-
Michael Jackson Died 7 Years Ago and His Legacy Still Eludes Us; Maybe That's How He Wanted It
Seven years after his death, Michael Jackson continues to elude and astonish us. But we now know this was how he intended it. Spike Lee’s recent documentary about Jackson’s early years features a letter Jackson wrote in 1979, at age 21. He had just released Off the Wall and was on the Destiny tour with…
-
Election 2016: Do Black Lives Matter to 3rd-Party Options?
On June 22, I attended CNN’s Libertarian Party town hall featuring Govs. Gary Johnson and Bell Weld. I was hesitant to attend because I am exhausted by this election. Chatter that privileges certain voices, monetizes certain platforms and disparages those who can recognize the bulls—t is the white noise that my black ears refuse. Black…
-
Black People in ‘the Land’ Share How the NBA Championship Really Affects the City
After the relocation of tax-based businesses and manufacturing companies in Cleveland, the city experienced a major loss in population, coupled with rampant unemployment. No one has been hit harder than the city’s black community, who make up 53 percent of the city’s population and reside in one of the most segregated cities in the country.…
-
Am I Related to Free People of Color in NC?
On the 1850 and 1860 censuses in Cypress Creek, Jones County, N.C., my ancestor William Dove/Duff appears in the household of the Brocks, who were wealthy slave owners before the Civil War. In 1850 he was about 20-25; in 1860 he was 30-35 years of age. He shows up on the census in 1870 with…
-
Injustice System: The Supreme Court Serves and Protects Crooked Cops
In a surprising 5-3 ruling Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that evidence obtained in an illegal search is admissible in court if a person is determined to have an outstanding warrant for arrest. The ruling essentially guts the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which has protected citizens against unlawful police searches. The decision…
-
My Boyfriend’s Friend Keeps Telling Me My Man Is No Good. Should I Believe Him?
My best friend’s husband is friends with my boyfriend. I called to get advice and his male point of view. He always tells me to move on, and since that’s his friend, I feel like he and my best friend know more than they’re telling me. I ask “Why?” and all he says is I…
-
#PulseShooting: A Homegoing for Our (Queer) Dead
Last week I attended a church member’s funeral. Hues of black and brown formed a beautiful palette as the saints marched in their white-and-black vestments. White for the sacredness of the one to whom the service was dedicated, and black for their anguish. The preacher read Scriptures as the family processioned into the church. This…
-
'Crazy Baldheads' Seek to Eliminate Dreads
Is there a causal connection between hairstyles worn by black boys and their future success, and should we strongly encourage these boys to avoid wearing dreadlocks and braids? That’s what Steve Perry, Steve Harvey and the U.S. Army seem to be arguing. Recently, they teamed up to disseminate pearls for success to an audience of…
-
A Note From ‘Team Light-Skinned’: Stop It, Already
“Team light-skinned” has been rolling off people’s tongues like layups in the last few weeks, in conversation and social media alike, mostly because two-time league MVP Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors dominated the NBA this year and were in the finals, and maybe because Zach LaVine of the Minnesota Timberwolves won the 2016…
-
Politricks: Hillary Clinton Leans Into Her White Womanhood; Obama Had to Transcend Race
Hillary Clinton has officially secured enough delegates to become the presumptive Democratic nominee for president. Many celebrated this as proof of progress in a society that has made violence against women and their exclusion from any important decision-making processes defining features. Following in the footsteps of President Barack Obama, America’s first black commander in chief, would be…
Black News and Black Views with a Whole Lotta Attitude
