You might have seen the photo with a group of successful people sharing a good laugh. It included Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Puff Daddy, etc. The fascinating thing about being a content creator is that you see potential and ideas everywhere. As simple as the photo is, it has created a whole discussion on success and colorism.
It started with a twitter thread about that photo and an essay about Lil’ Kim by Myles E. Johnson, where the sentiment behind love being controlled by color continued. Do all successful black men only date and marry light skin women? Is this still an issue or a misguided assumption? I think it is both. To some, this is a conscious decision to reach their goal to rub shoulders in certain circles. A product of toxic conditioning. For others, they honestly found love in someone who does not look like them. I cannot say which is the majority, but I do think we need to be cautious of who we look up to.
As much as we can blame mainstream media and an oppressive society, we cannot deny how we contribute to this. Ashley Coleman shared a great post on her experience about this on her blog Write Laugh Dream. Team light skin versus team dark skin is holding us back. It is a distraction to shift the focus away from how much we need to support and respect each other.
Believe it or not, as a child I had a consistent deeper complexion. Throughout grade school, if the lighting was odd, or if I was placed in the back of the group photo (which happened too many times), all one could see were my teeth and the glare from my glasses. Outside of home, I was not the ideal beauty. Now, even though I tan easily, I do not get to spend as much time with the sun as I would like to. Depending on the season and location, I probably go through 52 shades of brown every year. It is kind of funny because, regardless of the season, I do not view myself as light skin, nor do I assume others see me as such.
Maybe it is because of my childhood experiences or over-observant nature, but I notice the difference in confidence between team light skin and team dark skin. Insecurity and self-doubt haunt all of us. There is no need to build more barriers between us. Of all the things colorism affects, I think the biggest issue is the feeling of being unworthy of love. That is what causes us to settle for mediocrity, suffocate healing, and shut out love. It is not easy to let go of, but you must believe you are worthy. No one can fill that void for you. Do not let others ignorance block the love you deserve.
Have you been affected by colorism? Let me know how you deal with it in the comments below.
Also, remember to connect with me on Twitter and Instagram. I would love to hear from you.
Wearing: Marshall’s shirt; New York & Company jeans; DSW shoes
Cyber-security breach and data leaks seem to be normal occurrences these days. The question of privacy seems to be naive when all information and communication is monitored and hackable. Maybe it is because I recently (read…finally) saw the new Jason Bourne movie or because I work with a variety of data and media, but I have been thinking a lot about how data storage is evolving. Space and convenience is not the issue. Security and longevity is what we still do not get.
Gone are the days when we would “search on Google” for our name and possibly freak out if there was one obscure mention of a link. Now we are all encouraged to have a professionally branded – but still personal – presence online. We are encouraged to sync all of our devices. We are made to believe the best way to back up precious memories, important documents, and big files is on virtual clouds and drives. It is funny how our discomfort in seeing our names pop up outside of the Yellow Pages has become hesitantly open to every device upgrade. On the one hand, that is the beauty of technology. It is constantly changing to push our potential and innovation further. On the other hand, values and concerns should be respected.
I am not sure if security will ever become a full guarantee as we progress in this cyber direction. From the recent Dropbox breach to apps discreetly linking information, ahem Facebook and WhatsApp, it seems that no information is secure. Nothing is hack-proof, regardless of good intentions behind passwords, two-step authenticity, fingerprints, and any other secret codes. Since this is the case, I urge you to be mindful of where you save your stuff. A printed copy saved in a locked drawer or a box under the bed is not silly. It will probably save you a headache. Regarding future developments in security, maybe we should not only focus on better passwords or bigger servers.
Since I have been working with media for a while, technology upgrades are bitter-sweet. Remembering how much time it took to convert footage from a Hi-8 tape to a DVD, I thought it would save those memories forever. What happens when DVD players join VCRs? With all the photos I diligently archive on external hard drives, what happens when USB ports join floppy disk drives? It is kind of scary to think about. A project I hope to start soon is to create a series of photo albums, I mean really old-school photo albums, for the majority of my photos. As convenient as Google drive and external hard drives are, I want to be able to share these memories with my children 10 years from now and my grandchildren 30 years from now. There is something about sitting around a table with family with an old suitcase full of photos in envelopes and albums that is really special. Watching a slide show on a screen does not compare to that.
I am intrigued to see how data storage and cyber-security evolves during my lifetime, but I do not think I will ever fully trust it. How do you think we can improve on this? How are you keeping your data safe? Let me know in the comments below.
Also, remember to connect with me on Twitter and Instagram. I would love to hear from you.
Wearing: New York & Company blouse; Woodin skirt; Michael Kors shoes
Creativity has reached new heights with the internet and social media. Gone are the days when your brilliant artwork was only framed on your parents refrigerator. Now it has the potential to go viral with a simple tweet, insta-post, or snap. The question is, where does all of that new attention lead to?
Digital influence, according to Techopedia, is the ability to create an effect, change opinions and behaviors, and drive measurable outcomes online largely through social networking. So, it is more than just a popularity contest, but still has some mystery behind it. As I learn more about branding and production to enhance my blog and future projects, I have noticed a variety of patterns in what gets loved and lost. Also, being interested in intellectual property and legal protection of creativity, I have noticed a gap in protection and awareness.
Certain niches or content tend to pick up more attention quickly. Women are the majority of online creators. Fashion and beauty get the most attention. The definition of quality content is based on a preference for polished personal branding. This is where the difference among titles comes into play.
The blogger post has a few paragraphs similar to a journal entry with a lot of pretty pictures, sponsored links, and social media followers.
The writer post has numerous paragraphs similar to a short story with a few illustrations or gifs, helpful links, and social media followers.
The journalist post has numerous paragraphs similar to a news article with pretty pictures, source links, interviews, and social media followers.
For the consumer, the internet is a great asset because you have access to all kinds of content. For the creator, depending on your circumstances, the internet feels highly saturated. Which of these three posts would you pay the most for? Which of these three posts do you think receives the most revenue?
Monetizing creativity is not a new phenomenon, but the internet has taken it to another level. This new level of digital influence comes with some questionable characters. People can buy followers, likes, and comments. This diminishes the credibility and value of the digital influence industry, which was brilliantly called out in this article by The Luxury Spot. On the other hand, since this industry is still evolving, there are no concrete rules or rates. Creatives who are organically growing their following are being ripped off by brands. Refinery29 did a great article about this issue. I am glad to see others sharing information and insight on this, but we still have a long way to go to establish whether this industry is a passing trend or a substantial career.
Across the board, according to the digital influence experts, the one guaranteed way to monetize your creativity online is through e-courses. Initially, online courses with recorded lectures and live interaction were popular among some universities in 2012. This phase faded for reasons I am not sure of yet. Later, bloggers picked it up and adapted it to their niche. From DIY projects, to parenting tips, to business advice, there is an e-course on everything. There are even e-courses to teach you how to create an e-course. Now, we have celebrities doing e-courses: Serena Williams teaches tennis, Christina Aguilera teaches singing, and Dustin Hoffman teaches acting through MasterClass. These courses range from hundreds to thousands of dollars. That adds up to a pretty nice profit. The question is, does the value of the course equal the price? Is the curriculum viable? Is the information more than what you could Google yourself? Depending on what you are looking for, the course could be great or fluff.
Protecting creativity is also not new, but does need an upgrade. I worked at a pro bono trademark clinic this past semester and gained some insight in the business behind creating and filing trademarks and copyrights. Our clients were traditional small businesses looking to trademark logos and names, but the work got me wondering how these intellectual property laws apply to new media and digital influence. For example, someone creates something really funny or catchy on Vine or Snapchat and it gets a big response. Then, someone else with a bigger following (who might be a real celebrity or company) picks up the original clip, copies it, and posts it as their own with their face on it. Technically, your work is entitled to copyright protection once it is created. Can the original person present their Vine in court as evidence of copyright infringement? Since the majority of social media is free, the likelihood of anyone paying for litigation to protect their work is slim to none. We need to enhance the support and protection of those who create and innovate. What incentive is there to share your work when it is overlooked or stolen? The Fader did a great article on this issue.
When balancing popularity contests and mysterious algorithms with no support, it can seem capitalizing on creativity equally is not possible. With the variety of creators and innovators I have interacted with, I think we can shift this digital influence industry to be a more wholesome experience. This is not public radio or cable TV, where the advertiser, sponsor, and shareholder dictates what and who is seen or heard. This is the future of content and culture. The advertiser, sponsor, and shareholder might continue to make the bulk of the profit from this new medium of content, but the consumer is demanding more of a say in what they want to see and hear. We can make an impact on this. So many of us digital influencers are part of the “side hustle” club. Our skills and talents cover more industries than you would expect. Let’s think outside of the box to not only contribute to the never-ending feed of polished photos, funny videos, and trending hashtags, but to also take ownership of an industry we created.
What do you think about capitalizing creativity? What do you think about digital influencers? Can we bring equality to this industry? Let me know in the comments below. Also, remember to connect with me on Twitter and Instagram. I would love to hear from you.
Wearing: Angela Taioni dress and shirt; Michael Kors heels; Clutch made in Liberia
Big thank you to Uncle Nii Bonney and Auntie Damali for these beautiful clothes. They really are a work of art.
I love vintage and futuristic cars. I appreciate the art behind their detailing, colors, and gadgets. Actually, I plan to collect classics when I am mature and fabulous. I visited the Sculpted Steel exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston and was really impressed by the sculptures. It got me thinking about the need to balance this kind of beauty against the pollution it can cause. I started wondering how technology is protecting and hindering the environment.
It is no secret that our planet is suffering. Pollution caused by car emission is one of many issues. When you think about how many fumes we are spewing into the air on a daily basis, since the Industrial Age, it might seem amusing to think we could make any difference to the inevitable. Regardless of which side of that debate you are on, I think we all should make an effort to make an impact on this.
There are alternative means of energy. The variety of alternative fuels and rechargeable energy should be as convenient as finding gas stations in Texas. However, the source of energy for alternative energy should not be coal and oil. That is kind of counterproductive, don’t you think?
Let’s talk about what we are doing globally and individually to protect the beauty of our planet. We can manipulate the weather. Not only can we make it rain, but we can reduce the number of hurricanes that occur each year. Actually, in 2009, Bill Gates applied to patent technology that would cool the water before hurricanes develop. In 2014, the United Nations published a report showing how the hole in our ozone layer is shrinking thanks to removing certain chemicals from refrigerators, air conditioners, and aerosol cans in the 1980s. However, the substituted chemical apparently contributes to global warming. In 2015, the Dutch opened the world’s first smog-free tower. It is like a jumbo filter that collects polluted air and returns smog-free air.
I am sharing these examples not only to encourage the younger members of my community to explore innovation in STEM courses and industries, but also to show how technology is helping to protect our planet. There are plenty of ideas like these that need to be supported. I feel we can maintain a balance between tech upgrades that enhance our lives and those that hold our lives hostage. Those movies about smart houses and robots catching feelings and making decisions on their own, like iRobot, Eagle Eye, and Smart House, are not fiction. We already have “smart devices” for our homes growing in number and size. Look at the power of your cell phone! I might not be the first to have a robot assistant, but I will be having the ultimate Sonos speakers experience in my home.
What I love about technology and science, sometimes, is how it always keeps the bigger picture in mind. It puts in perspective what we sacrifice for beauty and pollution. We can do better.
What are you doing to protect the beauty of our planet? What do you think of technology’s role in this issue? Let me know in the comments below. Also, remember to connect with me on Twitter and Instagram. I would love to hear from you.
When you think of fashion capitals, what city comes to mind? New York? Paris? Milan? Tokyo? Those are all true, but with technology and social media, new cities are gradually finding their place in the fashion world. Houston might be one of those cities. I had the pleasure of attending the “Future of Fashion” speaker series at Kit and Ace in Rice Village. It was hosted and curated by David Rochez, style blogger at fromNYtoTX, and featured an insightful panel discussing fashion in Houston and the future of fashion around the world.
First, if you are looking for a cool place to host an event, you should check out Kit and Ace. The store has a modern and edgy vibe with a nice clothing selection. The space is perfect for an intimate mixer, panel, or pop-up shop. DJ Anarchy provided the soundtrack and maintained the best mix of soul, hip-hop, and R&B I had not heard in a while.
The panel included Mara, life and style blogger at Malibu Mara, David Rodriguez, head chef at Tout Suite, and Kalan Laws, style blogger at Señor Guapo. The question as to whether Houston will ever catch up to be considered a fashion capital had mixed responses. On the one hand, it is obvious that an interest in the arts is gradually growing in Houston. Everyone who attended provided great street style. A lot of big name brands and stores are opening in Houston. However, Houston was built as an oil and gas hub and, like most of Texas, maintains a conservative character. Kalan noted that anything avant-garde or cutting edge is still considered weird in Houston. David Rodriguez shared his experience in Houston visiting upscale restaurants and being made to feel he did not belong there. Mara mentioned how the big brand stores that are moving to Houston are not catering to millennials who are into fashion but more for the luxury side of Houston. All the panelists agreed that it is up to the millennials of Houston (who are born after 1980) to make Houston a fashion forward city.
I agree that Houston’s extreme temperature and mode of transportation requires creativity to adapt its version of fashion. Unlike other fashion capitals, it is difficult to develop street style in a place that does not have pedestrians. We drive everywhere and are always battling heat waves, hurricanes, floods, and mosquitos. In spite of all of that, we still know how to clean up and show up to events like this.
The dark side of fashion was also discussed. Fast-fashion, which includes H&M, Forever 21, and Zara, is continually destroying our planet and violating human rights. All the panelists noted that the re-emergence of thrifting for kids from all economic demographics is a way to be fashionable and avoid contributing to the continued destruction of our planet.
What does the future of fashion look like? As people, regardless of race, status, or beliefs, we connect through fashion, music, and food. This might bring us even closer in the future.
I really enjoyed this event and am looking forward to more events like this in Houston. Make sure you follow all the bloggers mentioned to stay up to date with cool events and fashionable photos from Houston.
What do you think is the future of fashion? Let me know in the comments below.
I believe the children are our future and I’m sure you do as well. Since children spend the majority of their day in school, a school’s curriculum and environment influences their development and our future. With the increase in school’s security, state testing, and in some subjects or activities reduced funding, I sometimes wonder if school’s are heading in the right direction. Thankfully, there are programs that enhance our children’s school experience. I had the pleasure of interviewing Susan Shaw, the education director at the Anti-Defamation League’s Houston office, about their No Place for Hate initiative. The program promotes respect for individual and group differences and challenges prejudice and bigotry in schools K – 12. This year marks the program’s 15 year anniversary in Houston. We talked about the program’s progress in Houston, the upcoming 15 year celebration, and how you can get involved with this wonderful initiative.
Provided by ADL No Place for Hate Houston
The No Place for Hate program was launched in Houston in 2001. This was the first time such an initiative was used in schools. Initially, in 1999, the program started in Boston for townships and municipalities. The regional director of the Houston office at the time “made a visit to the Boston office and sort of fell in love with the whole concept,” said Susan Shaw. “Our office along with the Philadelphia office started to recreate the materials and we built an education committee.”
The program is implemented in schools by forming a coalition, which includes students, administrators, faculty, staff, and parents, to come together to do an assessment of the issues that need to be addressed on campus. All members of the coalition sign the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) resolution of respect and participate in at least 3 anti-bias or diversity activities throughout the school year. For those interested in getting your school to participate in this initiative, this is the application process:
Submit a proposal for the school activities by October;
The review committee determines if the proposed activities are appropriate and whether they address the issues on campus;
Once approved, school proceeds to create and implement the activities;
In May, school submits a report to go over challenges, progress, and how ADL can continue to help in the future;
New schools get a personalized banner with 5 blank stars; for every year they earn a designation, they get a star with the school year to place on the banner.
Students at No Place for Hate Youth Summit at South Texas College of Law (source: ADL No Place for Hate Houston)
The combination of school proposed activities and ADL lesson plans provide creative and innovative ideas. For example, one of their most popular activities is known as “mix it up.” At lunch, the students get to sit with students other than their friends and are given questions to ask each other. This encourages students to interact with others in school. Another activity that was recently implemented is known as “buddy bench.” Lessons were done through the guidance counselor on bullying, name calling, and acceptance. Part of the activity included building a buddy bench so that no students would feel isolated or excluded.
Provided by ADL No Place for Hate Houston
Susan has worked with ADL for 18 years, after previously working as the education director at the Holocaust Museum in Houston and as a 2nd and 3rd grade teacher in Spring Branch ISD. Her work in anti-bias and diversity reaches beyond her job to her upbringing in Long Island, New York. “I’m a product of the 60s and remember very clearly when integration came to our community,” said Susan. “My parents were more about acceptance and I think I carried a little of that baggage with me. That is why ADL seemed like a perfect fit for me.”
From the beginning of No Place for Hate in Houston, Susan has directed and created this program every step of the way. During their first year, they had 9 schools participate. Due to the success of that first year and word of mouth, they doubled their numbers every year after that. They now have 21 regional offices and 1500 schools participating in the program. During the 2014 – 2015 school year, 350 public, private, and charter schools earned No Place for Hate designation. During this past school year, 2015 – 2016, more than 400 schools have applied. “It’s great to see schools not only focusing on the basic reading, writing, and arithmetic, but also respect the importance of social and emotional learning in the classroom,” said Susan.
Students at No Place for Hate Youth Summit at South Texas College of Law (source: ADL No Place for Hate Houston)
That progress is what makes the upcoming Luncheon so special. ADL’s annual luncheon will celebrate the 15th anniversary of the No Place for Hate initiative by recognizing the hundreds of schools that have achieved No Place for Hate designation and honoring three educators for their efforts to create a school atmosphere that promotes diversity. The honorees include Dr. James W. Cain, Klein ISD Superintendent, Yvonne DeLeon, Kenneth E. Little Elementary School Counselor, and Dr. Nancy Simpson, Kinkaid Lower School Counselor. The Luncheon will also feature keynote speaker Dr. Jennifer Arnold, M.D. of Texas Children’s Hospital and TLC’s “The Little Couple.” This special event will be on May 4th at noon at the Hilton Houston Post Oak. For more information and tickets, contact Alexis Tahara at alexis@integrateagency.com or Dena Marks at dmarks@adl.org.
“This is my favorite event of the year,” said Susan. “Not only is it an opportunity for ADL to showcase the great work we do in education, but it is also an opportunity to honor and recognize the educators that are doing the work. We get to say thank you for the their support, creativity, compassion, and collaborative efforts.”
Provided by ADL No Place for Hate Houston
I think the influence of an initiative like No Place for Hate is really important. In addition to creative activities, this can impact a student’s performance and development in and out of the classroom. A school atmosphere that is truly free of hatred is more secure. Students would have more of an incentive to attend school and perform well in an atmosphere where they feel safe and appreciated.
“The No Place for Hate program has become a safe haven for those who may not traditionally engage in after school activities,” said Susan. “We consistently think of what resources and support educators need to feel comfortable addressing these issues [such as Ferguson and transgender identity] in the classroom.”
Have you participated in a No Place for Hate activity? What do you think of the initiative? How do you think we can improve our children’s experience at school?
Dagny Zenovia 