Blog - Page 2 of 15 - Black Lives Matter

Discrimination Against Black Natural Hair

July 7, 2020November 11, 2020ccarthern

Systemic racism runs deep. Especially in corporate America where they can use something as simple as black hairstyles to discriminate against us. The year was 2006 and I was about to graduate college. I was forced to make a decision. Cut my afro that I had been growing for 4 years in order to conform to white society norms or risk not getting hired out of college. I chose to cut my hair. This was an all too familiar decision that we face as blacks. A couple years ago a black high school wrestler was told by a referee that if he didn’t cut his dreadlocks, he would forfeit his… Read More

International Online Web Fest Interview

June 25, 2020ccarthern

The International Online Web Fest (IOWF) in which Triggers is nominated for 6 awards including, , started a new live show called “The IOWF Hub.” Tony Aaron II and I had the opportunity to be special guests in its first episode. Check out the interview to hear about our movie, Triggers, about gun violence and conservative politics.

Why Do Black Lives Matter Now?

June 15, 2020January 18, 2021ccarthern

Something has been bothering me since George Floyd’s murder. What made this murder enough for white people to finally protest? Blacks have been telling you about racism in the US forever. There is this fantasy that since slavery is over and on paper, we are equal and that everything has been fine. Stop complaining. You see the statistics and you have even seen the videos but we always face the same questions. What did the victim do? What is his criminal record? I truly believe if people were not forced to sit home and actually watch the George Floyd video that most of the world wouldn’t have protested. It took a… Read More

Why Defunding the Police is Only Part of the Solution

June 11, 2020June 11, 2020ccarthern

What does defunding the police mean? It doesn’t mean abolishing the police. It simply means moving money from the police and putting into other things that are for citizens wellness. We not only need more body cameras, but we need laws for officers that deliberately turn off their cameras. What are they trying to hide? Officers should be forced to intervene when they see officers cross the line or they themselves are complicit. We need laws for excessive use of force. The officer that killed Eric Garner used an illegal choke-hold but didn’t face any consequences. Even when they are breaking the law the officers are not punished. We need… Read More

We Demand Justice for Breonna Taylor

June 5, 2020June 5, 2020ccarthern

Breonna Taylor was an essential front line worker for her community. She should be celebrating her 27th birthday today. Instead she was murdered in March. A month ago, the Louisville Police Department performed an unannounced no-knock drug raid on her home while she was in bed. Not one of the officers announced themselves before breaking down the door and firing 22 shots, shooting Breonna 8 times. The officers not only had the wrong house but the man they were looking for was already in custody and had been arrested earlier that day. None of these officers have been arrested and it has been a month. Charges must be filed immediately.… Read More

America is Racist

May 30, 2020ccarthern

I am an American and America is racist. This is nothing new and America is what we thought it was. So many people, especially whites, think racism has improved by great strides in America. Oh, you mean because we are not sold and purchased anymore. I guess we should be satisfied with that. People say we have allies and whites have contributed to this change but there are some that the history books celebrate when they shouldn’t. First of all, let’s clarify that racism and slavery are two different things. You can be against slavery and still be racist. Let’s investigate these white “allies” that people have praised in American… Read More

Michael Jordan: The Best Ever…

May 15, 2020May 21, 2020ccarthern

The Last Dance documentary by ESPN and has created more discussion ever about Michael Jordan being the best player to ever play basketball. I admit MJ used to be my favorite player and I owned just about every pair of Air Jordans that were created before 2003. But even I can admit that Lebron James is the GOAT. People credit Jordan the most for everything. But what did he accomplish before Pippen and Phil? How many championships did he have? Phil changed the way MJ played a bit when he took over as head coach and used Pippen more and moved the ball around to his teammates. Armstrong, Kerr or Paxson hit a game… Read More

Cosplay Alliance Magazine Black History Edition

April 22, 2020ccarthern

I was fortunate to be featured in this year’s Cosplay Alliance Magazine Black History issue. I was really honored to be asked to be included in this issue with such amazing black cosplayers. Many of which i’m happy to call friend. Everyone absolutely looked amazing and it was great to celebrate Black History Month in this way. I was fortunate to be featured in last year’s Black History Cosplay Alliance Issue as a photographer and it was awesome to be included as a cosplayer this year. Check out the magazine to find out why I cosplay , why representation is important to me and what my favorite cosplays are. The… Read More

National Trust Photo Competition

March 30, 2020ccarthern

I entered into the National Trust of the UK photo competition in 2019 for a chance to land the next cover which will be seen by over 5 million members. Over 1,500 pics were entered and out of those I had 2 shortlisted in the final 32 and one image shortlisted in the final 15. It was a close competition and my photo at Buttermere Lake was close to being chosen as the winner. Although I didn’t win the competition I was honored to get so close to winning. After the competition I was contacted by the National Trust to let me know that another photo of a Puffin from… Read More