theroot--2020-11-27--The Root Presents It's Lit! Goes Black to the Future With Kimberly Drew and Jenna Wortham

Remember zines ?
Okay , maybe we ’ re dating ourselves , but younger versions of The Root ’ s Editor-in-Chief Danielle Belton and I ( Managing Editor of The Glow Up , Maiysha Kai ) were early fans of the format , maybe even producing a few zines of our own .
( O kay , that definitely happened ) .
Historically , zines organize various creators and mediums around a single topic or theme—so , what would a zine focused on the future—specifically , the future of Blackness—look like ?
This is the question answered by Black Futures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Black creativity edited by 2020 The Root 100 honoree Kimberly Drew ( aka “ Museum Mammy ” ) and New York Times Magazine S taff W riter Jenna Wortham , due for release on December 1 from the Penguin Random House imprint One World .
At over 500 pages , it ’ s more like an encyclopedia than a zine , but as the duo recently told Danielle and me during a taping of The Root Presents : It ’ s Lit !
, the zine spirit is alive and well in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t exactly sure what Black Futures would become when it began .
( Which is an apt metaphor for ... the future , no ? )
“ I wanted to do something more with arts and culture that centered Black people and Blackness in a way that wasn ’ t entirely possible at my job , ” Wortham explained .
“ I didn ’ t really even have the idea for Black Futures , I just knew that there was something really profound happening in arts and culture that I wanted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on , and I thought Kimberly might be a really good intellectual partner for that .
And so I reached out and originally I thought , ‘ Oh , maybe we ’ ll just do something really ephemeral , a short one-off , ” she continued .
“ I really had no idea what I was talking about at all .
And then Kimberly had this incredible insight , like , ‘ We should think about a book , you know ?
’ And I was like , ’ Whoa .
Yes.
’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the moment that Black Futures started to take shape.
” When Black women gather , something incredible happens ... and with over a hundred creatives from across genres and mediums—ranging from very well known to emerging talents—contributing to Black Futures , the resulting book is a testament and tribute to the incredible diversity within Black culture as well as our tremendous collective power .
“ There is this book that was created and then there ’ s this entire universe that exists around it , ” said Drew .
“ I think I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had this incredible anxiety of like , ‘ What if it ’ s not enough ?
What if it ’ s not this enough or this group is excluded or this is excluded ?
’ And we kept talking about the architecture and trying to really point to people who could maybe be representatives for groups of thought or schools of thoughts or directions .
And so it ’ s a really hardy mix of humility , vulnerability , and trust ... because it really comes from such a like a deeply soul-centered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an ego-driven or nepotistic kind of journey ... it felt like an excavation at every turn and corner.
” We often joke about “ the gift that keeps on giving , ” but as an inspiring cultural touchstone that can be returned to again and again , Black Futures is in fact , that gift ( and at $ 40 , a very well-priced one , considering the multitudes within its pages—just saying ) .
The book i s available for preorder now , but h ear our absolutely magical conversation with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Episode 10 of The Root Presents : It ’ s Lit : Going Black to the Future with Kimberly Drew & Jenna Wortham , now available on Apple , Spotify , Stitcher , iHeart Radio , Google Podcasts , Amazon , NPR One , TuneIn , and Radio Public .
Also available is a transcript of this week ’ s episode .

Remember zines? Okay, maybe we’re dating ourselves, but younger versions of The Root’s Editor-in-Chief Danielle Belton and I (Managing Editor of The Glow Up, Maiysha Kai) were early fans of the format, maybe even producing a few zines of our own. (O kay, that definitely happened) . Historically, zines organize various creators and mediums around a single topic or theme—so, what would a zine focused on the future—specifically, the future of Blackness—look like?
This is the question answered by Black Futures, a weighty and gorgeously bound compendium of Black creativity edited by 2020 The Root 100 honoree Kimberly Drew (aka “Museum Mammy”) and New York Times Magazine S taff W riter Jenna Wortham, due for release on December 1 from the Penguin Random House imprint One World. At over 500 pages, it’s more like an encyclopedia than a zine, but as the duo recently told Danielle and me during a taping of The Root Presents: It’s Lit!, the zine spirit is alive and well in its creation ...even if they weren’t exactly sure what Black Futures would become when it began. (Which is an apt metaphor for...the future, no?)
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“ I wanted to do something more with arts and culture that centered Black people and Blackness in a way that wasn’t entirely possible at my job,” Wortham explained. “I didn’t really even have the idea for Black Futures, I just knew that there was something really profound happening in arts and culture that I wanted to spend more time thinking about and working on, and I thought Kimberly might be a really good intellectual partner for that. And so I reached out and originally I thought, ‘Oh, maybe we’ll just do something really ephemeral, a short one-off,” she continued. “ I really had no idea what I was talking about at all. And then Kimberly had this incredible insight, like, ‘We should think about a book, you know?’ And I was like, ’Whoa. Yes.’ And so, that was kind of the moment that Black Futures started to take shape.”
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When Black women gather, something incredible happens...and with over a hundred creatives from across genres and mediums—ranging from very well known to emerging talents—contributing to Black Futures, the resulting book is a testament and tribute to the incredible diversity within Black culture as well as our tremendous collective power.
“There is this book that was created and then there’s this entire universe that exists around it,” said Drew. “ I think I can speak for both Jenna and I—we had this incredible anxiety of like, ‘What if it’s not enough? What if it’s not this enough or this group is excluded or this is excluded?’ And we kept talking about the architecture and trying to really point to people who could maybe be representatives for groups of thought or schools of thoughts or directions. And so it’s a really hardy mix of humility, vulnerability, and trust...because it really comes from such a like a deeply soul-centered kind of space, more than like an ego-driven or nepotistic kind of journey...it felt like an excavation at every turn and corner.”
Advertisement
We often joke about “the gift that keeps on giving,” but as an inspiring cultural touchstone that can be returned to again and again, Black Futures is in fact, that gift (and at $40, a very well-priced one, considering the multitudes within its pages—just saying). The book i s available for preorder now, but h ear our absolutely magical conversation with the visionary and delightful Wortham and Drew on Episode 10 of The Root Presents: It’s Lit: Going Black to the Future with Kimberly Drew & Jenna Wortham, now available on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, Google Podcasts, Amazon, NPR One, TuneIn, and Radio Public. Also available is a transcript of this week’s episode.


theroot--2020-11-27--'Don't Ever Talk to the President That Way': #DiaperDon Almost Soils Himself Going Off on a Reporter

'Don't Ever Talk to the President That Way': #DiaperDon Almost Soils Himself Going Off on a Reporter on Thanksgiving

“ Any man who must say ‘ I am the king ’ is no true king ” - Tywin Lannister You can tell y ’ all ’ s soon to be ex-president is going through some thangs .
On Thanksgiving—while the rest of us were either enjoying the festivities or quarantining and wishing this damn year was over already —the septuagenarian-toddler-in-chief was losing his shit on a reporter who pushed back on his voter fraud claims , aka the lie that won ’ t stop lying .
According to HuffPost , during a Thanksgiving news conference—in which Trump sat behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first grade — Reuters White House correspondent Jeff Mason asked Donnie the Delusional if he will concede when the Electoral College officially votes for President-elect Joe Biden .
“ Well if they do , they made a mistake , because this election was a fraud , ” Trump responded before babbling about how Biden receiving more votes than Obama somehow proves fraud .
( And here I was under the impression that Trump wasn ’ t a huge Obama fan .
With a ll the shit he stays talking about his predecessor , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Barack-the-vote stan this whole time . )
After Mason started to push back on Trump ’ s bullshit , the commander-in-White-House-eviction became a Joffrey Baratheon , Eric Cartman hybrid ( I ’ m just realizing that both of these fictional characters are likely accurate depictions of Trump in his youth ) and threw a whole temper tantrum .
“ Don ’ t talk to me that way , ” Trump scolded while giving us the worst Tiny Desk Concert ever .
″You ’ re just a lightweight .
Don ’ t talk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m the president of the United States .
Don ’ t ever talk to the president that way .
” See , this is one of those moments where I realize I could never have been a journalist interviewing the president during the Trump administration .
I would have been an entire asshole if I was Mason .
I can see it now : Trump : “ Don ’ t talk to me that way .
Y ou ’ re just a lightweight .
” Me : “ Bitch , what ?
What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you keep Gorilla Glued to your head so it won ’ t escape from yo ’ uglass .
What ’ s lightweight is the color scheme around your eyes compared to the rest of your tangerine-ass face .
How your skin got fucked up edges ?
Why is your white skin and your orange skin in a Verzus battle right now ?
You wish you was lightweight .
If you were , your hind parts wouldn ’ t take up the whole frame in your golfing photos.
” Trump : “ Don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m the president of the United States .
Don ’ t ever talk to the president that way.
” Me : “ Hoe , you ain ’ t president no more.
” Trump : “ I am still president .
I ’ m the most tremendous president in the history of tremendousness .
I saw YUGE voter fraud with my own variegated-colored eyes .
As long as I ’ m in office , you will not talk to me like ... ” Me : “ Shiiiiiit , it ’ s January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t have to be true , it just has to be funny . )
Anyway , predictably , the internet responded to Trump ’ s meltdown by being big meanies to the man-child-in-gr ief .
And thus , the hashtags “ Diaper Don ” and “ Tiny desk Trump ” were born .
To be fair , Trump has really tiny hands .
The desk makes them look bigger .
I ’ m just going to leave this remix video here , because ... LOL !
!
!
!
!

“Any man who must say ‘I am the king’ is no true king” - Tywin Lannister
You can tell y’all’s soon to be ex-president is going through some thangs. On Thanksgiving—while the rest of us were either enjoying the festivities or quarantining and wishing this damn year was over already —the septuagenarian-toddler-in-chief was losing his shit on a reporter who pushed back on his voter fraud claims, aka the lie that won’t stop lying.
Advertisement
According to HuffPost, during a Thanksgiving news conference—in which Trump sat behind the same desk I did in the first grade — Reuters White House correspondent Jeff Mason asked Donnie the Delusional if he will concede when the Electoral College officially votes for President-elect Joe Biden.
“Well if they do, they made a mistake, because this election was a fraud,” Trump responded before babbling about how Biden receiving more votes than Obama somehow proves fraud. (And here I was under the impression that Trump wasn’t a huge Obama fan. With a ll the shit he stays talking about his predecessor, let me find out Trump has been a Barack-the-vote stan this whole time.)
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After Mason started to push back on Trump’s bullshit, the commander-in-White-House-eviction became a Joffrey Baratheon, Eric Cartman hybrid (I’m just realizing that both of these fictional characters are likely accurate depictions of Trump in his youth) and threw a whole temper tantrum.
“Don’t talk to me that way,” Trump scolded while giving us the worst Tiny Desk Concert ever . ″You’re just a lightweight. Don’t talk to me that way. I’m the president of the United States. Don’t ever talk to the president that way. ”
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See, this is one of those moments where I realize I could never have been a journalist interviewing the president during the Trump administration. I would have been an entire asshole if I was Mason. I can see it now:
Trump: “Don’t talk to me that way. Y ou’re just a lightweight .”
Me: “Bitch, what? What’s lightweight is that floppy-ass toupee you keep Gorilla Glued to your head so it won’t escape from yo’ uglass. What’s lightweight is the color scheme around your eyes compared to the rest of your tangerine-ass face. How your skin got fucked up edges? Why is your white skin and your orange skin in a Verzus battle right now? You wish you was lightweight. If you were, your hind parts wouldn’t take up the whole frame in your golfing photos.”
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Trump: “ Don’t talk to me that way. I’m the president of the United States. Don’t ever talk to the president that way.”
Me: “Hoe, you ain’t president no more.”
Trump: “I am still president. I’m the most tremendous president in the history of tremendousness. I saw YUGE voter fraud with my own variegated-colored eyes. As long as I’m in office, you will not talk to me like...”
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Me: “Shiiiiiit, it’s January 20 somewhere!!” (It doesn’t have to be true, it just has to be funny.)
Anyway, predictably, the internet responded to Trump’s meltdown by being big meanies to the man-child-in-gr ief. And thus, the hashtags “Diaper Don” and “Tiny desk Trump” were born.
Advertisement
Advertisement
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To be fair, Trump has really tiny hands. The desk makes them look bigger.
I’m just going to leave this remix video here, because...LOL!!!!!


theroot--2020-11-27--Trailer Roundup: Auntie Is Wearing Her Red, White and Blue Hat at The Black Church This Thanksgiving

Trailer Roundup: Auntie Is Wearing Her Red, White and Blue Hat at The Black Church This Thanksgiving Weekend

By the time you read this blog , you are probably overcoming the ‘ itis—but it ’ s cool because we don ’ t have anywhere to go anyway !
Sink back , lean into that ‘ itis and enjoy your leftovers ( they taste better because the seasonings had time to marinate , you know ? )
Want something to watch while you eat ?
I got you ...
The Black Church ( PBS ; Release Date : Feb. 16 and 23 , at 9 p.m .
ET ) First Impressions : Our very own co-founder Henry Louis Gates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and writer of this upcoming two-part series which “ traces the centuries-old story of the Black church in America , all the way down to its bedrock role as the site of African American survival and grace , organizing and resilience , thriving and testifying , autonomy and freedom , solidarity and speaking truth to power.
” First Impressions : The next film out of Steve McQueen ’ s Small Axe anthology series is Red , White and Blue starring John Boyega .
I ’ m looking forward to this because not only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( of Leroy Logan ) , it touches on the very timely and relevant complications that come with being a Black police officer in an inherently white supremacist system .
First Impressions : Aw , it ’ s great to see Kel Mitchell !
The first iteration of this show , Ridiculousness , used to be my background when I wanted to watch mindless television and giggle at the ridiculous antics on the internet .
Now , there ’ s a food-themed spinoff called Deliciousness , which focuses on food fails .
Is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make me mad at the wasted food ?
!
In fact , I ’ m hungry right now ... First Impressions : Starring Luke Forbes ( Crown Heights ) , Josiah “ examines issues inside the creative process of a casting room , excavating unconscious stereotyping and complex power dynamics based on race , class and gender.
” Also , we received word via press release that this film is now Oscar-qualifying ( due to its selection in the Bogota Shorts Film Festival ) .
First Impressions : Skylan Brooks ( The Darkest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Wu-Tang : An American Saga , Public Disturbance ) co-star in this film about a couple of teens who help out this white dude from another dimension and they all go on a “ quest to wipe out the local drug syndicate and its vicious crime boss known as The Manager.
” Khaki Is Not Leather ( Episodes Now Streaming at ) First Impressions : I think of Numa Perrier ’ s Jezebel , which gave us a peek into the world of a cam girl , it looks like this short-form @ @ @ @ @ @ @ age of the quarantine .
The title actually comes from a Nigerian saying that indicates “ things are not always what they seem.
” “ Khaki is Not Leather hopes to bring a new perspective as it explores the ways in which we perform nearness and the ways we live it .
Log on .
Explore .
Connect ...
But don ’ t forget to tip , ” director Ray Smiling and writer Konyin Ayuba said in a statement .
I ’ m intrigued by how this will be handled—hopefully with care and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Stevie Wonder and producer Jerry Goldstein , Ike White lived quite an interesting life .
In the early 1970s , the music prodigy served a life sentence in prison ( at the young age of 19 ) , where he recorded an acclaimed album .
Wonder successfully lobbied his early release—prompting what folks expected to be a huge music career boost .
In actuality , White went off the grid for over 40 years .
I ’ m really intrigued by this doc as I know little to nothing about White .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ starring Angela Bassett , 9-1-1 : Lone Star is now in its second season .
There are some cast changes , though !
Bye-bye Liv Tyler ( who exited after the first season ) , and hello to Gina Torres !
Torres will be stepping in as a series regular , portraying Paramedic Capt .
Tommy Vega .
“ I think we ’ re gon na have some fun together , ” Capt .
Owen Strand ( Rob Lowe ) says in the trailer , welcoming Vega .
“ Oh , you bet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oh , snap !
Torres is super talented and underrated , so I ’ m happy for her !
First Impressions : I ’ m getting film-noir vibes from this one .
Making its world premiere at Urbanworld this year , Paradise City is based on true events and “ follows three men from different walks of life whose worlds collide when a plot to justify New York City ’ s counter-terrorism campaign against homegrown extremists is uncovered.
” Rapper Kirk “ Sticky Fingaz ” Jones stars in the film .
Christmas Dilemma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dec. 6 at 7 p.m .
ET ) First Impressions : Essence Atkins is making her directorial debut with this film and it ’ s full of Black-ass hijinks involving the in-laws of a newlywed couple celebrating their first Christmas as husband and wife .
The film stars BJ Britt ( Being Mary Jane , Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D . )
, Brittany Hall ( Ballers , Satisfaction ) , Carl Anthony Payne II ( Martin , 5th Ward ) , and Christopher B. Duncan ( Black Lightning , The Jamie Foxx Show ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Short at both the SXSW Film Festival and Urbanworld Film Festival this year , White Eye chronicles the harsh realities of undocumented immigrants on the run .
Revelations Reimagined ( Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre via and ; Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m .
ET ) First Impressions : We ’ ve been happy to report about Alvin Ailey ’ s upcoming virtual season and we ’ re getting closer to the launch !
Celebrating 60 years of the beloved American masterpiece Revelations , Alvin Ailey presents Revelations Reimagined for its opening night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sterling K. Brown , Jasmine Guy , Jillian Hervey of Lion Babe , Nigel Lythgoe , Tarell Alvin McCraney , Phylicia Rashad , Shonda Rhimes , Lynn Whitfield , Vanessa Williams , Jeffrey Wright and more .
Wow !
!
In case you missed it , we ’ ve already featured trailers for MasterClass : Alicia Keys and The Way Home .
Get into those , too !
Plus , if you ’ re looking for some digital content to watch over the long weekend , get into By Black , a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and informative guide on a road to Black equity and inspire people all over the world to support Black-owned businesses , ” hosted by X Mayo ( a writer on The Daily Show With Trevor Noah ) .
You can watch the first episode here .
Have a wonderful , socially-distanced and safe Thanksgiving weekend , y ’ all !
‘ Til next week !

Tonja Renée Stidhum on The Grapevine, shared by Tonja Renée Stidhum to The Root

By the time you read this blog, you are probably overcoming the ‘itis—but it’s cool because we don’t have anywhere to go anyway! Sink back, lean into that ‘itis and enjoy your leftovers (they taste better because the seasonings had time to marinate, you know?) Want something to watch while you eat? I got you...
The Black Church (PBS; Release Date: Feb. 16 and 23, at 9 p.m. ET)
The Black Church trailer / YouTube
First Impressions: Our very own co-founder Henry Louis Gates Jr. is the executive producer, host and writer of this upcoming two-part series which “traces the centuries-old story of the Black church in America, all the way down to its bedrock role as the site of African American survival and grace, organizing and resilience, thriving and testifying, autonomy and freedom, solidarity and speaking truth to power.”
Advertisement
Red, White and Blue (Amazon Prime Video; Release Date: Dec. 4)
Red, White and Blue trailer / YouTube
First Impressions: The next film out of Steve McQueen’s Small Axe anthology series is Red, White and Blue starring John Boyega. I’m looking forward to this because not only is it based on a true story (of Leroy Logan), it touches on the very timely and relevant complications that come with being a Black police officer in an inherently white supremacist system.
Advertisement Advertisement
Deliciousness (MTV; Release Date: Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. ET)
Ridiculousness trailer / YouTube
First Impressions: Aw, it’s great to see Kel Mitchell! The first iteration of this show, Ridiculousness, used to be my background when I wanted to watch mindless television and giggle at the ridiculous antics on the internet. Now, there’s a food-themed spinoff called Deliciousness, which focuses on food fails. Is this gonna make me laugh or make me mad at the wasted food?! In fact, I’m hungry right now...
Advertisement
... OK, I’m back.
Advertisement
First Impressions: Starring Luke Forbes (Crown Heights), Josiah “examines issues inside the creative process of a casting room, excavating unconscious stereotyping and complex power dynamics based on race, class and gender.” Also, this film is now Oscar-qualifying.
Archenemy (Theaters, Digital and OnDemand; Release Date: Dec. 11)
Archenemy trailer / YouTube
First Impressions: Skylan Brooks (The Darkest Minds, Southpaw) and Zolee Griggs (Wu-Tang: An American Saga, Public Disturbance) co-star in this film about a couple of teens who help out this white dude from another dimension and they all go on a “quest to wipe out the local drug syndicate and its vicious crime boss known as The Manager.”
Advertisement
Khaki Is Not Leather (Episodes Now Streaming at khakisnotleather.com
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First Impressions: I think of Numa Perrier’s Jezebel, which gave us a peek into the world of a cam girl, it looks like this short-form digital series will explore intimacy in the age of the quarantine. The title actually comes from a Nigerian saying that indicates “things are not always what they seem.” “Khaki is Not Leather hopes to bring a new perspective as it explores the ways in which we perform nearness and the ways we live it. Log on. Explore. Connect... But don’t forget to tip,” director Ray Smiling and writer Konyin Ayuba said in a statement. I’m intrigued by how this will be handled—hopefully with care and sex-positivity!
The Changin’ Times of Ike White (Virtual Cinemas; Release Date: Dec. 4)
The Changin’ Times of Ike White trailer / YouTube
First Impressions: A protégé of Stevie Wonder and producer Jerry Goldstein, Ike White lived quite an interesting life. In the early 1970s, the music prodigy served a life sentence in prison (at the young age of 19), where he recorded an acclaimed album. Wonder successfully lobbied his early release—prompting what folks expected to be a huge music career boost. In actuality, White went off the grid for over 40 years. I’m really intrigued by this doc as I know little to nothing about White.
Advertisement
9-1-1: Lone Star (Fox; Season 2 Release Date: Jan 18)
9-1-1: Lone Star trailer / YouTube
First Impressions: A spinoff of 9-1-1 starring Angela Bassett, 9-1-1: Lone Star is now in its second season. There are some cast changes, though! Bye-bye Liv Tyler (who exited after the first season), and hello to Gina Torres! Torres will be stepping in as a series regular, portraying Paramedic Capt. Tommy Vega. “I think we’re gonna have some fun together,” Capt. Owen Strand (Rob Lowe) says in the trailer, welcoming Vega. “Oh, you bet we are,” Vega retorts. Oh, snap! Torres is super talented and underrated, so I’m happy for her!
Advertisement
Paradise City (Digital; Release Date: Dec. 4)
PARADISE CITY trailer Paradise City trailer / Vimeo
First Impressions: I’m getting film-noir vibes from this one. Making its world premiere at Urbanworld this year, Paradise City is based on true events and “follows three men from different walks of life whose worlds collide when a plot to justify New York City’s counter-terrorism campaign against homegrown extremists is uncovered.” Rapper Kirk “Sticky Fingaz” Jones stars in the film.
Advertisement
Christmas Dilemma (TV One; Release Date: Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. ET)
Christmas Dilemma trailer / YouTube
First Impressions: Essence Atkins is making her directorial debut with this film and it’s full of Black-ass hijinks involving the in-laws of a newlywed couple celebrating their first Christmas as husband and wife. The film stars BJ Britt (Being Mary Jane, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), Brittany Hall (Ballers, Satisfaction), Carl Anthony Payne II (Martin, 5th Ward), and Christopher B. Duncan (Black Lightning, The Jamie Foxx Show).
Advertisement
Advertisement
First Impressions: Winning Best Narrative Short at both the SXSW Film Festival and Urbanworld Film Festival this year, White Eye chronicles the harsh realities of undocumented immigrants on the run.
Revelations Reimagined (Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre via YouTube Facebook
First Impressions: We’ve been happy to report about Alvin Ailey’s upcoming virtual season and we’re getting closer to the launch! Celebrating 60 years of the beloved American masterpiece Revelations, Alvin Ailey presents Revelations Reimagined for its opening night. Celebrity guests scheduled to premiere are Sterling K. Brown, Jasmine Guy, Jillian Hervey of Lion Babe, Nigel Lythgoe, Tarell Alvin McCraney, Phylicia Rashad, Shonda Rhimes, Lynn Whitfield, Vanessa Williams, Jeffrey Wright and more. Wow!!
Advertisement
In case you missed it, we’ve already featured trailers for MasterClass: Alicia Keys and The Way Home. Get into those, too!
Plus, if you’re looking for some digital content to watch over the long weekend, get into By Black, a new SoulPancake series serving as a “fun and informative guide on a road to Black equity and inspire people all over the world to support Black-owned businesses,” hosted by X Mayo (a writer on The Daily Show With Trevor Noah). You can watch the first episode here.
Advertisement
Have a wonderful, socially-distanced and safe Thanksgiving weekend, y’all! ‘Til next week!


theroot--2020-11-28--Steve McQueen's Lovers Rock Authentically Captures the Joyful Resilience of the Black Diaspora

When I went to London for the first time , I thought it was Jamaica .
As a nine-year-old born and raised on the Caribbean island , I thought of the UK in terms of what I ’ d seen on TV and read in the literature books set in Britain that were part of my primary school curriculum—as a place that was grey-scale and rainy , inhabited by funny accents like the one my now-British father had , and a truly foreign chilly climate .
My father , also a born and raised Jamaican , was living there , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out that this place which was situated literally across the world from where I lived was more colorful and familiar than I had imagined ( though even colder ) .
Most of what I remember from this trip came back vividly as I watched Steve McQueen ’ s “ Lovers Rock , ” the second installment of his anthology film series Small Axe , which focuses in on the story of the Caribbean people who made England their home .
The film brought back for me how effectively these transplants were able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which for centuries had colonized the nations in the Caribbean they came from , like Jamaica .
The opening scene of the film licked me with that same sense of joyful recognition I had as a little girl who ’ d landed in England , stunned to hear Jamaican patois expressed just as sharply and authentically by people there as it was by those back home .
The film kicks off with British-based actors Kadeem Ramsay , Romario Simpson , and Alexander James-Blake talking to each other in pitch-perfect Jamaican accents while maneuvering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a party , signaling that Lovers Rock will be richly populated with sounds and visuals that reflect the aforementioned authenticity .
As the men chat , women gather and sing in a kitchen while kneading flour for dumplings and chopping up onions , tomato , and thyme to cook up a rich curry goat that I could almost smell from memory .
Of course , Jamaican music is seminal to the film , which is named after that sub-genre of reggae concerned with giving couples something to slowly “ wine ” to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sung by crooning reggae greats like Dennis Brown and Gregory Isaacs underscore the prevalence of Jamaican music wherever people who appreciate good music are present .
The inclusion of Barry Biggs ’ one-drop cover of American singer Eddie Holman ’ s “ Hey There , Lonely Girl ” also emphasized for me the power of Black people ’ s musical creations , not just specifically Jamaican ones , to engender connections—whether between two people slow wining at a party or among those from different branches of the Black diaspora , in this case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jamaica .
The pleasure I got watching Lovers Rock came from witnessing a beautifully realized cinematographic telling of the deeply rooted connections that keep Black people living and loving , no matter where in the world we are and whatever hostility may be aimed at us .
Despite looming dangers like the threat of street violence from a group of white British men targeting lead character Martha ( played by Amarah-Jae St. Aubyn ) , or the reality of intra-community violence when one of the Jamaican men at the party hovers over women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pretty quickly , the film shows the exuberance of a people bringing their whole selves—and all that makes them feel at home—to a place where their joy can not be sidelined , at least not for long .
Jamaican-born , BAFTA Rising Star award-winning actor Michael Ward , who stars as Franklyn in the film , captures this brilliant synchronicity in his role .
“ Nuh bada get irate , ” he says to St. Aubyn ’ s character at one point ( roughly translated to “ don ’ t get angry ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off his tongue you understand fully why Martha would give him more than one dance .
Dancing is one of the most evocative features in the film , not least of all because in 2020 you ’ d be hard-pressed to experience the kind of group abandon captured in this recreation of Caribbean people at a house party in the UK in the 1980s .
Afros , dreads , and hips swing as weed smoke floats above bodies moving along with each other , instinctually feeling some of the very best parts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good music , and that ineffable energy that comes when people are gathered together in joy .
As the modern-day UK government pushes hostile policies aimed at rejecting and ejecting darker-skinned migrants from countries it plumbed for years for capital and cultural enrichment , Lovers Rock is a lush reminder that Black people bloom wherever we transplant ourselves—come what may .

Ishena Robinson on The Grapevine, shared by Ishena Robinson to The Root

When I went to London for the first time, I thought it was Jamaica. As a nine-year-old born and raised on the Caribbean island, I thought of the UK in terms of what I’d seen on TV and read in the literature books set in Britain that were part of my primary school curriculum—as a place that was grey-scale and rainy, inhabited by funny accents like the one my now-British father had, and a truly foreign chilly climate. My father, also a born and raised Jamaican, was living there, which occasioned my visit.
It turned out that this place which was situated literally across the world from where I lived was more colorful and familiar than I had imagined (though even colder). Most of what I remember from this trip came back vividly as I watched Steve McQueen’s “Lovers Rock,” the second installment of his anthology film series Small Axe, which focuses in on the story of the Caribbean people who made England their home. The film brought back for me how effectively these transplants were able to stake their flag in a powerhouse country which for centuries had colonized the nations in the Caribbean they came from, like Jamaica.
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The opening scene of the film licked me with that same sense of joyful recognition I had as a little girl who’d landed in England, stunned to hear Jamaican patois expressed just as sharply and authentically by people there as it was by those back home. The film kicks off with British-based actors Kadeem Ramsay, Romario Simpson, and Alexander James-Blake talking to each other in pitch-perfect Jamaican accents while maneuvering furniture out of a house in preparation for a party, signaling that Lovers Rock will be richly populated with sounds and visuals that reflect the aforementioned authenticity. As the men chat, women gather and sing in a kitchen while kneading flour for dumplings and chopping up onions, tomato, and thyme to cook up a rich curry goat that I could almost smell from memory.
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Of course, Jamaican music is seminal to the film, which is named after that sub-genre of reggae concerned with giving couples something to slowly “wine” to. The recognizable bass drop under tracks sung by crooning reggae greats like Dennis Brown and Gregory Isaacs underscore the prevalence of Jamaican music wherever people who appreciate good music are present. The inclusion of Barry Biggs’ one-drop cover of American singer Eddie Holman’s “Hey There, Lonely Girl” also emphasized for me the power of Black people’s musical creations, not just specifically Jamaican ones, to engender connections—whether between two people slow wining at a party or among those from different branches of the Black diaspora, in this case, the U.S., UK, and Jamaica. The pleasure I got watching Lovers Rock came from witnessing a beautifully realized cinematographic telling of the deeply rooted connections that keep Black people living and loving, no matter where in the world we are and whatever hostility may be aimed at us.
Despite looming dangers like the threat of street violence from a group of white British men targeting lead character Martha (played by Amarah-Jae St. Aubyn), or the reality of intra-community violence when one of the Jamaican men at the party hovers over women with a hollow charm that turns malevolent pretty quickly, the film shows the exuberance of a people bringing their whole selves—and all that makes them feel at home—to a place where their joy cannot be sidelined, at least not for long. Jamaican-born, BAFTA Rising Star award-winning actor Michael Ward, who stars as Franklyn in the film, captures this brilliant synchronicity in his role. “Nuh bada get irate,” he says to St. Aubyn’s character at one point (roughly translated to “don’t get angry”), and as the words roll off his tongue you understand fully why Martha would give him more than one dance.
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Dancing is one of the most evocative features in the film, not least of all because in 2020 you’d be hard-pressed to experience the kind of group abandon captured in this recreation of Caribbean people at a house party in the UK in the 1980s. Afros, dreads, and hips swing as weed smoke floats above bodies moving along with each other, instinctually feeling some of the very best parts of being a human: budding love, good music, and that ineffable energy that comes when people are gathered together in joy.
As the modern-day UK government pushes hostile policies aimed at rejecting and ejecting darker-skinned migrants from countries it plumbed for years for capital and cultural enrichment, Lovers Rock is a lush reminder that Black people bloom wherever we transplant ourselves—come what may.