One of the saddest things about being a Black person in America, probably a Black person almost anywhere actually, is that you tend to think about things through a colored lens. If something happens, the first question to come out of your mouth is, “Is she/he white?” Or, “were they black?” because chances are high …
When It Comes to Human Rights for Black People, Little Things Count
There are a lot of little things happening right now that may seem small or insignificant compared to the larger work that needs to be done to remove obstacles to Black Americans ability to grow and prosper in this country, but they’re not unimportant. I’m talking about things like knocking down confederate monuments because why are we …
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Self-care Is the Most Fabulous Act of Resistance
I have a niece. Fabulous. Educated, well credentialed, very good at her job, and always exquisitely turned out. Lashes, hair, make up air brushed on, clothes, car, everything top of the line and together. A few years ago she went through a bad patch. It happens. She was let go from a job — I'd bet …
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What’s the Difference Between White Liberal Rhetoric and True Advocacy?
One of my oldest friends has a service job, work truck, hard hat, uniform, the whole bit. He often has to visit people at their home to do prep work before they start major projects that require digging and potentially hitting power, gas, and cable lines. He’s told me stories about white women watching him …
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You Want an Immediate Way to Fight the Battle for Black Lives? Buy Black
I don’t like protests. I understand them, the rage, emotion, the history and everything else that fuels such demonstrations. They do create awareness and solidarity, and I believe they have some value. But I don’t want Black people to focus their energy there. The country is up in arms right now because of George Floyd’s …
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Black Lives Do Not Matter – to the Police
I haven’t been able to sleep well the past two nights. I keep having dreams that I’m stuck in a tight space, and I wake up yelling, hands and arms flailing. So, I looked it up. One interpretation suggests this dream “claustrophobia may be a sign that you feel a problem in your life is …
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People Are Avoiding the ‘Rona In More Ways Than One
So, my mom turned 80 this week. Huge milestone, and it’s sad we couldn’t have a party or some kind of get together, but the way the ‘rona is set up, one must be cautious lest your celebration lead, quite literally, to your demise. It’s funny though. My old lady can be extremely charming. But …
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Patti LaBelle, Diamonds and Spinach – It’s Not What You Think
Actually, now that I look at that title, I don't know what you might think about that interesting pairing LOL, but it's not as weird as it sounds. Jill Scott released a little video on the 'Gram yesterday, and I want to comment on it because it's light and heartwarming and positive. I've been a …
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Ahmaud Arbery and the Legacy of Inaction, Injustice and Tragedy Porn for Black People
So, the past week has been interesting. I say interesting because everything that's been happening should have already happened on or immediately after February 23, 2020. That's the day Ahmaud Arbery was murdered while taking a jog in Georgia. But it was only this week that his murderers, father and son Gabriel and Travis McMichael, …
In the Age of the ‘Rona It’s Mask or Die: But If You’re a Black Man, Apparently It’s Complicated
I was out for one of the two walks I’d take yesterday when I saw an older black man get extremely startled. He was edging his lawn and didn’t see a woman walking behind him in the street until she was quite close. Not too close, mind, but he jumped so hard, I was startled, …

