Medium Posts in 2022
Are you looking for one of my Medium posts from 2019? Click here. 2020? Click here. 2021? Click here. 2023? Click here.
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“Seeing” color is no more a problem than “seeing” height. Disrespect and discrimination are bigger issues.
(Note: The following IDSC posts ranging from 2019 to the fall of 2022 were originally published on Medium. However, they have been moved to Substack as of Nov. 7, 2022.)
51. 'Tulsa King,' 'Creed III' and Sylvester Stallone's anti-'dark space' stance ~ Is the problem with 'Creed III' that there is no white hero to look up to?
50. Trevor Noah thanks black women, I thank him ~ The first late-night talk show host who I was proud of for speaking on women's issues
49. Alabama senior citizen arrested for $77 trash bill ~ Treat the elderly how you hope someone will treat you as you age
48. Apple store controversy: Should employees stop thieves? ~ The Best Buy experience that makes me unsure
47. White therapists for Buffalo shooting? You missed the point ~ When a hate crime against black people happens, white therapists are not the best answer
46. Guilt-tripping black people into liking Elon Musk won’t work ~ Yes, he’s South African. No, that doesn’t make him our hero.
45. The art of storytelling … and the accidental racism in the tale too ~ Why it’s a good idea to tell your story in a diverse crowd
44. Therapy for victims of racism should be tax deductible ~ What if the IRS treated therapy for black people the way it does for “emotional distress” lawsuits?
43. The darkest subject change I’ve ever heard: From summons delivery to hanging black people ~ Disturbing things I wish I wasn’t learning about hiring a process server
42. Please stop telling me whose eyes are blue ~ ‘Ready to Love’: The balance between pro-interracial dating but not forced interracial dating
41. ‘Drink Champs’: Stop blaming Kanye’s self-hatred and racism on liquor ~ Without the liquor and the weed, Ye STILL made his George Floyd comment
40. Dahmer deja vu: Why are black victims deemed less important? ~ The first time I realized there’s racism in real estate
39. Trevor Noah leaves ‘The Daily Show’: Viewer begs for another black or brown host ~ America has enough white, male late-night hosts
38. I miss Black Expressions Book Club … and strolling into black bookstores
37. The Tamera Mowry jokes are old, and you are petty ~ Stop trying to put black women in one personality box
36. No, not all black people are related to famous people with the same name ~ Stop asking me am I related to Sarah Vaughan
35. I’m not Asian but ‘Never Have I Ever’ is making me uncomfortable ~ The difference between indifferent interracial dating and self-loathing
34. The blurred line between homophobic women and gay men who fight women ~ The Spirit Airlines fight that leaves me wondering which side I’m on
33. Fundraising for black women: Should there be a complexion cutoff? ~ When colorism and the paper bag test work as intended — but backwards
32. Sometimes you won’t relate — and that’s OK ~ Why every writing staff needs a minority writer and editor who understands other minorities
31. Whether 22 days or two, veganism continues to make an impact ~ Celebs pique the interest of African-American aspiring vegans and vegetarians
30. Boy craziness taught me to swim ~ The accidental way I learned how to conquer the deep end
29. I never wanted to bird-watch, but I’m watching ~ Christian Cooper’s show Racist Amy Cooper sues employer, innocent black man gets nature show
28. M&M Products Director Will Williams on razor bumps and Bump Patrol cream ~ Tips for men and grooming, proper shaving techniques
17. Do black men really care about black women’s hair? ~ Men weigh in on their favorite traits about women
26. Light skin, light eyes, dark outlook ~ How colorism made me more attracted to dark-skinned men
25. How comfortable are you with having a black woman boss? ~ Criticism from women hits harder in the workplace
24. African history through the eyes of a child ~ How Ekiuwa Aire and ‘The 1619 Project’ educate all from childhood to adulthood
23. Mainstream America, the whole nation doesn’t have your entertainment tastes ~ My most unimportant tweet has gotten the most attention
22. When black men protect black women ~ Overlooking the larger request from the #ProtectBlackWomen hashtag after the Will Smith slap
21. Now I know why white people hate talking about race and racism ~ ‘The Problem With Jon Stewart’ showed me what Thanksgiving is like in white households
20. You will NOT blame Jada Pinkett Smith for facial expressions ~ Will Smith slapped Chris Rock, not Jada Pinkett Smith
19. 10 hard lessons I learned as a black journalist ~ My love-hate relationship with the news industry
18. QUIZ: Black history in tech
17. QUIZ: Athletes who joined the tech world ~ Black history shouldn’t just happen in February
16. Sam Elliott ridicules ‘The Power of the Dog,’ director criticizes Serena and Venus instead ~ Fun fact: Directing films does not take nearly the physical strength as the Grand Slam
15. Involuntary pelvic exams given to anesthetized women of color ~ Medical student exams should not be hidden in the fine print
14. Mixed views on capitalizing the ‘b’ in ‘Black’ ~ Style Guide decision that became a youth talk about race
13. Stop hiring me because I’m black, start hiring me because I’m black and qualified ~ Supporting Affirmative Action without hurting minority-owned businesses
12. Another season of hard-to-watch episodes of ‘Love Is Blind’ ~ Stop jumping through hoops to date white people
11. Boys will be boys in every country, but why is racism a constant factor? ~ The undeniable leadership of Amsterdam fire chief Leen Schaap
10. Republicans in hiding, Democrats on the surface ~ Storytelling: How Black Liberals figure out who is really on their side
9. Stop equating feminism and racism ~ The flaws of 'And Just Like That': Oppression competitions are getting women nowhere
8. Is it racist for a Realtor to only show homes to certain clients ... even if they know the property owner is racist too?
7. Storytelling, podcasting get uptick in interest among BIPOC entertainers ~ IDSC "BlackTechLogy" February 2023 Exclusive
6. Lip injections, butt lifts, more cloning of black women ~ Pro-surgery or not, blackfishing is frustrating
5. Until Columbus Day is canceled, I’ll forever support ‘illegal’ immigrants ~ That one day when I was more Mexican than a Mexican
4. The black firefighter story that taught me subtle ways to recognize racism ~ Are you uncomfortable with black people in leadership?
3. Ellen Pompeo said ‘people of color are magical’ — but Denzel is a ‘motherfucker’ ~ Why I side-eye people gushing over black people way too hard
2. Black Lives Matter tattoos: Would you hire an applicant with this tat? ~ Is hiding your tattoo hiding your political stance?
1. The weird hierarchy game of HR and race ~ The chicken costume that made me give up on contacting HR
50. Trevor Noah thanks black women, I thank him ~ The first late-night talk show host who I was proud of for speaking on women's issues
49. Alabama senior citizen arrested for $77 trash bill ~ Treat the elderly how you hope someone will treat you as you age
48. Apple store controversy: Should employees stop thieves? ~ The Best Buy experience that makes me unsure
47. White therapists for Buffalo shooting? You missed the point ~ When a hate crime against black people happens, white therapists are not the best answer
46. Guilt-tripping black people into liking Elon Musk won’t work ~ Yes, he’s South African. No, that doesn’t make him our hero.
45. The art of storytelling … and the accidental racism in the tale too ~ Why it’s a good idea to tell your story in a diverse crowd
44. Therapy for victims of racism should be tax deductible ~ What if the IRS treated therapy for black people the way it does for “emotional distress” lawsuits?
43. The darkest subject change I’ve ever heard: From summons delivery to hanging black people ~ Disturbing things I wish I wasn’t learning about hiring a process server
42. Please stop telling me whose eyes are blue ~ ‘Ready to Love’: The balance between pro-interracial dating but not forced interracial dating
41. ‘Drink Champs’: Stop blaming Kanye’s self-hatred and racism on liquor ~ Without the liquor and the weed, Ye STILL made his George Floyd comment
40. Dahmer deja vu: Why are black victims deemed less important? ~ The first time I realized there’s racism in real estate
39. Trevor Noah leaves ‘The Daily Show’: Viewer begs for another black or brown host ~ America has enough white, male late-night hosts
38. I miss Black Expressions Book Club … and strolling into black bookstores
37. The Tamera Mowry jokes are old, and you are petty ~ Stop trying to put black women in one personality box
36. No, not all black people are related to famous people with the same name ~ Stop asking me am I related to Sarah Vaughan
35. I’m not Asian but ‘Never Have I Ever’ is making me uncomfortable ~ The difference between indifferent interracial dating and self-loathing
34. The blurred line between homophobic women and gay men who fight women ~ The Spirit Airlines fight that leaves me wondering which side I’m on
33. Fundraising for black women: Should there be a complexion cutoff? ~ When colorism and the paper bag test work as intended — but backwards
32. Sometimes you won’t relate — and that’s OK ~ Why every writing staff needs a minority writer and editor who understands other minorities
31. Whether 22 days or two, veganism continues to make an impact ~ Celebs pique the interest of African-American aspiring vegans and vegetarians
30. Boy craziness taught me to swim ~ The accidental way I learned how to conquer the deep end
29. I never wanted to bird-watch, but I’m watching ~ Christian Cooper’s show Racist Amy Cooper sues employer, innocent black man gets nature show
28. M&M Products Director Will Williams on razor bumps and Bump Patrol cream ~ Tips for men and grooming, proper shaving techniques
17. Do black men really care about black women’s hair? ~ Men weigh in on their favorite traits about women
26. Light skin, light eyes, dark outlook ~ How colorism made me more attracted to dark-skinned men
25. How comfortable are you with having a black woman boss? ~ Criticism from women hits harder in the workplace
24. African history through the eyes of a child ~ How Ekiuwa Aire and ‘The 1619 Project’ educate all from childhood to adulthood
23. Mainstream America, the whole nation doesn’t have your entertainment tastes ~ My most unimportant tweet has gotten the most attention
22. When black men protect black women ~ Overlooking the larger request from the #ProtectBlackWomen hashtag after the Will Smith slap
21. Now I know why white people hate talking about race and racism ~ ‘The Problem With Jon Stewart’ showed me what Thanksgiving is like in white households
20. You will NOT blame Jada Pinkett Smith for facial expressions ~ Will Smith slapped Chris Rock, not Jada Pinkett Smith
19. 10 hard lessons I learned as a black journalist ~ My love-hate relationship with the news industry
18. QUIZ: Black history in tech
17. QUIZ: Athletes who joined the tech world ~ Black history shouldn’t just happen in February
16. Sam Elliott ridicules ‘The Power of the Dog,’ director criticizes Serena and Venus instead ~ Fun fact: Directing films does not take nearly the physical strength as the Grand Slam
15. Involuntary pelvic exams given to anesthetized women of color ~ Medical student exams should not be hidden in the fine print
14. Mixed views on capitalizing the ‘b’ in ‘Black’ ~ Style Guide decision that became a youth talk about race
13. Stop hiring me because I’m black, start hiring me because I’m black and qualified ~ Supporting Affirmative Action without hurting minority-owned businesses
12. Another season of hard-to-watch episodes of ‘Love Is Blind’ ~ Stop jumping through hoops to date white people
11. Boys will be boys in every country, but why is racism a constant factor? ~ The undeniable leadership of Amsterdam fire chief Leen Schaap
10. Republicans in hiding, Democrats on the surface ~ Storytelling: How Black Liberals figure out who is really on their side
9. Stop equating feminism and racism ~ The flaws of 'And Just Like That': Oppression competitions are getting women nowhere
8. Is it racist for a Realtor to only show homes to certain clients ... even if they know the property owner is racist too?
7. Storytelling, podcasting get uptick in interest among BIPOC entertainers ~ IDSC "BlackTechLogy" February 2023 Exclusive
6. Lip injections, butt lifts, more cloning of black women ~ Pro-surgery or not, blackfishing is frustrating
5. Until Columbus Day is canceled, I’ll forever support ‘illegal’ immigrants ~ That one day when I was more Mexican than a Mexican
4. The black firefighter story that taught me subtle ways to recognize racism ~ Are you uncomfortable with black people in leadership?
3. Ellen Pompeo said ‘people of color are magical’ — but Denzel is a ‘motherfucker’ ~ Why I side-eye people gushing over black people way too hard
2. Black Lives Matter tattoos: Would you hire an applicant with this tat? ~ Is hiding your tattoo hiding your political stance?
1. The weird hierarchy game of HR and race ~ The chicken costume that made me give up on contacting HR
Laughing burns calories. Let's focus on our funny bones.
17. Mos Def may be the only rapper I’m a superfan of ~ And the tale of my ankle can tell you why
16. Yes, my parents danced on Soul Train ~ The coolest press pass I ever got while working for a newspaper
15. I’m not sleeping, I’m just watching my eyelids ~ Whether I want to take a nap or not, my eyes (and age) are the boss of me
14. Please stop scratching your butt in public ~ How have I become the Weirdo Whistler?
13. My grandmother’s advice: Never wear raggedy underwear ~ Here’s her reason why mismatched underwear is a no-no
12. Funniest moments with my 100-year-old great great aunt ~ Not every comedian is standing onstage
11. Two random memories of my favorite Usher songs ~ One from an ex-boyfriend, the other from my dog
10. There is a special place in Hell for no-show Craigslist users ~ If the user asks “Is this still available?” then it’s probably a no-show user
9. Round 2: Filtering out the oddballs on Craigslist and Freecycle ~ If it’s free, why are you so entitled?
8. Top 5 moments I did not ‘play it cool’ ~ Rom-coms often make men the goofy one in the relationship — then there’s me
7. 5 meetings that make me want to bury myself under the table ~ If you’re going to have a meeting, make it count
6. Will Smith’s PR team, make Oscars 2022 an April Fool’s Day joke ~ The easiest way to resolve this tension is to make the public feel Punk’d
5. Stepmothers, stereotypes and hot dogs ~ The day I realized my childhood friend may be a real-life Cinderella
4. Please stop laughing during the funeral ~ Everyone copes differently, don’t judge me
3. No, I’m not obligated to switch plane seats ~ The awkward plane experience that made me refuse to switch seats again
2. Rough draft news report: Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema vote 'no' to black lady Supreme Court Judge ~ Press 'Send' when President Joe Biden makes his final pick — no matter the pick
1. My job: The comedy pilot that never got picked up ~ Fact: “Abbott Elementary” is as delightful as “A Black Lady Sketch Show”
16. Yes, my parents danced on Soul Train ~ The coolest press pass I ever got while working for a newspaper
15. I’m not sleeping, I’m just watching my eyelids ~ Whether I want to take a nap or not, my eyes (and age) are the boss of me
14. Please stop scratching your butt in public ~ How have I become the Weirdo Whistler?
13. My grandmother’s advice: Never wear raggedy underwear ~ Here’s her reason why mismatched underwear is a no-no
12. Funniest moments with my 100-year-old great great aunt ~ Not every comedian is standing onstage
11. Two random memories of my favorite Usher songs ~ One from an ex-boyfriend, the other from my dog
10. There is a special place in Hell for no-show Craigslist users ~ If the user asks “Is this still available?” then it’s probably a no-show user
9. Round 2: Filtering out the oddballs on Craigslist and Freecycle ~ If it’s free, why are you so entitled?
8. Top 5 moments I did not ‘play it cool’ ~ Rom-coms often make men the goofy one in the relationship — then there’s me
7. 5 meetings that make me want to bury myself under the table ~ If you’re going to have a meeting, make it count
6. Will Smith’s PR team, make Oscars 2022 an April Fool’s Day joke ~ The easiest way to resolve this tension is to make the public feel Punk’d
5. Stepmothers, stereotypes and hot dogs ~ The day I realized my childhood friend may be a real-life Cinderella
4. Please stop laughing during the funeral ~ Everyone copes differently, don’t judge me
3. No, I’m not obligated to switch plane seats ~ The awkward plane experience that made me refuse to switch seats again
2. Rough draft news report: Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema vote 'no' to black lady Supreme Court Judge ~ Press 'Send' when President Joe Biden makes his final pick — no matter the pick
1. My job: The comedy pilot that never got picked up ~ Fact: “Abbott Elementary” is as delightful as “A Black Lady Sketch Show”
Let’s chat about my oddball thoughts on family, relationships and activism — with a dose of comedy, too.
63. That time I was mistaken for a prostitute ~ The “Pretty Woman” moment that happened in real life
62. Diplomatically ignoring the toxic emailer ~ From a trying-to-be-reformed toxic emailer
61. The older you are, the weirder Christmas gets ~ But it’s also an opportunity to celebrate new relationships
60. No, I’m not required to be your tax dependent ~ Awkward but honest: Claiming yourself on your tax forms
59. Men and boys, please stop roughhousing in front of me ~ Should women break it up or is the playing all in good fun?
58. The president is not your prom king ~ Vote for someone who you can rely on with nuclear bomb codes, not White House parties
57. Are impatient people more productive? ~ Idle time does not work out well for those who will not wait
56. If you’re not voting today, please shut up ~ Why is the most inactive group so loud?
55. If you hate people, why do you have a Customer Service job? ~ Why tech-centric jobs may be better suited for a younger crowd
54. Jury duty problem: Attractive…but guilty? ~ When a juror finds the defendant attractive, does this make it harder to be fair?
53. Why I auto-opt out of fixed-price jobs on Upwork ~ For top-rated freelancers, I don’t see the appeal in fixed-rate jobs
52. Is BetterHelp looking for editors or involuntary paid research participants? ~ When a client invites 269 people for a two-person job, is this a little suspicious?
51. I love entertainment but hated being an entertainment reporter ~ Meeting entertainers you’re a fan of can lead to disappointment
50. Only people who like small talk enjoy (pointless) meetings ~ The Manners Police reflects on Small Talk People
49. If the job requires a non-compete clause, proceed with caution ~ Why California, Oregon and Nevada got it right to make non-compete clauses illegal
48. Quiet quitting = Life outside of work ~ The excuse your job gives you for why you should work more for less
47. Stop paying for Wikipedia pages ~ The user-generated site is popular but credibility is sketchy
46. Navigating work friends after you quit ~ Is it OK to tell your salary to colleagues you’re not cool with?
45. Positive affirmations: Noom is onto something ~ The weight loss journey that skyrocketed my meditation journey
44. Clear backpacks don’t resolve mass shootings ~ That time I got suspended for carrying a weapon to school
43. Oral sex stops babies from being made ~ And other stupid takes from people blocking contraception
42. All pregnant women should get $2,000 extra on taxes ~ Roe vs Wade: Dear IRS, accept 1040-X forms for 2021 and beyond
41. Use your at-home COVID-19 tests before they expire ~ While the tests are free, they are for a limited time
40. I once Catfished a friend before I knew what Catfishing was ~ Then karma taught me a hard lesson by being the victim of a Catfish
39. The baby daddy fight over McDonald’s ~ Are basic manners not basic anymore?
38. Great Resignation continues, but beware of hustlers ~ When a job seems too good to be true, best believe it (usually) is
37. If ever there was a time to push sex ed, Supreme Court outlawing Roe vs. Wade is it ~ Parents, start talking about the Birds and the Bees earlier
36. LaMDA may not be sentient, just smarter than most — politics included ~ Capitol Riot hearing proves that opinions can change, politically, culturally and socially
35. From ‘Boy Soldier’ to slain children in Ukraine ~ Schoony’s artwork is a reminder of when kids are robbed of their youth
34. PSA: Black women are allowed to go on dates ~ The Lori Harvey hate unleashes men’s own insecurities
33. Upwork client scammers who fly under the radar ~ Part 2 of 2: Troubleshooting problematic freelancing contracts
32. It took less than 24 hours to remember why I quit Textbroker ~ Medium vs Textbroker: Why ghostwriting doesn’t help with branding
31. Payday loan companies deserve karma repayments ~ When overcharging a predatory lender brought me great joy
30. Tales of a taxicab dispatcher ~ Questionable sex acts and sexual violence continue to happen with ride-sharing services
29. M&M Products Director Will Williams on razor bumps and Bump Patrol cream ~ Tips for men and grooming, proper shaving techniques
28. I have no love for R. Kelly, but I’m blasting Marvin Gaye forever … and Kendrick Lamar ‘Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers’ — while ignoring Kodak Black
27. Truth hurts: Harassment won’t stop until men start talking to other men ~ The lack of logic behind a restraining order
26. No, I won’t co-write with AI ~ Artificial intelligence software like Jasper is taking writers’ jobs
25. Your animosity toward single women is weird ~ Roe vs. Wade leak: If you’re happy and you know it, why are you the Vagina Moderator?
24. Twitter personality types versus Facebook — Elon Musk won’t make me leave ~ Why certain social media platforms resonate with personality types
23. Is catcalling really a clueless call for attention? ~ “This American Life” made me wonder why anti-catcalling stories fall on deaf ears
22. Is ‘Too Good To Go’ Surprise Bag worth the money? ~ Trying to help curb food waste one mobile order at a time
21. Multi-person job interviews are useless ~ If you don’t want to hire someone in the first interview, that’s not the person to hire
20. Dementia or not, listen to seniors when they speak ~ Apple+ TV’s “The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey” brings back bittersweet family members
19. If you want to make a point, choose your defenders wisely ~ Do a background check on your attorneys
18. I’m not saying I agree with Will Smith … but I understand ~ Will Smith smacks Chris Rock for alopecia joke
17. Be pro-fashion, not the fun police ~ Why do people get meaner the better they dress?
16. Security cameras have become a lifesaver for pandemic parents ~ My memories of being a latchkey kid
15. No, not every woman needs to go through a ho phase ~ If only sex ed was as widely embraced as being sexually liberated
14. How miserable are you to pick on Girl Scouts? ~ Please keep the sugar shaming to yourself and let kids be kids
13. What artificial intelligence can’t do for prospective renters and realtors ~ No matter how accurate real estate AI is, it cannot fix lack of soft skills
12. Peacemakers, mind your business ~ Therapy masters the fine line between choosing sides versus conflict-resolution
11. Sex, no kissing: Whatever happened to courting? ~ Health tip: Treat your genitals the way you treat your mouth
10. Stop treating religion like weed: No need to puff, puff, pass ~ The religion ultimatum on “Love Is Blind”
9. Swipe right, swipe left or just wait until bad news happens ~ When bad news comes your way, you’ll know if he’s the right one
8. Suspending Whoopi is the worst way to fix ‘The View’ uproar ~ Silencing Holocaust history lesson only helps anti-CRT debate
7. Virtual dating in 2022 continues amid pandemic ~ Bigger mystery: How is ‘Catfish’ celebrating Season 9 when everyone is at home?
6. Ari Lennox, Jay Z and Meek Mill: The problem with song lyrics ~ Do today’s artists need to learn how to keep a secret?
5. Reprinted from Goals TV: Therapy apps get boost in popularity as social isolation continues ~ Two years into pandemic and people need someone to talk to
4. Something’s up at the post office ~ Is it the fault of Trump-appointed Postmaster Louis DeJoy or COVID-19?
3. No, Pope Francis, it’s not ‘risky’ to ‘deny motherhood’ ~ Get off pet owners’ backs about choosing dogs over babies
2. Is it ‘patriarchal’ to tell a girl her first time having sex will be painful? ~ Complicated discussions regarding black girls and sexuality
1. Is your ICE list accessible? ~ In an emergency, how could medical officials help you?
62. Diplomatically ignoring the toxic emailer ~ From a trying-to-be-reformed toxic emailer
61. The older you are, the weirder Christmas gets ~ But it’s also an opportunity to celebrate new relationships
60. No, I’m not required to be your tax dependent ~ Awkward but honest: Claiming yourself on your tax forms
59. Men and boys, please stop roughhousing in front of me ~ Should women break it up or is the playing all in good fun?
58. The president is not your prom king ~ Vote for someone who you can rely on with nuclear bomb codes, not White House parties
57. Are impatient people more productive? ~ Idle time does not work out well for those who will not wait
56. If you’re not voting today, please shut up ~ Why is the most inactive group so loud?
55. If you hate people, why do you have a Customer Service job? ~ Why tech-centric jobs may be better suited for a younger crowd
54. Jury duty problem: Attractive…but guilty? ~ When a juror finds the defendant attractive, does this make it harder to be fair?
53. Why I auto-opt out of fixed-price jobs on Upwork ~ For top-rated freelancers, I don’t see the appeal in fixed-rate jobs
52. Is BetterHelp looking for editors or involuntary paid research participants? ~ When a client invites 269 people for a two-person job, is this a little suspicious?
51. I love entertainment but hated being an entertainment reporter ~ Meeting entertainers you’re a fan of can lead to disappointment
50. Only people who like small talk enjoy (pointless) meetings ~ The Manners Police reflects on Small Talk People
49. If the job requires a non-compete clause, proceed with caution ~ Why California, Oregon and Nevada got it right to make non-compete clauses illegal
48. Quiet quitting = Life outside of work ~ The excuse your job gives you for why you should work more for less
47. Stop paying for Wikipedia pages ~ The user-generated site is popular but credibility is sketchy
46. Navigating work friends after you quit ~ Is it OK to tell your salary to colleagues you’re not cool with?
45. Positive affirmations: Noom is onto something ~ The weight loss journey that skyrocketed my meditation journey
44. Clear backpacks don’t resolve mass shootings ~ That time I got suspended for carrying a weapon to school
43. Oral sex stops babies from being made ~ And other stupid takes from people blocking contraception
42. All pregnant women should get $2,000 extra on taxes ~ Roe vs Wade: Dear IRS, accept 1040-X forms for 2021 and beyond
41. Use your at-home COVID-19 tests before they expire ~ While the tests are free, they are for a limited time
40. I once Catfished a friend before I knew what Catfishing was ~ Then karma taught me a hard lesson by being the victim of a Catfish
39. The baby daddy fight over McDonald’s ~ Are basic manners not basic anymore?
38. Great Resignation continues, but beware of hustlers ~ When a job seems too good to be true, best believe it (usually) is
37. If ever there was a time to push sex ed, Supreme Court outlawing Roe vs. Wade is it ~ Parents, start talking about the Birds and the Bees earlier
36. LaMDA may not be sentient, just smarter than most — politics included ~ Capitol Riot hearing proves that opinions can change, politically, culturally and socially
35. From ‘Boy Soldier’ to slain children in Ukraine ~ Schoony’s artwork is a reminder of when kids are robbed of their youth
34. PSA: Black women are allowed to go on dates ~ The Lori Harvey hate unleashes men’s own insecurities
33. Upwork client scammers who fly under the radar ~ Part 2 of 2: Troubleshooting problematic freelancing contracts
32. It took less than 24 hours to remember why I quit Textbroker ~ Medium vs Textbroker: Why ghostwriting doesn’t help with branding
31. Payday loan companies deserve karma repayments ~ When overcharging a predatory lender brought me great joy
30. Tales of a taxicab dispatcher ~ Questionable sex acts and sexual violence continue to happen with ride-sharing services
29. M&M Products Director Will Williams on razor bumps and Bump Patrol cream ~ Tips for men and grooming, proper shaving techniques
28. I have no love for R. Kelly, but I’m blasting Marvin Gaye forever … and Kendrick Lamar ‘Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers’ — while ignoring Kodak Black
27. Truth hurts: Harassment won’t stop until men start talking to other men ~ The lack of logic behind a restraining order
26. No, I won’t co-write with AI ~ Artificial intelligence software like Jasper is taking writers’ jobs
25. Your animosity toward single women is weird ~ Roe vs. Wade leak: If you’re happy and you know it, why are you the Vagina Moderator?
24. Twitter personality types versus Facebook — Elon Musk won’t make me leave ~ Why certain social media platforms resonate with personality types
23. Is catcalling really a clueless call for attention? ~ “This American Life” made me wonder why anti-catcalling stories fall on deaf ears
22. Is ‘Too Good To Go’ Surprise Bag worth the money? ~ Trying to help curb food waste one mobile order at a time
21. Multi-person job interviews are useless ~ If you don’t want to hire someone in the first interview, that’s not the person to hire
20. Dementia or not, listen to seniors when they speak ~ Apple+ TV’s “The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey” brings back bittersweet family members
19. If you want to make a point, choose your defenders wisely ~ Do a background check on your attorneys
18. I’m not saying I agree with Will Smith … but I understand ~ Will Smith smacks Chris Rock for alopecia joke
17. Be pro-fashion, not the fun police ~ Why do people get meaner the better they dress?
16. Security cameras have become a lifesaver for pandemic parents ~ My memories of being a latchkey kid
15. No, not every woman needs to go through a ho phase ~ If only sex ed was as widely embraced as being sexually liberated
14. How miserable are you to pick on Girl Scouts? ~ Please keep the sugar shaming to yourself and let kids be kids
13. What artificial intelligence can’t do for prospective renters and realtors ~ No matter how accurate real estate AI is, it cannot fix lack of soft skills
12. Peacemakers, mind your business ~ Therapy masters the fine line between choosing sides versus conflict-resolution
11. Sex, no kissing: Whatever happened to courting? ~ Health tip: Treat your genitals the way you treat your mouth
10. Stop treating religion like weed: No need to puff, puff, pass ~ The religion ultimatum on “Love Is Blind”
9. Swipe right, swipe left or just wait until bad news happens ~ When bad news comes your way, you’ll know if he’s the right one
8. Suspending Whoopi is the worst way to fix ‘The View’ uproar ~ Silencing Holocaust history lesson only helps anti-CRT debate
7. Virtual dating in 2022 continues amid pandemic ~ Bigger mystery: How is ‘Catfish’ celebrating Season 9 when everyone is at home?
6. Ari Lennox, Jay Z and Meek Mill: The problem with song lyrics ~ Do today’s artists need to learn how to keep a secret?
5. Reprinted from Goals TV: Therapy apps get boost in popularity as social isolation continues ~ Two years into pandemic and people need someone to talk to
4. Something’s up at the post office ~ Is it the fault of Trump-appointed Postmaster Louis DeJoy or COVID-19?
3. No, Pope Francis, it’s not ‘risky’ to ‘deny motherhood’ ~ Get off pet owners’ backs about choosing dogs over babies
2. Is it ‘patriarchal’ to tell a girl her first time having sex will be painful? ~ Complicated discussions regarding black girls and sexuality
1. Is your ICE list accessible? ~ In an emergency, how could medical officials help you?
If you're into retail and food news, business tips and Internet shopping, read on.
5. Fashion retailers keep burning, discarding clothes ~ Retailers miss the boat on helping those in need
4. The laziness that creates fast fashion ~ How ‘The Patriot Act’ made me dust off my fashion design skills
3. Online sellers: Should you use FBA or FBM? ~ Is Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) the smartest option for e-commerce sellers? Not always
2. Secondhand makeup vs secondhand clothes: Why frown at one but not the other? ~ Japanese consumers create billion-yen industry for used cosmetics
1. Whether 22 days or two, veganism continues to make an impact ~ Celebs pique the interest of African-American aspiring vegans and vegetarians
4. The laziness that creates fast fashion ~ How ‘The Patriot Act’ made me dust off my fashion design skills
3. Online sellers: Should you use FBA or FBM? ~ Is Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) the smartest option for e-commerce sellers? Not always
2. Secondhand makeup vs secondhand clothes: Why frown at one but not the other? ~ Japanese consumers create billion-yen industry for used cosmetics
1. Whether 22 days or two, veganism continues to make an impact ~ Celebs pique the interest of African-American aspiring vegans and vegetarians
Additional posts (not in above publications)
3. About Me Stories: About Me — Shamontiel L. Vaughn ~ A lawyer lives in my head, a writer lives in my heart
2. Window Shopping: Online sellers: Should you use FBA or FBM? ~ Is Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) the smartest option for e-commerce sellers? Not always
1. Featured in ZORA: Prepare Your Daughter for Her First Gynecology Visit ~ As uncomfortable as sexual health topics may be, not forewarning her ahead of time is worse
2. Window Shopping: Online sellers: Should you use FBA or FBM? ~ Is Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) the smartest option for e-commerce sellers? Not always
1. Featured in ZORA: Prepare Your Daughter for Her First Gynecology Visit ~ As uncomfortable as sexual health topics may be, not forewarning her ahead of time is worse
Medium Publications (with Shamontiel's posts)
- Age of Awareness (Contemplative letters commemorating special occasions)
- Black Voices in Marketing (Series on diversity tips, book marketing and minority advertising)
- I Do See Color (“Seeing” color is no more a problem than “seeing” height. Disrespect and discrimination is the issue.)
- Live Your Life on Purpose (Feel-good stories on health and fitness, life and learning, personal finance, success)
- Medium @Shamontiel
- The Mile High Club (Travel stories from the stratosphere)
- The Startup (Entrepreneurial advice, creativity tales, freelancing, startups, investing, innovation, web development)
- Tickled (Laughing burns calories. Let's focus on our funny bones.)
- We Need to Talk (Heart-to-heart conversations that challenge unpopular views on family, relationships and activism.)
- Zora (Unapologetic. Ours. A Medium publication for women of color.)
©2008 Shamontiel L. Vaughn | All rights reserved
