Showing posts with label black girls rock. Show all posts
Showing posts with label black girls rock. Show all posts

September 22, 2015

Black Girl Magic: Emmys Edition


I've always loves award shows because I think it's so inspiring to see people being awarded for their work. I love seeing people so proud of themselves and their peers. It's even more special when there a beautiful women who look like me. Beautiful shades of gorgeous brown skin, amazing women making history. So many women supporting each other. Looking beautiful on the red carpet and basking in excellence! May all the Black Girl Magic from that night continue to inspire us.

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The hugs felt around the world

 Viola Davis and her incredible acceptance speech



“'In my mind, I see a line. And over that line, I see green fields and lovely flowers and beautiful white women with their arms stretched out to me, over that line. But I can’t see to get there no how. I can’t seem to get over that line.’
That was Harriet Tubman in the 1800s. And let me tell you something: The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity. You cannot win an Emmy for roles that are simply not there. So here’s to all the writers, the awesome people that are Ben Sherwood, Paul Lee, Peter Nowalk, Shonda Rhimes, people who have redefined what it means to be beautiful, to be sexy, to be a leading woman, to be black. And to the Taraji P. Hensons, the Kerry Washingtons, the Halle Berrys, the Nicole Beharies, the Meagan Goods, to Gabrielle Union: Thank you for taking us over that line. Thank you to the Television Academy. Thank you.”






Regina King's win and speech



Uzo Aduba's win and speech




And of course, the red carpet





 I hope that we continue to see more and more black girl magic. At award shows, in television and movies, in books, and anywhere and everywhere else!

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"The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity.
-Viola Davis



Quote of the day:

 

August 19, 2015

23.

August 6, 2015 was my birthday. I turned 23 years old. The year of Jordan.

I'm 23 and beautiful. I feel more beautiful with each passing day.

I'm 23 and full of dreams. I love being productive. I'm pretty ambitious but I often let slight laziness procrastination get the best of me. It's like a sickness. Crossing the bridge from my procrastinating ways keeps holding me back.

I'm 23 and a summer baby who cannot take this heat anymore. Give me Fall at least! It's too damn hot and I miss my leggings, boots, and scarves. Give me pumpkin flavored everything and proper hot tea and coffee weather. Please!

I'm 23 and a firm believer in retail therapy. How could anything that feels so good possibly be bad? My bank account knows the answer to this. I'm still looking.

I'm 23 and there are so many things that I wish were happening in my life right now but I'm only human and life requires patience. I don't have all the answers. I believe that it's possible that the universe is unfolding as it should.

I'm 23 and another year can mean so many things. I'm entering this year with incredible and unapologetic self love. I'm starting this year believing in myself. I'm starting this year with a  love and sweetness that I need to spread. I'm praying for another year of love, learning, discovery, excitement, accomplishments, inevitable failures and hurdles and the lessons that come with them, plus so much more.

I'm 23 and so thankful to have seen another year and I'm so excited to see what this year will bring.



Quote of the day:
"i found god in myself
and i loved her
i loved her fiercely."
- Ntozake Shange

August 3, 2014

On The Come Up by Hannah Weyer


"It came to her just before sleep, an idea crystallizing in the dark--how maybe the size of your world ain't what matter, whether it expand or shrink up or expand again. Hurdles to jump. You jump. Erase the lines, draw new ones. Chart a course and follow." (p290)

I recently finished reading On The Come Up by Hannah Weyer. I found out about this book when going through the Our Song tag on tumblr. This book is based on the life of Anna Simpson, one of the girls who stars in the film. Because I loved the movie, I had to make sure I found this book and I am so glad I did. This was a real page turner. I couldn't get enough of it. I really appreciated how honest and real this story came across. I also think that this is the first story I've read in a long time that really takes place in NYC and I especially loved that because I'm living in NYC again. I think that made it feel more real to me. I also loved any part of the book that was set while they were filming the movie. It felt like I was going behind the scenes of one of my favorite movies!

I loved reading this book early every morning during my commute to work. It was so easy to get lost in this book. I'm so glad I found it!

I recommend this for readers who:
  • like to read biograhpies
  • enjoy oral histories
  • like stories that take place in urban settings
  • want to read a story that takes place in NYC/Far Rockaway
  • want to read a story about aspiring actresses/singers
  • enjoy "coming of age" stories
  • are interested in reading about teenage pregnancy/parenthood
  • liked the movie "Our Song"
  • are interested in reading LGBT stories
  • love books you van get lost in
Because it is one of my favorite movies, here's the trailer for Our Song.



June 24, 2014

For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow is Enuf

Just finished reading something special. For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow is Enuf is a choreopoem by Ntozake Shange. I read this and it made me feel special. It makes me feel powerful in my own skin. I was finishing it on the bus and holding back tears. Right before I finished reading this, I took the time to read an article called Black Girls and Suicide. It was a really emotional commute for me. It's definitely something I would recommend. I also highly recommend the Black Girls and Suicide article.


Here are some of my favorite parts and quotes:

"& this is for colored girls who have considered suicide / but are moving to the ends of their own rainbows"


my love is too delicate to have thrown back on my face.
my love is too beautiful to have thrown back on my face.
my love is too sanctified to have thrown back on my face.
my love is too magic to have thrown back on my face.
my love is too saturday nite to have thrown back on my face.
my love is too complicated to have thrown back on my face.
my love is too music to have thrown back on my face.

 



I just love this part to pieces. These words, like so many others in the book touched me so much. My love is too delicate to have thrown back in my face. I cannot trust it with just anyone. It is very important to me to give my love and my self only to those who I think deserve it. I've decided that I don't want to be stepped on. I don't want to put something do important to me in the hands of someone who doesn't value it. One of biggest battles and one thing that I try so hard to change is my feeling guilty about being selfish about my own self. I am priceless. You are priceless. We don't have to share any part of ourselves with anyone else. What you want to share is up to you. What I share is up to me. The decision is mine. Through recovery, self discovery, self realizations, triumphs, sadnesses and successes, my magical love has held me when no one else could and I'm not in any position to just throw it around.





"this is mine/ this ain't yr stuff/
now why don't you put me back & let me hang out in my own self"

"wontchu put me back/

"stealing my shit from me/ don't make it yrs / makes it stolen/"

"if it's really my stuff/ ya gotta give it to me / if ya really want it / i'm the only one / can handle it"

My experiences are mine and they are valid. My life is my own and not to be compared with anyone else's.  I refuse to have my accomplishments shared while I drown in my losses alone.

Protect yourself from people that only want to be there for the highs. Watch out for those who are only around when you're up. Some people only want to share your successes but are no where to be found when you need help or when you're down.

Be careful not to compare your life and your "stuff" to other people's. You are living one life and one life only and it is yours. There is no competition. We were not put on this planet to race or compete with anyone. Live your life to the best of your ability. It's the only one you have so don't waste it focusing on someone else's.

You belong to you. I belong to me! I am my own woman.


"one thing i don't need
is any more apologies
i got sorry greetin me at my front door
you can keep yrs
i dont know what to do wit em
they dont open doors
or bring the sun back
they dont make me happy
or get a morning paper
didnt nobody stop usin my tears to wash cars
cuz a sorry

i am simply tired  of collectin"


It's hard to hear sorry sometimes. It's almost like a reflex to some people. Sometimes it doesn't have any meaning behind it. Sometimes I get sick of that word "sorry." I want to hear someone take responsibility. I think apologies should mean something. Don't even get me started on those super fake apologies that sound like, "I'm sorry that you think I did something wrong." What does that even mean? When you apologize, you should take responsibility instead of placing the blame on the person you've wronged. Sometimes I just don't know how to feel about "I'm sorry." Most times I appreciate the effort but "sorry" doesn't always fix anything and sometimes people don't even mean it.

"let sorry soothe yr soul / i'm gonna soothe mine"


"but bein alive & bein a woman & being colored is a metaphysical dilemma / i havent conquered yet / do you see the point my spirit is too ancient to understand the separation of soul & gender / my love is too delicate to have thrown back on my face"


"i found god in myself
& I loved her / i loved her fiercely"

February 28, 2014

Black Excellence Month: Day 28

Gabrielle Union
Actress
1972 - 


"We give a lot of others significance in our lives even when they don't deserve it. It doesn't matter if they're family or if you've known them forever. If they're not good for you, they've got to go."
-Gabrielle Union



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Recommended Watching:
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Recommended Reading:

February 26, 2014

Black Excellence Month: Day 26

Alfre Woodard
Actress
1952 - 

“Everybody has a part of her body that she doesn’t like, but I've stopped complaining about mine because I don’t want to critique nature's handiwork...My job is simply to allow the light to shine out of the masterpiece.” 
-Alfre Woodard



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Recommended Watching:
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February 25, 2014

Black Excellence Month: Day 25

Shonda Rhimes
Screenwriter  Director  Producer
1970 - 


"I’m a black woman every day, and I’m not confused about that. I’m not worried about that. I don’t need to have a discussion with you about how I feel as a black woman, because I don’t feel disempowered as a black woman.”
-Shonda Rhimes




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Recommended Watching:
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February 23, 2014

Black Excellence Month: Day 23

Madam C.J. Walker
Entrepreneur  Philanthropist
1867 - 1919 

"I had to make my own living and my own opportunity. But I made it! Don’t sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them."

-Madam C.J. Walker




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Recommended Watching:
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Recommended Reading:
  • The History of Black Business in America by Juliet Walker
  • Madam C.J. Walker: Building a Business Empire by P. Coleman
  • On Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of Madam C.J. Walker

February 22, 2014

Black Excellence Month: Day 22

Nichelle Nichols
Actress  Singer
1932 - 

 "I was very blessed in always knowing what I wanted to do, and by the grace of God, I've been able to succeed in my chosen career."
-Nichelle Nichols



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February 21, 2014

Black Excellence Month: Day 21

Wangari Maathai
Environmental and Political Activist
1940 - 2011


“I’m very conscious of the fact that you can’t do it alone. It’s teamwork. When you do it alone you run the risk that when you are no longer there nobody else will do it.” 
-Wangari Maathai



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Recommended Reading:
  • Unbowed by Wangari Maathai
  • The Challenge for Africa by Wangari Maathai
  • The Green Belt Movement: Sharing the Approach and the Experience by Wangari Maathai
  • The Canopy Of Hope: My Life Campaigning For Africa, Women, And The Environment by Wangari Maathai
  • Nobel Peace Prize Biography
  • Death of a Visionary
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Recommended Watching:

February 19, 2014

Black Excellence Month: Day 19

Gabrielle Douglas
Gymnast  Olympian
1995 - 


“Never give up and always keep fighting, because though times may be tough, the sacrifices do pay off, so just keep pushing towards your dream and just love it at the same time and enjoy it.”
-Gabby Douglas




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Recommended Watching:
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February 15, 2014

Black Excellence Month: Day 15

bell hooks
Author  Feminist  Activist
1952 - 

“I will not have my life narrowed down. I will not bow down to somebody else's whim or to someone else's ignorance.” 
-bell hooks


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Recommended Watching:
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bell hooks Book List:
  • Ain't I a Woman: Black Women and Feminism
  • Feminism is for Everybody: Passionate Politics
  • Sisters of the Yam: Black Women and Self-Recovery
  • Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center
  • Black Looks: Race and Representation
  • Bone Black: Memories of Girlhood
  • Happy to Be Nappy
  • We Real Cool: Black Men and Masculinity
  • Rock My Soul: Black People and Self-Esteem

February 14, 2014

Black Excellence Month: Day 14

Phylicia Rashad
Actress  Singer  Stage Director
1948 -


 “A great person is not great because they are famous or wealthy; a great person is great because they make others greater.” 
-Phylicia Rashad 

“A great person is not great because they are famous or wealthy; a great person is great because they make others greater.”

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February 13, 2014

Be Inspired: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

The Danger of a Single Story 




"I have chosen to no longer be apologetic for my femaleness and my femininity. And I want to be respected in all of my femaleness because I deserve to be." 


We Should All Be Feminists
 



Book List: 
  •  Americanah
  • Half of a Yellow Sun
  • The Thing Around Your Neck
  • Purple Hibiscus 

Black Excellence Month: Day 13

Kerry Washington
Actress 
1977 - 


“I don’t have to be perfect. All I have to do is show up and enjoy the messy, imperfect, and beautiful journey of my life. It’s a trip more wonderful than I could have imagined.”
-Kerry Washington




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Recommended Watching

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February 12, 2014

Black Excellence Month: Day 12

Queen Latifah
Actress  Recording Artist  Songwriter  Model  Producer  Talk Show Host
1970 -

“You have to stand for what you believe in and sometimes you have to stand alone.” 
-Queen Latifah



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Recommended Watching:
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Recommended Reading:
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Recommended Listening:
  • 1989 All Hail the Queen
  • 1991: Nature of a Sista
  • 1993: Black Reign
  • 1998: Order in the Court
  • 2004: The Dana Owens Album
  • 2007: Trav'lin' Light
  • 2009: Persona

     

February 11, 2014

Black Excellence Month: Day 11

Oprah Winfrey
Actress  Producer  Talk Show Host  Philanthropist
1954 -



"What I know is that if you do work that you love, and the work fulfills you, the rest will come."
-Oprah


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“I’ve come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that’s as unique as a fingerprint – and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service, working hard, and also allowing the energy of the universe to lead you.” 

-Oprah Winfrey