During the spring before last, I hosted a presentation as part of the DFW Writer’s Conference entitled “Blogging for a Better World.” Weeks were spent preparing the slides, condensing their contents and deciding where to narrow the scope with such a nebulous topic. Although I consider myself an experienced writer, I felt uncomfortable with the… Continue reading Becoming: Michelle Obama & The Power of Our Stories and Truths
Tag: The Dallas Morning News/Briefing
‘Don’t Ever Bring No Nappy-Headed Black Girl To My House!’: The Corrosive Effects of Colorism
Picture it: Verizon Theatre, February 2015. The air was crisp and the roads were icy, but the weather was all but forgotten when I witnessed one of my favorite performers, Diana Ross, live on stage. It wasn’t my first time at the venue or even my first time seeing a superstar, but the concert did… Continue reading ‘Don’t Ever Bring No Nappy-Headed Black Girl To My House!’: The Corrosive Effects of Colorism
The Minimizing, Maligning & Miseducation of Black Girls
The weather was warm, the sky was bright and we were eager to savor our Saturday. Neighbors were mowing their lawns, sailing on the lake or scrambling to get their hands on turkey legs and funnel cakes during that final Saturday of the State Fair. And I was putting put on my ‘Mama’… Continue reading The Minimizing, Maligning & Miseducation of Black Girls
“Straight Outta Compton”: Watching, Remembering & The Impact Of NWA
I was a junior in high school, safely ensconced in North Texas suburia and youthful naivete when I discovered the music of NWA. The hardcore beats and clever sampling in their songs was what drew my attention at first, but what ultimately earned my support were the rhymes. The verses were more than catchy couplets… Continue reading “Straight Outta Compton”: Watching, Remembering & The Impact Of NWA
Piper Huguley: Expanding Expectations In Historical Romance
“There just wasn’t a lot written by African-Americans back then.” “No such thing as college-educated black women in the 1860s.” “Beverly Jenkins is already writing African-American-themed historical romances, so why bother?” Piper Huguley, a professor at Spelman College, grew tired of hearing the misconceptions and wanted to set the record straight, so she poured an… Continue reading Piper Huguley: Expanding Expectations In Historical Romance