Ripped denims, fluorescent sweatshirts, jheri curls and gravity-defying styles that soaked up hair spray and compromised the ozone layer. The 1980s was a decade of extremes and eccentricities. It’s understandable why some regard it as an era they would rather forget, but for many who are 40-plus, it was where we came of age. “The… Continue reading New School Madness: How Old School Truths Can Benefit The Millennial Generation
Category: DMN Briefing Columns
Weekly published columns that appear in Friday’s paper version of Briefing and online @dallasnews.com/local voices, make sure you check for the new ones on Saturdays to add your .02 :)
Loving The Fake, Loathing The Real: Columbusing, Whiteness & Black Beauty
For most parents, it’s an automatic and instinctual practice: we gaze into the faces of our babies and fall in love. From the tops of their heads to the bottoms of their feet, we gaze in wonder at the innocence we’ve been entrusted with and hope that they will one day embrace themselves the way… Continue reading Loving The Fake, Loathing The Real: Columbusing, Whiteness & Black Beauty
I’m So Blessed, Yeh-eh-es, Yeh-eh-es, YES: Getting Older, Getting Better
It’s a scene from the 2012 comedy film, This is 40—-husband Pete is assembling candles on his wife Debbie’s birthday cake and one of their preteen daughters has a question: “Why does it say ’38’ and not ’40’?” “Cuz’ your mom wants to be 38, let’s not mention it again.” And the rest of movie… Continue reading I’m So Blessed, Yeh-eh-es, Yeh-eh-es, YES: Getting Older, Getting Better
SWV: “Still” Grooving & Back On The Grind
Their look was fresh, the songs were fly and millions of us come of age listening to Sisters With Voices, also known as SWV. Thanks to infectious hits like “I’m So Into You,” Use Your Heart,” “Weak” and “Right Here,” Taj (Tamara Johnson), LeLee (Leann Lyons) and Coko (Cheryl Gamble) distinguished themselves among other R&B… Continue reading SWV: “Still” Grooving & Back On The Grind
“What Do You See When You Look Outside Your Door?”
In a pivotal scene from last year’s smash biopic Straight Outta Compton, members of the hip-hop group NWA face the press after a performance of their most controversial hit, “[Expletive} Tha Police,” allegedly incited a riot in Detroit.”Your songs glamorize the lifestyle of gangs, guns and drugs,” one reporter says, but is quickly corrected by… Continue reading “What Do You See When You Look Outside Your Door?”