Black Girl Responds to “Straight Black Men Are the White People of Black People”
The two most insulting gibes you, as a Black person, can hurl at another are to talk about "yo mama" or call them White, especially if what you're saying is right. They are guaranteed fighting words in any corner of Black America. The receiver will vehemently lambast the offender to edify…
Being Black: The Death Sentence in America
[caption id="attachment_2314" align="aligncenter" width="533"] Charleena Lyles[/caption] Since October, the police have come to my house no less than ten times. That's alarming because being Black in America can be a crime with a death sentence. They were called anonymously by someone upset that I homeschool my children. (That's an entirely…
Love &/or Marriage: Becoming One and Other “B” Words Part I
Year 1: Becoming One As we sat shoulder to shoulder, I squeezed my groom's thigh until it broke skin while listening to the toast of my father at our wedding reception. There we were adorned in all of our ceremonial regalia, blissfully in love, and overflowing with gratitude for the near-completion…
The Myth of “Happily Ever After”
"Happily ever after" is a myth. I mean what happened to Cinderella after that Prince found her shoe and took her to the castle. We ain’t heard from her since. Why? 'Cause in fairytales the story ends after the Prince and Princess find each other. Marriage is not a fairytale.…
I Married the Wrong Person…the First Time
Did that get your attention? Last year, I read this New York Times opinion article entitled, "Why You Will Marry the Wrong Person." Typically, I pass by these op-eds because as a person who loves being married, I detest the gloom and doom rhetoric often spewed about marriage. But, for some…
Adele, Beyoncé & I Don’t Always Love Motherhood and That’s OK
Motherhood was a surprising topic on the stage at the 59th Grammys last night. While many members of the Beyhive are ready to sting because they feel Queen B was robbed during last night's awards by Adele, most were assuaged by Adele's heartfelt acceptance speeches for "Song of the Year" and "Album…
It’s Not African-American History Month
It's one of my favorite times of the year! February 1st marks the beginning of Black History Month, (not to be confused with African-American History Month.) It's a time, similar to Kwanzaa, for Black people to celebrate our history and culture and reflect on the state of where we are…
10 Ways to Cope With a Loss of Hope During the Inauguration
Today, America will watch the inauguration of its 45th president. It will stand as one of the most profound images of White male privilege in modern history. The most unqualified and unlikely candidate will stand victorious to assume a role even he was surprised to gain. In what could've been…
Inaugural Sandy Speaks Day
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Black August
Imagine if Black America set aside a period of time to reflect on and learn of its history, honor and mourn those we've lost violently and unjustly, like Mike Brown, and work to end mass incarceration and liberate those unjustly imprisoned. If observed with reverence rather than celebration, that could…