So we’re starting off 2020 with less talks of joy and world peace, and with more talks of shenanigans from the supposed leader of the free-world.

This week in news, 45 decided to take out a beloved, high-ranking Iranian military general and now the world is in an absolute tizzy. Guys, like seriously, this was a few days into the New Year we haven’t even had time to get completely sober yet. I was just full of hope and happiness like five days ago, yet here we are– war, likely re-election of an Impeached flaming racist/faux Christian evangelist/high-key sexual predator, and growing international anxieties due to emboldened Iranian threats.

Of course you couldn’t watch the news or even get on social media without catching word. Three got-dog on days into 2020 Twitter was trending with bubbling discussions of world war, fears of Iranian retaliation on the US, and government conspiracy during re-elections.

I totally understand why folks justify Qasem Soleimani’s death and why others question its timing. What really sucks to me is that many people aren’t even thinking about the soldiers’ lives at risk or the lives of innocent people who are going to pay the cost for this fallout. Nooooo, we just get dumb memes about a non-existent military draft and endless Facebook arguments on who’s fault any of this is…because you know, Obama. :insert triggered af eye roll here:

Gays receiving their military draft letters in the mail when we go to war with Iran pic.twitter.com/pV0YBudMwY

— John Clyde (@johnclydenyc) January 3, 2020

All this to say I’m tired, I’m burned out y’all. Everyday, I feel like we’re drawing closer and closer to doom, and that’s mostly why I don’t write my opinions on this stuff anymore. The last three years have sucked to be an American (in the most first-world-problems kind of way). Politics have pretty much threatened our ways of life and incapacitated people’s brain cells, on top of the fact that the world is going to Hell in a hand basket (literally, see: Australia). I find myself watching cartoons and searching for animal videos frequently. I play with my dog a lot…all to avoid the stress of politics. Boooooyyyy and DON’T HAVE FRIENDS/FAMILY ON THE OPPOSING SIDE– they equally run up your blood pressure without you even opening a laptop or watching the news. So my mind rumbles on, my anxiety heightens, and I continue to wonder–when did we stop thinking for ourselves? Why is it so hard to see the truth or even, reality? And why must we argue about every-single–thing? You know what’s interesting…Other countries that don’t have as much liberal freedom of speech as we do, hit the streets. They rise up. They don’t have the luxury of arguing online, they actually–gasps–take…action.

More Action Less Talk

This year is more of a year-of-action for me. I’m in an organization that helps makes global change for people of color. And while I don’t know what I’m going to do about my political angst, I know I’ll keep paying attention. I just honestly don’t see the point of adding to the noise of media. There isn’t much you can do to change the mind of a narcissistic racist online, or your friendly neighborhood ignorant know-it-all. These people seem to be changed with time and personal experience. Then with the news…if we read more we can absolutely sort out the facts. News people (no disrespect) aren’t normally the the most reputable sources of truth. They report what’s given to them unless they seek a story out of their own interest. So knowing that– research the stories from a variety of resources, identify the consistencies/inconsistencies, and THEN pair that with your logic. It’s so agitating to hear people talk on this stuff who barely read or research beyond their favorite blog sites. Like girl…your fave Youtube star is not the end-all, be-all to political news. Lastly, politicians…why do we trust any of them??? They’re POLITICIANS and I refuse to be categorized like I’m in some sort of gang. Dems = Libs and Repubs = Conservatives…I don’t really have that much dedication to any of it and I’m def not repping any colors (hood kids get it). It’s honestly a matter of what poison you pick because they’ve all had to do and say things they’d probably never admit to in public. That’s why I never went into politics, it’s a real thing. Even our beloved leaders are not exempt of having skeletons in ye old closet. Yet, knowing this, we continue to argue, let people who have never experienced our lives lead us, and turn against each other in the wake of global turmoil.

I’m trying to figure out what to do with all of these feelings. What do you do? <3

-D.Wright

America’s dirty little secret is White supremacy. There I said it.

As an African American woman in this country, it’s not safe for me to turn a blind eye to the climate of race relations and civil rights in America. We can no longer afford to pretend that racism isn’t weaved throughout the very fabric of America’s existence, and the march on Charlottesville is huge reason why.

Over the weekend, on the campus of the University of Virginia, we witnessed about a hundred or so white men and women march throughout the sleepy college town a night before their big “Unite the Right” rally. They proudly held up Nazi salutes with one hand and their now famed tiki-torches in the other. They chanted things like “blood and soil,” “you will not replace us,” and “White lives matter,” along with other reported racial epithets. It was like something out of the 1960’s. They confidently, no they angrily paraded throughout the campus and finally stopped under the statue of Robert E. Lee where all hell practically broke loose.

Photo courtesy of Vox.

There was pepper spray and chemical spray used amongst the protesters and counterprotestors…clubs and torches being flung. There were recorded fist fights and beatings. The news swept through Twitter like a wild-fire and took the world by storm. There were responses of sorrow, indifference, fear, anger…you name it, the world expressed it. The one emotion that annoyed me the most was that of surprise. Why are we surprised? Why are we now just getting “woke,” because it’s trendy? These people have lived amongst us, dormant, for decades. If you’re Black, you’ve likely experienced stories of these types of people from your family, friends, and community. They were our “Boogie-Man.”

African Americans have continuously rallied for support against these people for years but it’s almost been as if folks thought we were crying wolf – citing things like Black Lives Matters, Black on Black crime and drug epidemics as the supposed root of the problem. But the internet has ripped off the band-aides and rose colored glasses, and now here we are. These are your teachers, preachers, politicians, cops, doctors, nurses, lawyers, business owners. These wolves hidden in plain sight are the future of America and they hate all people who don’t look like them or represent their beliefs. They are domestic terrorist. You all are finally seeing “post racial” America for what it really is…a hot, disgusting mess.

Photo courtesy of Yahoo.

Writer for Vox, German Lopez, said it best when speaking to the fragility of these self proclaimed “victims” who marched at UVA…

[su_quote cite=”But they’ve seen their racial security challenged. They saw the first black president with Barack Obama. They see demographic statistics that show white Americans will no longer be the majority in the coming decades. They see all of this talk about Black Lives Matter and the importance of diversity, including through policies like affirmative action. They see recent moves to tear down Confederate monuments in the South. And they themselves may have been accused of racism at some point in their lives, perhaps after they raised concerns about any of these issues.”][/su_quote]

These folks are mad because they will one day no longer hold the majority of this country. So on Friday, August 11th, 2017, the pot officially boiled over .

Photo courtesy of Slate.

The next day, hundreds more of neo-Nazis and Ku Klux Klan members met for part two of their rally but something was a little different. The news had spread about the evening before and a larger group of counterprotesters and media outlets joined. It all ended with a fatal car crash killing thirty-two-year-old Heather Heyer with 19 other people injured. The driver was 20-year-old James Alex Fields Jr. of Maumee, Ohio.

Photo courtesy of CNN.

There is still fallout happening after this whole debacle. The President made a statement that was actually applauded by the likes of David Duke, there’s been more criticism of the police, two officers actually died in route to the rally, the Republican party is scrambling, Deandre Harris has been talking about his beating, and the public is just stunned. It’s all so amazing to see unfold, and I don’t mean that in a good way. It’s insane, and all I can feel is interchangeable sadness and numbness. Most embarrassingly, the world is watching. Our dirty little secret, is secret no more. It’s just dirty.

Time to clean house. <3

-D.Wright

First off, I’d like to say that Rep. Maxine Waters  is my soul sister. She’s my fairy shade mother and queen of giving no effs. Representative Waters is strong, opinionated, all about her business and taking the social media stratosphere by storm with her no nonsense approach to political buffoonery. This woman is sprinkling her sweet-and-sassy Black Girl Magic all over Washington and taking no prisoners as she gains new fans across the country.

I obviously love her, and think she’s hilarious but there are so many reasons why she’s caught the attention of the world and millennials in particular…Her trolling skills are none to be reckoned with. Over the past year she’s trended on Twitter with her remarks on the 2016 elections, James Comey, her Black woman at work situation that stemmed from inappropriate comments made by staunch conservative and terrible human being, Bill O’Reilly, and now from her latest command to her adversaries – never waste her time. Auntie now has us all reclaiming our time and we’re here for it.

Photo courtesy of the Los Angeles Sentinel.

Even though she was clearly sending a message to Treasury Secretary  Steven Mnuchin, we can all learn a lesson from those three simple words – reclaiming my time.

I’ve decided to give you good people a good word today and here it is…

When to Best Reclaim Your Time

• Reclaim your time from pointless conversations
• Reclaim your time from failing relationships
• Reclaim your time from dead end jobs
• Reclaim your time from sabotaging yourself

Photo courtesy of Elle.

Reclaim your time from pointless conversations.

Why on earth would you argue with someone just for the sake of argument? My dad always told me to never argue with a fool and I don’t take that advice lightly. Sure, debates are cool but if you’re consistently finding yourself locked into stressful conversations that are causing you to lose brain cells and sleep, go ahead and reclaim your time. Move around and don’t engage in petty conversations or become the person mad at yourself for falling into traps you saw set. Then for my net gnats, don’t tempt yourself. Don’t voluntarily jump into the black holes of Twitter hashtags and Facebook comments. Go read a book or something. Reclaim your time.

Reclaim your time from failing relationships

If your romantic, familial, or friend relationships are terrible going nowhere fast (not at your doing)…do yourself a favor and reclaim your time. Get out of there quick! There’s no need for you to engage in unhealthy interactions with people who don’t honor the person you are or are working to be. Don’t argue with your uncle at the cookout. Don’t throw wine on Susan at that nice charity gala. Reclaim your time. Surround yourself with people who bring the best out of you and lift you up in life.

Reclaim your time from dead end jobs

If you’re unhappy and ready for a change, it’s time to stop giving energy to those jobs doing nothing for your purpose. I’m not saying be an idiot and quit the job that’s paying your bills, I’m saying begin to align yourself with work that makes you happy and helps you leave the footprint you want on the world. Consider getting extra training or certifications for your dream job or even create your own job! Just don’t sit there and complain about “the man” taking the best years of your life when you can create the life you want doing the work you’re passionate about. I’m just saying, reclaim your time.

Reclaim your time from sabotaging yourself

This is a tough one because you might actually think you’re always awesome and continuously winning (but no one else does because you’re a joy kill or a leech) or you might just be the one who beats yourself up over the smallest feats. Stop it! Reclaim your time. You have to snap out of self destructive behaviors and seek sound, healthy counsel from those who can help you be your best self. If your friend tries to course correct some things they see going awry, reclaim your time and reroute. If you are your own worst enemy and suffer from low self esteem… stop it right now! Reclaim your time. Do some soul searching, find a spiritual advisor or therapist and get to work. Be that light you desire to see!

Photo courtesy of Vibe.

Maxine Waters was just trying to tell this dude to get to the point. I challenge us all to get to the point and stop wasting valuable time.

Thank you Auntie Maxine…thank you. You are eternally my #WomanCrushWednesday! <3

-D.Wright

I’m tired of President Trump.

Photo courtesy of The Hill.

There, I said it.I try not to say his name often because it instantaneously gives me a headache, but right now I’m just agitated. You know what else…I’m sick of having debates about him with people that halfway listen or care about humanity. I’m sick of hearing he’s tweeted something dumb, said something dumb, did something dumb, signed something dumb or was just plain dumb that day. I’m tired of jokes about his bad wig, his face, his terrible tan, his ill-fitted tennis outfits… I’m just over it. Like this little girl over it… Long sigh.

Photo courtesy of The Telegraph.

I want him to go away, better yet, I want to wake up from this nightmare we call America 2017. People are getting choked out in front of restaurants, shot dead in the streets, literally terrorized and traumatized with the most heinous acts imaginable to mankind but here we are, concerned about 45 being annoying -going all Westlemania while the world watches. I know, I know…this all seems a little dramatic but remember, this is not what I signed up for. I warned people as soon as he said he was running for office. There was no love then, and there’s no love now but you know what…maybe it’s me. Maybe I’m missing it. Naw, I’m not. I’m not missing anything. I’ve never been his fan and he’s playing America with a terrible Ponzi scheme and making our country look like the best of reality tv trash. We had enough problems without the cameras being on us for foolish behavior. To make matters worse, we don’t even discuss anything positive he does and it’s probably because that’s like trying to find a silent blowdryer. And let me tell you a little bit about blowdryers, there are no silent blowdryers! Note: If you find one, please let me know because that would be amazing.

#FraudNewsCNN #FNN pic.twitter.com/WYUnHjjUjg

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 2, 2017

For those of you wondering where this is coming from. Here I am, peacefully living it up on a Sunday and I see this dude’s mug on my computer screen with an article discussing the same thing he literally did just last week and everyone acting all surprised about it. Yes, he was tweeting. RUN THE GOT-DERN COUNTRY 45, stop tweeting ignant posts about nothingness and dumb stuff. Yes, we know, you hate the media. Left wing media,to be more specific but GET OVER IT and be a President. Going all Nacho Libre on CNN, fine – do that in your personal, non-public time. Stop trying to distract the country from the terrible polices you and your goons are passing. Just pass them without the charades! We don’t need you putting out this imagery for the world to see. He’s like that that crazy, racist, pervy uncle that can’t keep the business in the family. He ALWAYS has to make it known that he’s terrible and that’s how Uncle Creepy gets caught up. We just want you to stop. Do something positive that we can talk about. Like pet a puppy or something. Oh sorry, you can’t because you’re a terrible person and animals don’t like you either.

Photo courtesy of AP News.

It’s like when he’s not tweeting, he’s lying or being a creeper. And his supporters don’t find ANYTHING wrong with it. They make excuses, which baffles me when we had to read about President Obama’s feet on the desk or him hugging someone for like 8 years. It’s ridiculous. I’m just tired and I’ve never felt so passionately about a person I’ve never met. I don’t get down with bigots, chauvinists or power hungry posers. Sorry, not sorry. But seriously, I know I have some conservative friends out there who are probably thinking “this is what the media wants you to feel about Trump.” No. Stop blaming the media for 45’s weirdo antics on Twitter or just period. The entire world and freaking Milky Way Galaxy can see he’s terrible and if you have any good sense, I know a smallllllll piece of you is tired of him too. Just admit it. <3

-D. Wright

For one whole summer, I had a West African goddess as a boss…
her name is Bozoma Saint John.

Photo courtesy of Business Insider.

I first saw her, like many Apple fan boys and girls in 2016 presenting the big UI update for Apple Music during the much anticipated WWDC. I promised myself somehow, someway – I would end up on this woman’s team. Months later, that’s exactly what happened, but this story is less about me and more about celebrating the power moves this boss chick is making while sprinkling her Black Girl Magic all over the tech industry.

Boz has had quite the track record, totally Googlable, but I have to mention how she’s contributed to some of today’s most iconic pop culture moments through collaborations with an army of A-list musicians like Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Taylor Swift and Drake. She’s even won multiple awards, titles, and spots on coveted tech and music industry lists to back up her growing accomplishments. She’s pretty cold.

Zane Lowe, Boz Saint John, and Larry Jackson photo courtesy of COMPLEX.

My first day on campus and the first time I’d sat in on weekly meetings, I saw this unicorn of a woman sitting tall at the head of the table. I couldn’t believe it was the same lady I just witnessed, in that bomb pink dress, rapping “Rapper’s Delight” in a room full of hipster nerds and tech geeks. Her presence was absolutely awe-inspiring and I’d never seen anything like it outside of the movies. She was brilliant, fashionably fabulous, had the most amazing flawless skin, was practically an Amazon, and a straight shooter with amazing jokes. The cherry on top…she was actually nice! I will never forget her kindness and willingness to engage the staff. Her energy just made you feel like she striving for greatness and demanded you to do the same.

Photo courtesy of Fast Company.

News broke on last Friday that she would no longer be with Apple Music and many folks were surprised. Regardless of “the signs” and her growing demand, many of us felt hopeful to see her commit a few more years to Apple and bubble her way up the music executive chain. I mean, in a pretty short span of time, she started the path as a culture changer for Apple and her star power was definitely on the rise. She was also, notably, one of the few executives from Apple to keep up a blossoming personal brand outside of the tech giant. But though all the planets seemed to align for her reign, her departure just felt inevitable. My girlfriends and I would sit and discuss the business moves of many of her colleagues. We just knew she was going to have something big up her sleeve within the next two years. Monday June 5th, two years became 6 months and the inevitable became a reality. Boz resigned from her Head of Global Marketing role to enter a C-level position as the Chief Brand Officer of Uber.

Photo courtesy of Billboard.

Now let’s talk about how major this is for a split second. We all know Uber has had a rough couple of months over the last year but they Bat-Called a Black woman to save their image and brand. She’s literally Olivia Pope-ing the technology industry one company at a time! Killing it #fortheculture! Pause…you need to soak that in. Apple Music’s subscription numbers have increased immensely while under her expertise and marketing guidance (also Googlable). Pepsi, (pre Kendell-gate) was on an all time high with epic music marketing activations and performances that further exposed the company to it’s thirsting millennial customer base. So considering what little I knew of her pretty cool career…I realized, Boz doesn’t leave dumpster fires. She leaves rainbows and butterflies with every move she makes. (You’d know exactly what I’m talking about if you ever met her.)

So while I’m sure she’ll be sorely missed at Apple, she has the opportunity to leave her biggest glitter bomb yet at Uber where they desperately need her reinvention  magic to keep them in the game. And for that, we all wish you nothing but success Boz! We’re rooting for you. Make those Boz moves girl! <3

-D.Wright