Uncategorized

Prime Video’s series Harlem takes the age-old story of four friends living in a city and trekking through work, sex, and relationships, and centers it on the Black experience. Each woman has to deal with the struggle of juggling her career while trying to have and keep a relationship/situationship. In this day and age, that is not easy for anyone. 

Each episode begins with Dr. Camille Parks (Meagan Good) teaching an anthropology class topic that happens to tie in with the title of the episode and what she and her three friends experience. The difference between the show and many others is that I can more than relate to the everyday experiences of Black women.  

In a world where Black women are continuously overlooked and disregarded despite being the most educated and the blueprint to pop culture trends, it is a struggle to power through without the assistance of your friends. Camille is a published and popular professor at Columbia University and is working towards becoming tenured. Her love life, however, is less than stellar. A year after breaking up with her longtime boyfriend, Camille is struggling with his return and being awkwardly single. 

Quinn Johnson (Grace Byers) can’t seem to be on track with her career or relationships. Being the daughter of monied parents who don’t support her latest business venture in fashion (which is struggling) is not easy. Let alone constantly going on dates with the wrong guy can be jarring. 

Tye (Jerrie Johnson), a queen in the dating-app industry, has an immensely amazing app and company but her love life is a bit bumpy even though she would rarely admit it. Angie (Shoniqua Shandai) is the boisterous and talented singer/actor who lost her record deal years ago. While she crashes on Quinn’s couch, she hunts for her star moment once again. 

The four women have a sisterhood that allows them to be honest, supportive, and secretive in a way that no one else could understand. If anything, these relationships are probably the healthiest. They encourage one another to be truthful about what they want and how to achieve it, as well as being mentally and physically healthy. The encouragement and love are endearing.

In every good show, there have to be obstacles, other than dating, and that comes in the form of blunt and disappointed mother Mrs. Johnson (the fabulous Jasmine Guy), unimpressed Dr. Elise Pruitt (Whoopi Goldberg), who doesn’t deserve the hate being of a strong Black woman.

Now, this isn’t just some show focused on the relationships that these women have. There are conversations that affect the daily lives of Black people. One is the gentrification of Harlem, a historically Black neighborhood, and the anger that comes from neighborhood favorites taken over by new owners. But what if those owners happen to give another Black person the opportunity to shine with their gifts?

Do you fight the cause or raise the person who is given the opportunity? One of the most significant moments is when Tye ends up in the hospital after trying so desperately to be a “strong black woman” and ignoring the pain that she is suffering. The white, male doctor brushes off her pain and refuses to give her medication, only for her to end up collapsing and returning to the hospital again. These situations may seem dramatic to non-Black people but for Black women, this is an ongoing matter what needs to be erected. If anything, it’s bringing to light the things that we have to deal with on a daily basis. I can get behind that. 

While the series started off slow, I continued on to see where the storyline was heading. At first, I was questioning the basic relationship faux pas that the ladies were committing, but then I had to stop myself and think of each time that I have heard dating horror stories or even relive the several assumptions and mishaps that I’ve made in the current dating world. This world can be and is horrific. Just check Twitter. Halfway through the season, I was glued to my seat because I couldn’t wait to see what happened in the next episode. 

I’ll admit that there are a few overly comedic and cringey moments, but these ladies were gifted with amazing writers who gave them perfect one-liners and inspiring monologues that I want posted on my walls. These talented four actors delivered for every moment that they had to react to microaggression and sexism. If anything, I wish that I was able to react the same way they did whenever racism rears its ugly head. 

To me, this might be the show that we will be watching ten years from now — it will still hold its own. Hopefully, by then women will have changed the dating and relationship scene forever and Black women will be acknowledged, paid, and applauded for what they do in their respective careers and pop culture. 

Harlem is currently streaming on Prime Video.

Happy Holidays to our longstanding and loyal Afronerd Radio listenership!  Let's just get right to it, shall we?  Welcome to the latest edition of Afronerd Radio's Grindhouse show, airing this (and every) Sunday at 6 p.m. eastern on the BTalk 100 cyber broadcasting platform.  Listen to your "immortal" AFROnerdist hosts rhapsodize on the following topics:  the other Spider-man (there are so many)..ahem, the one that has a penchant for Jordans, Miles Morales, is getting his second closeup, thanks to a new teaser trailer for 2022's Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse (Part One):

Black Conservative pundit and professional provocateur, Candace Owen, is back at it again with more performative vitriol asserting that "Black Americans are the most murderous group in America".....and so the clown show begins:

Dburt, as usual, somewhat "tripped" over an oft-looked over but important factoid denoting that there were at least 12 Black scientists involved in the making of America's first atomic bomb famously dubbed the Manhattan Project. One has to ask why isn't this better known?; a recent report exposed a type of virtual reality blackface involving white actors portraying Black characters in VR diversity training simulations (ahem...the irony!);  TheRoot.com article highlighting a recent documentary about jazz-pop saxophonist, Kenny G reignites the debate about the artist's cultural relevance; what is that we're hearing about critics only being allowed to see only 40 minutes of the upcoming Spider-man: No Way Home film for fear of spoilers....we have some theories;  And lastly, if time permits, there;s new revelations from the new printing of the Avengers #50 comic (slimmer She-Hulk), a Red Guardian MCU streaming series and a new book entitled Black Ivy: A Revolt in Style, showcasing bespoke Black men during the Civil Rights/Pro-Black eras who used style as an extension of protest and defiance.      

Afronerd Radio can now be heard LIVE courtesy of Apple Music/Itunes

One thing that Dburt is doing (finally) is investing in cryptocurrency, courtesy of Roundlyx. We would implore our followers to investigate, discern and then explore by using our referral code: afro-87A4BF

Call us LIVE at 508-645-0100. AFTER CLICKING ON THE HIGHLIGHTED LINK, GO DIRECTLY TO AFRONERD RADIO!!! 

or This link below.....

Also, Afronerd Radio's podcast format can be heard via BTalk 100 Pandora, Spotify and,  IHeartRadio....more formats to follow!

Hi everyone! Today I want to discuss which games I got right and wrong! I predicted that the Bears would beat the Lions 25-22, but the final score was 16-14 Bears over the Lions. The Bears scored a game-winning field goal and the Lions continued to find ways to lose the game. I predicted that the Bills would beat the Saints 30-27, but the final score was 31-6 Bills over the Saints in a blowout. The Bills offense and defense played very well and the Saints did not get anything going except for the touchdown they put together. I predicted that the Patriots would beat the Titans 36-29, but the final score was 36-13 Patriots over the Titans. The Titans just could not get their offense going to beat the Patriots and the Patriots are playing much better football. My prediction there was 16 points away from predicting the correct score! I predicted that the Buccaneers would beat the Colts 35-27, but the final score was 38-31 Buccaneers over the Colts. The Colts almost scored a touchdown after they had a big return inside Buccaneers territory. Tom Brady rallied to win the game for the Bucs after being down pretty much in the entire quarter. I predicted that the Packers would beat the Rams 30-17, but the final score was 36-28 Packers over the Rams in a close game. The Packers offense did just enough to finish the game to beat the Rams. I predicted that the Ravens would beat the Browns 31-28, but the final score was 16-10 Ravens over the Browns in a close game, but a low scoring game. I predicted that the Washington Football Team would beat the Seahawks 29-10, but the final score was 17-15 Washington Football Team over the Seahawks in a very close game. The Football Team almost beat themselves in the end. Luckily for them, there was an illegal shift by the Seahawks which they had an outside kick recovery. If there was not an illegal shift by the Seahawks, then they would have beaten the Football Team.

I predicted that the Cowboys would beat the Raiders 36-29, but the final score was 33-30 Raiders over the Cowboys in overtime thriller. The Raiders kicked a game-winning field goal after the Cowboys offense couldn’t get the ball down the field when they got the ball first. I predicted that the Steelers would beat the Bengals 29-19, but the final score was 41-10 Bengals over the Steelers in a huge blowout. I predicted that the Eagles would beat the Giants 33-20, but the final score was 13-7 Giants over the Eagles in a very close game, but a low scoring game. The Eagles offense did not really get the ball down the field. However, they were able to get it down the field, but they missed an opportunity to win the game. The wide receiver for the Eagles Jalen Reagor dropped 2 game-winning touchdown passes and it cost the Eagles the game there. So yeah, I think the Eagles should have won that game. I predicted that the Chargers would beat the Broncos 24-20, but the final score was 28-13 Broncos over the Chargers. I predicted that the Vikings would beat the 49ers 36-33, but the final score was 34-26 49ers over the Vikings in a close game.

So, I have gotten 7 out of 12 picks correct! Now, let’s get to the week 13 picks, shall we?! The first game I will predict is the Colts @Texans game, the divisional rivalries. I think the Colts will beat the Texans 34-17. The next game I will predict is the Vikings @Lions game, the divisional rivalries. I think the Vikings will beat the Lions 27-17. The Lions just keep finding ways to lose games and they will certainly find a way to lose this one to the Vikings. The next game I will predict is the Buccaneers @Falcons game, the divisional rivalries. I think this might be a good game. Both of these teams are coming off with their wins last week and are fighting for their playoff spots. I am going to give the edge to the Buccaneers over the Falcons in a close game 29-23. I think the Falcons will eventually find a way to lose this game to Tom Brady who can come back and win games when he is down so big like the Super Bowl while Tom Brady was with the Patriots when they came back being down 28-3 against the Falcons. Yeah, I don’t see that happening again anytime soon unless something changes. The next game I will predict is the Eagles @Jets game. I think the Eagles will beat the Jets 28-13. The next game I will predict is the Cardinals @Bears game. The Cardinals are coming off with a much-needed bye week given that they have some injuries and the Bears are coming off with their win over the Lions on Thanksgiving. The Cardinals are hoping that Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins will be playing tomorrow. The Bears will be starting the quarterback Andy Dalton. They will be without Justin Fields, Allen Robinson, wide receiver, and a defensive linebacker/defensive end Akiem Hicks. However, Robert Quinn a defensive player will be playing tomorrow which is somebody who the Cardinals have to block to not let him ruin your game plan. The weather in Chicago might be pretty cold and it could possibly have an impact on both teams especially the Cardinals if it is raining there. The Cardinals may not experience the cold weather, but they may have it tomorrow. The Cardinals still must get off to a good start. Let the Bears get the ball first to put your defense up first, don’t shoot yourselves in the foot, don’t let the cold weather bother you, focus on catching the ball, wear good gloves if you need to, stop the run, pressure Andy Dalton, get some turnovers, create some big plays, get the Bears into 3^rd and longs, score many touchdowns as you can, take what the defense gives you and a lot more. I do think the Cardinals will beat the Bears 31-16. The Cardinals just need to show that they can be a dangerous team to watch and they have to just stay ahead of the Green Bay Packers who have a bye week. The next game I will predict is the Chargers @Bengals game. I think this should be a close game. I think the Bengals will beat the Chargers 29-24. The next game I will predict is the Jaguars @Rams game. I think the Rams should beat the Jags pretty easily 37-16. The Rams have to win this game because if they don’t, I’m going to be stunned and that might cost their chances of winning the division and it could put the Rams in a tough spot for the playoffs. The next game I will predict is the Washington Football Team @Raiders game. Both of these teams are coming off with their wins last week. I think the Raiders will beat the Football Team 33-21. The next game I will predict is the Ravens @Steelers game, the divisional rivalries. I think this should be a pretty good game. However, I think the Ravens will beat the Steelers 31-17. The Steelers have not been playing as good of the football team like they used to play particularity because of their offensive struggles. The next game I will predict is the 49ers @Seahawks game, the divisional rivalries. I honestly think the 49ers will beat the Seahawks 35-24. The Seahawks season is pretty much over and they have not played good football this season. The next game I will predict is the Broncos @Chiefs game, the divisional rivalries on Sunday Night Football. I think this should be a pretty close game. I am going to give the edge to the Chiefs over the Broncos 27-24. I think the Chiefs fans will make it a little bit too much for the Broncos to overcome and it is going to be pretty packed in Arrowhead. The last game I will predict is the Patriots @Bills game, the divisional rivalries on Monday Night Football. This is the game match-up that everyone has been waiting for to watch. Both of these teams are head to head in the AFC divisional rivalry. I think this should be a very close game. I am going to barely give the edge to the Bills over the Patriots 37-34 in a shootout.

So, what do you guys think about the NFL week 13 picks?! I would love to hear lots of comments, thoughts, opinions, questions, or concerns down below!

Stay tuned for NFL updates.

The post Week 12 Team Pick Updates and Week 13 Picks! appeared first on The Nerd Element.

Writer: Brandon Thomas / Artists: Denys Cowan, Bill Sienkiewicz, and Chris Sotomayor / DC Comics

Hardware out here going on a world tour! Queue up A Tribe Called Quest. 

In Hardware #3, Hardware is on the run from the authorities and Edwin Alva for his supposed responsibility for the Big Bang, as well for stealing Alva Industries materials to fabricate his suit. 

Hardware has to clear his name, but he can only do that if he can get some space between him and law enforcement, as well as tinker with his suit so he can’t be tracked. That leads him to Singapore, where he can blend in with the people while he finds his next angle. 

I said it last issue, but it remains true this time around. I love how this story is shaping up to be like a political thriller. Our protagonist is a good guy, but the rest of the world sees him as a villain. Every panel and page you are left on edge as a viewer because you know he can’t trust anyone, but you want him so desperately to start to figure things out. So far, it seems like every step forward Hardware takes, the circumstances cause him to take two steps back. You hate to see it for Hardware, but you love to see it from an entertainment standpoint. 

None of this tension would exist in the same way if it wasn’t for Denys Cowan’s art. What more can I say other than every inch of Hardware #3 is permeating with pure genius? The man’s work is next level. His style fits so much with the themes and overall feel of this story. It’s a match made in heaven.

There is a particular double splash page with Hardware flying around Singapore where, when coupled with Sotomayor’s colors, made my jaw drop at how beautiful it was. When I can even think about the word beautiful when working my way through a story so intense, you know you’re doing something right as an artist. 

10 Underground Engineering Workstations out of 10

Enjoying Hardware? Check out BNP’s other reviews here.

Want to get Black Nerd Problems updates sent directly to you? Sign up here! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, and Instagram!

The post Hardware Season One #3 Review appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.