Life After Bridgerton: Regé Jean Page No Longer Baring it All

The Hollywood Reporter has released part one of its annual Emmy Roundtable, allowing a chance for actors to meet, for the first time, and discuss the experiences of their diverse acting careers. The first set of conversations features actors John Boyega, Jonathan Majors, Josh O’Connor, Chris Rock, and Regé-Jean Page, all experiencing new heights of their careers, and although the discussion involved many notable tales, it was Page's confirmation of why he would not be returning to season 2 of Bridgerton that was most attention-grabbing.

Although Page has only recently grabbed global recognition, he has built an impressive resume in England. And yes, Bridgerton was a groundbreaking period piece that showcased the power of diverse casting, but it’s no secret that the must-watch ingredient to the show's success was Page and his steamy sex scenes, which unfortunately isn't enough motivation to have the actor return. Once it was announced that Page would not be returning for season 2, my first thought was ’he doesn’t want to do sex scenes anymore,” and in part, that’s true. Were Page to return for a second season, he would inevitably be reduced to a sexual figure for the show, an aspect he was never prepared for. Speaking in regards to the series' sex scenes, “I wasn’t sufficiently prepared, and I was there...I think people were grateful for the intensity of the romantic aspects of Bridgerton; I’m not sure how grateful I was to watch it for myself. It was overwhelming.” With his character arc completed and the next season moving on to the next Bridgerton child in line to marry, it would not benefit the series to bring the actor back just for the sake of having him. In the meantime, Page is setting his sights on better things and bigger screens.

Fans will have their next opportunity to see him on screens as he is currently filming Dungeons & Dragons, due in theaters on November 19, 2021. Read the full article interview here.

Batwoman Earns its Wings

When the CW announced Javicia Leslie as the newest Batwoman the network knew it was entertaining an uncharted territory with a list of firsts. Leslie’s casting makes her the first-ever African American woman to lead a comic-based series, play Batwoman, and for extra merit, as a proud member of the LGBT community, she is the first lesbian woman of color to lead a series also. 

The season 2 premiere doesn't waste any time jumping into the action and fixing the series Kate Kane problem. It’s not long before Leslie’s character Ryan is introduced and we see that season 2 is going to be a very different show. Season 1 of Batwoman dragged primarily due to Rose’s character being outshined by virtually all of her costars and the fact that she was never relatable as a hero, so the new season wastes no time making the audience connect with the character of Ryan. Writers thankfully have avoided using any type of stereotypical tropes that usually befall Black characters in urban settings, especially in a crime-filled city like Gotham. Instead, writers have opted for presenting Ryan as a once optimistic resident of Gotham whose life is drastically changed after suffering a great tragedy. And yet the tragedy doesn’t turn her into an angry one-dimensional character. She has the much-needed personality that was missing in season one to match the energy of costars Campus Johnson and Nicole Kang, as well as the commanding presence needed to wear the Batsuit and terrify criminals throughout the city. Not to mention the relationship she has with her plant is the cherry on top.

Already I'm loving the direction season two is taking. In regards to the dynamic between the hero and villain, I'm already more invested in the relationship between Ryan and Alice as compared to the first season with Kate. Acknowledging the writers were trying to parallel the Batman and Joker dynamic, the reason people tuned into season one was to see what made Batwoman unique, not for the female version of Batman. 

With Luke Cage canceled on Netflix, and Black Lightning airing its final season, Leslie's Batwoman couldn't have come at a better time to fill the growing void of Black superheroes on television. Here’s hoping the series is here to stay. 

Troublesome Director, Actor Duo

Why is actor Henry Zaga hell bent on ruining his career? Or at least that’s what I asked myself when I learned the young actor is once again facing backlash for his second portrayal of a character from a marginalized community. Fresh off the press tour for having to defend his portrayal of the Afro-Latino Marvel character for the film New Mutants, Zaga is now defending himself and his portrayal of the deaf and mute character in the series The Stand.

Since the casting was first announced in 2019 members of the deaf community have called for a boycott and also started a petition asking for the actors removal and for calling for authentic representation. In regards to the backlash, Zaga wants people to give him a chance at the role because he studied really hard for it. "To me as an actor, I had a lot of work to do and as a human being to open my heart to a culture, to a language and portray as truthfully and respectfully as possible... I think the biggest thing we can do to portray a character like Nick is do our homework and respect, open your heart, open your mind to everything you can learn from people that have lived through those obstacles.”

It should be noted that the series, like New Mutants, is also directed by Josh Boone who is no stranger to controversy, having recently acknowledged how little source material dictates his casting decisions. In defense to the whitewashing controversy that followed Zega’s casting for the New Mutants film Boone said, “My goal was to find the best actor who...was at the least the closest to kind of what I saw in my head for the character. I didn’t care so much about the racism I’ve heard in Brazil, about light-skinned versus dark-skinned.” Sounds like a match made in heaven.

The Stand is now airing on CBS and so far the reviews aren’t nice. Will you be tuning in?

No Twerking in the Restaurant

Dallas restaurant True Kitchen is gaining national attention, but unfortunately, it isn’t because of the menu. On November 29th, a video surfaced of the restaurant’s owner, Kevin Kelley, yelling at patrons in a crowded room over a group and their excessive twerking inside the establishment. 

As with most things found on the internet, the subject quickly divided viewers with some agreeing with Kelley over the inappropriateness due to the setting, and others finding his outburst itself equally inappropriate and disrespectful to the other parties present. As attention gained Kelley himself responded to the now-viral video, in an attempt to add context to what led to the outburst and to double-down on his views.

There are always two sides to a story and in this situation, the blame lies with all parties involved. Primarily as the owner Kelley shoulders the majority of blame as he failed to exhibit the professionalism that he so loudly demanded in his establishment. No one is above losing their temper, and regardless of how nicely he previously addressed the party as the owner, he had the authority and right to ask them to leave. Also as seen with the division of support, his outburst asleep risked alienating visiting and future patrons. As for the party of attendees, their blame lies in not respecting Kelley or the business after his initial contact with them. 

Who do you think was wrong? After seeing the video would you ever

Orlando Bloom Reminds Us He’s Sexy Too

Michael B. Jordan may have been named People magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive 2020 but that isn’t stopping others from challenging his reign. Although he’s remained under the radar of social media since those flattering nude photos of his hit the internet, Orlando Bloom took the time out of his busy schedule to remind the world just how sexy he is.

What do you think? Is Orlando Bloom a strong contender for next year’s sexiest man?

Hawkman Goes Black Finally

DC Comics Black Adam film is adding a new member from the Justice League and bringing another powerful Black superhero to the big screen. While the film stars Dwayne Johnson as the titular hero, legacy character Hawkman is finally heading to the big screen and will be played by actor Aldris Hodge. 

Hodge is no stranger to comic-inspired series, most recently appearing in season 2 of Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy. Touchingly it was Johnson who personally delivered the news to Hughs the casting decision. An account he shared in an Instagram post.

A member of the Justice League, Hawkman is an Egyptian man who, aside from flight, has the power of reincarnation. While not as well known as the big 7 of DC comics, the character is actually a key figure in the comics and has appeared in animated series such as Justice League and Young Justice,  and made a live-action yet ill-fated appearance in the CW Arrowverse. 

As with all recent comic casting involving persons of color, there is of course some backlash. Despite the character's initial background being written as biracial, the character was predominantly drawn to be a white man. Similarly, all of the previous live-action depictions leaned into whitewashing the character. Even when the character's history was taken into account and made a focal point of the storyline the casting still bypassed an actual person of color so if it’s the authenticity that anyone wants to complain about it should begin there. Between the casting of Hodge and Johnson, all signs are pointing to a storyline that’s conscious of the importance of the history of its characters. DC has proven that they can make good movies and surely Black Adam won’t disappoint. 

Nia DaCosta Makes Marvel History

Marvel is making history once again with its cinematic universe and the Captain Marvel franchise. The first film introduced the character as the most powerful hero on the Avenger roster and was directed by Anne Boden, Marvel’s first female director, with Ryan Fleck. While the film was a box office smash it was met with mixed reviews from fans and critics alike so perhaps Marvel is looking to take the film in a new direction with a brand new director. The company has hired Nia DaCosta to direct the sequel to Captain Marvel making her the first African American female director in the franchise.

Dacosta emerged on the scene with the success of her debut film Little Woods, and if her name sounds familiar it could be because she's also directing the highly anticipated reboot of Candyman. There's no telling what direction DaCosta is taking the film in but she is sure to bring a fresh take to film and could bring the much-needed life support needed for a trilogy. A makeover wouldn't be so bad especially when considering it took the Thor franchise three tries before it finally found its footing. It’s also worth noting that Netflix recently made history for hiring its first African  American woman to direct a comic adapted film, garnering rave reviews for its film The Old Guard and showing the industry Black women can produce great action films also.

Aside from her history-making hiring, DaCosta also has received the largest budget to ever be handed to a Black female director. Not much is known about the storyline however the movie will supposedly follow after the events of Endgame and will be set on Earth at some point to connect the movie with the upcoming series WandaVision which will introduce the adult version of Monica Rambeau. In all the future is looking bright for both Marvel and DaCosta. 

Black, Gay and Married: the Primetime Relationship We've Longed to See

Despite the number of LGBT characters presented onscreen today only a small fraction are of color. Furthernore, of that percentage very few are safe from falling into the category of being portrayed stereotypically. As the diversity of LGBT characters continues to be featured more prominently in film and television, Black gay men are finally getting the chance to see themselves reflected as something more than that of a comedic prop, or as an accessory to an interracial relationship. NBC's newest series, Council of Dads, features the first married Black gay couple on a prime time television sitcom, a huge step even in the year 2020. Playing the roles of Oliver and Peter, are J. August Richards and Kevin Daniels, with Richards' character being one of three fathers helping the Perry family adjust after the death of the family's father, an event that completely changes the dynamic of the family going forward.

Daniels is an out actor who has appeared on shows such as Modern Family, Sirens, and Why Women Kill. Richards became a household name as a series regular on Angel, and has interestingly enough, despite having played predominantly "straight" roles previously in Hollywood, Richards also used this casting opportunity to officially come out to the world, revealing that he also identifies as gay. Needless to say, having gay Black characters protrayed by actual Black gay men is a refreshing step away from straight actors taking on gay roles. Speaking with the advocate about his coming out and incorporating it into the show Richards stated, "It was important to me that the nuances of the experience of being a Black gay man were represented on this show, because otherwise, why am I even doing it?"

Outside of the couple, the series also features a transgender child in the Perry family. This visibility is important and continues to highlight the diversity that exists within the LGBT community. Years ago I asked the question where were all the happy black gay couples on prime time television. It seems we finally have the answer.

Watch new episodes Thursdays, 10pm et. 

Rickey Smiley is Over Men in Dresses Too

On Febuary 17, comedian and radio show host Rickey Smiley evoked the wrath of the internet after posting the following on both his Facebook and Instagram accounts:

   

At this time it's unclear what prompted the post. Perhaps it was a message of solidarity for former radio host, Wendy Williams, who received backlash for insensitive comments about gay men and if it was done in response to the outpouring of support for Zaya Wade confirming her gender identity. Whatever the reason, Smiley's post garnered both negative and positive reactions from his fans, with the majority calling Smiley out for divisiveness and devaluing the seriousness of one issues to promote another.

The main issue with Smiley's post is that there is no shortage of African American men and women being discriminated against for their choice of hair, and numerous examples can be found all across the country. Likely Smiley's post is in reference to DeAndre Arnold,, the Texas teen who's been banned from graduation due to his hair. When the story broke millions showed Arnold support and encouragement and the teen and family were even invited to attend this year's Academy Awards, walking the same red carpet as Billy Porter, a man who attended in a dress. The fact that hair, like clothing, is used as a way of expression for many is missed on Smiley as he this opportunity for laughs instead of enlightenment. However society has to ask how can we refuse the rejection of one's identity but support the suppression of another's?

Wendy Williams: Tolerance Not Acceptance

Wendy Williams just can't seem to catch a break these days. The controversial talk show host enraged social media, again, when she took it upon herself to police the fashion of others. Prior to Valentine's day, the host references Galentine, a term referencing women without a partner celebrating the day with their best gal pals. No one seemed to take issue with this, but apparently Williams took issue with the male members of her audience who applauded while she introduced the segment prompting this response: “Well, first of all, if you’re a man and you’re clapping, you’re not even a part of this. You don’t even understand the rules of the day... It’s women going out and getting saucy and then going back home... I don’t care if you’re gay. You don’t get a mense every 28 days, all right? You can do a lot that we do, but I get offended by the idea that we go through something you will never go through. And stop wearing our skirts and our heels. Just saying, girls, what do we have for ourselves?"

Naturally the backlash was quick and another social media wildfire was started. Aside from the comments bordering on homophobic, many took issue with the statement coming from Williams primarily because she has considered herself a LGBTQ ally in the past. Even attending pride events. Not one to apologize often, unless pressured by White studio executives, Williams has since offered an apology to the community but according to many her apology lacks sincerity.

"I apologize, I did not mean to offend my LGBTQ+ community. I never do this show in a place of malice... I understand my platform with the community... I didn’t mean to hurt anybody’s feelings. I’m just having a conversation. I’m 55 years old and maybe I sounded like your auntie, your mother, your big sister, or somebody out of touch. I’m not out of touch, except for perhaps yesterday, by saying what I said. So I deeply apologize and I deeply appreciate the support that I get from the community. I will do better. I appreciate you supporting me. Thank you."

Now, while it's no secret that William's style of journalism follows the pattern of Howard Stern, being as crass and disrespectful as possible knowing that a certain shock factor is a way of keeping an audience growing, these particular comments are more than William's being tongue and check. Williams displays perfectly tolerance, not acceptance. Wendy Williams doesn't need to apologize for saying how she felt. It's how she truly feels despite just two days prior praising Zara Wade for her confidence. While offering an apology for offending the LGBT community what Williams neglects to state is that clothes have no gender and that everyone should be able to what makes them comfortable. Despite public backlash it doesn't look like the tv host is going anywhere anytime soon.

Dwyane Wade is America's Father Figure

As if America needed another reason to aspire to the parenting goals of Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union, the pair just raised the bar for parents. Wade has previously shared how his child revealed her preference for being addressed by pronouns like she and her, and now Wade has shared that she now prefers to be called Zaya. Wade and his family have been supportive of Zaya's journey, despite when the public hasn't. The family even received scrutiny for attending gay a pride event during 2019. Regardless, nothing has stopped the Wade family from surrounding Zaya with love.

Wade made the revelation during an interview on the Ellen DeGeneres show, where he recounted the conversation with Zaya. "When our child comes home with a question, when our child comes home with an issue, when our child comes home with anything, it's our job as parents to listen to that, to give them the best information we can, the best feedback we can... and that doesn't change because sexuality is now involved."

Fathers like Wade are helping to move away from the stigma of having a gay child, rejecting the notion of disowning or causing harm because of ones sexuality. A stigma within the African American community, that has been challenged as recently as Kevin Harts insensitive comments of how he would handle having a gay son. Comments which led to backlash and caused Hart to lose his spot as the host for that years Oscars. Fast forward two years later and the conversation surrounding parenting and homosexuality has changed greatly. Wade comments offer a new look at the evolution of Black fathers, especially amongst public figures. Father's day is still a few months away however it is never too early, or late, to celebrate Black father figures and those who are helping to change the idea of what it means to be a father in a non traditional family unit.

Jay Z Seated at Superbowl: All Business No Politics

Despite the spectacular performances during the 54th Superbowl all eyes were on power couple The Carters, especially during the singing of the national anthem. Jay-Z and the Beyonce caused a social media uproar by remaining seated during the National anthem. It was deemed political by some, thanks in part to his initial support of Colin Kaepernick while others were left confused due to recent partnership with the NFL and his comment "I think we're past kneeling now." To clear up the confusion, when asked if his family remaining seated was an act of protest the artist simply replied, "It wasn't. Sorry."

To his credit the artist did expand, stating that once the show began he and his wife transitioned into the professional artists that they are. Due to his partnering with the NFL, aside from getting the NFL engaged with social activism, Jay-Z also provides the league with musical entertainment featuring many Roc Nation artists, such as Shakira. Once the show began Carter says he was preoccupied with making sure everything in the show, from sound to camera angles,  was going according to plan. "The whole time we're sitting there, we're talking about the performance...I didn't have to make a silent protest. If you look at the stage, the artists that we chose, Colombian Shakira, Puerto Rican J. Lo. We were making the biggest loudest protest of all," And while the choice of performers was a political statement in itself, there are reports that behind the scenes things weren't as smooth as they appeared.

Apparently before the show began Jay Z, undoubtedly at the behest of his "partners", was said to have pressured J. Lo to change a part of her performance which referenced the ongoing border crisis and the imprisonment of children. Lopez, rightfully, stood her ground and demanded the set stay. However the situation was so infuriating, at the last minute Lopez dropped out of the opening performance leading Shakira to a rushed solo opening. With this news the cracks in Carter's partnership with the league, which we all knew existed, is becoming more and more visible. Notably, Colin Kaepernick's former team the 49s lost in a last minute upset after leading the game for four quarters, so perhaps cosmic justice has been served. If you missed the performance or just want to relive the glory click below.

Pastor Troy Channels Internalized Homophobia for Clout

(Former) rapper Pastor Troy has crawled from under the rock that was dropped on him in 2020 to audition for a role on Love and Hip Hop. On Wednesday, the artist found himself prompted to share a homophobic rant about this past Sunday's Grammys and its pushing of the gay agenda. Now even I, with over 15 years of homosexual experiences, am not sure what the gay agenda is but Troy seems to be in the know. The artists comments were fueled by both Lil Nas X first Grammy win and his choice of fashion. The sight of the young black man celebrating his accomplishment was enough to cause Troy to rant on Instagram in a now deleted post.

While wrapped in homophobia, what's actually being showcased is his own insecurities surrounding his own sexuality. Numerous studies have been conducted over the years to support how homophobia often correlates with repressed sexuality, especially among men. His statement itself is contradicted by both former and recent Grammy winners who dress what society would deem masculine. Perhaps struggling with his own homosexuality, this rant could be a cry for help. Or, more likely, the "rapper" is simply using inflammatory commentary to bring attention to his less than memorable career. Like the adage goes, all press is good press, and even though the post has been deleted it will continue to live in internet infamy.

New Mutants, Old Problems

Will New Mutants save the X-Men franchise?

Finally, after a 2 year delay, Fox's last vision of its former X-Men property has an official release date for the long awaited superhero adventure New Mutants. Based on the popular comic series of the same name, the film will serve as a superhero coming of age, and horror mashup. However, judging from the delays and reshoots many fear that the film will follow in the footsteps of its predecessor Dark Phoenix, doomed before ever hitting theaters. With so much already set against it, will New Mutants be a successful film or will it be the final nail in the coffin for the franchise?

Originally set to have debuted in 2018, the film fell into development hell when Fox wasn't happy with the first trailer released, leading to massive reshoots. Things seemed to be back on track until Fox's acquisition by Disney which furthur delayed the movie release. As with Dark Phoenix before it, the constant delays makes audiences skeptical that the movie is even worth seeing, increasing the odds that the it will fare better on DVD than in actual theaters. There's also the obstacle of the film's casting. Ever since the casting decisions were announced, fans of the New Mutants comic were quick to voice their disappointment with the casting of the character Sunspot, who will be portrayed by actor Henry Zaga. Along with the casting of Alice Braga as Cecelia Reyes, both casting decisions raising legitimate claims of whitewashing. 

If the producers hadn't noticed racism tends to turn audiences away however, there still remains the possibility the film will be a critical success. Thanks to the Fox and Disney merger, New Mutants will be a part of the MCU. The potential for an explanation for how mutants will be introduced and incorporated into the universe may be enough to get theater seats filled. If the movie does well it may be the start of a new series of films eventually leading up the the young mutants making their way to the ranks of the X-Men. And then there's the character Magik who has has been a fan favorite in comics ever since her introduction, so fans are excited to finally see the live action debut. Most notably, featuring a powerful character like Magik can also contribute to further building this new universe. The new mutants can lead to the introduction of the X-Men, and Magik being a frequent collaborator of Dr. Strange can branch the team fully into the MCU.

New Mutants hits theaters April 13. Enjoy the trailer below and let me know what you think.

Dear Terry Gilliam, Your Racism is Showing

Terry Gilliam is working overtime to "promote" his latest movie, but rather than actually discussing his film the actor is rather using interviews to showcase his racist and sexist views of the world.

Gilliam, a director, first showcased his racism during an interview with IndieWire where he went on a tangent about his hate for Ryan Coogler's film Black Panther stating, "I hated Black Panther. It makes me crazy. It gives young black kids the idea that this is something to believe in. Bullshit. It’s utter bullshit." Black Panther, of course, depicted the fictional and technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda, so to be clear it's not the idea of a black superhero Gilliam has an issue with but instead a country of prosperity and intelligence. Why should this be an issue for Black children? White audiences have had the fictional worlds of Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, and Twilight (to name a few) none of which the director took issue with. He tries to cover his racism by centering his ire on the superhero genre in all but the damage was already done. "I make films where I’m trying to make people think... and look at the world in a different way, hopefully, and consider possibilities. Those films don’t do that."

Nearly two weeks later the director is doubling down on his bigotry this time continuing his attack on the #metoo movement, and voicing his support for the disgraced Harvey Weinstein during an interview with the Independent. "Yeah, I said #MeToo is a witch hunt... I really feel there were a lot of people, decent people, or mildly irritating people, who were getting hammered. That’s wrong. I don’t like mob mentality. These were ambitious adults.” This time, unlike previous interviews he attempts to circle his comments towards his film and the character of a female prostitute. "Here’s a girl who takes responsibility for her state... whatever happened in this character’s life, she’s not accusing anybody. We’re living in a time where there’s always somebody responsible for your failures, and I don’t like this. I want people to take responsibility and not just constantly point a finger at somebody else, saying, ‘You’ve ruined my life.’” Gilliam believes that White men are victims in particular and that he is tired for white men being blamed for all the problems in the world.

Gilliam will be the first to admit he enjoys being problematic, but sexist and racist are issues of a different caliber. I do however thank him for revealing his true self to the world. Perhaps his troubling views are a factor in his string of failed movies over the years and in the age of the cancel culture we're now living in its likely his latest film will suffer for his comments.

John Legend's Sexiness Outshines Toxic Masculinity

When you hear the name John Legend, singer, songwriter, and activist are just a few titles that come to mind and now he's landed one of America's most coveted titles. People magazine has named John Legend as 2019's sexiest man alive and surprisingly the people aren't too pleased. No sooner than the news was announced many social media users voiced their disappointment; some comments were funny, some were cruel but collectively they pointed out the all too familiar trend in the black community of equating a black man's sexiness to his level of toxic masculinity.

Toxic masculinity is defined as the adherence to specific gender roles placed on males, such as a restriction and suppression of pleasant emotions, with the exception of expressing anger, and the expectation that men always seek to be the dominant male. Social media posts, and memes aside, the sentiments were only echoed by Wendy Williams, who gave the perfect illustration of how toxic masculinity still plagues African Americans to this day. While discussing the singer's newest milestone the talk show host spewed her toxic view to her audience stating, "when I think about a sexy man I’m not thinking John Legend...I need a man who’s gonna punch someone in the face."

Yes, this Black woman told her largely white audience that she didn't find a black man sexy because of his lack of aggressive behavior. Toxic masculinity at its finest. Interestingly enough, Legend was raised in the Black church, an environment with a stark contract to settings where toxic masculinity is prevalent and nurtured.

As sexiness is subjective, there have been many who have come to the singer's defense, either supporting the magazine's decision or calling out the toxicity of other social media users. One Twitter user perfectly pointed out the hypocrisy of many naysayers.

What do you think? Does John Legend fit your definition of sexy?

Tank Discusses Sexual Fluidity

This week, singer and sex symbol Tank set the internet ablaze, once again, with his comments surrounding sexuality. Previously the unapologetic R&B crooner was catapulted into the spotlight of public opinion when he spoke out in support of his LGBT fans and decided to perform at DC Black Pride in 2017. Now the singer has once again drove his heterosexual fans into a frenzy with his comments about sexuality among men and experiences with other men.

On October 21st, speaking with Angela Yee and co host on her Lip service podcast, early into the interview the conversation segwayed when Yee pushed the conversation further when she asked "what if a dude sucks a dick once, does that make him gay?" And of course candidly stating, " He sucked dick once, right? Then, he's like I'm not sure if I liked it or not. Let me try it again," and upon not liking it, "it doesn't mean he's gay... the art of being gay is being gay. It's a continuious state of being." Naturally the star was met with mixed reaction afterward, sparking an ongoing debate.

Tank, like many other Black male celebrities, read more here, is helping to change and improve the conversation surrounding homosexuality. Exploring ones sexuality, no matter the age, and engaging in a sexual act with someone of the same sex doesn't eternally etch one's sexuality into stone. Sexuality is fluid and there should be no shame or stigma engaging in something to decide if it's something you like. Challegnging the stigma of black sexuality has been an ongoing fight. The subject has also been touched on through other outlets such as Issa Rae's series Insecure.

Furthering the conversation only helps to end the stigma once and for all, and that only helps makes the world a better and less judgemental place.

Jay-Z vs the World

Hip Hop mogul Jay-Z, real name Sean Carter, is making headlines for his controversial deal with the NFL. Rightly so, the NFL has been cancelled by many African Americans and allies in an act of support for Colin Kaepernick. Since his firing, #boycottNFL started trending and many influential people voiced their support, but now Carter who was once one of Kaepernick's biggest supporters has had a change of heart and has signed a deal to partner with the NFL.

The partnership gives the artist input on entertainment at every NFL event, and will potentially make him the first African American owner in the leagues nearly 100 year old history. Impressive as it may be, many are finding the gesture contradictory to his previous support of Kaepernick. Following the announcement many on social media, including fellow artists and friends, have voiced their disapproval of the decision. When questioned about previous support of Kaepernick Carter responded, "I think we're past kneeling," and that it's now "time for action." What's missing from the response however is what action he is taking to actively change the environment of the NFL, or more specifically the treatment of Black players within the league,  nor has the artist elaborated on how and if the league is doing anything to combat social injustice that continues to plague the country.

I'm all for a Black man getting a check, but never at the expense of his integrity. Ever since the deal has been made public Carter's team has good in defense mode, especially in regard to Carter stating that he'd spoken with Kaepernick regarding the deal. To correct the misdirection his team released a statement clarifying that although Carter did speak with Kaepernick, it wasn't until after the deal and that even then the conversation was not about the deal. Let's be clear, no one is saying that Jay-Z doesn't deserve a seat at the table, however one can't criticize the table and then happily pull up a seat when there has not been any changes to the spread.

Female Rap Renaissance

To call it a comeback would be inaccurate as female rap has been on a rise for years. And now with a record breaking number of 7 female rap artists making it onto Billboard's Hot 100 list, it's safe to say that the hip hop community is experiencing a renaissance when it comes to female rap music. Previously the highest number of female rap acts on the chart was at 6, for 2016 and 2017, and if this is any indication of what the final quarter of the year may look like then it is highly likely continuing forward this number will only rise.

The females dominating the charts thus far are the duo Cardi B (11), Nicki Minaj (3), City Girls (2), Megan thee Stallion (2), Iggy Azalea (1), and new comers Lizzo (2), and Saweetie (1), providing the charts with a strong mixture of Hip Hop and Pop, proving that female rap is much more than "strippers rapping."

The charts aren't the only reflection of female talent  this year, with Dreezy's "Close to You" being certified Gold, and feats such as this years XXL including a record 3 women in the magazine's annual freshman class; Megan, Tierra Whack, and Rico Nasty.

I'm hoping these ladies and more find themselves making chart history. And as a bonus Remy Ma is officially off probation and can now work and tour without restrictions on travel or touring.

Blade Rebooted Starring Mahershala Ali

Fifteen years after the final installment, Marvel is ready to rebrand the Blade franchise and fully incorporate the hero into the MCU. The three previous films starred Wesley Snipes and when news first started circling many believed that the actor would be reprising the role. However, it has been officially announced at the San Diego Comic con that the franchise is getting fresh blood with the casting of Mahershala Ali as the titular hero. Ali is no stranger to Marvel, having previously portrayed the villain Cottonmouth on the Netflix series Luke Cage, and has gained a large fanbase thanks to his role in the movies Moonlight, and The Greenbook, so this only adds to the buzz surrounding the future film.

Given how tightly woven the MCU is, and the theory that Spider man will be the anchor of the universe, my first thought was that the best villain choice would be Morbius, a character who has crossed paths with both Blade and Spider Man in the comics. This is tricky given that Jared Leto is currently cast as the character for a stand alone film by Fox set to debut next year but with Marvel you never. know. Of course, since the original Blade trinity practically chronicled the life of Blade's mentor Whistler Marvel could opt to focus on the hero's origin. Details are scarce at this point, and even with the announcement of the 8 films of Phase 4 Blade isn't listed, so we probably won't see anything until late 2020 or early 2021 potentially making it part of Phase 5.

The original Blade trilogy grossed more than a combined $415 million at the box office and paved the way for the modern day superhero movie genre.