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Showing posts from April, 2025

Sinners is Wild, Brilliant, and Unapologetically Black – Here’s Why You Have to See It

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A Cinematic Experience Like No Other Just yesterday, I went to see Sinners starring Michael B. Jordan, and let me tell you—it was a thrilling experience I did not see coming. Imagine if Django met Blade, with a splash of The Color Purple, some supernatural spice, and a whole lot of bold storytelling. It’s a film full of vampires, segregation, rebellion, passion, and music—and somehow, it all works. Let me break down what made this movie one of the best I’ve seen in a long time. Michael B. Jordan… TIMES TWO One of the most jaw-dropping parts of the movie? Michael B. Jordan plays twins—Smoke and Stack. And not just any twins—these are fully fleshed out, emotionally complex characters that you fall in love with for different reasons. It’s a showcase of his acting talent and range. Each twin carries his own story, trauma, and love life—but together, they form the heartbeat of the film. Critics are calling his performance an “acting masterclass” for a reason. His ability to create two disti...

Navigating Racial Identity as a Liberian-American: My Journey of Self-Discovery

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Introduction: The Complexity of Racial Identity Racial identity shapes how we see ourselves and interact with the world. For Black individuals, identity development is often shaped by cultural upbringing, lived experiences, and societal expectations. As a Liberian-born American , my racial identity has been influenced by both African and African American experiences , leading to moments of cultural pride, internal conflict, and self-discovery. To explore my racial identity development, I will use Cross’s Nigrescence Model , which outlines the stages of Black identity formation. Additionally, I will reference Poston’s Biracial Identity Development Model to examine how I have navigated my African and African American identities. While Helms’s White Racial Identity Development Model focuses on White individuals, it provides insight into how racial identity is understood across different groups. This blog post will explore my personal journey, examining race, identity, and self-acceptanc...

Yandy Smith: Standing by Her Man or Just Saving Face?

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The Love & Hip Hop Cheating Scandal How far would you go to protect your partner even if they were cheating on you? Recently on Love & Hip Hop, Yandy Smith, wife of Mendeecees Harris, found herself in the middle of a heated controversy. The drama unfolded when Jessica White confronted Yandy, claiming that her cousin’s niece received inappropriate messages from Mendeecees. This would, of course, be considered cheating , as Mendeecees is a married man. Yandy, seemingly caught off guard, initially had a moment of silence before claiming that she was actually the one in the messages— pretending to be Mendeecees. Many viewers found this response suspicious , believing Yandy was covering for her husband. She even went as far as apologizing to him for using his account, which only fueled speculation that she was lying to protect him. Yandy’s History of Relationship Controversy This scandal isn’t the first time Yandy’s relationship has come under scrutiny. Allegations have long circul...

Betrayed by Friends: The Shocking Truth Behind a Broken Friendship

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Friendship is supposed to be built on trust, loyalty, and respect. But what happens when the very people you trust most betray you in the worst way possible? What happens when a close friend someone you once thought you knew becomes the person who hurts you the most? This is the story of how my world was turned upside down, how I learned painful truths about people I thought I could trust, and how that betrayal changed everything. The Friendship That Seemed Too Good to Be True Cindy and I had a strong friendship . We bonded over a love for music she was a rising star everyone knew and admired. I admired her talent, and over time, she became a close friend. We laughed together, ate together, and spent countless hours chatting and supporting each other. But looking back, I realize there were signs I ignored. Cindy had a complicated past—one that involved toxic relationships. She got involved with an abusive alcoholic and drug addict, a pattern that repeated itself in her life. She didn’...

Navigating Self-Doubt, Dreams, and My Journey in Social Work

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How’s everyone doing today? I had my internship interview with Hennepin County , and honestly, I’ve been on edge all day. While I was excited about it, my PMDD ( premenstrual dysphoric disorder ) made me feel incredibly anxious. I know this opportunity is a big step for me, so missing it was not an option. My anxiety fluctuated throughout the day, but I pushed through and got it done. Now, I find myself battling self-doub t was it my PMDD clouding my thoughts, or did I genuinely not perform well? It’s tough to tell, but I’m trying to stay positive and focus on my long-term goal: entering the Social Work field. Right now, I’m drawn to the reunification process in Child Protection, but I can’t help but wonder am I reaching too high? Or do I just believe I can achieve anything, and that’s okay? The Dreams I Once Had I’ve never really shared this before, but growing up, I wanted to be a big-time singer . I spent my childhood writing songs, dreaming of success in music. Even now, I wond...

Why Do Black Men Hate Black Women?

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As a Black mother raising a beautiful Black girl, I often think about the world she will grow up in. I want her to grow into a strong, confident, and successful Black woman, but I also know the harsh reality she may face. The hatred and mistreatment of Black women don’t just come from outside our community it often starts from within. It’s heartbreaking because the very men who should love, honor, and protect us Black men are sometimes the ones who hurt us the most. I remember a time when my daughter, Kamela, came home from school in tears. She had always gravitated toward some Mexican girls in her class, and I thought it was sweet how they would call her name ‘Kameela’—a mispronunciation of her unique name that I would laugh at, thinking it was cute. She wore her hair in braids, a style that helped keep it out of her face since she played sports and I never wanted her to have to keep adjusting it during the day. But one day, she came home upset. The boys in her class, the Black boys, ...

Who’s Getting All My Residuals?

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Hey everybody, how are you doing? How are you feeling? Have you ever really stopped and thought about the most giving relationship you’ve ever been in? The one where you gave so much—your heart , your emotions , your time —and you put in more effort than you ever expected to? Maybe you were happy to do it. But when the relationship ended, you had to ask yourself: Who’s getting all the love? Who’s getting all of the residuals ? I first heard Chris Brown’s song Residuals today, and it made me reflect on the emotional “ leftovers ” of a relationship—the feelings, the time, the energy you pour into someone, only for them to walk away with all the benefits . The term residuals refers to the aftermath of everything you invested, lingering in the air long after the relationship is over. And now, someone else might be enjoying the rewards of what you gave. The Cost of Love and Time We all know relationships take work. At the time, it doesn’t feel like work because we’re giving out of love ...