Medium Posts in 2022
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“Seeing” color is no more a problem than “seeing” height. Disrespect and discrimination are bigger issues.
38. Sometimes you won’t relate — and that’s OK ~ Why every writing staff needs a minority writer and editor who understands other minorities
37. Dog Karens, you don’t own every neighborhood pet ~ When subconscious racial profiling seeps its way into dog lovers
36. Whether 22 days or two, veganism continues to make an impact ~ Celebs pique the interest of African-American aspiring vegans and vegetarians
35. Boy craziness taught me to swim ~ The accidental way I learned how to conquer the deep end
34. 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
33. Take Walmart off your Juneteenth shopping list ~ Holidays and capitalism: Are we lowballing Juneteenth paraphernalia?
32. M&M Products Director Will Williams on razor bumps and Bump Patrol cream ~ Tips for men and grooming, proper shaving techniques
31. Do black men really care about black women’s hair? ~ Men weigh in on their favorite traits about women
30. Light skin, light eyes, dark outlook ~ How colorism made me more attracted to dark-skinned men
29. How comfortable are you with having a black woman boss? ~ Criticism from women hits harder in the workplace
28. When promposals get a sprinkle of racism ~ Stop calling schools ‘diverse’ when black people aren’t there
27. African history through the eyes of a child ~ How Ekiuwa Aire and ‘The 1619 Project’ educate all from childhood to adulthood
26. When stereotypes are just as bad as racism ~ How one Korean man burglarized 55 buildings without getting caught
25. Mainstream America, the whole nation doesn’t have your entertainment tastes ~ My most unimportant tweet has gotten the most attention
24. When black men protect black women ~ Overlooking the larger request from the #ProtectBlackWomen hashtag after the Will Smith slap
23. 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
22. You will NOT blame Jada Pinkett Smith for facial expressions ~ Will Smith slapped Chris Rock, not Jada Pinkett Smith
21. 10 hard lessons I learned as a black journalist ~ My love-hate relationship with the news industry
20. QUIZ: Black history in tech
19. QUIZ: Athletes who joined the tech world ~ Black history shouldn’t just happen in February
18. 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
17. Involuntary pelvic exams given to anesthetized women of color ~ Medical student exams should not be hidden in the fine print
16. Mixed views on capitalizing the ‘b’ in ‘Black’ ~ Style Guide decision that became a youth talk about race
15. I talk about black men the way white people talk about cops ~ Every black man isn’t good, but I’ll never overlook those who are
14. Stop hiring me because I’m black, start hiring me because I’m black and qualified ~ Supporting Affirmative Action without hurting minority-owned businesses
13. Another season of hard-to-watch episodes of ‘Love Is Blind’ ~ Stop jumping through hoops to date white people
12. Boys will be boys in every country, but why is racism a constant factor? ~ The undeniable leadership of Amsterdam fire chief Leen Schaap
11. Republicans in hiding, Democrats on the surface ~ Storytelling: How Black Liberals figure out who is really on their side
10. Stop equating feminism and racism ~ The flaws of 'And Just Like That': Oppression competitions are getting women nowhere
9. Realtor conundrum: How do you sell a home for racist homeowners? ~ That one time a black man tried to buy a home from a KKK member
8. Storytelling, podcasting get uptick in interest among BIPOC entertainers ~ Earn Your Leisure: The podcast that made me realize I actually do like stock talk
7. Lip injections, butt lifts, more cloning of black women ~ Pro-surgery or not, blackfishing is frustrating
6. Until Columbus Day is canceled, I’ll forever support ‘illegal’ immigrants ~ That one day when I was more Mexican than a Mexican
5. The black firefighter story that taught me subtle ways to recognize racism ~ Are you uncomfortable with black people in leadership?
4. 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
3. The weird hierarchy game of HR and race ~ The chicken costume that made me give up on contacting HR
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
37. Dog Karens, you don’t own every neighborhood pet ~ When subconscious racial profiling seeps its way into dog lovers
36. Whether 22 days or two, veganism continues to make an impact ~ Celebs pique the interest of African-American aspiring vegans and vegetarians
35. Boy craziness taught me to swim ~ The accidental way I learned how to conquer the deep end
34. 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
33. Take Walmart off your Juneteenth shopping list ~ Holidays and capitalism: Are we lowballing Juneteenth paraphernalia?
32. M&M Products Director Will Williams on razor bumps and Bump Patrol cream ~ Tips for men and grooming, proper shaving techniques
31. Do black men really care about black women’s hair? ~ Men weigh in on their favorite traits about women
30. Light skin, light eyes, dark outlook ~ How colorism made me more attracted to dark-skinned men
29. How comfortable are you with having a black woman boss? ~ Criticism from women hits harder in the workplace
28. When promposals get a sprinkle of racism ~ Stop calling schools ‘diverse’ when black people aren’t there
27. African history through the eyes of a child ~ How Ekiuwa Aire and ‘The 1619 Project’ educate all from childhood to adulthood
26. When stereotypes are just as bad as racism ~ How one Korean man burglarized 55 buildings without getting caught
25. Mainstream America, the whole nation doesn’t have your entertainment tastes ~ My most unimportant tweet has gotten the most attention
24. When black men protect black women ~ Overlooking the larger request from the #ProtectBlackWomen hashtag after the Will Smith slap
23. 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
22. You will NOT blame Jada Pinkett Smith for facial expressions ~ Will Smith slapped Chris Rock, not Jada Pinkett Smith
21. 10 hard lessons I learned as a black journalist ~ My love-hate relationship with the news industry
20. QUIZ: Black history in tech
19. QUIZ: Athletes who joined the tech world ~ Black history shouldn’t just happen in February
18. 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
17. Involuntary pelvic exams given to anesthetized women of color ~ Medical student exams should not be hidden in the fine print
16. Mixed views on capitalizing the ‘b’ in ‘Black’ ~ Style Guide decision that became a youth talk about race
15. I talk about black men the way white people talk about cops ~ Every black man isn’t good, but I’ll never overlook those who are
14. Stop hiring me because I’m black, start hiring me because I’m black and qualified ~ Supporting Affirmative Action without hurting minority-owned businesses
13. Another season of hard-to-watch episodes of ‘Love Is Blind’ ~ Stop jumping through hoops to date white people
12. Boys will be boys in every country, but why is racism a constant factor? ~ The undeniable leadership of Amsterdam fire chief Leen Schaap
11. Republicans in hiding, Democrats on the surface ~ Storytelling: How Black Liberals figure out who is really on their side
10. Stop equating feminism and racism ~ The flaws of 'And Just Like That': Oppression competitions are getting women nowhere
9. Realtor conundrum: How do you sell a home for racist homeowners? ~ That one time a black man tried to buy a home from a KKK member
8. Storytelling, podcasting get uptick in interest among BIPOC entertainers ~ Earn Your Leisure: The podcast that made me realize I actually do like stock talk
7. Lip injections, butt lifts, more cloning of black women ~ Pro-surgery or not, blackfishing is frustrating
6. Until Columbus Day is canceled, I’ll forever support ‘illegal’ immigrants ~ That one day when I was more Mexican than a Mexican
5. The black firefighter story that taught me subtle ways to recognize racism ~ Are you uncomfortable with black people in leadership?
4. 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
3. The weird hierarchy game of HR and race ~ The chicken costume that made me give up on contacting HR
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.
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”
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.
43. Use your at-home COVID-19 tests before they expire ~ While the tests are free, they are for a limited time
42. 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
41. The baby daddy fight over McDonald’s ~ Are basic manners not basic anymore?
40. Great Resignation continues, but beware of hustlers ~ When a job seems too good to be true, best believe it (usually) is
39. 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
38. The hatred for landlords is getting weird ~ If you hate landlords that much, wait to own instead of renting
37. LaMDA may not be sentient, just smarter than most — politics included ~ Capitol Riot hearing proves that opinions can change, politically, culturally and socially
36. From ‘Boy Soldier’ to slain children in Ukraine ~ Schoony’s artwork is a reminder of when kids are robbed of their youth
35. PSA: Black women are allowed to go on dates ~ The Lori Harvey hate unleashes men’s own insecurities
34. Upwork client scammers who fly under the radar ~ Part 2 of 2: Troubleshooting problematic freelancing contracts
33. It took less than 24 hours to remember why I quit Textbroker ~ Medium vs Textbroker: Why ghostwriting doesn’t help with branding
32. Payday loan companies deserve karma repayments ~ When overcharging a predatory lender brought me great joy
31. Tales of a taxicab dispatcher ~ Questionable sex acts and sexual violence continue to happen with ride-sharing services
30. M&M Products Director Will Williams on razor bumps and Bump Patrol cream ~ Tips for men and grooming, proper shaving techniques
29. 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
28. Truth hurts: Harassment won’t stop until men start talking to other men ~ The lack of logic behind a restraining order
27. No, I won’t co-write with AI ~ Artificial intelligence software like Jasper is taking writers’ jobs
26. 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?
25. Twitter personality types versus Facebook — Elon Musk won’t make me leave ~ Why certain social media platforms resonate with personality types
24. Is catcalling really a clueless call for attention? ~ “This American Life” made me wonder why anti-catcalling stories fall on deaf ears
23. Is ‘Too Good To Go’ Surprise Bag worth the money? ~ Trying to help curb food waste one mobile order at a time
22. Is taking the man’s last name too submissive in modern marriages? ~ The ‘Ready to Love’ conversation that brought this up
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?
42. 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
41. The baby daddy fight over McDonald’s ~ Are basic manners not basic anymore?
40. Great Resignation continues, but beware of hustlers ~ When a job seems too good to be true, best believe it (usually) is
39. 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
38. The hatred for landlords is getting weird ~ If you hate landlords that much, wait to own instead of renting
37. LaMDA may not be sentient, just smarter than most — politics included ~ Capitol Riot hearing proves that opinions can change, politically, culturally and socially
36. From ‘Boy Soldier’ to slain children in Ukraine ~ Schoony’s artwork is a reminder of when kids are robbed of their youth
35. PSA: Black women are allowed to go on dates ~ The Lori Harvey hate unleashes men’s own insecurities
34. Upwork client scammers who fly under the radar ~ Part 2 of 2: Troubleshooting problematic freelancing contracts
33. It took less than 24 hours to remember why I quit Textbroker ~ Medium vs Textbroker: Why ghostwriting doesn’t help with branding
32. Payday loan companies deserve karma repayments ~ When overcharging a predatory lender brought me great joy
31. Tales of a taxicab dispatcher ~ Questionable sex acts and sexual violence continue to happen with ride-sharing services
30. M&M Products Director Will Williams on razor bumps and Bump Patrol cream ~ Tips for men and grooming, proper shaving techniques
29. 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
28. Truth hurts: Harassment won’t stop until men start talking to other men ~ The lack of logic behind a restraining order
27. No, I won’t co-write with AI ~ Artificial intelligence software like Jasper is taking writers’ jobs
26. 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?
25. Twitter personality types versus Facebook — Elon Musk won’t make me leave ~ Why certain social media platforms resonate with personality types
24. Is catcalling really a clueless call for attention? ~ “This American Life” made me wonder why anti-catcalling stories fall on deaf ears
23. Is ‘Too Good To Go’ Surprise Bag worth the money? ~ Trying to help curb food waste one mobile order at a time
22. Is taking the man’s last name too submissive in modern marriages? ~ The ‘Ready to Love’ conversation that brought this up
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?
Additional posts (not in above publications)
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
