damon young
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Talking VerySmartBrothas, White Teen Movies vs. Black Teen Movies, Jay-Z & Nas and More With Damon Young on Pass The Peas
Last week was a bit of a blur for everybody in the Very Smart Brothas universe. Damon and I wrote posts about his departure, some tears may or may not have been shed, the word verklempt made an appearance and Brick killed a guy. Either way, we’re in a new phase of this whole VSB…
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Is 'Return of the Mack' the Greatest Song Ever? A Debate With The Root's Shanelle Genai, Who Disagrees (She's Wrong), on Pass the Peas With Panama Jackson
On March 18, 2021, Mark Morrison’s “Return of The Mack” reached its 25th birthday. To commemorate this accoladational (Editor’s note: this is not a word) achievement for this song that really is the best song ever, I shared an article I wrote in 2017 stating as much, titled “Return of The Mack” Is The Best…
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I Don’t Know Which Very Smart Brotha Needs to Hear This, but Maxwell’s 'Ascension' Is Actually the Best Song Ever
Before we get into this, let me first start by setting the framework for this entire piece with the wise words of Linnethia Leakes: “I said what I said.” Now that that’s established, I think it’s time that the real truth about the best song ever finally be released. For context, over the last few…
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Very Smart Books: VSB's Damon Young Is a Thurber Prize Finalist, Brittney Cooper Scores 7-Book Scholastic Deal and Deesha Philyaw Wins the Story Prize
Y’all already know that here at The Root, we like big books and we cannot lie. Accordingly, we love big book news from our extended family of writers and thought leaders—and the past few weeks have brought a few announcement that are, in a word, lit. First, The Root’s own Very Smart Brotha Damon Young…
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So…President Obama Showed Up to the Latest Very Smart Brothas x MahoganyBooks Book Club Meeting. Here's What Happened
Way back yonder—in late 2018—I co-founded a book club with the owners of MahoganyBooks, Derrick and Ramunda Young. This was a no-brainer of a collaboration. For one, all of us are avid readers and they own a physical book store that focuses on books by and for Black people. It was an opportunity to bring…
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The Difference Between a ‘Karen’ and a ‘Becky,’ Explained
Merriam-Webster defines “Becky” as “a white woman who is ignorant of both her privilege and her prejudice.”
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VSB's Damon Young Wins Barnes & Noble's Discover Great New Writers Award for What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Blacker
What’s more exciting than any work of fiction? The news that one of our favorite essayists, colleagues and play cousins is being recognized for his brilliance! As reported by Publishers Weekly (and our work Slack), Damon Young’s debut book of essays, What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Blacker, was recently named the nonfiction winner of…
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Just in Case You Want to See Some Black Folks Actually Recognized This Awards Season, the NAACP Image Awards Announced Their 2020 Noms
Guess who just ordered some Lawry’s for this white-ass awards season? That’s right—the NAACP! On Thursday morning, the nominations were announced for the 51st NAACP Image Awards. The ceremony airs after the “official” end of awards season (i.e. after the Oscars), which is fitting due to the concept of Colored People Time (CPT). Kasi Lemmons’…
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The Case for Washcloths: Why White People Need to Wash Their Damn Legs
I really don’t know what to write to introduce this video, so I’m just going to be literal. It has recently been revealed, through various social media platforms, that some people who happen to be white have boycotted the entire leg- and hand-washing experience. This information was—and is—well, perplexing, and I try to make sense…