Year: 2016

The Dangerous Effects of Media and Black Oppression

As I scroll down my Facebook News Feed daily, I am forced to see visuals of black and brown bodies: some dead completely covered in blood with a white police officer towering over them, some who have already passed and have been used as martyrs for other types of political movements, or some with their… Continue reading The Dangerous Effects of Media and Black Oppression

For Free?

“We’re all in this together: An expression of solidarity.” The breakout hit from the 2006 Disney Film High School Musical. The song was part of a musical score for a clip released in April of this year. The clip featured a news report about multiple boys attending South Fort Myers High School in Florida taking… Continue reading For Free?

The Trouble With Being a Strong Black Man

A few days ago a friend and I were having a conversation when she mentioned an acquaintance of hers who died of a gunshot wound. When I asked her what happened, I expected to hear another story about a brother getting caught up in the streets and losing his life. When she told me his… Continue reading The Trouble With Being a Strong Black Man

Alton Sterling, Philando Castile and #BlackLivesMatter: Why “Stop Killing Us” is Both Revolutionary and Insufficient

This was supposed to be about #AltonSterling. That would’ve been easy. After years, or decades, if we start the timeline at the Civil Rights Movement, of police misconduct towards Black people, Sterling was the latest hashtag. The Baton Rogue, Louisiana father of five was fatally shot outside of a convenience store where he was selling… Continue reading Alton Sterling, Philando Castile and #BlackLivesMatter: Why “Stop Killing Us” is Both Revolutionary and Insufficient

Boyz 25:  Reflections on a Hip-Hop Classic

“Either they don’t know… don’t show … or don’t care about what’s going on in the hood.” –Doughboy, Boyz n the Hood (1991) Twenty-five years ago, America was dealing with war in Iraq, growing concerns over racial profiling, an alarming rate of black-on-black violence, Donald Trump was in the news, and Bill Clinton was running… Continue reading Boyz 25:  Reflections on a Hip-Hop Classic

White People: Understand That We Do Not Understand

D ear White People, You’ve heard the news. You’ve seen the stories. Many of you, like me, are likely disgusted, horrified and depressed by the recent events that have led to the unjustified and premature termination of (yet another) two meaningful lives. And not just these two. There have been many, many more. Hundreds of… Continue reading White People: Understand That We Do Not Understand

Decentralizing Masculinity: The Opening

This is article one of five in a patriarchy series—from the mouth of a Black man to the ears of Black men—written by the multi-talented Daniel Johnson. Subscribe via email. I decided to begin a five-part examination into the ways patriarchy expresses itself specifically within the context and confines of Black America. I believe this… Continue reading Decentralizing Masculinity: The Opening

Vol 2: Everyday Struggles—Hip Hop’s New Counter-Culture

Peace. Welcome back to Music for the Rest of Us—an exploration of dope music made with artistic integrity. If you missed the first edition, you can read it here. In short, this column is dedicated to music that’s about something more than just the turn up. I just finished listening to Mark Battle’s new release:… Continue reading Vol 2: Everyday Struggles—Hip Hop’s New Counter-Culture

My Father Couldn’t Hug Me And I Refuse To Repeat History

T he day my father passed away is a day that will forever remain etched in my mind; not because of the loss, but because of the way his death brought us closer. He battled pancreatic cancer for nearly a year and the decline happened so fast the entire day still feels like a dream.… Continue reading My Father Couldn’t Hug Me And I Refuse To Repeat History