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Michael Sam, And The Black (And Gay) Politics Of Being "Twice As Good"
The analogy many gay rights activists and allies have made between their fight for equal rights and the Black American’s fight for civil rights is flawed, but I understand why it’s made. It’s a natural comparison, but it breaks down when considering that (most) Blacks can’t blend in. In America, Blackness is conspicuous, and this conspicuousness allows for…
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What I've Learned About Myself After Being Married For A Month
“They” say you learn more about yourself when you’re in a relationship than you learn about the other person. “They” even say you learn more about yourself when you’re in a relationship than you would at any other time. “They” also said ASAP Rocky would save New York City hip-hop, so I know “they” tend…
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How Not To Be An Asshole On The Internet When Everyone's Upset
This has been one of the most depressing weeks of news I can remember. Mike Brown. The fallout in Ferguson. #Iftheygunnedmedown and every other reminder that, as Deadspin’s Greg Howard put it, America is Not For Black People. The news of Robin Williams’ death. Learning that he committed suicide. The dozens of powerful, heartbreaking stories…
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Six Things No One Tells You About Your Wedding Day
1. You will not eat. Ok, this is a lie. Several people who’ve gone through this process before warned us there wouldn’t be much time for eating. But, since we believed we’re special little snowflakes and shit, we ignored them. After all, the venue we chose was specifically chosen because of their brunch menu. What’s…
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On Bachelor Parties And Blackouts
(Editor’s Note: After some thought, I’ve decided to change the title, edit out the hashtag, and remove the references to Jada. Don’t want to be seen as capitalizing on what that girl has had to go through. D. Young) It started with Bellinis. We got there at 2:30. The bottomless was ending at 3. So, in order…
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I'm Getting Married In 10 Days. And I'm Fine With That.
I keep waiting for it to happen. Since maybe May, (approximately) 40% of the conversations I’ve had with everyone from my friends and family to my (new) barber and my fiancee’s co-workers have included a mention about my upcoming wedding. And, since June, 50% of those convos contain a variant of the following question: “So…are you…
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I'll Never Stop Saying the N-Word
Writing at Very Smart Brothas, Damon Young says that there is an appropriate time and place to say the word “nigga,” and determining one’s audience is an integral part of figuring out when that time is. Interestingly enough, my knowledge of and affinity for words could be an argument for not using some of them. Since there are…
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The NBA Finals' Most Annoying Viewers
Before Thursday night’s big game, Very Smart Brothas’ Damon Young offered some very direct words of advice to basketball novices, including must-know facts and essential etiquette. … 1. Shut the f*ck up There’s nothing wrong with being an NBA novice. Basketball isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, so it’s perfectly understandable if you just don’t happen…
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The NCAA: Too Good to Be True
While the nation is fully engulfed in March Madness, Damon Young writes in a piece for Ebony that he’s been reminded of why college hoops could never replace pro basketball. Like millions of other sports fans, I spent countless hours following and/or watching the first couple rounds of the NCAA tournament last weekend. And, like much of…
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Kevin Hart, Revolutionary
(The Root) — There are many people who do not think Kevin Hart is funny. This in itself is neither a surprise nor particularly noteworthy. There is no comedian who everyone thinks is funny, and, aside from Michael Strahan and a few four- and five-year-old boys, there is no person who thinks everyone is funny.…
