The Cypher

The Weekly Roundup + Allow Us to Re-Introduce Ourselves

Hey fam!

In our weekly cypher we are sharing what we’re watching, listening to, reading, and getting into.  And last, but not least, CF Robin re-introduces herself.

(Good) News:

So, first things first. . .(clears throat)...congratulations to CF Susana M. Morris on her book deal with Amistad Books. We are so proud of you, sis! Be on the lookout for Positive Obsession: The Life and Times of Octavia E. Butler summer 2023… and get into this pose giving what needs to be gave!

Watch: 

For a good laugh head over to Twitter and check out this clip. 

The Black Lady Sketch Show is back on HBO Max, but you can also catch some full sketches on YouTube. This clip parodying Red Table Talk with a cameo from Gabrielle Union is hilarious.

CF Robin Boylorn’s essay this week, No(rmal), reflects on the need for black women to advocate for themselves in the healthcare industry. Watch Red Table Talk’s episode “The Invisible Black Woman Epidemic,” which approaches the topic through a lens of invisibility and dismissal by focusing on how misogynoir threatens the health and lives of black women (including guests Dr. Tressie McMillan Cottom, Dr. Tamika Cross, and Tamika Mallory).

Juke Joint Live on Facebook is self-described as “a multi-media show inviting you into the lives of Black folks in America through live guests, recorded sketches, and interactive segments that center joy and humor.” Hosted by Erika E. Wade, the show is in its second season. Topics have included the strong black woman, mental health in the black community, sex, the South, and spirituality. Check out CF Robin Boylorn talking the dangers of black women’s strength from season 1, episode 2, and follow the link for updates about new episodes.

We stand with Palestine! For some background and context, check out Except for Palestine: The Limits of Progressive Politics by Marc Lamont Hill and Mitchell Plitnick, watch this clip from The Daily Show, and read this Al Jazeera article on global solidarity with Palestine.

Listen: 

Kid Fury and Crissle of The Read are perennial faves. Get ready for good times and gut busting laughter about this week in pop culture (e.g. reason #512890 why Cinco de May parties are wack) and politics (like the hypocrisy of Caitlyn Jenner’s stance against trans girls in sports).

Author and historian Christy Pichichero talks about what she terms “discriminatory gaslighting” in this NPR interview.

Read:

CF Eesha Pandit is featured in OutSmart magazine for her social justice activism. Great article highlighting some of her great work.

New Kiese: What We Owe and Are Owed

Comprehensive reporting on Ma’Khia Bryant at The New York Times.

A beautiful tribute to Ma’Khia that reflects on the adultification and vulnerability of “big black girls.”

Read about The War on Critical Race Theory, and support #TruthBeTold, a campaign responding to attacks on Critical Race Theory. FMI: https://www.aapf.org/truthbetold

Here’s a great piece about journalism and truth in Modi’s India. https://restofworld.org/2021/fact-checking-modis-india/

CF Eesha Pandit is a contributor to the piece Putting Your Money Where Your Values Are, which offers some suggestions for sending resources to India without inadvertently giving to Hindu fundamentalists.

Look: 

Check out five year old fashionista Nahla Haze kill the #TouchIt challenge with her fire fashions!

“Woman” by Little Simz featuring Cleo Sol is a gorgeous homage to the power of women of color and it’s also a bop.

Check out this cool program! High school girls who were selected as part of Black Girls Film Camp have worked for the last month to create their own short films that will be screened live online on May 22.  The event features an award ceremony and celebrity guest speaker Ryan Destiny. Register here.

Now. . . allow me to re-introduce myself. . .

How It Started:

How It’s Going:

I’m Robin (on paper and shorthand, I just go by R). When the CFC launched our blog in 2010, I was a thirty-something PhD in the first year of an assistant professorship grounding myself. I was a homesick homebody, sports-obsessed, learning my voice, and becoming a writer. So much of who I was then, I still am. But now I’m more confident. Less self-conscious. Thicker.

I am a 42 year old tenured (newly full) professor who has written and edited multiple books, coined terms, theorized identity and made myself at home with myself. That, I suppose, is more important than making a name for myself, though more people likely know my name now than did eleven years ago.

I am also a radio commentator (check out Crunk Culture), academic journal editor, occasional public writer, and autoethnographer. When I am not reluctantly being “a first black” something in the 21st year of the 21st century, I am dreaming, conjuring, and feeding my artistic spirit. I like to read the collection of beautiful words. I need to remind myself how to crochet. I want to learn how to make quilts.

For me, the remix is about consolidating all of my various selves, becoming myself--being myself. The unapologetic part has always existed just below the surface, but now, as I live out my fourth decade, I have never been more myself, more sure of myself, or less other-oriented (IDGAF). Some of that has to do with being Gertrude’s granddaughter, but a lot of it has to do with the impenetrable love and sisterhood of the CFC. The CFs are my co-writers, collaborators, cheerleaders, secret keepers, truth tellers, co-conspirators and soulmates. This crunk, this feminism, this collective has been life giving and life sustaining—affirming and reassuring. Surely, over the last decade, as we have grown (up) together we have learned to be our best selves—and because of our collective commitment/s, we are living our best lives—singularly and occasionally in chorus.

These days I can be found cuddling my spoiled ass Yorkies (Sophie and Sadie), indulging in the peaceful landscapes, soundscapes and lush comfort of my dream home, and learning to *really* look at myself in mirrors. I am still stingy with yeses, generous with grace, and intentional about self-care. And because of the pandemic, cooking more.

I am excited about this next chapter. . .we’re so glad you’re here to walk it out with us.

[Spoiler: This is the best part!] #remix

Keep it crunk!

-R.