RACISM + BLACK LIVES MATTER
So tired of hearing these five words, so here’s my answer
Whenever a Black person speaks up about racial injustice, some white person is always waiting behind the digital curtain, ready to ask — Do you hate white people? So, if you’re reading this, you probably want to know the answer to the question, and I won’t keep you waiting — the answer is “no.”
Most Black people don’t hate white people, but we are consistently disappointed by white people, and we do hate the concept of white supremacy. Deal with it. Like seriously, the idea of white people being superior to people of other races is nonsensical. …
WOMANISM + CULTURE
Body Shaming Lizzo highlights society’s attempts to define femininity through Eurocentric standards
Since Lizzo released her new hit song, Rumors featuring Cardi B, millions of music lovers tuned in; the imagery in their music video brought me right back to the Black women singing The Gospel Truth in Disney’s Hercules movie. Dancing in gold-tinged dresses, they called themselves “goddesses of the arts.” But, unlike many white-washed depictions of the Greeks, this scene celebrated Black women’s bodies in all their glory. In the newly-released Rumors music video, Lizzo and Cardi B resembled modern versions of those archetypal women.
This video hit differently because we rarely see Black women mythologized in a positive light…
Black Lives Matter protesters couldn’t get away with this
Nearly 1,000 White college students gathered to party in Columbus, Ohio. They came to celebrate the “Chitt Fest,” a series of spring block parties. But this year, their brand of fun included damaging property and flipping seven cars. When the police responded, the revelers seem unfazed and unbothered. Flipping cars without a care is the apex of White privilege.
The officers responded to the event from a distance. Using a megaphone, they said, “They’ll come down when it’s safe for them.” When it comes to confronting Black protesters, police seem to have the will of fire. Yet, when it comes…
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 felt appalled that a misleading title effectively lured me into reading a story I found racist. Of course, I realize that is clickbait. But the plot thickens.
I left a comment mentioning how offensive blackface is to Black people. The writer then told me, “The article was satire. You just…
BLACK LIVES MATTER
Border Patrol whipping Haitians on the border highlights a racist, broken immigration system
The images of white Border Patrol agents using whips on Black Haitian refugees gives off slave catcher vibes. After all, American policing in the Southern States traces back to the first formal slave patrol in 1704. These patrols gave white men the freedom to hunt Black people down, using inhumane tactics, with the sole intent of forcing them into lifelong servitude. What we see today is an extension of a cruel American tradition.
And we can’t blame it all on the states because Congress passed The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, which gave more power to Slave Patrols. Under this…
WOMANISM + CULTURE
We’re still learning lessons from a living legend
Queen Latifah’s 93' hit single, “U.N.I.T.Y.,” provided a lyrical answer to Hip-Hop, a music industry dominated by the Black male gaze. She brought her message to their front door. As her song topped the charts, she became the first woman to win a Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance, solidifying her role as a living legend.
Like many Black girls, I grew up listening to Queen Latifah’s anthem. Her music felt aspirational, willfully pushing Hip Hop to ditch disrespectful rhetoric towards women, a battle we’re still waging. …
POLITICS + CULTURE
An unpopular opinion
Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, better known as AOC, has become a thorn in nearly every conservative’s side. She’s best known for co-sponsoring The Green New Deal with Senator Edward J. Markey of Massachusetts. And because she represents New York’s 14th Congressional District, a progressive stronghold, she’s attracted many members of The Squad into her orbit.
Still, it seems there is always someone falling over themselves with fake outrage anytime she takes center stage to promote progressive values. As a Latina woman who stands against corporate interests, she’s used to taking a lot of flack. …
RACISM + CULTURE
Calling out the one-way relationship at the heart of America
If you’re reading this, you’ve probably eaten fried chicken before. To call this, a popular dish would be an understatement. According to a survey, 16 percent of Americans would marry “fried chicken if they could.” Clearly, that crunchy texture and lip-smacking flavor won the hearts of millions.
Still, with the chicken sandwich wars still raging, I can’t help but see the irony of white people loving Black people’s fried chicken but not our problems. It’s past time we unpack this one-way relationship.
White people use fried chicken as a racist trope, but they also market it to our communities. And…
CLIMATE CHANGE HAIKU CHALLENGE
Haikus about the human cost of climate change and global warming
We are not alone
We share Earth, a place called home
We have only one
A few Writers and Editors of Color would like to share their perspectives on climate change through haikus. Each one is short and sweet and to the point. Without further ado, please enjoy our latest Haiku Compilation.
▸ Written by TC Hails
▸ Written by KSHernandez
▸ Written by Ashlea Morgan
▸ Written by Cholia "CJ" Johnson
