their eyes were watching

ABOUT JENEE DESMOND-HARRIS  It’s no surprise that I see things from a lot of different perspectives. I’m a Gemini, biracial, tied to two different coasts, and simultaneously a lawyer and a writer.  Originally from the Northern California, I  spent the best four years of my life at Howard University, survived 3 years at Harvard Law…

The controversy swirling around Caster Semenya’s gender identity has been beyond offensive. Not just — as Kai Wright and Helena Andrews so eloquently put it — because of the Western standards of beauty implied with each accusation or the inhumanity of the accusations, themselves. The real shame of Ms. Semenya’s ordeal is the fact that…

ABOUT FELICIA PRIDE A friend of mine once described my cultural tastes as fine wine in a red plastic cup. Some would gawk at such a comparison. But I thought the description was quite fitting. For instance: The two songs I’m dying to do at karaoke are Rufus/Chaka Khan’s “Sweet Thing” and Biggie’s “Warning.” I…

ABOUT HELENA ANDREWS I first got excited about journalism in high school, when the Patriot Press of Pilgrim Day School named me “student of the year.” Almost eight years later I scored a $5.15/hour internship at O, the Oprah Magazine and developed a fondness for ramen noodles. Since then my work has appeared in the…

ABOUT ROBIN GIVHAN I grew up in Detroit, Michigan, a city that is much maligned but will always be close to my heart. (Have a local give you a tour. There’s much to love.) I was always fascinated by the East Coast – probably from watching too many “I Love Lucy” re-runs as a child.…

ABOUT SOPHIA NELSON I am a recovering lawyer and a typical Gen-Xer female—I have officially entered middle age (the 40s) and I have embraced it (well, as much as anyone can).  I threw myself a huge 40th birthday bash two years ago and danced on the tables with 100 of my closest friends, sorority sisters…

ABOUT JADA F. SMITH After officially deciding to pursue my life’s dream of hosting MTV’s “Total Request Live” in the 10th grade, I created a master plan to major in broadcast journalism at Howard University and eventually move to New York City and interview all the fabulous people in Times Square. Seven years later I’m…

Aaliyah, forgive me in advance for defiling the anniversary of your death. Back in your day, there were honorable collabos — Timbaland, Missy Elliot and DMX. Well, we’ll forgive you that one because the song was hot! But, seriously, what happened to the days of quality vocals and dynamic beats? All we have now are…

No, I’m not joking. The show’s finale will air tonight on BET. And it will usher in the hot mess that is to be Frankie & Neffe, a reality show featuring Keyshia Cole’s mother and sister. Now, I know you’re probably thinking, “you watched Tiny & Toya, girl, stop!” And you might just be right.…

ABOUT SAARET E. YOSEPH I grew up on Saved by the Bell and, as a kid, I had a hard time believing that I didn’t go to Bayside High with Zack and co. To this day, I have a habit of watching the same old reruns on T.V. They always trump the tired, alcohol-fueled debauchery…