As I sit before my computer and yet another online discussion, I’ve noticed yet again that there is a miscommunication about something that feels so obvious and basic to me that I simply kept hoping that eventually people would catch on. You haven’t. I’m too tired to explain this repeatedly throughout my life and instead […]
Dear white people: a Letter on Generalizations Read More »
Honestly, I’ve been struggling with this question for months now. To me, it seems like a question with an obvious answer, but this is somehow untranslatable to the white masses (see posts on generalizations). A few months back, I asked DJs to start looking into Black music to play for the last hour-ish of the
Ask a Black Person: What is Black music? Read More »
In light of Childish Gambino’s newest video becoming extremely popular, I decided to wait a few days before watching. I watched Facebook and the internet explode about how complex and interesting this video was and when I finally sat down to watch it I was extremely….. disappointed. The video itself was fine and the message
Black Art for White Audiences Versus Black Audiences Read More »
As I ramp up to strongly promote this month for getting sign ups from Patreon and single donations through kofi, I figure it’s a good time to explain why I run the site this way and why the support is important. When I was a kid my mother asked me what I wanted to be
Why Support Obsidian Tea? Read More »
I HATE what safer spaces has turned into. A few years ago I started hearing about safer spaces and community when I moved to Colorado. I found it prevalent in the fusion scene and was intrigued by the idea. At the time, my understanding was of a movement to talk about the values we wanted at
Safer spaces don’t protect everyone Read More »
EDITORS NOTE: This is one of the first articles by Obsidian Tea from before it was even named that. With the shift over to the new site, it had been lost to time. Besides some light edits enjoy some vintage Obsidian Tea about Ma Rainey and keep learning about her. I’m honored to be starting
Ma Rainey- One of the Famous Blues Women Read More »
After shout I can’t help but noticed the difference between cultural spaces. As the Black community within the blues dance community find each other, the thing I’ve always felt, becomes overwhelmingly apparent. The difference is stark. Also it’s about more than just bringing in people of a different culture: it’s also about understanding the implicit
Black Spaces Vs White spaces in America Read More »
Once upon a time a group of young adults met the new kid at school and his name was DeShawn. To welcome him into their group they wanted to go out to the movies. In this group of friends everyone had permission except for DeShawn. But DeShawn really wanted to go and he tells his
The Hierarchy of Black Culture Read More »
Are you confused about this new term you’ve heard in the community? IDIOM DANCE?! Well, today we’re going to break down what exactly that means and how it fits into blues dancing, how the term has come about, and what the future looks like. Right now, there are a lot of debates in the community
Idiom dances- a break down Read More »