Four days after the shocking events at this year’s Oscars, the fallout is not over yet. Discussion with Stephanie Sy on pbs.org, March 31, 2022 The Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences says itContinue reading
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Behind Will Smith’s Slap, Black Pain and Enough Blame to Go Around
The foolishness and violence of the Oscar winner’s act — and of Chris Rock’s cruel joke — were undeniable, but the broader context and roots of such behavior merit reflection. Written by Eisa Nefertari UlenContinue reading
Review of The Other Black Girl
“Nella feels the aloneness that is inevitable in an industry that is among the most segregated, despite its left-of-center inclinations.” The Other Black Girl, a novel thriller written by Zakya Dalila Harris. Published June 2021Continue reading
Here’s What “Defunding the Police” Means to Me
Here’s what defunding the police could look like—and the best arguments from advocates in favor of this approach. Published April 26, 2021 by Reader’s Digest. Written by Eisa Nefertari Ulen – As the nation movesContinue reading
White Monarchy Nearly Killed Meghan Markle. It Has Killed Countless Others.
Racism enters Black bodies. Enduring racial discrimination lowers heart rate variability and increases heart rates. Racism is fight or flight. Published March 9, 2021 by Truthout. Written by Eisa Nefertari Ulen – The internalization ofContinue reading
How ‘One Night in Miami,’ ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ and More Give Audiences “An Opportunity to Witness Black Excellence”
Critic’s Notebook: A film critic, academic and novelist notes the acute joy and pain of viewing awards contenders that explore African American genius, including ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ and ‘The United States vs. BillieContinue reading
Women We Admire: Eisa Nefertari Ulen
Eisa Nefertari Ulen is a member of Tide Risers and she is a writer, and a professor, and the executive director of a nonprofit that provides summer programming in Brooklyn. What was your first job?Continue reading
Review of Reclaiming Black Beaches
On Alison Rose Jefferson’s “Living the California Dream” Published in the LA Review of Books December 15, 2020. Review by Eisa Nefertari Ulen – ALISON ROSE JEFFERSON documents a world I knew little about beforeContinue reading
Storytelling in a Pandemic: The COVID-19 Writers Project
C. Zawadi Morris and Eisa Nefertari Ulen participate in a Zoom webinar with Holly Piepenburg of the Pulitzer Center. Pulitzer Center Zoom webinar, December 18, 2020. “Even though we were all experiencing the exact sameContinue reading
Why Kwanzaa Is So Meaningful to Black Americans
Founded in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, Kwanzaa incorporates African language, cultural traditions, and family for a week of affirming, enduring celebrations of Black life. Published November 12, 2020 by Reader’s Digest. Written by EisaContinue reading
Breath in Crisis: A Diary Out of Time
This commentary is part of the Pulitzer Center’s COVID-19 Writers Project (C19WP), which captures a hyper-local view of the coronavirus pandemic, while examining the extent to which health outcomes are impacted by socio-economics, education, andContinue reading
8 Children’s Nursery Rhymes That Are Actually Racist
Can a catchy little rhyme really be that problematic? Yes—and it’s one way racism was inextricably woven into American life. Get ready to cringe at these childhood favorites. Published September 30, 2020 by Reader’s Digest.Continue reading
In ‘Black Panther,’ Chadwick Boseman Created a Fresh Model of Black Manhood
Critic’s Notebook: The star’s vulnerable, tender portrayal was so inspiring in part because of its departure from many of the qualities usually associated with strong Black screen heroes. Published August 29, 2020 by The HollywoodContinue reading
Please Stop Asking People of Color Where They’re From
This seemingly innocent question has racist overtones. Published July 2, 2020 by Reader’s Digest. Written by Eisa Nefertari Ulen – I have a friend who lives in New York City and has a super-strong BritishContinue reading
Even the Machines Are Racist
Facial Recognition Systems Threaten Black Lives Facial recognition technology promises to alert us if our children are skipping out on their college classes, to zip us past all the suckers waiting in line at theContinue reading
Review of Harriet A. Washington’s “A Terrible Thing to Waste”
Environmental Racism and Its Assault on the American Mind Published in the LA Review of Books November 26, 2019. Review by Eisa Nefertari Ulen – IN HER 1962 BOOK Silent Spring, Rachel Carson documented theContinue reading
Locs in the Sweat Lodge: On Shonda Buchanan’s “Black Indian”
Award-winning poet Shonda Buchanan honors multiple literary traditions in her breathtaking new memoir, Black Indian. An educator, freelance writer, and literary editor, Buchanan is a culture worker with deep, decades-long engagement in communities of color.Continue reading
Crystelle Mourning: A healing call for the African American Community
Brown Girl Book Lover, Leslie-Ann Murray, interviews Eisa Nefertari Ulen. Crystelle Mourning: A healing call for the African American Community. This month, Brown Girl Book Lover interviews, Eisa Nefertari Ulen. She is the author ofContinue reading