Sunday, March 28, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Yeah, India, tell 'em the TRUTH!
Recently India Arie popped off on her Twitter, she mentioned that the video “Telephone” by Lady Ga Ga and Beyonce was socially irresponsible and the bloggers went off. “Who is she?” “Her and her divattitude.” “It’s JUST a video.” Yadda, Yadda, Yadda. FYI It’s NOT JUST A VIDEO at least not for the black community.
I must admit I haven’t seen the video in its entirety (it’s one long ass video), but what I did see didn’t impress me. Sure the fashion was hot or should I say haute, but the lyrics were blah, beat eh, performance raunchy, presentation glitzy and that’s it; for me at least. I’m a grown woman who KNOWS that it is JUST entertainment. Here is the issue, some people take TV, music, movies, and videos as entertainment because we know that other images exist, we have opportunities, and someone loved us enough to teach us our history or to value ourselves. Some people, mainly young people with no direction, no structure and no real role models take this “art” as life and how it’s supposed to be. Too many young people see these media images as role models and watching TV is a way for these disenfranchised youth to participate in a society that tells them who they are.
We KNOW what the media thinks of black women; vindictive baby mommas, hyper sexualized, herpes ridden, uneducated, fat, gold-diggers, never gonna get married, attitudinal, mean spirited, undesirable, big assed (cause you gotta have a BIG ass), psychological nut cases (thank you Precious). So if the only people I resemble even remotely in the media are for example, Nicki Minaj or Amber Rose who present themselves as gold-diggers, hyper sexual, uneducated women, then what does that mean? I think It’s especially hard for the rarely seen dark skinned girl who, if she is seen it’s for fleeting moment and it’s more than likely an ass shot.
We rarely see ourselves portrayed as something to be valued like a wife or the girlfriend he walks the red carpet with, and that goes for black women light and dark. When some celebs get that mainstream money they join the “No Black Girls Allowed Club.” Yes, John Legend, Michael Jordan, sadly Mario, Reggie Bush, the list goes on I talking about you, but back to my point (I do have one).
As a celebrity you KNOW the weight and responsibilities as a celebrity. Excuse me you know the POWER of celebrity and it is your decision to use that power for good or evil and the public has a right to criticize you. BEYONCE, if you take your power and gladly take on the role of ‘role model’ (especially to the first lady’s babies) then you DO have the responsibility of being socially responsible.
To another point celebs of color or other underrepresented groups (i.e. gay, lesbian, disabled) have a greater burden to be socially responsible and that’s just the way it is. It’s that way for one reason mainly, because that person/representative is one of very few of that kind seen by the masses. That person essentially, well superficially represents the entire group. Am I making this up? It’s not the way it’s supposed to be, it’s just the way it is.
Beyonce little girls, black girls included, look up to you. It would be great if you gave them something good to admire we already have too much of the bad.
In closing, I’ll take the words from India Arie:
“Don't be offended this is all my opinion
ain't nothing that I'm sayin law
This is a true confession of a life learned lesson I was sent here to share with y'all
So get in where you fit in go on and shine
Clear your mind, now's the time
Put your salt on the shelf
Go on and love yourself”
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
I Found It!
Now this is H-O-T, hot. I wanna do this for the summer. The baby taco meat fro I'm rocking now needs a little work, BUT in my defense, this is my very first time wearing fro.
Help Us Spread the Word!: Clutch “Tell-a-Friend” Campaign | Clutch Magazine: The Digital Magazine for the Young, Contemporary Woman of Color
I came across this online magazine before and I thought it was great. The writers proof their pieces and the viewpoints are diverse. You should mos def check it out. Plus the bloggers who comment don't seem to be complete idiots. Click the title to visit the site.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Obama, Obama, Obama, He did that!
So if you don't know by now, our President, Barack Obama has passed the Health Care Reform Bill. The biggest deal in the healthcare world in 100 years! And I have to be honest I really didn't know that much about it. I'd heard the rheoric and I did a 'little' research, but as far as having a decent debate/conversation based on facts, um I'd have to sit that one out.
I just wanted him to pass something for the sake of passing something, well not anything determental to society, but I really wanted a big "win" for Barack. I know, I know, but it seemed like er'body was against him, republicans, militant black folk, bloggers, babies, Buddha, every-one! Faux News spewed all kinds of hatred, the Congressional Black Caucus had a serious case of crabs, and Concrete Loop and MediaTakeOut were full of hatemongers.
Everyone has a right to an opinion, but I am a strong believer that opinions should be rooted in fact or personal experience in some cases. The haters didn't make ANY sense AT ALL, but the Pres could whoop some ass with facts and number. My goodness. The Dems could really put a verbal factual 'smack down' on the repubs. So I sided with them. But I'm not a total sheep, I did little more digging. You should mosey over to http://www.whitehose.gov/ and http://www.healthreform.gov/.
A Facebook friend posted a link that I think is benefical. It lists the top 10 facts to know about healthcare reform. I listed the fact below, but if you click the title you can read the entire article it also includes links for more research.
1. The plan is not a government takeover of health care like in Canada or Britain.
2. Insurance companies will be regulated more heavily.
3. Everyone will have to have health insurance or pay a fine, a requirement known as the individual mandate.
4. Employers will not be required to buy insurance for their employees, but large employers may be subject to fines if they don't provide insurance.
5. The vast majority of people will not see significant declines in premiums.
6. The plan might or might not bend the curve on health spending.
7. The government-run Medicare program will keep paying medical bills for seniors, but it will begin implementing cost controls on health care providers, mostly through penalties and incentives.
8. Medicaid, a joint federal-state program for the poor, will cover all of the poor, instead of just a few groups the way it currently does.
9. The government won't pay for elective abortions.
10. No one is proposing new benefits for illegal immigrants.
BTW, did hear Joe Biden drop the F-bomb? This guy reminds me of an old Hollywood actor or one of those big ass heads in parades. I call him Hollywood Joe.
I just wanted him to pass something for the sake of passing something, well not anything determental to society, but I really wanted a big "win" for Barack. I know, I know, but it seemed like er'body was against him, republicans, militant black folk, bloggers, babies, Buddha, every-one! Faux News spewed all kinds of hatred, the Congressional Black Caucus had a serious case of crabs, and Concrete Loop and MediaTakeOut were full of hatemongers.
Everyone has a right to an opinion, but I am a strong believer that opinions should be rooted in fact or personal experience in some cases. The haters didn't make ANY sense AT ALL, but the Pres could whoop some ass with facts and number. My goodness. The Dems could really put a verbal factual 'smack down' on the repubs. So I sided with them. But I'm not a total sheep, I did little more digging. You should mosey over to http://www.whitehose.gov/ and http://www.healthreform.gov/.
A Facebook friend posted a link that I think is benefical. It lists the top 10 facts to know about healthcare reform. I listed the fact below, but if you click the title you can read the entire article it also includes links for more research.
1. The plan is not a government takeover of health care like in Canada or Britain.
2. Insurance companies will be regulated more heavily.
3. Everyone will have to have health insurance or pay a fine, a requirement known as the individual mandate.
4. Employers will not be required to buy insurance for their employees, but large employers may be subject to fines if they don't provide insurance.
5. The vast majority of people will not see significant declines in premiums.
6. The plan might or might not bend the curve on health spending.
7. The government-run Medicare program will keep paying medical bills for seniors, but it will begin implementing cost controls on health care providers, mostly through penalties and incentives.
8. Medicaid, a joint federal-state program for the poor, will cover all of the poor, instead of just a few groups the way it currently does.
9. The government won't pay for elective abortions.
10. No one is proposing new benefits for illegal immigrants.
BTW, did hear Joe Biden drop the F-bomb? This guy reminds me of an old Hollywood actor or one of those big ass heads in parades. I call him Hollywood Joe.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Lance Gross, Midnight? I can see that.
Super Cutie Lance Gross made his way over to Honeymag.com and discussed his new movie Our Family Wedding, Eva, and his ideal role. Click the title for the interview. See photos from his My Life photos below. Good stuff, right?
What Men Think Of Our Beauty Rituals
So Essence.com decided to do an informal survey of what men thought of our beauty rituals and it is mos def good for a laugh; and it just goes along with what I've always known; Men are stupid. They rarely know what they're talking about when it comes to women's beauty regimens.
I posted the article below.
Since the very first cavewoman caught her reflection in a puddle and was like, "I really need to do something about my brows," women have expended great amounts of energy on the pursuit of beauty. And if we're talking about heterosexual women, one would assume that they're primping to attract the opposite sex, right? So, we decided to conduct our own informal survey of 20 and 30-something men to find out, once and for all, what they really think of our beauty rituals. You'll wonder why you make an effort at all!
THE WEAVE SITUATION
In this progressive day and age, when weaves are ubiquitous, we were surprised to learn that many men are still not down for fake hair. "I had an incident with a fake ponytail in the late '90s, and I haven't even approached a non-real-hair woman since," says William, a consultant in Richmond. "Weaves make me feel like, if she's faking on her hair, what else is she faking on?" Duane, a Washington DC attorney cosigns, saying, "A weave is a major turnoff for me. I'm big on how a woman's hair smells and I've never met a weave that smelled good."
They really mean they hate obvious, natty weaves and wigs, and so do I. But, I have to admit weave it is not the business when it smells like an open sore, it happens though. And that business about being fake is a cop-out. I just don't get that one.
BRAZILIAN WAX
The Brazilian bikini wax (ie, the one where almost everything goes) drew mixed reactions among our focus group. Trinidad-based photographer Wyatt said they were a must, while Kyle, a Brooklyn writer, said the bald-and-beautiful look was nice, but not necessary. Duane agreed, saying, "Brazilians are sexy on porn stars, but to be honest, I don't want my woman to look like a porn star. " Little do the men know that, aesthetically it may be pleasing for them, but many women go bare because A.) it makes them feel thinner, and B) friction-less sex is everything
Excuse me, but that ish looks like it hurts. It's not all peachy when I get an eyebrow wax so I KNOW waxing er'thing down there is going to be a B*TCH. Plus, I don't think I would feel sexy and womanly if I had no hair; it's too pre-pubescent in my book.
FOUNDATION
Foundation seems to be a no-no, as well. "It's the biggest turn-off possible," says Wyatt. "Invest in good skin care instead of caking this on! I don't like my models to wear it in shoots, either." Jim, a Miami area surgeon, finds it to be a distraction. "It's scary when a woman's face is one color and her neck is another. What's that all about?" Meanwhile, William isn't mad at the actual foundation, he just hates it when it gets all over his sink. "I'm a little OCD," he admits. Detroit-based musician Tyrone told us, "Drake said it best: 'Sweat pants, hair tied, chillin' with no makeup on...that's when you're the prettiest, I hope that you don't take it wrong.
Wrong again! If applied correctly they don't know when you're wearing foundation or getting a little help from somewhere. I know this for the truth once I was out and the guy was gushing over my "glamorous" skin; well little did he know, I mixed a dab of liquid foundation in my moisturizer (great tip BTW, if you are not a big make-up girl).
LIP GLOSS
Whether it's shimmery or sheer, or bold vs. pale, we are definitely addicted to applying lip gloss (in fact, in a recent ESSENCE poll, gloss was named the one makeup item that women can't live without). Sadly, the men we polled didn't share the same enthusiasm. "It makes me feel like a weird old lady at church just kissed me," says William. "It needs to wear off before I get a kiss." And when it comes to the trendy new lip-plumping glosses infused with circulation-jolting cinnamon and pepper, men are truly baffled. "I mean, a little tingle is cool, but I don't wanna feel like I just kissed a plate of hot sauce," said Duane. Texas-based businessman Laurence says, "There's tingly lip gloss? I think a woman should have fun with that. Like, tell some guy that her lips are literally electric, and then kiss him and be like, 'Check mate!'"
First of all, I don't need a lip plumper; I already have a set of premium sized soup coolers, but I can understand wanting a pouty mouth. That's hot, but I can't stand the stickiness of some glosses. Here is an area where the quality and the quantity of gloss is important. I hate to get make-up on my sleeve or on my clothes. So, I have agree with the guys, eh, but what can we do about it?
SUMMARY
So generally, it looks like even though men want us to look nice, noticeable makeup and fake hair can be a turn-off. Now, here's the thing: Most of the women we know wear makeup, and a good amount have rocked weaves--and, as of yet, they've never had a problem attracting or keeping men. "We can say we want our women to be au naturale," says Al, a California dentist, "but the truth is, we really have no idea what secret tricks you guys pull. If you're fly, men don't care about all this stuff." To test the theory, we showed three men a red carpet shot of Meagan Good rocking neutral makeup. Every single one of the men oohed and ahhed over her "natural" beauty "See? She's not wearing a stitch of makeup, and she's gorgeous," says Kevin, a New York investment banker. The truth is, Good was wearing a face full of makeup...and a weave. What they don't know won't hurt them.
Amen!
Read more: http://www.essence.com/fashion_beauty/beauty/men_opinion_womens_beauty_rituals.php#comments#ixzz0hyV5DxpT
I posted the article below.
Since the very first cavewoman caught her reflection in a puddle and was like, "I really need to do something about my brows," women have expended great amounts of energy on the pursuit of beauty. And if we're talking about heterosexual women, one would assume that they're primping to attract the opposite sex, right? So, we decided to conduct our own informal survey of 20 and 30-something men to find out, once and for all, what they really think of our beauty rituals. You'll wonder why you make an effort at all!
THE WEAVE SITUATION
In this progressive day and age, when weaves are ubiquitous, we were surprised to learn that many men are still not down for fake hair. "I had an incident with a fake ponytail in the late '90s, and I haven't even approached a non-real-hair woman since," says William, a consultant in Richmond. "Weaves make me feel like, if she's faking on her hair, what else is she faking on?" Duane, a Washington DC attorney cosigns, saying, "A weave is a major turnoff for me. I'm big on how a woman's hair smells and I've never met a weave that smelled good."
They really mean they hate obvious, natty weaves and wigs, and so do I. But, I have to admit weave it is not the business when it smells like an open sore, it happens though. And that business about being fake is a cop-out. I just don't get that one.
BRAZILIAN WAX
The Brazilian bikini wax (ie, the one where almost everything goes) drew mixed reactions among our focus group. Trinidad-based photographer Wyatt said they were a must, while Kyle, a Brooklyn writer, said the bald-and-beautiful look was nice, but not necessary. Duane agreed, saying, "Brazilians are sexy on porn stars, but to be honest, I don't want my woman to look like a porn star. " Little do the men know that, aesthetically it may be pleasing for them, but many women go bare because A.) it makes them feel thinner, and B) friction-less sex is everything
Excuse me, but that ish looks like it hurts. It's not all peachy when I get an eyebrow wax so I KNOW waxing er'thing down there is going to be a B*TCH. Plus, I don't think I would feel sexy and womanly if I had no hair; it's too pre-pubescent in my book.
FOUNDATION
Foundation seems to be a no-no, as well. "It's the biggest turn-off possible," says Wyatt. "Invest in good skin care instead of caking this on! I don't like my models to wear it in shoots, either." Jim, a Miami area surgeon, finds it to be a distraction. "It's scary when a woman's face is one color and her neck is another. What's that all about?" Meanwhile, William isn't mad at the actual foundation, he just hates it when it gets all over his sink. "I'm a little OCD," he admits. Detroit-based musician Tyrone told us, "Drake said it best: 'Sweat pants, hair tied, chillin' with no makeup on...that's when you're the prettiest, I hope that you don't take it wrong.
Wrong again! If applied correctly they don't know when you're wearing foundation or getting a little help from somewhere. I know this for the truth once I was out and the guy was gushing over my "glamorous" skin; well little did he know, I mixed a dab of liquid foundation in my moisturizer (great tip BTW, if you are not a big make-up girl).
LIP GLOSS
Whether it's shimmery or sheer, or bold vs. pale, we are definitely addicted to applying lip gloss (in fact, in a recent ESSENCE poll, gloss was named the one makeup item that women can't live without). Sadly, the men we polled didn't share the same enthusiasm. "It makes me feel like a weird old lady at church just kissed me," says William. "It needs to wear off before I get a kiss." And when it comes to the trendy new lip-plumping glosses infused with circulation-jolting cinnamon and pepper, men are truly baffled. "I mean, a little tingle is cool, but I don't wanna feel like I just kissed a plate of hot sauce," said Duane. Texas-based businessman Laurence says, "There's tingly lip gloss? I think a woman should have fun with that. Like, tell some guy that her lips are literally electric, and then kiss him and be like, 'Check mate!'"
First of all, I don't need a lip plumper; I already have a set of premium sized soup coolers, but I can understand wanting a pouty mouth. That's hot, but I can't stand the stickiness of some glosses. Here is an area where the quality and the quantity of gloss is important. I hate to get make-up on my sleeve or on my clothes. So, I have agree with the guys, eh, but what can we do about it?
SUMMARY
So generally, it looks like even though men want us to look nice, noticeable makeup and fake hair can be a turn-off. Now, here's the thing: Most of the women we know wear makeup, and a good amount have rocked weaves--and, as of yet, they've never had a problem attracting or keeping men. "We can say we want our women to be au naturale," says Al, a California dentist, "but the truth is, we really have no idea what secret tricks you guys pull. If you're fly, men don't care about all this stuff." To test the theory, we showed three men a red carpet shot of Meagan Good rocking neutral makeup. Every single one of the men oohed and ahhed over her "natural" beauty "See? She's not wearing a stitch of makeup, and she's gorgeous," says Kevin, a New York investment banker. The truth is, Good was wearing a face full of makeup...and a weave. What they don't know won't hurt them.
Amen!
Read more: http://www.essence.com/fashion_beauty/beauty/men_opinion_womens_beauty_rituals.php#comments#ixzz0hyV5DxpT
Thursday, March 11, 2010
My Smile Moment for the Day
Photos from the latest Governer's Ball at the White House. Photos were taken from http://mrs-o.org/.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
LC's New Collection @ Kohls
The Budget Babe posted photos from the LC Lauren Conrad Collection 2010 Look book on her blog and I luv it. I admitted this a while ago, I was a Hills Fan and LC can dress her butt off. So, I went straight to the Kohl's Web site and to my surprise/ luck there was a sale! I had two dresses in my cart, entered all my shipping and billing information, got to the part where you enter your credit card's security code AND sigh, I exited the site. Yes, I'm a big girl now. I am determined to have a great Summer vay-kay and to save some dough. Below are the items I would buy if I had the money. Who knows they may end up in my closet anyway. Click the title to see the original BB post.
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