culture
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150 Years of Freedom
One hundred and fifty years ago this Sunday, the shackles of bondage were finally shorn from every former slave in the United States. Now a group of influential African Americans are seeking to have Dec. 6 formally recognized as “Abolition Day.” “Abolition Day marks a key moment in history and should not be overlooked,” says…
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10 Things I’ve Learned Since I Lost My Job
Dear Former Employer, Welcome to my independence day. You actually instituted it. Three years ago I walked into your suite on the seventh floor of that glassy office building as I had every workday at 9 a.m. for nearly two years. Before I could go to the kitchenette to fill my water cup, I was…
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Sisters of Comedy Is Proof That Black Women Need Entertainment That Truly Represents Us
Laughter has healing power. And with the violent climate plaguing not only our own country but the entire world, it’s obvious that we need healing right now. That’s where activist, writer and filmmaker Agunda Okeyo comes in. She understands that joy battles pain, and so she’s married her love of activism with dynamic black comediennes…
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Remember When Chris Brown Was a Talented Teenager With a Bright Future?
Within two minutes of the video for his single “Run It!” Chris Brown hit a to-the-floor half-split that would make James Brown proud. On that same song, Chris Brown made it clear in his lyrics that he was wise beyond his ears: “I’ll have you thinking I can’t be 16,” he warned in the first…
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The Case for Paying College Athletes to Play
Billions of dollars are at stake in the college football business. The NCAA and college presidents need to move faster in providing more-equitable compensation and after-college insurance to football players. Recently, the NCAA took a small step toward reforming the fiscal abuse of young athletes by allowing universities to pay them a stipend. But real…
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Jurors Visibly Shaken When Video of Freddie Gray’s Arrest Is Played in Court
The mood in the courtroom Thursday during the testimony of Freddie Gray’s best friend, Brandon Ross, 31, was heavy. The room was silent and still after those present heard the screams and pleading from Ross and bystanders on the cellphone-video footage. It was a solemn reminder of the personal stakes of this case that has…
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7 Reasons Why The Wiz Live! Was #BlackExcellence
You can put your Twitter fingers away. With captivating performances, updated dialogue and visually stunning costumes and set decorations, The Wiz Live! was a resounding hit. Anticipatory buzz grew louder and louder over the past few days leading up to last night’s debut of The Wiz Live! on NBC. Some people were excited (and nervous) about the chance to…
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I Am an Adult and I Hate Sharing. So What?
Let’s just cut to the chase: I hate sharing. Yes, everything I needed to learn in life I absolutely learned in kindergarten. And yes, sharing is at the top of that list. Despite this lifelong lesson, I still hate sharing. But I probably need to put that in context and add some caveats. See, I…
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Spike Lee Answers the Questions and the Critics of Chi-raq
Even before the trailer for Spike Lee’s latest film, Chi-raq, was unveiled, there was controversy. From the very beginning, there were people who objected to the film’s title as well as to a New Yorker telling such a sensitive Chicago story. No one even seemed to be sure what the film was about. Now all…
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American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson Coming to Cable in 2016
“I’m not black. I’m O.J.” This just in: The cable station FX will premiere American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson on Feb. 2, 2016. Executive-produced by Ryan Murphy, the 10-episode installment of the new limited series will relive a story that captivated Americans. The O.J. Simpson case in 1995 was indeed reality television,…