the chickens came home to roost.
a few thoughts on accountability + new reads & vibes for your weekend.
thoughts at large.
Hi, hello.
Yes, it has been a minute, but I couldn’t stay away any longer. I started this newsletter because I had some things to say, and I still do.
However, for the last couple of months, what started as a break slipped into me deprioritizing my voice. I let things I’ve been doing for others take precedence over something I was doing for myself, and subsequently, for you. My bad.
Over the last few days though, I recommitted to the mission of sharing here, to ensure that I’m not only providing a positive clear platform for you to get good info in an extremely accessible way but also for me to continue to honor myself and what I believe my mission is.
I’ve always been passionate about telling stories. I remember being in 4th grade and loving the feeling of writing - making people feel something with my words. As I’ve grown, I’ve also come to understand the power that the words that I share hold. I’m committed to telling stories because whether you know it or not, the words matter. The stories matter. So I’m back, and eliminating the excuses. I just encourage you to do the same, in whatever you’re holding back on. You can work out the kinks as you go but do the thing. Put it out. Stay consistent. Even when you don’t feel like it, let the discipline lead you. You’ll be better for it in the end.
Now let’s dive in.
need you to know.
Yesterday, Casandra Ventura, better known by many of us as Cassie, filed a civil lawsuit against her former romantic partner and employer, Sean “Diddy” Combs, in Federal court. The suit is seeking unspecified damages, and details over a decade of violence - from physical and sexual abuse to literally blowing up vehicles of men competing for her romantic interest. You can read the entire 35-page complaint here, or this New York Times article that breaks the case down in detail. I’ve never seen a trigger warning on a court filing before…that lets you know how crazy it actually is.
Over the last few months, Diddy has been making good on a few of his promises, including actually coming through with his $1 Million donation to Howard University, and returning masters to artists who were signed to his Bad Boy label. Many online felt like these actions were preemptive, and that something major was coming. Well, it seems the chickens have come home to roost.
This could be the beginning of a moment of reckoning. Men in hip-hop have largely made it through the #MeToo era unscathed - many have been accused but none have actually been held accountable. I’ll be following along and will share updates as they come.
more.
A mistrial has been declared in the trial of Brett Hankison, the officer who recklessly fired 10 shots into Breonna Taylor’s apartment. [Story]
Rep. George Santos will not run for reelection following an explosive report from the House Ethics Committee. He allegedly used campaign funds to pay for trips to Sephora and an OnlyFans subscription. [Story]
Ilhan Omar plans to introduce a bill to block a $320 million package of U.S. weapons for Israel. [Story]
reads + vibes.
Part of the reason why I’m so passionate about this newsletter is because I think it’s important for Black people to have a clear source for news that is rooted in fact, not in gossip and unsubstantiated sources. It’s the journalism training in me, what can I say?
Part of what lit the fire back in my heart for it though was the Tory Lanez trial. There weren’t many Black journalists at Black publications that were reporting without bias. Sometimes we don’t need the commentary, we just need the facts. I was happy to have reporting from Meghann Cunniff, a Los Angeles-based legal affairs reporter who used social media (Mostly Twitter) to share play-by-play information about the trial.
Since then, Meghann has become the go-to legal reporter for Black Twitter. There are some who take issue with that - she’s a white woman - but the truth of the matter is that Black publications aren’t investing in sending their writers out to the courts for daily reporting. We need the truth. Right now Meghann is a great source. Until we get more… I’m rocking with her. This week, The Washington Post ran a great profile on Meghann and her growing profile online. You can read it here.
The Cut revisits the legacy of the great Lena Horne ahead of the release of Donald Bogle’s new book about her. [Story]
As we head into award season you should keep your eye on Fantasia. Reprising her role in The Color Purple is likely going to earn her some nominations. She spoke to Variety about initially turning down Oprah, surviving an overdose and doing her big acting in the film, which is set to premiere on Christmas Day. [Story]
There’s a really incredible profile of my fave, Issa Rae, written by Cori Murray, another one of my faves. The story breaks down the expanding empire she’s building through her company Hoorae - everything from film/tv to coffee, wine, and hair products. A mogul! [Story]
vibes.
I’m not going to lie to you… sometimes bullying works. Drake dropped 6 new tracks last night, and while he says that they aren’t in response to people saying that his latest album was childish, he definitely got on the mic and rapped for his life on these. Check out the last 6 tracks on “For All The Dogs Scary Hours Edition” on Spotify or Apple Music.
Ari Lennox has a new song called “Get Close” and it’s exactly the sound I was missing from her on her sophomore album. This sound is where she really shines. Check out the video below.
Don’t forget Andre 3000’s solo album New Blue Sun - it’s exclusively instrumental. If you need some good background music while you work today, check this out on Spotify or Apple Music.
That’s it for today fam. It feels good to be back. I’ll see you next week - in the meantime, help me out by sharing this with your community. Love - and Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate.