Dear Dean Magazine: June 22, 2024

DEAR DEAN JUN. 22, 2024 

MAGAZINE 

JUNETEENTH 

WOMAN OF COLOR, 

A MOTHER OF COLOR 

FLATULENT FETID 

FLABBY FIRST FELON 

STAY, DON’T RUN 

FROM SOCIAL MEDIA

The Goods 

03 Welcome From Myron J. Clifton 

Juneteenth by Ty Ross 

page 06 

12 

Christian Democrats Need To Be 

Louder 

by Myron J. Clifton 

16 Women of Color, A Mother Of Color 

by Ty Ross 

18 

A Case For Public Schools 


22 Celebrating Father’s Day 

by Katya Juliet Lerner 

26 Stay, Don’t Run From Social Media 


32 Flatulent Fetid Flabby First Felon 


36 A Juneteenth Miracle 


41 Under The Guise Of Virtue 

by Muriel Vieux 

42 

Myron's HIT or MISS List 

44 Don’t Start Nothin’ Won’t Be Nothin’ 


50 

54 

56 

Hot Take! + Hot Take! Special Edition 

Movie Reviews 

My Favorite Things 

Streaming Right Now 

D E A R D E A N M A G A Z I N E , W E B S I T E , 

B L O G S & B O O K S A R E D E S I G N E D 

B Y K A T Y A J U L I E T L E R N E R 

Dear Dean Magazine | May. 22, 2024 | Page 2

DEAR DEAN MAGAZINE 

Welcome 

June 2024 

Juneteenth, or as I like to call it Black History Month 2 is here and so is our BIG SUMMER ISSUE. 

We have a lot for you to read at the beach, on your vacation flight, or as you just enjoy a morning 

on your porch. Check out Juneteenth and Being a Mother of Color, both from Ty Ross, and the 

latest from our poet friend, Muriel Vieux. We have a lovely tribute for Father’s Day, and what the 

administration did for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’s). 

Other articles include: A Case for Public Schools, Stay, Don’t Run from Social Media, and Flatulent 

Fetid Flabby First Felon, Don’t Start Nothin’ Won’t Be Nothin’, and Christian Democrats Need to be 

Louder. 

We look at student debt relief, removing medical debt from credit scores, and other actions the 

Biden/Harris administration are doing for all Americans. 

Welcome to election season 2024. 

From now until the November election, your favorite magazine will feature articles that highlight: 

President Biden, VP Kamala Harris, Democrats up and down ballot, accomplishments by elected 

democrats from 2020 to present, and all major issues that are driving the political conversations. 

All your favorites are here, too, of course including Hot Takes and What’s Streaming. And as always, 

please see our advertising sections which have the hottest and latest books, Streaming Services, 

Apps, Blogs, and websites – all advertised for FREE! 

If you have something to advertise, please message us to reserve your space. 

We publish thought-provoking articles on government, gender, race, and politics, while also providing 

space for movie and television reviews, poetry, short stories, food, pets, fun, and a welcoming platform 

for independent authors and writers. And we provide this space for free – because our motto is and 

will remain: Some Art Deserves to be Free. 

So don’t be shy – submit your article! 

Myron 

Dear Dean Magazine | Jun. 22, 2024 | Page 3


About Me 

Website | Bookshop | Twitter 

Myron J. Clifton is an author of novels Jamaal’s Incredible Adventures in the Black Church; 

Monuments: A Deadly Day at Jefferson Park; BLM-PD: Revenge was Inevitable; Her Legend Lives 

in You: The Untold Story Honoring the Goddess & Our Daughters; and short story collection, 

We Couldn’t Be Heroes, and Other Stories. Also check out his weekly podcast, Voice Memos, his 

FREE digital magazine, Dear Dean Magazine, and his weekly blog at both Medium and 

DearDean.com. Myron lives in Sacramento, California, and is an avid Bay Area sports fan. He 

likes comic books, telling stories about his late mom to his beloved daughter Leah, and talking 

to his friends. BOOKS ON AMAZON 

Loving Myron J. Clifton's Content? 

S H O W Y O U R S U P P O R T W I T H 

A C O N T R I B U T I O N T O D E A R D E A N ! 

Advertising / Contributions 

words@deardeanpublishing.com 



Part 2 

Coming 

Soon! 

Jamaal's Incredible Adventures in the 

Black Church by Myron J. Clifton 

Before Jamaal's seventeenth birthday, he’s appointed as his preacher uncle’s designated 

driver and unwilling personal confidant. Behind the fine outfits and hats, behind the 

delicious cooking, Jamaal is exposed to crazy aunties, sexy church sisters, corrupt 

pastors, and predator deacons. A good kid who just wants time to finish his homework 

and kiss a girl his own age, Jamaal is dragged through the strange world of the Black 

church. You best pray for him. 



Feature 

Juneteenth 

by Ty Ross 

On June 10, 2024, the White House held its 2nd 

annual Juneteenth concert. Celebrating, not just the 

remembrance of the day that the enslaved in Texas 

were freed on June 19, 1865 – two years AFTER the 

Emancipation Proclamation went into effect – but 

the anniversary of Juneteenth being made a federal 

holiday by the Biden Harris Administration. 

Hosted by comedian Roy Woods Jr, musical artists 

across multiple genres took to the stage highlighting 

the contributions that Black musicians have made 

across the musical spectrum. 

From Jazz, Rhythm and Blues to Country, legends like 

Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle and Charlie Wilson 

shared the stage with country music artist Brittany 

Spencer and Tony award nominee, Patina Miller. But 

it was the acknowledgement of the accomplishments The 3 month wait would leave many hopeful, but 

and impact that the culture has made and imprinted also anxious and skeptical that President Lincoln 

on this country that made the evening special. would follow through. But he was committed to 

his promise, despite the lobbyists who tried to 

The juxtaposition of the history of Juneteenth, and its get him to postpone the order, after a string of 

importance in not just Black – but AMERICAN history battlefield losses in the South. 

– served as a reminder of why we celebrate. 

“They believed it was not the right time, in the 

The Emancipation Proclamation 

face of so many defeats, to go ahead with the 

document.” But Lincoln refused to retract. 

President Abraham Lincoln announced his intention 

to free the slaves in the Confederacy via the “The promise must now be kept, and I shall never 

Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, in recall one word,” Lincoln said. 

September 1862. 



Ty Ross 

On December 31, 1862 – also known as Freedom’s 

Eve, the enslaved and freedmen alike waited 

anxiously. Gathering in homes and churches to 

pray and sing hymns. Praying for the freedom 

that they longed for. Former slave turned 

abolitionist, Fredrick Douglass, wrote “We were 

waiting and listening as for a bolt from the sky 

which should rend the fetters of four millions of 

slave.” 

Although New Year’s Eve had a long rooted history 

in Black culture, December 31, 1862, carried a 

new significance. Northwester University history 

professor, Kate Masur wrote, “People knew on 

December 31, 1862, that it was the coming of a 

new day,” And a new day it was. 

“So the watch night tradition took on a new 

meaning and Black Americans in many places – in 

the free states, in the free states – assembled for 

watch night meetings. Celebrating the coming of 

freedom,” Masur added. Though Lincoln came 

through on his promise to sign the Emancipation 

Proclamation, it was bittersweet. Not only 

because it didn’t free all slaves – that wouldn’t be 

until Congress ratified the 13th Amendment in 

December of 1865 – slaves in Texas wouldn’t 

know that the chains that bound them to their 

owners were officially broken. 

Juneteenth 

Texas was the last confederate state to be held 

accountable to Lincoln’s order, when Major 

General Gordon Granger and 2000 Union troops 

arrived in Galveston, TX to enforce the 

Emancipation Proclamation. As many as 250,000 

slaves were held for nearly 2.5 years. 



Ty Ross 

Imagine finding out, years later, that your 

freedom had been stolen from you again, after a 

lifetime of freedom and liberty had already 

been. But rather than lament that, the newly 

freed men, women and children celebrated. 

Rejoiced in their emancipation. A celebration 

that would spread across the county and lead to 

an informal holiday in the Black community for 

a century and a half. 

Although it would be 6 months after Juneteenth 

that Black Americans were officially freed from 

chattel slavery through the 13th Amendment, it 

didn’t quell the happiness – the joy – and most 

importantly, the hope that the tide had turned 

and that a new dawn’s day had emerged. 

Juneteenth celebrations weren’t relegated to 

Texas. The significance of the day was 

recognized across the nation. Barbecues, 

parades and celebrations on June 19th. 

how beaten down and broken you may feel, 

there is always hope. ALWAYS, hope, that a new 

day is coming. A new day is upon us at any given 

moment and we should grab it, hold it, celebrate 

and rejoice in it. 

Juneteenth becomes a Federal holiday 

Thanks to the diligence of then Senator and now 

Vice President Kamala Harris, and President Joe 

Biden, Juneteenth was made an official holiday 

in June 2021. Despite the anti-woke crowd, the 

Biden Harris administration came through on 

their promise to the Black community – like 

President Abraham Lincoln did 150 years ago. 

Black history is American history and it’s 

important to recognize and acknowledge the 

struggles overcome by the oppressed, 

suppressed and marginalized for generations. 

Ty Ross 

In less than a week, I’m gonna pour it up, 

celebrate and cherish the moment that my 

ancestors did with the resilience and strength 

that our blood makes possible. Juneteenth isn’t 

just a holiday, it is a reminder that no matter 



BLM-PD 

BLM-PD 

BLM-PD 

BLM-PD. BLM-PD. BLM-PD. BLM-PD 

BLM-PD 

In the not too distant future, the US has been taken over by white nationalists, and the 

institutionalized racism that has underscored the country’s entire history has once 

again been codified. California has seceded from the US, and a band of strong women 

plan to start the next civil war following the death of their friend at the hands of the 

police. This is BLM-PD.

CLICK TO MEET 

THE HOSTS! 

MYRON 

JENN 

Two longtime friends have informative, yet 

brief discussions about multitudinous topics. 

NEW EPISODES ON FRIDAYS! 


MYRON J. CLIFTON & JENNIFER VANLAANEN'S PODCAST 

VOICE MEMOS REVIEWS 

Listen Now! 

Stay 

Shallow! 

Like listening to your BFFs June 2, 2022 

kjlerner


Feature 

Christian Democrats 

NEED TO BE LOUDER 


That ruling today allowing republican 

gerrymandering in South Carolina proves again 

the Supreme Court must be expanded. 

I think it’s fair to call out for the religious right - 

Christian/catholic- on the court who are restricting 

rights based on their religious affiliation. 

Democrats who are elected are afraid to call out 

the religious right for fear of alienating them, while 

conservatives go full court with evangelical, 

catholic, Mormon, and other Christian-affiliated 

groups who all work to restrict all rights. 

Democrats who are elected are afraid to call out 

the religious right for fear of alienating them, 

while conservatives go full court with evangelical, 

catholic, Mormon, and other Christian-affiliated 

We remember white democrats losing it when Pres groups who all work to restrict all rights. 

Obama rightly called out those who “Cling to their 

religion and guns” ... and democrats are still 

afraid. 

We remember white democrats losing it when Pres 

Obama rightly called out those who “Cling to their 

religion and guns” ... and democrats are still 

Folk will say “They don’t represent “my faith” or use afraid. 

the No True Scotsman fallacy “They’re not really 

Christians” 

Folk will say “They don’t represent “my faith” or 

use the No True Scotsman fallacy “They’re not 

But they are. And they do represent Christianity, really Christians” 

Catholicism, Mormonism, etc. 

That ruling today allowing republican 

But they are. And they do represent Christianity, 

Catholicism, Mormonism, etc. 

gerrymandering in South Carolina proves again 

the Supreme Court must be expanded. 

We easily see/call out non-Christian religions of 

elected-Islamic, Jewish, etc., but the nation & press 

I think it’s fair to call out for the religious right - go silent as Christians legislate the most 

Christian/catholic- on the court who are restricting 

rights based on their religious affiliation. 

inhumane laws on Friday then “praise god” on 

Sunday. 



Myron J. Clifton 

Every gun law, child marriage, anti-abortion, antivoting, 

anti-immigration, massive tax breaks for 

wealthy, canceling school lunch, is done by 

Christian legislators. Most of the crime is committed 

by Christians. We over focus on race unless crime is 

by Islamic people. 

Folk mad about the South Carolina ruling, about 

citizens united, about it being illegal to give water to 

voters in line, about lack of voting locations... about 

ending affirmative action, voting rights…be mad at 

the Christians who made all those happen. 

Republicans are actively targeting Black men 

and I believe the slight gains they’re making can 

be combatted by counterattacking along the 

Christian doctrine lines that most of the Black 

men learned in church like I did. I think Dem 

strategists miss this because most are white. 

I’ll end with this. Republicans shouldn’t be 

allowed to “own” political Christian advantages. 

Elected Christian democrats should loudly 

counter religious extremism from the right. 

Vote for the good Catholic Pres, & the good VP 

Christian/Hindu, good wife married to a Jewish 

man. 

Doing so challenges you. 

Having grown up in church-attending 6 days a week 

from birth to age 19, this is something I wish 

Christian affiliated democrats would go after and 

call out with the same energy republicans embrace 

and use to their advantage. 

I’m not religious now but I know what I was taught. 

Giving to the poor, helping immigrants, funding 

schools, free healthcare, protecting children, paying 

fair taxes, equality in opportunity/equity pay, fair 

wages... I was taught this in church by Christian 

democrats. 

But I rarely if ever hear anything like that from 

elected dems. 

Edit: Rev Warnock and a few other church-raised 

Black Dems will talk about it in this way. 

Most of the party will not unless they happen upon 

a Black church campaign event. 



NEW! 

ON SALE 

NOW 

Sometimes, when you’re at a crossroads, a door will open and what enters will inspire you. 

Other times, what enters will make you gag. These stories by a ride-share short-timer might 

have the same effect on you. A man, recently laid off from his job and intrigued by the people 

he might meet (and the money he might make) decides to drive ride-share while looking for a 

new professional management position. 

Don’t want to drive drunk? Well, then, by all means, plug in your location and get your friendly 

neighborhood ride-share driver to ferry you to your next bar. Need to move but can’t afford 

movers? There’s an App for that! Tired of waiting for tricks on the corner? Wait—I’ve got an idea. 

. . 

The behavior and stories of folks who call on ride-share turned into a unique anthropological 

study for one man who decided to drive ride-share while looking for a new professional 

management position. Recently laid off from his job and intrigued by the people he might meet 

(and the money he might make), the author unwittingly became the anonymous confidant for 

men, women, nonbinary people, and children. Unfortunately for him, he also became the 

innocent target of people who couldn’t hold their liquor, others who couldn’t hold their temper, 

and at least one who couldn’t keep his hands to himself. 

Little did they know they were in the Prius of a writer, who would be able to look in the rear view 

and tell their stories. 

This collection of anecdotes is non-judgmental, full of irony and dry humor, and may help 

someone else decide: Is driving ride-share for you? 



We Couldn't Be Heroes 

Short Story Collection: We Couldn't Be Heroes And Other Stories What if a Black man 

could control the weather, God called 911, or aliens took our souls? Would we notice? 

Would we care?... Enjoy the entire collection, seven stories in all, on earth and in space 

and in any order. 



Feature 

WOMAN OF COLOR, 

A MOTHER OF COLOR 

by Ty Ross 

As a woman of color, as a mother of color, I live a 

different truth. A different reality. One shaped by 

the world around me. I can’t not be affected by 

the stories I see of assault, abuse, racism, ugliness 

and hate. I cannot ignore a mother’s pain of 

losing her child too soon because I could be that 

mother at any moment. At any time. I don’t have 

the luxury of ever letting my guard down. Of going 

even one day without my insurance, license or 

registration up to date. I can’t ‘oh I forgot to go 

before they were closed, I’ll do it tomorrow’ 

because if I get pulled over tonight, tomorrow may 

never come. 

I don’t have the benefit of the doubt. I don’t have 

the benefit to be able to protect myself from nonpeople 

of color who choose to bully, harass or 

frighten me for no other reason needed than the 

color of my skin, if I fight back. If I stand up for 

myself, I will be the one going to jail. Or worse. I 

am supposed to be the ‘bigger’ person while they 

unload a slew of bile and hate. Hurl insults and 

epithets ‘my way. 

And I have to teach my children to do the same. 

Because I would rather them be made to feel less 

than, by someone less than, than to have their 

lives taken from them, and from me, because they 

know damn well, they aren’t less than. 

Things that you take for granted, I can’t afford to. 

I no longer drive at night. I drive under the speed 

limit. What if my daughter and her girlfriend are 

walking and holding hands? I have to modify MY 

behavior because OTHERS are allowed to behave 

as if the rules, laws and boundaries don’t apply to 

them. They do, because they can. Because the 

Rittenhouses and the Longs have shown them 

they can. Because you have shown them they can. 

With your looking the other way, this doesn’t 

affect me, my kids, my friends, my family, my 

coins, my life, then I can’t be bothered attitude. 



Ty Ross 

Moving through life as if you’re reading a book, 

but skipping over, ignoring and neglecting to 

read the parts of it you don’t like or understand 

so that it doesn’t or because it won’t, affect your 

point of view or perspective of the story. 

Every day I prepare myself, brace myself and 

ask myself: What am I gonna do or say if/when 

my son comes home today with tears in his eyes 

and tells me someone called him a n*gger? How 

am I gonna put the pieces of his broken 

perspective back together? Will he ever be the 

same? Every day it doesn’t happen, is another 

day he gets to be a kid and I can hold on to 

hope just a little bit longer. 

That he won’t have to bear the burdens that his 

complexion and his ancestors have inherently 

passed down to him. Another day he gets to 

believe the world, this country and the people in 

it are better than I know it is. 

Ty Ross 


A CASE FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS 


Public Schools are Very Good, and the Teachers are Fantastic, despite republicans nonstop 

berating of public schools, refusing to fund them, and working hard to steal public schools’ 

funds and give them to wealthy districts and charter schools. They are lying saying public 

schools are “Indoctrinating students.” 

What public school indoctrination 

was for me: 

Sharing 

Empathy 

Helping 

Problem resolution 

Art, science, math 

Student government/elections 

Geography 

California and Indigenous history 

Home Economics 

Space exploration (Apollo) 

Recess, naps 

Free lunch 

Elections/voting 

Spanish 

Reading, book reports, reading contests 

Sewing 

Dancing 

Team sports 

Letters, sentences, paragraphs, essays 

Botany 

Cooking 

Cultural respect 

Parades 

Science fairs 

Fundraising 

Self-reliance 

Cleaning up 

Dewy decimal system 

Quiet time 

Watergate 

Peanut farming 

Black panthers 

Luther Burbank 

School “fight” song 

Dr King 

Symbionese Liberation Army 

Marcus Foster 

Speech 

Special education 

Mexican American history 

Caesar Chavez 

Huey P. Newton 

Behavioral counseling 

Peer counseling 

Cheerleading 

Audio/technical 

Shakespeare 

Journalism 

Stage plays 

Sports commentary 

Resume writing 

Bullying 

Mandatory reporting 

Unions 

Traffic laws 

Woodworking 

Metallurgy 

Test taking 


BREAKING 

NEWS! 

VP Kamla Harris announced the administration has taken steps to remove medical debt 

from credit reports. The move will help raise American’s credit scores which will make it 

easier to get home loans, better rates on those loans, credit cards, and car loans. 


Fact Sheet Here


Feature 

CELEBRATING 

FATHER'S DAY 


Father's Day is a time to celebrate the love, 

sacrifices, and guidance provided by fathers. It is a 

day when children across the world take a moment 

to recognize the importance of their fathers in their 

lives, expressing gratitude through gifts, words, and 

actions. But beyond the commercialized veneer of 

greeting cards and neckties, Father's Day is a 

poignant reminder of the profound impact fathers 

have, the diverse forms fatherhood can take, and 

the complex emotions surrounding this day for 

those who have lost their fathers or never had one. 

The Universal Father 

In every culture and religion, the figure of the father 

holds a place of immense respect and significance. 

From the protective presence in many indigenous 

cultures to the revered role of the father in religious 

texts, fathers are often seen as the providers, the 

protectors, and the pillars of strength. This day 

transcends borders and beliefs, inviting us to reflect 

on the universal values of love, sacrifice, and 

responsibility that define fatherhood. 

In many African cultures, the role of the father 

extends beyond the immediate family. Fathers are 

seen as community leaders and mentors, providing 

wisdom not only to their own children but to the 

entire community. Similarly, in Asian cultures, 

fathers are often the bearers of family honor and 

tradition, instilling values and guiding their children 

with a firm but loving hand. 

In Western societies, the concept of the modern 

father has evolved. No longer just the 

breadwinner, today's father is more involved in 

the day-to-day nurturing and emotional 

development of their children. The increasing 

recognition of stay-at-home dads and the push 

for paternal leave policies are a testament to this 

evolving role. 

Honoring the Father Figures 

Father's Day is not just for biological fathers. It is 

also a day to honor the men who have stepped 

into the role of a father, providing guidance, 

support, and love to children who may not be 

their own by blood. Stepfathers, grandfathers, 

uncles, mentors, and even older brothers can 

embody the essence of fatherhood. 

For many, these father figures have played an 

indispensable role in their lives. They have been 

there to offer advice, support them through 

challenges, and celebrate their achievements. 

Their love and dedication deserve recognition and 

celebration on this day. 

Remembering the Lost and the Absent 

While Father's Day is a joyful celebration for 

many, it is also a day of mixed emotions for those 

who have lost their fathers or never knew them. 

The absence of a father can leave a profound 

void, and this day can bring those feelings to the 

surface. It is essential to acknowledge this pain 

and provide space for those who are grieving. 

For those who have lost their fathers, Father's 

Day can be a time of remembrance. It is a day to 

honor their memory and reflect on the lessons 

and love they provided. Many find comfort in 

sharing stories, looking through old photographs, 

or visiting their father's favorite places. Acts of 



Katya Juliet Lerner 

remembrance can be a healing process, helping to 

keep their memory alive. 

For others, Father's Day can be a reminder of what 

they never had. Growing up without a father can 

shape one's identity and experiences in unique 

ways. It is crucial to recognize the resilience of those 

who have navigated life without this guiding 

presence. Their strength and perseverance are 

commendable, and they too deserve recognition on 

this day. 

The Modern Father 

Today's fathers are redefining what it means to 

be a dad. In many parts of the world, fathers are 

becoming more actively involved in parenting, 

challenging traditional gender roles and 

expectations. The rise of single fathers, stay-athome 

dads, and fathers who are deeply involved 

in their children's lives is reshaping our 

understanding of fatherhood. 

This shift is not without its challenges. Many 

fathers face societal pressure and judgment for 

stepping outside the conventional roles. 

However, these fathers are paving the way for a 

more inclusive and supportive understanding of 

parenting, where love and involvement are 

valued above traditional roles. 

It is also a day for reflection. For fathers, it is a 

moment to consider the impact they have on 

their children's lives and to reaffirm their 

commitment to being the best parent they can be. 

For children, it is a time to recognize the 

invaluable role their father or father figure has 

played in shaping who they are. 

Inclusivity in Celebration 

Father's Day should be inclusive, recognizing 

that families come in all shapes and sizes. It is 

crucial to celebrate all forms of fatherhood, 

including adoptive fathers, foster fathers, and 

same-sex parents. Each brings a unique and 

valuable perspective to the role, enriching the 

lives of their children and the broader 

community. 

Adoptive and foster fathers take on the 

challenge of parenting with a profound sense 

of purpose and love. They choose to open 

their hearts and homes to children in need, 

providing stability, love, and guidance. Their 

commitment and compassion are inspiring 

and deserving of special recognition. 

A Day of Gratitude and Reflection 

Father's Day is an opportunity to express 

gratitude. Whether it is a heartfelt card, a shared 

meal, or simply spending time together, the 

gestures of appreciation can mean the world to a 

father. It is a day to say "thank you" for the 

countless sacrifices, the sleepless nights, the 

unwavering support, and the endless love. 



Katya Juliet Lerner 

The Role of Society 

Society plays a significant role in shaping our 

understanding of fatherhood. Media, literature, and 

public policies all contribute to the narrative of what 

it means to be a father. It is essential that these 

narratives evolve to reflect the diverse and dynamic 

nature of modern fatherhood. 

Public policies that support paternal leave, 

affordable childcare, and flexible working hours are 

crucial in allowing fathers to be more involved in 

their children's lives. These policies recognize the 

importance of a father's role in child development 

and promote a more balanced and equitable 

approach to parenting. 

A Day for All 

Father's Day is a day to celebrate, honor, and 

reflect. It is a time to acknowledge the fathers who 

have shaped our lives, the father figures who have 

stepped up, and those who navigate life without 

their fathers. It is a day that transcends race, 

culture, and religion, uniting us in the shared 

experience of love and family. 

As we celebrate this day, let us remember to be 

inclusive and compassionate. 

Let us honor all forms of fatherhood and recognize 

the diverse ways in which fathers contribute to our 

lives. And let us extend our support and 

understanding to those for whom this day is a 

reminder of loss or absence and even pain. 

In doing so, we can ensure that Father's Day is a day 

of universal love, respect, and gratitude, celebrating 

the profound and enduring impact of fathers and 

father figures around the world. 



Feature 

Stay, Don’t Run from 

Social Media 


CNN, MSNBC, FOX NEWS, CBS, NBC, TWITTER, 

FACEBOOK/IG/THREADS, and TIKTOK, are owned 

and operated by awful men and a few women. 

They are bastions of misinformation, hate, 

bigotry, racism, antisemitism, transphobia, antidemocracy, 

misogyny, and unfiltered porn. 

We are the users and some of us pay for the 

privilege of a verified account. 

We know why because there are many reasons. 

To feel important, be seen, sell books, music, 

ideas, or any number of new-age work from 

home businesses, multi-level marketing, or to 

dubiously make money on how cute one’s kids 

are. 

We are on social media because we have 

community, family, friends, and interests that 

keep us coming and using the apps. We share, 

learn, laugh, commensurate, and celebrate. We 

mourn, we get astonished, and of course we get 

angry. 

We bring fun, humor, and humanity to these apps. 

And we call out the ugly with regularity because we 

must or else it would be even worse than it is now. 

Many of us have thought to leave social media, 

especially when vile men like Elon Musk took over 

Twitter from the former owner, vile Jack Dorsey. 

Elon has gotten worse as a human, racist, 

transphobic, white nationalists, while his app has 

devolved into a crappier, more vile, more disgusting 

social media app. 

But our communities keep us there and elsewhere 

and keeps us doing what we do. 

We’ve seen friends leave social media, take breaks, 

and come back time and again after multiple 

accounts of theirs have been suspended, or the 

ugliness was just too much. 

We look for each other when we haven’t seen each 

other. That’s community that Elon, Zuckerberg, Jack, 

and those mass media networks never quite 

understand. 




The apps don’t make us or make communities, we 

make them and sustain them. 

There was a recent kerfuffle on Spoutible, and 

some users were suspended by the owner 

Christopher Bouzy in a disagreement over Rep. 

Jasmine Crockett’s lightening quick retort and 

takedown of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green. 

Crocket’s Bleach Blond Bad Build Butch Body 

alliterative response went viral went viral, is now in 

multiple songs, and served the type of quick 

response takedown women, especially Black 

women, are known for. 

Rep. Crockett was retort was in the form of a 

question to the leader in charge of the committee 

who didn’t take issue with Marjorie’s direct insult of 

Crockett but suddenly took umbrage at Crockett 

defending herself. 

And on Spoutible, many in the community took 

exception to Christopher Bouzy and after tit-fortat 

arguing, he suspended a few accounts. Those 

suspended accounts returned to Elon’s Twitter to 

blast Bouzy for failing to protect gay folk. 

Black women again pointed out that white 

women, even allies, always find a way to attack 

them while defending the worst women and men 

if those women and men are white. 

We know about the entire incident because on 

social media because the town square is bigger, 

especially on Twitter and Facebook. 

Elon suspended my original Twitter account yet 

there I am with another account. 

Christopher Bouzy started Spoutible to provide an 

alternative to Twitter after Elon took over. It’s a 

good, not yet great app, but has better features 

than Twitter and they’re all free. He is a Black 

man, and he owns it, and that fact doesn’t sit well 

with everyone. 

Some LGBTQI+ were not happy with the word 

“Butch” in the alliteration, feeling that it was used 

as a pejorative. Others in the community pointed 

out that butch is a descriptor, while still others 

reminded everyone that butch isn’t just used by 

white lesbians, but other members of the 

community, including Black gay folk. 

The last group expressed frustration that Rep 

Crockett’s takedown was being targeted and she 

was being asked to apologize because white 

lesbians were centering themselves and drowning 

out other voices. And this was happening while 

Marjorie Taylor Green, an avowed white 

supremacist who supports January 6th 

insurrectionists, attends white nationalists’ rallies, 

who bullies Sandy Hook kids, and who asked for a 

pardon the day after she was sworn into her job, 

was ignored even though her insult started the 

whole mess. 




He and his app has been attacked relentlessly by 

foreign and domestic bots, bad actors who thrive 

on Twitter chaos, and by former supporters. 

Some of the attacks seem similar to what happens 

to Democrats and what Black people. The higher 

standard argument that is insidious and awful: 

“We know Twitter/Elon are awful, but you are Black 

and therefore your app should be perfect, and YOU 

should be perfect.” 

Whew. 

That standard is odd and misplaced in this age of 

disinformation, bots, threats to democracy, and an 

upcoming election. 

Facebook has 3 billion users and the app allowed 

Russia to target Black people in 2016 and 2020, 

and I still go there to connect with family, advertise 

my books, and check in on friends. Three billion 

other people do it as well. 

Elon Musk allows Twitter to spam porn, excuses 

racist attacks, and lets homophobia run rampant. 

Racism and Antisemitism are off the rails on 

Twitter. And yet... there are 619 million users... we 

are all are there. 

I recently tweeted how Trump is again 

advertising on Twitter, even though he created 

Truth Social after Twitter banned him. 

You go where the users are — Facebook, Twitter, 

Threads, Spoutible, Spill, Instagram, TikTok are 

outlets to use and manipulate to push 

democratic values, books, idea, merchandise, 

and more. 

That is where we need to be. 

None of these places are “safe” for whatever 

triggers us. None of the owners are our friends. 

None of the bad actors will go away. Especially 

just months away from election 2024. 

Every Tweet, Spout, Thread, TikTok video, and 

Facebook post matters. 

You will see my stuff on all these apps because a 

different person sees every post and that person 

matters in the voting booth. 

Elon, Zuckerberg, TikTok, and Bouzy won’t lose if 

Trump wins, we will. You and me. 

So, if Trump will advertise on Twitter or on those 

other apps, then I will post there, too, with the 

same energy and frequency. 

And you should, too. 

Spoutible has about 240k users. The size difference 

matters because one owner cares about democracy 

and the other owners… do not. 

In America Black folk know we work for, with, and 

exist with capital R racists because that is who and 

what this nation is. 

Hiding doesn’t work. 



“This is why I continue to surprise people whenever I walk into a space 

that wasn’t designed to have room for me.” 

Bärí A. Williams 

Bärí A. Williams is an attorney, start-up advisor, and DEI practitioner. She currently serves as an advisor to 

Vera AI and an attorney for several start-ups. Her primary practice areas include emerging technology 

transactions, privacy and data protection, IP licensing, and terms of service. She has bylines in the New York 

Times, WIRED, Fortune, and Fast Company. Her previous book, Diversity in the Workplace: Eye-Opening 

Interviews to Jumpstart Conversations about Identity, Privilege, and Bias, was published in March 2020. 

Fast Company Review 



F e a t u r e d B u s i n e s s 

Maurice Woodson 

Maurice Woodson Began his career in the publishing Business. 

He has written for Right On! Magazine, Black Elegance, Class 

Magazine as well as ran Black Beat and Spice Superposter 

music Magazines as Editor N Chief. In the early 200s he owned 

The Suburban herald, a small newspaper in upstate New York. 

He then ventured into the music industry managing artists and 

briefly working as A&R and A&M records. Looking to be more 

involved in telling stories he began writing screenplays and 

also honed his craft working as a script consultant. His love of 

creating and storytelling led to him writing Novels and 

children's Books. 

Woodson has been studying Black history and true History for 

nearly two decades. He believes that if schools won't teach our 

stories we must because we need to know how we got here in 

order to know where we are going. "We must plant seed in 

young minds, inspire. and empower." This has led to the 

publishing of children's books including the popular "We Know 

The ABCs Of Black History...Do You? and "I love What I See 

When I Look At Me." 

Woodson is also the owner of upcoming streaming service 

NXS Entertainment, which will feature diverse and 

inclusive movies, Series, Documentaries and more. 



Feature 

Flatulent Fetid 

Flabby First Felon 


Disgraced former President Donald Trump was 

found guilty on all 34 felony counts by a New 

York jury. 

Trump has now been found guilty of 34 felonies 

of defamation, of rape, and of falsifying 

business records. He has lost trials in different 

courts, with different prosecutors, with different 

defense attorneys, and different jurors. 

Trump was found guilty of doing what everyone knew 

And he isn’t done. There are pending trials in he did: paid off the national enquirer to hide stories 

Florida and Georgia, each of which could lead to about his affairs, had his team pay sex worker 

more felonies and prison. 

Stormy Daniels $130,000 to keep her from talking 

about their sexcapades, and lie about where the 

The only commonality of all his trials is him. money originated and what it was used for. The 

Trump is the center of all his trials because he is felony count, 34, was astounding in its scope, but 

the center of all his own crimes. 

necessary and by the book based on the charges and 

crimes. 

Trump blames everyone except himself. He 

blames the courts, judges, President Biden, and Donald Trump is now a felon. He’s also a convicted 

a host of men in women in government and rapist. And he’s the man who instigated and cheered 

private life who really don’t give two shits about on the January 6th attack on the Capitol as he and 

him. He is the epitome of a privileged wealthy his cultists and ground troops tried to prevent the 

man not used to being held accountable and peaceful transfer of power. 

not called on his daily spewing of lies. 

Donald Trump is the worst former president, the 

The jury saw through his lawyer’s lies and worst public citizen, and the worst provocateur in the 

mediocre defense and rendered their verdict nation. He is exhausting, disgusting, dishonorable, 

today before close of court. 

and a stain on the executive branch. 




As a felon, Donald Trump can no longer vote, own a 

gun, he can’t get federal assistance, cannot serve in 

the armed forces, can’t serve on a jury, and will 

have to forfeit any professional license he has. 

But perhaps the worst part about being a felon, at 

least for everyone else, is how difficult it is to find a 

job. 

It is important for democratic candidates and 

voters to recognize we didn’t “win” anything. 

Donald Trump being convicted doesn’t stop the 

Supreme Court from rolling back rights or from 

giving their billionaire donors favorable rulings. 

His conviction doesn’t end wars, doesn’t help the 

economy, clean the air, fix our infrastructure, 

expand electric vehicles, strengthen international 

relationships, or return autonomy to women 

and girls over their bodies. 

But Trump is running for the top job in the nation, 

and he is being backed by business executives and 

CEO’s who refuse to even interview much less hire a 

convicted felon. 

“Felonies are okay for me, not for thee” they will be 

saying as they pump money into his campaign. I 

would ask every worker to ask their manager, HR, 

CEO if they will hire a felon to be president. 

The only way the country moves forward while 

also addressing key issues that everyone has an 

interest in improving and resolving, is by voting. 

No one made him repeatedly break the law. No 

one made him cheat on his wife (all his wives) 

with a porn star and lie about where the money 

came from while he was running for president. 

No one made him 

Trump will be sentenced July 11, and there’s no 

doubt that he will rage across the nation for the 

next month and a half to his dwindling crowds of 

cultists and his gullible media. 

Voters have no need to give him an audience. 

Democrats are delivering for America and will 

continue to do so as November approaches. Donald 

will continue to distract and make money for the 

networks and cable news. But they don’t own voters 

and they don’t own Congress, the Senate, and down 

ballot races — voters do. 



Marcus A. Banks-Bey, M.Div 

Gathered experience and elevation gained from years as an Army & hospital chaplain, mental health worker 

and clinical psychology doctoral student, equips Marcus A Banks to aid in journeying the reader to 

intelligently question their past belief systems and future creative visions of thought and identity as a 

purposeful means to developing their own personal reality for establishing their “true identity.” 

Within Dig Deep lies practical language, developed to help the reader grow the relationship with themselves, 

and understand why nurturing the relationships we have with our Faith, Family, Friends, Fitness and 

Finances will support our Purpose, Planning, Patience, and Persistent-Perseverance. This system helps one 

establish their own 5×5 Side by Side Guide through life. Dig Deep was written following a series of extremely 

challenging life occurrences, including the suicide of the author’s brother, Iverson; divorce; and war 

deployment. From this place, the author engaged in the process of self-discovery, self-awareness and 

meaning. 



Looking back on the Before and the events leading up to the After, it was impossible to say precisely 

when everything went to shit. Understanding the importance of human connection, a lone trader braves 

the Weeps and an emerging cult to unite the survivors of a shattered world. The Before and The After is a 

tale of loss, acceptance, and finding one’s truth in a barren future. 

Catherine Sequeira 

Catherine Sequeira is a veterinarian, author, and teacher. Originally from California, she has lived in 

Switzerland, New York, Oklahoma, and Scotland. She is an avid tabletop gamer and was all verklempt the 

first time her older son kicked her ass at Lords of Waterdeep. She would live in the garden if she could, 

pretending to be Snow White or channeling her inner Poison Ivy. When the weather chases her inside, you 

can find her reading sci-fi and fantasy or binging horror shows. She lives in Northern California with her 

partner, younger son, cat, and rescue dragon (the bearded kind, that is). 



Feature 

A Juneteenth Miracle 


One-hundred and fifty-six years after President 

Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation 

Proclamation, President Biden signed into law 

a federal holiday recognizing Juneteenth as a 

federal holiday. 

It is only fitting that the holiday that recognizes 

the end of enslavement is made a holiday so 

late after the actual act, because it perfectly 

mimics the entire reason for Juneteenth in the 

first place. 

Old Abe may have signed the proclamation but 

Texas being Texas and leaning into their desire 

to be a whites-only state, refused to release the 

more than two-hundred fifty-thousand 

enslaved people who lived in the state until 

Federal troops paid them a visit two years 

later. The troops arrived in Galveston in June of 

1967, and let the state and the Black folk know 

that they were free. 

Thus was born Juneteenth, since the actual day is lost 

in history and Black folk being Black folk, they didn’t 

let a little thing like a date stop them from starting 

the celebration. 

The celebrations eventually spread from Galveston to 

other cities in Texas, most notably, Houston, where 

parades and festivals are part of the annual 

landscape of celebrations. 

The signing of the law caught many Americans off 

guard so much so that white people didn’t have time 

to be angry because most knew nothing about 

Juneteenth. Most were still mad about another 

“Black” thing they know nothing about — Critical 

Race Theory. 

Interestingly enough, the lack of knowledge in white 

America about Juneteenth is more proof that Critical 

Race Theory is needed in schools. That Black 

Americans could celebrate our historical 




emancipation and do so for over one-hundred 

years and most white Americans have no 

awareness of us doing so and why we do so, speaks 

to the woefully inadequate education of white 

people in public and private schools, from grade 

through graduate. 

It makes sense in the very American way that we 

celebrate the president who signed the 

proclamation — a white man — but not the 

*people who endured hundreds of years of chattel 

enslavement. 

All holidays matter, right? 

It doesn’t replace any other holiday and white 

people aren’t losing anything. Independence Day 

for America still exists and you can still have 

picnics. 

They’ve racists and haters have known about 

Juneteenth for eighteen hours but somehow their 

little isolated lives in their all-white 

neighborhoods are aflame because Black people 

are doing what we want and recognizing the 

fullness of our ancestor’s perseverance. 

Boo-hoo. 

Now that it is a federal holiday, the racists and joy 

thieves are out in full force attempting to steal the 

joy of the people who built the country and the 

people who worked for decades to make the limited 

holiday a federally recognized holiday. 

White Americans celebrate Irish, Norwegian, 

German, Italian, Scandinavian, English, and other 

European-based white-ethnic holidays, but all of a 

sudden, the racists are now out claiming that 

Juneteenth is ruining their lives. 

And then there are the Black joy thieves who are 

mad that Juneteenth doesn’t solve reparations, 

grant free healthcare, fix underfunded schools, 

end police brutality, or stop voter suppression. 

That crowd are happily shitting on the work of so 

many people, most notably Ms. Opal Lee the 94 

year-old Texan who has worked decades to 

make Juneteenth a federally recognized holiday. 

In 2016, at 89 years old, Lee, a former teacher 

and lifelong activist, walked from her home in 

Fort Worth, Texas, to the nation’s capital in an 

effort to get Juneteenth named a national 

holiday. 

The disrespect on social media by a certain 

group of Black intellectuals is disheartening but 

not unexpected with a group who will always 

stop good for great, who will always downplay 

progress that doesn’t meet their litmus tests, and 

who will always move the posts to satisfy their 

need to be contrarian. 

Yes there is more work to do and that will always 

be true. But that doesn’t mean we cannot pause 

a moment to celebrate large and small 

milestones and achievements. 




We celebrate small accomplishments because as 

time passes small accomplishments grow and 

ripple into a future of significant changes. 

Ms. Opal Lee, who was at the White House for 

the signing — and who saw President Biden 

kneel in front of her to acknowledge her — said 

she hopes the federal holiday will help education 

people about what happened and “decide that 

this doesn’t have to happen again.” She also 

hopes Juneteenth will become a day of national 

unity. 

A day of national unity. 

Beautiful words we all need to hear and live. 

Happy 156th Juneteenth. 

Small and symbolic change are the fuel for large 

and life-alternating change, and they are how we 

bring forth the next wave of activists, leaders, 

thinkers, and doers — because they see small 

advances and use those as their personal 

inspiration to do more and do better. 

President Biden and Vice President Harris realize 

the importance of symbolism. President Biden said 

he believes signing Juneteenth into law will be 

considered one of the most significant 

accomplishments of his administration. And Vice 

President Kamala Harris, the first Black vice 

president, also gave Lee her due in her remarks, 

saying, “And looking out across this room, I see the 

advocates, the activists, the leaders, who have been 

calling for this day for so long, including the one 

and only Ms. Opal Lee.” 



Coming 

Soon! 

Dr. Josie Harjo is used to cutting up dead bodies. As a veterinary pathologist at a state diagnostic lab, it’s her 

job to figure out the cause of death in a never-ending parade of various non-human species. Most cases are 

cut-and-dried, and rarely will a carcass roll in that gets her racking her brain. 

When a rancher shows up with a dead horse, Josie thinks it’s going to be a typical day at the office. She 

quickly learns that this is the third suspicious death in as many days, and the clock is ticking to figure out 

what’s going on before any more lives are lost. 

The necropsy is frustratingly unremarkable, and Josie is forced to follow all leads no matter how 

implausible. Tensions rise as the rancher starts pointing a finger at a disgruntled employee and an assault 

charge forces the cops to start asking questions. With a hefty insurance payout on the table, Josie realizes 

that she can’t ignore the possibility that the rancher might be involved. As the pathologist leading the case, 

Josie has to wonder, is it just coincidence or is there something more nefarious killing horses at JW Ranch? 


Vernon L. Andrews 

Policing Black Athletes 

Racial Disconnect in Sports 

O R D E R 

T O D A Y !


Feature 

Under the Guise of Virtue 

by Muriel Vieux 

While some have been using religion to strike at 

us, you have been using virtue to do the same. 

The techniques are the same as are the end 

results. 

Your virtue has always been in the service of your 

You are no better at defending Gazans than you own self-aggrandizement. You ally yourselves with 

have been at being allies to minorities in the US, causes only to shout and scream so loud, that you 

your actions have always been to our detriment down out the voices of those in need. All that is heard 

not our betterment and the same holds true for are your voices, which are often if not always wrong. 

Gaza. Yes, you hold protests, you sign petitions Because once more, you do not listen to anything but 

and do all the window dressing possible, but the sound of your own voices. The only time 

when push comes to shove, when it comes to minorities have made progress in this country has 

vote in a way that will save the most lives, you been in spite of you, it has been when WE banded 

are missing in action. 

together. We ourselves, not you. Every time you get 

involved you make it about you and what you want. If 

You know these truths to be self-evident that the you haven’t learned this lesson yet, we have. Which is 

fate of the Palestinians will be worse under any why today we no longer have the patience to deal 

other presidential candidate than Biden, yet with you. 

here you are pretending that withholding your 

votes, or voting 3rd party, is a matter of virtue You are not allies, you are an invasive species, 

and conscience fuck that. 

parasites for the most part. Taking over causes and 

making everything worse for everyone involved. You 

All you’ve ever thought about is what makes you have nothing to show for all your “activism” … 

feel good about yourselves, you’ve never women’s rights are being set back because of you, 

actually placed yourselves in those you purport civil rights gains are being walked back because of 

to help shoes, you’ve never deigned to listen to you, every advance gained in the last 100 years are 

us when we speak and tell you what would be being reversed because of YOU. 

best for us, even as that would not affect you in 

any way but would benefit us greatly. So again, Stop shouting… shut up and listen for once in your 

eff your virtue and conscience. 

selfish little lives. 


MYRON'S 

HIT OR MISS 

list 

HIT 

President Biden’s ability to circumvent republicans 

and the supreme court by canceling over $138B in 

debt for 4 million students. 



MISS 

Republicans going to New York to stand outside 

the Trump trial was not only stupid and 

ineffective, but it was also a waste of time and 

taxpayer money for the “law and order” party to 

try to intimidate the judge and jurors. 

HIT 

Trump was found guilty – again. New York 

Jurors found him guilty of 34 counts and lying 

as he tried to buy the 2016 election. 

MISS 

Jennifer Lopez canceling her summer tour due to 

lackluster ticket sales. 

HIT 

Boston finished a great season by beating up the 

Dallas Mavericks and winning the record breaking 

18th NBA championship. 

MISS 

Justin Timberlake canceling his summer tour due 

to lackluster ticket sales. 

HIT 

Simone Biles wins another national title, making it 

her record extending 9th title. Simone will be the 

favorite to win gold at the Paris Olympics. 

MISS 

Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharp continue 

to make fools of themselves by being the 

loudest and frequently most wrong of sports 

bros talking about the WNBA. 

MISS 

Sports bros wrangling in the WNBA, Caitlin Clark, 

Angel Reese, and other players into America’s 

never-ending racial culture wars. 

HIT 

President Biden, VP Harris, and a slate of singers 

and celebrities enjoyed a Juneteenth concert at 

the White House. 

MISS 

Dumb celebrities who thought Will Smith would 

never have another blockbuster hit. His and 

Martin Lawrence’s Bad Boys, Ride or Die has 

garnered over $1B in box office receipts, again 

reminding folk that Big Willie Style still owns the 

box office. 



Feature 

Don’t Start Nothin’, 

Won’t Be Nothin’ 


There’s an interesting divide on the Rep. Jasmine 

Crockett rebuttal to the unprovoked attack on her 

by Rep Marjorie Taylor Green, and it’s one that like 

most issues in America is divided by race. 

Black women and men side with Rep Crockett, 

especially Black women who are sick of attacks 

from everyone on their bodies. 

Attacks by everyone but especially by white women. 

The co-opting of Black women’s thickness, lips, 

hips, hair and makeup, while simultaneously 

denigrating the same features in Black women. 

The laws against Black women’s hair that 

necessitated the Crown Act. Think about that for a 

moment. America hates Black women so much that 

many businesses and schools specifically prohibit 

Black women’s natural hair. The issue is so 

pervasive that congress had to pass a law 

prohibiting racists from targeting Black women’s 

hair. 

This is one reason why Black women latching on 

the popular topic of who would women choose to 

be in the forest with, man or bear, followed up with 

who would Black women chose to be in the forest 

or in 

work meeting with, bear, or white men or white 

women loudly chose the bear and the white man. 

But now add what some white gay folk to believe is 

a homophobic element to Rep Jasmine’s clapback, 

the word “Butch” and the complexity of the 

disagreement deepens for some white gay folk. 

For *me, I haven’t seen any similar concerns from 

Black/POC gay folk, and in fact what I have seen is 

support for Crockett and reminders that “butch” is 

used by Black gay men and women, differently than 

how white lesbians may use the word. I’ve also seen 

Black LGBTQI+ folk highlight the fact that the issue 

is another in which white voices drown out Black 

voices while supporting someone as vile as Marjorie 

Taylor Green despite her homophobia, racism, 

attending white nationalist rallies, and her support 

for January 6th insurrectionists. 

It is truly remarkable but sadly predictable. 




I’ve written before how Black language is sharper, 

more direct, and extra cutting, and will spare no 

one. Whether in humor or anger or in what we call 

“The dozens.” 

It’s familiar, its church, it’s street, it’s salon and 

barbershop all combined, and it’s understood within 

our community. 

It’s not for the faint of heart. Generally speaking, 

white Americans are the faint of heart who speak in 

a different, less direct and specific way. 

Black people understand Will Smith saying, “Don’t 

start nothing won’t be nothing.” That’s a promise, a 

threat, a joke, a warning. 

White people have “Bless your heart” as one 

example that conveys similar ideas but less directly. 

Rep. Crockett didn’t start it, but she finished it. 

That’s Black. 

Marge started it but then leaned on the “Rules of 

(white) decorum” and (white) power to shut down 

Rep. Crockett. 

Then Marge sat back and watched more people run 

to her protection than to support Rep. Crockett from 

standing her ground. White men especially came to 

her defense and, as American history tells us, when 

white women cry, Black people die. 

And now some white gay folks are not happy with 

“Butch” being used -I’m of the thought as many 

have said, that Rep. Crockett wanted to use the 

word “Bytch”, but white America would have 

imploded, and she knew that. 

I’ve written before that we know that every ally 

has a line with Black folk. White gay men side with 

white supremacy with depressing frequency. 

White gay women less so, but still too often. 

Black LGBTQI+ are on an island of brutal isolation 

from the community they love and support, but 

which too often won’t protect them. 

I know a straight person using “butch” can be 

homophobic in some context, and I’ll respect folk 

who take issue with its usage in that way. 

I don’t take issue with Rep. Crockett protecting 

herself from a vile attack by a white woman while 

she was at work and on camera. The ongoing 

attacks on Rep. Crockett about her hair, 

eyelashes, looks, language, show that when a 

Black woman stands up for herself, she will be 

newly attacked with overwhelming frequency by 

enemies and so-called allies. 

I don’t believe Rep. Crockett is homophobic, and 

she has a track record to back up her support for 

the community. Yet still, she’s smart so she offered 

an apology…while Marjorie just goes on about her 

racist and homophobic life without apologizing to 

anyone for anything. 

And it wasn’t only conservative white men coming to 

Marjorie’s rescue. Looking at you, sloppy Rep. John 

Fetterman, who had the audacity to invoke Jerry 

Springer and decorum when he shows up to 

congress in a hoodie and sweatpants every day. 




Rep. Crockett is smart enough to know words 

matter. She’s smart enough to know her worth and 

the worth of Black women and girls watching her 

who are enduring much worse every day at home, 

school, work, and online where they are the most 

attacked demographic in the world. 

I’ll end with this. LGBTQI folks are necessarily 

sensitive about government officials uttering a word 

some consider insensitive. 

Give them grace. 

Black women -including LGBTQI Black women are 

necessarily sensitive, defensive, and ready to “GO 

IN” if anyone wants to “Go there.” 

Give them grace. 

And… Don’t start nothing, won’t be nothing. 


EXTRA! 

EXTRA! 

Sequel Coming Soon! 

Myron J. Clifton’s acclaimed novel, “Jamaal’s Incredible 

Adventures In The Black Church“ is getting a sequel, where you 

will be able to continue to follow Jamaal’s adventures as he 

attends the Annual National Church Convention and much more 

-- it’s a wild ride! Be sure to keep an eye out for the upcoming 

release date! 

If you have not read the first book, now is the time! 

Order “Jamaal’s Incredible Adventures In The 

Black Church” on Amazon today. 


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Dear Dean Magazine | Jun. 22, 2024 | Page 49 

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share songs made public with other app users. In the 

discover page users can play songs, like songs and click 

on any shared links. Our in-app text messaging allows 

users to share full-length songs, media files and much 

more for improved communication and collaboration. 

I also added a business directory so that sayeYO app 

users can connect with people who offer services within 

the music industry. Some of the categories include DJ’s, 

record labels, mixing and mastering, music blogs/news, 

podcast, marketing and promotions, management and 

consulting, dancers and choreographers, plus much 

much more. 

The sayeYO app is truly one of a kind. It is not your 

typical cloud storage app. I know there are millions of 

song files sitting on various storage drives around the 

world that have not been listened to in months or years. 

I know from personal experience with my music that it 

is easy for artists to create songs and not ever put them 

out or promote them. 

I want music artists to think differently about music and 

audio storage. Songs don’t have to be stored and 

forgotten about. Music artists can upload all their songs 

to the sayeYO app and have a place to privately store 

their music or share their music publicly with a global 

audience. 

Don't let your music files get lost in storage. Join 

sayeYO and invite your music friends! 

www.sayeyo.com


Myron's 

HOT TAKE 

#2 

President Biden forcefully announcing ceasefire 

and rebuilding plan for Israel and Palestine, is 

the culmination of months of quiet diplomacy by 

the administration and its diplomatic team. 

#3 

Dallas and Boston going toe-to-toe in the NBA 

finals is exactly what the league needed after 

the lackluster conference championships. 

#1 

Sports media men being the loudest and often 

most wrong and most disgusting voices on the 

WNBA shows that ESPN and other sports 

networks are unequipped to really cover 

women’s sports – any woman’s sports. 

Because they rely on loudmouths like Stephen 

A. Smith, Pat McAfee (who referred to Caitlin 

Clark as the “One white bitch from Indiana), 

Shannon Sharp, and San Acho instead of the 

many capable and knowledgeable women to 

be the leading voices on women’s sports. 

#4 

The WNBA season 

is off to one its 

most exiting years 

in history with the 

addition of 

dynamic players 

Angel Reese, Cameron Brink, Caitlin Clark, and 

others. They join stars Breanna Stewart, 

Sabrina Ionescu, and best player in the league, 

A’ja Wilson. 



Special Edition 

HOT TAKE 

R 

T 

P 

U M 

C O 

N 

V 

I 

C 

T 

I O 

N 

#1 

I love the journey his sycophantic followers - 

especially the men- who are so appalled that 

a wealthy politically connected man who 

hates who they do can be convicted. The 

shock of this moment to them contrasted by 

the normalcy of this moment for everyone 

else is wonderful. 

#3 

For an entire political party to live and 

breathe by the failed political position of 

State’s Rights, they sure don’t seem to know 

what that really means. They’re all over the 

news acting baffled about states’ rights. Not 

that media talking menbos and bimbos are 

trying to clarify. 

#2 

#5 #6 

I think folk are gloating-especially Black and 

brown folk-is because men like them proselytize 

their law & order religion to us from birth. TV, 

movies, and of course nightly news push 

copaganda and law & order for US but if they’re 

in charge It’s never meant for THEM Seeing them 

hate the law is something. 

#4 

And I quote: Just don’t break the law. 

May his My Pillow be stinky, his ketchup 

I remember so many were mad that VP Kamala 

rancid, his “Adderall” be aspirin, and his Harris was a prosecutor… Now we got Black 

fried chicken undercooked May his only 

prosecutors being cheered for following the law 

love Ivanka leave his texts unread, and his and getting convictions against the biggest 

plagiarizing wife cuddle w/her security guy criminal in America. Shout out to Alvin Bragg, 

I hope that mofo has the most miserable Letitia James, and Fani Willis for doing their jobs. 

night ever Be best you goblin. 



Her Legend Lives In You: 

The Untold Creation Story Honoring The 

Goddess And Our Daughters. 


Available on


NEW! 

ON SALE 

NOW 

A cup of coffee or tea paired with interesting company is an unbeatable combination. We 

learn and share so much through this simple social ritual. Nuanced origin stories. Browraising 

secrets. Good news. Bad news. Hopes and dreams, insecurities and fears. Sip by sip, we 

do business, catch up, plan our lives, and discover common ground. 

To gain a better understanding of his friends, Myron went on a mission to try their favorite 

drinks. He was struck by the complex flavors and simple pleasures that characterized their 

personalities. Sweet. Spicy. Bold. Bewitching. Optimistic. Ostentatious. Practical. Perfectionist. 

In Coffee, Grounded, Myron reviews these drinks and brews up a perfect blend of culture and 

caffeine. He examines the history of various ingredients and coffee-growing regions, painting a 

vivid picture of faraway lands and hometown haunts. 

Pour yourself a cup and curl up with this tasty collection of stories steeped in friendship and 

fun. 

Order & Indulge!

MOVIE 

REVIEWS 


Peacock: American Society 

of Magical Negroes. 

This is a bad, misnamed, and poorly executed movie. Every bad 

thing you have heard is true. The "magic" is Black people keeping 

white people happy and non-violent by being docile and caring 

only for white comfort. Yeah. That's a lot. 

Never mind the plot - boy meets girl, boy gets girl, is standard 

rom-com. But the fact he is supposed to use his "magic" to keep a 

white guy who likes her happy, but he falls for her instead, thus 

endangering all Black "magic"... I mean... who approved this 

mess? 

The movie was *really about a mixed-race Black man getting help from Dark skin Black people on how to successfully integrate 

himself into white society. He loves white society/his white side but isn't accepted by them like he expects so dark skin Black people 

help him. A lot. 

Unfortunately, there's nothing funny, cute, or redeeming about this movie or story. It is trite, unimaginative, and insulting on almost 

every level. It isn't forward thinking or even creative It is shallow and unoriginal, and sadly what we are used to. 

It is a waste of talent and time. 


MOVIE 

REVIEWS 

Prime: American Fiction 

American fiction and The American Society of Magical Negroes should be watched back- to-back, in any order. One is an 

outstanding sublime, subversive movie that adeptly tacking societal expectations of racism and Black writers who fight or don’t fight 

against it. The other, Magical Negroes, misses every opportunity to be sharp satire and instead turns into what it should satirize and 

what American Fiction delivers. 

Jeffrey Wright, Issa Rae, Erika Alexander, Sterling K. Brown, John Ortiz, and Tracee Ellis Ross, highlight a wonderful cast fully bought 

into the premise, their roles, and the story. It is wonderfully acted, written, and executed. As the star, Jeffrey Wright is an author who 

is unsuccessful and tired of the grind of trying to get his scholarly and dense books to be as successful as books (and movies) that 

pander to the worst of Black life in America. On a whim and with the urging of his equally burned-out agent, the concoct a plan to 

give the masses what they want: a book laden with African American Vernacular written by a “street thug” who is a fugitive. 

Publishing company representatives, hilariously but also sadly and predictably fall over themselves to buy the rights to the book and 

push to the masses. 

American Fiction is American fact and worth your viewing. 

“AMERICAN FICTION IS 

AMERICAN FACT AND WORTH 

YOUR VIEWING.” 



MY FAVORITE THINGS 

streaming right 

now...


S T R E A M I N G N O W 

NBC/Peacock - The Paris Olympics are weeks 

away and the trials are in full swing. Catch the 

action for gymnastics, swimming, track and field, 

and other sports on the NBC network channels. 

Prime - The Boys, Season 4. All the gore, comic 

book violence, and mocking of rightwing 

dummies continues on the excellent series that 

shakes of the superhero genre. 

Apple TV - Dark Energy. A science-fiction series 

that pushes the idea of what the universe is, 

could be, and may be. Thoughtful and very 

smartly acted; catch season 1, you won’t regret it. 

All Networks - Catch all the summer game shows 

- Name That Tune, Don’t Forget the Lyrics, Trivia 

with Ballz, and others. Easy summer watching. 



Pre-Order 

NOW 

The Empire Wars 

A powerful YA debut set in a world where survival and magic are a deadly mix. 

Coa, who was born feral in the North Transatlantic wilds, has just been captured. Now, Coa 

is subject to public humiliation and execution in a gruesome spectacle known as The Great 

Hunt. 

If participators die in the Great Hunt—their entire family will be executed. In front of 

everyone. The nationalist regime, known as the Allied Force, will not rest until all foreigners 

are exterminated. Her best hope might be Princess Ife, born of privilege, but newly married 

into the authoritarian lineage. 

Her riskier choice is an alliance with a gorgeous, cunning participator—marked as a traitor 

to his militarized nation. Soon, Coa entangles herself with the captivating, deadly young man 

who could be her ultimate downfall. 

Akana Phenix is a recent Harvard alum who researches 

genocide. The Empire Wars comes out on July 30, 2024. It is now 

available for pre-order on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Audible, Apple 

Books and more. On social media, she is primarily on Twitter, but 

she can also be found on Instagram and TikTok. She is located in 

the United States of America. Linktree: https://linktr.ee/akurephenix 


New Children’s Books! 


Now Available on 






STREAMING PLATFORM 

LAUNCHES SOON! 

The Joyful Warrior 

Podcast Network 

Music App 

Mark Lerner Astrology 

Katya Juliet's Jewel Box 

Great Start Initiative

2part

Dear Dean Magazine: June 22, 2024

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