Black-Ass Parenting (of many varieties!)
Welcome to the 102nd installment of This Black-Ass Life! We wanted to talk about heavier topics, and we really tried but we didn’t have it in us. Instead, we present, Black-ass parenting that fills our hearts and makes us laugh. We hope you smile, too.
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
Black people are parenting differently. We love to see it.
Look at this baby demonstrating breathing exercises for his little brother.
Miss Riley negotiates iPad time with her parent.
This mama shows how she helps her son calm down.
This dad’s play-by-play videos celebrating his kids for acting like kids rather than punishing him are a delight.
Why are y’all asking for violence? An exposé of Black children getting on their parent’s nerve.
This daughter pranked her (very fine) dad.
This baby imitates uncle’s missing teeth.
This baby played her father for sticking beside his HP.
Few things are as funny as Black pet parents.
We will never get tired of Black people washing their dog’s face.
I mean, look at this dog who wanted the face washing to continue.
This cat fights his mama every single day.
This dog felt brand new after her hair appointment.
Why does it matter?
Because we’re in desperate need of joy; that’s why.
What can my Black ass do?
Watch videos, laugh.
Find what brings you peace, find what brings you joy. Do it.
ll. Other Things
RIP to Melvin Van Peebles.
RIP to A.J. Johnson.
Chloe x Halle are so lovely together. Here they are performing “Cool People” at Global Citizen Live.
The television drama that was Sunny and Ana being pulled off air LIVE after testing positive for COVID in the MOMENTS before their interview with the VP.
Putting some respeck on JD’s name. The RANGE!
Loved this essay on the defense of the meaty tuck.
Love to Haiti and Haitians
A reminder from Roxane Gay: “Certainly, solutions may take time, but this manufactured border crisis is not new. And the administration has found planes to deport hundreds of Haitian migrants at a time, in no time at all. Time, like borders, is arbitrary.”
A reminder France owes Haiti at least billions and many estimate trillions.
Our Black-Ass song(s) of the week (Mitu):
Lil Nas X covers Jolene.
Things we look forward to / don’t long forward to:
I (Jumoke) look forward to watching Big Brother S.21 from start to finish. My favorite summer pastime as a teen was BB, but I gave up on it because rampant anti-Blackness. But here we are! In the year of our Lord, 2021, and the Black people on BB this season have formed an alliance, “the cookout,” eliminated all the white people, and for the first time in BB history, we are guaranteed a Black winner. Gooooooooooo Blacks!
I (Mitu) look forward to fall; gimme all the orange leaves, crewnecks, spiced teas and Hallmark movies.
lll. Text from a Black-Ass Parent
Jumoke’s family does not trust Trader Joe’s jollof rice mix.
Stay Black, thrive and love on your Black-ass selves! We'll hit your inbox next on October 11.