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Founder at Extraordinary Ideas. Senior Editor at The Root.
Columnist, consultant, and friendly neighborhood NDA signee everywhere else.

Inquiries: deathtoadverbs@gmail.com

The Emancipator

For Black male voters, apologies are in order, and some respect would be nice too

Each of these aspersions is used to justify the infantilization of Black men. While Black boys are perceived as menacing adults, their adult counterparts are treated the opposite by politicians and society at large. The very concept of White fragility requires a certain level of paternalism, leaving Black men to endure a reality in which we’re treated like pets instead of peers. As long as our views align with their goals, we get scratched behind our ears. But should we dare deviate from the script and imperil their delicate savior complex, suddenly we’re “pussy,” “ain’t Black” — as Biden once famously declared — or worse.
The Emancipator

Colman Domingo on ‘Sing Sing,’ and using art as a catalyst for racial healing

“We’re able to see these incarcerated men as human beings and not just a statistic,” he said. “It’s not a prison film at all. It’s a film about human beings that are incarcerated. They’re doing the work of healing inside with this Rehabilitation Through the Arts program. We see that as necessary to ensure they’re healthy and doing some real work to eventually [return to their] communities again and help heal those they may have harmed.”
The Root

‘I Don’t Like To Be Comfortable’: After Conquering Music, Anderson .Paak Has NxWorries

What do you give the man who has everything?

From Grammy Awards to an elusive Dr. Dre co-sign to an extremely lucrative Las Vegas residency, Anderson .Paak—born Brandon Paak Anderson—seemingly has it all. But when you have a limitless well of gifts to draw from, it’s abundantly clear that the Oxnard, Calif., native has barely scratched the surface of his potential. So why not “Leave the Door Open” for it?
The Root

On the Record: Russell Simmons Finally Faces the Music, But He Shouldn't Be the Only One Listening

My hope is that On the Record wakes our community up, but more specifically, that it inspires black men to assess our roles as active participants in the destruction of black women. To reflect on our mistakes, hold ourselves accountable and challenge each other to elevate our queens instead of constantly tearing them down or remaining indifferent to their plight. To that end, it’s equally important that we emerge from the shadows and provide the same unwavering public support that we’ve received throughout our lives as though it’s our birthright.
The Root

Peacock's Bel-Air Is the Game Changer Black Hollywood Deserves

Let’s get this out the way now: 'Bel-Air' is not 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air'; nor does it aspire to be. To reinforce that distinction, Peacock bills its audacious reboot as a “contemporary dramatic reimagining of the beloved and culture-defining 90s sitcom”—and that description couldn’t be more accurate. While the show’s original incarnation chronicled Will’s collision course with Black opulence through the lens of boundless hijinks and hilarity, Bel-Air is decidedly much darker; firmly entrenched in the conflicts and emotions of our modern world while still honoring the spirit and innovation of its predecessor. So while you won’t see Carlton Banks embarrassing our ancestors to Tom Jones, you will see him still grapple with his identity and explore what it means to be Black through the prism of white kids who “don’t see color.”
The Root

Review: With jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy, Directors Coodie and Chike Take Us Inside the Mind of a Tortured Genius

This three-part documentary does a masterful job of contextualizing Kanye’s indelible impact on pop culture, while adding a new dimension to the uncharted layers of his enigmatic lore. However, it’s up to you to decide—in light of his increasingly disturbing behavior in recent years—if this foray into undeniable genius is too little, too late to salvage what’s left of the Grammy Award-winning artist’s legacy.
The Root

In Its Efforts to Make Itself a More Inclusive Sport, NASCAR Has Failed Already

When we say this among ourselves, the implication is understood. But since we now live in a world rife with brand spanking new “allies,” that phrase likely requires an explanation.

Racism is exhausting, which, in turn, means white people are inherently exhausting too. Every single day of our lives, we’re either exposed to racism, recovering from it or suffering from the paranoia and anxiety of waiting for it to inevitably resurface.
The Root

Candace Parker's New Footwear and Apparel Collection Is the Latest Milestone in Her Already Legendary Career

Candace Parker has a lot on her plate.

Aside from her day-to-day duties as a six-time WNBA All-Star (who just so happened to be named one of the greatest players in the history of her sport), she’s also a devoted mother to her daughter Lailaa, she recently became the first woman to grace the cover of the popular NBA 2K video game series, and she lends her insight and commentary as a studio analyst to TNT’s Emmy award-winning NBA coverage—all while breaking the internet in the process.
The Root

The WNBA Is Giving a Masterclass on How Not to Treat Professional Athletes

Prior to COVID-19 ruining everyone’s lives, attendance was abysmal—the WNBA had it’s lowest attendance in league history in 2018 and drew even smaller crowds in 2019—and the league has long been criticized for its meager wages (that require even its superstars to play overseas during the offseason), embarrassing accommodations and a host of other issues not befitting of some of the most talented and influential athletes in the entire world.
The Root

In the Fight for Black and Brown Lives, the Obama Foundation's My Brother's Keeper Alliance Has Answered the Call

In the immediate aftermath of the officer-related death of George Floyd, countless corporations openly pledged to address racism within their workplaces and poured resources into supporting social justice initiatives throughout the country. And while those ongoing efforts have thus far yielded mixed results, there are also organizations that have faithfully been doing the work long before it became en vogue.
The Root

Paul Pierce Is a Hater

Never in the history of the NBA have we seen a player with Karl Malone’s size, Michael Jordan’s athleticism and explosiveness, Kobe’s guile and Magic Johnson’s otherworldly passing ability all crammed into the same DNA strand. This nigga is a literal cheat code who Skynet sent from the future to destroy the hopes and dreams of opposing teams and NBA coaches. I hate his ass for a reason and apparently, so does Paul Pierce. The difference is only one of us will openly admit it.
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