America Is America Again
Welcome to This Black-Ass Life! America has been America’ing at full force, panny and all, so we want to talk about it. Also, we share anti-capitalist readings, mental health resources and a couple movie/show recs.
I. The Facts
In so many ways, America is working triple time toward what it was always has been and always has meant to be, a safe-haven for white cis men with money, underpinned by the rest of us. Bodily autonomy, education access, not slave labor and many of the “rights” we thought were previously secured are being eroded at a dizzying speed.
Abortion— Just like enslaved Black women did not control their bodies in pre civil-war America, we are most likely in the last days of Roe v. Wade and it’s devastating. That we were always going to be in this place should have been clearer to us, given Republican lawmaker’s hatred of people who birth children:
“I think even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that it is something that God intended to happen.” - Former Indiana Treasurer Richard Mourdock
"I think the right approach is to accept this horribly created — in the sense of rape — but nevertheless a gift in a very broken way, the gift of human life, and accept what God has given to you… rape victims should make the best of a bad situation."- Former Republican PA Senator and current pundit Rick Santorum
"Rape is kinda like the weather. If it's inevitable, relax and enjoy it.” - Texas Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Clayton Williams
"If a woman has (the right to abortion), why shouldn't a man be free to use his superior strength to force himself on a woman? At least the rapist's pursuit of sexual freedom doesn't (in most cases) result in anyone's death." - Maine Republican state rep Lawrence Lockman
Work — We wrote about work in the last newsletter and guess what, things are still terrible. You thought dismantling collective bargaining was the only game plan? Naaahh. Just this week, a judge literally told workers they couldn’t take better paying jobs because their old employers said so. It’s not slavery, but indentured servitude/serfdom isn’t too far of. Is it 2022 or 1822?
School — Because America hates children and teachers and really an educated populace, states are literally just letting any ol’ body teach. The ghetto! We are pretty sure even pioneer teachers needed to be accredited.
The war on Critical Race Theory, also known as “get those nigg*s out of my white face and my white history,” is white people putting their heads in the sand about this country’s treatment of the enslaved Africans who built it and the continued degradation of their descendants. 1953, is that you? People are literally winning governorships to perpetuate white supremacy.
Why does it matter?
It matters because labor is becoming serfdom, people can’t access necessary medical care and Black babies are watching book bonfires at schools where they lack necessary protection.
Conservatives gets abortions and know people who get abortions, whites are exploited by capitalism just like everyone else and no angry white parent actually knows what they’re arguing re: critical race theory. These are all theoretical spaces to fight and reclaim any lost ground to capitalism and white supremacy. It’s just a game to them.
What can my Black ass do?
Remind yourself this is all a mess and 8.5x11s are really this wack, and don’t let them fool you into thinking any of this is ok.
Check out this reading list by Black anti-capitalists.
Find rest and restoration through text and guided meditation from The Nap Bishop.
II. Other Things
Black-ass news
Love to Regina King. Here is a list of mental health resources specifically for Black people.
Naomi Campbell’s tribute to the great André Leon Talley.
Please check out this interview with Tyler James Williams on his role in Abbott Elementary then immediately watch (or rewatch) the show.
A Girls Trip sequel is coming.
Did you know you don’t need to be weighed at your check-ins?
I (Mitu) am an adult who LOVES the cartoon show, Craig of the Creek. Creek Hive, we have a season 5 AND a spinoff for the real star of the show, little sister Jessica!
Our Black-Ass song(s) of the week (Mitu):
This week/year/etc has been a lot; Jazmine Sullivan’s Tiny Desk Concert is a comfort go-to for me.
Things we look forward to / don’t look forward to:
I (Jumoke) am looking forward to watching Amber Riley and Raven Godwin make Lifetime magic.
I (Mitu) just got a mandolin to make a lil cucumber salad and now I absolutely cannot wait to slice EVERYTHING (safely).
lll. Text from a Black-Ass Parent
My (Jumoke’s) mama has been a nurse for 35+ years. She quit in 2020 and retired early because American nurses are going through it. I sent her a documentary on the mass exodus of nurses from the profession and this was her response. We have to do better for care workers.
Stay Black, thrive and put you first! We'll hit your inbox next on February 7.