A Black-Ass Sunday Celebration
Welcome to the 96th installment of This Black-Ass Life! This week, we want to talk about the things we celebrated yesterday in case you want to join us - like good food and Bill Withers. We hope you have a beautiful start to your week, friends!
Don’t forget: We've managed to grow this list thanks to y'all forwarding to friends so please keep it up! Forward this link to subscribe to five friends. And send us topics you'd like to see covered, texts from your Black-ass people and any Black-ass anything from around the world and web.
I. The Facts
How we spent yesterday.
We celebrated the life of one Bill Withers who was born July 4, 1938 by enjoying his music and reading this beautiful Rolling Stones profile.
Another great to honor, Barry White who passed away on July 4, 2003 and was my (Mitu’s) absolute favorite singer as a child. Here’s a playlist you can jam to.
If you went to a cookout, we hope you had a safe, fun time with lots of delicious food. Read this newsletter on shared foods across the diaspora.
We bowed and continue to bow to this queen and Internet legend. Know her.
Why does it matter?
One America got free on July 4, the vast majority of us are still waiting for said freedom.
What can my Black ass do?
Listen to the very funny, very informative podcast Scam Goddess in honor of host Laci Mosley’s birthday.
An annual July 5 read from Frederick Douglass: “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?”
ll. Other Things
All love to Black women.
We are with you, Sha’Carri Richardson. We are with you, Brianna McNeal. We are with you, Christine Mboma and Beatrice Masilingi. We are with you, Gwen Berry. We are still with you, Caster Semenya, Francine Niyonsaba and Margaret Wambui.
We need y’all to respect pronouns as hard as Lizzo respects Demi’s pronouns. Correct people with your whole chests and do it immediately.
Check out the trailer and then watch Mary J Blige’s My Life documentary.
We will never know upper arm strength like Simone Biles. Here she is DUSTING her NFL boo in a ropes competition.
Check out Love 518 and Deeper Than Hair TV, two YouTube channels that feature hairdressers who lovingly and thoughtfully care for Black hair, especially neglected Black hair. The most soothing, healing watch experience.
On Tabitha and Wendy:
Our Black-Ass song(s) of the week (Mitu):
Shout out to Amorphous’s dedication to reclaiming House as Black-Ass music; enjoy ”Finally (Cannot Hide It)” featuring THE CeCe Peniston and THE Kelly Rowland.
Things we are looking forward to / things we are not looking forward to:
I (Jumoke) look forward to Jasmine Guillory’s new book!
I (Mitu) do not look forward to more heat. The sun is up 1,000 to 1 on me!
lll. Shout out to a Black-Ass Roller Skater
How soothing is this video, y’all?
Stay Black, thrive and love on your Black-selves! We'll hit your inbox next on July 19