The Boondocks vs. Tyler Perry: Critiquing What You Don’t Understand

People are upset about the Boondocks’ characterization of Tyler Perry and his work. In a recent episode of The Boondocks, called “Pause,” Aaron McGruder and his writers attacked Tyler Perry personally…

The Problems with AAVE

For my Modern Grammar class I had to look up three sources that have something to do with the history of the English language or some relevant cultural phenomenon related the development of English. In my quest, I came across an article by Jack Sidnell about African American Vernacular…

Today’s Readers and Samuel Johnson’s A Dictionary of the English Language

Writers and readers on all levels rely on dictionaries to aide with diction and comprehension. Dictionaries, most commonly regarded as reference materials and instructional tools, are commonplace in…

Beyonce is Shakespeare

So… some time last week I tweeted:

No… I have not lost my mind.

I was reading random things about her new album and it occurred to me that I am not looking forward to it. Like… No plans to listen… no download plans… Her single, “Run the…

Gentrification and The Plan of Nashville

My dictionary.com app (#teamiphone #folife) defines “gentrification” as “the buying and renovation of houses and stores in deteriorated urban neighborhoods by upper- or middle-income families or individuals, thus improving property values but often displacing…

OJ Killed Tupac

My big little brother took the test for his learner’s permit. Yes, Daryl wants to drive. It’s freaking me out. I remember when he was born. He consumed my life for a while. He slept in my room, I fed him, I changed his diapers. For a while, I was the only one who could make him laugh. He was my…

*Updated* While We’re Talking about Beyonce…

Back when I realized that I couldn’t call myself a Beyonce fan anymore, I got all nervous that somehow I was losing apart of myself (or some crazy quarter-life crisis bull) and I decided to immerse myself in Beyonce to find out what happened (similar…

Black Exploitation Television

I have been boycotting BET since my second year in college. I used to enjoy it a lot. I liked watching videos. I also loved BET News and BET Tonight and Teen Summit. Teen Summit went off the air some time in high school and the other shows just kind of faded. They were…

A Note About Nicole Be Thinking

I started a blog when I graduated from high school. I was done with one major chapter of life. I was…