I Do See Color 2024 (on Substack)
“Seeing” color is no more a problem than “seeing” height. Disrespect and discrimination solely based on melanin and offensive stereotypes are the real issue.
Subscribe to this Substack column for $5 per month or $50 per year to read race- and culture-related posts. For $80 as a founder, get full access to “Black Girl In a Doggone World™,” “Homegrown Tales,” "One Black Woman's Vote" and “Window Shopping” too.
(Looking for IDSC 2019? Click here. 2020? Click here. 2021? Click here. 2022? Click here. 2023? Click here. 2025? Click here.)
Subscribe to this Substack column for $5 per month or $50 per year to read race- and culture-related posts. For $80 as a founder, get full access to “Black Girl In a Doggone World™,” “Homegrown Tales,” "One Black Woman's Vote" and “Window Shopping” too.
(Looking for IDSC 2019? Click here. 2020? Click here. 2021? Click here. 2022? Click here. 2023? Click here. 2025? Click here.)
72. FLOTUS Michelle Obama reminds us she can 'bring it' at the Spirit Tunnel ~ Michelle gives Jennifer Hudson a heartfelt thank you for singing at Marian Robinson's funeral
71. Walmart won Commercial Of the Year (for me) ~ Quiz: How much do you really know about the 1997 film "Love Jones"?
70. Is it colonizing to want to improve a neighborhood? ~ That one time I disagreed with author Michael Harriot
69. The biggest lesson learned about Xmas on 'Abbott Elementary' ~ Childhood memories of my Jehovah's Witness classmate (and my aunt)
68. Andrew Schulz is broadcasting being tactless and racist again ~ Questionable comedian switched from complaining about dating black women to complaining about Kendrick Lamar
67. BlackTechLogy: Is AI training becoming 'modern-day slavery'? ~ Kenyans explain the mental health toll while working at remote jobs focusing on artificial intelligence
66. Declaration of Thanksgiving Independence in my Black household ~ My response to People's "Family Code of Conduct" post
65. Should black women care about the 4B Movement? ~ Although far less voters than other groups, black men who did vote for Trump have set themselves up for failure
64. Lincoln University and two Virginia HBCUs get financial classes from Jay Z's charity ~ Shawn Carter Foundation and Champions for Financial Legacy work to improve money management
63. BlackTechLogy: Is every black-owned business badge honest on Amazon? ~ The hair supply company that made me raise an eyebrow about some Amazon merchants
62. Blaming 'people of color' is a scapegoat for Donald Trump winning 2024 election ~ Majority of minority groups voted for Vice President Kamala Harris
61. 14 valuable lessons I learned representing myself in Small Claims Court ~ Yes, you can win your case pro se, but listen to your legal coach
71. Walmart won Commercial Of the Year (for me) ~ Quiz: How much do you really know about the 1997 film "Love Jones"?
70. Is it colonizing to want to improve a neighborhood? ~ That one time I disagreed with author Michael Harriot
69. The biggest lesson learned about Xmas on 'Abbott Elementary' ~ Childhood memories of my Jehovah's Witness classmate (and my aunt)
68. Andrew Schulz is broadcasting being tactless and racist again ~ Questionable comedian switched from complaining about dating black women to complaining about Kendrick Lamar
67. BlackTechLogy: Is AI training becoming 'modern-day slavery'? ~ Kenyans explain the mental health toll while working at remote jobs focusing on artificial intelligence
66. Declaration of Thanksgiving Independence in my Black household ~ My response to People's "Family Code of Conduct" post
65. Should black women care about the 4B Movement? ~ Although far less voters than other groups, black men who did vote for Trump have set themselves up for failure
64. Lincoln University and two Virginia HBCUs get financial classes from Jay Z's charity ~ Shawn Carter Foundation and Champions for Financial Legacy work to improve money management
63. BlackTechLogy: Is every black-owned business badge honest on Amazon? ~ The hair supply company that made me raise an eyebrow about some Amazon merchants
62. Blaming 'people of color' is a scapegoat for Donald Trump winning 2024 election ~ Majority of minority groups voted for Vice President Kamala Harris
61. 14 valuable lessons I learned representing myself in Small Claims Court ~ Yes, you can win your case pro se, but listen to your legal coach
60. 'The Pivot Podcast' hosts handled domestic violence awareness like I wish all men would ~ How to bring awareness regarding domestic violence without playing whataboutism
59. 'The Resident' brings awareness to black mothers dying during childbirth ~ Kira Dixon Johnson and Charles Johnson's experience at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center became inspiration for Netflix doctor series
58. What Are These 11 Top Actresses From the '80s Doing Now?
57. Your handshake is telling on you ~ From spiritual banging to sexism, first introductions leave a lasting impression
56. BlackTechLogy: White makeup artists may want to test the YouCam app for brown girl makeovers ~ For brown-skinned and dark-skinned women, mobile apps like these help us test new hair colors, makeup shades and more
55. What if Black people got one free lottery ticket every Juneteenth? ~ Larenz Tate's "Bronzeville" podcast educates listeners on African-Americans' contribution to the lottery system
54. Luke Bryan, Beyonce doesn't have to hang out with you ~ The weird parallel between the country music industry and Corporate America
53. The Pivot Podcast hosts check Andrew Schulz on 'the black girlfriend effect' ~ A perfect example of black men protecting black women
52. 'Who's That Girl?' book review: From violin player to millionaire rapper, mom and wife Eve ~ Living in London but 'Philly, Philly' is where she is from
51. The bizarre jewelry ad that came from VP Kamala Harris presidential debate ~ Tiffany's Double Pearl Hinged Earrings in Sterling Silver versus Nova H1 audio earrings
50. Bélizaire: The Louisiana portrait that reveals an African Creole boy gone missing ~ Black history lesson from 'NAH' podcast: Learn about the enslaved boy who was removed from a painter's Louisiana portrait
49. What the 'Kamala accent' question really says about your social circle ~ That 'one black friend' you have is yet again proving she's not a legitimate friend
48. The main reason I'll always prefer Jon B. and JT over Robin Thicke ~ Loving music from black artists doesn't make you 'of the culture'
47. BlackTechLogy: Biden's executive order gives $250K to #BlackTechFutures ~ 2025 paid internship of $6K-$12K courtesy of the White House Office of Science and Technology (OSTP)
46. Wally "Famous Amos," rest in peace ~ Wally Amos taught new business owners many lessons in ownership -- involuntarily and voluntarily
59. 'The Resident' brings awareness to black mothers dying during childbirth ~ Kira Dixon Johnson and Charles Johnson's experience at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center became inspiration for Netflix doctor series
58. What Are These 11 Top Actresses From the '80s Doing Now?
57. Your handshake is telling on you ~ From spiritual banging to sexism, first introductions leave a lasting impression
56. BlackTechLogy: White makeup artists may want to test the YouCam app for brown girl makeovers ~ For brown-skinned and dark-skinned women, mobile apps like these help us test new hair colors, makeup shades and more
55. What if Black people got one free lottery ticket every Juneteenth? ~ Larenz Tate's "Bronzeville" podcast educates listeners on African-Americans' contribution to the lottery system
54. Luke Bryan, Beyonce doesn't have to hang out with you ~ The weird parallel between the country music industry and Corporate America
53. The Pivot Podcast hosts check Andrew Schulz on 'the black girlfriend effect' ~ A perfect example of black men protecting black women
52. 'Who's That Girl?' book review: From violin player to millionaire rapper, mom and wife Eve ~ Living in London but 'Philly, Philly' is where she is from
51. The bizarre jewelry ad that came from VP Kamala Harris presidential debate ~ Tiffany's Double Pearl Hinged Earrings in Sterling Silver versus Nova H1 audio earrings
50. Bélizaire: The Louisiana portrait that reveals an African Creole boy gone missing ~ Black history lesson from 'NAH' podcast: Learn about the enslaved boy who was removed from a painter's Louisiana portrait
49. What the 'Kamala accent' question really says about your social circle ~ That 'one black friend' you have is yet again proving she's not a legitimate friend
48. The main reason I'll always prefer Jon B. and JT over Robin Thicke ~ Loving music from black artists doesn't make you 'of the culture'
47. BlackTechLogy: Biden's executive order gives $250K to #BlackTechFutures ~ 2025 paid internship of $6K-$12K courtesy of the White House Office of Science and Technology (OSTP)
46. Wally "Famous Amos," rest in peace ~ Wally Amos taught new business owners many lessons in ownership -- involuntarily and voluntarily
45. Bernie Mac, Baby Girl and my childhood hair memories ~ That time my father and older brother were assigned by my mother to do my hair
44. Before you date interracially, watch the news together ~ The death of Christian Obumseli, and Courtney Clenney's parents' take on racism and racial slurs, make this stabbing tragedy even more suspicious
43. Is meditation the answer to black people's alarming rates of high blood pressure? ~ The underrated health lesson from Questlove's book "Hip Hop Is History"
42. One Black Woman's Vote: Why Christiana Mbakwe Medina's take on VP Kamala Harris is counterproductive ~ Do not turn the presidential campaign into Spike Lee's 'School Daze'
41. I watched the Sonya Massey video 3x -- because I don't understand the escalation ~ The hotter the water got, the hotter former Deputy Sean Grayson's temperament (and racism) became
40. The Neighborhood Watch group that black people (and pet owners) don't need ~ Just because you don't recognize the black people in the neighborhood doesn't mean we don't live here
39. Yes, Gallup calls black people too ~ While Hillary Clinton's election made me largely lose interest in polls, I was pleasantly surprised by my caller ID notification
38. Should your 'cookout' host be warned if your guest is a different race? ~ When white people are invited to 'the cookout,' is everyone else required to be hospitable?
37. Michael Harriot's 'Black AF' is the most delightful way to read even the darkest parts of American history ~ From comedy to combating myths, this is my (second) favorite black history book
36. Historically, we weren't free, but black folks still made moves on July 4 ~ My response to the random Juneteenth history lesson I didn't ask for
35. My guess is the fine print in Kadeem Hardison's acting contract must read ... ~ Dwayne Wayne is at it again with teaching hard-headed, lovable gangstas
34. BlackTechLogy: InVideo: Another reason I have a love-hate relationship with artificial intelligence ~ With a one-line request, you can create your own AI video for social media in minutes
33. FX's 'Clipped' brings Donald Sterling's (racist) rants back to the surface ~ Ignore the anti-Trump rants and Al Bundy character we know Ed O'Neill for. His acting skills are superb as the LA Clippers owner.
32. 'MoviePass, MovieCrash' highlights forgotten black founders ~ Stacy Spikes and Hamet Watt MoviePass took a decade to create by 2011, but only two years for new leadership to kick the founders out and ruin the business
31. Stop what you're doing and watch 'LOL: Last One Laughing South Africa' ~ Trevor Noah presents South African comedians I didn't know I needed to know
44. Before you date interracially, watch the news together ~ The death of Christian Obumseli, and Courtney Clenney's parents' take on racism and racial slurs, make this stabbing tragedy even more suspicious
43. Is meditation the answer to black people's alarming rates of high blood pressure? ~ The underrated health lesson from Questlove's book "Hip Hop Is History"
42. One Black Woman's Vote: Why Christiana Mbakwe Medina's take on VP Kamala Harris is counterproductive ~ Do not turn the presidential campaign into Spike Lee's 'School Daze'
41. I watched the Sonya Massey video 3x -- because I don't understand the escalation ~ The hotter the water got, the hotter former Deputy Sean Grayson's temperament (and racism) became
40. The Neighborhood Watch group that black people (and pet owners) don't need ~ Just because you don't recognize the black people in the neighborhood doesn't mean we don't live here
39. Yes, Gallup calls black people too ~ While Hillary Clinton's election made me largely lose interest in polls, I was pleasantly surprised by my caller ID notification
38. Should your 'cookout' host be warned if your guest is a different race? ~ When white people are invited to 'the cookout,' is everyone else required to be hospitable?
37. Michael Harriot's 'Black AF' is the most delightful way to read even the darkest parts of American history ~ From comedy to combating myths, this is my (second) favorite black history book
36. Historically, we weren't free, but black folks still made moves on July 4 ~ My response to the random Juneteenth history lesson I didn't ask for
35. My guess is the fine print in Kadeem Hardison's acting contract must read ... ~ Dwayne Wayne is at it again with teaching hard-headed, lovable gangstas
34. BlackTechLogy: InVideo: Another reason I have a love-hate relationship with artificial intelligence ~ With a one-line request, you can create your own AI video for social media in minutes
33. FX's 'Clipped' brings Donald Sterling's (racist) rants back to the surface ~ Ignore the anti-Trump rants and Al Bundy character we know Ed O'Neill for. His acting skills are superb as the LA Clippers owner.
32. 'MoviePass, MovieCrash' highlights forgotten black founders ~ Stacy Spikes and Hamet Watt MoviePass took a decade to create by 2011, but only two years for new leadership to kick the founders out and ruin the business
31. Stop what you're doing and watch 'LOL: Last One Laughing South Africa' ~ Trevor Noah presents South African comedians I didn't know I needed to know
30. Why not hire black women to sell and make products for black women? ~ Why are some of us so tone deaf to American-made clothing and black-owned businesses?
29. Is bringing up ethnic food with POC strangers pandering or trying to bond? ~ Rebuttal to New York Post: Was University of London Professor Nana Sato-Rossberg being too sensitive about sushi, or was there more to it?
28. 7 (un)popular opinions about the Drake versus Kendrick Lamar beef ~ From 'Poetic Justice' to 'Not Like Us': I'm on no one's side
27. BlackTechLogy: Mammograms, pancakes, talk shows and tech: My first breast cancer exam ~ Could artificial intelligence better examine black women with dense breasts?
26. Employers want Ivy League graduates, but only if they look like past Ivy League students ~ My take on Forbes "Employers Are Souring On Ivy League Grads, While These 20 'New Ivies' Ascend"
25. BlackTechLogy: IONOS vs Weebly/Square: Weebly wins by a landslide ~ 5 things IONOS offers that you are better off getting elsewhere
24. Who asked YOU for your opinion on black hair? ~ If you don't oil your scalp, there's no need for you to weigh in on those who do
23. Billy Dee Williams and blackface: The most (un)interesting black man in the world ~ There's a big difference between slapstick humor and stupidity disguised as humor
22. I'm not an O.J. Simpson supporter, but can we talk about cancer? ~ 1999 to 2019: More than 1 million Black men and women ages 20 and older died of cancer
21. BlackTechLogy: Ne-Yo speaks out about the flaws of AI ~ R&B singer-songwriter challenges mimicking the artist instead of supporting the human artist
20. Relaxer risks: Should black women be blaming our beauticians, perm manufacturers or ourselves? ~ Who came up with the four- to six-week rule for perms anyway?
19. 'Cowboy Carter': From hate-listening to proud blasting ~ When a non-Beyhive-but-Beyhive member finally admits Beyonce's country album is better than she expected
18. Review: Flirty Girl Fitness brings sexy back to aerobics ~ Instructors Naledi Sesinyi and Jaydin Christine help Chicago women bring out 'untapped sexiness' through dance fitness routines
17. The '22 years' comment that missed the point at Powhatan County School Board meeting ~ Just because racism didn't happen to you doesn't mean it didn't happen at all
16. BlackTechLogy: Pixlr's AI Image Generator is a welcome relief for black web writers ~ BlackTechLogy: Could AI photo software be hurting black graphic designers?
29. Is bringing up ethnic food with POC strangers pandering or trying to bond? ~ Rebuttal to New York Post: Was University of London Professor Nana Sato-Rossberg being too sensitive about sushi, or was there more to it?
28. 7 (un)popular opinions about the Drake versus Kendrick Lamar beef ~ From 'Poetic Justice' to 'Not Like Us': I'm on no one's side
27. BlackTechLogy: Mammograms, pancakes, talk shows and tech: My first breast cancer exam ~ Could artificial intelligence better examine black women with dense breasts?
26. Employers want Ivy League graduates, but only if they look like past Ivy League students ~ My take on Forbes "Employers Are Souring On Ivy League Grads, While These 20 'New Ivies' Ascend"
25. BlackTechLogy: IONOS vs Weebly/Square: Weebly wins by a landslide ~ 5 things IONOS offers that you are better off getting elsewhere
24. Who asked YOU for your opinion on black hair? ~ If you don't oil your scalp, there's no need for you to weigh in on those who do
23. Billy Dee Williams and blackface: The most (un)interesting black man in the world ~ There's a big difference between slapstick humor and stupidity disguised as humor
22. I'm not an O.J. Simpson supporter, but can we talk about cancer? ~ 1999 to 2019: More than 1 million Black men and women ages 20 and older died of cancer
21. BlackTechLogy: Ne-Yo speaks out about the flaws of AI ~ R&B singer-songwriter challenges mimicking the artist instead of supporting the human artist
20. Relaxer risks: Should black women be blaming our beauticians, perm manufacturers or ourselves? ~ Who came up with the four- to six-week rule for perms anyway?
19. 'Cowboy Carter': From hate-listening to proud blasting ~ When a non-Beyhive-but-Beyhive member finally admits Beyonce's country album is better than she expected
18. Review: Flirty Girl Fitness brings sexy back to aerobics ~ Instructors Naledi Sesinyi and Jaydin Christine help Chicago women bring out 'untapped sexiness' through dance fitness routines
17. The '22 years' comment that missed the point at Powhatan County School Board meeting ~ Just because racism didn't happen to you doesn't mean it didn't happen at all
16. BlackTechLogy: Pixlr's AI Image Generator is a welcome relief for black web writers ~ BlackTechLogy: Could AI photo software be hurting black graphic designers?
15. Compton experiment: 2 white men try to get strangers to make them a home-cooked meal ~ Black churchgoers are still getting treated like science experiments even after Dylann Roof killed nine people
14. Support our troops ... unless they speak out against racism ~ Col. Ben Jonsson blocked from promotion because of Missouri Senator Eric Schmitt
13. If you're surprised Fat Joe has Trump high tops, visit an otolaryngologist ~ Is being a sneakerhead more important than standing by your politics?
12. DEI jobs: When you don't want to be treated like the Invisible (Wo)man in Corporate America ~ Conservatives are increasingly obsessed with all employees looking like carbon copies of themselves
11. My 11:11 list: Getting fit and melanin-rich ~ Top 5 early-morning-fitness routines with women of color
10. Black gynecologists may not always be empathic either ~ The pap smear appointment that left me thinking 'choose black' isn't always accurate
9. BlackTechLogy: Is applying for the DataAnnotation job worth it? ~ The 45-minute artificial intelligence editing test was my second round at working on AI writing
8. Job seekers, be wary of collection agencies ~ Debt collection agencies are posting sketchy jobs on LinkedIn while other scammers prowl on Indeed
7. Now hiring (but not black women) ~ Conservative group attacking black women for investing in black-women-owned businesses adds another level of job-seeking stress
6. BlackTechLogy: Freedom Case facial recognition may deter retail employees from racially profiling ~ While facial recognition software and locked-up glass cases may feel invasive, there is an upside of the added security
5. Why is the Harlem Renaissance not celebrated as much as 'The Great Gatsby'? ~ From China to Gatsby to blackface: Plan the party, skip the cultural appropriation
4. Fatherhood goals: Should black, young men stand to greet black women? ~ Seeing both sides of the Queen Latifah versus Lil Wayne debate
3. BlackTechLogy: Five tech hacks to build credit without stacking up credit card debt ~ How Upwork freelancers can make traditional and store credit cards work for them instead of drowning in IOUs
2. MLK's birthday is a significant (but tough) day for me ~ From 1995 until now, my sentiments are the same on January 15
1. Complex relationship between black people, investing and Social Security benefits ~ How racism affects the health of black people, lowers their life expectancy rate
14. Support our troops ... unless they speak out against racism ~ Col. Ben Jonsson blocked from promotion because of Missouri Senator Eric Schmitt
13. If you're surprised Fat Joe has Trump high tops, visit an otolaryngologist ~ Is being a sneakerhead more important than standing by your politics?
12. DEI jobs: When you don't want to be treated like the Invisible (Wo)man in Corporate America ~ Conservatives are increasingly obsessed with all employees looking like carbon copies of themselves
11. My 11:11 list: Getting fit and melanin-rich ~ Top 5 early-morning-fitness routines with women of color
10. Black gynecologists may not always be empathic either ~ The pap smear appointment that left me thinking 'choose black' isn't always accurate
9. BlackTechLogy: Is applying for the DataAnnotation job worth it? ~ The 45-minute artificial intelligence editing test was my second round at working on AI writing
8. Job seekers, be wary of collection agencies ~ Debt collection agencies are posting sketchy jobs on LinkedIn while other scammers prowl on Indeed
7. Now hiring (but not black women) ~ Conservative group attacking black women for investing in black-women-owned businesses adds another level of job-seeking stress
6. BlackTechLogy: Freedom Case facial recognition may deter retail employees from racially profiling ~ While facial recognition software and locked-up glass cases may feel invasive, there is an upside of the added security
5. Why is the Harlem Renaissance not celebrated as much as 'The Great Gatsby'? ~ From China to Gatsby to blackface: Plan the party, skip the cultural appropriation
4. Fatherhood goals: Should black, young men stand to greet black women? ~ Seeing both sides of the Queen Latifah versus Lil Wayne debate
3. BlackTechLogy: Five tech hacks to build credit without stacking up credit card debt ~ How Upwork freelancers can make traditional and store credit cards work for them instead of drowning in IOUs
2. MLK's birthday is a significant (but tough) day for me ~ From 1995 until now, my sentiments are the same on January 15
1. Complex relationship between black people, investing and Social Security benefits ~ How racism affects the health of black people, lowers their life expectancy rate