OPINION: Police brutality, 50 years later
This story is part of The Commonwealth Times’ special coverage in honor of its 50th anniversary. Alexia Holloway, Contributing Writer As she mourned the brutal death of her only son, Emmett Till, Mamie Till-Mobley garnered the strength to utilize the media to bring attention to the disrespect of black Americans everywhere. Throughout the civil rights […]
Hussle and Tupac: two legends can coexist
Alexia Holloway, Contributing Writer Rapper and community activist Nipsey Hussle was gunned down March 31 in Los Angeles outside his clothing store. The moment he passed, the world stopped for a second. Hussle was a man who used his time and resources to better his community. His death felt wrong and evil. Shortly after his death, […]
Sex work isn’t an aesthetic
Alexia Holloway, Contributing Writer Branden Miller’s internet persona “Joanne the Scammer” is iconic for her ruthless, conniving and hilarious jokes about scamming others. She influences people to scam and scheme people, especially men, for monetary gain. This helped further develop “hoe culture” — a culture that normalizes the scamming that Joanne makes videos about. Many women […]
OPINION: You can’t bet on B.E.T.
Alexia Holloway, Contributing Writer Black Entertainment Television, or BET, started off as a black-owned entertainment company founded by Robert L. Johnson in 1979. The television network offered a black alternative to white-dominated media outlets, like MTV. It was bought out in 2000 by the white-owned company Viacom, founded by Sumner Redstone. Since the buyout, BET has […]
‘Captain Marvel’ isn’t a win for everyone
Alexia Holloway, Contributing Writer “Captain Marvel” has garnered a fair amount of criticism, along with some praise, since its release. One major critique I have yet to see is Carol Danvers’ treatment of her black best friend, Maria Rambeau. Imagine your dead best friend coming to you and your child after you’ve assumed they’ve been deceased […]
OPINION: You don’t want someone who is obsessed with you
Alexia Holloway, Contributing Writer The Netflix original show “You” received social media praise for its compelling yet funny nature. The show follows bookseller Joe Goldberg as he meets and then becomes obsessed with aspiring writer Guinevere, who goes by the nickname “Beck.” Over the course of the first season, Joe kills Beck’s ex-boyfriend Benji and her […]
OPINION: ICE is locking up activists and now rappers
Alexia Holloway, Contributing Writer 21 Savage has lived in Atlanta since the start of his career, which is why many fans — myself included — were shocked to learn he was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement earlier this month. He moved to Atlanta from the United Kingdom when he was 7 years old and […]
White feminists’ critiques of Beyoncé are unwarranted
Alexia Holloway, Contributing Writer Many stamped Beyoncé as a feminist icon upon the release of her self-titled album in late 2013. While some people take issue with that label, their logic is based in internalized misogyny and racism. People criticize Beyoncé for being a feminist simply for show. Over the years she has been accused of […]
The black community’s normalization of pedophila is troubling
Alexia Holloway Contributing Writer Allegations of sexual misconduct have plagued award-winning R&B singer R. Kelly since the beginning of his career — earlier this year, Lifetime released the six-part docuseries, “Surviving R. Kelly.” The series examines the endless list of Kelly’s atrocities from the infamous forged marriage to then-minor singer Aaliyah to modern allegations that […]