Melanin Unity

If you have somehow missed the entire Kaepernick fiasco then let me fill you in – NFL Quarterback for the 49ers, Colin Kaepernick decided to not participate in reciting the national anthem at a recent game. When questioned for his actions he openly discussed how for the past few months he has wanted to speak out against police brutality and the oppression of people of color. Kaepernick's explanation for his refusal to stand for National Anthem. from:  here   As you can imagine, this drove some people off of the walls. For the past few days, Twitter, as well as other news outlets have been in a frenzy discussing…and arguing about whether what I he did was right. The argument that many people used against Kaepernick was that him refusing to stand for the anthem was in some way a slap in the face to those who have served in our military. Well, of course twitter had to set that straight! “#VeteransForKaepernick” was trending late night on August 31 st . Many tweets highli...

If you're from the suburbs and reached out to local workshops or camps for art, chances are, you’ve encountered Weird White People.  From my own experiences, these spaces can be intimidating and lonely, more so than any other space where I'm the only person of color. I know the feeling of anxious excitement all too well: obsessing over the new skills I hope to learn, imagining the cool people who may be there, rehearsing conversations filled with references only true art hoes would know. But, that soaring optimism loses a wing and hurdles towards Earth when my eyes are greeted by WWP  ( Weird White People )  who identify as wolves and plants. T hey’re magnetized to the same creative spaces I go to for guidance on my craft and it's disappointing, but very manageable at this point. If after striking up conversation no connection with WWP can be sensed in your near future,  here are 10 tips to help you stay on your creative grind when there's no brothas or sistas i...

So, somehow, I’m sick of Donald Trump... Astonishing, right? I’m tired of all the noise that his hate creates and the people who amplify it: the Twitter posts, the news outlets, seeing posters in support of him, and the oblivious people who don’t see what all the ruckus is about. Well, I’d gladly tell them: It’s about greed, power and hate. If something slightly humiliating happens to someone, I’m the kind of person who feels second-hand embarrassment in the depths of my soul. Therefore, in the context of Donald Trump having an inkling of an idea to start a campaign, run the campaign, gain hundreds of thousands of followers, succeed in running, and potentially become the Republican nominee; I feel second-hand embarrassment for America in more than the depths of my soul. I feel it in my skin cells, the very fiber of my being, but mostly my head (which is why Advil is the GOAT). I’m embarrassed for how trivial and simple America looks to seriously consider a man, so profound in h...