fears. I've always found courage in watching these movies, and when I discovered slashers and the "final girl," I longed to be one.
"The Black Girl Survives in This One" is an anthology collection of short horror stories, from ghost stories to zombie stories, from writers like Monica Brashears, Vincent Tirado, Zakiya Dalila Harris, Maika and Maritza Moulite, and others. It also includes a foreword written by the horror luminary Tananarive Due. There's something for everyone in this book, and at the end, the main character — a Black girl — survives the horrors of the day. The bigger message we wanted to convey to readers, especially Black girls, is that despite the serious obstacles you may face in this life, you are strong enough to endure, survive, and still come out on top. We are not our fears, no matter how society might try to tell us otherwise.
While I love the horror genre, it has not been kind or inclusionary for Black, Indigenous, Latine, and other people of color. So I was inspired to write myself into the genre, to pen a story that featured a Black Latina who is fierce and equally loves the horror genre. In my short story, "Cemetery Dance Party," I pay homage to all of the folks who sparked my love for horror, from Michael Jackson's famous hit song and music video "Thriller" to Romero's "Night of the Living Dead." It was the first movie where I saw a Black person survive the horror of the undead, only to be shot by a white person at the end. That scene stayed with me. It's haunting to believe that as a Black person, you could escape zombies, but you can't escape white supremacy.
My first book, "Wild Tongues Can't Be Tamed," was a nonfiction anthology that examined diverse aspects of Latine identity, subverting myths and stereotypes about our cultures, and a dialogue on addiction, racism, and anti-Blackness within our community. It featured essays from bestselling and award-winning writers like Elizabeth Acevedo, Ingrid Rojas Contreras, Naima Coster, Natasha Diaz, Janel Martinez, and others. I was eager to continue the identity conversation and amplify Black voices across the diaspora. So it was an easy decision for me to want to tackle horror next, which has been so exclusionary for Black folks and people of color. After having a Zoom conversation with my coeditor of the anthology, Desiree S. Evans, we decided to center Black girls and have them be the "final girl" trope we've always wanted to see more of in cinema and books.
The process was pretty similar to my experience with "Wild Tongues Can't Be Tamed," but this time, we thought it was important to host an open call to discover new voices in horror. It was amazing to receive so many submissions; there are a lot of talented writers out there just waiting for the publishing industry to give them the opportunity to tell our stories.
Writing and editing "The Black Girl Survives in This One" was healing for my inner teen self, who went through so much in high school; at times it felt like I wouldn't survive the pressure of making new friends, balancing schoolwork, and prepping for college courses. Writing my short story "Cemetery Dance Party" was very nostalgic because I got to write myself into a horror comedy story I always wanted to see. The story follows Alle, an Afro Latina from the Bronx who loves track but was recently injured and is healing so she can get back on the team and bring home the win for her squad. She's also class president and tasked with hosting the senior class party. She decides to host it at the famous Woodlawn Cemetery, and well, it's the perfect setting for chaos to ensue among teenagers with raging hormones and alcohol. Alle and her friends go through the gauntlet during the night, but she survives at the end, and that's all that matters.
This is such an important read for Black women — including Latina readers — because we never get to see ourselves in genres like this. Just look at how all of the best shows that represented us were canceled, from "Lovecraft Country" to "The Horrors of Dolores Roach." Even though those shows were badass, networks still decided that nobody could relate to Leti in "Lovecraft" and Dolores, but the twist is we did, and we wanted more. I want readers to know that they matter; they belong in horror, and "The Black Girl Survives in This One" is only the beginning of us inserting ourselves in the genre to come out on top as the heroes we deserve to be and see ourselves as!
Saraciea J. Fennell is a Black Brooklyn-born Honduran American writer from the Bronx. She is the editor and author of the anthologies "Wild Tongues Can't Be Tamed" and "The Black Girl Survives in This One." Her work centers on Black and Latine identity and has appeared on PS, Remezcla, Culturess, Refinery29, and Mitú.
How Hainault Sword Horror Unfolded As Attacker Rammed Van Into House Before 'killing Boy' And Fleeing On Garage Roofs
THE Hainault sword horror started when the attacker rammed a van into a house - before allegedly killing a teen boy.
Five people including the 14-year-old schoolboy and two cops were knifed in the terrifying rampage.
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Cops Tasered the 36-year-old suspectCredit: PA8
He prowled the streets with a Samurai sword8
The suspect clambered over rooftops in a bid to get away8
The man has not yet been interviewed cops after he was floored by the TaserCredit: PA8
A smashed-up van at the scene of the rampageCredit: PA8
Forensic officers at the scene in HainaultCredit: Louis Wood8
Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell said a teenage boy was killed in the horror attackCredit: PAThe suspect slashed away at random after crashing into a home near Hainault Tube station on the border between Essex and London.
He had been seen ducking in front gardens before unleashing the terrifying rampage just before 7am.
The 36-year-old then fled the scene over garage rooftops - before cops Tasered and arrested him 22 minutes after the first 999 call.
Locals told how the bloodied attacker brandished a huge sword as he prowled the streets shouting "Do you believe in God?".
Read More Hainault AttackShouts of "Get down" were heard as cops swarmed the streets near the Underground stop.
Paramedics battled to save the man's five victims while cops closed the station and put up a huge cordon.
A 14-year-old boy was sadly killed in the horror, Scotland Yard confirmed this afternoon.
Two brave police officers were seriously injured in the line of duty and two members of the public remain in hospital.
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DEADLY ATTACK
Boy, 14, killed in horror sword attack after man 'goes on rampage'
'LOCK YOUR DOORS'
Moment 'sword attacker' is Tasered by cops who chased him through gardensAssistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe said: "Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of the 14-year-old boy who very sadly died at the scene.
Moment Hainault sword attacker flees through gardens in police chase after 'killing boy, 14, and injuring four others'"We will be there to provide every possible support to them and ensure we get them the answers they need.
"We are also thinking of the two other members of public who were injured, as well as brave officers stabbed during the incident.
"The 36-year-old man arrested at the scene is currently in hospital, having suffered injuries when his van collided with a building.
"He has been arrested on suspicion of murder. At this time, given his injuries, we have been unable to interview him."
Rolfe added Scotland Yard had no record of prior contact with the suspect.
But she said cops are "satisfied there is no threat to the wider community" now the man is in custody.
The Met said officers were called around 7am to reports a vehicle had been driven into a house in the Thurlow Gardens area.
KNIFEMAN'S WORDSPeople were reportedly stabbed at the property before the suspect went on to attack random members of the public and two cops.
One resident said she saw a body on the ground as she hid by her window while a man wielding a sword shouted "do you believe in God?" outside her house.
The local from Laing Close, who does not wish to be named, said she saw a man standing outside her home next to a body and wielding a sword in front of two unarmed police and an ambulance.
"He was wielding his sword trying to attack the police but then they sprayed him and he ran away," she said.
"He was shouting at the police 'do you believe in God?', also at the ambulance.
"We were very scared and trying to hide and not show ourselves through the window, because he was standing right next to our house and he could have seen us if he looked up.
"We were trying to hide but also at the same time taking video of him attacking the police, and of the body on the floor, so, yeah, we were very scared and we didn't know what to do."
There wasn't much emotion on his face
Evelina DeliuUni student Evelina Deliu, 20, told The Sun: "When I woke up, I looked out of my window. "The police were shouting 'get down, get down'.
"They were screaming at him to stop resisting. It took six or seven people to get him down, and a lady (police officer) too.
"He was on the ground right afterwards. They were trying to tie him up and put him in handcuffs.
"He was moving his legs and trying to get out. They had to carry him to the car… because he was tied up he had to be carried.
"The police started picking things up and putting them in evidence bags. There wasn't much emotion on his face.
"I think he was trying to run away but got caught here."
SWORD HORRORAnother local said he saw a man stood by his front door covered in blood as he made his way to the Tube.
Peter Rollison said: "I live in Laing Close and made my way to Hainault Station this morning.
"There were a lot of police cars around the corner from me. I stopped from a distance to look at all the commotion, then continued with my journey.
"There was a man in his home with his door open, his hand and arm covered in blood.
"I got to the station and TFL staff were talking and clearly shaken. They said a man was running around with a sword.
"As I left them I heard them mention someone had been stabbed in the neck.
"I made my way back home as I couldn't leave my family. I had to ask permission to get to my home as it was part of a cornered off area.
"There were helicopters in the area for quite a while."
A fourth local said: "I heard shouting, I heard shrieking - I thought 'who would be shrieking at this time in the morning?'
"The shrieking sounded like the police - you know when they are ordering someone to stop or to get on their knees or something - it was like that.
"It was like 'stop where you are, put that down, put that down' - that kind of thing.
"I looked out the back window because the noise was coming from back there.
"I saw a bloke dressed in yellow jumping over some fences - then he went down an alley like he was going back onto the street again.
"I saw a policeman and policewoman - normal coppers with the short-sleeved shirts - who chased after him and they were shouting for him to put it down."
KING'S SORROWPM Rishi Sunak blasted the crimes and said this kind of "violence has no place on our streets".
He added: "This is a shocking incident. My thoughts are with those affected and their families.
"I'd like to thank the emergency services for their ongoing response, and pay tribute to the extraordinary bravery shown by police on the scene.
"Such violence has no place on our streets."
Buckingham Palace said: "Following the horrific scenes in Hainault this morning, The King has asked to be kept fully informed as details of the incident become clearer.
"His thoughts and prayers are with all those affected - in particular, the family of the young victim who has lost his life.
"He salutes the courage of the emergency services who helped contain the situation."
Hainault Stabbing: Boy, 14, Killed In Horror Rampage 'by Sword-wielding Man Who Attacked Five Including Two Cops'
A 14-YEAR-old boy has been killed in a horror sword attack after a man allegedly went on a rampage, injuring four others.
The tragic death of the schoolboy comes after five people including two police officers were knifed in a terrifying frenzy.
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A man was seen wielding a sword in east London this morning13
A smashed-up van can be seen cordoned at the sceneCredit: PA13
Five people were rushed to hospital following the attacks13
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The suspect was arrested 22 minutes after the first 999 callCredit: PA13
The moment cops Tasered the suspectCredit: PACops this afternoon said the alleged knifeman had been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Met Police said they could find no trace of a prior incident.
Petrifying videos from witnesses near Hainault Tube Station, east London, show a man, 36, clutching the huge blade and prowling the streets as people "shrieked" in horror.
Other onlookers have claimed the boy was knifed while walking in his school uniform.
Met Police said they were called around 7am to reports a vehicle had been driven into a house in the Thurlow Gardens area.
What we know so far...
Ring Doorbell footage captured the moment the suspect was Tasered by cops following his alleged attacks.
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Moment 'sword attacker' is Tasered by cops who chased him through gardensChief Superintendent Stuart Bell has this afternoon revealed the heartbreaking news that one of the victims has died in hospital.
He said: "It is with great sadness that I confirm that one of those injured in the incident, a 14-year-old boy, has died from their injuries.
"He was taken to hospital after being stabbed and sadly died a short while after.
"The child's family are being supported firstly by my local officers and now with some specialist officers and everyone across the Met is keeping them in our thoughts at this unimaginably difficult time."
Commander Bell described the incident this morning as "truly horrific".
Moment Hainault sword attacker flees through gardens in police chase after 'killing boy, 14, and injuring four others'"I cannot even begin to imagine how those affected must be feeling," he said.
"My thoughts are with the injured, their families and the wider community as we all begin to come to terms with what has happened and try to understand what has happened here.
"I know that there will be clearly and understandably a desire for answers and an explanation to what happened.
"Our investigation is in its very early stages and my officers are working right now to establish the full facts as a priority."
Giving a statement in Hainault this afternoon, Assistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe said: "The 36-year-old man arrested at the scene is currently in hospital having suffered injuries when his van collided with a building.
"He has been arrested on suspicion of murder. At this time, given his injuries, we have been unable to interview him.
"Our thoughts of course remain with the family and friends of the 14-year-old boy who very sadly died here this morning.
KING'S MESSAGE"We're also thinking of the two members of the public who were injured, as well as brave officers who were stabbed."
The King has now also paid his respects to the youngster and his family.
Buckingham Palace said: "Following the horrific scenes in Hainault this morning, The King has asked to be kept fully informed as details of the incident become clearer.
"His thoughts and prayers are with all those affected - in particular, the family of the young victim who has lost his life - and he salutes the courage of the emergency services who helped contain the situation."
Met Police said they were called around 7am to reports a vehicle had been driven into a house in the Thurlow Gardens area.
We do not believe this to be a targeted attack and we are establishing the circumstances at the moment
Chief Superintendent Stuart BellPeople were reportedly stabbed at the property the vehicle rammed into before the suspect went on to attack random members of the public and two cops.
Commander Bell said the two other members of the public remain in hospital.
Their injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.
The two Met Police officers are also currently in hospital and will need surgery.
They have significant injuries but they are not believed to be life-threatening at this stage, says Commander Bell.
He added: "I commend the incredible bravery of not just the police officers but the other emergency responders who came to this scene this morning."
'Hacked down in school uniform'
By Thomas Godfrey
Amanda Trezza, 35, who saw the incident as she walked her son to get a coffee, told The Sun: "I'm very scared about this because I have two children
"I was getting ready to leave home at about 10 minutes to seven to go and get some coffee.
"And then I heard a lot of noises and sirens.
"And my daughter asks me, 'What's happening?'
"I looked out of my window and saw a lot of ambulances and bodies.
"After I go with my son to the bus stop. I see on the main road.
"I see the boy the body of the boy being given CPR.
"He was wearing a school uniform with grey trousers and a white shirt.
"I don't know which school it was for because I couldn't see the jumper.
"Then I saw an ambulance that was being prepared to take him away. My son saw what they were doing and started crying.
"And then we turned around and went back home."
The suspect was tasered and arrested 22 minutes after the first 999 call.
Commander Bell continued: "I want to confirm at present that we do not believe there is any ongoing threat to the wider public and we're not seeking any other persons.
"The incident does not appear to be linked to any act of terrorism.
"We do not believe this to be a targeted attack and we are establishing the circumstances at the moment."
The force is now urging anyone with information to contact 101.
One resident said she saw a body on the ground as she hid by her window while a man wielding a sword shouted "do you believe in God?" outside her house.
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A man was seen pacing back and forth outside an address in the area13
A local told The Sun the arrest happened outside this property13
Police say a man drove a car into a house before going on a stabbing rampageThe local from Laing Close, who does not wish to be named, said she saw a man standing outside her home next to a body and wielding a sword in front of two unarmed police and an ambulance.
"He was wielding his sword trying to attack the police but then they sprayed him and he ran away," she said.
"He was shouting at the police 'do you believe in God?', also at the ambulance.
"We were very scared and trying to hide and not show ourselves through the window, because he was standing right next to our house and he could have seen us if he looked up.
"We were trying to hide but also at the same time taking video of him attacking the police, and of the body on the floor, so, yeah, we were very scared and we didn't know what to do."
Uni student Evelina Deliu, 20, told The Sun: "When I woke up, I looked out of my window. "The police were shouting 'get down, get down'.
"They were screaming at him to stop resisting. It took six or seven people to get him down, and a lady (police officer) too.
He was wielding his sword trying to attack the police but then they sprayed him and he ran away.
Local"He was on the ground right afterwards. They were trying to tie him up and put him in handcuffs.
"He was moving his legs and trying to get out. They had to carry him to the car… because he was tied up he had to be carried.
"The police started picking things up and putting them in evidence bags. There wasn't much emotion on his face.
"I think he was trying to run away but got caught here."
Another local said he saw a man stood by his front door covered in blood as he made his way to the Tube.
Peter Rollison said: "I live in Laing Close and made my way to Hainault Station this morning.
"There were a lot of police cars around the corner from me. I stopped from a distance to look at all the commotion, then continued with my journey.
'SHRIEKING AND SHOUTING'"There was a man in his home with his door open, his hand and arm covered in blood.
"I got to the station and TFL staff were talking and clearly shaken. They said a man was running around with a sword.
"As I left them I heard them mention someone had been stabbed in the neck.
"I made my way back home as I couldn't leave my family. I had to ask permission to get to my home as it was part of a cornered off area.
"There were helicopters in the area for quite a while."
A fourth local said: "I heard shouting, I heard shrieking - I thought 'who would be shrieking at this time in the morning?'
"The shrieking sounded like the police - you know when they are ordering someone to stop or to get on their knees or something - it was like that.
This will be an incredibly challenging time for the local community.
James CleverlyMP"It was like 'stop where you are, put that down, put that down' - that kind of thing.
"I looked out the back window because the noise was coming from back there, I saw a bloke dressed in yellow jumping over some fences ... Then he went down an alley like he was going back onto the street again.
"I saw a policeman and policewoman - normal coppers with the short-sleeved shirts - who chased after him and they were shouting for him to put it down."
MPs this morning condemned the incident and said they were "devastated" by the news.
MP James Cleverly has now said: "To hear the victim of this morning's appalling attack in Ilford has died is heartbreaking.
"I send my heartfelt condolences to the family.
"This will be an incredibly challenging time for the local community and my thoughts remain with all those affected."
'ABSOLUTELY DEVASTATED'PM Rishi Sunak blasted the crimes and said this kind of "violence has no place on our streets".
He added: "This is a shocking incident. My thoughts are with those affected and their families.
"I'd like to thank the emergency services for their ongoing response, and pay tribute to the extraordinary bravery shown by police on the scene. Such violence has no place on our streets."
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: "I am absolutely devastated by the news from Hainault this morning.
"I remain in constant contact with the Commissioner. A man has been arrested and the area secured.
"The police are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident. There will be additional reassurance patrols in the area.
"The police officers and emergency services showed the best of our city - running towards danger to protect others and I thank them from the bottom of my heart.
I would urge people not to speculate until details are confirmed or post footage on social media
Wes StreetingMP"I would urge people not to speculate until the details of this incident are confirmed by the police and avoid posting footage on social media.
"If you have any information at all, please contact the police urgently on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555-111. There is no honour in staying silent.
"Those affected in the local area, including witnesses, can also call Victim Support on 0808 1689 111."
MP Wes Streeting tweeted: "A critical incident has been declared in Hainault.
"There are station and road closures in place. The Police, Ambulance Service and Fire Brigade are responding.
"One male detained.
"I would urge people not to speculate until details are confirmed or post footage on social media."
TFL urged people to re-plan their journey and asking them to avoid the area.
A spokesperson for London's transport network said: "Hainault Station is closed due to a police investigation in the area."
Underground tubes travelling through Hainault are on the Central Line.
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Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe confirmed this afternoon a 36-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of murderCredit: AFP13
The horror started unfolding before 7am todayCredit: Louis Wood13
This is the moment the suspect was arrestedCredit: Supplied
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