This one tells the story of the gender-conscious black male. Nothing is special about these individuals, but the universal disregard for womyn ensures problems in recognition. The people that we showcase, that we respect or esteem at high levels, reflect our understanding of society. What makes us proud of other people is our comparison of […]
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uv658wfVt6I The generation’s identity reveals itself in the sound waves that stimulate the collective conscious. Speech, which is the vocal reality of knowledge, enters the minds of youth through Hip-Hop among other things. We’re not only listening though. Young MCs speak, talk about the experiences of the black future in 2012. Our generation’s sound waves […]
Lupe Fiascoās āBitch Badā has been the topic of conversation all around the internet this week. Lauders and critics alike are leading conversations about the song which takes on the misogynistic trend in hip hop of reducing women to vulgar names and sexual objects. The rapper has stated that he released the song for the […]
I talk a lot about the girls that I mentor and how they order my steps. I find myself factoring my girls into most decisions that I make. In that way, being a mentor has really changed my life. And I hope that the feeling is mutual. I hope that the girls I call my […]
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ccx7xYBArBc Over the past few weeks, the conversation around Black masculinity has been particularly invigorated in several ways. From Frank Oceanās coming out to Lupe Fiascoās shedding tears on thinking of the violence in Chicago, weāve seen Black men produce profound moments of emotionāin a society where the showing of emotion is often positioned as […]
The above quote is from Nobel Peace Prize winner and civil rights icon, Dr. Martin Luther King. Even though Dr. King was a advocate of non violence, he understood the desperation of people that have been continually denied justice. Sadly, the recent events in Anaheim, CA are just a replay of the failed state of […]
When we blame Black women for our failure to be seen as āreal menā in a White racist society we only show ourselves to be immature. Our mothers, our sisters, our aunts, our girlfriends, our wives, and nieces are not our enemy.
California rapper, Murs is sure to generate publicity with the clip for his new video, āAnimal Style.ā The song chronicles the troubled love affair between two young men, one of whom is not openly gay. Thoughts on the song and video? Is Hip Hop growing more tolerant?
Although Frank Ocean is clearly the R&B man of hour, donāt expect to find his album at your nearest Target. The big box chain as decided not to carry Oceanās CD. Target says its because the album was already released digitally, not homophobia. Do you believe them?
I am surprised by Chicago’s strategy for fighting crime. Last week’s issue of the Chicago Reader gave details as to how decriminalization came about. Not only does legalizing marijuana help Chicago’s police shortage, but the new policy also enhances the mayor’s reputation. The city’s pot smokers,at least what to do with them, determine the success […]
I’ve spent the last week treading in the liquid of a queer-flavored ambivalence, trying to determine why the Anderson Cooper and Frank Ocean coming out announcements mean less to me than other people. I have seen enough episodes ofĀ Coming Out StoriesĀ and foolishly subjected myself and my partner to the awkward anti-climax of telling my father […]
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60cvtxwlJr8 A friend of mine, of both Black and White heritage, brought the above video to my attention. The video features rapper A$AP Rocky and artist Lana Del Rey portraying president JFK and Jackie-O respectively, while also playing a bit on Marilyn Monroeās famous singing of Happy Birthday to JFK. The songās superficial lyrics seem […]
