Opinion
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Their Eyes Were Watching Tyler Perry: Some Thoughts on Escapism, Responsibility and White Rage
For the past two weeks, I’ve been dealing with some heavy personal stuff that’s taken an immense toll on both my mental and emotional state. Coupled with the growing restlessness of the seemingly never-ending pandemic and the lack of social experiences to counteract said restlessness, by the time the New Year’s holiday came around, I…
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Meghan McCain's Face Is a Face
Meghan McCain’s face, captured here in a thousand-yard death stare while Brady-Brunched with her castmates on The View and Raphael Warnock, is not a bottle of Mylanta Maximum Strength Liquid Antacid/Anti-Gas Classic. Nor is it a pancake, a Cadillac Seville, a tent, a three-on-three basketball tournament trophy from the Pittsburgh Jewish Community Center, a poached…
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To Georgia, and Black People, Who Are One and the Same
Real quick: I heard them on the phone talking about you, disparaging your integrity. I would have at least told them to keep my people’s name out of their mouths, but I imagine that’s how white boys talk in private. In my head, they’re always talking about titties, yelling the n-word or concocting a nefarious…
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Opposition To the Term Karen Continues Because an Unwillingness To Tackle Racism Continues, Despite the Brief Reckoning in 2020
Whenever Black people collectively and specifically speak to the realities of anti-Blackness, there is often outraged and offended backlash from people who would rather racism continue unabated and—importantly—unacknowledged as racism. Because to acknowledge racism would necessitate people who consider themselves decent to actively work at eradicating it, or at the very least, call it out…
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Why Pixar's Surprisingly Polarizing Soul Is So, Well, Surprisingly Polarizing
This morning, I began the celebration of my 42nd year on Earth with Esomeprazole (for acid reflux), Lisinopril (for blood pressure), a vitamin C pill, a vitamin D pill, and a zinc supplement. At some point today, I will drink a cup of bone broth. And maybe this evening I will eat a gluten-free slice…
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Black Paranoia and the COVID Vaccine, Explained
Hey, Racist Baby! How are you doing? I haven’t seen you in a while. What does that even mean, you little baby bigot? Wait…are you trying to say “As-Salaam-Alaikum?” Stop it, my little tyke nationalist. You’re going too far. Please don’t tell me your racist parents have turned you into an anti-masker. Well. my little…
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A Preview of an NBA Season That Shouldn't be Happening Because We're in a Raging Pandemic But I'm Still Watching Anyway and That Makes Me Complicit!
The NBA is back! On the same week that news broke of a more contagious strain of a virus that has killed millions of people! There’s no bubble this time either! Just planes and airports and buses and hotels like any other non-pandemic time! I am very excited for this season and I plan to…
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The Root's Clapback Mailbag: The Unreasonable Black Man
I believe most people are reasonable. In fact, there is an objective legal test called the “reasonable man” theory. Basically, when a judge or jury is trying to determine whether or not someone is guilty of a crime—especially negligence—the judge or jury must ask themselves if a reasonable man would act this way. If the…
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Auntie Unfiltered Catches Up With the Legendary MC Lyte
Hey nieces and nephews! Have I got a treat for you this week. How many of you are fans of hip-hop? I mean real fans, like you know the history and who came when and that type of stuff? I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Ms. Lana Michelle Moorer, known the world…
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All I Want for Christmas Is Malcolm Gladwell's Masturbation Bible
Jerking off is good! It can relieve stress. It can pass time. It can induce sleep. It can even help you finish your tax returns. Jerking off in front of people without their permission is bad! And jerking off in front of people without their permission while you’re at work is worse! There doesn’t seem…