On May 13, 1985, after years of conflict and fighting between the city of Philadelphia and the controversial radical group MOVE, shit hit the fan. The police evacuated the residence surrounding the MOVE headquarters; cut the electricity, surrounded the compound, and a firefight broke out that lasted for hours. Ten thousand rounds of ammunition were fired at the group. MOVE had four guns, but no automatic. Under the direction of local authorities, the police dropped a military-grade explosive on the …
Category: Writing
Welcome to Salvation Mini Mart, America’s holiest of holies, where science is fear-mongering and shopping is worship. We got “AntiChrist” insect repellent, “Holy Water” for electrolytes and exclusive “Blood of Christ” wine imported from Bethlehem Valley. C’mon, “get drunk on Jesus.” There’s no forsaken sin that our assortment of immaculate merchandise won’t sanctify. Freaking out about a Black Messiah? Try “White Jesus” skin bleach. A single spray washes historical facts away that contradict your Christian ways. After all, “A dark prophet …
The intricate and surreal visuals of Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski’s stop-animated story Madame Tutli-Putli are alluring from the very first frames. Stadium lights are the only evidence given that the first scene takes place at a train station. They turn on like a controlled explosion to illuminate a foggy world. The camera pans along the ground where random objects are lined up: a record player, empty picture frames, a rocking chair, stacked books and piles of suitcases. They have sentimental value. They …
Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz reads Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss on the Senate floor during his 22-hour filibuster against ObamaCare. In response, New York Democrat Chuck Schumer is “appalled.” To a crowd of reporters he said, “Green Eggs and Ham has a moral: Don’t criticize something, don’t reject something, until you actually try it. Sam said he didn’t like green eggs and ham for a long time. And then when he finally tried it, he liked it.” …
Here’s my BBC interview. It starts at minute 48. I talk about my latest Tokyo Weekender article, Japanese Hip-Hop Has Sectioned Itself Off and my life in Japan. You’ll hear my four-year-old daughter, Kantra, wildin’ out in the background. She was climbing and jumping on the couch. I was motioning her to chill while pushing words out of my mouth. She says “hi.” Thank you Subi Star, good looking out. It was definitely a learning experience. It made me consider making audio …
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