A set of twin boys brought my life double trouble in the 4th grade. They had skin like rich soil and thick bellies that jiggled when they laughed at me. I met them at the bus stop on the first day of school. I suppose they chose me because I looked 7 when I was 10,Continue reading “Jonathan Martin and the Loud Silence of Bullying”
Category Archives: race & culture
My Secret Reason for Avoiding Beauty Salons
Black people have long respected the sacred spaces of beauty salons and barber shops as locations of empowerment and freedom. We don’t go just to get our hair “did”; we go to get our life right and to testify when it, like our hair, is perfectly laid. We trust our beautician to talk us offContinue reading “My Secret Reason for Avoiding Beauty Salons”
Olivia Pope Needs “Girlfriends”
Like I promised before the start of the season, I have been watching Scandal in a valiant effort to become a Gladiator. The conversion isn’t really happening. I mostly enjoy reading tweets about the show and commenting on the flavor of Harrison’s gingham shirt (last night’s was purple Popsicle. yum.). I have yet to truly love theContinue reading “Olivia Pope Needs “Girlfriends””
5 Reasons Financial Independence is Overrated
Ten years ago, when I teetered on the precipice of my college graduation, all I could dream about was financial independence. I was more frugal than footloose-and-fancy-free and had spent all four years of undergrad in my parents’ house. That’s right. All. Four. Years. Being underneath their thumb certainly kept me out of trouble. ButContinue reading “5 Reasons Financial Independence is Overrated”
Why I Did Not Want to See “12 Years a Slave”
I will be honest and admit that I did not want to see 12 Years a Slave. Oh, sure, no one forced me to buy tickets, but I still wasn’t enthused. Not in the conventional sense, where I am brimming with excitement over seeing my favorite actor/actresses leave it all on the screen, wondering where the plot willContinue reading “Why I Did Not Want to See “12 Years a Slave””
dara t. mathis 