media
#NotJustUVA: Martese Johnson and the American Norm
20 year old Martese Johnson’s unprovoked beating by police was yet another example of the brutality that’s become America’s norm. Over the past couple years, our community has become almost numb to the consistent attack on Black life. Not only are the police abusing their authority, they’re doing it with impunity. Every instance of […]
Its #NotJustSAE, it never was – Its America
When @OH_UnHeard, an equal rights group at University of Oklahoma, posted a video depicting members of the University chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon meerily bellowing a racist chant, University and Fraternity officials quickly moved to expel visible members and distance themselves from the very apparent display of anti-Blackness. To: All Student, Faculty, and Staff “To those who […]
No Federal Charges for Zimmerman in Trayvon Martin Death
-from USA Today The Justice Department said Tuesday its independent investigation found “insufficient evidence” to charge George Zimmerman with federal civil rights violations in the shooting death of Florida teen Trayvon Martin. Attorney General Eric Holder said the evidence did not meet the “high standard for a federal hate crime prosecution,” but the decision should […]
A Letter to Marshawn Lynch
I get it. You just don’t want to fucking talk. Despite the media’s best efforts, I won’t sip their koolaid and attempt to demonize you because you don’t want to answer their inane questions. I’m not going to compare following rules at an anonymous 9 to 5 to caving to the demands of an […]
An Interview with Ackee & Saltfish and Strolling Film-Maker Cecile Emeke
Introduction: I was able to catch up with the UK native, Cecile Emeke, an amazing film maker of the youtube series “Strolling”. In her video she gives voice to black youth in the UK to tell their stories of topics surrounding Black culture and Blackness. These stories are ones that are not often heard compared to […]
To Be Seen, Not Heard: A Critique of Selma
Recent film Selma, produced by Oprah Winfrey and directed by Ava DuVernay, has joined the ranks of 12 Years a Slave, Cesar Chavez, and other films which downplay the role women of color played when it came to suffering discrimination, as well as fighting for civil rights. Though what makes Selma special is the two […]
Please Don’t Show me the Picture of the Boy Hugging the Police Officer
There’s a photo that’s gone viral of a young boy hugging a police offer at a Ferguson protest in Portland. The Oregonian dubbed it “The Hug Heard Round the World”. Others, including myself, are not so impressed. Exploring the context behind the picture, its not as sweet as some would like to believe. The 11 […]
Marissa Alexander Pleads Guilty to Lesser Charges
By Jackie Smith The Jacksonville mother who fired a gun toward her husband is back in jail. Marissa Alexander pleaded guilty Monday to three felony counts of assault. Bruce Zimet, her attorney, said, “Ultimately, that was her choice. Choose between 65 days in the county jail or 60 years mandatory minimum in a Florida state […]
Out of the Mouth of Babes – In Defense of Willow and Jaden Smith
You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist. -Nietzsche It is very disturbing that all of the people criticizing Jaden and Willow’s remarks are adults who have had their own growing up time and opportunity to question the meaning […]
Are We Witnessing The Return of Black-ish TV?
From the 1960s to around 2006, when The WB and UPN network merged, finding Black majority shows, on network TV, wasn’t that hard. Nor finding diverse depictions of Black people. You could find Black people living upper crust lives on The Jeffersons, The Cosby Show, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, and Girlfriends; Middle Class […]