Channeling Madame Silk Press & Cackling [This Black-Ass Life]
Let’s take a collective breath.
Welcome to This Black-Ass Life! This week, there are a lot of feelings, so we will get back to being serious in the future. Right now, we invite you to join us in taking a little break for things that bring us joy, and we hope will do the same for you.
l. The Facts
A stream-of-consciousness of things that makes us oh so happy.
When I (Jumoke) was little, and my parents would leave me alone to run errands, I would immediately pop the Sister Act 2 tape in and rewind to the last seven minutes over and over and over again, and dance around until I tired myself out. I did it again this weekend, and it was just as joyful as I remembered.
We cannot stop talking about GloRilla’s debut because it is just so perfectly joyful. And then Meg gave us a fantastic record with Megan Act II and THIS VIDEO.
If you do nothing else, watch this perfect baby and her daddy.
A very long and very good read on a Black man who loves his sneaker collection very very much.
We went to a Mystics game this summer and had the best time. We are SPORTS PEOPLE NOW! Also, the WNBA is the just the most exciting.
Denzel in these wearing gold earrings?! We’re SAT for this film.
I (Jumoke) listen to The New Chitlin Circuit every Monday morning as they cover Black Indie films and much more, and my life is infinitely more joyous with the listener homegirls in it.
Very few things have made me (Mitu) laugh quite like this baby trying to understand WHOM was being addressed here.
Why does it matter?
It matters because something has tried to kill us but has failed; won’t you celebrate with us?
What can my Black ass do?
Try a new thing! A few things we have tried the past few months: a candle making class (meh!), a Mystics game (wahoo!), a Spirit game (fantastic!), and a James Baldwin documentary at a film festival (moving!).
Try a cozy thing! Are you Jessica Fletcher hive like we are? Then head to Cabot Cove. Are you a stew person? Probably! Then make or order a hearty meal that warms you from the inside out.
Go to your happy place! My (Jumoke) happy place is having retired Black parents who just sit on their couch, go to the gym, and travel. I love watching old Black people rest.
Do what brings you joy!
II. Other Things
Black-ass happenings.
A sad thing, but also what extraordinary joy Quincy Jones brought to the world. Rest in Power, Quincy. There will never be another.
Lagos Fashion Week happened, and it was gorgeous.
Speaking of fashion, look how pretty these male models are!
Spelman College just renamed their Performing Arts Center in honor of Samuel L. Jackson (Morehouse, ‘72) and LaTanya Richardson Jackson (Spelman, ‘71). We love it, we love it!
Solange seems to have such fun just being creative and cutting up.
Our Black-Ass song(s) of the week (Mitu):
When I need to smile, I put on Stevie; here’s For Once In My Life.
Things we look forward to / Things we recommend:
I (Jumoke) recommend rereading Jasmine Guillory. It got me through 2020, and it’s getting me through this week!
I (Mitu) recommend to anyone who will receive it, the show Diarra from Detroit.
lll. Message from a Black-Ass Parent
I (Jumoke) went to Barcelona and sent my mama a photo of paella, and she said she wouldn't touch it and it’s absolutely not for her! She’s right. Paella is just not that girl, I always want to give her a chance, but it’s just terribly unseasoned. Patatas bravas are cute though.
Stay Black, have a snack, and take a nap today.