March 13, 2015

TV/Film

Black Love Matters in Real Life & in Film

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On the recent cable broadcast of Book Of Negroes when Aminata Diallo says to her former slave owner, “I love that slave man… freely,” she was not only claiming her love for her African husband, she was committing an act of resistance. Manifesting their love was a radical expression of freedom for slaves that even chains couldn’t suppress. That kind of freedom was a threat to the entire institution of slavery and, seemingly, is one Read more...

October 24, 2012

theHigh-5

Unexpected Delights: Brandy, Parenthood, Aveda!

Recently with so many let downs (Obama’s performance at 1st Presidential debate & Stacy’s Dash’s endorsement of Mitt Romney), put downs (crazy Coulter) it’s so refreshing when something unexpected happens that puts a smile on our faces like Joe Biden’s VP debate stance; like getting a “Thinking About You” card in the mail amongst all the bills; like finding money in a jacket pocket. Homestead Survival had a great idea for literally holding on to Read more...

June 14, 2012

Real Talk

Sex, Lies & Videotape: Erykah Badu & Rihanna

“The erotic has often been misnamed by men and used against women. It has been made into the confused, the trivial, the psychotic, the plasticized sensation. For this reason, we have often turned away from the exploration and consideration of the erotic as a source of power and information, confusing it with its opposite, the pornographic. But pornography is a direct denial of the power of the erotic, for it represents the suppression of true

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June 28, 2011

Grooves, Real Talk

Beyonce & The F-Word

Yes, Beyonce is fly, fierce, fabulous and famous, but is she a feminist? Last night on Piers Morgan Tonight, Beyonce chatted with the CNN talk show host about her new album, motherhood, marriage, turning 30 and being a diva. Wearing a lovely tangerine shift dress Beyonce did not utter the F-word, but she did edge close when she stated, “It is my job to empower women.” Hmmph, sounds a bit like feminist rhetoric to Read more...

June 7, 2011

Grooves, Videos

Rihanna’s “Man Down”

Reading actress Gabrielle Union’s tweets this morning about her attempt to kill her rapist at the tender age of 19 bought Rihanna’s video for “Man Down” right back to center and in living color for me. Please don’t let the beautiful rural Jamaican backdrop, pulsating beats, or Riri’s rude gyal rumpapapums fool ya, “Man Down” is about rape and more specifically, the very real and possible psychological fallout from such a crime. Rihanna, I feel, Read more...

February 14, 2011

Grooves, TV/Film

The Grammys: Sisters Are Doin’ It…

 

The Grammys opened with a bang last night, but quickly fizzled into a tricked-out Technicolor circus of flashing lights, frenzied feathers and alien egg births. And like most things that are tricked out, once you get past the fancy frame, you notice the picture on the inside is a muted bore.

But first things first, I have to admit that kicking-off last night’s 3 ½ hour event with a tribute to Aretha Franklin got Read more...

December 7, 2010

Real Talk

Felt Up, But Not Fed-up?!

Last Monday morning Nicki Minaj was on “Live! With Regis & Kelly” promoting her new CD “Pink Friday.” Nicki performed “Right Thru Me” and was doing her post-talk Q&A with Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa when Reg seemingly mesmerized by Naj’s badunka-dunk exclaimed, “I love the way you dress. This looks like you’ve got a little strap around you there.” Then outta no where he touches her dress and then slapped Nicki on her backside. Read more...

July 24, 2009

Best Of, Lifestyle, Real Talk

I Am Not My Hair!

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I guess it was yesterday or maybe Wednesday when singer, Solange Knowles was snapped by paparazzi rocking a very short-cropped coif. And before this young mama could get back home, the Web was a’buzz about her buzzed cut. Of course the haters had their Yaki Platinums in a knot over the do saying she and others are allegedly biting “the bald look” of Kanye’s ex Amber Rose. And those were the sweet comments. Other Read more...