To Be Black in America

I was watching an episode of Tyra today and the topic was Light Skinned/Dark Skinned women and Good and Bad Hair. It's a topic that often finds itself as a guest at our kitchen tables, beauty salons, and barbershops and living rooms. I was shocked to hear women on the show discuss the lengths they've gone to to straighten their hair and lighten their skin. One woman bleached her skin with creams and even made her children apply cream daily before school. Another went so far as to bleach her skin with liquid bleach. They attempted to justify their behavior by adding that no one understands what they go through as dark women with a difficult grade of hair. It was nothing I hadn't heard before, but i was saddened to see how they subjected their children to their insecurities. I believe that hate is a learned behavior and it concerns me that even after all this time, we haven't learned to accept our position in black America for what it is and try to advance ourselves without being less ourselves. PLEASE LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS!

Another issue discussed was the ever popular Black men dating white women. Many quickly cite "love" as the main reason in an attempt to hush all comments about black men's tendency to exclude black women when picking a mate. The truth is that there are a growing number of black men opting for mixed race or white women over blacks for a number of reasons that have nothing to do with love. I'm sick of hearing about black women's attitudes and how having a white woman helps your status as far as climbing the social ladder to success. I mean if a black man can achieve the highest position in America as President (Barack Obama) with a strong black woman on his arm (Michelle Obama) than what excuse do the rest of us have? I say stop relying on others as your ticket to success and throwing black women under the bus. Remember what unites us is stronger than what divides us. Our struggles have been very similar in America and we should begin scratching each others backs instead of cutting each others throats to get to the top. As a black woman I've seen interracial relationships and thought well if i'm not good enough for black men than who the heck am I good enough for?

I'm not against interracial relationships by any means, because I'm sure I am a product of one as many of us are. I just hate to see our youth being brought up under the misconception that they are not good enough and need to distance themselves from their culture to have a prominent stance in America.


YOUR THOUGHTS????

Beyonce Is Still The Baddest: Sweet Dreams Video

WHEEEEEWWWW HOOOO! Beyonce has been workin like the rent is due! She's puttin out a video Anthology and this is the latest video, Sweet Dreams. I'm loving the variety of dance moves, the energy, and the concept. Sasha Fierce is in full swing, and I appreciate that it's not in all black in white cuz that was getting redundant. Not to mention chick's body is in the best shape ever! She's not a naturally thin girl so I know she's puttin in work. She has earned her place at the top and is not lettin it go anytime soon. Go Head Girl!
She's performing in Anaheim this weekend btw.

Bill O'Reilly's Rant on MJ's Blackness

Ok I have my thoughts about his video but I really want you to post your thoughts as well. I have had this conversation with myself several times about Michael Jackson's identity and his place in the black community particularly as a pillar of elevation for our race. As a African-American I think we tend to want to claim what's ours especially if its positive or crosses boundaries like Michael did. He was the greatest Entertainer of all time and it gives blacks a sense of pride to know that he's one of us. But when he began to go through all of his changes many blacks neglected to stand behind him, denouncing him as black and attributing his likeness and behavior to that of whites. However, in his death we welcomed him back to our side.

I for one questioned his choices like everyone else but I never expelled him from the race because no matter how much you change your appearance you can't change the roots. Nonetheless, I did feel a lack of pride on Mike's part. Like we were proud of him but he wasn't proud of us. Then I thought well maybe he doesn't see life that way, as Black or White. Maybe that's why he made the song or maybe he did it to soften the blow of judgment that followed from him bleaching his skin. Or perhaps his troubles with his father have unintentionally created a rift between him and his culture. I too wonder why he chose white donors for his children and why he went so far to erase his dark skin and straighten his kinky hair and narrow his broad noes. But I know that his personal troubles were far more complex than I could imagine and opted to not make his choices a racial issue personally directed at blacks. I know that he was not a prejudice person and though he himself may not have been comfortable being black, it would be an ungrounded assumption and unfair judgment of his character to suggest it was because he regarded blacks negatively.

I think he was undeniably black and his musical talent DID open doors for African-Americans across the entertainment spectrum.That's why he's such a pivotal figure in the elevation and progression of blacks. Anyone who is so good at what they do that their race is no longer an issue is worthy of being recognized as a trailblazer for that race. His increasingly white skin and white children don't prohibit him from breaking down doors for blacks just as white people's tanned skin and adoption of African babies don't prohibit them from white privilege.

He was a black man with issues who whether he desired to or not, did do ground breaking things for African-Americans, and for that we appreciate him. It's not for us to say how much of his bizarre behavior was attributed to his troubled childhood and how much to his prejudices. And in death it serves no purpose to attack one's character. Bill is just as guilty of capitalizing on a media opportunity as the next, he just tries to slide by undiscovered by playing the devils advocate. But um yea, we see you boo...nice try.

That's all from me. PLEASE COMMENT!

Let Me Put You Up on Game: Melanie Fiona

So I've been hearing this song on the radio called "Give It to Me Right" and it has such a nice vibe to it (It's currently the top song on my blog playlist). So living in the information age I researched the artist, Melanie Fiona. SHE'S DOPE. Hence, I feel its my duty to share her and her music with you all.

Melanie Fiona, is a Canadian R&B singer-songwriter from Toronto, Canada. Melanie was born to Guyanese immigrant parents and grew-up in the inner city of Toronto. Living in a music filled household, Melanie Fiona says she always knew music was her passion. Melanie's father was a guitarist in a band and would allow her to sit on the stage when she was younger as he practiced and remembers her mother playing music at home; everything from The Ronettes to Whitney Houston.

In 2002, she was one-third of the (now defunct) Canadian R&B Trio , Xquisite, who gained seldom popularity in Canada for their hit, "No Regrets". The group comprised of Fiona, MTV Canada host, Nicole Holness and Toronto urban artist, Andreena Mill. She left the group in 2003 to break out into other musical ventures.

Melanie Fiona's debut album The Bridgewas released in the Spring of 2009. The debut single "Give It to Me Right" was released to radio stations on February 28, 2009 and has peaked at #39 on Billboard's Canadian Hot 100. Melanie has worked with Future Cut, Vada Nobles, J. Phoenix, Peter Wade and Salaam Remi for her freshman album. Melanie Fiona was featured on 2008's Reggae Gold 2008 with Supa Dups' "Somebody Come Get Me".

Melanie opened for Kanye West during his European Tour in 2008, notable since she still hasn't released an album.

Her album "The Bridge" drops August 18.

For more info check out her Myspace and Official Website

Proof Pics: New New's Baby Bump

So IT IS TRUE. Sigh...I really hoped it wasn't. Lauren is my girl, but i'm glad she seems to be keepin her head up even tho she's carrying a little hobbit baby. Hopefully the little boy will favor his mother. SMH Darn Shame.

First Look: Drake's Best I Ever Had" Video

So Drake's greatly anticipated video for "Best I Ever Had" surfaced recently, just in time for the song to be workin every bodies nerves...except for the remix with R. Kelly.

The video was directed by Kanye West, but instead of being the spectacle of genius and creativity usually associated with Kanye's vids, they thought it better that the video be exactly like every other hoochified mess on BET. If I had my way, the video would have been more akin to the School Daze concept Alicia Keys modeled in her Teenage Love Affair video because that what the song reminds me of... when a guy has ONE special girl who he's head over heels for. Hence her being the f'n best. I especially like the line where Drake says "Sweat pants hair tied, chillin wit no makeup on" and wanted to see that acted out in the vid, because it would be genuine. (That's when I'm most comfortable) Instead, it was the average over-sexed trash today's music videos can't seem to escape. I was a fan of Drake when he was Aubrey Graham who played Degrassi, and not one of the newbies who recently discovered Drake's past, but I actually grew up watching the show. Anywho I was pleasantly surprised to see his evolution into a talented rapper. But lately, it seems he's more concerned with blending in with his peers than being respected by his fans. Sigh, hopefully he can pull it together. But the vid was anything but the f'n best. And if he wants any kind of staying power he needs to avoid being like every one else. We already have a Weezy and needless to say we don't want or need another one. Anyway, Check it out for yourself.