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(ThyBlackMan.com) I started out this year, 2025, in Chicago, honored to give the Martin Luther King Day address at Reverend Jesse Jackson’s big gathering. The timing was unforgettable. As I stepped to the podium on the South Side, Donald Trump was taking the oath of office in Washington, D.C. His inaugural speech was a drumbeat for a new era of hostility toward immigrants and people of color. Mine, at that very […]

(ThyBlackMan.com) The killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has reignited one of the ugliest and most divisive feuds within the American right. For years, Kirk, the bombastic founder of Turning Point USA, represented the polished, mainstream, youth-driven face of Republican activism. His slick campus tours, Instagram-ready soundbites, and well-funded machine of influencers were designed to make conservatism look modern, dynamic, and inclusive. But lurking in the shadows was a rival faction, […]

(ThyBlackMan.com) Bad things are happening in the world, and a close examination reveals that many of these bad things are happening because people are consumed with fear. Of course, coercion has succeeded over the centuries because the victims were consumed with fear, not wanting their secret (often embarrassing or disgusting) to be revealed. Terrorists have succeeded, and will continue to succeed, because in general they promote fear. They promise to […]

(ThyBlackMan.com) The arrest of Tyler Robinson in connection with the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk is more than just another headline—it’s a chilling reminder of how far America has drifted into a culture where political differences are no longer argued out in debate halls or op-ed pages, but settled with violence. Robinson, just 22 years old, grew up in the heart of conservative Utah, described by family and neighbors […]

(ThyBlackMan.com) The rush to exonerate Trump from the implications of the Epstein birthday book message reveals a contradiction at the heart of MAGA. In the immediate aftermath of the Wall Street Journal July scoop about the smarmy message Trump included in the book of friendly tributes assembled in 2003 for Jeffrey Epstein’s fiftieth birthday, Vice President JD Vance rode to his defense, calling the reporting “complete and utter bulls—-,” an […]

(ThyBlackMan.com) Bill Withers remains one of the most timeless voices in soul and R&B history. While his most celebrated tracks—like Ain’t No Sunshine, Lean on Me, and Lovely Day—are permanent fixtures in the cultural soundtrack, his catalog is far richer than the handful of songs everyone knows. To explore Withers as both a poet and performer, one must dig deeper into his albums, where lesser-discussed songs reveal the same warmth, […]

(ThyBlackMan.com) “Stupid” That was the word Trump used to describe himself for not grabbing the money and running for his business interests during his first term. He made it clear that he wouldn’t be that dub again. He wasted no time in rushing to correct his ‘mistake.” He hosted packs of crypto currency moguls at Mar-a-Lago. And he buttonholed them to buy even more of his $TRUMP memecoin. He had […]

(ThyBlackMan.com) Patti LaBelle has never been just a singer—she’s been a cultural voice, a bridge between generations, and a living reminder of how Black artistry can shape the American story. Beyond her Grammy-winning songs and unforgettable live performances, her words often capture truths that go beyond the stage. Each quote reflects her resilience, humor, and wisdom, offering lessons that remain strikingly relevant today. Let’s explore seven quotes from Ms. LaBelle […]

(ThyBlackMan.com) The arrest of Tyler Robinson as the suspect in the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has shaken the political landscape and placed a magnifying glass on the deep fractures running through America’s social fabric. Officials confirmed that Robinson, allegedly responsible for the fatal shot that ended Kirk’s life during a rally at Utah Valley University, turned himself in after his own father encouraged him to face justice. That […]

(ThyBlackMan.com) When most people think of James Brown, they remember the Godfather of Soul as the architect of funk, the tireless showman, and the revolutionary force who redefined rhythm. But tucked throughout his career are some of the most enduring love songs ever recorded in soul music. Before he was the king of funk grooves, Brown was the man who could cry, beg, plead, and woo with a rawness few […]