Jay Book UnEdited

Forbes recently released a list detailing 10 places in America African-Americans are thriving and living their best lives in 2018 and Tulsa, Oklahoma was not listed or mentioned. Ironically, just about 100 years ago Tulsa’s suburb of Greenwood was a cultural Mecca of Black leadership and excellence. Unfortunately many will not know the story of what was then known as “Little Africa,” and later designated “Black Wall Street.”

By design, Black Wall Street was more of a town than a single street taking root in northern Tulsa. In the early 1900s Tulsa, like much of America, was deeply divided, segregated and plagued with racial inequalities. Chasing the American dream and the hope of riches during the Oklahoma oil boom, black families and black entrepreneurs built the suburb of Greenwood.

This predominantly African-American suburb was a cultural anomaly drenched in black beauty and wealth. Black Wall Street featured businesses, homes, restaurants, theaters, and some of the best schools in the nation where black children were educated to the highest standards. According to research by the NAACP, black dollars stayed in the black community and aided in its wealth. Money would be circulated within Greenwood 36 days of a 100-day cycle as opposed to six hours in today’s Black economy. That basic principle of black-owned and black supported would ultimately lead to the envy of many poor white residents in Tulsa.

Greenwood Community was home to thousands of diverse African-Americans and the events of Tuesday, May 31, 1921 - Wednesday, June 1, 1921, forever changed the direction of this beautiful community. With accusations of alleged sexual assault from a young white woman, white police, deputized white racist, and even the Oklahoma National Guard swarmed Little Africa and obliterated the thriving suburb. Now known as the “Tulsa Race Riot,” domestic terrorism reigned down on the small community for 16 hours as it was defended by black World War I veterans. The Historical Society of Tulsa files suggest when the community was burned down, over 800 people were admitted to surrounding hospitals, an estimated 10,000 were left homeless, 35 city blocks housing 1,256 residences were destroyed, and 600 successful businesses were lost, including 21 restaurants, 30 grocery stores, two movie theaters and a hospital. During what is called one of the worst incidents of racial violence in American history an estimated 300 blacks or more lost their lives and over 6,000 were detained and arrested.

Following the attack residents who lost everything and some still living in tents began rebuilding. Black development again took root and Greenwood reestablished itself as a black Mecca of success well into the following decades. During progressive desegregation of the 1950s and 60s, the once thriving Greenwood community started to decline with blacks exiting for other areas and opportunities.

Black Wall Street will forever serve as another historical example of enterprise and ingenuity in Black culture. In 2017 African-American consumers accounted for 1.5 trillion dollars in the American economy. Imagine if black people as a whole spent that money in our communities, schools, and businesses. Happy Black History Month!

With 2019 almost behind us, I think we can all agree that it has been a crazy year for Black folk. Globally the culture took a major L when comedic legend John Witherspoon died of a heart attack in October. Pops, as many of us know him, played many roles during his multidecade career in both film and TV. Yet one of his more recent roles as Granddad on Aaron McGruder’s The Boondocks has become a fan favorite.

Boondocks fans have been on edge ahead of the series 2020 reboot. Most of them concerned with the fate of Witherspoon’s beloved character. That worry is understandable but now enters the power of social media. In a Tweet and Instagram post earlier this week, Durand Bernard pitched an idea of Jenifer Lewis taking over in place of the infamous Granddad “Bitches” Freeman. In a post he shared, “Picture it, Grandad passes away in the opening of the 5th season and the boys are sent to live with Grandad’s sister: played by Jenifer Lewis ‘Mary Louise’ or 'Ruby Ann.” Bernard may have been on to something because his idea immediately took flight! 

Who doesn’t like a good ole-fashioned shade-throwing Auntie? Especially since we can all agree Granddad’s shoes can’t easily be filled. The idea spread so quickly that even Jenifer Lewis herself chimed into the conversation saying, “Thank you one and all. I’ll check into this…“It would be fun. I miss my John Witherspoon. He gave us so much love and laughter y’all.”  So, in short, Auntie is here for it.

Lewis is no stranger to The Boondocks, in the past, she voiced Geraldine in “Early Bird Special” and Boss Willona in “Breaking Grandad.”  Currently, Jenifer Lewis stars on ABC’s Blackish where she kills it as the savvy and sharp-witted Grandmother Ruby Johnson. 

After Naruto dropped in the mid-2000s, who didn’t want to be apart of the Hidden Leaf Village? In fact, when I was a kid during 90s Dragon Ball Z reigned supreme and Goku’s Spirit Bomb wouldn’t have worked without me. Although that might be an opinion only I agree with, any kid or adult who understands exactly where I’m coming from also understands wanting to dress like some of our favorite characters in a more realistic less cosplay type of way. Don’t get me wrong, there are some fans who will wear the graphic out of a tee from Spencers…but there are others that would prefer to look cool AF while doing it.

Well, no need to fear Michael B. Jordan is here and he teamed up with the high-fashion brand Coach for an unlikely mashup of anime-inspired dopeness. Sounds cool enough right…yea, but wait until you see the prices of the pieces in the collection. I say that because you’ll probably have to gamble more than Grandma Tsunade to afford anything or at least past your Chunin Exam.  

It’s no secret that Michael B loves anime, in past interviews he’s mentioned the inspiration behind his Erik Killmonger costume came from the armor Siyans wear on DBZ. He’s also publicly talked about how much he enjoys different anime series still to this day. Now back to the price. Using a variety of designs made familiar by the Naruto anime series, Coach transforms features of our favorite characters into wearable street fashion with basic tees running about $95.00.

Most of the pieces in the high-end Japanese anime fashion collection feature what looks like a Sharingan, a trait typically associated with the Uchiha Clan. A couple of my favorite pieces are the Parka which will set you back $1,500 and the Belt Bag which is a cool $295.00. Luckily we are about to head into the season of giving so if someone is feeling generous, please, by all means, hook a brotha up! 

Luka Sabbat is a star in his own right and a sex symbol who has built an image on carefree style and unique fashion. Globally tons of adoring fans go crazy for his infamous pornstar mustache and signature dreadlocks making him the desire of many fantasies young and old. Recently the fashion model and star of Freeform’s “Grown-ish,” posted a picture via his Instagram with the caption, “Hope everybody is having a good pride month :) 🌈,” instantly blasting open Pandora’s Box of Masculinity.

In the two photos in the center of the conversation, Sabbat and business partner Kerwin Frost are pictured rocking matching black and white Moschino Playboy inspired “Gay Boy” sweat suits designed by Jeremy Scott. Boasting a price tag of almost 1k for the two-piece set, Frost and Luka rounded their look off with all black socks and flip flops as a photographer captured the two posing in a crosswalk and alongside a pole. After posting the photo, Sabbat, who has been known to hang with a variety of people despite their sexual orientation, instantly left swooning fans across the world puzzled at the mere suggestion of homosexuality.  

With comments into the multi-thousands, friends and fans alike poured in with supportive comments regarding the LGBTQ friendly duo. Even the great and powerful Eyrkah Badu chimed in with a simple, “Y’all cute.”  To some, the message was missed leaving others such as Instagram user and fashion designer Chris Klemens perplexed saying essentially, “Y’all are about to full-on combust over a human wishing well upon other humans…” Thankfully Sabbat’s intended message of support was received by some but others still missed the point. In other comments users just simply kept asking, “wait…Luka is gay,” or decided the two were tweaking.  

Although some LGBTQ advocates didn’t agree with the photo citing June is not the only month LGBTQ people need support, many appreciated the attention. During times where individuality is being celebrated, why are so many people still concerned about how people identify sexually?  Luka’s straight by the way.

In many communities sexuality is a taboo subject and gender roles are assigned at birth. People who feel differently are automatically made to believe something is wrong with them and in some cases criminally charged or victimized for being what is natural to them. Time after time, if people don’t associate with what’s acceptable in what society considers “normal,” they are isolated and ignored. Unfortunately, these false perceptions of what masculinity is supposed to look like are what drives the backlash against people like Luka Sabbat and Kerwin Frost for openly wearing something that obviously goes against alleged gender normalities. 

Moving from music to mogul, in the 90s Jigga Man was screaming money aint a thing but in 2019 it really aint! Jay-Z became the first Hip-Hop Billionaire and his music was just a fraction of the diverse assets that help to contribute to Jay’s cool billion.

After selling his Beats brand to Apple for $3 billion a few years ago, most considered Dr. Dre rap’s first billionaire. Although his $3 billion dollar deal is still a major move his personal net worth is hovering at $850 million. Although $850 mill ain’t a bill, it ain’t chump change, and the success of these guys shows the power of Hip-Hop!

Over the years HOVA has been working on his fortune by acquiring a variety of art, real estate, companies, and more.  One of his brands Ace of Spade (Armand de Brignac) is worth $310 million alone. In the words of the master poet Jigga Man, “D’usse is the shit if I do say so my self,” and that is clearly the case with D’Usse bringing in a cool $100 million for the Brooklyn native. The iconic artist also has financial stakes in multiple companies, including an estimated $70 million dollar stake in the ride-sharing company Uber.

Adding another quarter billion to his worth is Tidal at $100 million, Roc Nation at $75 million, and his prized music catalog raking in another $75 million! The Encore rapper also has an eye for the canvas. Jay owns a Basquiat piece estimated to be worth $4.5 million, which is just a small portion of his private collection that is worth $70 mill. The final part of his massive self made fortune is the $50 million he has in real-estate. 

Linda Fairstein the prosecutor of the Central Park Five case is feeling the heat for her racist prosecution of five black and brown boys after the release of Ava DuVernays jaw-dropping Netflix series, “When They See Us.” Fairstein, who was head of the Manhattan Sex Crimes Unit in 1989, destroyed the lives of five teenagers by sending them to jail for a heinous crime the New York Police Department fabricated against them. 

Following the release of DuVernay’s series, social media lit up protesting the prejudice and injustice these children faced at the time. Almost immediately Fairstein’s social media outlets were flooded with the hashtag #CancelLindaFairstein. Since then she has removed all of her accounts and people are still not letting up questioning why she herself has not been prosecuted herself for her actions.

In the years following the falsified case, Fairstein, portrayed by Felicity Huffman in the series, published multiple books while innocent children suffered in lock-up. Book publisher Simon & Schuster also received request to drop the controversy entrenched Fairstein under the hashtag #BoycottSimonSchuster.

Ironically to this day, Linda Fairstein amid all facts believes she was correct in the case and shows no remorse.  Not only that, she attempted to control how she was portrayed on screen. In an interview with the Daily Beast, Ava DuVernay explained, “Linda Fairstein actually tried to negotiate. I don’t know if I’ve told anyone this, but she tried to negotiate conditions for her to speak with me, including approvals over the script.” Luckily the Oscar-nominated Ava DuVernay declined Fairstein’s request for white privilege.

Super Predator is a title political leaders labeled young men of color as in the early 1990s as they focused on integrating policies that would go on to devastate and ravage Black and Brown communities for decades to come. Driven by misplaced racial stereotypes and hypocritical propaganda, the American judicial system and proctors of the law heinously intimidated, incriminated, and incarcerated thousands unjustly. Events such as the Rodney King Beating, Central Park Five Case, and California’s 3-Strike Laws resonated loudly and illuminated the deeply rooted sense of distrust between communities of color and law enforcement representatives across America. 

Ava DuVernay’s fact-based Netflix series, “When They See Us,” hit the streaming service on May 31.  Emotionally stimulating, When They See Us offered an unflinching look into the real circumstances surrounding the now vindicated Central Park Five. After extensively studying the flawed case, DuVernay accurately depicted the illegally manufactured events of April 1989. Thirty years ago, New York City police (NYPD) rounded up black teenagers and manipulated them along with their families and friends, using brutal tactics forcing them to develop a false narrative surrounding the rape of a white woman in New York’s Central Park. 

Unfortunately, scenarios such as the tragic events associated with the Central Park crime are too common. Korey Wise, one of the five young black men implicated in the Central Park Five case, was sixteen years old when everything unfolded. Guilty of nothing, he became guilty by association for deciding to accompany his friend, Yuseef Salaam, to the police station. After being convicted, Wise, who was 16, was charged as an adult for the crimes and placed into the adult prison system. In an interview with  CBS Sunday Morning, DuVernay said, “my goal was to humanize boys and now men who are widely regarded as criminals…and in doing that to invite the audience to reinterrogate everyone that they define as a criminal.” The title of her Netflix series also derives from in her words, “What do you see when you see black boys?”

Masterfully produced, When They See Us left viewers feeling raw and vulnerable. Many African-Americans who viewed the series felt even more connected to the characters citing the current climate in America toward people of color. One person #UnEdited spoke with stated, “Look at Donald Trump then and look at Trump now…still a racist bigot!” Referring to the full page ad Donald Trump took out in the New York Times calling for the death penalty for the Central Park Five. Jharrel Jerome, the actor that convincingly portrayed Korey Wise, said: “young black men in the street, strangers I don’t know but who are my brothers, I look at them and I’m like, I hope you’re safe, I hope you’re ok!” His words hit even closer to home because of the bias that still infects American culture. 

When They See Us gave a glimpse into the extent the criminal justice system would go to incriminate minorities. In the case of the Central Park Five, prosecutors ignored every fact to sell to the public children depicted as “animals” out “wilding” on the town looking for crime to commit. Ironically three decades later we still find ourselves deeper in a disproportionate fight against the criminal justice system and abuse of power.  Although the message has not changed the voices are becoming bigger. People like Colin Kaepernick and movements such as Black Lives Matter have become fixtures in bringing attention to corruption and misrepresentation.