Brian Broome

Pittsburgh

Contributing columnist focusing on politics, culture and the African American perspective
Brian Broome is a contributing columnist for The Washington Post. His debut memoir, "Punch Me Up to the Gods," is an NYT Editor’s Pick and the winner of the 2021 Kirkus Prize for Nonfiction. In addition to The Post, his work has appeared in Poets and Writers, Medium and more. Broome has been a finalist in the Moth storytelling competition and won the grand prize in Carnegie Mellon University’s Martin Luther King Writing Awards. He also won a VANN Award from the Pittsburgh Black Media Federation for journalism in 2019. His film, "Garbage," won the Audience Choice Award at the Cortada Short Fil
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Latest from Brian Broome

You betta believe it: Like Kamala Harris, I straddle two worlds

I assimilated, to a degree — but that assimilation doesn’t make anything about the way I speak untrustworthy.

September 5, 2024
Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at Northwestern High School in Michigan on Monday. (Sarah Rice for The Washington Post)

Wake up, Mr. Seinfeld. Mean-spirited humor isn’t cool anymore.

Some of what was once funny is now in poor taste. Jerry Seinfeld should understand that.

May 6, 2024
Jerry Seinfeld, the writer, director and star of "Unfrosted," poses alongside a costumed Pop-Tart at the premiere of his Netflix film in Los Angeles on April 30. (Chris Pizzello/AP)

New Beyoncé album is a welcome-back-to-country gift to Black Americans

With ‘Country Carter,’ the Grammy-winning artist returns country music to its Black roots.

March 30, 2024
This cover image released by Parkwood/Columbia/Sony shows “Act ll: Cowboy Carter” by Beyoncé. (Parkwood/Columbia/Sony/AP)

It’s not ‘American Fiction’ if it’s true

“American Fiction” is worth seeing. But there is no one way to tell the African American story.

February 5, 2024
"American Fiction" is shown at a theater in Atlanta on Oct. 24. (Derek White/Getty Images for MGM Studios)

Just the idea of Trump winning makes my head explode

The prospect of Trump winning again terrifies me. But he can be stopped.

November 7, 2023
(iStock)

My university might cut humanities. I’m frustrated, angry — and afraid.

At West Virginia University, a budget squeeze takes aim at the humanities.

August 23, 2023
West Virginia University senior Mai-lyn Sadler leads a protest outside the Mountainlair Student Union in Morgantown, W.Va., on Monday. (Leah Willingham/AP)

After a police horror story, this Mississippi sheriff needs to go

Six deputies committed unspeakable acts. The sheriff says he never imagined. Really?

August 18, 2023
Eddie Terrell Parker hugs a supporter Aug. 14 at the Rankin County Circuit Court in Brandon, Miss., before a hearing where six former Mississippi law officers pleaded guilty to state charges for torturing Parker and Michael Corey Jenkins in a racist assault. (Rogelio V. Solis/AP)

The real lesson from the Lizzo saga: Don’t deify celebrities

We put too much faith in celebrities. And then we lose our minds.

August 7, 2023
Singer Lizzo performs on NBC's “Today” show in New York on July 15, 2022. (Brendan McDermid/Reuters)

Jason Aldean? Please spare me the small-town nostalgia.

I couldn't wait to put my small town in the rearview mirror.

July 24, 2023
Jason Aldean performs during CMA Fest 2022 in Nashville on June 9. (Amy Harris/Invision/AP)

This Supreme Court pits us against them

The Supreme Court deepened the fault lines that are splitting America.

June 30, 2023
Supporters and opponents of web designer Lorie Smith demonstrate in front of the Supreme Court building in Washington on Dec. 5, 2022. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)