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
Tag: Dallas Morning News/Briefing Column
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?”
The R. Kelly Conundrum: Our Morals Or His Music?
“Your brain thinks in words; your soul thinks in music.” It was an inscription carved into a metal picture frame I was gifted with several years ago, but one that fits me to a T because I specialize in both modes of expression. And if an author or musician can consistently evoke emotions within me… Continue reading The R. Kelly Conundrum: Our Morals Or His Music?