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

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Tips for Understanding Black History Month- 2023 Edition

It’s that time of year again, Black History Month. This was my post for last year, 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. So I figured, why change the theme from last year, since we’re still stuck in the same place. Enjoy the repeat.

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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.

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Writing Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos

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“When I get mad, I put it down on a pad.”

Some thoughts on Black pain, anger, trauma and reactions, in these times. They may be unprecedented, but in other ways, been here before. Warning ahead of time–this one is long. Bring water, snacks, and a gas mask.

Image: Protestors watch fireworks go off as the Minneapolis 3rd Police Precinct burns.

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