Black-Ass Cozy Season
All the warm and fuzzies.
Welcome to This Black-Ass Life! This week, there’s a crisp chill in the air as we invite you to put on your finest cable knit sweater, sip from your favorite cup of tea, and join us in the pleasure of the things that make us feel all warm and cozy.
l. The Facts
No Colbie Caillat but we want to talk about the things that make us feel so warm and cozy. Those moments in our Black-ass lives that give us that feeling that starts in our toes and makes us wrinkle our noses. They just make you smile, you know?
For many Black women across diaspora, fall means the start of holiday seasons and typically lots of women in the kitchen preparing meals for those celebrations. Gender nonsense aside, how lovely is it to just shoot the shit in the kitchen while tearing and cleaning greens together?
The acute joy you experience when you show up to a Black movie as a Black-ass person and the theater is full of Black-ass people? When we saw Girls Trip, people were making Essence Fest plans in the aisles. There was not a silent moment as people cracked up and screamed to Get Out and The Blackening. And shout out to the school group of girls whom I (Jumoke) got to witness watch Hidden Figures. Also you just had to BE THERE in theaters to witness Kimberly Elise “get grandma” and Regina King enact shower-themed revenge in Almost Christmas and This Christmas.
It’s also not fall if we don’t talk about stew. We love a hearty, filling, stick to your ribs stew - especially one made with love. You’re truly warmed from the inside out.
Are there many things more heartwarming than Black-ass people enjoying their stoop and chatting with other Black-ass folks as they walk by? There is one lovely woman in my (Mitu’s) neighborhood who always checks in on me, my family, and my dog, and I get to do the same with her. Our whole relationship is stoop chats!
Speaking of our elders, the warmest fuzziest feels to especially older Black folks who coordinate outfits with their loved ones. What a beautiful establishment of belonging. To quote the late great John Witherspoon, you got to coordinate.
Perhaps the warmest, fuzziest feeling of them all is Random Acts of Sisterhood. Black women, how many of us have been stopped in our tracks on the sidewalk by another Black woman complimenting our hair, skin, or fit? The single most powerful affirmation that can change the course of your day! How many of us make it a habit to do this for others? We must! An “ok hair!” “ok skin!” “come on, fit!” can truly brighten a day!
Why does it matter?
It’s about to be fall which means we get to be more sentimental and cozy and “girl who is ‘going to be okay’” about ourselves. Let’s revel in all things that bring joy and warmth.
What can my Black ass do?
Few things bring us all the warm fuzzies like the joyful rapport of the ladies of Living Single (available on Hulu and Disney+) and 227 (available on Tubi). Watch those!
We love a cozy mystery. We recommend Toni Braxton’s Fallen Angels Murder Club series and Jackée Harry’s As Luck Would Have It on Lifetime.
You can also check out these Black cozy mystery books.
Have a hearty stew!
II. Other Things
Black-ass happenings.
RIP to James Earl Jones, a legend and hottie.
RIP to Rich Homie Quan and Fatman Scoop.
On the risk of rising sea levels to Gullah Geechee Culture.
Tia Mowry has a reality tv show coming very soon.
This person is performing a public service for those hoping to twerk sumn a little better.
Veneers seem very costly!
Our Black-Ass song(s) of the week (Mitu):
Please enjoy Doechii’s whole mixtape, Alligator Bites Never Heal; here is Denial Is A River.
Things we look forward to / Things we recommend:
I (Jumoke) look forward to hiking weather!
I (Mitu) look forward to fun in the sun this week on vacation!
lll. Sermon from a Black-Ass Baby
This precious baby has a message for you! Pay attention, or else!
Stay Black, have a snack, and take a nap today.