'Black Panther' Reigns & White Folks Police: 2018's Winners & Losers

Source: Courtesy of The Apollo Theater / The Apollo Theater

It’s hard to believe another year has wrapped up, moving us closer to a new decade.

For some, 2018 might’ve dragged with the speed of molasses thanks to celebrity shenanigans and Trump-era politics. For others, it could’ve went with a snap thanks to viral moments that kept us distracted and entertained.

Either way, there’s no question that there were some big winners this year and some big losers. Hit the next pages to reflect on a year full of ups and down. Hopefully, the memories can get you motivated on what to do and what not to do in 2019!

Winner

Black Panther

It’s rare that a cultural moment unites Black people not just across the U.S., but across the world. With Black Panther, people were excited to finally have a big budget film led by a Black filmmaker and a predominantly Black cast, and the movie definitely lived up to the hype.

But Black Panther wasn’t just a great superhero movie. It was a reunion of family and friends, it was a discussion, it was an opportunity for Black people to dress up and take up space in the best possible way.

It was also a viral dance sensation that spread from the U.S. to the U.K. to Africa. What other movie has united Black people across the lands and seas in such a way?

BP was a complete winner.

Loser

Tone deaf clothing companies

Source: John Keeble / Getty

Many brands in 2018 revealed they couldn’t possibly have a Black person in their marketing department, or else we wouldn’t get cringe-worthy “Coolest Monkey” hoodies on Black kids like H&M.

Even as 2018 came to a close, brands still didn’t seem to learn their lesson. In December, Forever 21 thought it would be cute to put a “Wakanda Forever” sweater on a White model and folks were not having it.

Smh.

When it comes to Black culture…Black people to the front of the boardroom, please!

Winner

Cardi B

Cardi B literally did it all in 2018.

Another number one single? Check.

A number one album? Check.

Stellar performances? Check.

The woman couldn’t be stopped…despite a minor hiccup involving flying shoes.

She even ended the year with a bang, thanks to her epic “Money” music video.

The Bronx spitter continues to have us shook.

Loser

Nicki Minaj and the Barbz

Source: Michael Stewart / Getty

Nicki made it hard to root for her in 2018.

The M.C. definitely built a great career in the rap game, but in 2018 she really showed her a$$ in some very public scuffles.

Whether it be her back and forth with Safaree (her ex) or her shots at Travis Scott and his family, Nicki definitely wasn’t low on the controversy. All the hoopla distracted from a new album that might’ve been good to some, but felt overshadowed by all the drama.

Even if some of Nicki’s comments had merit, her over-the-top Barbz fans didn’t help the situation when they attacked any online sheep who was even a tiny bit critical of their rap queen. Nicki and the Barbz brutal attack of a writer on Twitter serves as one example of the Pink kingdom going too far.

There’s a thin line between getting a point across and bullying, and it seems Nicki struggled with the difference in 2018.

Winner

Wuzzam Supa

In 2018, Raynell Steward, a.k.a. Wuzzam Supa, showed the success you can have with social media and an entrepreneurial spirit. The New Orleans native was known on Instagram and Vine for her hilarious videos, including posts where she’d answer her followers’ life questions.

But she also had other big things going, like her own make-up line.

On Cyber Monday, she promoted a sale for her Crayon Case Cosmetics and in just one hour and 90 minutes, she raked in $1.2 million in sales. Supa celebrated the win in an emotional video below…

https://www.instagram.com/p/BqpvIa8go9Q/?utm_source=ig_embed

In the words of Supa, “no excuses” in 2019.

Your dreams could be a multi-million dollar vision.

Loser

Howard University

Source: Angus Osborn / Getty

It sucks to have to put an HBCU on blast, especially since many of them might not get as much attention as their predominantly White counterparts.

However, Howard University definitely effed up this year.

Back in March, it was revealed that financial aid administrators were receiving nearly $1 million in misappropriated financial aid funds between 2013 and 2017, exceeding the amount permitted by law.

Six employees were fired following an investigation and one employee in particular, Tyrone Hankerson, was thought to be someone who received the excessive funds. People on Twitter dragged him to D.C. and back for his gaudy wardrobe and supposedly lavish lifestyle.

Protests even took off at Howard from outraged students and their supporters.

It was a mess.

Winner

Thirsty Michael B. Jordan fans 

Source: Jason LaVeris / Getty

No one left the masses parched like Michael B. Jordan in 2018.

It’s not surprising, considering his stellar year with hits like Black Panther and Creed II.

Luckily, Michael B showed love right back to his fans with some very personal meet-ups. Various women shot game at the actor and shockingly, he responded in the most personal way.

One Sylvia Wilson slid in his DMs and got to visit him on set. Meanwhile, Bolu Babalola went viral with a Photoshopped pic of her and Michael B. Jordan. When she visited him at a Q&A for Creed II, her Photoshop dreams turned into a reality when she got to actually snag a pic with Michael B. 

Even U.S. Open winner Naomi Osaka expressed her love for Michael on Ellen and he responded with a heartwarming message to her.

Michael B heard the thirsty cries and answered.

The stans are forever grateful.

Loser

Fergie’s National Anthem 

Probably the worst performance of the year came from Fergie when she tried to “jazz up” the national anthem.

Her scatty-moany-nasaly concoction will go down as one of the most epic fails in American history.

But hey, at least we got a good laugh out of it.

Winner

Philly

Source: Mike Ehrmann / Getty

The city of brotherly love was full of wins this year. They started off 2018 with an Eagles Super Bowl win that had the city going wild.

Then Meek Mill was released from prison in April after a bogus sentencing and he became an advocate for criminal justice reform.

Add in a celebrated album from Meek with fire guest appearances, and you have a city taking big wins for 2018.

Loser

White people that can’t mind their business

Source: The Washington Post / Getty

For 2019, we need nosy, neighborhood watch-wannabe White people to follow one golden rule…

MIND YOUR BUSINESS.

Especially if it involves Black people who are already MINDING THEIR BUSINESS.

From BBQ Becky to Permit Patty, the world was exposed to White people who couldn’t stand to see Black people living their lives.

For future reference, if a Black person is sitting in an empty room just breathing air…

Mind your business.

If Black people are at a park, laughing, kiking and having a grand time…

Mind your business.

We the Black delegation would greatly appreciate it.

Winner

#MeToo

Source: Chelsea Guglielmino / Getty

In a talk with Sunny Hostin on The View, #MeToo founder Tarana Burke said, “‘Me too’ is an exchange between two survivors. Who else would you say that to? It’s either a declaration that you’re standing up and saying that this thing happened to me or it’s an exchange between two survivors that say ‘yea I see you, I hear you and I believe you.’”

As #MeToo carried over into 2018, many big names have been accused of sexual abuse or inappropriate sexual behavior. Survivors and victims — some well known and some everyday people — have spoken up about their experience after suffering in silence.

Certainly, more conversations should be had in the future about sexual assault and how to hold abusers accountable. But until then, the message shouldn’t be lost that #MeToo is about the victims and survivors first. In 2018, more people around the world felt comfortable to say, whisper or think “me too.”

Loser

Sexual abusers

Source: William Thomas Cain / Getty

Many people who’ve caused sexual harm in the past were left to confront their vices in 2018.

Some people, like Louis C.K. and Morgan Freeman, admitted to their troubling past (or at least, didn’t outright deny the allegations against them).

However, other big names have denied the accusations against them or remained silent, resulting in a mixture of major backlash, court cases, and public debates. Some of the alleged abusers continue to walk free, while others, like Bill Cosby and Harvey Weinstein, face prison time or are under the watchful eye of the law.

Regardless of the details of each individual case, one thing is for certain. Sexual abusers were no longer safe in a way that they might have been before, and regardless of their fate, more conversations are being had on how sexual abuse should always take an L.

Winner

Mental health awareness

Source: Getty

Revealing that you have mental health issues or that you’re living with a mental illness can be extremely scary.

But luckily, 2018 was full of brave souls disclosing their journey with mental health. Mariah Carey detailed her experience with bipolar disorder. Michelle Williams was transparent about her struggles with depression.

Then, with shows like Red Table Talk, people like Kid Cudi and August Alsina talked about their mental health journey in a safe and understanding space.

There’s still a long way to go when it comes to mental health discussions, but 2018 was off to a great start.

Loser

Kanye West 

This brings us to Kanye.

*Sigh*

Ye also came out as someone living with bipolar disorder. However, this doesn’t excuse the loads of BS he dumped on us in 2018.

From saying slavery was a choice to being all buddy-buddy with Trump, Yeezy found himself delving deeper and deeper into a new kind of sunken space.

Ye tried to excuse his actions by promoting “free thought” and “the power of love.

But what’s the point of loving someone if you can’t call them out on their extremely harmful policies, ideas, and full-fledged actions. Kanye rarely did this with people like Trump, even though he claimed he “loves him.”

Add to this a mediocre album release and you’ve got Yeezy taking many L’s in 2018.

Let’s hope 2019 will be brighter for the Chi-town spitter.