WOMANISM + CULTURE
We are dynamic. Get to know us.
Whoever said lightning never strikes twice failed to consider what life was like for Black women. Whether at home, at work, or in academic settings, racism and sexism create a dangerous storm for Black women to navigate through.
While some insults are blatant, some are more subtle. The strong Black woman trope, for example, acts as an underhanded compliment. While having superhuman strength sounds like an asset, it furthers a dangerous narrative. Namely, that Black women do not need help.
We Must Make Space For Black Women To Be Delicate and Vulnerable
When people assume you are strong enough to…
WOMANISM
Where has the loyalty gone?
Last summer, Megan Thee Stallion named Tory Lanez as the man responsible for shooting her. Shooting an unarmed Black woman who was “trying to leave the vehicle” is shameful. However, what’s even more disturbing than this one-off incident is how Black men responded to it.
I can already hear the “not all Black men” roaring in the background. So, yes, let’s go there. Rick Ross provided a perfect example of what that support looks like. For some, calling Lanez out may have broken the bro code, but I’m glad Ross didn’t buy into that. As reported in Billboard:
BLACK SCHOLARSHIP MATTERS
How the activist-scholar stared down the belly of the beast
Right now, Nikole Hannah-Jones deserves a round of applause. Whether you love her or hate her, it’s time to admit she won the culture war. While conservatives started the conflict, she ended it with poise. So, how did Hannah-Jones stare into the belly of the beast and come out triumphant? Let’s unpack this.
Ever since becoming the lead contributor for the New York Times’ 1619 Project, Hannah-Jones’ journalism has taken center stage, winning her the 2020 Pulitzer Prize. Before this, she received the MacArthur Fellowship in 2017, also known as the “Genius Grant.” …
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…
POETRY
Haiku + Freestyle writing
Another year passed
me by and yet I don’t know
how to celebrate
Today, I turned 33 years old, and I don’t know how I feel about that. On the one hand, I am thrilled to have made it this far and have what I hope is a long life ahead of me. But, on the other hand, I really don’t know how to celebrate the big day.
As a teenager, I always knew what to do. Throw a party, buy an outfit that shows my figure, change my hairstyle, and stunt. …
RACISM + CULTURE
Letting go may be easier than you think
In the aftermath of Victoria's Secret Karen, we need to talk about how some white women weaponize their tears. A few weeks back, a bunch of white women influencers created a fake crying trend on TikTok. But, everyone wasn’t laughing. When a white woman cries wolf, her manipulation can have dangerous consequences. For some, this brought back the horrors of Emmet Till. While these examples highlight the danger of crocodile tears, they only scratch the surface, exposing the world that Black people live in — one that often centers on white comfort.
BLACK HEALTH MATTERS
Does dark skin need protection from UV rays? Let’s unpack this.
Every summer, families, friends, and couples hit the beach hoping to catch some rays and have some fun. While spending some time in the sun boosts Vitamin D in the body, people who stay out too long risk damaging their skin. In America, all of us — Black, White and other — are guilty of embracing strange or downright harmful myths about sun exposure and the darker toning that comes with it. Some are racist, and others are self-harming.
In 1929, Coco Channel declared, “A girl simply has to be tanned.” White people went from valuing lighter skin as a…
BLACK HISTORY 365
JULY 2021 EDITION
Black history has become taboo. Just this month, the Texas Senate proposed erasing Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech from its curriculum. They also want to ban any curriculum that teaches the relevance of the Civil Rights Movement. Sadly, Texas is not alone. Many states across the country run by conservative legislatures have limited students’ access to Black history.
This project aims to address the disparity by providing a monthly compilation of Black History stories, some of which include bits of hidden history. …
MUSIC + CULTURE
Hip-Hop takes one step closer to intersectionality. Black Men, are you listening?
Lil Nas X is a Grammy award-winning artist breaking all of Hip-Hop’s unspoken rules. You may be asking yourself, what rules? After all, Hip-Hop is known for raw self-expression. Nevertheless, Black men often use their bully pulpit to promote misogynoir and homophobia in their music. In this environment, Lil Nas X has become revolutionary.
Considering some recent comments, Hip-Hop could use an intersectional reality check. DaBaby, the same rapper who decided to betray Megan Thee Stallion for the all mighty dollar bill, made some disparaging misogynoiristic and homophobic comments. At a concert, he commented:
