Entertainment
Illusions: Red Carpets, Outward Beauty, and the Grammys
What happens after the cameras flash and the curtains close? Here’s a deeper look at the meaning of the red carpet during the music industry’s most prestigious award show.
Betty and Coretta: An Untold Story of Friendship and Activism
Lifetime’s original movie highlights their activism and explores the untold story of friendship between the two widows of famous civil rights leaders.
An Open Letter to Lena Dunham
A thirtysomething fan counsels the HBO showrunner on how to make the most of her privileged platform.
The Sisterhood Episode One Recap: Bougie Christian Edition
The first episode of TLC’s new show featuring pastors’ wives was drama-filled. But it also might teach us how well Christians relate to others who don’t speak Christian-ese.
The Real Preachers’ Wives of Atlanta
TLC’s controversial new reality series puts the personal lives of five Atlanta ‘first ladies’ on blast. But can anything good come from turning real-life church drama into soap opera fodder?
My Two and a Half Cents: An Open Letter to Angus T. Jones
Now that a little time has past since the young ‘Two and a Half Men’ star’s condemnation of his CBS show, here’s some advice for living out your faith even when you’re in the cast of a ‘filthy’ sitcom.
Black Conservatives: Beyond the Plantation
Rev. C.L. Bryant’s documentary, ‘Runaway Slave,’ challenges African Americans to reject bondage to liberal politics. But does it ignore the conservative movement’s own plantation practices?
Interrupting the Bloodshed
With a new documentary as their focal point, anti-violence activists are working to reverse the epidemic of senseless youth violence in Chicago.
Two Views of ‘Gangnam Style’
UrbanFaith contributors Helen Lee and Jelani Greenidge on the joys and frustrations of the runaway hit video.
The Genius of ‘Gangnam Style’
What can Christian artists learn from the overnight viral hit? Look deeper than the goofy guest appearances and fan spoofs, and there’s plenty.
Hitting Pause on ‘Gangnam Style’
The YouTube video is a viral sensation, and rapper PSY is raising the profile of Koreans in pop culture. So why does “Gangnam Style” make me feel so uncomfortable?
This Just In: Nicki Minaj Supports Obama
Last week’s collision of hip-hop and democracy revealed the growing influence of pop culture in politics — not to mention Nicki Manaj’s knack for self-promotion.
Lecrae’s Balancing Act: Religion, Race, and Holy Hip-Hop
Lecrae may be the best rapper you’ve never heard of. His synthesis of hip-hop and Calvinism has fans saluting his talent. But some question the wisdom of mixing rap with a predominantly ‘white’ theology.
Remember When Spike Lee Made Movies?
OPINION: If there is no Black America, what happens to the filmmaker whose job it has been to chronicle it? How President Obama’s ‘post-racial’ America killed Spike Lee’s career.
Whitney’s Final ‘Sparkle’
‘Sparkle’ explores themes of stardom, failure, and unfulfilled dreams. But will this remake of the ’70s classic be too close to Whitney Houston’s real-life story?
Belafonte, Beyoncé, and Jay-Z: Are Black Stars Obligated to ‘Give Back’?
Elder entertainer and activist Harry Belafonte’s recent criticism of Beyoncé and Jay-Z raises questions about the moral obligations of today’s black celebrities.
Fifty Shades of Monotony
Forget about its shameless attempt to domesticize porn, the bestselling ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ trilogy is just plain awful storytelling — though it is a tad addictive.
I Am Not My Hair—Am I?
Recent controversies in the continuing saga of black women’s hair left me wondering whether we have our priorities straight — or natural.