Black Mama Blues: Gorillas In Our Midst

New Year’s Day around 10pm I went to walk the dogs of a friend. I drove my friend’s truck, and Asa drove his own car. After a few minutes of getting the dogs adjusted to us, we walk them in the…

Though I thank the gentlemen in the various “pull-up your pants” challenge videos for their attempts to have a positive influence on our lost boys, I can't completely co-sign on the Don Lemon-esque self-hate tirades. Not all who have been brutalized by the police…

My mother was a part of a group of students who attempted to integrate Lees McRae College in 1975. She left — after the threats. She left — after the burning crosses. After the makeshift fire bombs tossed through dorm windows, she left. She left, but she never forgot.

When the verdict came in, I was neither surprised nor dismayed. At first, I felt absolutely nothing. My emotions, I guess, were just deadened.

Dead.

Recently my son was hanging out with some friends on a Friday night. They had walked over to the next neighborhood to play basketball. I sent him a text to say the pizzas had finally arrived. Of course, the boys high-tailed it home. When Asa came in he complained of his knee…