Mychal Denzel Smith

@mychalsmith

Mychal Denzel Smith is the New York Times-bestselling author of Invisible Man, Got the Whole World Watching and a 2017 NAACP Image Award nominee.

New Police Commissioner Same as the Old Police Commissioner

New Police Commissioner Same as the Old Police Commissioner New Police Commissioner Same as the Old Police Commissioner

With his choice of William Bratton as the “new” police commissioner, mayor-elect Bill de Blasio sends a message: things are mostly fine the way they are. 

Dec 5, 2013 / Mychal Denzel Smith

Yes, America Has Gotten Better About Racism, but It Really Doesn’t Matter

Yes, America Has Gotten Better About Racism, but It Really Doesn’t Matter Yes, America Has Gotten Better About Racism, but It Really Doesn’t Matter

The question of whether the United States has gotten “better” with regards to racism is a useless one. 

Nov 22, 2013 / Mychal Denzel Smith

Again, We Wait for Answers: Justice for Renisha McBride

Again, We Wait for Answers: Justice for Renisha McBride Again, We Wait for Answers: Justice for Renisha McBride

The teenager’s death sets off a familiar refrain when thinking about the history of race in the United States. 

Nov 11, 2013 / Mychal Denzel Smith

Brown University Booed Ray Kelly and Racism

Brown University Booed Ray Kelly and Racism Brown University Booed Ray Kelly and Racism

College campuses are places for challeging intellectual debate, but racist ideology is neither challenging or intellectual. 

Oct 30, 2013 / Mychal Denzel Smith

There Is Still Misogyny in Progressive Movements

There Is Still Misogyny in Progressive Movements There Is Still Misogyny in Progressive Movements

Here’s what to do about it.

Oct 29, 2013 / Mychal Denzel Smith

Philly Cop Stops Black Man, Tells Him ‘All You Do Is Weaken the F—ing Country’

Philly Cop Stops Black Man, Tells Him ‘All You Do Is Weaken the F—ing Country’ Philly Cop Stops Black Man, Tells Him ‘All You Do Is Weaken the F—ing Country’

Even blatantly racist cops are still only operatives in a larger racist system.

Oct 18, 2013 / Mychal Denzel Smith

The Normalization of Violence Against Black Women

The Normalization of Violence Against Black Women The Normalization of Violence Against Black Women

The House stood and applauded the shooting death of Miriam Carey, further perpetuating the idea that black women’s lives are not worth as much as others. 

Oct 8, 2013 / Mychal Denzel Smith

Why We Write About Oppression

Why We Write About Oppression Why We Write About Oppression

No one feels a sense of moral superiority when talking about their own discrimination. 

Sep 27, 2013 / Mychal Denzel Smith

Respectability Politics Won’t Save Us: On the Death of Jonathan Ferrell

Respectability Politics Won’t Save Us: On the Death of Jonathan Ferrell Respectability Politics Won’t Save Us: On the Death of Jonathan Ferrell

You can do everything “right” in America, but if you’re black, racism will always pose a threat to your life.

Sep 16, 2013 / Mychal Denzel Smith

A Lesson on Racism for Mayor Bloomberg

A Lesson on Racism for Mayor Bloomberg A Lesson on Racism for Mayor Bloomberg

The outgoing mayor called a Democratic candidate’s campaign racist. Here’s why he’s wrong. 

Sep 9, 2013 / Mychal Denzel Smith

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