The S-Word

Socialism. That’s right. I said it. I know; I’m a bad, bad girl for saying such a dirty, dirty word. How do I know it’s dirty? Well, because McCain and Palin told me so, of course. Towards the end of the presidential campaign, they started throwing the S-Word around at Republican rallies like an overused “yo momma” joke. Read more

Fail: Chocolate News & David Alan Grier

When I first heard that Comedy Central was going to start airing a show called “Chocolate News”, I got worried. All I could think about was “I just hope it’s responsible”, meaning I hope they don’t go all in and bet the farm on racial stereotype jokes the whole season (if it lasts that long, God forbid). Read more

Transitions in Texture

“Don’t let nobody peep yo naps.”

During Black History month in the 7^th grade (late 80’s/early 90s), having written previously about Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman, and Dr. MLK, himself, I ventured into new territory. I constructed this great three sided poster filled with pasted on pictures, text written in bold colored marker, and, of course, artistic puff paint, exalting the first FEMALE (black or white) self-made millionaire, Madam C.J. Walker. She, being the premier entrepreneur that defined the modern day black hair care industry and standards of “straightened” beauty. Read more

Rapper or Republican?

“It ain’t hard to tell… ” or is it?

My best friend was perusing a gaming magazine recently and noticed a short blurb on a new video game coming out… you ready?…wait for it…wait for it… 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand. Oh! I kid you not. Essentially 50 Cent murdering mofos in the Middle East. Now I will give Vivendi the benefit of the doubt that the premise (and it’s proclivity to alliteration) is pure happenstance but one can’t help but wonder… Read more

Slapping Miss Daisy

Gee whiz, Beave. How can i best backslap the rest of your people and slightly exclude you?! Maybe if i say “no offense”.

Growing up I remember using the huge box of crayons with the names you knew someone was overpaid to create (we’re looking at you “orange-yellow”). In that box, the one that always pissed me off was “Flesh”. Especially since my flesh wasn’t “flesh” colored. What were they trying to say? How self-centered do you have to be not to realize the ramifications of labeling one hue “flesh”; dangerous not to just yourself, but your company? Do you not consider how you may be inadvertently offending… oh… say… everyone else? Go find this crayon… if you are around that color, this sermon is for you. Why the “flesh” colored people? Because they are the main perpetrators of the non-compliment. I’m going to use the most recent example in my life but please recognize that “…this type of sh*t happens ev-ery-day!” Read more

You Won’t Like Me When I’m Angry

We were loud and obnoxious but so was everyone else in the 24-hour Greek eatery. The waitress, a Greek woman in her mid-30’s, comes out w/ the bill as I’m retelling a dirty story rich with profane vocabulary and not-so-subtle sexual innuendo (I’m out with my guy friends…it happens) . She then looks at me sideways and says, “Wow, you have such lovely vocabulary!” Read more

The Blacker the Berry…

I really hope the audio clip circulating the Internet of Yung Berg talking down about dark skinned women is a counterfeit. Because if he truly thinks that dark skinned sisters aren’t beautiful, he needs to wake up. Sure, people are entitled to date what they are attracted to. But to demean the darker woman in the manner that he did is a disgrace to our people. Read more

The Globalization of Du-Rags

“You never thought that ‘Hip-Hop’ would take it this far!”

The other day I was minding my own business shopping for some music (”in the heart of the city” of course), when I noticed this kid looking extra lost. Not my kid, not my problem. I’m sure there was a guardian somewhere in the vicinity. I thought, ‘Hope somebody knows you’re here, kid’ then rolled on about my business. Besides, I noticed him just like I notice everybody. Why? Read more

Transitions of Progress

I was in the commons (the park) downtown the other night with my homegirl just talking. Clearly, this was her idea. I don’t find chillin’ in a park downtown at night to be the wisest nor safest place to chat but i figured she’d get uncomfortable soon and we’d be on our way. So as the random winos and crazies who take residence in the vicinity made cameos in our causerie, she and I observed the subtleties of the subdued nightlife. I was sharing a theory on relationships when the sight of two dudes on Segways made me trail off mid-sentence. Why? ‘Cause i’d simply never seen Segways in real life, simple as that. They looked convenient and fun, in that way that life sometimes imitates art (or at least the art of commercials). I thought “Hmph, cool, but is that really necessary?” Read more

Soul Food or Slave Food?

“Chittlins? Fuck Nah, I don’t want no more.” - Omar Twist

I usually try to stay away from “angry black man” posts or related websites. Sure lots of people have alot to be angry about, but there’s so much to be glad ’bout…right? So when someone pointed me to “StuffBlackPeopleHate.com”, I was reluctant to go. I went anyway and browsed till I found this article about the connection between “soul food” and slavery. Read more

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