Awards shows are not my favorite.
They are generally long, unfunny events filled with the usual suspects being self-congratulatory. This year’s Emmys however, offered a welcomed change of pace and breath of fresh air. Sure, black actors and actresses were still just a sprinkle of pepper in a sea of Hollywood salt, but there presence was felt and known.
Over 20 black actors and actresses were nominated for Emmys—more than I ever remember gracing the red carpets and highly coveted categories. It was just last year that the Oscars were trending on social media for being “so white”, and this year the Emmys seemed to take note, not with tokenism, but instead by recognizing the brilliant performances of Uzo Aduba, Regina King, Viola Davis and more.
This Emmys were also a shining star in a world that has seemed dim and marred with tragedy that the winnings of the aforementioned women—gave us, something to rejoice. They’re friendships and love for one another, the display of sisterhood and solidarity and the recognition that it was the struggles of many and perseverance of others that got them “over the line”.
Viola Davis’s history making moment had all of us hold up our heads a bit higher and be even more unapologetic about our blackness—her moment was our moment and it was simply, black girl magic.
About Last Night: The Shonda Rollercoaster
The twisty, turny, soapy delciousness of Thursday nights has returned. After months of hiatus Scandal and How to Get Away With Murder returned to our televisions. SPOILER ALERT...
We pick up with O-Fitz hotter and heavier than ever before with Mellie, Cyrus and presumably everyone that is not Olivia on the outs with the President. How long will the steaminess ensue before their assured mutual destruction?
Well as of the closing of last night’s episode, not long. Someone has spilled the beans that all is not right in the White House leaving Olivia once again the gossip of Poliwood and hiding her face in public. Who was the culprit? I have a few ideas.
#HTGAWM: We all know now who killed Rebecca—it was Bonnie, but that really wasn’t the surprise of the opening episode of How to Get Away with Murder. No, no it would be that Annalise Keating and her former law school friend Eve were an item before she left her for her late husband.
Not only are we getting a clearer picture of Annalise this season, but also they end the episode two months later with Annalise bleeding to death in a mansion—from gunshot wounds. Who dunnit? We’ll just have to wait and see.
Pop Off of the Week: Nancy Lee Grahn vs. Black Excellence
Emmy award winner, Viola Davis recited Harriet Tubman in her acceptance speech saying:
In my mind, I see a line. And over that line, I see green fields and lovely flowers and beautiful white women with their arms stretched out to me, over that line. But I can’t seem to get there no how. I can’t seem to get over that line.
While countless people across the Twitterverse praised the actress for her history making moment, and the act of solidarity of calling out all of her sisters who helped to cross over the line, Nancy Grahn decided to have a Twitter meltdown.
Yup, the soap star, and I use the term loosely “got all in her feelings” after witnessing black excellence being celebrated. She was beside herself that a black woman be unapologetically black, and on TV no less, the horror!
She started off by stating that Shonda Rhimes should have written the actresses speech and then went on to declare that Davis wasn’t discriminated in Hollywood. The actress has since apologized after being dragged through the mud by Twitter and people she says, “I would have marched for”.
Grahn, we don’t need you marching with us, have a seat, as a matter of fact, take several.
Poliwood Round-Up: Trending Topics in the #BlackTwitterverse This Week
Trend of the Week: #EmpireSeason2
The Lyons are BACK. After what felt like an eternity Cookie, Luscious and their three sons are back and better than ever. The season premiere debut to a whopping 16 million viewers and the hype didn’t disappoint.
SPOILER ALERT: The season opened three months after Luscious’s arrest and Cookie and her merry group of bandits trying to wrestle away Empire from its ruthless CEO. Gangster Frankie, played by Chris Rock tried to get payback from Cookie selling him out to the Feds to get out of prison early, but Luscious wasn’t having any of it.
There were twists and turns and the introductions to new talent, like RHOA and Fashion Queens alum Ms. Lawrence, who slayed and characters like billionaire lesbian Mimi, played my Marisa Tomei, who played a part in the best double cross I’ve seen in quite sometime. The music was hot and the wardrobe was hotter. The king and queen have returned—all hail Empire!
THREE: Is the GOP Off the Rails?
This week a Donald Trump supporter called President Obama a Muslim—as if that's an insult—and Dr. Ben Carson, continued to 'splain his comments on Muslim leadership.
Carson told FOX News that he would only support a a president with a Muslim background if "they’re willing to reject those tenets and to accept the way of life that we have and clearly will swear to place our constitution above our religion." If not he said that "of course they will be considered infidels and heretics.”
Welcome to the United States of Christendom. Oh, you didn't get the memo that America is re-branding? Did I fall asleep and wake up in the new McCarthyism? Where instead of communists we are going full throttle against an entire religion?
Newsflash folks... not all Americans are Christian. If spreading fear, hate and xenophobia is the GOP’s only plan to win an election then we'll see you all again in 2020.
TWO: Squad Goals
During this year's Emmys the commercial game was so on point I thought the Super Bowl came early.
The shining star of course was the Hip Hop jam session between Taraji P. Henson, Kerry Washington and THE R&B Diva Mary J. Blige. I mean can we be invited to that party?
“T and K”, cause you know we're girls now, drop by Mary's crib to “Mixtape and Chill”. Then Mary breaks out her old mix tapes and talks about the hours she spent crafting them just the right. Well, hours lost no more now there is Apple playlist—that knows just what you want your music when you want it. Like your “boyfriend” Kerry says, but better.
It was a black girl joy explosion only made better when it was discovered that the amazing director herself, Ava Duvernay, directed it. No, seriously, I got next!
ONE:The Pope Has Landed
Traffic jams be damned! The Pope has arrived in the US. After a three-day trip in Cuba where the Pontiff met with the Castro brothers, Pope Francis landed at Andrew's Air force Base on Tuesday–greeted by the entire Obama family and Joe and Dr. Jill Biden.
The Pope addressed congress this week with a strong message of compassion politics that sees immigrants and neighbors and deals with the crisis of climate change. Let’s pray his message of compassion fell on listening ears and open hearts.
