culture
-
Black Panther Inspires Black Brazilians to Occupy White-Dominant Spaces
Black Panther has inspired the Diaspora in myriad ways. The film has been applauded by black people across the world for touching on the complex relationships between Africans and African Americans, for serving up positive images of African culture for global audiences, and for providing a vehicle that allows black people throughout the world to…
-
Make Wakanda Real by Embracing Your African Roots
Growing up as a Ghanaian American in Central Massachusetts during the 1980s was a constant series of “firsts.” I checked boxes identifying myself as a “first-generation” American. I was the first child of my African immigrant parents to take ballet and gymnastic classes. I was their first Girl Scout, first overpriced prom experience and first…
-
So … Will Hollywood Finally Learn This Lesson, or Nah?
When writer-director Jordan Peele won his Best Original Screenplay Oscar for 2017’s biggest hit, Get Out, I cheered. When cast members of 2018’s biggest hit so far, Marvel’s Black Panther, walked the red carpet at the 90th Academy Awards, I swooned. And when I looked out at the sea of (mostly) white people attending the…
-
Of Lions, Hunters and Heroes: Black Film, Black Stories and Black Realities
Tonight the Black Lives Matter Global Network took to the Oscars stage. Five years of building up black communities. Five years of experiencing police repression. Five years of centering black stories as the way we honor both the dead and the living. We took to the Oscar stage because Black Lives Matter refuses to stop…
-
Fishbone
I’m not going to kill myself. I yelled it out early this morning when my mother woke me up. “I AM NOT GOING TO FUCKING KILL MYSELF!” is exactly how I said it when she came busting into my room demanding that I get my clothes on to go to meet Jesus. Two days ago…
-
Mary J. Blige Is Probably Not Going to Win That Oscar, but She Has Already Won Enough (Still Hate You, Though, Kendu)
Call it cynicism spurred by decades of watching artists, actors and other public figures squirm to make the perfect “I just lost an award, but believe me, I’m very happy for the person who beat me!” face in a matter of seconds, but I don’t always believe people when they say it’s an honor to…
-
Rooting for Everybody Black: Handicapping the Black Oscar Nominees
With the Grammys behind us, it’s time to turn our collective attention to the Academy Awards. The Oscars are Sunday night, and just like Issa Rae, we’re “rooting for everybody black.” Here’s a breakdown of the black contenders for the gold in this year’s major categories. The news of Daniel Kaluuya’s nomination for his portrayal…
-
Meet the Mayor of Miami Gardens, Fla., One of the Largest Black-Run Cities in the Country
“Every night in my sleep, I need you beside me.” Imagine this line sung in the style of Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On,” off-key but with the same amount of confidence that Dion’s golden vocals boast. That’s how Miami Gardens, Fla., Mayor Oliver Gilbert started our interview. Clearly, I was in for a…
-
Tracing Your Roots: When Was My ‘Freedman’ Ancestor Freed?
A message board posting listing “freedmen” kin raises questions. Dear Professor Gates: My parents are no longer around to provide answers that will help me to trace my roots, so I hope you can help me. I have traced my father all the way back to my great-great-grandfather and great-great-grandmother, Hilliard (Hill) and Angaline (Angeline)…
-
Watch: Ava DuVernay’s Ultimate Dream Is to Make Room for Other People of Color in Hollywood
Ava DuVernay is no stranger to making history. She’s the first black woman to be nominated for a best director Golden Globe (Selma), she’s the first black woman to win a best director prize at Sundance, and the first black female director to have her film be nominated for an Oscar. And, now, DuVernay is…