Tyra Banks is facing a retroactive cultural reckoning thanks to audiences removing the veneer of her cultivated image of “niceness” and faux positivity. 2020 has been an interesting year for hindsight discoveries. Like being thrown into a pandemic and finding that we are completely unprepared and with virtually no social safety nets in place. Like...
Tag: Oprah
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In ‘Booksmart,’ The Pussy Hats Come Home to Roost
In ‘Booksmart’ the characters of color are flattened and serve purely as plot devices for the white leads. By Noor Al-Sibai If you read reviews in Jezebel, The A.V. Club, or Screen Rant, you’d think Booksmart, actress Olivia Wilde’s directorial debut, was a heartfelt coming-of-age story, an entertaining and empowering romp through a single day...
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Mo’Nique’s Integrity Throws A Spotlight On Steve Harvey’s Lack Of It
Harvey has shown us time and again his investment in Black capitalism, in catering to the white gaze, and his disdain for Black women Yesterday, a clip from Steve Harvey’s talk show went viral. In it, he overtalks and chastises Mo’Nique for the way she has spoken out about being disrespected and blacklisted in the...
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A Wrinkle in Time’s Representation is Just as Important as Black Panther
Like most movies for and about women, “Wrinkle” is being dismissed as not as relevant or important as one that is being marketed to the masculine cinematic gaze. “A Wrinkle in Time” is a classic science fiction fantasy novel that has graced the hands of children for decades. The new movie, directed by Ava DuVernay,...
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‘A Wrinkle In Time’ is a Game Changer for the Film Industry
With the release of “A Wrinkle In Time”, young Black girls will get to see someone that looks like them be a hero. This year, a Black girl will get to save the world in the science fantasy film “A Wrinkle In Time”. The movie is a landmark achievement for inclusive science fiction and fantasy...
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Oprah For President?
Oprah’s speech obviously made a huge impression and once again a Black woman is being called upon to save us from white recklessness/racism. Oprah Winfrey’s Golden Globes award-acceptance speech ignited a fiery debate on social media, as people speculated over whether or not she should run for President. Discussions ranged from complete adoration and reckless...
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We’re Not Shocked That The Golden Globes Lacked in Representation
While the majority of the nominees and winners reflected a very white ideal within the entertainment industry, there were some powerful wins. By Thelma Rose The 75th Golden Globes saw women taking representation and resources for non-men into their own hands with, #TIMESUP, an organization and initiative aimed at providing resources for victims of harassment...
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Queen Sugar and the Complexity of Desire in the Face of Black Survival
In the 12th episode of the new and acclaimed series Queen Sugar, Nova’s love life takes an interesting turn as she is garnering more attention and notoriety for her activism work in ending antiblackness, abolitionism and freeing Too Sweet (a character loosely based on Kalief Browder). Nova, played by Rutina Wesley, started the season off dating...
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Lil’ Wayne, “New Black” Philosophy and The Complexity of Racial Identity
There is unfinished business in Black America, which the nuisance of “New Blacks” is making clear. That this unfinished business has the face of Lil’ Wayne attached to it only means we can’t hide from it. Carolina Panther Cam Newton and rapper Lil’ Wayne have put the character of the “New Blacks” back in the news...