Keepin' it Novacaine: Desensitization and Social-Cultural Awareness in America

My first "scared shitless" moment occurred when I was five.  My mom and I went to the video store Friday night per our weekly ritual to rent videos for the weekend.  Out the corner of my eye, next to the Rainbow Brite VHSs I saw it. Black cover, blood red writing, and a picture of my boyfriend Michael Jackson: THRILLER.  I heard the song on my folk's vinyl and already ruined two Moonwalker (1988) videotapes from over-watching them.  Yes, THRILLER seemed a perfect replacement. I was grown. I was five. And my mom shot down my dreams.


I tried the next week and she finally relented and gave me the dollar for the rental. I hoped my mom would hurry the hell up so I could see it. My sweaty hands covered the box with anticipation of seeing MJ on the video.  I popped it in. It started out cool enough. Date in the boonies. Car runs out of gas. Full moon. And then....he changed. Those eyes ran my blood cold. That was all I could take. And I ran behind my mother's chair scared to death to finish watching the tape. My loving, dear mother's response? "You been getting on my nerves these past two weeks to watch the damn video so watch it! Get over here!" I couldn't do it. Not until I was 20 years old.

Ridiculous Track: Backbone, "Been Blowin' Money"

Now what kinda Red Clay Scholar would I be if I didn't include some of the tastes of the red clay that made me who I am? This is a new track by ATL bred rapper Backbone of the Dungeon Family (FIRST Generation) courtesy of the As the World Spins website. Get an Atlanta history lesson you can ride to.

Backbone - Been Blowin' Money by AsTheWorldSpins.com

Stayin' in the Trenches: A Sit Down with Legendary DJ Jelly

Atlanta’s skyline mesmerized me as I went to meet with one of its living legends.  Mind racing, I reviewed my questions and notes, eagerly anticipating this sit down with DJ Jelly. My new husband and I arrive at the J.R. Crickets in Castleberry Hill, taking in the very chill vibe. And, just as chill, Jelly greeted me with a warm hug and dap.

Jelly oozed enthusiasm and Hip Hop, downloading music on his apple computer while joking and laughing around with us. Various other folks occasionally dropped into our conversation, including fans, well wishers, and another ATL legendary DJ, DJ Shabazz.  Originally from St. Louis, Jelly has been on the map for nearly the last two decades. Citing Biz Markie as an influence of including CD Jaying in his own style, Jelly moved from St. Louis to Atlanta in the late 1980s. From his first gig at Magic City in 1990 to the present, Jelly lives by the creed he teaches to his mentees – “you gotta get in the trenches.”

Hit 'Em in the Chest, Fred!: Satirism in Frederick Douglass' "What to the Slave is the 4th of July?"

Frederick Douglass was and is that dude.

A master orator, Douglass often found himself in uncomfortable spaces of racial agitation and disfunction.  Due to his past experiences as a slave, however, Douglass floated through these social landmines effortlessly and fluidly. He epitomized the fear of black men - tall, dark, and educated.  In his powerful speech "What to the Slave is the 4th of July?" delivered July 5th, 1852, Douglass found himself in front of a northern white audience of anti-slavery empathizers. What he did, however, was not thank them blindly for their concern over his enslaved brethen.  He did not hambone. He hit them in the THOAT! Yes, folks, thoat.