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Watch: Is 50 Cent a Bully or Nah?
If you know 50 Cent, chances are you know he has a reputation for being a bully. His online presence and in-person demeanor are both intimidating, but it’s the former that causes the most trouble. But to have 50 Cent tell it, he’s not a bully! It’s learned and mirrored behavior from the people who…
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Judge of Characters: Girth of a Nation
First of all, the lies and fake news being spread from President Donald Trump have been dizzying. What’s up is down; what’s left is right. Recently, the White House physician, Dr. Ronny L. Jackson, addressed the public in a press conference, claiming that the results of 45’s physical suggest that he’s in “excellent health,” seemingly…
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Judge of Characters: So You Think You Can Use Racism to Sell Clothing?
The “Coolest Monkey in the Jungle” ad featuring an adorable young black boy has certainly made its way into your feed this week. While it’s not surprising that racism has a casual place in advertising, it is surprising that people don’t understand the deep-rooted emotional racism attached to calling black people “monkeys.” It is not…
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Watch: Taraji P. Henson Kills (People) in Her Latest Role in Proud Mary
Taraji P. Henson is a stellar actress, but sadly, most people recognize her from Empire. Maybe they were under rocks for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Hustle & Flow, Hidden Figures, Baby Boy or any of the other silver screen hits in which she’s appeared.. And while Henson has made her Empire character, Cookie,…
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Watch: The Last Dragon’s Taimak Talks Appropriation vs. Appreciation Within Black and Asian Cultures
The Last Dragon is a cult-classic film that features ridiculous stereotypes flipped on their head. We got to see Chinese men talking like they’re auditioning for the latest blaxploitation film, and Bruce Leroy himself adopt a quiet and quirky kung-fu-master attitude. With all of the culture swapping going on, my favorite video producer and editor…
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Watch: Jenifer Lewis Is Ready for Her Close-Up
All right, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up! Well, not me. But Jenifer Lewis is. The self-proclaimed mother of black Hollywood is always ready for her close-up. With a career that spans over three decades, Lewis is easily one of the most beloved on-screen legends. Name a role and Lewis is guaranteed to have…
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Judge of Characters: What Happens When White People Go Back to Their Roots?
As a fan of Justin Timberlake’s music (not his life choices), I must say that I am perplexed by how casual he was about sharing with the world that he’s going “back to his roots” with his new album, Man of the Woods. White people wanting to go back to their roots makes me nervous.…
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Lena Waithe’s The Chi Expertly Gives the People of Chicago Humanity and Backstories
The Chi is the type of TV show Chicago deserves. If you leave it to the media, the limited picture that’s painted of Chicago turns anyone who’s never been there away from ever coming to Chi-town because of the seemingly limitless examples of violence that plague the city. But we can’t allow the media to…
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Judge of Characters: Can You Really Trust White Tears?
From trusting black women to not trusting white tears … this is where we are on Judge of Characters these days. But not everything is a black-or-white issue, and we certainly saw that with a recent viral story: Keaton Jones. Keaton’s mother released a video of her son crying, questioning why bullying was a thing.…
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Watch: Rhoda ‘On the Scene’ Young Talks Internet Fame and Going Viral
Hopefully you’re not sleeping under a rock, because if you are, you may have missed the greatest thing on the internet since Sweet Brown, Antoine Dodson or the Bella Noche girls. Rhoda Young, a Norfolk, Va., resident, is on a mission to always be “on the scene in this bitch.” Earlier this month, Young posted…
