In which I revisit my 2018 story of slavery, magic, resistance, and George Washington’s Nine Negro Teeth…
Continue readingRevisiting George Washington’s Nine Negro Teeth
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Category Archives: Personal Musings
Tips for Understanding Black History Month- 2024 Edition
It’s that time of year again, Black History Month. This was my post for the past two years, when too many white folks were up in arms about critical race theory–that thing they know absolutely nothing about. Since then, it’s only gotten worse, with actual African American Studies and history under siege from the forces of Mordor. If not that, then assaults on DEI, Black academics, probably Black puppies and umbrellas next. So I figured, why change the theme, since we’re still stuck in the same continuum. Enjoy the three-peat.
Image: “Emancipation: The Past and the Future,” King & Baird, engraver Nast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist Bott, S., publisher Umpehent, J. W., courtesy of The Library Company of Philadelphia
Continue readingRevisiting Good Trouble
Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble. We will find a way to make a way out of no way.”–John Lewis, 1940-2016
Black Hobbits, Dwarves, Mermaids and Fanboy Tears
From the moment I saw a poster of a Black Dwarf lady for the new Amazon Prime series Rings of Power, I made the prediction that come late summer and into the early Fall, I’d be living off fanboy tears and lembas bread. Turns out, ain’t enough lembas bread at Costco to go with the fountain of white tears shed over Black dwarves, hobbits, mermaids and other fictional characters. It’s been a flood. And frankly, for some of you, I’m just plain embarrassed.
Continue readingA Grotesque Caricature
Lovecraft Country, those frightening girls, and a history of grotesque Black caricature.
Phenderson Djèlí Clark 