Zendaya Complex Magazine just named her "Woman of the Year" The starlet is receiving a lot of attention from designers and is being very vocal about her stands on womanhood and race. She loves to switch up her style from an urban look, in which she wears braids and baggy jeans to bold prints like she appears in the photo above. Kelly Rowland Kelly Rowland, has been stealing hearts since she was a member of Destiny's Child. She has since appeared on Empire, playing the role of Lucious Lyon's mom. She is also preparing for her role in the biopic film about the late Dona Summers. I believe she physically embodies Dona and was therefore a great choice. Kerry Washington No one exemplifies class and intelligence like this Scandal star. She never fails to amaze us with her dazzling gowns and time-less hairstyles. The View co-host Whoopi Goldberg pulled a Raven-Symone. She boldly stated:
"You know what this is my country. My mother, my grandmother, my great-grand folks, we busted a## to be here. I'm sorry. I'm an American not an African-American, I'm not a chick American, I'm an American!" She said this after one of her co-host Joy Behar, made a joke about a large amount of people leaving America if Trump gets elected into office. But I feel that no black person should declare that they are just Americans sans the African hyphen. Wait let me explain. Yes, I'm an American, but I'm also black. Being black in America can never be a colorblind situation. I understand what Whoopi Golberg was saying that she shouldn't have to leave America because her family has been here for a long time and endured so much to be here and deserves the same respect of any other American but we don't get the same respect. There is nothing more obvious than being a black person. The whole world sees us as different. We cannot go into a store, a bank or a job interview without our blackness being seen. Or people deciding if we are one of the good blacks. Let's be honest did all of the police who murdered unarmed black men see an American? Did the man who killed a black youth over loud music see an American? No, they saw black people. They don't care how many times we call ourselves American they will still be assigning stereotypes of fried chicken, R&B, rap and over-aggressive behavior. I once sat at a lunch table and a white girl heard another white girl say "She be" and then she replied: "I would expect that from Kiara but not from you" Did this woman see her equal? Was it a table full of people the same as her? Saying that your American is like saying your colorblind. You're ignoring the obvious. Do you hear Chinese people saying, "I'm not Chinese I'm American" No. It's called pride. I don't want to not see myself nor deny that my ancestors came from Africa. If a black American traveled to Italy or Spain they would be mistaken for African. Black people are practicing self-hate when they preach this I'm American stuff. Let's look at American history. Our ancestors came as Africans, were prohibited from practicing their religion or speaking their native tongue and the next generation were taught to look down on Africans and told that they were cannibals. The following generations wanted to fit into American (white) society so bad. They did everything to become American. They joined wars and faced racism in the military. They protested to be near white people in school and in the workplace, which resulted into them being hung or put in jail. Now, we have a half-Kenyan president and he has never received the respect he deserved because he is half-black. So Whoopi and Raven can keep saying they are American until they are blue in the face but the rest of the world says otherwise. Sorry, I know my history and won't allow anyone to trick me into not wanting to be seen for what I am. The problem isn't what we are called but rather how we are treated.
Amandla Stenberg on her Instagram
Solange Knowles
Amandla Stenberg, is no stranger to sparking controversy on social media. A video of the 17 year old actress was recently posted on Teen Vogue's Snapchat. Within the video, Amandla stated that she used to struggle with her identity as a black girl and with her sexuality. She stated:
" It's a really, really hard thing to be silenced and it's deeply bruising to fight against your identity and to mold yourself into shapes that you shouldn't be in. As someone who identifies as a black, bisexual woman I've been through it, and it hurts, and it's awkward and it's uncomfortable..." She suggested that there needs to be a variety of women shown in the media and expressed her disdain for those that oppose the LBGT community. "I mean, we need more representation in film and in television and need our voices to be louder in the media. And not just women of color, I mean, bisexual women, gay women, transgender women, mentally ill women. I'm sick of all the misogyny and homophobia, and transphobia that I see around me and I know you are too." She also mentioned her friend Willow Smith, Ava DuVernay along with Solange Knowles-- who conducted her recent interview in Teen Vogue--where she appeared on the cover. During the Teen Vogue interview, Amandla discussed issues such as hair and her journey to loving herself as a black girl. Amandla, has been very vocal about her opinions on black issues. The youth created a very well articulated video on cultural appropriation, last year, discussing the constant imitation of hip hop culture among white celebrities. Now, she has joined the other young black starlets like Keke Palmer, that identify as being attracted to both genders. I wonder what other efforts Amandla will partake in now that she identifies as being apart of the LBGT community. We often talk about African Americans, but we don't talk about people of African descent in the diaspora. The late Celia Cruz was a famous Afro-Cuban singer who endured racism due to her color, but her unique voice and natural ability to perform prevailed. Celia's famous word azucar (which means sugar in Spanish) paid homage to her African ancestors, who were enslaved in Cuba in order to harvest sugar cane . Her pride to be of African descent is also displayed in her hit song "La Negra Tiene Tumba'o"--which loosely translates to mean that black girl is beautiful and has swag. She also sang songs like "La Vida Es Un Carnaval" and "Guantanamera" Her music is famous throughout Latin America. Even after her death people are still honoring her life, Telemundo created a fictional series called Celia inspired by her life and the life of her spouse Pedro Knight. The Afro-Puerto Rican, actress Jeimy Osorio is portraying Celia. Jeimy has played on other Telemundo series such as; Maid in Manhattan and Santa Diabla.
Jeimy Osorio on her Instagram
Jeimy, is doing a great job bringing more color to Telemundo. Many have criticized Telemundo for barely showing indigenous looking Hispanics or Afro-latinos in their novelas (soap-operas). Many organizations like Proyecto Mas Color have fought to dispel the idea that all Hispanics look white. Jeimy's presence on Telemundo is a start, in terms of Afro-Latino representation in the media.
If you would like to see Jeimy on Ceilia you can see her on Telemundo. If you do not speak Spanish you can follow Telemundo's Youtube channel where they post the shortened version of their episodes with English captions. But you must know that they post episodes on their Youtube much later after airing on television. Just when you think Jaden couldn't get anyone weirder--he does. Jaden Smith, is now the new face of womenswear for Louis Vuitton. Jaden has been wearing women's clothing for quite some time in hopes to "redefine masculinity" but who said that's what society needs? But anyway, the real problem is that, he stated previously that he wanted to change society's attitudes toward male masculinity. But changing men's attire won't improve the chaos that stems from masculinity. The real issue lies in the connection between masculinity and hyper-aggressive behavior, slut-shaming, and rape. Jaden wearing the clothes of a woman, is not benefiting the problems in the world. He is only going to influence young boys to wear dresses which is of little benefit unless he is trying to appeal to the LBGT community--but it will never help women. Whether Jaden is gay, a cross-dresser doesn't matter, but what does matter is that he is doing this in hopes of reshaping the mind of society for the better. What I have noticed is that a lot of gay men, cross dressers or not take part in misogyny. Many of them, will call a woman out her name, call her a slut and even hit her. We love to think that a man in a dress is softened, but they are not. So until Jaden is fighting against rape, and domestic abuse he can save his rhetoric about attempting to "redefine masculinity" for later, because none of this will improve our society. With all the problems being brought to light in the news, we need to face the real issues not try to solve them with frilly dresses. A lot of men think it's okay to make women their victims. Too many men find gratification in their display of male dominance. This is exhibited in their casual attitudes and ability to rape a defenseless woman and then blame her attire for his transgressions. Since masculinity is rooted in taking what is yours and seeing a woman as property, a man feels he can exert his sexual urge and thirst for power by forcing himself on a woman. Many men still abide by this idea that their most primal instinct is to knock a woman over her head and drag her back into his cave to have his way with her. If male masculinity isn't causing damage sexually, it is doing harm through physical abuse. Male masculinity allows a man to hit a woman when he gets mad or feels embarrassed. Since the male ego is so fragile due to the fact, a man loses his respect if he walks away from confrontation. So when a man has a girlfriend nagging him about his affairs or bringing up his lack of financial support, he feels he has the right to slap her. A man may not exhibit any physical violence but may display his insecurities and desire to conquer women with his words. I'm well versed in the vulgarity that comes out of a man's mouth when he is rejected on the street. They can go from calling a woman beautiful to calling her a b-word. Some cat-callers had such low self-esteem because of their need to regain their ego's that they resorted to killing women after they were turned down. Even strange women are property in some men's eyes. Masculinity tells a man he can do what he wants and never question himself. He wears his heart in his fist and his emotions lay unchecked. So Jaden needs to leave his reshaping the world speech for another occasion. Let's call it what it is cross dressing. When Jaden stands up and starts a campaign against domestic abuse then he can say he is reshaping masculinity. When he starts telling men to get anger management to treat their violent outburst, he can have my blessing. Indeed, masculinity needs to be redefined but not through clothes but rather the need to change male attitudes. Many find it too easy to hurt women in any form. The idea that masculinity involves enhancing the male ego by any means necessary and using their muscles on women to show how strong they are needs to go away. We also need to stop victim blaming teens and women who report rape. A man needs to learn his power does not lie between his legs. Sleeping with a large number of women does not make someone a man. So whether a man is wearing a dress or suit, he still needs to understand that a woman has a right to her body and to be respected.
Lupita Nyong'o's dark chocolate skin is redifining black beauty. The Kenyan beauty made her debut in 12 Years A Slave and has become a Cover Girl. You can catch her on the big screen in the box office hit Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Jessica White This 31 year old model has eyes that can mesmerize and legs for days, which comes in handy when she is cat walking down the runway. She has also appeared on Sports Illustrated in 2011 among her many other accomplishments.
Janelle Monae's elegance and class cannot be overlooked and nor can her beauty. Her style has evolved over time from an androgynous look--consisting of masculine dress shirts and ties to a much more red carpet worthy attire.
Korean Pop Culture is extremely popular among the youth in Korea which influences their hair and clothing. Young Korean men tend to wear makeup, dye their hair blonde and sport an overall feminized look which maybe unrelatable to some American men but has the Korean girls swooning over their metro-sexual appearance. Their culture has not only taken over Korea but has spilled over into American culture as well. The famous Youtuber, Megan who is mixed race (biracial mother, black father) has moved to Korea as an English teacher and has became quite famous. She was introduced to Korean dramas and food through a friend and has since learned Korean and appeared multiple times on a Korean dating show. Her success on her Youtube channel (ChoNunMigookSaram) has sprung from her bubbly personality, clever jokes and her already fair skin and racially ambiguous look. Due to, the fact that she is mixed race she is very marketable to Koreans because they value fair skin and often bleach, avoid sunlight or wear makeup to obtain a fair complexion. Her channel has been around for over three years and receives many American and Korean viewers. She has recorded her trips to very creative Korean restaurants, created her own music videos as well as displayed her updated wardrobe which is an reflection of Korean fashion. I have learned so much about Korean culture without ever going to Korea. For example, in one of her videos she spoke of her experiences with very blunt Koreans. According to her Korean culture is very obsessed with beauty and a thin body frame. Koreans will not hesitate to tell you if you need to put on makeup to enhance your looks or if the clothes in the store will be to small for you. She also spoke about the prevalence of plastic surgery even for teen girls. Procedures such as nose jobs and double eye-lid surgeries are extremely popular among many Korean actors and singers to the point that they look unrecognizable. Plastic surgery is not only important in the entertainment industry but for professional jobs because photos must accompany their resume. Megan, is not the only black American who is indulging in Korean culture, Whitneybae is another Youtuber finding some success in Korea. Unlike, Megan, Whitneybae does not fit into the Korean beauty standard of fair skin which makes her transition into Korean culture harder. Regardless it is refreshing to see black women breaking the mold and learning about other cultures.
Raven-Symone has been saying some things that have had black people given her the side eye. Recently on the View she admitted that she wouldn't hire anyone with a ghetto name. The irony of this is Raven-Symone said this while wearing a bright red mohawk which many would argue looks ghetto. While we do not have control over our names, unless we legally change it we have control over our attire. Raven-Symone has lived such a privileged life she has become blind to the plight of people of color. What Raven doesn't realize is respectability politics is just another form of racism. I find it odd that Raven-Symone who is African American seems to understand nothing about racial discrimination. If you don't hire someone because their names sounds black your practicing discrimination. The person who bases someone's qualifications on a name with total disregard for their experience, education or work ethic is being very foolish. This employer may have very well been the best person for the job but lost out on a star employee. I think we should stop making assumptions about who black people are based upon some stereotypical image one might hold in our minds. For example; A person named Shanika may be a honor student, live in an affluent neighborhood and be more ambitious to someone named Ashley.
I have encountered many people with so called ghetto names who have more class than those with English names. Job discrimination is a real problem and it's heavily raced based along with discriminating against where one may live. I hope Raven-Symone uses her privilege as a rich black woman to educate herself about the fabric of society instead of upholding the part of society that deems stereotypes as truth and names a representation of one's character. We need to educate ourselves as people and start seeing people of color as people who don't have to have a name like Amanda or Heather to be labeled as intelligent or civilized. We shouldn't have to be assimilated or prove we are "not like the others". So what is in a name? A name is assigned to you at birth it does not define you. |
AuthorMy name is Kiara and writing is the way I express myself. Archives
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