POLITICS + RACISM
At this point, conservatives are only gaslighting themselves
No matter how much the flock of White conservatives wants everyone to believe that January 6th was no more than a walking tour, we know the truth. White people came with violence in mind. They brought Trump's Make-America-Great-Again flags, Confederate flags. …
RACE + ENTERTAINMENT
An unpopular, unapologetically Black opinion
Dave Chappelle's new Netflix series The Closer struck a nerve. Of course, he has always been known for his unique perspectives about American culture. …
To communicate effectively, you have to control your tone. Here’s how to do that.
A couple of months ago, I read a story about blackface. Initially, I felt relieved that someone was bringing attention to this issue.
Then, sentence after sentence, I realized my initial assumptions, based on the title, fell short. To my surprise, this article supported blackface. As a Black writer, I…
RACISM + CINEMA
Seeing a Black version of a White classic series has some folks flustered. Let's unpack this.
White folks are used to seeing themselves on TV. Let's face it. Back in 1988, when the original Wonder Years series aired, mainstream American television focused on telling the same coming-of-age story. Boy meets girl — scratch that — White boy meets girl was the premise of dozens of series…
BLACK LEADERSHIP MATTERS
Telling Black folks to avoid vaccination is not a "power to the people" moment
“Power to the people doesn’t mean what five-time world champion boxer Floyd Mayweather thinks it means. Full stop. No way telling Black people to protest vaccine mandates furthers our collective interest. Yet, Mayweather recently threw his full support behind Kyrie Irving’s no-vaccine mandate campaign. It’s a shame that these prominent…
RACISM + PSYCHOLOGY
Yet, folks keep mixing up bias, discrimination, and racism
We know that reverse racism is a dangerous, dirty little lie. And behind every lie, there is a motive. Here, the goal is to make White people feel comfortable with the term "racism." As long as it's reversible, some of them can handle it. …
RACISM + CULTURE
Brazilians take to the streets in a nationwide minstrel show
As a New Orleanian, festivals become the seasoning of our lives. Sprinkle in some family, friends, and a free party, and we’re ready for anything. So, naturally, many of my friends wanted to visit Brazil during the carnival season. We’ve heard their traditions are similar to ours, a colorful, exciting…
BLACK COMEDY MATTERS
The Closer appealed to far too many people, and yes, gay people can be racist too
Okay, so by now, you've all watched The Closer, Dave Chappelle's latest comedy special, which aired on Netflix. And, chances are, you have some strong opinions about what you saw or heard. Since writing What You're Missing About Dave Chappelle's Comments, the remarks came pouring in like a Category 3…
BLACK LIVES MATTER
Unpacking the fallacy condemning America's Black power movements through personal narrative
Since I was young, I knew my dreams were "radical," but that word always made me smile because folks even considered my hair radical as a Black girl. I knew that my existence was revolutionary from my little radicalized toes to the top of my magic, little-girl afro. …
