Rogue’s Rules is a work of fiction by award-winning, bestselling author Jervey Tervalon. Read the other chapters in the series here. RULE 8: Nothing wrong about not dying. Nothing right about taking a bullet you don’t need to take I dreamed of craziness mostly; the usual firefights at midnight, and the sound of ground being… Continue reading Rogue’s Rules: Chapter 3
Month: April 2016
Beyoncé’s “Lemonade” Wasn’t For Me… And That’s Okay
Like most of Black Twitter, I was glued to my television set on Saturday for the world premiere of Beyoncé’s Lemonade. I wasn’t sure what it was going to be. I was sure that I needed to be somewhere where it was going to be. My partner made sure of that. As a fan of… Continue reading Beyoncé’s “Lemonade” Wasn’t For Me… And That’s Okay
Fantastic Lies and Omissions
“I am innocent. Every member of the Duke lacrosse team is innocent. You have all been told some fantastic lies!” —David Evans The new ESPN 30 for 30 documentary film, Fantastic Lies, marks the tenth anniversary of the Duke University lacrosse scandal by providing a step-by-step analysis of the scandal. At the conclusion of the two hour… Continue reading Fantastic Lies and Omissions
Why Don’t People Understand Racism?
O n February 29th, 2016, Stephen A. Smith gave a speech at the University of South Alabama as part of the school’s offerings for Black History Month. During his talk, Smith told young black students and attendees that racism is not an excuse for lack of progress because it doesn’t exist. “You don’t have to… Continue reading Why Don’t People Understand Racism?
Historical Reflections on Black Americans in NYC Real Estate and the Agents of Change
Although I am not black, I would like to reflect on the agents who denied black people their predetermined fates of oppression, and ultimately changed the landscape for black New Yorkers and all tenants of color. The roots of residential segregation that remain in our society may stem from the time of redlined New York.… Continue reading Historical Reflections on Black Americans in NYC Real Estate and the Agents of Change
Papa Was a Rolling Stone
P apa is rolling stone Piece of sediment covered with dirt rain soot fractures my mother’s tears Praise its speed Praise its swiftness Praise the mineral that was never concrete A tribal stone that rolled its way from Africa and cotton field Praise the stone that broke too many glass houses glass women This Rolling… Continue reading Papa Was a Rolling Stone
Rogue’s Rules: Chapter 2
Rogue’s Rules is a work of fiction by award-winning, bestselling author Jervey Tervalon. Read the other chapters in the series here. RULE 6 If you pick your spots, and hunker down and take care of your own business, you get by, You get short. When you want more that’s when you get got. That was… Continue reading Rogue’s Rules: Chapter 2
Connecting Through the Canvas: Donnie Rogers, Harlem Artist
A famous Harlem transplant once said, “I have discovered in life that there are ways of getting almost anywhere you want to go, if you really want to go.” Almost a century ago, Langston Hughes moved to the uptown New York City neighborhood from the Midwest to spread his creative wings in an era that… Continue reading Connecting Through the Canvas: Donnie Rogers, Harlem Artist
The Dueling Sides of “Just Comply”
Since the gunning down of Mike Brown in August of 2014, more attention has been brought to the problem of police brutality in America, specifically police brutality directed at unarmed black men and children. While the mainstream narrative prefers to frame this as a “new” problem, it’s really an age-old issue rooted in the severe systematic and institutional racism… Continue reading The Dueling Sides of “Just Comply”
Black Girl Free: Unleashing the Wild
M y daughter is six and she likes to twerk. I watch these movements; her hands perched on her knees, back slightly arched as she sways from side to side. I am not compelled to stop her. I watch in amazement at the confidence she spews as her hair, big and wild, sway in concert… Continue reading Black Girl Free: Unleashing the Wild