You Aren’t Like Them. You’re Different. You Aren’t Really White
You aren’t like them. You’re different. You aren’t REALLY Black. Even as a middle-schooler, I knew that there was something messed-up about that statement; although every time it was uttered […]
8 Things Black Folks Can Be Thankful For This Thanksgiving Post Trump
This Thanksgiving Black folks will be gathering around dining room tables and family rooms dotted with TV trays, unable to avoid thinking about and talking about the unexpected arrival of […]
The Most Loving Thing You Can Do Sometimes Is Shut-up
Bette Midler is my neighbor. She is my son’s elementary school teacher, my former colleague, and the lady in line with me at the grocery store who struck up a […]
The Predictability of It All: The Rosanne Barr Story
For Black folks, racism is like rain: a part of life. We know it’s going to come; though even when we are prepared, it can put a damper on things. […]
White Privilege: Martinis, Hoodies and the Luxury of Being Unaware
My son’s dentist’s office looks as if it were designed by one of those celebrated television interior designers: a professional mural that covers the entire office from carpet to ceiling […]
Kendrick Lamar & J. Cole: Role Modelz & Leaders
My mom would walk in from work wearing all the signs of an annoyed woman: tight lips, raised shoulders, eye-cutting every time that she had to walk over one obstacle […]
Love Shouldn’t Be Blind & Deaf: Conspiracy Theories, R. Kelly & Cosby
Brown liquor, blues music and my uncles is a combination that has always guaranteed a night overflowing with colorful conspiracy theories. My uncles’ philosophy: nothing is as it seems; and […]
Letting the Tears Fall: Setting Down the Strong, Black Woman Armor
Jon Benet Ramsey, Nicole Simpson, Elizabeth Smart, Nancy Kerrigan, Natalie Holloway, Erin Andrews, Amanda Knox, Laci Peterson, Jessica Lynch: you know their names. They are White women who have been […]
The N-Word, Bill Maher and Us
Immediate and full disclosure: I’m confused about how I feel about the “N-Word.” My feelings weren’t conflicted when I was ten years old and beat hazel-eyed Thomas’ ass at the […]
The Bad Black
I’m not a good Black. I used to be. When I was born, my dad said I reminded him of Jimi Hendrix due to my wild, curly afro; and loud, […]