Today in Culture - Edition #31

Culture & Society - DEC. 6, 2024

Dec 06, 2024

Welcome to the 31st edition of Today in Culture, your weekly guide to what’s shaping the cultural conversation. Today, our curated selection spans music, visual arts, literature, personal reflections, and powerful social commentary. Let’s dive in!

End-Stage Capitalism’s Toll on Black America

Bella Eiko - Owótomo Àdìgún

delivers a searing critique of how capitalism disproportionately impacts Black lives, from housing to healthcare. A must-read for anyone grappling with systemic inequities and the fight for transformative change.

Bella Eiko: End-Stage Capitalism Is Killing Black People

The Stackies: Celebrating 2024’s Literary Excellence

Traci Thomas

highlights the finalists for the much-anticipated Stackies awards. From breathtaking memoirs to groundbreaking fiction, find out which books are in the spotlight this year.

Unstacked

The Stackies 2024 Finalists

Over 100 ballots were submitted to nominate books for the 2024 Stackies. I tallied them up, and the top five vote-getters in each category are below as the finalists for the 2024 Stackies. Voting will open up on January 13th for all paid subscribers to Unstacked and run through January 17th. The winners of this year’s Stackies will be announced on Frida…

2 months ago · 11 likes · 3 comments · Traci Thomas

Black Visuals of 2024: A Retrospective

An evocative look at the defining Black visuals of 2024. This piece weaves art, photography, and cultural critique into a compelling narrative that showcases resilience and creativity. -

The blkuem

ᴛʜᴇ ʙʟᴋᴜᴇᴍ

The Year in Black Visuals: Defining Moments of 2024

The second edition of The Year in Black Visuals shines a spotlight on the definitive creative achievements in Black artistry, and Tems’ Turn Me Up official video is undoubtedly one of 2024’s most striking visual moments. A tour de force of cinematic mastery, cultural authenticity, and profound storytelling, this video not only amplifies Tems’ artistic e…

2 months ago · 11 likes · 3 comments · The blkuem

Playlists That Tell Stories

Explore the power of storytelling through sound. Playlist Park assembles tracks that echo shared human experiences, creating an emotional and auditory journey. -

Nick Pierre

Playlist Park

Playlist Park #14: A Story To Tell

It's been a year since I found my footing in this space and committed to writing more. What started as a creative outlet during my unemployment has evolved into a new medium for honing my storytelling skills.Playlist Park is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber…

2 months ago · 4 likes · Nick Pierre

2024’s Best EPs

Discover this year’s most impactful extended plays across genres. This comprehensive list captures emerging voices and bold experimentation in music. -

Brandon O'Sullivan

Phil

Jamila W.

Shatter the Standards

The 30 Best EPs of 2024

Last week, Shatter the Standards music staff unveiled their list of the best albums of 2024. Surprisingly, selecting the top EPs proved even more challenging. Our team diligently sifted through an overwhelming array of short albums to curate 30 noteworthy releases. These EPs range from projects nearly reaching full-length status to concise, under-30-min…

2 months ago · 7 likes · 2 comments · Brandon O'Sullivan, Phil, and Jamila W.

R&B/Pop Top 25

Joint Jams Radio

counts down 2024’s best R&B and pop tracks. Get ready to revisit hits that defined the year or discover new favorites.

Joint Jams Radio

The Top 25 R&B/Pop Songs of 2024

As 2024 winds down, the music scene remains as dynamic as ever, and R&B/Pop stands out with its irresistible grooves, stirring vocals, and genre-blurring innovation. This year, both seasoned and emerging artists showcased their prowess, delivering tracks that dominated playlists, sparked conversations, and resonated deeply with fans. Here's a spotlight …

2 months ago · 8 likes · Joint Jams Radio

Finding Strength in Community

This heartfelt piece reminds us of the importance of leaning on others. A refreshing take on collective support in an era of hyper-individualism. -

a diouana woman

diary of a diouana woman

psa: you don't have to make it on your own, sis

gratitude, fluidity, and the myth of “making it on your own…

2 months ago · 3 likes · a diouana woman

Unpacking Black Lesbian Spirituality

Louise

delves into the intersection of spirituality and identity, offering profound insights into self-discovery and cultural heritage.

Louise’s Substack

Black Lesbian Spirituality pt. 1

I find myself once again at that pond near my house on some cold winter morning in 2020 having biked there…

2 months ago · 8 likes · 4 comments · Louise

God, Mental Health, and Stigma

A brave exploration of mental health, stigma, and spirituality, this piece tackles difficult topics with raw honesty and compassion.-

Fisayo Patrick

The Valuable Storyteller

GOD DIDN'T GIVE BIRTH TO SCHIZOS

My lecturer yelled at me from the front of the classroom. It wasn’t the intensity of his voice that shook me; it was his words: “You will die and go to hellfire if you don’t stop this useless behavior…

2 months ago · 12 likes · Fisayo Patrick

Navigating Life’s Transitions

Moving isn’t just physical—it’s emotional and symbolic. This article beautifully captures the complexities of change and finding your footing. -

monique judge

off the record

Moving

The thing about moving is it takes a lot of planning, a lot of money, and a lot of work if you want it done right, and even with planning, money, and work, there are still things that can go wrong…

2 months ago · 12 likes · 3 comments · monique judge

Silence Rewritten

A masterclass in brevity, this micro-story packs profound meaning into just ten words. -

Meklit Abebe

Midlife Soup

Silence Rewritten | A 10 Word Story

If you’re new to Midlife Soup, Welcome…

2 months ago · 1 like · Meklit Abebe

Deep Conversations

Brooke Elaine

invites us to sit with life’s bigger questions. A soulful and introspective piece that lingers long after reading.

Brooke Elaine

Digging Deeper

When it’s time to level up in any area of life we must dig deeper. But get ready because that dig may feel like you're burying yourself in a hole…

2 months ago · 5 likes · Brooke Elaine

Proverbial Lessons

This compelling essay reinterprets old proverbs with modern relevance. A fascinating read for fans of cultural wisdom. -

Vickey EllaShawn Brown

SOMO Publishing House: Front Porch Wisdom & Southern Prose

You Lay With Dogs, You Get Up With Fleas.

Hello! This is the first issue of Front Porch Wisdom & Southern Prose, the free newsletter from Southern Momentum Publishing House, LLC. In this newsletter, readers can expect to receive updates about…

2 months ago · 1 like · Vickey EllaShawn Brown

Sandman’s Symbolism

A reflective piece unpacking the metaphorical depths of The Sandman.

anastasia king

’s writing is evocative and deeply engaging.

a n a s t a s ï a

sandman

did Einstein create…

2 months ago · 3 likes · 1 comment · anastasia king

Notes Worth Noting

“This is where my soul finds freedom, where everything I hold back comes pouring out, raw and honest, messy and powerful. I don’t want to stop. I want to stay in this, moving from canvas to canvas, lost in the endless release.” -
Cassandra Saint-Jean

Culture

Today In Culture Edition #30

realmempireindustries

December 5, 2024

Welcome to the 30th Edition of Today in Culture! Reaching this milestone is no small feat, and it’s all thanks to you—our curious, culture-loving community. Together, we’ve explored the boundaries of art, music, literature, and ideas, and today’s edition continues that tradition with an eclectic mix of stories you won’t want to miss.

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