The Cypher

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Around this time of year, we are often reminded of Frederick Douglass’ famous speech, “The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro.”  You can listen to a reading of the speech by our beloved Ossie Davis and/or watch a reading by James Earl Jones (links below), but here’s an often shared taste:

“What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer; a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim. To him, your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your denunciation of tyrants, brass fronted impudence; your shouts of liberty and equality, hollow mockery; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanksgivings, with all your religious parade and solemnity, are, to Him, mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy—a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages. There is not a nation on the earth guilty of practices more shocking and bloody than are the people of the United States, at this very hour.” -Frederick Douglass, July 5, 1852

Hits different this year, yes?

This week we are reflecting on things that were affirming, inspiring and resonant as we prepare to take the months of July and August off for self-care and recovery (this is us practicing what we preach—if, as Robin suggests, self-care is a strategy, then we have to implement it ourselves). We will be pausing paid subscriptions until September at which point we will be back with full strength. As we prepare for reprieve, we are sharing a few things that have been on our heart’s and minds for this week’s roundup.

READ:

Loretta Ross: We Need Racial Solidarity to Restore Abortion Rights

Ahead of her memoir, which is dropping this fall, Jemele Hill writes about her abortion for The Atlantic.

Some justice in the midst of it all. R. Kelly Is Sentenced to 30 Years for Scheme to Lure Children Into Sex

PSLF is out here setting people free. If you are eligible, make sure you look into How to Apply for Student Loan Forgiveness

Rolling Stone has published “The 200 Greatest Hip Hop Albums of All Time.” See if your faves made the top 10.

LOOK | LISTEN | WATCH:

We offer to you, the one and only Usher Raymond! His Black Music Month Tiny Desk Concert was giving 1990s R&B nostalgia.

And Beyoncé— Beyoncé-ing and giving life.

EssenceFest is the best thing about 4th of July weekend. Tune in to newsfeeds to get in on the beautiful splendor and celebration of Black womanhood and Black love taking place in NOLA. Seeing the smiles, laughter and love is the next best thing to being there…

(SIDENOTE: And if you can find a link to Janet Jackson’s hour+ long headliner performance from 7/2/22… WATCH IT! Living legend ish.)

And speaking of celebrating Black womanhood, check out Black Girl Songbook, a podcast that centers the genius of black women’s music.

James Earl Jones reads a portion of Frederick Douglass’ speech, referenced above, here, and Ossie Davis reads the speech in its entirety here.

Rest up, loves. There is work to do—and it will require our full focus and energy.