independence day

It's the 4th and as always I remain ambivalent about America's flourishes of patriotism or celebrations of our imagined glorious past. We all know what black folk were up to in 1776. If not, let Frederick Douglass remind you.

Not to mention, I'm not much of a nationalist at heart. Like the Dalai Lama, I think we are all citizens of the world and should govern ourselves accordingly (and not preemptorily invade countries or torture folks or keep them in detention centers) but I digress ...

For this 4th-o-july I've devised an alternative Independence Day to celebrate Lil Kim's release from prison. Yes folks, the Queen Bee was released early from a Philly detention center yesterday for good behavior, and with her street cred intact. So while you're lighting your fireworks tonight or getting drunk off your asses, make a little toast for Kimmy. She's a free woman now.