Suicide rates have been rising in recent years: the CDC reports nearly 45,000 fatal casualties of Americans aged 10 or older. The visibility of mental illness has increased, bringing suicide to the surface and raising awareness. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be seen in various institutions and even popular songs, like rapper Logic’s “1-800-273-8255,” deal with the issue. That … [Read more...]
Peele’s latest thriller embodies ‘black excellence’
“Us,” Jordan Peele’s follow-up to the psychological thriller hit “Get Out,” stuns moviegoers with the idea that essentially we are own enemies. Most thrillers have a clear villain, though Peele’s film does not. He wants to expand on the narrative of good vs. evil. It’s up the viewers to decide what is good and what is evil through the lens of not having it pushed so clearly. Peele plays with the … [Read more...]
Kamala Harris Run for Presidency: Is It a Minstrel Show for Black Voters?
January 21st of 2019, the day Kamala Harris announced her candidacy for president, garnered heavy media attention. Black women prior to her - Shirley Chisholm who ran in 1972, Lenora Fulani in 1988 and 1992 and Carol Moseley-Braun in 2004 - all give a reason why, especially now, that America needs women in office. Although Harris might represent change, given that she is black and a woman, her … [Read more...]
Black, Queer and Here
Within today’s society, it’s popular to stick labels on marginalized communities, each falling victim to a set of negative attributes. Imagine being black in one aspect and queer in the other, two communities filled with pre-fixed notions and thoughts, notably not good ones. Imagine navigating through a system where all odds are stacked against you for being a black individual but having queer … [Read more...]