Category: Social Issues

Does Your Blackness Empower Others

What is blackness? It can be uplifting and frustrating to recognize how complex the answer to that question is. It is a spectrum of colors, a history of movements, a source of swag, a hybrid experience, and a resilient soul. Unlike others who can choose when it is convenient to step out of their privileged bubble, we are always in a time where our voices need to be heard and our presence needs to be respected. Our reality is filled with the unrelenting battle between our royal essence and brutal environment. A balance that is constantly shifting.

Sometimes, I experience that shift when I feel I have to constantly second guess myself in interpreting how people interact with me and how I allow my identity to be swayed by self-doubt. It takes so much emotional energy to resist carrying my color as a burden. Feeling as if no one around you really understands how much unfair foolishness you have to tolerate on a daily basis. So, when I came across this discussion with Melissa Harris-Perry about the crooked room analogy to define black women’s identity, you know I was snapping my fingers for the entire clip. Her book “Sister Citizen” is on my reading list for this summer. The gist of the analogy: black women are sitting on a crooked chair in a crooked room. As we try to adjust our chair to be aligned with who we believe we are, we overcompensate the adjustment to either oppose the limited spectrum of stereotypes or suppress our natural glow.

This analogy is so true! It is also one of the first things I thought of after watching Beyoncé’s beautiful performance at the Grammy’s. (I am not sure if that was the intention, but let us flow with it.) So, how should we align our crooked chair? Is it as simple as paying attention to what influences our mental conditioning? or is it as complex as healing centuries of damage. That is a discussion I would love to continue.

How do you use your blackness? I feel there is no one right way to do this, but a few questionable ways to do so. Since everything we do becomes a trend, there will always be some who choose not to participate in order to refrain from jumping on the band wagon and others who choose to participate to make an impact on directing that band wagon. The truth is, there really is no band wagon. Similar to the crooked room, sometimes we are made to feel foolish for doing what is right and made to feel confused for not doing anything. This came to mind while viewing a number of things.

First, the New York Times did a feature on Harry Belafonte to reflect on his life near his 90th birthday. One of the many gems he dropped in that interview spoke about leadership. During the civil rights movement, a number of people were pushed forward to run for office and represent in politics. Ironically, those “leaders” stepped up to office and proceeded to forget about their community and leave their supporters behind. As you may or may not know, the majority of those “leaders” are still in office and “the community” still feels forgotten. This wisdom influenced my response to the recent headlines about black leaders refusing to meet with President Trump and HBCU representatives meeting at the White House. I feel there are two sides to this. One, the black community has grown comfortable with the illusion of freedom. Just because we can sit anywhere on a bus, tweet to our heart’s content, attend any school, and announce that “our president was black, and our lambo is still blue” does not mean we are really equal. It does not mean we are considered significant. Every other group in America skips the line ahead of the black community. Why is that? It is quite heartbreaking, actually. I feel it is similar to when slavery was abolished and some slaves did not want to leave the plantation due to the wicked conditioning they had suffered in believing “massa” protected them. It is similar to what Harriet Tubman noted that she could not rescue everyone because some did not realize they were slaves. So, instead of getting upset, just work with what you have. On the other hand, we should not be shocked when proposed meetings end up only being a photo opportunity. It seems hypocritical, doesn’t it? It is. That is why utilizing blackness can be exhausting and draining.

Second, the film “I Am Not Your Negro” is a powerful documentary. Even though reading James Baldwin’s work would give you a similar impression, hearing his words juxtaposed with images from then and now really emphasize how everything he said resonates with what we are experiencing today. I feel it pushed the envelope within the documentary category because it is not simply a biography. The way the director painted a story with James Baldwin’s words, historical photos and footage, as well as current images is really creative. Not only can it be used to introduce James Baldwin to different audiences, it also illustrates how we possibly have not made as much progress as we thought we did.

Does this mean that anytime we refer to blackness it should always refer to gloom and doom? No. We are still experiencing a version of the Harlem Renaissance. Take note of all the creative work that has been published and acknowledged: such as 13, Moonlight, Hidden Figures, Lemonade, A Seat At The Table, etc. The increase in community-based programs and individuals stepping up and showing up for their community. The spike in interest to no longer be oblivious of reality. We continue to make something out of nothing. This is one of the many sentiments I picked up from President Obama’s farewell speech. America may never be ready for the change we were willing to bring, but that does not mean we sit back and give up. As long as we help at least one person, that change is still valid. As long as we continue to step up and show up, that hope is still alive.

Now, when I refer to “America” throughout this post, do I mean every single American person including your pet cat and virtual pet fish? No.

How do you think we can continue to use our identity to empower? 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: Zuvaa blazer; New York & Company blouse; The Limited pants; DSW heels; Aldo purse; Vinti Couture earrings

March 5, 2017
Why Hidden Figures Is The Ultimate Hero

“Every time we have a chance to get ahead, they move the finish line. Every time.” – Mary Jackson played by Janelle Monáe

First and foremost, the movie “Hidden Figures” spoke to me on so many levels. If you have yet to see it, you are possibly missing out on one of the most inspiring and uplifting films in a very long time. In my humble opinion, of course. Since there were so many lessons about strength, community, and success to pick up from the film, I figured it was only right to share them with you.

In the film, Dorothy Vaughn, Mary Jackson, and Katherine Johnson, the main characters, all showcase different aspects of strength. Like the quote I shared above, these women got ahead of the finish line on their own terms. Dorothy, Mary, and Katherine were “computers” at NASA, meaning they calculated formulas and data for the space program. Now, I do not want to spoil the movie for you and re-tell the entire story. So, take the gaps of context as inspiration to watch the movie if you have yet to. All three women fought against obstacles in their careers in a way that was so classy and confident. Dorothy took initiative to teach herself how to program a new machine and chose to bring her whole group of “computers” up to a new level instead of leaving them behind. Mary refused to take “no” as an answer and persuaded the legal and political system to work for her. Katherine had her work speak for itself and pushed for a seat at the table. Their strength, individually and collectively, was supported by a kind of determination we can learn from.

With all the issues swirling through our news feed and newspapers, the increasing interest in activism will always need guidance. There is not one way to solve these issues. That is why all aspects of strength are needed to make a difference. The goal or direction should be guided by the notion that either we all win or nobody wins. That progresses the discussion to clarify what winning means. Is it justice? A conviction? A ban? An apology? Could it be all of the above? That is on a grand scale, but what about individually or personally. What would winning mean to you? How will your fight lead to your win?

I feel the film was directed and written very well. Instead of primarily focusing on racism or negative experiences, the film emphasized what the three women achieved to enhance that nation’s goal to launch into space. In spite of the struggle (and we all know the struggle was real), they proved America’s success, which in this case was the race for space exploration, needed to include and benefit everyone. In that regard, it is a story that is accessible to all people. As important as it is to be informed with all aspects of history, stories about slavery, apartheid, Jim Crowe, etc tend to be appreciated only by certain groups and are bypassed by those who feel we need to “move on.” The film “Hidden Figures” bridges all of those groups with one goal: collective victory. Even though some parts of the film are fiction, it still gets that message across.

What would collective victory look like today? How can we get all groups to recognize the value of each other? These are not easy solutions and are possibly more difficult than what Dorothy, Mary, and Katherine experienced. The struggle is not the same for everyone. It is a delicate balance between advocating for equality and not imposing your opinions on how others should feel. The key is to keep the bigger picture in focus.

The story teaches us that perseverance and resilience need to be supported by community. From family, to neighbors, to church, to work, there was a solid connection between the community Dorothy, Mary, and Katherine came from. They cheered for and supported each other. They stood up for each other. We need more of that today. We need to care more for each other, not to get something out of it, but really for the sake of caring.

Well, all in all, I loved the movie. Have you seen “Hidden Figures” yet? What resonated with you? 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: Asos blazer; The Limited blouse; New York & Company skirt; DSW heels; JORD Wood Watch; Aldo purse; Aldo earrings

January 29, 2017
How To Make Your Vote Count

In 2008, I was a member of the nation-wide group that was “fired up” to vote for the first time for the presidential election. I skipped class to see the candidates speak and I volunteered as precinct captain for my district. I read all of the plans to bring hope to America. It felt like I was truly a part of something bigger than myself. I was not just casting a ballot, but really contributing to the change we needed. It was really exciting.

Fast forward to the 2016 election. There are probably more memes, SNL skits, and ridiculous quotes for this particular election to last us a lifetime. You know I do not get into politics on my blog and I am not going to tell you who you should vote for or who I am planning to vote for. I want to speak to the disappointing difference between the 2008 election and the 2016 election. We all might joke about it, but the feeling of frustration and despondency is real. We cannot allow this to kill the hope and motivation we had 8 years ago.

We need to remember that this election is not just about voting for the next president. Your energy for change and passion for justice should also be focused on your local community. With the amount of foundations, community-based programs, and young people stepping up to run for office, there is a lot more you can do to improve your neighborhood that goes beyond casting a ballot. As much as social media has helped us to connect and support each other, we still need to show up in person and make a point to attend a town hall or volunteer for a community initiative.

You have to keep the bigger picture in perspective. Choosing not to vote or consistently complaining about everything that is wrong with (insert name, city, business, or school here) is not productive. That mindset gives into feeling helpless. Educate yourself on the issues you care about and what is being done in your community to fix it. If you find something, consider volunteering. If there is nothing, explore starting something.

It seems like most people get too caught up with complaining about every headline, trend, and policy. It is ok to admit you are one of those people. Imagine if you used that time to really understand the history, politics, and motive behind any of those issues. Equipped with that knowledge, smoke screens and marketing gimmicks would never phase you.

I feel your duty does not start or stop with wearing that “I voted” sticker. It is constantly in motion with every action and decision you make. Let us promise each other, regardless of elephants, donkeys, or third animals, that we will not let the hope die.

How are you planning to make your vote count? What resources do you use to learn about issues and politics in your community? 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; Top Vintage LLC skirt

October 27, 2016
How Sustainability Has Evolved In Lifestyle and Fashion

The discussion behind the future of our lifestyle and the environment has evolved. It is fascinating to look back 5, 10, or 20 years ago and compare what we thought the future would be to what we are planning for today. The two things I notice the most is the shift in who we consider should participate in this future planning and, ironically, what we expect fashion will look like in the future.

I studied international affairs in college and I remember experts and colleagues arguing that so-called 3rd world countries could not be expected to leap-frog over the entitled industrial age to help save the planet. It seemed like only the 1st world power countries had the privilege to create a sustainable future and somehow only those countries would benefit from it. In spite of stories of inventions and innovation across the planet, it was not considered valued or beneficial across the board.

Now, the opinion has shifted to claim all countries can now pay attention to the health of the planet. I am encouraged by this because I do not think you can restrict sustainability to certain regions and expect it to make a substantial impact. To illustrate this, you should check out the recent collaboration Shell did with artists from around the world: Best Day Of My Life. I will admit, the song is a little corny, but the visuals give the message that this initiative should be a global priority. It got me wondering if, as a planet, we could really come together to work towards this goal. Are not wars and poverty a bigger priority for most? or are they more of a distraction? The Shell video also made me think about how we as individuals and citizens of the world can contribute to this initiative. The conversation about climate change and clean energy should not be political. It should not only feature Leonardo DiCaprio as the sole brand ambassador. We can do more. The question is, what really makes a difference? I would love to hear your thoughts on this.

Regarding the future of style, it seems like it has changed with our impression of what the future holds. My introduction to the future was through the movie Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century. The wardrobe in that movie was bright and colorful. Next, I was exposed to The Jetsons (and here is why The Jetsons still matter according to the Smithsonian). Their wardrobe was bright and colorful. Now, I am not sure if this started with Star Wars, or maybe was emphasized through The Hunger Games and Divergent, but we are anticipating a dreary future. There is no color. In all three of those series, the wardrobe sticks with a black, brown, and grey palette that is always prepared to battle aliens, demons, or evil parents. We also cannot forget the zombies.

The fusion between fashion and technology is really exciting. I am not just talking about jewelry that tracks how many steps you walk. From temperature control to mini computers, we are inventing some pretty neat stuff. If you are interested in this kind of innovation, you should check out FashNerd.com. They post all about it.

Maybe with time, we will bring the color back to the future of style. Once we get all the upgrade glitches fixed, we can add bold patterns and hues to the fabric. Maybe we will not need climate-changing-body-armor or wearable weapons. This could possibly help us to not accept a dreary war-torn future, but instead take initiative in creating a bright united future.

What do you think about how the sustainability narrative is evolving? What are you most hopeful for in how we contribute to a brighter future? Let me know what you think in the comments below.

Also, remember to connect with me on Twitter and Instagram. I would love to hear from you.

Please note the links I shared in this post are not affiliates. They are articles and websites I think you would enjoy…because sharing is caring.

Wearing: Rahyma via Zuvaa jumpsuit; Michael Kors heels; Rachel Stewart earrings

October 24, 2016
Are We Still Haunted By Colorism?

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

October 7, 2016
Why I Do Not Trust Data Storage

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

Photography: It’s Sofia Emm

September 11, 2016