It’s one of those days where it’s a decent temperature, the sun is shining — -and I can smell the white supremacy in the air, and no surprise… I’m still black. Still, I was determined to pick myself up by the bootstraps, and give the American people some of that same love they’ve shown me for years minus the last 23 years of course…(I’m 23 by the way).

Even though, I gave it all I got. Yet again, I found myself in the middle of an all out brawl in the Facebook comments section of one of those Tomi Lauren videos. Which is funny, because she’s not racist…I mean she doesn’t even know the difference between the colors at a stoplight…I mean, come on. Now, don’t get me wrong responding to racists remarks, on Facebook is one of my favorite pastimes. Throw in some people of color contributing to our oppression, commenting that “they have never experienced racism”, and I’m there!

And even though I do enjoy educating white people, about white people…and how I love when they say racist things to prove they’re not racist. I think I’ve come to the conclusion that…some…not all…many white people don’t know what white privilege is because they can’t see it. When I say “it” I mean money, the cheddar, tangible dividends…they keep equating privilege to money, and wealth.

Damn it! Okay, this is the last time I educate white people on what white privilege is.

White Privilege has LESS to do with money, and I will go as far as to say NOTHING to do with being privileged in relation to financial status. Though, when your privilege provides you access, better education, and generational wealth you do tend to have more money. But that’s anybody, right?? Well, not according to the huge economic gap. Matt Bruenig explains in his article, “Middle-Class Blacks and Whites Have Vastly Different Fortunes” that “three centuries of enslavement followed by another bonus century of explicit racial apartheid was hell on black wealth accumulation.” Please feel free to further educate yourself on that. (Who are we kidding, right?)

Moving on, white privilege has EVERYTHING to do with how your skin color affects you on a sociocultural, sociopolitical, socioeconomic(in some cases) level. This means that you are benefited with societal privileges based on skin color that a person of COLOR be it black, latino, asian, or native potentially, and MOST LIKELY can’t benefit from, or at least not in the same way. This includes, but not limited to stop, and frisks, rampant policing in your neighborhoods, not being followed around in a grocery store, not being kicked off a plane because people feel “uncomfortable”, not having to defend diversity, inclusion, and affirmative action, positive representation in the media, and having 43 WHITE Presidents as opposed to the one HALF black one elected into office, Congress being 87% percent white, meaning our laws are being made by upper class, “christian”, heterosexual white men…oh yeah, that’s beneficial for EVERYBODY.

Understand that, Racism is Power + Privilege. You ARE privileged because as a white majority you benefit from a system that eradicated almost an entire indigenous race, all in the name of colonization. Then, that white majority decided to enslave another group of people for 300 years, then put another group of people in internment camps, and the list goes on.

You do not have to be raised with a silver spoon in your mouth to be considered privileged. Privilege comes in MANY forms, white is only one. To recognize your privilege honestly all you have to do is research, delve deeper then the whitewashed history you were taught in your elementary history books, let go of this false sense of superiority, and be a decent human being. I’m not trying to guilt trip you for being privileged…enjoy it, bask in it! But, how about using it to help those who are disadvantaged for a change? I mean I know racism doesn’t directly affect you, but you wouldn’t stop fighting for sexual assault victims, even though you’ve never been raped? Would you?

MULTIPLE systems of oppression are at work. You don’t have to be a genius to see that. You just have to care enough to see it. So next time, when you decide to make your comments, and I’m sure you will. (I’m psychic). Think about it, and ask… is my privilege showing?? Glad we had this talk.

Yesterday, Ms. Harajuku Barbie herself, Nicki Minaj released her creative take on Rae Sremmurd’s Billboard hit “Black Beatles”. Needless to say her fans went wild for her rambunctious flow, and wordplay. Nicki, known for her impressive punch lines, certainly packed this freestyle with a few lyrical knockers.

In wake of the election, there have been no shortage of opinions on our President elect, and many have shared their heartbreaking experiences since 11/9. Some of the most impactful comments came from our entertainers. Most notably, the cast of Hamilton, who had some seemingly choice words for future Vice President Mike Pence. They had this to say, “We, sir — we — are the diverse America who are alarmed and anxious that your new administration will not protect us, our planet, our children, our parents, or defend us and uphold our inalienable rights,” he said. “We truly hope that this show has inspired you to uphold our American values and to work on behalf of all of us.” Hamilton, which is coincidentally a musical about the essential role that immigrants played in the American Revolution, and primeval republic seems to have no place in Trump’s America, and performers have no right to be politic-ing.

Though not as eloquently stated, Nicki Minaj, a Trinidadian native, had this to say in her lyrics, “You gon’ be floatin in dem rivers like you know Joan. Island girl, Donald Trump want me to go home” and “Half a mili on the Maybach Pullman, bought it. Now I’m prayin’ all my foreigns don’t get deported.” Even with her lyrics being laced with hip-hop colloquialisms, and a classy touch of ebonics does it ring any less true, and disheartening?

Well, Nicki Minaj’s huge fan base were certainly here for the lyricism, and her feelings on Trump’s immigration policies. Hip Hop has long been a form of protest, and a creative outlet for the oppressed. Theatre, music, film has its place in the political arena, and is arguably one of the biggest influences there is. Even though many believe that performers should solely entertain, and not bother themselves with real world politics, let us not forget that they too have to live in this America. They are after all, exercising their First amendment right. There is no way to trump that.

The bonafide,multi-talented, exuberant hip hop artist has been throwing musicians and fans alike into poetic, lyrical comas ever since he released his first mixtapes 10 Day and Acid Rap. Since then, he has showed no signs of slowing down collaborating with artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Justin Bieber, Kanye West, Kahlani, Lil Wayne, and Childish Gambino. Most recently, his critically acclaimed mixtape Coloring Book got him nominated for 7 Grammy's in 2017! So, it’s only appropriate that I tell you why he is indeed not only gifted, but a gift to us all.

1. All of his music is FREE!! He has never once profited off of albums sells, or sold his songs on music domains; pioneering a path for independent artists to thrive without the stress, and pressure of the conventional music industry drama. Thanks to his devoted fans he continues to perform at sold out tours, where he also sales customized merchandise.
2. He’s a Grandma’s boy!! There is just something so attractive about boys who cherish their grandmothers hugs, and wisdom. Chance has mentioned his love and admiration for his grandmother in so many interviews, and dedicated his hit song “Sunday Candy” to her. He attributes her love,and her prayers to his success.
3. He’s independent and don’t need no label! Chance has rose to success despite his refusal to sign to a record label. His song “No Problem” is an anthem where he addresses his dislike for record labels. As a fully-independent artist Chance controls ALL of his music, and has full creative control over his projects.
4. He’s not afraid to express his love for God. These days you rarely hear any mainstream artist talk about their love and admiration for God in their music. This is a common theme in a lot of his songs. He even did a whole album with Donnie Trumpet and the Social Experiment which was an unconventional, jazzy take on Christian Rock.
5. He’s a member of the BeyHive! I know you all remember that adorable moment at the MTV Music Awards when he stopped his whole interview, and had a heart-gasm when Queen Bey herself stopped to say hello and show him some love. We’re not worthy!
6. #BlackBoyJoy. After showcasing his beautiful, silly, carefree spirit at the 2016 MTV Music Awards, #BlackBoyJoy began trending on social media. It sparked a slew of beautiful black men, and boys embracing their smiles at a time where black men were being dehumanized. He’s changing the face of Hip Hop. Literally.
7. He’s 23! I’m sorry…I’m 23 and my biggest accomplishments include waking up before noon, getting my eye shadow to blend, and eating a pint of ice cream in 15 minutes.
8. The Grammy's, basically named him rapper of the year. Basically. I mean due to the fact that “Coloring Book” was so successful, they kind of had no choice but to allow streaming-only albums to be nominated for the first time in history!? And guess who’s nominated for the Best Rap Album?