1624 Search results for "black woman"

Court Overturns Michigan Affirmative-Action Ban Tamar Lewin, New York Times | July 1, 2011 In the latest development in the decade-long battle over the University of Michigan’s affirmative action policies, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit on Friday struck down a 2006 state ban on the consideration of race and gender in admissions. The […]

When I was a little black girl I would secretly pray to God, the Father, to become sick. You see, when I was sick my non-domestic black mother would cuddle me and become the “ideal mother.” She would busy herself with medicinal concoctions and Vick’s rub. Yes, my mother thought and continues to think; Vick’s […]

His work spoke truth to a racist, capitalistic power structure, while at the same time attempting to usurp and dominate that structure with its own values and tools.That is why Tupac’s music was so powerful and dangerous. There will never be another like him.

A few days ago, after a long days work, I got on the train, grabbed a seat, plugged in my headphones and tried not to think about the long ride home.  I am not generally afraid of being on the train at any point in the day.  Growing up taking the train in Chicago prepared […]

Head of IMF, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, and presidential favorite in Paris’ upcoming elections jailed for attempted sexual assault on a black immigrant hotel worker. Damn! That’s a lot. Would he go to jail? No. Fast forward to today and he sits in Riker’s Island waiting to appeal yet again to a judge for release from his […]

“I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only […]

Fighting the Arrest of Tonya McDowell: Educating Your Child Should Not Be a Crime Dr. Boyce Watkins, Huffington Post | April 24, 2011 When I heard about the case of Tonya McDowell, the homeless mother sent to jail for sending her 5-year-old son to the “wrong” school district, I immediately thought back to the case of Kelley […]

This is lowbrow entertainment at its most blatant and exploitative. And that’s fine. Tyler Perry is undoubtedly a success. Great entertainers entertain their audience. But great artists challenge their audience. It’s about time Mr. Madea learned the difference.

This isn’t a rant or outright hatin of rap music I don’t like, this is a sincere question. Yesterday, I was blessed to be in Washington DC for the Powershift conference. I was invited by an incredible organizer for Checktheweather.tv named Kari Fulton to perform at a afterparty sponsored by Checktheweather.tv and Green for All […]

By now you’ve probably heard about Ashley Judd’s ridiculous comments in regards to Hip-Hop that she wrote in her memoir, but if you didn’t they pretty much went like this; “As far as I’m concerned, most rap and hip-hop music – with its rape culture and insanely abusive lyrics and depictions of girls and women […]

Today marks the moment in my society that I am officially considered a man. This marks the day that I can buy alcohol (even though I don’t drink), rent a car (from off brand companies like “rent-a-wreck”) and go to clubs in Chicago (regardless if I would rather just chill at home with my partner).  […]

There was a time when a Neo Soul/alternative Hip Hop movement was a visual, popular alternative to the violence, misogyny, and materialism of mainstream Hip Hop. This article is a love letter to that glorious movement, and an explanation as to why it faded away.