Believe It and Live It: Khadijah Williams

FEEL GOOD FRIDAY:

Have you read the story of Khadijah Williams? Ms. Williams is now completing her first year at Harvard University in Boston. Her story of determination and mental discipline is not only inspiring but a model for all of us to follow. She grew up living in numerous homeless shelters and obviously around some less than stellar people and circumstances. She talks about spending hours at the public library feeding her mind with things that challenged and uplifted her. I can relate. I used to have stacks of them under my bed that I'd checked out - sometimes forgetting how many I had but I almost always had a book in hand.

She also seems very positive and humble. She didn't let this opportunity slip by either worrying about rescuing other people for had she "drowned" how could she have been of any benefit to anyone else? How many of us have made excuses about the things we could not do? How many of us have had moments we just didn't believe we could do things based out of fear? I know I have! I think she had an angel on her shoulder protecting her growing up...but don't we all in some way? I think we all have obstacles that present themselves in our lives. There's a point where we have the opportunity to reassess and can move on. Don't let it pass you by. As human beings we're far more resiliant than we recognize sometimes. If we seek help and are willing to put the work into things I don't see why we can't achieve things beyond our wildest dreams - especially those of us who live in the so-called developed countries. For the most part our basic needs are being met. We don't have to travel miles for clean water for example.

Let this be an moment of encouragement for all of us as we continue the journey of our lives! There's a very famous expression one of my teachers used to have hanging on the wall in her classroom: TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.

Believe It and Live It!!

Why Black Women Make Great Relationship Choices

More stories on interracial dating. This news report is a few years old and covers some of the same stats many of us are already familiar with but I'll keep putting up signs of encouragement in the hopes the message gets out to the fence-sitters and undecideds. Besides, it's good to see real-life couples. The proof is in the pudding. I know someone who was still only interested in limiting herself to dating black men (but not dating at all). She now says she's open to dating a man of any race. Of course caliber, quality and fitting individual needs are vital as always. As Evia says: MATE OUT or DIE OUT!!

I also found this very thoughtful perspective from a man (who happens to be white) on why black women are great relationship choices. Interesting and encouraging!

Minnie Riperton Unsung TV Special

For those of us who don't have a cable package that carries TV One (and for my readers outside the US) here are excerpts from this excellent series highlighting music legends who've come and gone. I'm off to go track down the Phyllis Hyman episode. Minnie's biggest hit would be "Loving You" but some of my personal favorites weren't even released as singles.

I don't remember this duet between Minnie and Michael Jackson, but that's what user generated content is for!

What Tami Said: New podcast archived: On WOC feminist bloggers

What Tami Said: New podcast archived: On WOC feminist bloggers

In a great show of solidarity a few of us Black female bloggers had a little chat about what we could do to be more effective in our blogging life and reach out to each other. So click the link and have a listen.

Old School Friday

lauryn hill - x factor

tell me who i have to be

to get some reciprocity

She was expecting equality! This video and song could be released today and wouldn't sound or look dated at all. The brightest stars always fade out too quickly.

Tribute to Eartha Kitt (1927-2008)

In a year that saw the passing of many great creative giants none compare to the amazing singer, dancer, actress Eartha Kitt. I've been trying to visit her official web site but the server is temporarily down from the spike in activity. She was not only an great entertainer, but she was conscious of her image, spoke out against injustice, was politically active when it was not always prudent to do so and set an example as someone who overcame a miserable childhood. 

She was sexy in a classy way and owned her femininity. You could just tell that she felt comfortable in her own skin. I can't even recall a performance or interview where she raised her voice or behaved in a vulgar way. She knew how to charm people and be engaging. Here's an interview on the Today show from 2006 (skip to 1:35 for less banter).

Known for her trademark growl she created opportunities for her to thrive despite the numerous obstacles and personal disappointments. I'd read her third autobiography, "I'm Still Here: Confessions of a Sex Kitten" where she spoke of being able to audition directly for the talent gatekeepers of the time. She didn't limit herself to the assigned roles of a Black person's 'place' in society at that time. Her contemporaries were also glamorous and well-heeled: ladies like Lena Horne and Dorothy Dandridge but she created her own niche. 

    

    

    

     

  

  

She travelled and worked in Europe after facing a career threat for her anti-war efforts. She also wrote a book on fitness, titled "Rejuvenate". One thing that struck me was despite feelings of inadequacy based on the rejection by her parents or being rebuffed by the families of some of the white men she'd dated and other disappointments she still forged ahead positively when a lot of people would've been mired in their misery.

She married, had children and grandchildren and continued to work, making her own destiny in an industry that hasn't exactly persisted in positive images of Black women. She was very upfront about being the product of a rape but she didn't dwell on it publicly. I sense the media likes to make victims out of Black women and she was a survivor and thriver, not the tragic mullato story some would seem to prefer. She was probably best known for her rendition of "Santa Baby", playing Catwoman on the Batman tv series from the 1960's and for later audiences as the cosmetics owner with thing for Eddie Murphy in Boomerang. The one thing she had an abundance of was talent which is fast becoming a rarity amongst entertainers of any genre. 

One of her last interviews from earlier this year in the Times UK she said, “I have never thought of myself as a race. I have always thought of myself as a communicator who has no race.” 

Notable quotes from a live blog interview with the Washington Post from 2005: 

"I'm sorry to say this, but you don't need that much talent to get into show business these days. Today it's more what you look like rather than what you have to offer." 

"I think this is one of the things that we in the western world -- especially in the United States, it seems to me -- do not have enough interest in other cultures in order for us to understand and appreciate the differences rather than fight the differences or try to oppress the differences. Like we've always said, no matter what religious leader comes along, learn to live with one another and do unto others as we would have them do unto us. We don't live by The Ten Commandments it seems." 

"I was always interested in learning how to speak properly so that once you learn how to speak the language properly you can fall into any area of the language that is called for as a character"

From "Santa Baby", to "C'est Si Bon", to "I Want to Evil" she has amassed a legacy of memorable performances. She had a resurgence of popularity with the under 40 crowd a few years back and I am so glad I went to see her cabaret show. Seeing her and Nina Simone during her last tour was one of the best decisions I've ever made. Brava to a real diva!! 

Here's a great mix of tv and movie clips set to her rendition of "I'd Rather Be Burned As A Witch". May you rest in peace.

photos via Google search

BLACK GIRLS ROCKIN' IT!!

Martina Topley-Bird

Beverly Knight

Skin

J*DaVey

Joy Denalane

Terri Walker

Is Black Actress An Oxymoron? When Will Black Women Get Fed Up With Being Marginalized In Love and Life?

Just remember if you see a drowning person be careful how you try to assist them lest they drag you undertow.

I was watching yesterday's Oprah episode which featured the cast of the movie adaptation of the book, "The Secret Life of Bees". Ok that was a long sentence. I tend to be somewhat cerebral and am therefore wordy. Work with me people! 

My heart swelled with pride at all the visions of loveliness on Oprah's couch. Oh and the talented Dakota Fanning was there too, but really it was the various shades of brown and the body shapes that had me moved. The hips, the lips, the breasts, the smiles, the teeth. I bet they smelled good too! Everybody wants to buy what we are usually endowed with naturally! It's not that these women are more special than so many others. It's just that these women are not represented as the norm, but the exception. 

So this may come as a bit of surprise but the better qualities of Black women are coveted and often appropriated by others for their benefit, while the source of all that deliciousness is often vilified or marginalized. What am I talking about you may ask?

Well, I had eagerly anticipated Chris Rock's latest comedy special feeling assured that I was going to LOL. Instead I wanted to wash my mouth out with soap as if I had let loose some litany of foulness myself instead of him. 

He attacked Black women as being domineering, greedy, castrating and unloving. He also talked way too much about his sexual proclivities as representation of all men and how women had better meet those standards or be left behind. I know he's married and we don't know what goes on behind closed doors, but his wife seems like a lovely woman to me. She ran a non-profit that assisted low income and formerly homeless back into the job market. 

So who is he talking about and what is his problem? Those rumors of marital discord are obviously true and he seemed to confirm it.  He alluded to being likely to be just as unhappy if he leaves his wife to start a new relationship with another woman. Either way - who cares? He's got plenty of money to take a 'time out' in the rubber room or clear up that chemical imbalance. I don't listen to or purchase songs that denigrate Black women and now it looks like I'll be tuning him out as well. 

And just for the record Chris - there are plenty of Black women who find white men very appealing! Or any man who considers us desirable and is of sound mind and body. You'd think if Black women were so horrid why would Black men care who we choose to be with so long as it's not them. That's part of the lie they want to continue to perpetrate, but more of us are catching on. 

I felt soooooo violated by his unfunny comedy routine and was thinking he would be best served by psychoanalysis not by trashing an entire group of women. You can't always look outwards and point fingers at what other people are doing (to you) without first checking yoself before you wreck yoself. Black women - heck ALL WOMEN - would do well to draw a line in the sand from men who clearly have unresolved internal issues and go grab a full life without them. 

It is telling that out of the four adult leads only one is known primarily as an actor. Queen Latifah started her career as an MC and now is an film executive producer amongst other endeavors in music and acting. "Set It Off" is still one of my favorite movies to this day. Alicia Keys, well you know who she is. Amazing! Jennifer Hudson went from American Idol cast-off where Simon Cowell (in)famously dissed her, to Oscar winner with her first acting role. 

You know Simon's attitude was so indicative of the narrow view held by some white men in positions of power who green light projects, offer music contracts, etc. They just don't get it. I bet you he still thinks she got 'lucky' or her success was an anomaly. Harrumph! 

Sophie Okonedo killed it in the Steven Frears movie "Dirty Pretty Things". That's also where I began my cinematic love affair with Chiwetel Ejiofor but he's been working non-stop since. I can list Serenity, Inside Man, Talk to Me, Children of Men and American Gangster just off the top of my head. Sophie's worked on a BBC/HBO drama (with him starring as her husband), Aeon Flux, Hotel Rwanda and now this. Have I missed anything? 

So many women in the entertainment industry have a variety of talent. It's just that much more challenging to get work when you are "Acting while Black and Female". They're about the go the route of the Begali tiger or the Do-Do Bird. Multi-career pursuit isn't just something to be done for fun money: it's going to help pay the rent period.  It's all about choices I know, but can't we follow our bliss? 

I haven't touched on the screenwriters, producers and directors and other behind the scene personnel. Where are they? The numbers are not remotely proportionate to others getting work in Hollywood. I wish Oprah had director Gina Prince By the Wood up there on the couch with the actresses too. I know she has some stories to tell!

Think about that the next time you slap down your $8-$12 for a film. Just like everything else that is out of balance and unfair, those that consume the products and prop up an industry have tremendous influence over what can get done IF it is demanded.  Black women especially need to be prudent buyers, look at alternate revenues or change course to get the lives we deserve. I'm not talking about driving a Benz, living in a McMansion or traveling to the Riviera. I'm talking about being safe, having a comfortable standard of living, a happy personal life and career that you feel contributes something to the world.

And it should not go unnoticed the Economic "Bailout" at $700B has suddenly become the Economic "Rescue" plan at $830B. Now if only Black women were so vigilantly protected that would be something, huh? 

IT STARTS WITH US!!!

Support Keke Palmer Film Opening August 22nd

Whatever your plans are make sure to pencil in the KeKe Palmer/Ice Cube movie "The Longshots" when it is released tomorrow. Don't wait until next week or the week after. It may be pulled from the theaters by then. No bootleg copies, no waiting for pay-per-view. Even if it turns out to be a little schlocky. Is that even a word? Eh.

It's a POSITIVE movie starring a Black actress - actually two - Tasha Smith's in it as well. Keke is not quite a woman yet and it's really nice to see her get to play a smart, couth, teenager. There's not a baby or baby's daddy in sight [for her]. No Tales from the Hood victim story either. How did this ever get the greenlight?

Do you have any idea how many movies and tv shows I've watched this year where there was not even a Black female extra? And no I'm not getting paid for this endorsement and if you don't like the movie don't blame me, lol!

What's it all about? Well it's based on the true story of Jasmine Plummer who at the tender age of 11 became the first female quarterback of a Junior Pee Wee football team to go to the Nationals. It could be about baking cookies for all I care. KeKe Palmer's in it and so far she nor her parents have allowed her to be pimped out as a teenager seductress. And she can act. I am soooo jealous right now.

(Crossing my fingers that the Limp Bizkit guy didn't mess it up).

Here's the trailer:




Here's an interview with Jasmine herself: