ABOUT JENEE DESMOND-HARRIS
It’s no surprise that I see things from a lot of different perspectives. I’m a Gemini, biracial, tied to two different coasts, and simultaneously a lawyer and a writer. Originally from the Northern California, I spent the best four years of my life at Howard University, survived 3 years at Harvard Law School, and then got back to DC as fast as I could. My opinions are always evolving and sometimes conflicting. For example, Obama can do no wrong in my mind, but I'm more than a little skeptical of the whole bipartisanship thing.
I’m an obsessive reader of memoirs, anything that is or could have been part of Oprah’s book club, and the Op-Ed pages. I admit I can be clueless about huge chunks of popular culture. It's because I shut down when faced with entertainment centered on action or outer space, have no tolerance for sports, and get antsy during movies. I am intensely curious (ok, nosy) about the details of other people's lives, so I chose TV shows that give me a peek. This means anything from Housewives, to Little People Big World, to Intervention. A true inside-the-beltway nerd, I get fired up watching Rachel Maddow, Keith Olberman, and Meet the Press, and follow politicians and pundits the way other people do celebrities.
When I’m not in Front of the Tube:
Don’t get me started (talking or writing) about politics, race, or relationships (or for that matter, cosmetics, self-help, or my daily horoscope and e-Tarot reading). I'd be lying if I said I hadn't put a damper on a few parties with political debates that ended in tears, but mostly I'm just sarcastic and like to tease. While I realize emoticons are now considered tacky, I depend heavily on the winky one to let people know I’m not really being mean.
Would you rather watch “I Love New York” or “Flavor of Love”? One of my law school classmates was on I Love New York so I had to watch religiously.
“Girlfriends,” “Living Single” or “Sex and the City”? Sex and The City (It could have been Girlfriends, but whenever I watch it I’m preoccupied with trying to figure out if I look like Joan as much as strangers tell me I do, so I can’t really enjoy it).
Who was your favorite character on “The Wire”? Why? I don’t watch it. I think I’ve lost friends over this. Please don’t kick me out of TEWW.
Which Housewife of Atlanta best describes you? According to a facebook survey that got two responses, Lisa (who also happens to be my favorite).
What TV family best describes yours? Immediate family: Gilmore Girls, ‘cause it was just me and my mom. Extended family: Cable isn’t quite ready yet.
What’s your all-time favorite album? Luther Vandross, This is Christmas. I try to make myself wait until October to listen to it and cut myself off on New Years' Day.
If the title of any song could describe you, what would it be? Unpredictable.
Duke Ellington or John Coltrane? Coltrane.
What was the first CD you bought? Rappin 4’ Tay, Don't Fight The Feelin'.
Favorite album of 2009? Maxwell, BLACKSummers' Night.
Which artist could sing the soundtrack to your life? See above.
Biggie or Tupac? Tupac! My claim to fame is that he went to my high school (way before I did, and just for a minute). When he died, my best friend and I went into mourning, re-created his tattoos with sharpies, and sent cookies to his mom.
Maxwell or D’Angelo? Clearly, Maxwell.
What’s your favorite Spike Lee Joint? School Daze.
Favorite movie of 2009? Slumdog Millionaire. I rarely go to movies, so I pretty much decided it was going to be my favorite when I went to see it.
Favorite movie of all-time? Hitch. Not an award-winner, but it's one of the only movies I can watch over and over and laugh.
Denzel or Poitier? Denzel.
Denzel in “Mo’ Better Blues” or Denzel in “Devil in a Blue Dress”? Mo' Betta Blues. Less about Denzel's role than the fact that it is a much more Jenée movie.
Angela Bassett or Halle Berry? Halle.
“Boyz n the Hood” or “The Wood”? The Wood.
Ossie and Ruby? Or Will and Jada? Ossie and Ruby (will reevaluate when and if Will and Jada have about 50 more years of happy marriage).
Harlem Renaissance or the Black Arts Movement? Black Arts Movement.
Favorite book? Impossible question. . . but my very first favorite that has a special place because it inspired me to write is Bulletproof Diva by Lisa Jones. I’m dying to find out what she’s up to these days.
What are you reading now? Beautiful Boy by David Sheff & Bird By Bird by Anne Lamott.