WHEN BRENDAN WHITT THINKS...

The Family W/ The Bitter Kool-Aid By Brendan Whitt

“ Richard sat at his desk scribbling notes on his tablet as he went over his brief. The office had emptied out hours ago but still, Richard toiled away. He worked for a prestigious advertising agency in Santa Monica. It was the job he always wanted. Pretty good pay, some benefits, and the opportunity to be creative for a paycheck. Unfortunately, Richard became stuck in the same position for the past five years, junior copywriter. Watching one old white man retire to Florida after another as their sons, nephews, and sons of friends filled the vacant offices.”

A Lesson in Socio-Economics By Brendan Whitt

“The boys made their way through the urban terrain of an east side Cleveland neighborhood. Looking at an abandoned brick building with smashed out windows or empty windowsills paints the illusion of peering into a person’s eyes whose soul has been snatched from them. The cracked pavement is a trash receptacle covered in empty swisher packs and the discarded plastic tips of Black & Milds. A light pole covered in dirty stuffed animals surrounded by empty liquor bottles paid homage to a young angel called home too soon.”

Short StoryBrendan WhittMay 6, 2020Black Perspective, Black Culture, Culture, Short Story, Writing

Accidental Clicks By Brendan Whitt

“Suddenly a white can appeared in the middle of the table. Admen stared at John never breaking eye contact while still donning his creepy bright smile. John confusingly stared back. John had been thirsty since he first walked through the door. He didn’t know where the can came from or what was in it, but the dripping condensation covering the can was seducing him.”

Short StoryBrendan WhittApril 10, 2020Fiction, Short Story, Black Perspective, Writing

Just Another Case Of... By Brendan Whitt

“When Jones arrived at the scene he took his flask out of his blazer pocket and took a swig before stepping out of his car. Despite the late night hour a crowd had already converged upon the scene just to tell their neighbors and friends that they “were there”. Murmurs began to grow within the crowd. All speculation on who was under the sheet and why they were there.”

Short StoryBrendan WhittMarch 25, 2020Arts, Black Culture, Black Perspective, Short Story, Brendan Whitt

Blought #43: 2019-20 NBA Mid-Season Wrap-Up

“When the 2019-2020 NBA campaign started, it was met with anticipation and excitement and rightfully so. Let’s start by looking at the end of last season. The landscape of the entire league was changed in a matter of months. The Raptors won their first ever championship after acquiring Finals MVP Kawhi Leaonard for just one season. To make it even more interesting, they did so by ending the Warriors’ bid for a fourth championship in five years.”

BloughtBrendan WhittFebruary 20, 2020Sports, Basketball, NBA, Lebron James

Workin' Man By Brendan Whitt

“…Left the lake for the land of palm trees and executive greed

Told my Mrs. I was only plantin seeds

She ain't have to worry about me plantin seeds…”

PoetryBrendan WhittFebruary 20, 2020Black Perspective, Poetry, Arts, Black Culture

Bringer'z o' Death

“..They're prepubescent, adolescent, and adult…”

PoetryBrendan WhittFebruary 20, 2020Poetry, Black Perspective, Social Media

Blought #42: The Wire Pt. 3

Here we are, the final installment of my The Wire Blought Series. I’ve dug into the issues that surround organized crime, family structures, education, and even public service workers. Today we take a look at the politics of the inner city and how the news media can play a small but impactful role.

Blought, TelevisionBrendan WhittFebruary 10, 2020Television, Black Culture, Black media, Black Perspective, Culture, Media, The Wire

Blought #41: The Wire Pt. 2

Last week my three part series focused on families effected by drugs and the school system that fails so many inner-city youth in America. Today we’ll look at criminal organizations and the struggles of policing a major city.

More than just keeping us entertained on Sunday nights David Simon drew upon his past as a crime reporter in Baltimore to tell us the ugly truths that so many are shielded from on a daily basis.

Television, BloughtBrendan WhittJanuary 21, 2020Black media, Black History, Black Culture, Black Perspective, Television, Culture

Blought #40: The Wire

With this three part series I will offer my brief analysis of the crime, economic and political woes that presented themselves during the course of the show and how they mirror the realities of urban America today. In Part 1 I will focus on families and crime and offer a brief assessment of how a school system can fail inner city kids.