Interview with Judah Leblang
My recent interview with author and columnist Judah Leblang
John Mayer is tone deaf when it comes to black people
TheGrio
By Talia Whyte
Who would have ever thought John Mayer would be in the middle of a racial maelstrom?
The latest brouhaha revolves around some controversial statements the crooner made in the March issue of Playboy magazine, who reveals his inner thoughts on race and his sexual prowess – or lack thereof.
Specifically, this is what everyone is up in arms about:
“Someone asked me the other day, “What does it feel like now to have a hood pass?” And by the way, it’s sort of a contradiction in terms, because if you really had a hood pass, you could call it a n****r pass. Why are you pulling a punch and calling it a hood pass if you really have a hood pass? But I said, “I can’t really have a hood pass. I’ve never walked into a restaurant, asked for a table and been told, ‘We’re full.'”
He went on to say that his life struggle “is similar to one black dude’s,” and his lack of sexual attraction to black women is due to his “David Duke c**k.”
Read the full article here
Can fried chicken just be fried chicken?
By Talia Whyte
TheGrio
Another case of well-intentioned thinking has gone wrong yet again, with NBC being the latest culprit. The drama began yesterday when The Roots drummer Questlove posted a picture on Twitter of the NBC cafeteria’s “Black History Month” menu, which included white rice with black eyed peas and collard greens. But what everyone is really upset over is the fried chicken.
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Grio100: Mo’Nique, a comedienne with serious talent
By Talia Whyte
Mo’Nique made a career for herself as a brash but smart comedienne, breaking down barriers in the entertainment world for plus-size women of color. But her latest role as Mary Lee Johnston in the highly acclaimed and awarded film Precious has helped her reach Hollywood’s A List.
Funny enough, the Baltimore native was working as a telephone sex operator when she got her first shot at comedy at the Baltimore Comedy Factory Outlet only after her brother Steve dared her to perform. This led to other stand up opportunities and acting roles, including Showtime at the Apollo and Russell Simmons’ Def Comedy Jam.
Read the full article here