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What Do You Really Know About the Dirty South? Atlanta Shows Ranked
FX’s Atlanta is the rare black comedy that is beloved by both critics and audiences. The premiere drew in over 3 million views, and the show has a 100 percent fresh rating at Rotten Tomatoes. While it evokes the surrealism of Twin Peaks, the stoner humor of Dazed and Confused, and the ethos and sound…
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We Need a New National Anthem; Here Are 10 Folks Who Could Do It
Despite going to graduate school in the discipline, my greatest education in philosophy happened at the barbershop. Old Man James, my barber since I was in elementary school, once hipped me to some game about the tension between blackness and patriotism in America. “Y’all still singing the national anthem in school, young blood?” he once…
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4 Reasons Why Greenleaf Is the Show the Black Church Needs
Editor’s note: The following article contains spoilers. Having worked in a black church for over 10 years, I think I can say without concern of successful contradiction that church folks can be petty. From disagreements over who will sing lead in the mass-choir musical to bickering about what color the toothpicks will be at the…
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Michael Phelps' Gold Medals Can't Outshine Usain Bolt's Black Brilliance
Michael Phelps is an amazing athlete. The most-awarded Olympian of all time, he has collected an incredible amount of hardware for his display case: 23 gold medals, three silver medals and two bronze medals are nothing to scoff at. He’s an icon, an ambassador for his sport and, to quote Jay Z, not just a…
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How My Story on Black Students Surviving PWIs Led to Death Threats
I was finishing an essay when I got the death threat. I usually ignore calls that are blocked or from unlisted numbers, but for some reason, I was feeling adventurous that day. “You’re trying to start a race war with your articles, Larry,” said the voice on the other end of the line. “You won’t…
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How to Survive, Be Safe and Thrive at a Predominantly White Institution
I experienced many firsts when I left home for college. First car, first full-time job, first time being racially profiled and first time being called n—ger. Life comes at you fast if you’re black at a predominantly white institution. No one prepared me for the multiple assaults on my humanity that I experienced at a…
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Russell Westbrook Needs a Rebound ’Cause He's Not Taking His Breakup With KD Well
Russell Westbrook needs a hug. According to ESPN’s Royce Young, the All-Star point guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder has been in his feelings since Kevin Durant left the Thunder for the Golden State Warriors. Westbrook feels slighted because he had an open and honest conversation with Durant, hoping to convince the 6-foot-9 small forward…
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Barack Obama MLK’d His DNC Speech in 2004. Too Bad Part of It Was Just a Dream
The speech that then-Sen. Barack Obama gave during the 2004 Democratic National Convention solidified him in the minds of many as a legitimate contender for the presidency. During that keynote address, Obama said a statement that he would later repeat many times during his presidential campaign, a statement that provided a peek at the conceptual…
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Respectability Politics Didn't Keep Charles Kinsey From Almost Becoming a Hashtag
My mother had the talk with me when I was 18. After years of just the two of us in the house, I was leaving for college and would no longer be under her watchful eye. When the police pull you over, do what they tell you to do—no matter what. Always move slowly. Always…
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Here Is Why Your Vote Is Not Your Voice
On a recent Sunday, just days after the killings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile by officers sworn to serve and protect them, thousands across the country engaged in public demonstrations to raise awareness of police brutality, racial profiling and institutional racism. I participated in one of those demonstrations in Oklahoma City. It was a…
