Very Smart Brothas
Very Smart Brothas
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On "Redskins", Reverse Racism, and Mascot Mockery
By now, everybody is completely aware of the controversy surrounding the Washington, DC, NFL team and it’s name, Redskins. Daniel Snyder, the owner of said team, has not only refused to budge on changing the name but he went so far as to slap the face of nearly any Native American who has a problem…
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Three Quick Thoughts About Robin Thicke's "Get Her Back"
1. I don’t know how sincere Robin Thicke’s begging happens to be. None of us do, actually. Not even Paula Patton. But, I do know, though, that by crafting this album, he makes us all skeptics. Perhaps I’m just a natural skeptic. I still don’t believe it’s not butter. But, if someone is sincerely trying to…
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World Cup 2014: Soccer Rules Everything Around Me!
I’m an avid soccer fan. Well, let me rephrase. I’m a fan of playing soccer and watching every four years when the World Cup comes around. I grew up in Germany and the first sport I was introduced to athletically was soccer. I was pretty good too. Turns out I could run around for hours with…
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VSB Presents: The #blackestname In America Tournament, Round 2 Day 2
The hills may be alive with the sound of music, but the Blackness is flourishing in our tournament to determine the #blackestname in America. Yesterday, Damon dropped off a list of 10 things he learned and/or observed about the first round. Well I shall do the same based on the two brackets I’m shepherding through…
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"New Black" Is The New Black
This level of awareness isn’t inherently negative. The process of thinking about Blackness doesn’t make you love it any less. Sometimes, it makes you love it more. And, as The Blackest Names tournament proves, it can be fun. But, an existence in and navigation of a place where you’re perpetually forced to examine how your…
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Special Request: Stop Playing “This Is How We Do It”
I just finished my workout, the sun was shining bright through my windows, and I was about to slam down a delicious protein shake I just made for myself. In my post-workout endorphin high, I decided to let my songza workout playlist continue to blast through my apartment. I.Was.Jammin. But the moment I knew I…
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Entire Internet Surprised Women Like An Attractive Man
It’s one of the 10 most ratchet things I’ve seen this year. And six of those 10 are twerk videos. All taking place in Waffle House bathrooms, someone’s grandmom’s kitchens, and Waffle House parking lots. And all featuring young women with as many tattoos as criminal citations. And I loved every second of them. I…
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O'Shea Jackson Has A Son Named O'Shea Jackson Junior
Roll Call is a daily collection of interesting news stories, articles, blogs, and thinkpieces, curated by Tonja Stidhum and Natalie Degraffinried. They both have big hair, but they are not the same person.
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VSB Presents: The #Blackestname In America Tournament, Round 2, Day 1
10 observations from the last few days (from Twitter): 1. Nothing has ever been or will ever be Blacker than the email thread where we nominated names. That was prime Blackness. Blackness nirvana. 2. The athletes’ bracket was the hardest to narrow down. Could have had an entire bracket just for SEC football players at…