The Cypher

What we're holding, watching, reading this week

While we started the week with a holiday we still closed with the 20th anniversary of 9/11. We remember this day vividly and all that has changed over the course of two decades. We hope that you are all showing yourselves some grace.

Watch

Blood Brothers, a new Netflix documentary on Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X.

Read

We mourn beloved actor Michael K. Williams. Check out Son of Baldwin's poignant tribute to Williams.

Also, see more of this talented game-changer in an exploration of Brooklyn with the late Anthony Bourdain.

Finally, we point you to the work of a brilliant afrofuturist and digital media star, Dr. Nettrice Gaskins @nettieb, who blessed us with multiple visual tributes to Williams. Here’s one of them.

This Labor Day week we are drawing awareness to September 8th as Native Women’s Equal Pay Day. Check out this Ms. magazine article to learn more.

Hat tip to Mexico’s Supreme Court for decriminalizing abortion and major side-eye to Texas and the U.S. Supreme Court for trying to drag us all backwards.

Check out this dope interview with one of our favorite writers, Deesha Philyaw, and friend of the CFC, Kimm D. Lett.

Take heart. Vaccines work. “What we know about waning immunity.”

Meet Alexis Nikole Nelson, the Black Forager. This is the one IG/TikTok account you should be following this week!

Listen

A good listen for these anxious times. Apple Podcasts Therapy for Black Girls.

Have the best week possible!