A few weeks ago, U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley made headlines, not for conventional politics, but the black female body politic. To be specific, Pressley made headlines for her hair. Pressley released a video that delineated her hair journey, and the footage ends with a completely hairless Pressley. Pressley undoubtedly exuded a unique courage in completely…
Tag: #blackbeauty
Blue Ivy Ain’t Got the Blues: Debunking the “Sad Black Girl” Narrative
Blue Ivy, the eldest daughter of superstar couple Beyonce and Jay-Z, made headlines this week, not for her eighth birthday, but for her appearance. This, of course, is not the first time that Blue Ivy has made headlines for her looks. Her likeness to father Jay-Z, who’s Afrocentric features remain subject to countless jokes, informs…
What I Love About Black Men
A shared history We may not have physically been there to witness the erection of the pyramids or the sphinx, but we hold hands across time to a shared greatness. This connection yields a paramount and pivotal shared experience that runs deeper than the shallowness of present attraction. The Lips With lips full like the…
#TeacherBae and Sexuality as a Smokescreen to #BlackGirlMagic
This week, Patrice Brown made headlines after pictures of her in a tailored, knee-length pastel pink dress went viral. The picture offset a series of conversations about professional attire, and the sexualized black female body. However, Brown’s popularity has little to do with her attire. Rather, Brown’s popularity betrays an anxiety surrounding black women in…
Why Fade did not “Fade” The Hyper-Sexualized Black Female Image
Teyana Taylor resurfaced as a cultural phenomenon in Kanye West’s latest creation “Fade.” Although the creator of 2009’s “Google Me,” many have not googled Taylor in years. Not exactly a forgotten presence, Taylor launched her own company, and graced the music world with the occasional feature, maintaining a private yet modestly popular Hollywood status. Flash…
Beyonce’s Lemonade-More Sour than Sweet
“Becky with the good hair” shields an ignorant comment with the facade of entertainment–rendering blacks pawns in their own oppression. As pawns, fans overlook this problematic phrasing, and instead focus on unveiling Becky’s identity. In prompting listeners to place a face to the phrase rather than question its relevance, the toxic phrase “good hair” endures celebration rather than the scrutiny it deserves.
Black Business Spotlight: Nude Barre
A medley of personal style and professional aspiration, stockings, tights, or hoisery- are a part of my daily life. However, despite its essential status to my lifestyle, the cost is often overwhelming to my meager earnings. This cost, while personal harmful, was also an expense outside black economics– marking its true detriment. This detriment finds its…
“Nina” as a Contemporary Lynching of a Legend
The Whispers of Womanism initially commented on the casting choice for the upcoming Nina Simone biopic when the news first made headlines. While the weight of the tragedy seemed in full flight upon this announcement, seeing the trailer enhanced any and all ominous feelings provoked in the announcement. In the “Nina” trailer viewers see…
Beyonce as Black Conscious?
My consistent criticism of popular culture is its often indifference to contemporary conflict. Admittedly Hollywood offers starlets, singers and others of the same sort a view from the top that all too frequently distances them from reality. Reality, well specifically speaking- black reality observes a prominent presence in Superstar Beyonce’s latest video Formation. While the…
Spotlight on Upcoming Showcase: Be Tina, A Tina Turner Tribute
Be Tina is a live tribute performance dedicated to Tina Turner and the incomparable gift of a legacy she has graced us with! With a 5 piece band, 3 dancers and myself as Tina, we are hoping to capture the true essence of a Tina Turner performance. My role extends from creator/producer to lead of show.
Whispers of a Womanist 