This is only the beginning. Jane Elliot is a beast. She is a diversity trainer who has been active since the 1960s. The day after Martin Luther King was shot, she began diversity training based on blue eyes and brown eyes. She separated her students into 2 groups :brown eyes and blue eyes. She wanted to show students what it feels like to be discriminated against. This exercise has developed over time and Jane Elliot has traveled to numerous institutions to perform this exercise giving students only a taste of realities that some face everyday. Check out 1 or 2
Alice Smith moves the audience with this Cee-Lo Green cover.
I could only watch this about 100000000 times and never get sick of it. ALICE SMITH, if you don't know her, you should! I first became familiar with this awesome artist sitting in my dorm room during me old college days. *Not only was my best friend my room mate, but also a hip music queen! Thanks Whit* She suggested that I listen to "Dream" by Alice Smith, and I was immediately in love. "For Lovers and Dreamers" = a witty album that displays the maturity of a female powerhouse that demands respect. Her dynamic vocals made you want to hear what was next.
Well, what was next for me was seeing and hearing this HEALTHY, SEXY, STRONG, CONFIDENT, POWERFUL, AND COURAGEOUS, leopard-clad woman blow the ROOF off of Newark's NJPAC. Watching through my t.v. screen, I was mesmerized, so wishing I was in the crowd to feel the energy Alice Smith was projecting. It wasn't just that she can sang, yes I said it S-A-N-G, or that she looked gorgeous! It was that strip down the make-up, the lights, the crowd, and everything else, SHE was just a woman doing her thing. She had music in every bit of her veins and her soul.
She stood in front of everyone and said "I AM HERE." Her groove, her stance, her pure love affair with music that was taking place before our eyes represented womanhood at its finest.
There wasn't a bad step, a missed note, there was just Strength. Right on Alice Smith, I will never lose track of your music again. Peep her next Album "She" and check her website for tour dates! http://www.alicesmith.com/
In Sight of Last Night's awesome display of Black Femininity on BET Black Girls Rock I woke up to read this very touching article. Upon further investigation I realized I have a mutual friend with the author, Olivia Cole. I reached out to her via FB and her gracious response made me like her even more. She thanked me for connecting with her and said she was glad if she could only reach 1, but she hoped "white folks" would get it too. Right on Olivia! YOU ROCK!!
I'm going to make this quick and to the point. I don't know that I have all these thoughts flushed out yet, but here it goes. I'm all about space these days and so I recently thought of this question of "who owns >Her<?" No, this is not a typo, I wrote it that way on purpose. Who is >Her<? Her (She) is you, me, and every other woman that is roaming this Earth. I write it that way because I want my OUR image to be projected outward. I don't want to be bracketed by the world. I want to have ownership of my own image and so should every other woman. Don't let this world confine you. Don't let them tell you you're not smart enough, not beautiful enough, not strong enough. A diamond in the rough is still a diamond. Own who you are and what you are. Stand up for yourself. Find our voice. Learn your strengths. Trust your intuition. And never be afraid to grow. Don't be hindered by anything other than your own convictions, it is only then that you will begin to see the world.
This was a great discussion featuring Michela Angela Davis and activist who fight for the image of black and brown people. It's a bit long, but it's such an interesting conversation. Definitely one to listen to.
There are so many videos by this woman that I love. Ms. Michela Angela Davis is an image activist who focuses on empowering young women of color to take pride in who they are. Former fashion editor of Essence magazine, this woman challenges the idea of who owns [Her]. She makes us this think about who has created the images of our black and brown sisters and how MUST reclaim ourselves. I applaud you Ms. Davis. You continue to inspire and affect change!
Yesterday I was in Walmart going through checkout and I had the most precious moment. The lady who was working behind the counter was being extremely kind to the person in front of me as he was collecting his things. Being in customer service myself, I thought " how nice to see such service." I also wondered if she was going to perceive me a certain way because I was all donned out in Chicago Bulls fitted cap and wedged sneaker boots. It was a quick thought, but it did cross my mind. Well, I didn't have time to think about it too much because the man was gone and I was up to the counter. We exchanged pleasantries and then the woman asked if I was in college. I said "no ma'am" I could tell she wanted to know if something was coming after. So I said, "I finished my masters this past year." In a matter of a half of second, this woman's face changed from being inquisitive to pure joy. She said "you go!" And stuck her hand out for a high five. I was so surprised. Then the woman behind me in line said "you go one from me too." The "Walmart Lady" said "that is awesome. I am so proud of you. I don't know you, and I may never see you again, but I am so proud of you. I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about it." She was so sincere and so genuine. All I could say was thank you. I don't even know if I mentioned I was getting my Ph.D. or not, at that moment it wasn't relevant. Our interaction lasted less than 8 minutes, but in that moment I was proud. She said "that is so great and you're humble too. I hope you drink all the water you can get (as I had purchased a water bottle) future Ms. Obama. I smiled and said, "you have a blessed day," "you too." Sometimes a kind word is all you need to carry you through the day. A few minute interaction can liven your spirit, and pride can be found in unexpected places. So, dear cashier- I don't know you, and I may never see you again, but our moment was precious and I thank you for it. Be blessed! Peace, love, and happiness...spread a little today
