Why is it so easy to pull the wool over sheep’s eyes? No, but really, why is it so easy to appease the masses? People have been contacting me, telling me I need to listen to Wendy’s mixtape like its absolute fire. IT’S AN ABOMINATION! Can we please stop disrespecting and pimping out hip-hop? No,…
Category: Culture
Does the Set It Off Stage Play Live Up to the Film?
Over the weekend I went to see Set It Off, the stage play. Let me begin by saying that I laughed until I cried, at least twice. It wasn’t my impression that it was the play writer’s intent for it to be a comedic drama, but that was attendees take away. At the very least,…
This Sterling K. Brown Interview Blessed My Life
This concise snippet of a Sterling K. Brown interview blessed my life this morning, and maybe it can do the same for you. What I find myself so drawn to about Brown is his seeming openness and vulnerability. It is truly a reminder to us all. To be more vulnerable, more honest, and more reflective…
Go See Black Panther, Again!
Recently, I read an article that stressed the importance of not only opening weekend numbers, but also second week’s numbers to determine how well a movie will perform in the long run. I have seen Black Panther three times now, and will probably see it two more times before I decide to stop and wait…
The Chi (A Chicagoan’s Review)
As we all know, the new Showtime series, The Chi, has made its debut. I initially watched in December, when the premiere episode was released early, but decided to wait until the second episode to provide a review. During that time, a review came out that actually captures most of my thoughts, here. For the…
For the Culture 2017 (Year End Review)
2017 has been quite the year. A lot of lows, but what has been beautiful is that this climate has caused more people to become active. To speak out more. To be more intentionally engaged. Here are some things that touched me to my core; the realest of 2017: 1. Best Interview: Young Jeezy’s interview…
Cornel West is the Biggest Intellectual Disappointment of 2017
It is often Cornel West’s blatant bias that makes him unpalatable, even when his arguments contain some validity (i.e. his attack on the 44th president, Barack Obama). However, his attack on Ta-Nehisi Coates is plain absurd. To say that he contributes from the sidelines is not only a misnomer, but outright slander and disrespect. In…
Do White People Believe White Lies?
Monday, October 9, 2017, I attended the Ta-Nehisi Coates book release event in Washington, DC for his newest book, We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy. As predicted, the event was amazing. It was intellectually charged and soul-fulfilling. Per usual, Coates was well poised, honest, thought-provoking, and critical. However, while departing, I made…
The Complexity of Being a Game of Thrones Fan
I am really late to watching Game of Thrones (GoT), like end of 2016 late. However, I’m all caught up and on board with fans currently watching. Though last week’s “Spoils of War” episode gave me chills, I cannot ignore all of the problematic issues along the way that almost prevented me from continuing to…
Battle of the Sexes: His and Her takes on Season 2 of Insecure
We are now two episodes deep into season 2 of Insecure and we all have quite a bit to say about what has happened, and where we think the show will go. One event that really plagued me at the end of episode one was the lackluster sex between Lawrence and Issa. So, I did…
My Favorite Rapper has been Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame
Anyone who knows me is fully aware that there isn’t a rapper I adore and love more than Jay-Z. There’s even an inside joke that I’ve been supporting his work and riding for him for so long that he owes me a first child, lol. All of that goes to say that I can’t allow…
White Women Drive Me Crazy (response)
I first skimmed this article while working on two projects, so, admittedly, it didn’t have my full attention. My initial reaction was that it felt like a disconnected attempt for the writer to purge herself of the shame and guilt of having idolized white women for most of her life. I even went as far…
8 Things No One Tells You About Korea
Most folks are aware that I have pleasant thoughts when I reflect on my time in South Korea. If you haven’t, you can read about it here. While feeling nostalgic and watching videos on youtube, there were two videos that caught my attention: -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKo3afrXF1Y&t=472s -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWhrR9Fztss&t=238s Below is my response video, based on my time and…
To be Without a Mother on Mother’s Day
I hate Mother’s Day. I always have. It probably has a lot to do with the fact that my mother overdosed when I was 4, but more than that I hate the memories of Mother’s Day growing up. I was raised in a Baptist church where each Mother’s Day everyone got a flower pinned to…
No One Told Me My Girlfriend was Married…
So, as everyone knows I’ve taken the year off social media, so email alerts and friends have been keeping me updated on what’s happening in the outside world. However, NO ONE informed me that Poussey, ask Samira Wiley, got married. The betrayal! If I weren’t currently heartbroken (being dramatic), my heart would hurt. However, she…
Music that’s Helping Me Survive 2017!
My life sometimes feels like an avalanche of emotions. Unfortunately, I’m not always immediately able to differentiate the various emotions, but music often helps to center and focus it all. Here’s some of the music that has been getting me through: Albums: 1. Free 6lack by 6lack I was introduced to this album in January,…
Does “I Am Not Your Negro” honor James Baldwin? (a reflection)
Since November 4, 2016 I have been in a constant state of reflection, so I figured I should start sharing these moments beyond my own subconscious. On Sunday, Februrary 5, 2017, after visiting the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, I decided it was an appropriate time to see what for me has been a long…
Harry Potter and Our Modern Times (Book Review)
If you’re like me, you’ve probably been a diehard Harry Potter fan for many years. What I tend to love most about the books is that they’re always a great escape from reality; what is less exciting is when the books become a reflection of your current reality. In Harry Potter there are many valuable…
Discovering Gender Fluidity in the Philippines
1. How do you feel your views on masculinity, femininity, and self-identity have changed since living outside the US? Moving to another country and immersing myself in another culture caused me to want to look into, research and explore my own culture more. I started wondering if there were similarities between Filipino and American culture…
Why Hillary Can’t Win the Election by a Recount
Seriously, she can’t. Sure, many of you are thinking of the technical definitions and preparing to argue that the current recount endeavors might sway the electoral votes and she could become president. However, I’m here to tell you that despite this fact, she can’t actually win. The primary reason Hillary Clinton can not win the…
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