performative allyship
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Darnell Moore, David Johns and Steven Pargett Examine Black Men, Allyship and the State of Our Communities at The Root Institute
Words matter. And very rarely have I had the pleasure of listening to four people speak with such intentionality and care about supporting all Black people, how racialized and gendered trauma manifests itself, and more. For The Root Institute’s social impact week, Blackbird’s Senior Communications Director Chelsea Fuller is joined in conversation with author and…
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Auntie Unfiltered: Lady A vs. Lady Anti-BLM
By now you have likely heard the story of the legal situation now happening between the country music band formerly known as Lady Anti-BLM Antebellum and the Black woman blues singer who has performed for more than 20 years under the moniker Lady A. In case you haven’t, here’s the Cliff’s Notes on a situation…
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The Washington Redskins Want Nothing to Do With Their Racist Past, But Opt to Retain Their Racist Name
In the latest display of performative allyship, we have the Washington Redkins, who are doing just about everything humanly possible to pretend like they never had a racist-ass owner even though they still have a racist-ass name. Case in point, check out what they did last week, per ESPN: The statue of former Washington Redskins…
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In Its Efforts to Make Itself a More Inclusive Sport, NASCAR Has Failed Already
Black folks are tired. When we say this among ourselves, the implication is understood. But since we now live in a world rife with brand spanking new “allies,” that phrase likely requires an explanation. Racism is exhausting, which, in turn, means white people are inherently exhausting too. Every single day of our lives, we’re either…
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'Performance Doesn’t Fix Systems and Structures': Ava DuVernay and More Get Honest About Hollywood
Being black in entertainment means knowing what it’s like to be the only black person in the room, taking on the responsibility of being a role model to aspiring black creators, pushing the envelope on substantial representation, and much, much more. Today, as we watch a sort of “reckoning” happening in the industry, we must…
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Black Skin Matters Now: Band-Aid Says It Will Start Selling Bandages in Darker Shades
A whole damn century from the time it was first introduced, Band-Aid brand has finally come to the realization that black people exist, have skin, get boo-boos, and need bandages. It only took a global uprising against the racist killing of black people for it to happen. Earlier this week, the company announced on Instagram…
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If You Ever Wanted to See White-on-White Crime, Check Out These Reactions to NASCAR's Confederate Flag Ban
Have you ever taken a pacifier from a baby? They lose their shit; kicking and screaming bloody murder until you shove it back in their mouth to calm them down. Well, white supremacy is White America’s binky, and without the comforts that it affords, there are some very upset people coming to grips with the…
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Louis C.K. and the Tired Practice of White People Using Black People as Their Woke GPS
As Louis C.K. continues his comeback tour—recently stepping up from unplanned appearances at marquee comedy clubs in New York to scheduled sets—controversy has circled the comic yet again. There is, of course, the specter of whether it’s appropriate for Louis to begin headlining at comedy clubs again; it’s been a little over a year since…
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Ain’t I a Woman? The Unbearable Whiteness of Allies
Before I even start this, I know that I have to give the usual disclaimers because even though it should be implied at this point, someone will undoubtedly need that extra spoonful of validation and reassurance, so here we go: Yes, I know not all white women. I know not all white people. Yet, Thursday…