Why John Lewis’ decision to boycott the inauguration is a mistake, and why we shouldn’t follow his lead

Representative John Lewis has declined to attend the inauguration out of a belief that Russian interference in the election delegitimizes Trump’s presidency. Other lawmakers are following suit after Trump insulted Lewis for his decision. Here are four reasons why you should go anyway: Safety in numbers. A brown face automatically amounts to protest in many… Continue reading Why John Lewis’ decision to boycott the inauguration is a mistake, and why we shouldn’t follow his lead

Trump Is Right about America’s “Inner Cities”–but Wrong on Everything Else

Donald Trump’s archaic use of the term “inner cities,” illustrates a couple of important points regarding where reality and urban revitalization meet. America is experiencing a historic tide of re-urbanization, and areas once called “inner city”—such as Harlem, New York City—are now hot property. So what was Donald talking about? He correctly notes the critical… Continue reading Trump Is Right about America’s “Inner Cities”–but Wrong on Everything Else

The Rape of a Nation and the Reconstruction of Black Masculinity

With a month left before the 2016 presidential election, a sobering topic has emerged to dominate national discourse: rape and sexual assault. Angry at what they perceived as the lack of box office success for Nate Parker’s film Birth of a Nation, some Black men have blamed Black feminists for dampening enthusiasm and turnout of… Continue reading The Rape of a Nation and the Reconstruction of Black Masculinity

I Don’t Blame You For Not Wanting To Vote… But You Should Vote Anyway

Let’s be perfectly honest and keep it 100: The 2016 election cycle is a shit show. It’d be a shit show if it existed in a vacuum. It’s an even bigger debacle on the heels of our nation’s first black president who ran a near flawless campaign in 2008 and made lightning strike twice in… Continue reading I Don’t Blame You For Not Wanting To Vote… But You Should Vote Anyway

Why It’s Not Okay to Call a Human Illegal and How Yoga Helped Me Speak Up

“We came to this country to unite, you need to show them we are here to work hard. That’s it. You show them by example not by arguing or crying.” Those were my fathers words when I was crying after somebody made a racist comment about Mexicans being lazy. I took my father’s advice to… Continue reading Why It’s Not Okay to Call a Human Illegal and How Yoga Helped Me Speak Up