Brown Boy Problems

Mustafa Shaikh 5 min read
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Brown Boy Problems: I'LL SHOW YOU HOW TO RELAX (S1 EP 10)

What timing! Today's episode is about my dad and yesterday was Father's Day. I suppose this serves as a belated Father's Day post! Mustafa’s Note: For me, the point of a story is to elicit an emotion. That being said, I think the following story may elicit a negative

Mustafa Shaikh 7 min read
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Brown Boy Problems: The Shaikhs Go To White Castle (S1 EP9)

This episode is best consumed while high. It's 4:20 somewhere, right? I think? As a heads up, this episode will take a couple of minutes longer than an average episode. Give an extra 10-20 minutes if you decide to get stoned. Missed last week's episode? You can catch it

Mustafa Shaikh 6 min read
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Brown Boy Problems: Gym Class Hero (S1 EP 8.5)

Well, there were a lot of you that liked last week's episode and wanted to hear more about the Coach Jones story. Due to word count, I didn't get to write everything I wanted to last week. I'm fairly sensitive about people getting to the end of each email before

Mustafa Shaikh 9 min read
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Brown Boy Problems: Coach Jones The Anti-Hero (S1 EP8)

This week we reach the end of this mini-arc within Brown Boy Problems. A nice little dash of racism before we move to the last couple of episodes of the season. Did you miss Episode 7? You can catch up on it here. As a heads up, this episode's word

Mustafa Shaikh 5 min read
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Brown Boy Problems: But Is It Really That Bad? (S1 EP7)

We're back to work this week. To remind you of where things are at, we're back in high school. In Episode 6 of Brown Boy Problems, I was giving a breakdown of the different racial slurs I was most frequently targeted with. As I think the information in today's episode,

Mustafa Shaikh 4 min read
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Brown Boy Problems: Terrorist, Sand N*gger, Camel Jockey, Take Your Pick (S1 EP6)

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will — nah they definitely hurt me. Who came up with that line? Without further adieu ... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A few years back, I was reflecting on my high school experience with my girlfriend at the time, who is black. “Can you imagine if

Mustafa Shaikh 6 min read
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Brown Boy Problems: There's Before 9/11, & There's After 9/11 (S1 EP5)

We're back in action this week. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I was sitting down on our living room couch on a Tuesday morning. I was home sick from school with pink eye, which was a bummer as I’d rather be in my eighth-grade social studies class than in our cramped two-bedroom apartment

Mustafa Shaikh 6 min read
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Brown Boy Problems: The Sniper Draws (S1 EP4)

A trauma-filled past, solitary confinement, and a ballpoint pen lead to some interesting results. One favor I have to ask each of you as we're closing in on the midway point of this season: if you've been enjoying Brown Boy Problems, can you do me a favor and forward this

Mustafa Shaikh 7 min read
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Brown Boy Problems: Islamic Publications International (S1 EP3)

My father's rather unsuccessful business selling Islamic-related texts gets the spotlight in this episode. Before we get started, a reader (shout out Vishaal) let me know last week that he was bored at home in the middle of the workday. Rather than simply streaming content, he decided he wanted to

Mustafa Shaikh 4 min read
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Brown Boy Problems: Fir, Like The Tree (S1 EP2)

This week, take a trip to the 9th grade with me. If you missed Episode 1 of Brown Boy Problems, I encourage you to read it first before diving into Episode 2. Episode 1 Without further adieu ... At the start of each ninth-grade geometry class with Mrs. Kane, there would

Mustafa Shaikh 5 min read
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SEASON PREMIERE of BROWN BOY PROBLEMS: Kodak Black (S1 EP1)

At long last, we've arrived at the second content series: "Brown Boy Problems." As a quick reminder, if you ever have any comments/feedback/musings you want to share with me, simply reply to this email. Without further adieu ... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you were to ask RZA—Wu-Tang Clan’s founder,