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One of my classmates shared this book with me. This chapter captured my attention. I use to enjoy watching the TLC show Say Yes to the Dress every weekend. I would sit there and imagine my perfect dress with my perfect wedding. After reading the title of this chapter I was upset with myself why didn’t I ever questioned the absence of black women in the show or even latinas?

#Thelackofrepresentation

Unfortunately I was not able to access the book before finals to read the whole chapter. I would like to read it and learn more about the lack of black representation in this particular show. 

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Colorism exist within the latino community and also within the black communities. Growing up as the “light skin mexican” I was treated differently. I remember family members praising my skin color and always questioning if my mother was actually my biological mother because of our skin differences. People would tell her “How can she be your daughter, she’s so light and you're so dark”. I still have family members that praise their kids for having such light skin. Their glad that their kids are not dark like them or other family members. I’ve heard latina women tell their daughters to “marry a gringo (white boy) so they can have beautiful light skin babies”. These are all perfect examples of colorism. I feel like even within the Latino community there is a sense of division. In the article Mammies, Matriarchs and other controlling images, Patricia Hill Collins states, “ Division of African- Americans into two categories the “brights” and the “lesser Blacks” affects-dark skin and light-skinned women differently.” ( Pg 91) These division within the same community is problematic and harmful to the communities. There are these stereotypes placed on bodies based on how “bright” or “dark skin” they are. I think that one thing we can do to stop colorism is not use Colorist language within our families and community. We should not assign more value to the babies born “light skin” . We should also move away from complimenting someone but then finishing that compliment with the statement “ for a dark person”. Language is extremely important and it can be harmful.

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Another amazing sketch by @_smaragdine

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I came across Jordan’s queer art on instagram.

His account is: _smaragdine.

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I came across this post today. Lizzo shared this on her Instagram account: @lizzobeeating. I’ve read this statement several times made by Lizzo, each time she words it differently but it’s essentially the same message. She states, “These songs are for my big black girls, everyone can enjoy them, but I want to help us”. I really appreciate and love Lizzo’s authenticity. Her music,style, fashion and ownership of her sexuality is truly admirable and extremely powerful. She focuses on women just like her and that’s what women need, especially woman who struggle with loving their bodies and skin.

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Fatphobia against Black bodies:

Sabrina Strings argues that the contemporary ideal of thinness is racialized and racist. In her book Fearing the Black Body focuses on how fatphobia isn’t about health issues, but it is a way in which bodies are used to to affirm race, class, and gender prejudice. This is also another form of control to police bodies.

"Fearing the Black Body: The Racial Origins of Fat Phobia." Publishers Weekly 266, no. 11 (2019): 75.

#fatphobia #sabrinasteings #fearingtheblackbody #race #class #gender

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Photo: Instagram: @iamcardib

Cardi B is often shamed for how she expresses her sexuality. I’ve heard women say that they don't like her vulgar language. I have to admit that initially I felt the same way. As I started to learn more about intersectionality, I started to view Cardi B differently. I’m ashamed to admit that I was judging her based on her lack of education and class. How can I do that ? What made me any different then her? I realized that Cadi B was not the problem, the problem was my expectations of how woman should “behave” and express themselves. After learning more about Cardi’s personal struggles and all her accomplishments, I now view Cardi B as an empowering figure.

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LIST OF BOOKS THAT YOU CAN ACCESS AT YOUR LONG BEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY  THAT CENTERS BLACK GIRLS 

DREAM BIG, LITTLE ONE / Vashti Harrison��Harrison, Vashti, author.

I like myself! / Karen Beaumont 

Princess hair / by Sharee Miller

I love my hair! / by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley ; illustrated by E.B. Lewis

Representation should never be limited. Literature is another great way to represent the black community. most of the books listed above are  focusing  and discussing natural hair for black girls. Black girls and women are often criticized and shamed for their hair. Having discussions with young black girls about their hair is a great way to empower them and show them that Black is beautiful. I’ve worked for the library for 12 years and throughout the years I have noticed a great variety of books that represent different cultures, races and sexuality. I’m started to see more diversity and also important topics that should be in literature. This is a perfect example of that!

http://www.longbeach.gov/library

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The Black Panther Party’s 10-Point Platform and Program states the  demands of what should be consider as  payment for the injustices enact against the Black Community. When discussing this in class, we all agreed that these injustices continue to happen now, one example of that would be police brutality. 

"The Black Panther Party’s 10-Point Platform and Program (1966)." In Activism and Reform, The Arts, Business and Industry, 64-66. Vol. 1 of African American Eras: Contemporary Times. Detroit, MI: UXL, 2010. Gale Virtual Reference Library (accessed May 8, 2019). http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CX1838000034/GVRL?u=long89855&sid=GVRL&xid=aa717870.

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Lizzo in Los Angeles in March 2019.Photograph by Erik Tanner for Rolling Stone. Hair by Shelby Swain. Makeup by Alexx Mayo at TheOnly.Agency. Styling by Marko Monroe

When reading the article Mammies, Matriarchs and other controlling images by Patricia Hill Collins, I thought about the singer Lizzo.  Part of the article focuses on beauty standards.  Collins states, “Dealing with prevailing standards of beauty -particularly skin color, facial features, and hair texture- is one specific example of how controlling images derogate African American women.” (Collins Pg. 89) Lizzo is definitely challenging those controlling images with her music, style and performances. She empowers black women to love their blackness by  embracing  their color, hair texture and body shape.

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Jane Elliott’s Blue Eyes Brown Eyes

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The results of woman-hating in the Black community are tragedies which diminish all Black people. These acts must be seen in the context of a systematic devaluation of Black women within this society. It is within this context that we become approved and acceptable targets for Black male rage, so acceptable that even a Black male social scientist condones and excuses this depersonalizing abuse. This abuse is no longer acceptable to Black women in the name of solidarity, nor of Black liberation. Any dialogue between Black women and Black men must begin there, no matter where it ends.

from Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde (via ahistoryofanxietyandanxietyand)

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Nia Wilson! Say her name! Refuse to forget!

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Another DARK SKIN APPRECIATION POST 🤗🥰

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