-
Las Vegas Is Only the Deadliest Shooting in US History Because Black Lives Aren’t Counted
News reporters and anchors have repeatedly referred to the recent tragedy in Las Vegas as the “worst mass shooting in U.S. history.” Like all things that are constantly repeated, the proclamation has become fact. In 2013 a report by the Congressional Research Service defined a public mass shooting (pdf) this way: incidents occurring in relatively…
-
Why We Never Talk About Black-on-Black Crime: An Answer to White America’s Most Pressing Question
You’ve heard it before. It is the most frequent response to any accusation of police brutality. It is the repeated sleight of hand used to distract and drown out the voices of Black Lives Matter. It is an oft-used “alt-right” refrain and a sincere query from curious white questioners. It is the weapon of choice…
-
Shannon Sharpe Pulled Out a Black & Mild on National TV and We Have Questions
There are few unapologetic moments when people of African descent shed the cloak of respectability and traverse into the territory of impromptu blackness. It is when a grandmother eschews political correctness and pleas to “hold your applause” in order to dance a full Holy Ghost shout at her grandson’s graduation. It is black America gathered…
-
We Were 8 Years in Power Moves Ta-Nehisi Coates to Top of Black America’s Draft Board
On Jan. 21, 2004, Comedy Central’s groundbreaking Chappelle’s Show debuted the iconic “Racial Draft” sketch. In it, comedian Dave Chappelle imagined a draft in which each race selected and traded individuals to represent the race. The Asians drafted the Wu-Tang Clan, and Jews picked Lenny Kravitz. The concept quickly became an inside joke that still…
-
Please Stop Defending Colin Kaepernick. You’re Doing It Wrong
Now that former San Francisco 49er Colin Kaepernick’s protest has been gentrified by arm locking, kneeling before the anthem and praying (OK, that last one was just one guy, but still … ), everyone has been trying to explain the logic behind “taking a knee.” They say it brings awareness to injustice and inequality. Some…
-
An Open Letter From Black America to White People’s Pets
This message is not intended solely for white pet owners. There are a few black pet owners who do this, too. Don’t act like you don’t know who you are. We see you, too. Hey, Chauncey! I’m sorry about the frown, but it’s just weird for me when white people name their pets human names…
-
Crazy White-People News: A Roundup
Before we begin, we want to make it clear that the enclosed references to “white people” do not literally mean all white people. While I’m sure you are aware that humor is built on the generalization of truths, and intelligent people know that nothing in the universe is 100 percent, there is a distinct subset…
-
Cardi B Explains Her NYPD Choke Hold Allegation With the Most Beautiful, Ghetto-Fabulous Story of All Time
The national treasure of beauty and philosophical guru-level, wisdom-filled ghetto-fabulousness known as Cardi B recently revealed how she was reportedly put in a choke hold by a New York City police officer in one of the greatest, most hood-tastic stories ever told. Black America’s crazy cousin from the Bronx tweeted a story last week (now…
-
FBI to Senate: We’re Investigating 1,000 White Supremacists. Senate to FBI: That’s All?
In a Senate committee briefing yesterday, the new FBI director told lawmakers that the FBI has about 1,000 open cases involving domestic terrorism, a catchall phrase used by the bureau that includes white supremacist organizations and right-wing terrorists. According to The Hill, Christopher Wray, in his first Senate briefing since becoming the director of the…
-
An Apology to Ray Lewis, Who Says He Was Praying, Not Protesting
Dearest Ray, I hope this letter finds you well. I know that you are a busy man, so I pray that I haven’t interrupted you midshuck or disturbed your daily regimen of rigorous jiving with this letter. On Sunday, seconds after someone sent me a photo of you bent prostrate during the playing of the…
