Welcome to February, 2023
Letters from African America
And, we’re back! The previous issue of this newsletter could have been a one-hit-wonder, but then I remembered it’s against the laws of Black History Month to back away from progress.
You can look forward to monthly Letters from African America updates. But there will also be posts that come out in-between. For instance, I had a thrilling Text, Email, And IG Conversation With Comedian Josh Nasser, which you can read here.
Josh was my first guest in a new experimental interview format. We talked about race, comedy, ukuleles, opera and more.
Now, CAN WE FOCUS?!
Here’s the rundown:
OSCARS PREDICTIONS
The Academy Awards are next month, and I’d like to get ahead of the event with a few predictions:
At the 95th Annual Academy Awards, you can expect…
James Cameron to admit on the red carpet that he’s rooting for everybody blue.
Presenters to arrive on stage via slap-proof popemobile.
An ill-received guest appearance from Elvis’ hologram during Rihanna’s performance of “Hold My Hand” from the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack.
James Cameron to edit Avatar 3 while seated in the auditorium.
Black winners to slowly realize their Oscars have a tiny afro.
Viewers at home to slowly realize this isn’t the Emmys.
A presenter to slowly realize that RRR isn’t pronounced by growling like pirate.
A James Cameron speech, spoken entirely in whale.
An emotional speech from E.T. about working with Steven Spielberg and his long path toward sobriety.
And finally…
A staged intervention for Cocaine Bear.
DIALOGUE FROM DOG WALKING
The following is an actual conversation that took place while walking my dog…
This as been Dialogue from Dog Walking! You can follow my dog Spock here on Instagram.
CONSIDER CONSUMING…
The 1619 Project (Hulu)
I haven’t read all of the 1619 Project long form journalism piece, but I can say with confidence that the The 1619 Project docuseries on Hulu is required viewing. Not only because of the wealth of information revealed by Nikole Hannah-Jones (who hosts the series and developed the groundbreaking New York Times piece), but also because of it’s beautiful pacing and choice of imagery. I identify with Hannah-Jones’ lifelong search for truth within the American construction of race. There are interviews that will make you cry and facts that will make you re-think what you’ve been taught. But most valuable to me are the facts that gave me a sigh of relief and had me thinking "I’m glad someone is finally saying this out loud.”
CONSIDER SUPPORTING…
Tyre Nichols Memorial Fund: https://www.gofundme.com/f/tyre-nichols
I was made aware of this fund via the info provided in this beautiful image created by Alex Albadree.
My name is RowVaughn Wells. I am the mother of Tyre Nichols. My son, Tyre Nichols, was pulled over for suspected “reckless driving” on January 7, 2023. There is no evidence to substantiate this claim. Further, police claim that my son left the scene on foot. It turns out that he was just trying to get to my house for safety -- which was only a few blocks away from where the incident happened. My baby was just trying to make it home to be safe in my arms. Tyre was unarmed, nonthreatening, and respectful to police during the entire encounter!
JUNIOR - A Comic Book From The Mind of James III: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ruleof3comics/junior-issue-1
James III has the perfect name because he’s also a triple threat: a talented comedian, writer, and actor. I had the pleasure of working with him on Nickelodeon’s recent All That revival. And I was excited to lend some support to his new comic Junior. Once you learn more about it and see the visuals, I’m sure you will too!
LOGLINE: After death, a young man is doomed to work in the Netherworld post office under the tutelage of the Post Office Manager, who just so happens to be the father he never knew on Earth.
Black Film Archive: https://blackfilmarchive.com/
Created by Maya Cade, Black Film Archive is possibly the greatest resource for understanding, viewing, and interacting with Black cinema history. It’s also one of the rare websites that’s genuinely fun to click around in. The best way to support the archive is by subscribing to it on substack!
UPCOMING SHOWS
“Uptown Showdown Comedy Debate” - FEBRUARY 7th, 7PM @ Symphony Space in NYC (TICKETS)
“The 6th Annual One Liner Madness” - MARCH 23rd, 7:30PM @ The Bell House (TICKETS)
SOMETHING FROM THE VAULT
Celebrating Blackness
It’s that time of year when every streaming service suddenly has a “Black Voices” section. Here’s a sketch I made about it in 2021.
That’s all for now. Until next time, always remember to keep a hard copy of your streaming service!
