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The Black Folk’s Guide to Summertime Cookouts
Summer is fast approaching and the weather is ripe for some outdoor cooking, and I’m sure before the Fall, you would have hosted or went to about a half dozen cookouts (barbecues). I’m also sure you will have plenty of stories to share from which drunk uncle acted up, who flipped the table over in spades, who ‘put their foot’ in the BBQ chicken, down to who dressed scantily clad. However there’s rules and levels to attending BBQ’s. So allow me to share some tips if you please to help you avoid being a bigger jerk than the chicken. Proper Cookout Etiquette (The Do’s) BRING SOMETHING OR ASK…
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How can Blacks Become Responsible for Their own Freedom? The "I" in Black Lives Matter.
I am Queen Sierra and as your featured guest blogger for todays post When 3/5th becomes a man, the nation is at a stand still. This same nation which once held these truths to be “self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”. The key word I want to focus your attention on here is ‘liberty’. Liberty is defined as the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one’s way of life, behavior, or political views. In the case of blacks in America, it…
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Why is Florida so Cloudy for African Americans?
Is Florida The ‘Sunshine State’ For Negroes? If it is, why has it become so cloudy for African Americans – or was it always that way and we just never took off our sunglasses to find out? So unless you’ve been living on a deserted island for the last 2 years you would know about the tragic tales of Trayvon Martin, Jordan Davis and the outcomes that followed. I understand we all have to defend ourselves but I’ve never understood the overkill of an individual. How about the absurd notion of you having a gun, I have fists and you have to shoot to kill me? Here ‘s my gripe: Why is…
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Real Reasons to Celebrate Black American History & Pioneers
We may have had to sit in the back of the bus, but it doesn’t mean we weren’t the first on the bus. Although Black History has been relegated to only one month, some of you may recall it used to be only one week. The precursor to Black History Month was created in 1926 in the United States, when historian Carter Woodson and the Association for the study of Negro life announced the second week of February to be “Negro History Week.” This week was chosen because it marked the birthdays of both former president Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. People, especially those of color may have an issue with Black History…
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8 Reasons Saying You’re Black and Proud isn’t Enough
When you take a look at the different ‘races’ within society or visit different institutions what do you see? For example, if you go to a hospital who in aggregate are the doctors? Nurses? Anesthesiologists? Surgeons? “I’ll take Caucasians for 300.00 Alex”. *sound effects and lasers going off* “You have hit the daily double”! Okay, enough of the smarmy jokes; but in all seriousness have you ever asked yourself why aren’t more people of color in a position of prestige in society? Ever wonder why undeniably Asians, Indians, and Caucasians have made their way to the top of the totem pole while Hispanics and African-Americans languish near the bottom? Don’t…
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Letters to Empower Young Black men: Keep ya Heads Up
Dear young brother, How was school today? I noticed I saw you on the block about 12:30 or so. Wait a minute, doesn’t school get out at 2:00? So what are you doing out so early? Come to think of it I saw you out around the same time twice last week. You were on the corner wearing your black North face jacket, patent leather red and black (Bread 11) Jordans, and Levi’s jeans sagged a little below your waist waiting patiently for the next customer to come by and get served. What happened to you? Where is your dad? I thought you two reconciled and repaired your broken relationship. Why do…
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Natural Black Women and why We Love Them
Ahhh, I remember it like it was yesterday. I had recently turned 21 and it was time to take full advantage of my adult freedoms; and by adult freedoms I mean live it up after hours on the social scene while indulging in adult beverages (responsibly and irresponsibly) of course. It was an autumn night, a Friday to be exact, and I was heading out with a few of my college compadres to a popular nightclub venue downtown. There was electricity in the crisp night air, but that anxious feeling more likely had something to do with it being my very first time attending an actual nightclub. Until this night,…
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Is There a Problem with Black Men in Hollywood?
I was watching the above episode of Oprah Winfrey some time ago (yes I know she has been off air for a minute now) and she had Dave Chapelle on as a guest in which he had some very insightful commentary. During his interview, it had me thinking: Chris Tucker – (5th Element) Martin Lawrence – (Big Momma’s House 1-3, and Martin sitcom) Wesley Snipes – (Too Wong Foo) Ving Rhames – (Holiday Heart, I Now Pronounce you Chuck and Larry, Pulp Fiction) Chris Rock – (CB4) Eddie Murphy – (Nutty professor, Norbit) Tyler Perry – (Madea) Miguel Nunez – (Juwanna Man, Life) Will Smith – (6 Degrees of Separation)…
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Reflections on Young Black America, MLK and Miley Cyrus
Interesting week. Miley Cyrus trying out for the twerk team, football players losing their minds, and much more to cover so let’s chop it up. Riley Cooper is an idiot “‘l will fight every ni**er in here”. Yes in case you haven’t heard that’s what Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Riley Cooper said during a drunken state at a Kenny Chesney concert. Sad thing is 90% of his teammates are black, and believe it or not, some supported his apology while others didn’t. This arguably temporarily left a locked room divided. He did take a leave of absence from the team, but it goes to show you the word and racism…
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A Rant on Bad Sex, ‘Good’ Food, Race and Violence
Yes here I go thinking again, and I wanted to share my views on some things that have happened recently, things that are on the dome, and just random rants as well. Dress the part play the part As I’ve grown older the club scene for me has become relatively non-existent, with the exception if one of my fellow brothers has an event. Then I’ll attend and support/celebrate. Recently I went to an outing where there was no dress code and people acted like there was no conduct code as well (although I did enjoy the music). For one, I prefer getting a little snazzy when I go out, but…
