Bennett’s Business and other Black-Ass Innovations
Welcome to the 103rd installment of This Black-Ass Life! This week, we invite you to join us in celebrating Black-ass innovation and the many forms that may take.
Don’t forget: We've managed to grow this list thanks to y'all forwarding it 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
A stream of conscious list of things that impress us:
My (Mitu’s) mom’s favorite phrase is, “My name is Bennett and I ain’t in it.” Who knows who this mysterious person of few words was, but they blessed us for generations with this phrase.
To Black people who know how to wrap their silk press (like Jumoke), what is it like to be God’s favorite? P.S. Someone invented a “wrap cap” that wraps your hair for you:
Related to the above: satin pillow cases. The peace of knowing you can sleep however you’d like knowing that pillow case is right there to not dry your hair and skin out.
The air fryer. To our beautiful siblings reading this letter, have you heard the word of air fried salmon? Juicy and succulent yet still crisp to the touch? Bless this adult easy bake oven!
Spices, heat, cuisine! Well seasoned food saves lives.
Humor. Y’all will take the silliest thing and bring REAL humor from it. The Omarion challenge, including the impressions of the audience member who shouted “YES!”?? Hilarious. Here’s Kirk’s take:
Reality television. From the HBIC to the ladies of Potomac, we are so grateful for the way Black people, especially Black women, have MADE reality tv what it is.
Music. All of it!
Makeup. Black people invented putting colors on our faces.
Acrylics. The art people create even though it means they won’t be able to type. BEAUTY!
Minding our Black-ass business. Much like Bennett and our ancestors who came before us, if minding our own were a sport, we’d get gold every time.
Why does it matter?
Instead of praising people who didn’t “discover” anything (ahem, Chris), why not celebrate Black-ass talent?!
What can my Black ass do?
If you eat fish, air fry salmon today. Trust us. Here’s a recipe.
ll. Other Things
Many Black ups and downs.
Shout out to Derecka Purnell.
R. Kelly’s music streams apparently spiked by over 500% and we will never understand the depths of hatred folks have for Black women.
If you are not watching Sex Education, you must rectify that immediately. Get to know the show through this chat between writer Temi Wilkey and actor and performer Dua Saleh.
Tina Turner cashed out, as she deserves.
Love and strength to Jennifer Hough.
A reminder to Dave Chappelle and the many folks who need it that Black Queer and Trans people exist. Full stop.
In the realm of people who make things that actually draw laughs, this TikTok is so funny:
Our Black-Ass song(s) of the week (Jumoke):
My stylist had Toni on loop this weekend. So, so good. Long As I Live.
Things we look forward to / don’t look forward to:
I (Jumoke) look forward to a Fast-&-Furious-athon starting this Sunday! Mitu and I will watch all of the movies in order!
I (Mitu) look forward to more hikes with Jumoke! Y’all, I learned this weekend that she is Dorah the Exporah in Rock Creek Park!
lll. Text from a Black-Ass Parent
My (Mitu’s) mom did not appreciate my frog whimsy when she found this green friend (that she left unharmed) in the backyard.
Stay Black, thrive and learn the difference between poisonous and nonpoisonous frogs! We'll hit your inbox next on October 25.