Aunt Jemima's Revenge

Words For Warfare: The Slow Sad Death Of Essence Magazine Edition

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 14:00:00 +0000

“If there were balance in the industry, if we didn’t have a history of being ignored and disrespected…if more mainstream fashion media included people of color before the ONE magazine dedicated to black women “diversified” it would feel different.” - Michaela Angela Davis

The Disappointed Soul Sista's Solution To The Slow Sad Death Of Essence Magazine

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 13:30:00 +0000

I stopped subscribing to Essence magazine when long-time editor-in-chief, Susan L. Taylor left in 2000. I stopped buying Essence from the newsstand on a occasional basis when Time Inc. purchased the magazine and began filling issues with more advertisements than stories, particularly advertisements that had little to due with improving, enhancing, or enriching the lives of African American women. The slow death of Essence Magazine had begun then, the essential magazine for African American women from 18 to 80 was beginning it's transformation into a high gloss version of Vogue magazine in blackface.

I haven't personally bought a copy of Essence since 2001, only poaching a copy from a random culturally sensitive doctor or dentist's office or flipping through my mom's copies when I was visiting her during Christmas. She has since let her subscription lapse shortly after President Barack Obama got elected. My sister was never a fan of the magazine, but she too, had enjoyed random issues from time to time. Just like many other black women, Essence Magazine was a regular staple and standard in my life, my hard-earned travels to become a grown-ass black woman.

In the last ten years, Essence has become a shadow of it's former self. Slow to report on cutting edge issues in the African American community, way to fast to become a lightweight Hollywood promotional tool, clueless and tentative on issues where black women needed a fearless advocate. Current editor, Angela Burt-Murray continues to fail to impress, remember her tone-deaf words of wisdom during CNN's Black in America series? What About Our Daughters offers a blistering take-down of Burt-Murray's seriously stupid response to the latest controversy over Essence recently hiring it's first non-African American fashion editor.

Just a thought, but it would have made more sense if Burt-Murray had called out the long tradition of black women journalists long struggle to be hired at white women's magazines instead of calling out her loyal black female readership. Think about her choice for a long while. Which group was easier to attack? Others have lots to say on this issue, here, here, here, here, and here. For me, I'll let one my black female heroes speak on this issue in the Words For Warfare post above.

My only questions are why isn't one of most cutting edge black fashion directors in the nation being asked to work at Essence during it's 40th anniversary year? Isn't time to be celebrating instead of creating controversy? Why did it take so damn long for Essence to find a fashion editor in the first place? Something is stinking up the joint big time here. How can a magazine that is primarily about fashion, struggle so hard to find a fashion editor? And what happens the first time Ms. Placas screws up with something that is perceived as a racial slight or faux pas?

What I really can't stand is all the pointless anger and inaction that the slow, sad, death of Essence Magazine has generated. Keep it simple folks. Don't get angry, get even. Stop buying Essence, period. I did it, you can do it too. There is no rule that says black women need to keep buying it. If you don't like the direction of the magazine, put it down! Keep it moving. Start reading Clutch Magazine or many of the numerous blogs written by black women for black women.

How about starting a new magazine? Put it online, get some money or ads for a print edition, put it on stolen copy paper from work written in crayon, I don't care, just do something other than whine about how Essence sold out black women. That's what white women would do! And we already knew that Essence had sold out to big time publications when Time, Inc. bought it, so lets stop acting brand new here. Let's be the bad ass black women Essence magazine used to tell us we could be in the era of Susan L. Taylor.

African American Male Athletes Still Living Up To Same Old Stereotypes.....Sigh.....

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 12:00:00 +0000

It's been a bad few weeks for black male athletes, from the horrible news of the murder of former NBA player Lorenzen Wright, to the undeserved second chances of Jeremiah Masoli and Maurice Clarett, the reckless stupidity of Tyreke Evans, and the great flame-out of Delonte West.

Spare me the argument that black athletes don't get into anymore or less trouble than white athletes. And spare me the argument that one black bad apple doesn't spoil the whole bunch, girl, either. I'm sick and tired of watching these guys throw away golden opportunities on thoughtless acts of criminal activity, seriously bad decisions, and a complete full refusal to grown up.

I am sick and tired of black athletes that don't conduct themselves as professionals and expect to be forgiven for acting like jackasses every time they screw up. Sometimes things are what they are. You don't get a 21 million dollar bonus in April and show up to training camp in August as an out-of-shape, unprepared, and disruptive presence for your team, your damn job.

I'm tired of the excuses for these guys. God knows what in the hell Lorenzen Wright was doing that got him killed. And if Tyreke Evans had killed himself or someone else going 120 mph on the highway, everyone would have been talking about wasted potential and other sad stories. Maurice Clarett should have done his class work at Ohio State the first time he was there instead of worrying about the NFL.

And instead of stealing laptops, Jeremiah Masoli should have had his ass in his dorm room, then he would be a NFL draft pick instead of hoping and wishing at Ole Miss in the fall. And if Delonte West gets lucky and is picked up by another NBA team, let's hope he takes his damn bi-polar meds and goes to a shrink.

By the way Dennis "Ugly As Homemade Sin" Rodman made the news today.

What If You Threw A Diversity Tea Party And Nobody Came? Some Tea Party Folks In Philadelphia Found Out Real Quick

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 01:42:00 +0000

You plan a "Uni-Tea" diversity function for the Tea Party Movement which has a little bitty problem with racist signs and slurs at it's previous events and you invite confirmed racist Andrew "I Ain't Never Apologizing To Shirley Sherrod" Breitbart to speak. How does that event turn out?

Well...you get a handful of colored folks and those folks seems to be the same chitlin-eating, sell-out negroes, you had on your team in the first damn place. The same black folks who skipped past all the racist signs and didn't hear the racist slurs, in their big ass hurry to run over and kiss all Tea Party ass they could find.

Better luck next time.

When You Look Like The Daily Caller's Mark "Who Let The Dogs Out" Judge You Really Shouldn't Be Calling Other Folks Ugly

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 01:21:00 +0000

The dude above with the uber-thin lips, squirrelly eyes, receding hairline, and road map wrinkled face wrote some pointless piece of junk calling some of his fellow journalists ugly. This dude must not have any mirrors in his crib.

The Stupidest Woman In America Hands Down Is Sarah Palin - Hair Weaves, Hand Notes, And Random Half-Baked Thoughts

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 00:56:00 +0000

Could you see this dumb bunny meeting with various Heads of State with random stuff written on her hand? Their names or their countries? Folks are serious about this idiot being the next President of the United States. Our country would become a laughingstock.

Angelina Jolie's New Flick - SALT

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 23:32:00 +0000

Highly recommended, mindless entertainment. Worth every penny. Get your popcorn, your soda, and your milkduds and just sit back and enjoy the ass-kicking and gunplay. The story makes no damn sense and Angelina Jolie's skinny ass running around and punching folks is completely unbelievable, but who gives a damn. A good action thriller is a good action thriller.

Which Unthinking Jackass Dug Phyllis "Crazy Ole Biddy" Schlafly Out Of Her Crypt At The Cryogenics Lab?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 19:10:00 +0000

The old saying is true...you can't teach old dogs new tricks. GOP great grand momma Phyllis Schlafly on the run from the old folks home and spewing insane, deranged, and completely wrong ravings.

Between Alvin Greene And Leshuh Griffin Professor Tracey Is Not Sure Who Is The Nuttiest Black Person Running For Office

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 13:58:00 +0000

Who is craziest negro running for office here?

Alvin Greene has no job, but he's running for office. He's not really campaigning and doesn't seem to have any supporters. He does have a music video and he thinks that action figures of himself will save the economy. He also got tossed out of the military for being unable "to express thoughts clearly."

And just when it seems that Alvin Greene had the 2010 BIC (Black Insane Candidate) Award locked up......along comes Leshuh "Not The White Man's Bitch" Griffin. Are you trying to make sure that NO white folks vote for you?

I'm stunned....seriously. As it was stated in the film Crash; "You embarrass me. You embarrass yourself."

A Late Last Word On LeBron "LeBum" James Dissing Cleveland And Becoming Dwayne Wade's Second Banana Sidekick

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:39:00 +0000

Cleveland should have known he was leaving. LeBron has always been about LeBron. Who proclaims themselves the "King" and the "Chosen One" when they hadn't played even one NBA game at the time? His pre-game rituals are stupid, his post game press comments even dumber, and his big announcement TV special with go down in sports history as one of most brainless moments in the history of free agency.

I'm damn glad he's changing his number because he's made a complete mockery out of wearing the #23. He's not a closer and he had to join another team to find a teammate with the killer instinct needed to win NBA titles. The Miami Heat better win the NBA championship next season because LeBron James will be the laughing stock of the league if they don't. And I'll be laughing right along with the entire city of Cleveland.

Read A Book - Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:36:00 +0000

AWESOME!!!!

Real-Life Kobe Shouldn't Make Commercials - Puppets Only

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 11:52:00 +0000

Exhibit A - this is why Kobe has so many haters. He just comes off as insincere and unlikable. Michael Jordan is clearly a jackass, but he was always likable in his commercials.

Is The "Old Spice" Guy Sexy? Professor Tracey Doesn't Think So......

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 03:53:00 +0000

He looks constipated. And what in the hell is wrong with his lower body? This man is so NOT sexy.

Just A Simple Question? - Where Are All The Feminist/Women's Groups On Mel Gibson?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 03:36:00 +0000

Mel Gibson's shit is all out on the street. He is a certified lunatic, caught on tape spewing racist and sexist slurs and threatening to kill folks. Yet, pro-women and feminist groups have been mighty quiet. Are they waiting until Mad Mel's next film premiere to pounce?

I'm just wondering because I remember how everyone and their mama was calling for the head of Michael Vick for fighting pitbulls. Now I wanted to kick Vick's ass because I own and love pitbulls, but many folks acted like he killed somebody.

Now Mel Gibson goes on a wild screaming rampage and you can hear a rat pissing on cotton from most special interest groups. Funny that.

Professor Tracey Is Seriously Hooked On Watching FX's Sons Of Anarchy

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 03:15:00 +0000

This is a show I believed I would absolutely hate. Hillbilly, greasy, redneck bikers, killing folks and spewing borderline sexist and racist slurs every thirty seconds? Not for me dude, right? WRONG!!!! I love this show! A pure and complete guilty pleasure. White trash life on full parade. Katey Sagal of Married With Children infamy positively steals nearly every single scene she is in on this show. The twists and turns on this show keep you guessing and the acting is top notch.

This program also has a wicked sense of humor, the dialogue and antics of some of the characters has you giggling to yourself, just like when watching the folks on Madmen, True Blood, and Big Love. I love quirky, well-written, and character driven shows, it makes the time spent in front of the boob tube seem justified.

The Killer Inside Me - Read The Book And Go See The Movie

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 03:03:00 +0000

To me, it is rare to have a great book turned into a great movie. For example, To Kill A Mockingbird is great book as well as a great movie. I had the recent pleasure of reading Jim Thompson's The Killer Inside Me and then catching the 2010 film adaptation starting Casey Affleck. It was an awesome double-dip of literature and cinema.

I was even inspired to track down a copy of the 1976 film adaptation starting Stacy Keach of Mike Hammer fame. I have to say I enjoyed that version as well, even though it is heavily flawed, but Keach does a nice job as the seemingly mild mannered policeman with a deadly secret or two or three. Fair warning, both the book and the film are extremely violent, so be prepared. You won't be bored or disappointed.

The Ugly And Nasty Truth Behind The Shirley Sherrod Fiasco

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 05:47:00 +0000

This epic hot mess with Shirley Sherrod has got my goat. A sista tries to take an extended break from blogging and they pull me back in! I didn't even break my vacation from blogging to gloat about my precious Los Angeles Lakers winning back-to-back NBA championships! (see next post). I cannot begin to discuss or debate this epic fail in the history of race politics in America. Forget the crap that started this mess and the johnny-come-lately apologies.....

This Florida Evans damn, damn, damn of a cock-up speaks volumes about black women in America......volumes!!!!!!!

How many black men does it take to help toss a single, lone, black woman under the bus?

If you don't believe the old owl.....maybe you'll believe Gina @ What About Our Daughters. Brothers got to work on their loyalty issues with the sistas here. Yes sir, no doubt.

And Dr. Melissa Harris-Lacewell gets down to the ultimate ugly and nasty truth behind the smearing of Shirley Sherrod.

We Are The Champions, My Friend...Again!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 04:15:00 +0000

I'm not gloating.....really....I'm not.....LMAO!!!!!!

Read A Book - Pam Grier's Autobiography "Foxy" Is Coming To A Bookstore Near You

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 14:00:00 +0000

I'm looking forward to this one!

One, Two, Freddy's Coming Back For You........A Nightmare On Elm Street Remake Due In Theaters On April 30

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 13:00:00 +0000

I know, I know, Hollywood is recycling it's self, but I will be there just the same. Professor Tracey has been hooked on horror for a very, very, very, long time.

"Whatever You Do Don't Fall Asleep." - Nancy

Freedom Of Speech But Watch What You Tweet - Ice T Lays The Smackdown On Aimee Mann

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 02:21:00 +0000

She said this and then he said that.....LOL!

Another Jackass Teenager Pulls The Same Racist Store Announcement Prank At Whole Foods This Time

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 02:01:00 +0000

Just wondering, but do black folks shop at Whole Foods in big numbers to pull this dumbass prank there? I've only been in one of their over-priced stores just once, I'm a Fresh Market type sista myself.

Anyway, this Dummy Lamont should get the same Professor Tracey's Perfect Punishment as the other jackass.

Guess Who's Back? - Tina Fey Slays Sarah "I Got No Brain To Hold Me Back" Palin Again!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 15:32:00 +0000

LMAO!

Tiger Woods Pimps His Dead Daddy's Voice To Hustle The Public For Nike

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 17:12:00 +0000

Tiger Woods has no shame! This commercial is an openly crass and classless attempt to curry favor with the public. Tiger Woods NEVER would have cut this ad in this manner if he had not so dramatically and quickly fell from grace within his sport and with the public.

What does his father's remarks have to do with Tiger selling Nike gear? And since Tiger stands there silent, what exactly is supposed to be his role in his father's words? To be announced at a later date?

Tiger Woods is still trying to hustle folks. So much for trying to be a better man.

Update: Nike came down on You Tube for copyright (a sure sign that they know this commercial is a major bust) so to view the video - go here.

Women Who Sell Their Bodies And Their Souls...Then Lie To Themselves And Everyone Else About It - The Rise Of The Female Pimp And The "Half Hooker"

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 13:18:00 +0000

What in the hell EXACTLY is a "half-hooker"?

New York Magazine tries to explain it. The writer is not particularly successful in convincing me or anyone else with half of a brain that these women are not engaging in a high class, celebrity driven, 21st century freakshow, mega-warped materialistic version of prostitution. Every single one of the women presented in this article sure seem to be either a madam, female pimp, hoe for hire or hooker to me.

The basic difference between these women and street pimps is that they are paid on retainer under the bogus banner of "party hosting" instead of actually taking the money directly from the women they procured for their clients. Still sounds like pimping to me.

And the basic difference between these women and street prostitutes is that they are paid for their sexual favors with a wink and nod; a little help with the high end rent, a designer dress or a piece of jewelry, an expensive trip or a rather large check, a gift of course, not a payment for sex instead of a direct down and dirty exchange of cash upfront from their clients. Still sounds like flat-backing to me.

What truly irritates me is that women who are forced to sell their bodies on the streets are forced to do so out of need; a need to eat, pay the bills, feed a drug habit, take care of their children, to survive and these so-called "half-hookers" are doing this pointless self-prostitution for kicks, for fun, for a wild time while they're young. It's disgusting and it's salacious.

And a street prostitute is sure in the hell more credible and honest. She knows what she's doing. And a street pimp will lie about his profession, but that's part of the damn gig. Yet, these "party hosts" and "half-hookers" are truly something else; yes, I have sex for money, but I'm not a prostitute. Don't know and don't care if the men I'm running around with are married, but I want to be married someday. Don't call me a madam, even though I find women to entertain men, to have sex with men. Who's zooming who here?

And not only are these women flat-out dishonest and delusional about what they are doing, they want to paint themselves as sympathetic figures. They want to sound in control and empowered, but in the end, they are nothing but sell-outs to a fleeting moment of phony celebrity status.