Beauty in Black

Another Day in Paradise : A Commentary on Weekend Events

noreply@blogger.com (Eternal Beauty in Black) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 05:58:00 +0000

Earlier today, I was going to say "Man I'm glad this week is over." But, oh no. It's only Monday.

They say things always happen in three and this week (and weekend) started off by showing such an illustration.

1st - Michael Jordan is honored in emotional Basketball Hall of Fame induction ceremony. During his speech he is critical of certain players, coaches and officials he once worked with. Among the slew of backlash to his person, Jordan is called a competitive sociopath, petty, and I'm sure tons of other things that my brain refuses to remember based on the comments.

2nd - Kanye West apparently yanked the microphone from Taylor Swift during the MTV's Video Music Awards and said that Beyonce Knowles deserved to win Best Female Video. Thanks Kanye for staying yourself.

3rd - Tennis star Serena Williams curses out a sporting official due to a faulty call that cost her the US Open win. Somewhere Mary C., Mary Jo F., Martina H., Pam S. and Martina N. are sharing a couple of brews while replaying this over and over on Youtube.

By now, I'm sure you, like myself and every other black person in America, is shaking our head and throwing our hands up. Once one prominent black person in the media does something, EVERY black person will be painted with the same brush. Times that by three now. That's one of the gifts for growing up in a country with tons of racial tension from the inception of said country every day.

Now, grant it. Kanye is just acting his foolish self and Serena shouldn't have cursed. And maybe Michael Jordan should have just said "So long and thanks for all the fish" and then took his spiffy trophy and new honor to a celebratory dinner where he can vent IN PRIVATE to his buddies. Okay response, but a wrong time. Alas, I digress.

Many are now saying that tennis is returning back to the way it should be with all the former top tennis players returning now that the "Threatening Negros Who Win All The Time" (gasp Oh noes! Too much color on the court!) may not be playing as much. To paraphrase George Lopez, "Tennis is Becoming All White Again". This will follow Serena Williams' career wherever she goes. No matter how many wins she has, no matter how sportmanship she is from here on out, it will be brought up, categorized, written about and rewritten about and commentated on until the end of time. It's one of the gifts of growing up with dark skin not only in this type of world but also in a game dominated by the majority who doesn't look like you.

Now had it been Anna Kournikova, or if the roles were switched, the commentators would have just shrugged and said how cute her rampage was. "Everybody makes mistakes. She was just tense because it was a high pressure game." Uh huh. I highly doubt she would have been fined. I don't tolerate cursing myself and Serena Williams shouldn't have outburst the way she did, sure, but this is only the beginning of what could be WAY blown out of proportion for many years to come. This isn't a case of "Oh look Johnny Mac threw another racket. How adorable! That's his trademark. Gotta love him!" Nope. This was a little colored girl "acting ghetto" and bringing "low ghetto class" to a historically prim white sport. And where was the racket abuse and outright crazy tantrum antics I keep hearing about? I didn't see it anywhere in the circulating clip. Nor did it come close to the famous "You Can't Be Serious" 1981 Wimbledon McEnroe situation that resulted in a $1,500 fine. Sigh. I won't be surprised if this is shown over and over again during next year's US Open promotional videos.

This could could very well cost her all those endorsement deals amidst the cries for her to be banned from the game. Yes, she cursed, but it's not like she smoked marijuana in public (for extra kicks, check out the comments section for tons of supportive posts about how he made a little mistake and is sorry so let's move on). Though I'm pretty sure if she did, she wouldn't be rewarded with an extension on her sponsorship deal until 2013 months later. Kind of funny how the article makes no mention of that misstep huh?

I could get angry at all this. I could get my blood pressure up at all the racist, hateful, spiteful, venomous comments that are circulating each article comments section. But I won't. The outcry against "Black Folks Act Up Week" is to be expected. No matter how high a personal of color reaches, there will always be the privileged class who uses every misstep as an opportunity to push down the whole group of those below them to "where they belong in their place". Lovely misconceptions and all. This is not a class you can buy your way into. Nor is it one you can eventually be inducted into. It's something you're born into. At least for now.

I'm heading to bed. Someone wake me when it's 2050.

An Overfilled year

noreply@blogger.com (Eternal Beauty in Black) — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 06:23:00 +0000

A lot can happen within a year and I know it's been a good while since I've updated. Case in point, I'm actually blogging from my phone! Hope you guys are still out there.:-)

Where to start indeed.

Well, here at Eternal Beauty in Black our goal is to celebrate the beauty in black woman. There isn't enough appreciation for our features, minds and hearts and I want to help empower the young black women coming up in a world where they are pretty much seen as non-existent. Whether it's through books, media, movies or anything else. Sometimes I'll even chat about things going on in the media that I think are asinine. I know, I know where to start?

So sit tight and feel free to check back more often as I keep this site updated in the coming days.

Small note to readers

noreply@blogger.com (Eternal Beauty in Black) — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 00:02:00 +0000

Apologies to readers of EBiB for the big gaps in posting. I sometimes dive into the writing black hole and don't come out for periods of time! lol. I was thinking about adding a feeder to this blog for automatic updates sent to your feeders or emails so you'll know when a new post is made and can post a comment if you like. If you guys are interested in this, please let me know and I'll work on setting that up. :-)

Ending violence against women

noreply@blogger.com (Eternal Beauty in Black) — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 23:45:00 +0000

I was contacted earlier this week about the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) and their Say NO To Violence Against Women Campaign. This is something close to me I feel very passionate about especially with so many harrowing news stories reported from the organization What About Our Daughters.

The campaigns are working to attain 1 million signatures for this movement by November 24, to take a stand and build a community around this important cause. On November 25, UNIFEM and Goodwill Ambassador Nicole Kidman will present these signatures to the UN Secretary General.

Anything we can do to stop these horrible acts against women is an A++ in my book so I'm asking readers of this blog to please add your signature to help build a united voice in this cause. Please spread the word, grab a banner and let your loved ones know. Many movements have started with one voice that rippled through many and we can work toward stopping this and empower women instead.

3rd Annual Black Girls Rock! Awards - November 2nd

noreply@blogger.com (Eternal Beauty in Black) — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 23:29:00 +0000

Mark your calenders! November 2nd 2008

I love what this organization is doing to empower young black girls to build confidence and a bright future to counteract the negative stereotypes that are presented in the media. It's certainly a breath of fresh air!

Check out the Today Show special on Black Girls Rock! Founder Beverly Bond.

VH1 SOUL AND BLACK GIRLS ROCK! INC.
PAY TRIBUTE TO IMAN, ERYKAH BADU, PAM GRIER, ESTELLE, NICOLE PAULTRE-BELL AND MANY MORE AT THE 2008 3rd ANNUAL BLACK GIRLS ROCK! AWARDS

Esteemed actresses Regina King and Taraji P.
Henson will co-host the third annual awards show to celebrate exemplary women of color

October 3, 2008, NEW YORK, N.Y. - BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Inc. founder and world renowned celebrity DJ Beverly Bond partners with VH1 Soul to honor exceptional women of color for their outstanding achievements and distinguishing career marks at The 2008 3rd Annual BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Awards. The event will take place Sunday, November 2, 2008 at The Allen Room at JAZZ at Lincoln Center in New York City.

The star-studded award show hosted by Regina King and Taraji P. Henson will pay tribute to the industry’s most accomplished icons as well as lesser known women who are distinguished in their particular fields. U.S. Paralympian and world’s fastest amputee April Holmes, who is also the world record holder in the 100, 200 and 400 meter races will receive the BGR! ‘Becoming Legendary’ Award. British R&B and pop sensation Estelle will take home the BGR! ‘Who Got Next?' Award. Bethann Hardison who shook up the fashion world by speaking out against the lack of diversity in the industry will be walking away with the BGR! ‘Shot Caller Award'. This year’s BGR! ‘Living Legend' Award goes to actress and icon Pam Grier, Emmy and Golden Globe nominee who set the tone of "independence" for Black actresses as the queen of 1970s Black filmography. “It is important that we take time to honor these extraordinary individuals and hold them up as shining examples of the great women that we are so that future generations of girls can see other examples of who they can become,” said BGR! founder Beverly Bond.

Additional honorees include supermodel IMAN, global ambassador of 'Keep A Child Alive’ and founder of IMAN Cosmetics who will receive the BGR! ‘Social Humanitarian’ Award, GRAMMY Award-nominated soul singer Erykah Badu will win the BGR! ‘Rock Star' Award’, Rachel Lloyd, founder of G.E.M.S., an organization that works to rescue sexually exploited children, will receive the BGR! ‘Community Service’ Award and Nicole Paultre-Bell and Valerie Bell will receive the BGR! ‘Monument’ Award, which recognizes individuals that have endured crises and withstood tremendous emotional, physical, and/or psychological events. Former Editorial Director of Essence Magazine Susan L. Taylor will be the evening’s keynote speaker.

The growing list of stellar presenters and performers include 2007 BGR! Award recipients Tracy Reese and Sylvia Rhone, Floetry's Marsha Ambrosius, Universal Motown's Ashanti and Ryan Leslie, Star Trak recording artist Teyana Taylor and many more.

For tickets and more information on THE BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Awards visit www. blackgirlsrockinc. com/awards.

About BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Inc.

BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, youth empowerment mentoring organization established for young women of color. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit BLACK GIRLS ROCK! INC mission to empower young woman of color via the arts. All contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Women in Film - The Women

noreply@blogger.com (Eternal Beauty in Black) — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 22:20:00 +0000

A lil birdie slipped me a note about an upcoming film The Women (a remake of George Cukor's 1939 film of the same name) and I snuck a peak at the behind the scenes documentary of the movie. I'm looking forward to seeing this because it not only showcases an all female cast and much of the crew, but such talents as Jada Pinkett-Smith, Debra Messing, Debi Mazar, Cloris Leachman and many others make appearances in the film. I'm a movie junkie and an advocate for women in film (especially seeing more creative talent behind the camera). The documentary gives a nice behind the scenes 'making of' for how the movie was put together. The last time I saw this many women behind and in front of the camera was in the Sanaa Hamri vehicle Something New which featured Stephanie Allain and Kris Turner as producer and wrier and Sanaa Lathan as the star. I used to have an article about women in Hollywood and I even did a presentation back in college about the lack of female directors. Some are discouraged from rising in Hollywood and others don't get the push as their male counterparts do. I think there was about 2 women during the overall course of the Oscars that were nominated in the Best Director category. With the amount of talented women at the camera helm that's pretty depressing.

But Hollywood is still a man's game where sexism, racism and ageism still run rampant. It reminded me of a video I saw on youtube ages ago about Hollywood's idea of black female beauty featuring Nia Long.

Unchained, Unbound

noreply@blogger.com (Eternal Beauty in Black) — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 21:27:00 +0000

Last night I woke up in the middle of the night with a nagging feeling. I had just seen Wide Sargasso Sea (1993 Karina Lombard version) and I couldn't get a particular scene out of my head. I had read the book when I was a teen but this was the first time I had actually seen the movie. I was inspired to write a story just based off said scene alone. I got up to write the story but I couldn't for some reason. Instead I did some research on a particular figure that was in my head: a former slave turned aristocrat named Isabeau...a woman who took France's breath away. I couldn't find a lick on her but I wanted to tell her story. I knew there had to be something out there about her, where she lived, why she left her home to go to Paris.

For months I dug and dug and I finally hit pay dirt. Isabeau's story told from her own lips thanks to Madame du Barry's recordings. Suddenly this woman's story contained me. I know if I try to publish it, I'll have a heck of a time trying to convince publishers that Isabeau's story will resonate with readers. After all, here was a woman who's spirit extended no bounds. She lived in a world of poverty, possession, jealousy, admiration, more jealousy, privilege, regret, betrayal and love. Isabeau's story has to be told and I'm still consumed by the words I read that told of her life. After living in a world of oppression based a culture's idea of her people's inferiority and soon being admired for her quiet strength alongside her "exotic" beauty, Isabeau is the epitome of rags to riches. Still she is also seen as the other: a former slave woman who much of America may not believe had France on its knees whenever she was around.

And don't even get me started on the reason she left her home. It may cause some controversy based on that alone.

In any event, this woman is an inspiration because she decided to follow her heart despite the odds and she refused to be held down by anything. She wanted to go a world where men didn't look upon her color as something of an exoticism nor to be shunned. She wanted to love and be loved for who she was.

In our current time where historical romance equals Regency ladies and lords, Scottish highlanders and ladies, untamed Native American heroes and pale, "dainty" white female heroines, it's difficult to find other cultures and pairings that have lived and loved throughout history. Part of it is a society which doesn't want to recognize anything other than the current majority. But such was not always the case. The opposite of the majority was once revered and admired as the standard of beauty. Perhaps as we look closer, such was the case throughout history and even to know. Stereotypes were put in place to deter interest to attraction of minority men and women. But the human spirit is an untamable spirit and there's only so much you can try to contain before the truth and strength of mind break through those chains.

My Black is...

noreply@blogger.com (Eternal Beauty in Black) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 11:16:00 +0000

Click to read enlarged manifesto
Download manifesto in PDF format here.

Campaign for Real Beauty

noreply@blogger.com (Eternal Beauty in Black) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 10:34:00 +0000

I'd like to take a moment to kudos Dove for their real woman movement and self esteem fund. They've posted a few viral videos to show how 'under pressure' girls are today with all the images of perfection they're bombarded with.

Some facts:

Girls today are under more pressure than ever. More than 90 percent of girls want to change at least one aspect of their physical appearance, with body weight ranking the highest.

The Dove Self-Esteem Fund was established to inspire and educate girls about a wider definition of beauty and is committed to reaching 5 million girls globally by 2010 with self-esteem programming.

This fall, Dove plans to release a National Self-Esteem Report to provide additional information to help Dove better understand the issues, causes and outcomes of low-esteem -- as well as the most powerful change agents on a national and regional level.

Thanks to the support of influential women globally, Dove has already reached 2 million girls and conducted nearly 2,700 educational self-esteem workshops since 2006.

This video in particular shows it:

Within the theme of images in the media impacting women, it reminds me of the recent short film A Girl Like Me by 17 year old Kiri Davis who recreated the famous doll experiment of the 1940's by psychologist Dr. Kenneth Clark.

Also check out this inspirational video response to A Girl Like Me.

It's a tragedy what we're doing to the young girls of our generation with skewed media messages. Many men are buying into this image thus causing girls and even women to uproot their lives in order to catch their attention. Much to the sacrifice of their self esteem and well being. Dove is one company that has taken the initiative to start workshops in an effort to raise self esteem in young girls today in an effort to block the constant media distortions of perfection. They also posted this video to show what goes on in their workshops.

*Fangirl moment* Yay Aisha Tyler!

Big kudos to Dove for aiming their efforts at young girls of all shades and ethnicities.

Another campaign has been going on as well. EBB mentioned the My Black is Beautiful campaign last year and it has since gone into full effect. http://www.myblackisbeautiful.com features videos, a downloadable discussion guide and events for the tour. If you're on the east, they'll be hitting your area! For the entertainers out there, Pantene is offering an opportunity to be featured in a magazine ad.

On a completely shallow note, I'm so happy to see Dove and Pantene focusing their efforts this way as they are my two favorite shampoo and conditioner products (fabulous for moisture renewal in one's hair ;-)). Plus one even has a line aimed at women of color!

Stay tuned as I'll be offering more news and goodies to help the movement and spread the message of true eternal beauty in black.

Open Your Mind

noreply@blogger.com (Eternal Beauty in Black) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 09:47:00 +0000

Free your mind
And the rest will follow
Be colorblind
Don't be so shallow

En Vogue, From the album: The Best Of En Vogue

If ever were a time to beg the masses to open their mind, it is now. From the media mudslinging against a man who may become the first black president to the racial injustices that black authors and romances face currently and even to the sad excuse for a look at what it's like to be black in America through the eyes of CNN (note to Soledad O'Brien: You are a reporter/interviewer. Your job is to interview experts and people who may share different experiences than you. You are not a debater and your job is not to debunk or degrade the experiences of said people just because what happened to them is different than what has happened to the majority. Sheesh. And they call US sensitive?)

So in saying this I'm not just asking the masses to open their minds. In particular I am asking for the big giant romance industry publisher, Harlequin, to open their minds.

What brought this on?

Well, during a recent visit to one of my fave forums, I came across a new goodie book called Sex and the Single Braddock. I was shocked (and who wouldn't be, that cover is HOTTT). The only other IR book (that actually had a bwwm cover) I had seen by Harlequin was Brenda Jackson's Taking Care of Business in the Silhouette Desire line. I know, I was shocked, too. This is another in a family series line which features different siblings and their romantic adventures. Why is a bwwm IR book always just regulated to an established family series line where one sibling is allowed to venture out of the norm? Hmm? And to that effect, would bwwm IR be a new thing that Harlequin is acquiring?

Before I got my hopes up, I dashed on over to the forums to ask this question. Thankfully the question was already asked and answered. Is Harlequin open to IR romance? Nope, came the answer. Apparently they don't get many so they never really had to deal with it.

May I be the first to say: bullocks.

With the amount of many bwwm IR authors out there trying to get their work sold, I can't believe that. The genre is rising to be more than just a trend. BW like a lil other in their romance and sometimes even prefer it. And dangit we want it now. I applaud the ebook companies who are stepping out to fulfill this need for readers and writers of the genre. They are proving to be the trailblazers in this industry and since they're so up to date (and sometimes even ahead of their own time) they will prove to be long lasting.

Ya hear that Harlequin?

I offer a challenge to this big publishing giant.

You ready?

Harlequin, I double dog dare you to open up a request for submissions to your IR line. I know most of your readership consists of white females but black women need love, too and although you have your Kimani line...it's still not open to IRs. But being a premiere line for AA authors, that would be a fab place to open up a line since most black women write bwwm IR romances. Maybe Kimani Shades (for love in all shades), Kimani Spectrum (not to steal from Genesis Press or anything), or Kimani something. Maybe Harlequin Shades.

The ball is in your court, Harlequin. You up for the challenge? ;-)

P.S. All of this is said, of course, not to draw away from Jackson's, Byrd, et. al's current works. I wish the ladies much success and it's fab to have such a great group of AA female writers to look up to. :-)

Italia Vogue shows Eternal Beauty in Black

noreply@blogger.com (Eternal Beauty in Black) — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 21:52:00 +0000

July's issue of Vogue Italia has hit the newsstands. Why should I care, you say? Because it's the first (and presently only) issue that focuses on black models. This is a momentous occasion (and that's a tragedy considering it's 2008) in that no other magazine has had this focus on models of color before. Naturally there is backlash in the blogosphere where some believe that this is racist because of the focus on black models.

"What if we had an all white issue?" some are saying.

Erm, you actually do have an all white issue in every major magazine known to man. Except for the little spec of color here and there, of course. Oh, but that's just being fair. As long as the token is there, everything is balanced LOL. No sirree. Not anymore. Overall, the news has been met with much excitement and anticipation for the issue.

What About Our Daughters even posted a quote from Franca Sozzani, the editor of the mag:

"Because nobody is using black girls. I see so many beautiful girls and they were complaining that they are not used enough."
Ms Sozzani admitted the issue could yet prove to be unpopular among some in Italy, where the xenophobic Northern League is part of the new coalition led by Silvio Berlusconi: "Maybe in our country it is not the best idea. But I don't care. I think it is not my problem if they don't like it – it's their problem." The Independent

It'd be great if Elle, Cosmo, et. al. would stand up and take notice. They're supposed to be the top beauty mags with women in mind so why narrow your focus of beauty on only one group, even if it is the majority? No proof needed (although looking at this issue, it's definitely proof) that beauty comes in all shades from dark to light. Why not celebrate it?

Beauty mags are supposed to be geared at all women. Now if they really wanna make women started buying these mags by the dozen again they need to feature more scantily clad men on their covers, but that's another topic for another day.

I'm not sure if this issue will ever happen again, so definitely run out and grab your copy. I'm going to try to find mine at the local bookstore and if I don't see it there, I'm going to grab it online. Money talks, as they say, and if we show the suits how we feel with our dollars they will definitely sit up and take notice.

I'll post a few scans, if I can grab a copy.

In the meantime here's a vid of some of the pics in the mag:

Still celebrating Eternal Beauty in Black

noreply@blogger.com (Eternal Beauty in Black) — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 04:30:00 +0000

Greetings readers,

We're still alive and kicking. We're going to try to keep the blog going and hopefully build a nice database of wonderful links for you to check out for strong black women in film, tv and literature. Lately we've been really getting back into reading and there are some great reads popping up here and there. The sci-fi channel was on a role with shows featuring beautiful women, some of which you can see on our actresses we love to watch sidebar.

Interracial romance is still climbing at an amazing rate thanks to a flurry of ebook publishers acquiring a nice amount. Red Rose Publishing has become one of my favorite new epublishers for IR fiction as well as Parker Publishing.

If you're looking for a compiled list, check out author Pat Cromwell's database here: http://www.patcromwell.com/irmclist.htm

There's also a new site centering around free IR fiction reads featuring AA females as leading ladies. That can be found here at The Chamber: http://valentchamber.com

I have to say it's pretty refreshing to read lots of fiction that feature black women as everyday people, living and loving life. We're not a monolith, we're as diverse as any other folks out there and I like to see this in my fiction, especially with women who look like me. It's funny I'm finding myself reading more fiction online at The Chamber and at the forum Sweetest Taboo than the actual books I buy. Probably for this very reason that celebrates black female leads.

A new epublisher is also coming up entitled Wicked Women of Color Press. Interesting name hehe. In any event they are a strictly multicultural/ir romance epublisher which I am really excited about. They will be strictly invitation only but have an open query policy now until August 15th. So if you're an author you may want to get on the submissions!

From MSNBC.com

noreply@blogger.com (Eternal Beauty in Black) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 22:54:00 +0000

Love, in black and white
Click to watch the video

Nov. 26: An increasing number of Black women are marrying interracially. Digital Correspondent Mara Schiavocampo takes a look at love without boundaries.

Girl talk

Click to watch video

Nov. 26: An increasing number of Black women are marrying interracially. Digital Correspondent Mara Schiavocampo talks to some women who are seeking - and in some cases finding - love outside their race.

Heads up! Soulmate to appear on Nightly News

noreply@blogger.com (Eternal Beauty in Black) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 22:37:00 +0000

In a continuation of my previous blog post, filmmaker/writer Andrea Wiley's Soulmate documentary will be featured on the Nightly News' Series on Af-Am women. If you haven't already checked out the Soulmate film, I urge you to check it out because it is highly inspirational for us single black women searching for our prince charmings out there.

Don't forget the news special comes on tonight so check it out if you can and please comment on your thoughts after viewing.

For Immediate Release
November 28, 2007

Contact:
Clean Heart Productions

323-816-3027

"SOULMATE" DOCUMENTARY TO BE FEATURED ON NBC NIGHTLY NEWS

Clips from the Award-Winning Documentary To Air on NBC Nightly News' Five Part Series on African American Women

LOS ANGELES, CA (Clean Heart Productions) - The documentary film, SOULMATE, will be featured on NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams on Wednesday, November 28, 2007, in their five part series, 'African American Women: Where They Stand.' Rehema Ellis will look at the relationships of African American women. Many agree the gender disparity in education and business among African-Americans is having an effect on relationships that African American women have. Some even say the implications could redefine 'Black America's family and social structure.' In the past fifty years, the percentage of African-American women between 25-54 who have never been married, has doubled from 20% to 40%, compared to just 16% of white women.

"I am encouraged that NBC Nightly News has chosen to provide a national platform for these critical issues facing African American women. In truth, these issues affect all Americans," states SOULMATE director, Andrea Wiley, a married mother of two sons.

SOULMATE recently received the award for Best Documentary at the International Black Film Festival of Nashville, making this its 7^th film festival award. The film has also received both the Audience Choice and Best Feature Film Awards at the African-American Women in Cinema Film Festival in New York, the Audience Choice Award at the Sweet Auburn International Film Festival in Atlanta, GA and took home the Best Documentary Awards at the Hollywood Black Film Festival in Beverly Hills, CA, the San Francisco Christian Film Festival and the Urban Vestige Film Festival in New York City.

In addition to the film festival circuit, SOULMATE has been sweeping the globe with home screenings and church screenings in Nigeria, London, the Caribbean and renowned singles ministries such as Dr. Fred Prices' Crenshaw Christian Center, T.D. Jakes' Potter's House, Bishop Eddie Long's New Birth Missionary Baptist Church and Rev. Dr. Cynthia Hale's Ray Of Hope Christian Church.

"I believe that SOULMATE has become such an impacting change agent in this culture because people can relate to the women and men in the film. Their candor and transparency invite you into their hearts and give you permission to be honest about the experiences, emotions and fears you tend not to share with others," states Wiley.

SOULMATE explores the fact that 42.3% of Black American women have never been married and examines the challenges resulting from prolonged singleness and how this phenomenon arose within Black American culture. The film also offers practical advice on such issues as loneliness, the biological clock, the desire for sexual intimacy and the HIV/AIDS epidemic. This deeply personal journey offers glimpses into the trials and triumphs of the lives of accomplished, professional Black women who are finding purpose while single. Additionally, the film profiles Black women who married after age 40 and shares their journeys to the altar.

View the trailer and purchase SOULMATE at www.soulmatefilm.com

ABOUT ANDREA WILEY

Andrea Wiley has enjoyed successful careers in both corporate and entertainment industries. As an acclaimed television writer/producer and screenwriter, she has amassed a body of work that includes numerous high profile network comedy series', including "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," starring Will Smith, "The Parent Hood," "The Jamie Foxx Show," "The Steve Harvey Show," "Malcolm and Eddie" and most recently, "The Parkers," starring Mo'nique, on which she served as the Executive Producer. Wiley, inspired by God, left sitcom writing to write, direct and produce the award-winning documentary, Soulmate, and has formed her own Los Angeles production company, Clean Heart Productions. Wiley has appeared on The Word Network, CBN's 700 Club, TLN's Aspiring Women and national radio shows such as The Michael Baisden Show. Soulmate has been featured in JET Magazine, Today's Black Woman, Gospel Today, Upscale, The Baltimore Sun Times, Rolling Out Magazine, and many more.

# # #

Nightly News Series on African American Women

noreply@blogger.com (Eternal Beauty in Black) — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 20:15:00 +0000

Alas, it's been ages since I've blogged and I'm sure Halle's baby has started her college apps by now! ;-)

Life intervened for a while and my work kind of took over my life but I saw a news bit from a friend of mine that I wanted to pass on to the readers of the blog today. This is a five part Nightly News segment that will be airing over the week so you may want to check it out to see what they say. Although it's probably nothing we haven't heard before! Spread the word about it to other bloggers, friends, family and girlfriends, etc. so we can get a dialogue going and shine some more positive light on the eternal beauty of black women. Because you know there's never too much of that light. ;-)

Here's the press release.

NBC NIGHTLY NEWS WITH BRIAN WILLIAMS" SPECIAL FIVE-PART SERIES "
AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN: WHERE THEY STAND" TO AIR BEGINNING ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26 New York , NY

NBC News With Brian Williams will take a look at the issues facing African-American women across our nation in a new series "African-American Women: Where They Stand." The series will cover a wide-range of issues from their role in the '08 Presidential race, to the increased health-risks that they need to be concerned about.

Monday's installment will discuss African-American women's progressing the education field. Nearly two-thirds of African-American undergraduates are women. At black colleges, the ratio of women to men is 7 to 1. And that is leading to a disparity in the number of African-American women who go on to own their own businesses. Rehema Ellis will talk to educators, students and businesswomen about why this disparity exists.

Tuesday, Ellis will look at the relationships of African-American women. Many agree the gender disparity in education and business among African-Americans is having an effect on relationships that African American women have. Some even say the implications could redefine "Black America's family and social structure." In the past fifty years, the percentage of African-American women between 25-54 who have never been married has doubled from 20% to 40%. (Compared to just 16% of white women who have never been married today). Ellis sits down with the members of a Chicago book club and talk about this difference and how it impacts them.

Wednesday, Dr. Nancy Snyderman will discuss the increased risks for breast cancer for African-American women. Mortality rates for African-American women are higher than any other racial or ethnic group for nearly every major cause of death, including breast cancer. Black women with breast cancer are nearly 30% more likely to die from it than white women. Premenopausal black women are more than twice as likely to get a more aggressive form of the disease. And, not only are African-American women more likely to die from breast cancer, but they're less likely to get life-saving treatments. Dr. Snyderman will profile one of the only oncologists in the world who specializes in the treatment of African-American women with breast cancer.

Thursday, Ron Allen will take viewers to South Carolina -- the first southern primary state -- and ask the question: Will race trump gender or gender trump race? In South Carolina , black women made up nearly 30 percent of all democratic primary voters in 2004. This year, polls show a significant number are undecided, torn between choosing the first African-American or first female Presidential candidate. Allen talks with the undecided, as well the state directors for the Clinton and Obama campaigns, who happen to be African-American women.

To close the series on Friday, Dr. Snyderman will raise the frightening statistic that African-American women are 85% more likely to get diabetes, a major complication for heart disease. And, like breast cancer, more black women die from heart disease than white women. Dr. Snyderman will profile a leading expert and a unique church-based outreach program in South Carolina that seeks to spread the word about heart disease risks to black women congregants.

Mara Schiavocampo, Digital Correspondent for "Nightly News," will address two hot topics in the African-American community: interracial dating and the impact of hip hop music on black women. Interracial dating is a growing trend in the African-American community. An Essence.com http://essence. com/poll found that 81% of participants approved of black women dating non-black men. According to a U.S. Census Bureau report in 2000, 95,000 black women were married to white men. In 2005, that number increased to 134,000. Schiavocampo will talk to experts about the trend and discuss how this defines the "Black family" of the future. Schiavocampo will convene a panel of leading black men and women from the hip-hop industry for an engaging discussion on whether hip hop lyrics and videos positively or negatively affect black women. The roundtable also will address how these portrayals are affecting relationships between black women and black men.

Consumers can go online to join the discussion and share their thoughts on message boards. They can also read and respond to blog entries at http://www.nightly.msnbc.com.

Alexandra Wallace is the executive producer of "NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams." Bob Epstein is the senior broadcast producer, and Rich Latour is the senior producer for this series.

For more news and information
about "Nightly News," please go to
http://www.nightly. msnbc.com

I have got to get me one of these!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Eternal Beauty in Black) — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 20:47:00 +0000

Yeah!

More are available at the Black Girls Rock! store available on their site.

In the meantime, I'm looking forward to seeing these upcoming awards in October.

I wonder if this is a revolution that will be televised? (I hope so)

Can a black woman catch a break?!

noreply@blogger.com (Eternal Beauty in Black) — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 07:50:00 +0000

I think it's high time we revisit this because seriously, it is always relevant, never gets old and (seemingly everyday) it's a very necessary reminder.

AIN'T I A WOMAN?
by Sojourner Truth
Delivered 1851 at the Women's Convention in Akron, Ohio

That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain't I a woman? Look at me! Look at my arm! I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain't I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man - when I could get it - and bear the lash as well! And ain't I a woman? I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain't I a woman?

Then they talk about this thing in the head; what's this they call it? [member of audience whispers, "intellect"] That's it, honey. What's that got to do with women's rights or negroes' rights? If my cup won't hold but a pint, and yours holds a quart, wouldn't you be mean not to let me have my little half measure full?

Then that little man in black there, he says women can't have as much rights as men, 'cause Christ wasn't a woman! Where did your Christ come from? Where did your Christ come from? From God and a woman! Man had nothing to do with Him.

If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back , and get it right side up again! And now they is asking to do it, the men better let them.

The world is in such a mess, there has to a be a new word invented in all the languages to sufficiently explain how bad it is. One can't turn on the news without seeing a flurry of bad news happening to folks all around the globe. But this week especially has been a massive trip because of all the attacks on black women.

After a black woman is attacked, tortured, beaten sexually assaulted, and held captive in a recent VA case, there was nary a whisper on the mainstream media news. It's just business as usual. No one is pissed off that a person, a human being, was treated like a freakin' animal by 6, count 'em SIX people assaulted her for a whole week?! Does this not piss off human rights activists?! I know we can harp on the Michael Vick case regarding dog treatment til the cows come home, but what about a real live human being?!

Can't a black woman catch a break-even in the news?! Even for an outcry of human sympathy?!

After a black woman is forced to sexually assault her own son in front of a group of pathetic lifeless scum gang members, nary a news story or dialogue is going on. Once again though we can talk about Britney Spears insipid dance number, but nothing about the inhumane poor treatment this woman experienced?!

Can't a black woman catch a break - even for some justice to be served rather than sympathy given to the gang who did this to her? (Don't believe that last line? check out the link to the story. You probably still won't believe it!)

There is too much going on in this world that it makes you want to throw your hands up, find a cave and retire from humanity altogether because it appears that we're already living in Lord of the Flies land based on the savagery toward fellow humans. Humanity's standards have taken a nose dive to the magma of this Earth and beyond.

Of course we know that Britney and her ilk are distraction for a greater more important news story that is usually covered on the blogosphere. And of course we understand the blatant racism toward minorities and the special super duper fun extra treatment that we black women have of carrying both sexism and racism on our backs.

And frankly I'm tired. I broke down in tears when I read both of these stories as I was just finding out and I prayed like you wouldn't believe.

It was then I was guided to some homemade videos of couples, newly married sharing their wedding albums, some engaged and others who are in a relationship and wanted to profess their love by creating a video to music to show how much they cared. At that moment I was reminded (and I don't doubt I was being directed to these sites on purpose!) of the love that can survive through all of this mess. That even in a world as ugly and vile as this one, there is real humanity trying to survive amidst it all. People pulling together for a greater good that rises above everything else.

My heart was warmed in that moment.

We all only get one life on this planet (for the current moment). Some use it for causing pain and hurt to others while others use it to explore what life has to offer in terms of love, friendship, family and growth. I truly believe a change will come someday. And until that day comes, I will continue to hold my head up high, help thoses that ask and guide those that open their hand to me.

If you haven't already, please visit WhatAboutOurDaughters, a site created by "An African American woman who thinks that now is the time to take some organized action to combat the destructive portrayals of African American women in popular culture."

To which I say, rock on.

Congratulations Halle & Gabriel!!

noreply@blogger.com (Eternal Beauty in Black) — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 19:13:00 +0000

It's a little late coming, but better late than never right? Congratulations to Halle and Gabriel! I really hope they go the distance and have a long happy family life together. Being an old fashioned gal, I hope they cement their union in a happy, loving marriage (Mrs. Halle Aubry...aww) and have many more lovely moments to share.

I'm not sure what much of the media mongers out there are saying about this and I'm staying away from the IMDB boards because I'm pretty sure both Halle's and Gabriel's are filled with not so pleasant threads about this news. The boards should be more policed as the IMDBPro boards are, but I guess as the saying goes, you get what you pay for eh?

I will say one thing, Halle sure scored her a hottie for sure! Whoo boy, if we can clone some of Gabriel....

Now I lost my train of thought....

But anywho, I can't wait to see how adorably fabulous this baby will be! I'm not one for following celebrities like crazy but this is my fave couple that I'm so rooting to stay together throughout all the crazy Hollywood mess!

The strength of a good man

noreply@blogger.com (Eternal Beauty in Black) — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 09:33:00 +0000

I saw a movie sometime ago. It was an old black and white movie of which I can't even remember. But there was a quote in there made by the single leading lady for what kind of man she was looking for. To paraphrase: "I just want to find a good honorable man."

Honorable.

Now that's not something you hear everyday in our current society.

Usually when people look for mates, at the top of the list is Hot, Good in Bed, Lots of money.

Mmmmkay.

Whatever happened to honorable? Or responsible? Respectful? How about good character?

We are so absorbed and used to what the media's idea of the essentials in life and partners based on what we see, read and are exposed to everyday (especially by subtle forms of advertising) that the strength of character has fallen to the wayside. We women (to paraphrase Why Did I Get Married?) don't even see the good men because we're too busy holding onto the bad ones! And I've been guilty of this. I had that tingling doubt that I couldn't do better than the guy I was with at the time (whom wasn't really much of a prize). I wanted someone who was eager to share his life with me. To take care of me as a man should for his family and to actually be a man. And in guys' defense, I think men are fed a short stick these days in what it really means to be a man because the definition is shown in oversexed, macho, horndog shows like The Man Show and the like without any regard for responsibility, maturity and mutual respect with a woman who shows him respect.

Hmm, drinking 6 packs of beer, slamming it on your head and then belching loudly is not my idea of sexy. And to counter that, feminine guys are similarly not that sexy to me either. I don't care what the Durham & St Andrews study concluded.

My father is an awesome man. I'm am really blessed to have him as my dad because I saw the best example of what being a man is. He took care of his family and loves my mom to this day after 30+ years of marriage. They still make each other laugh and know what the other is thinking. He's highly respectful of me and my mother and always thinks about his ladies with regard to the choices he makes for his family.

I want that in a man. Every woman out there (yup especially us beautiful black women -- no matter what kind of life long programming has told you otherwise) deserves that!

And don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Youtube Fandom!

noreply@blogger.com (Eternal Beauty in Black) — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 06:02:00 +0000

Well, it's time for some show and tell. Like most folks in this generation, I'm a youtube-a-holic and there's some fabulous mvids on there for tv fandom. Especially fans that showcase couples that the powers that be would soon rather forget (read: black women and white men). So to curb my anger at tv for lack of this pairing, I'd like to post some of my favorite couples via some awesome fan made vids.

Here's to you lovely lovers!

Dean & Cassie from Supernatural

Christian & Michelle from Nip/Tuck

Todd and Evangeline from One Life to Live

The Tenth Doctor & Martha Jones from Doctor Who

John Sheppard & Teyla Emmagen from Stargate Atlantis

Charles & Cassie from Lincoln Heights

Fox Crane & Whitney Russell from Passions

Julian Crane & Eve Russell from Passions (Real life couple)

Jason Quartermaine & Keesha Ward from General Hospital

Lee "Apollo" Adama & Anastasia "Dee" Dualla-Adama

Hoban "Wash" Washburne & Zoe Alleyne Washburne from Firefly/Serenity (darn you Joss Whedon! I'm still bitter about the way this ended! GRR!)

Peter Petrelli & Simone Deveaux from Heroes (...still bitter...)

JT Yorke & Liberty Van Zandt from Degrassi: The Next Generation (Darn you Degrassi writers!! I'm still bitter about how this ended!!!)

Jack Carter & Allison Blake from Eureka

Shawn & Angela from Boy Meets World (darn you BMW writers I'm still bitter about...ah forget it..)

Zack Morris & Lisa Turtle from Saved By the Bell (I know it was just one episode but see note above)

Shawn & Isabelle from The 4400

Ben & Sue from Life As We Know It

Laila & Maks from Dancing With the Stars

That's all I got for now. I'll prob do movies next time!!!

TBC!

Check this new Beauty campaign For AA women!!

noreply@blogger.com (Eternal Beauty in Black) — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 00:19:00 +0000

Okay it's been awhile since a post as been added here, I know. But via Evia's awesome blog, I thought I would help and pass on the wonderful news about the campaign My Black is Beautiful. Which, coincidentally alludes to our name Eternal Beauty in Black! Right on P&B!!! Here's the news release!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 9, 2007
CONTACT:
Goldie Taylor
212-464-7345

PROCTER & GAMBLE IGNITES NATIONAL CONVERSATION ON BEAUTY AMONG AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN
P&G/ESSENCE Poll Reveals Overwhelming Majority of African American Women Say that They are Portrayed "Worse" than Other Racial Groups in the Media.
Procter & Gamble Unveils "My Black is Beautiful;" Elicits Support from More than 3,000 Journalists, Business and Community Leaders During 2007 National Association of Black Journalists Convention

Cincinnati, OH and Las Vegas, NV (BlackNews.com) - Procter & Gamble (P&G) today announced the launch of My Black is Beautiful, a program designed to ignite and support a sustained national conversation by, for and about black women. The initiative was created to serve as the catalyst for a movement that affects positive change in the way African American women are reflected in popular culture. Results from a P&G/ESSENCE poll show that 77 percent of African American women are "concerned" about the way they are portrayed in popular media. The vast majority, 71 percent, say that they are portrayed "worse" than other racial groups in the media. Sixty-nine percent of respondents said that teens are negatively influenced by those images. Recognizing that beauty and self-confidence are intrinsically linked, P&G will introduce My Black is Beautiful and release the results of the consumer survey during National Association of Black Journalists Convention (NABJ), slated for August 8-12, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

"My Black is Beautiful is a celebration of the personal and collective beauty of African American women and encourages them to define and promote a beauty standard that is an authentic reflection of their spirit," said Najoh Tita Reid, P&G Multicultural Marketing Director. "We not only celebrate our own awesome beauty, but we want to empower Black women to challenge those who would see or portray us otherwise."

Key components under development include a multi-city My Black is Beautiful Conversation Tour and the release of a discussion guide to encourage women to facilitate or participate in a conversation cluster in their local communities. Consumers can more learn about the campaign and access the booklet online at www.myblackisbeautiful.com, at select retail store and in national magazines. Additionally, P&G has created a My Black is Beautiful community trust fund. We will continue to issue actions grants to community-based organizations dedicated to the health, education and empowerment of African American young women. A grant of $50,000, underwritten by Tampax and Always, awarded to and shared by the W.E.B. Dubois Society, GirlSpirit-Women Song Inc. and Urban Academy in June. . . .

What an amazing movement that is finally forming! We definitely need some positive images of black women to counter all the evil hateful messages out there.

Blog readers, check out the celebration over at MyBlackisBeautiful.com

Pearl Jr.'s & The Black Woman's Movement

noreply@blogger.com (Eternal Beauty in Black) — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 19:53:00 +0000

Just this as a bulletin on Myspace and I had to pass it on. Great reading from activist/author Pearl Jr. PLEASE pass this on. This is a great dialogue that needs to be opened up.

BLACK WOMAN'S MOVEMENT
Update & Duties!
June 21, 2007

This past week has been one filled with many arrogant insults to Black women:

Angelina Jolie playing a Black woman in the movie, "A Mighty Heart" and no one in the major media is discussing this complete disregard that Black women can be extraordinary and motivated by love just like any other woman can. A black woman can't be the object of a White man's desire, but according to the media, only a White woman can be the object of all men's desires. RACIST!

The Obama Crush video is still being promoted nationwide. This young White woman is calling out the herd of White women to charge Barack-ster to get him to be with one of them. I guess the popular mindset is supposed to be that a Black woman just cannot be what a good, smart, talented, millionaire man wants; he's got to want a sexy White thing just like any other Black man with resources. The woman in the video is a paid actress that probably isn't even a real Obama supporter and didn't even sing the horrible song.

DL Hugely displaying the arrogance of ignorance for refusing to apologize to the Rutger's Basketball team for calling them the ugliest women he has ever seen while being a guest on Jay Leno's Tonight Show. Even after a group of ministers in Texas picketed his concert, he still boldly said he didn't care and stood by his comment, which insults all hardworking innocent Black women, meaning all Black women are a target to being hurt for absolutely no reason whatsoever.

A talk radio show jock on ESPN by the name of Colin Cowherd said that it was NOT acceptable for Tiger Woods to miss the birth of his baby, but Lebron James could miss the birth of his baby. He said due to Tiger's wife being a Swedish model (immigrant nanny), she had to be worth shutting down the entire golf tournament, but Lebron should miss his baby's birth for a myriad of reasons. I supposed the difference is Lebron's baby momma is Black?

WE MUST BOYCOTT ALL THESE ENTITIES, ESPECIALLY THE ANGELINA JOLIE MOVIE. I GUESS SHE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A COMPLIMENT TO THE BLACK RACE FOR HER PLAY A BLACK WOMAN. I DON'T THINK BLACK PEOPLE TELL WHITE PEOPLE HOW MUCH THEIR THOUGHTS AND ACTIONS OF BLACK INFERIORITY REALLY OFFENDS US.

THE MOST IMPORTANT VOTE IS THE ONE WE MAKE WITH OUR DOLLARS AND AFTER THE LAST TWO PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS, I'M SURE THE VOTE WITH THE DOLLAR IS THE ONLY ONE THEY ALWAYS COUNT, NO MATTER IF THE PERSON GIVING THE DOLLARS IS WHITE, BLACK, BROWN, YELLOW OR POCKADOT.

WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

The MOST IMPROVED acknowledgement goes to Russell Simmons. Many of you may have seen my coverage of a Russell Simmons book party on my other website: http://www.trutalk.us/ and I confronted Russell about the extreme disrespect for Black women in too many rap crap records. He said that he'd make a recommendation to have the "B", "H", and "N" word taken off the radio airwaves. Well, after checking this week's most spun records and newly added songs on the radio, there was only one rap crap artist out of 71 and over 80 percent of them were BLACK. Hip Hip Hooray!! Thanks Russell Simmons and everyone who has turned off every radio station that plays racist filth. We are still monitoring for longevity sake. http://www.allaccess.com/

Ladies, we don't give money to people that call us bitches and hos, and if they continue to feel the need to call us bitches, then we will just be bitches with our riches.

WE MUST WRITE LETTERS OF DISAPPROVAL TO "A MIGHT HEART" PRODUCTION COMPANY, Revolution Films in association with Paramount Vantage email@revolution-films.com 323 956-500-Paramount

Never ever give DL Hugely one penny of our hard earned dollars. Did he forget who fills the (vast majority) audience seats to see his stand up routine? I mean how ignorant and self-mutilating can one be. This is more shameful because he is married to a Black woman and has several children. http://www.whataboutourdaughters.com/

Write to Colin Cowherd of ESPN radio and tell him that every child has the same importance of having their father present at their birth. Just because she is a Swedish White woman doesn't make the father's presence more important or less important when a child comes into this world.
theherd@espnradio.com

As far as the Obama video, write comments to Fox News (myword@foxnews.com) and ask them to stop being disrespectful to Michelle Obama by parading a White actress/seductress to provoke Black women not to vote for him and upset White men. This tactic of showing powerful Black men being chased after by White women has proven effective, just like in the "call me" commercial that destroyed Harold Ford's chances of being elected Senator from Tennessee. The only difference is Harold deserved it, and Mr. Obama does NOT. Do not watch this video on youtube, so it gets more plays, just write to Obama's Campaign and tell him that you think this video was made to destroy his chances of being President of the USA. www.myspace.com/barackobama

LASTLY, KNOW THAT BLACK WOMEN ARE 20 MILLION STRONG AND WE SIMPLY AIN'T TAKING THE DISRESPECT ANYMORE. WE DON'T HAVE TO BECAUSE WE ARE HUGE COMSUMERS AND IF WE TIGHTEN UP OUR POCKETBOOKS, THAT MEANS SEVERE DECLINES FOR THEIR REVENUES.

POWER BACK TO THE PEOPLE!

KNOW THAT TOGETHER WE WILL CHANGE THE WORLD!

PASS THIS ALL OVER THE INTERNET BY TELLING A FRIEND AND TELL THEM TO JOIN THE BLACK WOMAN'S MOVEMENT AT:

http://www.blackwomenneedlovetoo.com/

THE MORE MEMBERS,
THE MORE EFFECTIVE,
THE FASTER THE CHANGE,
THE QUICKER THE RESULT!

Don't forget to call Oprah Winfrey and ask her to put more Black couples in her O Magazine. 1 866 OPRAHXM

And several of you wrote to me about my promotion of a Black Chamber of Commerce Luncheon featuring Cuba Gooding. Well guys, it was Cuba Gooding, Sr. (the father) and he gave a magnificent Juneteenth speech and he bragged about how wonderful Black women are, especially the Black mother of his children. He is a fantastic singer and a member of the Main Ingredients. His goals include the upward mobility of the Black race. I wished I had recorded it, but he told me, there will be plenty of times because he is taking his mission to enlighten our youth on tour.

Sincerely,

Pearl Jr.
Activist/Author

Where the black women in pop culture??

noreply@blogger.com (Eternal Beauty in Black) — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 19:54:00 +0000

Now this is interesting. From a fellow myspacer, I saw this as a bulletin post today and I dashed over here with my mind swirling.

www.letstalkhonestly.com asks the question:

Are black women being replaced in the media?

A resounding YEEEESSSSSSS!

Ahem.

Currently, I'm listening to the NPR report (I heart NPR) and the link is located here. First, my thoughts on the radio discussion. They started fabulously talking about black women disappearing in pop culture today and in the media. I thought finally! A dialogue about black women issues today! Now, why did they go and end up talking about Dr. Dre and NWA and hip hop today? (Who cares? I don't.) What's that have to do anything? It reminds me of the monolithic idea where the color of your skin lumps you into a group no matter the sex, no matter your ideas and interest. If you're black you're connected with one huge group with a big ole label slapped on you. If you're a black woman, you're loud, neck popping, completely against IR dating, etc. ad nauseum ad banging head against the wall. It's annoying and it's tired. Now, grant it, we talk about black female issues here as a groupt thing and although we are individuals, these issues affects all of us black women because of the beliefs and ideas that are pushed onto us from the outside world.

So word to the wise: if you listen to the radio discussion you may want to drop out around 05:12 or thereabouts.

So back to the discussion at hand. This has been the subject of many a talks between T and myself especially in fandomland. The minute a black female shows up she is given grief by certain parties of fandom to the point that her fans have to rally together to drown out the haterism she receives. Especially if said female is beautiful, intelligent and a source of attraction for male fandom. T will be posting more on the issues of fandom surrounding this later on. But I will say that this is not surprising.

Black women are attractive to all types of men out there.

I will say this again because some tend not to believe this.

Black women are attractive to all types of men out there.

Rinse repeat. I say this because on other blogs I've wandered to, I hear how wm aren't attracted to black women, etc yadda yadda. If they weren't there wouldn't be laws put in place to keep the two groups apart. There wouldn't be stereotypes put in motion at the beginning of the century to lure their sons away from marrying black females. Plus, we wouldn't be getting the eye overseas in European countries as T has told me! (now, where's my passport again?!)

Interestingly enough, today we are seeing an extreme version of the 3 stereotypes that were fed into the media. Now we're seeing an all out "blackout" of bw in the media. They're just shutting us out altogether. Where are the black female leads who were coming up just a few years ago? Where's mention of the talented black female singers (NPR at least got that point right!) such as India Arie, Jill Scott, Heather Headley etc? Are we really that much of a threat?

I shall leave the answer up to you.

What I would like to see is creative, open-minded black women getting together and making our own movies. Females already account for about 2% of directors out there now. Something New was a great start in the right direction, but there are many more stories to be told. The thing is females have to come out in droves in the entertainment industry and many are discouraged right in film school by their own professors from acheiving film degrees. The good thing is that filmmaking is pretty cheap now, one just has to have the heart and power to go for it. Writers should team up with fellow indie filmmakers searching for an awesome project to direct.

But it's in our hands ladies and I think it's a fabulous time to start telling our own stories and placing ourselves in the pop culture media!

Otherwise, who else will?

Who are we?

noreply@blogger.com (Eternal Beauty in Black) — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 07:25:00 +0000

This month is the anniversary of a remarkable day in history. Commemorating a time when it was illegal by law to fall in love with someone of a different color. June 12^th is Loving Day named after the couple Richard and Mildred Loving who fought the system for their right to love, marry and raise a family in the state of Virginia in 1967. June 21-24, 2007 in Chicago, Illinois For the first time in U.S. history, the Loving Conference wishes to bring together organizations representing all communities on critical issues that continue to fragment our nation at the Loving Decision Conference 2007: The Next 40 Years of Multiracial Communities.

How does this blog tie in?

Eternal Beauty in Black celebrates the empowerment, beauty, strength and wisdom of black women everywhere. This includes empowering their choice to who they fall in love with. During my time while wandering the net and reading different blogs, there has been many women like me who have a preference for a type of man they’re interested in. Many feel they should hide in fear of backlash because their preference or attraction goes against everything their “community” says it’s not the image they should fall for. They’ve grown up taking care of everyone else before themselves, thus carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders.

Black women are not a monolith.

But many have been made to stay within that mindset.

This is a blog celebrating individuality and advancement. This is also a blog that sits against the tide of the media that says black women are not attractive, all of them look a certain way and they are only good for one thing.

On the sides you will see many of our favorite shows, books and movies that depict IR couples which you probably haven’t heard of. You will also see some talented and beautiful trailblazing sistas that have paved the way on TV in star making roles that have gained a strong following.

So go ahead a bookmark us for future posts that celebrate the eternal beauty in black women.