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Strong Enough for a Man, Made (as) a Woman: John McEnroe, Serena Williams and the Erasure of Black Female Excellence
“If [Serena] played the men’s circuit, she’d be, like, 700 in the world.” —John McEnroe “If I were a man, then it wouldn’t be any sort of question.” —Serena Williams John McEnroe cannot be serious. He couldn’t seriously think that he could question or attempt to qualify the greatness of the goddess known as Serena…
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The Brother Also Rises: As ‘White Dave,’ Noah Coogler’s Got Next
It’s a wet, frigid and very late night on an Atlanta music video set, and the crew is feeling it. Specifically, Hollywood wunderkind Ryan Coogler is concerned about the artist, instructing him to zip up his coat. But despite being one of the hottest writer-directors in the industry, Coogler is merely an observer tonight, having…
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An African in New York: Jazz Singer Somi’s Petite Afrique
“I don’t take coffee; I take tea, my dear. Some extra rice, please, on the side…” My tea leaves steep as I wait for Somi in Silvana, a café and live-music venue on 116th Street in Harlem, just off Frederick Douglass Boulevard. The singer-songwriter—who has topped both jazz and world music charts whilst being compared…
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Everything We Need to Know About the 53 Percent, We Can Learn From Watching The Handmaid’s Tale
Why would they vote against their own self-interests? This was the question many of us asked—in anger, horror and complete confusion—after the election of the least competent president in recorded history (thus far). How could they do it? The Rust Belt, “alt-right” and Republican die-hards were expected, but masses of college-educated, presumably politically aware women?…
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Don’t Bet on Black: The Bachelorette May Disappoint You
Black America, we have our first Bachelorette! She’s gorgeous, highly accomplished, decidedly brown-skinned and likely pissing off a huge swath of Trump voters (woot, woot!). But spoiler alert (among several): If you’re expecting a season full of scenic montages glorifying black love, she’s also likely to disappoint you. Manage your expectations accordingly. Full disclosure: I’ve…
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Do Heathens Go to Heaven?
I have a confession: Apparently, I need Jesus—or so I’ve been told. “Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior?” The grinning eyes of my cab driver inquire through the rearview mirror. I cringe. The gospel music I’d been enjoying a moment before suddenly feels invasive. I’m literally trapped in a conversation I’m…
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No Romance Without … Resistance?
“People have to start respecting the vagina. Until every man is fighting for our rights, we should consider stopping having sex.” —Janelle Monáe text Come again? In a recent interview with Marie Claire, singer Janelle Monáe discussed her ideas when it comes to participating in resistance. I’m not going to lie: As a hot-blooded, fully…
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Is There a Method to Being Messy? The Do’s and Don’ts of Airing Dirty Laundry
It was the “hell hath no fury” moment many women have had … and even more wish they’d had. A good, old-fashioned read for an utter and complete filth-of-a-no-count man and his side hustle—broadcast for the salacious awe and delight of anyone active on black Twitter. With a single post titled, “Open Letter to My…
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I Am My Trans Sister’s Keeper
Mesha Campbell. Jamie Lee Wounded Arrow. JoJo Striker. Keke Collier. Chyna Gibson. Ciara McElveen. Jaquarrius Holland. Their names and faces lit up my laptop in a macabre montage. In the first few months of 2017, seven transgender women have been murdered—four within a single week, and most of them black. It is the continuation of…
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Gary From Chicago’s Redemption Road: Whom Do We Forgive and When?
Well, so much for 15 minutes of fame. Gary Alan Coe—or, as we lovingly (and laughingly) came to know him, “Gary from Chicago”—barely got five to enjoy being a media darling after the unexpected hilarity he brought to Sunday night’s Oscars ceremony. Aside from the surprise ending (and triumphant underdog win of Moonlight), most agreed…
