BERNIE WORRELL AND THE BEAUTIFUL AFRICAN AESTHETIC

Losing Bernie Worrell to cancer last Thursday is indeed a sad event, but unlike Prince’s departure, we were given a heads-up that Worrell’s earthly end was near. What makes me equally sad is the vast number of people who don’t know who Bernie Worrell was, and his influence on music. Think about Alexander Pushkin’s enormous […]

EXITING THE PIMPS’ HOUSE — AN ALLEGORY

If a pimp with no hos means nothing much more than a broke-azz, fancy dresser in need of a career counselor, how much better off do you think a large house full of pimps will fare? That’s why you shouldn’t be surprised about the house full of pimps in this story who collectively decided to […]

IS TRUMP WITH NO LOOT ANY LESS DANGEROUS?

Presidential hopeful Donald Trump’s reported $1.3 million campaign war chest is making political junkies’ howl with laughter. (Laughing) It’s likely that local politicians who ho’d themselves out to industry groups have about as much campaign cash! A humorous surface view of the story makes you wonder if Trump’s campaign looks like one of those Rap […]

THE BLACK, BROWN & OLIVE TERRORIST CONTINUUM

The recent murders of of Orlando LGBT patrons at The Pulse nightclub and British MP Jo Cox make me recall walking near the Tribeca area of New York City last New Year’s Eve, and observing what appeared to be a religious zealot on Chambers Street screaming at high volumes about giving “Our Souls to Jesus […]

RICHARD SHERMAN IS RIGHT ABOUT GOVERNMENT-SUBSIDIZED SPORTS

I don’t think National Football League team owners and politicians are feeling Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman these days, after he appeared on a sports radio show and suggested a removal of the massive government subsidies used to fund the construction of pro sports facilities. I think Sherman’s statement is bold — considering that his […]

SUNDAY SMACK: TREATMENT OF ORLANDO NIGHTCLUB SHOOTING

This morning, one of NYC’s news radio stations mentioned last night’s tragic Orlando, Florida nightclub mass shooting as follows: We now know the nationality of the gunman in the Orlando gay nightclub shooting — coming up. My Sunday Smack: “Do you have any problem whatsoever with the above statement?” I’d love to understand the reason […]

SUNDAY SMACK: THE DRAFT AND PRESIDENTS

This week’s Sunday Smack covers war, and asks a simple question: If the United States reinstated the military draft, would Americans change the way they vote for presidents? song currently stuck in my head: “girls and boys” – prince

MUHAMMAD ALI THOUGHTS

My meditations of a post-Muhammad Ali America hit on a sad reality that we still have too many White folks — and let’s be sure to include an excessive number of the Black ones as well — who view the words and actions of confident Black folks as “Cocky.” “Too aggressive.” “Arrogant.” Or much worse. […]