Our Black Asses Apologize, Milli Vanilli!
Welcome to This Black-Ass Life! This week, we want to start with an apology to you for being a week late and keep the apologies going to talk about people in culture who are owed a Black-ass apology. We also do sports now!
I. The Facts
As very big fans of OG You’re Wrong About, we want to talk about Black-ass people maligned in culture and the very big apologies they’re owed. Here is a non exhaustive list of people who deserved better than they got:
Anita Hill was viewed as a traitor for calling out abuse in her workplace. Though we must call attention to the women who supported her, especially the “African American Women in Defense of Ourselves.”
Jeremiah Wright preached against U.S. violence, imperialism, prison systems, and more, and he was dropped and denounced by then candidate Barack Obama faster than you can say “Barack Obama!” As of 2015, he’s still mad about it.
Janet Hubert was publicly ridiculed and driven to the point of not being able to support her family because she was perceived as a threat by a powerful and self-admittedly egotistical young actor. Following some soul searching decades later, he apologized.
The duo of Milli Vanilli were both young and broke when they received a contract they did not realize required lip syncing. They were publicly ridiculed and maligned, and per music critic Hanif Abdurraqib, their mostly white audience felt betrayed.
Y’all need to watch the documentary, “Call Me Miss Cleo” which shares about the power structures and money made around the grift that was the psychic hotline. We’re not saying she wasn’t in on it but she was absolutely not alone on the scam. She became a national mockery and barely made ends meet with the money she made through the network.
Mo’Nique’s likability should have never been a factor when she called out Netflix and its pay issues. Is she problematic? Sure. But where are actors and writers right now? On the picket line calling out greedy practices by streamers and production companies.
Let’s talk about people like hero Charles Ramsey who saved three presumed dead women, Sweet Brown who barely escaped a fire, and Antoine Dodson who saved his younger sister from an intruder. These folks experienced some of these worst moments of their lives, and people made jokes of their lives and they still exist today as “fun” clips and gifs akin to digital blackface.
Why does it matter?
As evidenced above, there is a tendency to react swiftly and dismissively when it comes to Black people, especially those who hold multiple oppressed identities, when they try to call something out or even, (gasp!), make a mistake.
What if we lived in a world where we trusted Meg Thee Stallion and the overwhelming evidence that she is a survivor of gun violence? What if we lived in a world where Black girls like Simone Biles, Sha'Carri Richardson, or Naomi Osaka can step away from work for their mental health without ridicule? What if we lived in a world where we believe people the first time when they share who they are and how they should be affirmed? This world might be a much nicer place to exist!
What can my Black ass do?
Compassion! Empathy! Care! Even taking a breath and thinking about the “why” before joining a group ridicule of someone. You’ll never regret the pause, we promise!
Here's a graph!
II. Other Things
Black-ass happenings
We’re sports people now who do sports. The 4x100 Women’s Relay was exhilarating. We cried when Sha’Carri gave her medal to her mama. Simone Biles achieved a “record-smashing eighth national championship.” And go, Coco Gauff!
You must join us in the topsy turvy world of BS High.
Please watch this video when the stars of Living Single and Tisha Campbell (for Martin) were all nominated for an award.
On Nzingha, the hip hop’s original architect of makeup.
Kelis on twenty years of Milkshake.
Chlöe’s Tiny Desk is here.
Our Black-Ass song(s) of the week (Mitu):
When I type the letter “V” in my browser, it automatically takes me to Victoria Monét’s perfect music video for “On My Mama.”
Things we look forward to:
I (Jumoke) look forward to the return of RHOSLC and Mary-Ann Cosby!
I (Mitu) look forward to the RHOA reunion. I have not watched the show in several years but the reunion clips look SPICY!
lll. Party Invite from a Black-Ass Baby
All the hottest parties are *exclusive*. Sorry, dad!
Stay Black, have a snack, and take a nap today. We'll hit your inbox next on September 12!