culture
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Essence Held a Supa Dupa Fly Night Honoring the Icon Missy Elliott
2018 has been deemed the year of the black woman, and Essence kicked off Grammy weekend by honoring four-time Grammy winner Missy Elliott at its 9th Annual Black Women in Music event in New York City on Thursday night. From the start of her career, Missy hit the scene hard, and her style and talent…
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Would You Be Here for a Martin Reboot?
Admittedly, I’m an avowed ’90s stan. Most of my favorite musical projects came out in the ’90s. My favorite television show, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, is a time capsule of ’90s music, fashion and culture. My favorite black movies are mostly from the ’90s. I even throw a monthly dance party in Washington, D.C.,…
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Omari Hardwick, Meagan Good Shine in the Promising Yet Flawed Sundance Film A Boy. A Girl. A Dream
There’s a particular scene in A Boy. A Girl. A Dream., directed by Qasim Basir (who also directed Mooz-lum), where Cass (Omari Hardwick) has an all-too-familiar run-in with the police. Without going into too much detail, the interaction leaves Cass broken, with only Frida (Meagan Good) there to pick up the pieces. In a film…
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Tracing Your Roots: Did Grandma Have Creek Indian Roots?
An ancestor identified as black reportedly spoke a language of the Creek people. The family’s paper trail reflects the complicated history of the American West. Dear Professor Gates: I am seeking more information about my paternal grandmother Matilda Jane Tillman and her origins. Matilda Jane (or Tilly) was born on Dec. 26, 1895, in Marlton…
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A Prayer for Post Malone, Who Says It’s a ‘Struggle Being a White Rapper’
Heavenly Savior, Today I come to you, O Lord, and humbly as I know how. In fact, I come to you so humbly that I will admit that I don’t know whether or not to pronounce the “h” in “humble.” I mean, I can see the letter right there at the beginning of the words,…
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Black Writers Telling Black Stories and Doing Black Journalism Are Important
It cannot be said enough: Representation matters. It matters in our schools. It matters in our workplaces. It matters in the television shows and movies we watch as well as in the music we listen to. And it definitely matters in the media. Journalists are considered primary sources as far as history is concerned, and…
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Everything You Need to Know About Institutional Racism Happened This Week
When one is explaining white supremacy, it is sometimes useful to have an understanding of the historical effects of policies and practices such as redlining, Jim Crow laws, implicit segregation, the criminal-injustice system and individual racism. It is impossible to comprehend the far-reaching effects of the all-American tradition of racism without a holistic examination. Or…
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What Happened to Pastor Mark Burns?
To be called to the church is a righteous mission; it’s a testament to devotion at the highest level. To serve one’s God is a mighty purpose. It requires selflessness and compassion. So it is with all due respect that I ask, what the fuck happened to Mark Burns? I don’t have any issue with…