Why I'm Still Not An American
It's a simple enough conversation-starter: So, where are you from? What I've learned to say is, "I'm from D.C.," because it's a good enough answer and nobody ever really has anything to say about D.C. anyway.
I was born on Knifecrime Island, in London, and lived there until I was six. I remember it vividly: the song I'd sing with my mother as we walked to school every day, "The Paul Daniels Magic Show" I'd watch with my grandmother, and that epic schoolyard brawl I got in at St. Vincent's where I lost some teeth and Sister Patricia told me to gargle hot salt water until it felt better. [...]
Seven Years as a Freelance Writer, or, How To Make Vitamin Soup
People like my resume—here's a PDF! But a resume is only the skin of a career. And, even then, it's skin with a lot of make-up on it. People live their lives, knowing the interior of their existence, and can only compare it to the exteriors of the lives of others—so, as a public service, here's a look at the interior of my seven years as a freelancer. That is to say, seven years as one of the choosiest beggars imaginable. The Devil does not wear Prada. The Devil wears Times New Roman. Or Arial Narrow. And he shows up in my inbox every hour on the hour. [...]
The Black Athletes Who Don't Play Basketball
Sometimes athletes are black. Depending on your sport of choice, this might be a big deal. And when a black athlete is on the rise-or even just in the mix-in an affluent, white-dominated sport, it becomes a very big deal. That's because writers like to write about these unexpectedly or surprisingly black athletes. In the past decade, the term "the Tiger Woods of [sport]" became common shorthand for a certain kind of athlete: the kind who is "changing the face of the game."
The Cast of "12 Angry Men" in Order of Hotness
12. Juror #10
11. Juror #9
10. Juror #3
9. Juror #7
8. Juror #4