You can find “The Skeleton Key” trailer here. In the film “The Skeleton Key” there are two African American characters who are slaves and go by the names Mama Cecile and Papa Justify. As stated in the movie, these two were known for practicing Hoodoo and using it to heal the sick and hurt their…Continue Reading Hoodoo and Conjuring; in literature, art and film
Tiana: Princess For All People
In the recent Disney movie, Princess and the Frog, the main character Tiana has all the same qualities as Disney Princesses from the past. Tiana is a strong, independent woman who finds her prince and fairy-tale ending against all odds, the only difference is that she is African American. The story begins with Tiana living…Continue Reading Tiana: Princess For All People
Return to Cookie Mountain
This is an album by the “indie” art rock group TV on the Radio which is made up of the members Dave Sitek, Tunde Adebimpe, Kyp Malone, Jaleel Bunton, and Gerard Smith. The group in general is different from the largely white bands that are involved in the pop-indie rock movement due to the mostly African…Continue Reading Return to Cookie Mountain
A Black Single Woman is Worth $5
On March 9, 2010 the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette published an article that found that the median wealth for a single black woman is $5. The article states that the income of all women is lower than their male counterparts, however that of the black woman is alarmingly low. The study determined that “single white women in…Continue Reading A Black Single Woman is Worth $5
What Does it Mean to Be a Black Man in America?
“It’s no disgrace being a black man, but it’s terribly inconvenient.” –Bert Williams Video: “cuz he’s black” In his poem, “cuz he’s black” Javon Johnson tells a story about being a black man in America. In this piece, Johnson begins his poem talking about his 4-year-old nephew and his fascination for the world with questions like…Continue Reading What Does it Mean to Be a Black Man in America?
The Cheerios Controversy
A commercial for Cheerios came out a few months ago that really stirred up some controversy. In it, a child asks her mother about Cheerios. “Dad told me that Cheerios is good for your heart. Is that true?” Her mother replies in the affirmative and the girl smiles and runs into the next room. In…Continue Reading The Cheerios Controversy
A Different Colored Problem
When Richard Wright wrote “The Ethics of Living Jim Crow, an Autobiographical Sketch”, he began by telling the story of how he “learned” to be black. The incident commenced with a school yard fight with a white boy, resulting in his own mother beating him to teach him that he should never fight whites because…Continue Reading A Different Colored Problem
Tales of a Conjure Woman
In the art exhibit Tales of a Conjure Woman the artist Renee Stout tries to depict black women who are in fact changing their realities. When I say changing their realities I mean that it is through the use of potions and remedies that they can take control of their own destinies and change the…Continue Reading Tales of a Conjure Woman
Revisiting the Racial Mountain in HBO’s Boardwalk Empire
(Boardwalk Empire’s Chalky White and Dr. Narcisse) For those who are unfamiliar with HBO’s hit TV series, Boardwalk Empire, the character Chalky White might come as somewhat of a surprise. Chalky is a black gangster who runs the colored section of town in 1920’s Atlantic City. Although he ultimately answers to the man who runs Atlantic…Continue Reading Revisiting the Racial Mountain in HBO’s Boardwalk Empire
Detective Odafin Tutuola: Law and Order: SVU’s Token Black Guy?
Over the last thirteen years, Ice-T has graced primetime television in more than 300 episodes of Law and Order: SVU, as Odafin “Finn” Tutuola. As one of only 3 major recurring characters throughout the lifespan of the show (the other two being Monique Jeffries, played by Michelle Hurd and Melinda Warner played by Tamara Tunie),…Continue Reading Detective Odafin Tutuola: Law and Order: SVU’s Token Black Guy?