I still feel it in my bones. The electricity. The power of releasing every ounce of energy in your body! The energy of Kendrick Lamar and Imagine Dragons when the “m.A.A.d city” beat dropped (and made Taylor Swift dance uncontrollably) at the Grammy Awards still pounds in my chest. It was a hell of a […]
There is a disclaimer at the beginning of BET’s new series Being Mary Jane that informs viewers the show isn’t trying to account for the lives of every black woman everywhere, “just one.” But is that possible, especially when there are so few black women on television? Gabrielle Union portrays Mary Jane Paul, a beautiful, […]
Richard Sherman is the mouth that roared. After his post game interview with FOX Sports Erin Andrews it seems like the entire world has an opinion. Every news outlet from NBC to CNN over hyped Sherman’s comments toward San Francisco 49er receiver Michael Crabtree and instantly turned him into a villain. Over the past few days the […]
Dear Tre, You were born after De La Soul was pronounced dead. As you broke Bo Jackson’s single season rushing record at Auburn during the BCS National Championship, there were Oodles of O’s throughout the living rooms and social media of those over 30. “Oh shit, that’s his son.” I’m writing what you’re reading while […]
So you’re just going to invite the blacks to the party and let them watch from their seats. Drink all you want, but you get nothing! (I want you to read this in the voice you imagine Kanye West would have after being snubbed for an award he really wanted.) I watched Brooklyn Nine Nine […]
Growing up, I loved Dennis Rodman. I was a die-hard Knicks fan (still am), and if you’re from New York, you’re taught at a young age to never respect any opposing player, even Michael Jordan. But for some reason, Rodman spoke to me. I’m talking about the “Bad Boys” Detroit Pistons’ Dennis Rodman. The one who worked […]
New York City has never seen a mayor like Mike Bloomberg; a man who didn’t need to raise any money for his campaigns, which in turn, meant he didn’t owe anyone anything. That just doesn’t happen in politics. And not only did he not take any money for his three races for mayor, he actually […]
This morning was like every other morning in the Xilla household, except today I didn’t wake up half drunk wondering where the hell my phone was! This morning I woke up sober, turned on my television, and headed into the bathroom to freshen up. Once I got back to my room, I noticed the folks […]
America needs to learn the political lessons of former South African President Nelson Mandela and apply them today, not just use this moment to mourn the passing of an icon. The passing of former South Africa president Nelson Mandela on December 5 leaves much of the world with a sense of loss. The example of […]
“Don’t let the city get me…don’t let this hood take me under.” As we go about our day-to-day lives, it’s easy to forget how good most of us have it. I recently saw a video called “Under” by a young up-and-coming singer named Ahsan. The video depicts the life of too many black kids in […]
That’s it, America — we need to come up with an overhaul approach to addressing gun violence. Violence – particularly gun violence – has become a straight-up public health crisis. While they’re over there mickey-mousing in Congress — with anti-gun legislation that never clears both chambers and trying not to piss off the pro-gun lobbyists […]
When I was a little girl, I remember the terror that filled my soul when the story of Polly Klaas broke. I read it in People magazine as I waited with my mother in the grocery store aisle. A girl, only a few years older than me, was snatched by an intruder at knifepoint out […]
