Mychal Denzel Smith

Mychal Denzel Smith Mychal Denzel Smith Mychal Denzel Smith

Mychal Denzel Smith is a Knobler Fellow at The Nation Institute and contributing writer for The Nation Magazine, as well as columnist for Feministing.com and Salon. As a freelance writer, social commentator, and mental health advocate his work has been seen online in outlets such as The New York Times, The Atlantic, Salon, Al Jazeera English, Gawker, The Guardian, Ebony.com, Huffington Post, The Root, and The Grio.

Posts Written by Mychal

By Mychal Denzel Smith • 8 years ago

Chris Brown is the poster child for intimate partner violence

Chris Brown was 19 years old that day in 2009 when the world learned of his beating Rihanna. That was part of the defense offered, free of charge, from his fans and others eager to not discuss intimate partner violence and abuse.

By Mychal Denzel Smith • 8 years ago

Assata Shakur and the black girl experience

I’m currently writing a book (word to the wise: do not write a book) and doing so has given me occasion to revisit Assata Shakur’s autobiography. I’ve never forgotten how powerful and transformative a book it is, but picking it up in these movement times has been newly enlightening.

By Mychal Denzel Smith • 9 years ago

This is who you are when you’re catcalling

The next time you find yourself in conversation with someone who simply can not wrap their mind around why street harassment is a problem, and your words are failing to convince them that yelling at women on the street is disrespectful and makes those women feel unsafe, show them this Buzz60 video and ask, “Ok, but do you really want to be this guy?”

By Mychal Denzel Smith • 9 years ago

When visibility doesn’t translate into support for trans teens

The death of Blake Brockington raises this question for me: how do we turn visibility into support?

By Mychal Denzel Smith • 9 years ago

Remembering why redefining masculinity is important

Much of the work I’ve done here at Feministing has been an attempt to unpack the oppressive nature of our current constructs of masculinity. Sometimes this means discussing the ways in which defining masculinity around dominance, violence, coercion, and invulnerability limit the identities and expression of men who are beholden to this definition.

Much of the work I’ve done here at Feministing has been an attempt to unpack the oppressive nature of our current constructs of masculinity. Sometimes this means discussing ...

By Mychal Denzel Smith • 9 years ago

On Ben Carson’s comments on gayness and hetero fears of the sexuality spectrum

With every public appearance leading up to his inevitable run for the presidency, Ben Carson further tarnishes his legacy.

By Mychal Denzel Smith • 9 years ago

#ThisIsLuv campaign affirms LGBT love in Black communities and families

Former NFLer Wade Davis and writer Darnell L. Moore want to change the narrative. More specifically, they want to change the narrative around black people and homophobia.

By Mychal Denzel Smith • 9 years ago

An Internet eulogy for Penny Proud

Internet eulogies are a genre of writing unto themselves. Any of us concerned about the lives of those who exist on the margins has written one, afraid the loss of life would go unreported and uncared for if left to the traditional media machines to give voice to those lost.