Black Lives Matter: Nina Simone, Beyoncé and The Black Panthers Intersect
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Black Lives Matter: Nina Simone, Beyoncé and The Black Panthers Intersect
Talking about Nina Simone in her 2013 self-produced HBO documentary 'Life Is But A Dream', Beyoncé drew contrast between her public life and the fact that Simone's lived with her demons out of the public space.
“People are brainwashed… When Nina Simone put out music, you loved her voice. That’s what she wanted you to love,” Beyoncé reminds us, while lamenting the ridiculous things people write about her. “You didn’t get brainwashed by her day-to-day life. That’s not your business. It shouldn’t influence the way you listen to the voice and the art, but it does.” Remember the rumor that she used a surrogate mother to carry her daughter, Blue Ivy Carter? Bey called it “stupid.” She explained: “To think that I would be that vain. I respect mothers and women so much. To be able to experience bringing a child into this world, if you’re lucky and fortunate enough to experience that, I would never ever take that for granted.”
It was last week that music lovers were able to draw a new contrast between Beyoncé and Nina Simone, when the superstar took to the stage at Superbowl halftime to perform 'Formation'. I'm sparing the visuals and let you read the lyrics in Bey's sing-along.
Jourdan Dunn Breaks 12-Year Whites Only Vogue UK Cover Ban, Lensed By Patrick Demarchelier For February 2015
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Jourdan Dunn’s February 2015 British Vogue cover, lensed by Patrick Demarchelier, is the first woman of color cover in over 12 years. The last black beauty to front British Vogue was Naomi Campbell in August 2002. Since that date, ALL British Vogue covers have been lily white.
AOC launches the new year committed to renewed candor and honesty, and (once again) deeper dives into Smart Sensuality subjects that matter to readers. In this case, Styleite leaves us at a loss for ‘can you top this’ words, so their quote stands with our admiration:
It’s been proven time and time again that New Year’s resolutions don’t work, so let’s hope Vogue UK’s collective decision to not be a bunch of blatant systematic racists is more of a long-term commitment type thing. Anyway, it’s a great way to kick off 2015.
Jourdan Dunn On Racism In Fashion Industry
Jourdan Dunn on racism in the fashion industry Independent UK
“I find it weird when agents say, ‘You’re the only black girl booked for the show. Isn’t it great?’ Why is that great?
“I don’t know why people applaud designers for having just one ethnic model. It’s not like only one type of woman loves fashion.”
Kim Kardashian As Fertility Goddess? A Politically Incorrect Take On Jean-Paul Goude's Paper Magazine Images Pt 1
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My Life Beliefs:
1. Humanity first began in Africa and then migrated across the globe.
2. Goddesses preceeded gods as the powerful forces of the universe, and monotheism’s one god. Monotheism finished off the goddesses for good.
3. Goddesses were frequently associated with procreation and fertility and those evolutionary beliefs are part of our DNA.
4. The earliest goddesses were most-likely dark-skinned and African. If that statement appears racist, there is nothing I can do about it.
5. Jung’s concept of the ‘collective unconscious’ is real. As humans we inherit a body of psychological, physical, social experiences in our unconscious minds. Fertility goddesses are embedded in our collective unconscoius minds, and they are not going anywhere.
6. Life provides us with teaching moments. Rather than verbally pummel Paper Magazine’s and also Refinery 29’s values with comments like this one from Katie, writing on Refinery 29:
I think perhaps what most people find disappointing in all of the posting about Kim Kardashian is because she doesn’t reflect what most of us would consider the values of a truly strong 21st century woman. R29, from what I can tell, values the forward thinking, independent, and stylish woman; someone who has a career, goals, and (gasp) orgasms. Kim is a mockery of all things that a female role model should be, and not because of her naked photos. Nudity isn’t even shocking anymore. What I’m basically saying is that we, as loyal readers, expect that the women and celebrities that R29 post about and celebrate is a reflection of the company’s values. Much like when there was an uproar over Vogue putting her on the cover because many felt that Kim didn’t reflect the ideal Vogue woman, I find myself resenting R29 for showcasing a woman who frankly defies many of the ideals R29 promotes (you know…like being an intelligent person who’s worth isn’t 100% defined by looks)
… could we talk about this topic and explore it from multiple angles? Note that Refinery 29 was taking heat for being the lead website writing and promoting the Paper magazine editorial. I admit to being astounded that Katie believes that Kim Kardashian is nothing but a high class porn star. It’s a bit like Victoria’s Secret’s Sophia Neophitou calling Kate Upton a footballer’s wife with a face anyone can buy.
Eye: MSNBC Melissa Harris-Perry Apologizes For Romney Joke
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MSNBC’s Melissa Harris-Perry has apologized for the tasteless jokes about Mitt Romney’s grandchild Kieran Romney, who the adopted and African-American child of Romney’s son Ben.
The weekend host hosted a panel of comedians commiting on photos of the year. The photo of the Romney family and grandchildren created major havoc among panel members.
“One of these things is not like the others, one of these things just isn’t the same,” sang out one of Ms. Harris-Perry’s guests, actress Pia Glenn.
Harris-Perry herself said she could envision the possibility of the “gorgeous” Romney child and North West, daughter of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, get married in the future.
“Can you imagine Mitt Romney and Kanye West as in-laws?” mused Harris Perry.
The capper, writes the Christian Science Monitor, was provided by comedian Dean Obeidallah: “It sums up the diversity of the Republican Party and the [Republican National Committee], where they have the whole convention and they find the one black person,” he said.
AOC says bad, bad. bad taste all around MSNBC.
