Author Archives: d. tafakari

On Southern Heritage and Reclaiming Alabama

From inside the house, I peer through the mini-blinds at my great-uncles. The folds in their leathery faces do not betray their ages as much as their salt and pepper hair does; black don’t crack, after all. These men survived George Wallace and so they are to be respected. We are in Houston for myContinue reading “On Southern Heritage and Reclaiming Alabama”

Birthdays Was the Worst Days…

Yesterday, to paraphrase Ice Cube, was a good day. My post on why R&B is pulling a Sleeping Beauty act was picked for a Freshly Pressed spotlight. (If you stumbled upon my humble little blog due to my WordPress mention, welcome!) I’ve had a great time interacting with people commenting as passionately as me aboutContinue reading “Birthdays Was the Worst Days…”

Derailing Techniques and My Final Thoughts on Scientific American’s Public Statement

I was hoping for a chance to reblog this. I was more than a little hot after learning about DNLee’s experience. Not only is the idea reprehensible that people should be “grateful” for foregoing financial compensation for work; but it is also layered with racist and sexist implications that a professional would slur a blackContinue reading “Derailing Techniques and My Final Thoughts on Scientific American’s Public Statement”

R&B Isn’t Dead, But It’s Comatose

Watching Good Morning America last week, I saw will.i.am and Kelly Clarkson announce the American Music Award nominees for 2013. I should not have been surprised when head shots of Miguel, Robin Thicke, and Justin Timberlake popped up on the screen. But I was, and I tried to shrug the unnameable disappointment off. R&B/soul is my favoriteContinue reading “R&B Isn’t Dead, But It’s Comatose”