The 44 Percent: Trayvon Martin, The Emancipator & The Stem Player
I’ve often said “I was raised by a single, Black lesbian. And I thank God for all of that.” Very imprecise of me. I should thank God for being raised by that particular single, Black lesbian.
She instilled common sense approaches to successfully being yourself in discouraging cultures: Don’t join the fools who define people’s limits by shade, gender or preferences. And, if no one who looks like you or shares your roots has done something you want to do, guess you’ll just have to be the first.
That’s inoculation against imposter syndrome or feeling “othered.” Good preparation for a life she didn’t anticipate as we pounded Doritos at Indianapolis 500 Pole Days and Race Days.
Fitting that I wound up in Miami with a New York native, Black, Jewish ex-wife with whom I still trade “Seinfeld” references: her family that still claims me as family; the daughter who looks like she has our genes though she’s adopted; the Jewish, Cuban, Miami-rooted girlfriend.
In 1989, I figured Miami would be a quick stop. By 1993, it felt like home and I felt joy at the start of 11 seasons as a dashiki-suited Florida Panthers/NHL beat writer.
My eyes still roll at the questions I heard that short, white guys covering the NBA never do.
You might hear my nasal, suburban Midwestern voice seasoned with a little loathing, some contempt and a dollop of anger. Of course. I’m a Black American with the accompanying, continuous inner tension, even with a job I often enjoy, better friends and family than I deserve and a way with shrimp, salmon and burgers.
I see history rebooting with different words, but the same plot, trying to bury the same people. It’s infuriating, exhausting and rarely surprising.
But thank goodness I’m living it in my skin.
INSIDE THE 305
A decade after Trayvon’s killing, ‘Being Black in America still comes at a great risk’:
Saturday marks 10 years since Trayvon Martin was killed.
If you’re anything like me, it almost doesn’t feel real. The past 10 years have truly flown by. As I look back, I can’t help but remember that Martin’s killing — and the subsequent acquittal of George Zimmerman — was one of the first moments when my mom sat me down and gave me the real about being Black in America. A decade later, Black parents are still having those conversations.
I’m forever grateful for Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton trusting me to tell their story.
Related Urban, Black Archives and Art Forever Miami ask creatives for installation submissions:
Hear ye, hear ye. Come one, come all.
Three local artists will be chosen to create an installation that will live at the new Liberty Square. The winners will also receive a prize worth up to $250,000. Hurry up though, applications close tonight at 11:59 p.m. Interested parties should reach out to soulofmiamiarts@gmail.com.
OUTSIDE THE 305
The Emancipator, the first American newspaper dedicated to ending slavery, gets new life:
Talk about perfect timing.
The Boston Globe and Boston University have collaborated to resurrect The Emancipator as an online publication with the goal of reframing “the national conversation around racial injustice,” according to the Associated Press.
“I like to say it’s anti-racism, every day, on purpose,” co-Editor-in-Chief Deborah Douglas, a former journalism professor at DePauw University, told the Associated Press. “We are targeting anyone who wants to be a part of the solution to creating an anti-racist society because we think that leads us to our true north, which is democracy.”
I fully recognize that you might not have come here expecting to see something about the Russian attack against Ukraine. However, it’s always important to know what’s going on in the world, especially considering the American policy “speak softly and carry a big stick.”
The above link displays the latest information on what’s happening in the Ukraine, courtesy of the New York Times. It remains to be seen if and when America will get involved but it’s clear that the speaking softly hasn’t worked.
HIGH CULTURE
At ‘Donda 2’ Miami concert, fans are split over Ye’s $200 new Stem Player:
Ye’s “Donda 2” concert was a movie.
Featuring additional performances from Alicia Keys, The Game and Pusha T, the show itself was incredible. One of the overlooked aspects of the show was the Stem Player, a booth for which was tucked away in the corner of loanDepot Park. Retailing for $200, the Stem Player allows listeners to customize their musical experiences — in addition to being the only place you can find “Donda 2.” Whether or not the device is worth it happens to be the million dollar question.
Where does “The 44 Percent” name come from? Click here to find out how Miami history influenced the newsletter’s title.
