culture
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How to Get Away With Murder Recap: Who Shot Annalise?
The list of “Who shot Annalise?” suspects is growing. On an episode where Annalise and the crew rep a client accused of harassing someone until he killed himself, the real drama of who wants to kill Annalise gets going: Tell us how you really feel, Bonnie. Bonnie wants Annalise Keating dead. So, should the professor be afraid?…
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5 Reasons You Shouldn’t Talk About Your Ex on the Internet Like Eric Benét and David Justice Did
Earlier this week, a middle-aged black man named “David” and another middle-aged black man named “Eric” bonded over the memory of an ex they share. According to them, this ex’s public persona was much different from her private one, and since they were both painted as “the person in the wrong” when each of their…
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Empire, the Thrill Is Gone
Empire is a huge show. Season 1’s success caught everybody by surprise, including the people who created the show, and you cannot convince me otherwise. I even claimed, hyperbolically, that Empire was the best show on television for a number of paradoxical reasons. Each week, last season, the viewership grew, and for good reason. With…
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Empire Recap: Rush Hour
It’s the episode we’ve all been waiting for. In the final seconds of the last one, Hakeem got snatched off the street. Those previews were tense, huh? And thanks to the World Series, we had to wait two whole weeks. It’s gonna be a nail-biter; let’s go! At the Lyons’-den studio, Cookie is salty because…
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Bonded: Black Actresses Who’ve Shared the Screen With 007
It’s hard to think of a film franchise bigger than Bond. Dr. No, the first one, hit the big screen in 1962, and the latest one, Spectre, the 24th in the installment, opens Friday. During that 53-year span, the following five black actresses have orbited the 007 universe. Trina Parks: Diamonds Are Forever (1971)…
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Why Shonda Rhimes Chose to Celebrate a Year of Yes
If anyone should write a book on how to live life, it is Shonda Rhimes. The award-winning, highly successful TV producer has created an empire of hit TV shows in a field that is notoriously closed to women, not to mention women of color. As creator, executive producer and writer of three hit TV shows—Grey’s…
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Why My 8-Year-Old Calls Adults by Their First Name
Two years ago, on the first day of school, my daughter Emmy came home talking nonstop about “Allie.” Allie was so fun! Allie was so cool! Allie was so awesome! I told her that perhaps we could set up a playdate with “Allie” if it was OK with her parents. Emmy looked at me quizzically.…
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My Boyfriend Doesn’t Call While on Vacation. Am I Expecting Too Much?
My boyfriend goes on a mini-trip for two days, and I don’t hear from him unless I reach out. Meanwhile, he’s posting pictures of his grand old times on social media. I don’t expect long conversations, but a brief, “Hey, you’re alive! Me too!” doesn’t sound like too much to ask, does it? Or is…
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#JusticeForSandy: Sandra Bland’s Sister Calls on Loretta Lynch to Take Action
Dear Attorney General Loretta Lynch: My name is Sharon Cooper, and I am Sandra Bland’s sister. This has been a very difficult time for my family. Since Sandra’s death, we have been in mourning, but candidly, our ability to mourn has been paralyzed by the unusual and unsettling circumstances surrounding her death. That is why…
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Being Mary Jane Recap: Sexual Healing
Grown women do grown-woman things. In the case of Kara and M.J., those things are getting their sexual needs met without any strings attached. Get it how you live! Here are eight things we learned from this episode: 1. Cutty Buddy: Kara and Gael are surprisingly still dating, but she’s too busy with work and…