race & politics
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The Democrats Are Led By Fucking Grown-Ups, And The GOP Is Led By An Adolescent Cheeto
For as long as I’ve been aware of American politics and the differences — real and perceived — between our two major parties, I’ve also been aware that the GOP has been touted as the party for grown-ups. For serious (White) men and the women those serious (White) men were married to. The solid and…
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VSB DNC Day Three Open Thread
Two days late and a few dollars short, but we realize that folks feel like talking about what they heard and saw last night from Uncle Joe, my new Uncle Tim, and homey-for-life, Barry O. Consider this a spot to sound off, talk shit, or run like the wolves freely in a DNC Day Three…
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Freddie Gray's Black Life Just Did Not Matter Enough
Perhaps, if you’re inclined to do so, you could argue that it’s Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby’s fault that none of the officers accused in the death of Freddie Gray will face jail time. You could say that Mosby was recklessly ambitious in “over-charging” the officers; an act that virtually ensured none would stick. And even…
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American Racism: From the Hood to the Precinct
Depending on whom you ask, 2 a.m. is counted among the small hours of the day—when the world’s respectable are tucked into the sleepy fold where night meets morning. But for others, 2 a.m. is when the air falls heaviest on the shoulders, thick with the threat of chaos. A threat known to anyone who’s…
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Dear Michelle Obama, We Will Miss You.
Like most folks that I know who took the time to actually watch the Republican National Convention in Cleveland (I was one of them), I similarly decided to watch this week’s Democratic National Convention taking place in Philadelphia. Full disclosure, I’m not a fan of Hillary Clinton and pretty much hate Donald Trump, but I’m…
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Why The Pro-Colorism Smoochr Dating Site Is Actually A Great Thing, Explained
What is Smoochr? Before yesterday, I would have guessed it was one of the aliases Ted Cruz uses when he trolls Craigslist to respond to Missed Connections. Now, however, I know it’s the name of a dating site targeted towards Black people. Ok. I guess the world can use more dating sites. Although it seems like there are more dating…
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Donald Trump's Nomination Acceptance Speech Scared The Shit Out My Wife
About an hour after Donald Trump ended his speech Thursday night, I looked over at my wife. The look of disbelief was still on her face. It was a look I had not seen since the jury declared George Zimmerman not guilty a few years ago. Asking the obvious question, she gave me a response I will likely…
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How To Prove Your Own Murder (#HTPYOM)
Yesterday morning, I found myself searching for answers on the 6 train. I did everything I was supposed to do but, sometimes that falls short. Talk to God. Be objective. Consider all sides. Listen to the elders. But nothing makes sense anymore. Nothing. So how do you make the case for your own murder when…
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A Story About Charles Kinsey, My New (White) Neighbors, And The Racial Politics Of Calling The Police
I live in a two story loft that sits above a coffee shop on one of Pittsburgh’s busy intersections. It also exists directly across the street from a park, within walking distance of several restaurants, and a few blocks away from a hospital. Naturally, the neighborhood gets quite a bit of foot traffic during the day.…