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About Mychal Denzel Smith

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March 18, 2013

Why the Steubenville rape case should be a wake-up call for young black men

OPINION - What’s most disturbing about this whole case is just how ordinary it is. This wasn’t an aberration, the…
November 16, 2012

Is John McCain using Susan Rice to get revenge on President Obama?

OPINION - In 2008, John McCain claimed to be willing to work across party lines. In 2012, it’s clear he…
November 12, 2012

Can Deval Patrick bring diversity to the US Senate?

OPINION - Whether he appoints himself or not, should Patrick have to make an appointment to the senate, his eye…
October 11, 2012

Black GOP opportunism: Why Stacey Dash's Romney endorsement struck a chord

OPINION - No, we’re accustomed to black Republicans. Even still, something reeks of opportunism...
August 28, 2012

Is Mitt Romney running a 'racialized' campaign?

OPINION - Romney said this election would be about jobs, but continually took hard right stances during the primary that…
August 2, 2012

Chavis Carter case: Mother disputes police story of squad car suicide

theGRIO REPORT - 21-year-old Chavis Carter died of a gunshot wound to the head Saturday night in Jonesboro, Arkansas, while…
July 11, 2012

Dinesh D'Souza's exploitation of Obama's half-brother, George, represents new low for the Right

OPINION - D’Souza is lying. He is making things up, pulling together non-existent threads and weaving a narrative not even…
June 27, 2012

GOP rep Mike Turzai's gaffe reveals real goal of voter ID laws: Voter suppression

OPINION - The Republican strategy for winning the youth vote, black vote, and low-income vote has been to ensure that…
June 11, 2012

The Gwenyth Paltrow problem: Is it ever OK for whites to use the n-word?

OPINION - Even if Jay-Z, Kanye, or President Obama were to sign off on a permission slip for all of…
May 31, 2012

Romney's 'Promise of America' portrays a world without minorities

OPINION - As is true with any candidate, Romney is now tasked with trying to win over voters by presenting…
May 16, 2012

Does Jay-Z's gay marriage endorsement matter in the black community?

OPINION - When a person like Jay-Z does speak up, it helps dispel the myth that black people are uniquely…
April 25, 2012

RNC reaches out to black voters: Is it too little too late?

OPINION - The problem the GOP faces is not making their policies appealing to black people, but getting their members…
April 13, 2012

'Don't Sleep with TJ Holmes': BET needs news, not another comedy show

OPINION - In T.J. Holmes, they have the potential to establish a serious news program focused on the issues and…
March 26, 2012

Gingrich, Santorum try to politicize Obama's Trayvon statement

OPINION - I didn't, and still do not, wish to see Trayvon's 17-year-old life and tragic death become a political…
March 9, 2012

The death of Notorious BIG 15 years later: What if he lived?

OPINION - It's difficult to imagine what hip-hop might look like had The Notorious B.I.G. lived. We know what it…
February 24, 2012

Academy Awards 2012: Is there a black female Oscar curse?

OPINION - As counter-intuitive at sounds, not winning an Oscar is probably the best shot at longevity as a black…
February 17, 2012

Chris Brown and Rihanna to reconcile on 'Birthday Cake (Remix)' record: Domestic violence bigger than couple

OPINION - No, this isn't about Chris Brown at all. This is about how at every turn we have failed…
February 10, 2012

Grammys: Are the awards prejudiced against rap music?

OPINION - The wins for rappers outside of the designated rap categories are scant and the cause of much backlash...
February 3, 2012

Eddie Long 'crowning': Why do black churches often put pastors on a pedestal?

OPINION - Too often for comfort, as in the case of Bishop Eddie Long, this trust and power is abused…
January 4, 2012

D'Angelo comeback: Is neo-soul music stuck in the past?

OPINION - More than a decade since his last full-length release, D'Angelo still has the ability to get people excited...