38 Search results for "lupita nyongo"

My daughter saves me from my anxieties with the embrace of her little arms
by Donnie Moreland It’s the eve of what folks are calling the “most important presidential election of our lives.” I’m being told to prepare. I’m being told to panic. I strap both ends of my cloth mask around my ears to drop my ballot at a county library. This is the second time I’m having […]
“Laughing barrels” and the defiant spirit of Black laughter
Seems like every year I learn some new factoid about how plantations operated during the time of chattel slavery of African peoples in the Americas. I inevitably come across another unfortunate piece of knowledge that I wish I never had to know. At the same time, I always understand how it’s of vital importance that […]
Reaction to Rachel Maddow’s on-air tears are a reminder that some only believe the truth when white people tell it
by Tynesha M. McCullers While reporting on the border crisis, political commentator, Rachel Maddow, began crying about the “tender age” children being placed in shelters on the border. Since breaking down on air, people have applauded this woman’s vulnerability and humanity in the midst of this national crisis. She’s been praised for being compassionate and […]
As light-skinned people, it’s our job to make space for those silenced most by colorism
By michal “mj” jones A few years ago, I invited a group of scholar-activists to present a panel on intergenerational movement building and breaking barriers between elder and younger organizers. The conversation went well, I thought, and we gave the floor over to the attendees to share their stories. Afterwards, an older woman with a […]
Sonya Renee Taylor’s ‘The Body Is Not An Apology’: Unlocking the radical self-love that is already ours
by Josie Pickens Sonya Renee Taylor’s The Body Is Not An Apology: The Power of Radical Self-Love is equal parts self-help guide and interrogating conversation about body shaming and body terrorism. Taylor’s premise is that if we stop terrorizing our own bodies, we will feel obligated to not only stop terrorizing the bodies others, but […]
Let’s talk about phenotype and global Blackness
by Siete Saudades Phenotype: the set of observable characteristics of an individual resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment. (How we look) Genotype: Genetic makeup of an organism. Race: a system of identity and power structures that categorise human beings based on ancestry and phenotype.
As a Black woman, I won’t say #Metoo in Rose McGowan’s* movement
by Tynesha McCullers A few weeks back, TIME Magazine recognized the #SilenceBreakers as the 2017 “[People] of the Year.” While I am thankful that this honor was not given to the person who is currently in charge of our country, or given to other political leaders or affluent white men, I am more than a […]
From the Million Woman March to #Metoo: How movements created by and for Black women are appropriated
by Jacquelyn Iyamah In October of 1997, an estimated 750,000 Black women congregated on Ben Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia for the Million Woman March. Spearheaded by Phile Chionsesu and Asia Coney, the march provided a forum for the issues that mainstream women’s rights movements often dismiss—the issues affecting Black women. Concerns about the abuses against […]
R. Kelly’s ex, media personality Kitti Jones, details abusive relationship to Rolling Stone
Every other hour, it seems, devices light up with breaking news that someone came forward to accuse another high-profile man of sexual harassment and/or abuse. Longstanding sexual abuse accusations attached to Black entertainers, like Bill Cosby and R. Kelly, include mounting claims against Harvey Weinstein and trickle into fresh reports that political analyst Mark Halperin sexually […]
In the midst of #metoo stories, we must also ask “What’s next?”
by Josie Pickens This essay contains discussion of sexual violence I once dated a man who said that he had never been in a relationship with a Black girl who hadn’t suffered serious sexual trauma. He would soon learn that I was yet one more. It had happened to #metoo. A woman who began being […]
Michael B. Jordan Reportedly Cast In Marvel’s ‘Black Panther’
After it was announced that Ryan Coogler would be directing Marvel’s Black Panther film many hoped that the stars would align and find a way to get his close friend Michael B. Jordan somewhere in the project. According to the Root, fans of Coogler, Jordan and T’Challa will be getting their wish and the band’s getting back […]
Stars Are Boycotting the Oscars But it Will Take More to Fix Hollywood
Many thought the lack of diversity in the 87th Academy Awards in 2015 and the #OscarsSoWhite social media campaign that followed would be a sufficient wake up call. The last thing that anyone expected was that the 88th Academy Awards would take a major step in the wrong direction when it was already so far behind.