Black literature’s importance goes far beyond a shallow marketing scheme. For centuries, the Black literary imagination has been synonymous with resistance. CW: This essay mentions sexual assault It’s Black History Month, and white people are doing what they do best — profiting off of Blackness and being disingenuous. Penguin Random House and Barnes & Noble...
Author: Katie Mitchell (Katie Mitchell)
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When a White Company Trademarks the Word ‘Black’
As mainstream companies discover the profitability of Black consumers, Black-owned businesses are threatened to be squeezed out of existence. In the United States, Blackness has always been profitable—just not always for Black people. Whether through theft of labor, or co-option of aesthetics, the U.S. has continuously created ways to appropriate from Black people for profit....
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Florida Lawmakers Are Working Hard to Bring Back Racist Poll Taxes
Aiming to mitigate the impact of a new felon enfranchisement measure, Republican lawmakers are turning to Jim Crow like policies. Republicans typically don’t like taxes, unless they’re poll taxes. Last week a bill passed the Republican state house panel in Florida that would require previously incarcerated people to pay all outstanding fines and fees before...
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I Stayed Silent Because Black Girls and Women Like Me Aren’t Listened To
Black and white women have different lived experiences even when we face the same violence on and off campus. [TW: this essay contains mentions of rape.] “The Senate confirms Judge Brett Kavanaugh.” My Uber driver read his CNN text alert aloud and made this unsolicited announcement as we sat in bumper to bumper traffic. My...
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6 Essential Resources for Victims of Sexual Assault
This Sexual Assault Awareness month, share these resources who a friend who may benefit from them. [CW/TW: mention of sexual assault] In the past year, more people have felt empowered to speak openly about sexual assault. As most survivors know, sexual violence is an all too common of an issue and rape culture permeates our everyday...
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Stop Calling the Police, It’s Killing Us
There are alternatives to contacting the police, and these alternatives can be more effective than getting law enforcement involved in situations that they are not specifically trained for. As an institution, the police perpetuate and uphold the violence of white supremacy and capitalism. The individual personality of police officers does not negate that fact that...
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The Racist History of Tipping
Problems associated with tipping are seen throughout the country. Tipping can be a great way to earn extra income. As you may often see on social media, people tip others for providing useful information, unique content, or when they need a little extra help financially. But living completely off tips like many waiters are forced...
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8 Things You May Not Know About Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks was a fearless activist who inspired many generations all over the world. Chances are you’ve known about Rosa Parks for almost as long as you’ve known how to spell your own name. Every Black History Month, there are countless history lessons detailing how Parks’ act of civil disobedience led to the Montgomery Bus...
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Meet the Woman Working to End Health Disparities in Memphis
Deana Taylor wants to help improve the lives and diminish the disparities faced by Black folks in Memphis, Tennessee. In many ways Memphis, Tennessee embodies all of the vaulting summits and desolate valleys of the Black American experience. The city has a large blues scene, a rich civil rights history, and an impressive Black culinary...
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11 TV Shows We’re Definitely Watching In 2018
Media representation matters. What you see on television has the potential to shape your opinion and worldview. In fact, a report from published by Color of Change found that Black people are misrepresented in television shows and news coverage. Some creatives are creating shows that depict the full spectrum of Black folks, and we’re excited...