#god BLESS BLACK HAIRSTYLISTS ON THESE SETS

[hashtag-naturalchickproblems]

The Tara & Emily friendship. I'm HERE for it

[dreamescapeswriting]

Delivery Boy ~ PJM [Request]

↬↬↬Word Count:1.9K

↬↬↬Genre: Fluffy, crack?

↬↬↬Pairing: Park Jimin x Actress!Reader

↬↬↬A/N: I’m sorry it’s so short hun!! but I hope this is to your liking! sorry it’s late, tumblr is deleting everything in my drafts for some weird reason

It had been so long since you'd had a day to yourself you'd almost forgotten what it was like, you were so rushed off your feet there was never any time to yourself. 

"You have a meeting with Dispatch at 10, then at 12 we'll all go for lunch before heading down to a press conference and from there it's-"

"Straight on a plane to London, I know." You didn't mean for your words to come out stressed and annoyed but it was how you felt. Your personal assistant had gone over the schedule with you four times already and you'd only been awake for twenty minutes. 

"Can you get me some water?" She left the room and you dove towards your phone to call your boyfriend - Jimin - you'd missed your regular skype date the night before. Shit. He wasn't answering which meant he'd already left on his flight to Paris and you'd missed him once again. 

"I'm coming in!" You heard a stylist yell from outside your hotel room door, instead of waiting for her, you headed into the bathroom to have a long hot shower. The thought of missing Jimin was getting to you, you'd missed each other all week if it wasn't you that was busy it was him. His voice sounded through his voicemail and you smiled as you heard it for the first time in days, you missed him. 

"It's Y/n, sorry about last night. I know I promised I'd be there but I got in from promotions and passed out in bed. Call me when you land, I love you." You hung up the phone and turned towards the shower. The water was steaming so you stripped out of your clothes and got under the showerhead, closing your eyes and just letting it all relax you. Letting the water melt away all your worries and stress that you had with your new movie promotions, once all of it was over you and Jimin could go back to how things were. Sneaking around but actually being able to see one another without being so busy you didn't have a second to breathe.

I'll be watching the press conference...wear something blue for me? xx You giggled down at your phone screen and told the stylist you wanted to wear something blue instead of the red dress she had selected. It had always been this way whenever you were away from Jimin, he'd ask you to wear a specific item of clothing or colour so he would know it was just for him. While you would ask him to do silly things on stage or in interviews to make you laugh, it was cute. 

"Any reason we're wearing blue today?" Your manager teased looking up from her phone, it was filled to the brim with all of your schedules and it was practically glued to her hand. 

"No reason." She knew you were lying, she was the only one out of your time that knew of your relationship with Jimin and that was only because she'd caught you both once. Jimin had snuck by to come and see you on set and you were in your changing room together, nothing was happening you were just making out on the sofa when she decided to walk in on you.

"Blue always looks amazing on you, it compliments your skin tone amazingly." You smiled at the newest makeup artist, she was a trainee that you had picked out of a list of twenty. She was inexperienced but no one was going to get anywhere in life if someone didn't give them a chance, someone took a chance on you and now you were a huge movie star. 

 The press conference had dragged on so long you thought you'd gotten stuck in some alternate universe where for some reason time moved slower.

"I'm ready for a week-long nap and then a week-long of eating nothing but junk food." You grumbled as you walked through the airport, you were walking with the newest makeup artist - Claire - who was laughing along with you. You were dressed in a big fluffy coat, with a mask and sunglasses to help hide your face from cameras. You looked drained and your manager didn't want people to see that since you were her number one star and 'always had to look your best.' 

"I'm serious, I'm so tired I think I might sleep for a month instead," She agreed with you as you linked arms and walked towards the terminal together. Over the last week of her being with you, she'd been nothing but kind towards you and you had grown close, so close in fact that you were roommates at your next destination but, it was your manager's idea and you knew it was to keep you from constantly calling Jimin.

"All passengers boarding to flight 166, this is the final call for flight 166." You sighed as you turned off your phone, there was still nothing from Jimin, he was supposed to call before your flight but the only notifications you had was your twitter going off with notifications about your arrival at Seoul Airport and how you were flying to your new destination now. Sometimes you wished your plans would work alongside Jimin's and you would end up together somehow but it was never meant to happen. 

Your manager's squealing voice was what woke you up when the plan was due to land, you buckled up and stared at her from across the aisle, 

"What did I miss?" You yawned at Claire who had been watching your manager the entire time, 

"Not sure, she was yelling down her phone for most of the flight, but we're here." You looked out of the window to see not Heathrow Airport but Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris. 

"Did we catch the wrong plane, is that her problem?" You asked pulling down the blinds when the stewardess gave you a funny look, Claire shrugged her shoulder and you both watched you, manager until you landed. 

"We're in Paris..." You said to her once you were standing outside the airport, cameras were flashing everywhere and you smiled at them while waving and trying to look like you had expected this.

"Well spotted," Your manager was starting to seem too happy for someone who had just spent a nine-hour flight complaining the entire time.

"We have to go to your hotel, smile and wave." You did as you were told and got into the black sports range rover that was waiting for you and you decided not to press her for answers. You didn't want to spoil her unusually good mood by playing 20 questions with her. 

"Ah Miss Y/l/n," Your name was like magic to Jimin's ears, he looked up from his phone as soon as he heard it. He was walking through the hotel lobby to go to the dining room with the boys when he heard your name. His eyes locked onto the side of your head and took in your features, even after a nine-hour flight you still looked amazing to him, dressed in grey sweatpants with your hair tied back you still looked irresistible to him. 

"Oh my god, is that?" You followed Claire's gaze to see Jimin staring at you and every bone in your body wanted to drop your bag and sprint over to him bringing him into a hug never to let go again but you knew you were being watched. A small smile filled your face as you made eye contact with him across the room, he waved his hand and you waved back until your manager started pulling you in the direction of the elevator. Now you knew why she'd given you a roommate, it was to stop you and Jimin from being together at night, she wasn't trying to be nasty about it but if it ever got out that you and he were dating it would ruin everything in yours and his job.

"You know him?!" Your stylist asked once the doors shut, you were alone with her, your manager and your suitcases. 

"They're friends, really close in fact. I'll call up manager Sejin and arrange a meal for you both." Your eyes widened and your heart began to beat faster, was this her way of giving you her blessing? 

"That's so exciting, you guys would make the cutest power couple though." You laughed it off with Claire and both walked out onto your floor to find your bedroom for the next couple of days. Paris was supposed to be packed full of things for you to do, starting and ending with promotions with little to no free time to explore.

Knock, Knock, Knock. 

"Please be the food I'm starving." You groaned looking at Claire who was in the bathroom applying a clay mask to her face, you'd decided on having a pamper night together while watching some cheesy French romance movies that you'd found on the TV. 

"Me too." She whined, you jumped up from the bed and walked over to the door expecting it to be a pizza man but when you opened the door you were met by Jimin he threw one arm around your waist and held his other hand at the back of your head bringing you into a passionate kiss in the doorway. Everything around you melted away as yo started making out with him, your hands tangled into his blonde locks and you whimpered as he pushed your back into the wall beside the door, he kicked the door shut and began kissing down your neck. 

"Was it the food- Oh my god!" You both jumped apart and stared at Claire who was no looking anywhere but at you and Jimin. 

"Shit! Sorry! I forgot- I was just I erm...Jimin this is Claire, Claire this is Jimin." You looked at Jimin who was a bright red colour, his usual calm persona was faded away and he was a stuttering mess around you and her. 

"Good morning," You stared at him as he started repeating good morning over and over again as if it was the only English he knew which wasn't true since you'd been dating for a year now and he was fluent in it. 

"Jimin baby," You giggled pointing over at the window to point out that it was night time and he groaned hiding his head in your shoulder as you and Claire started to laugh softly at him. 

"I think I better leave you alone for the night, I'll go find one of the hairstylists." She winked at you, promising you before she left that she wouldn't say a word to anyone.

"Good morning?" He groaned as you reminded him and he walked you over to the bed laying you down and resuming the passionate makeout session that had started this mess in the first place. 

"Good morning." You started laughing but he pinned your wrists down to the bed and you knew he meant business then. He began kiss you once more and you kissed him back, eyes fluttering shut and arms wrapping around his neck when the doorbell to your hotel room rang. 

"That'll be food." You whispered telling him to go and hide in the bathroom until the delivery boy had left. 

"He wasn't as nice as my last delivery boy," You whined feeding Jimin a slice of pizza as you sat across from him, 

"My last delivery boy gave me this huge kiss, nothing can ever compare to...Maybe if I try a new hotel-" You were cut off by another kiss from Jimin and you giggled happily. You were content with this night, this perfectly chill night in together as you watched movies and ate pizza while cuddling, nothing would ever beat this. 

Tagline: 

@writingdreamsnottragedies​ @yoongisdumplingcheeks​ @snowy-meowl​ @lynnthevirgo​ @jooniesdarlingdimples​ @fan-ati--c​ @lyoongx​ @mitzwinchester​ @callingmyangel​ @kneel-begyourpardon​ @rjsmochii​ @btsiguess-kpop​ @taestannie​

[aliveanddrunkonsunlight]

If anyone is owning the 2019 Emmy Awards, it's Gwendoline Christie. Not only did the Game of Thrones actress submit herself for an award (and score a nomination because of it), but she also showed up looking like an absolute queen—and we mean that literally.

On Sunday, Christie walked the red carpet in a look that made her look more like a Lannister than a Tarth. Her satin, long-sleeved gown came complete with a draped neck, sequin- and bead-embroidered trimmed, and two lion-head medallions.

The whole ensemble was plucked from Gucci's Cruise 2020 collection, down to the accessories: Christie wore chandelier metal earrings with an aged gold finish, triple0wrap rings in 18-karat yellow gold, along with a five-band ring in 18-karat yellow gold, white and black diamonds, and red topaz, according to a statement from the brand. -Glamour

God bless Gwendoline Christie, who came to the Emmys dressed to give everyone a religious experience. The Game of Thrones actress, who is nominated for outstanding supporting actress in a drama series for her work as Brienne of Tarth, stepped on the carpet in a red and white gown. -Elle

So I'm guessing that it's officially pretty safe to say that when you die, Gwendoline Christie is the very first face you'll see once you're granted access to heaven. And honestly, it makes HUGE sense. I am dead! Deceased! Shook! It's Gwendoline's house of worship, and we're all just living in it. Goodbye. -Cosmopolitan

She had the sheer NERVE to show up to the 2019 Emmys Red Carpet looking like an actual PAINTING -BuzzFeed

The best supporting actress in a drama series category of this year's Emmy Awards is stacked, but Gwendoline Christie managed to set herself apart early on, by submitting her own name. (Somehow, HBO managed to overlook her masterful role on Game of Thrones as Brienne of Tarth.) Then, on Sunday night, just before the awards kicked off, the 40-year-old actress distinguished herself again when she stepped onto the red carpet—an event that was the awards show equivalent of the second coming of Christ.

That was in part, of course, thanks to Christie's star power, but mainly thanks to her choice of a majestic red-and-white Gucci ensemble that trailed behind her on the floor. Like the house's creative director, Alessandro Michele, it made Christie look like Jesus—that is, if Jesus wore bright red lipstick instead of a beard. (And could spare the expense towards silver embroidery and gold sequins.) -W Magazine

The cream and burnt red floor-length boatneck satin gown featuring gold embroidery, sequins, beading and lion head metal medallion hardware has a medieval aesthetic, fitting for a knight. She paired the look with gold leather high heel sandals, dramatic aged-gold dangle earrings, and triple wrap Ouroboros rings (all by Gucci) accompanied by a wet-look wave hairstyle.

"Today’s inspiration for Gwen’s Emmys [hair] look was her gown!" says Tresemmé hairstylist, John D. "The look was regal and inspirational. The gown had a medieval vibe so we wanted the hair to feel fresh and modern to balance out the medieval vibes. We opted for a “wet” sculpted look with naturally undone texture through the ends." -The Hollywood Reporter

Christie breezed into the event about halfway through the carpet broadcast, and stopped everyone in their tracks. The gown is undoubtedly regal and, on top of the apparent Game of Thrones nods, definitely gives off Roman goddess vibes as well. She topped off the look with gold jewelry that complemented the metallic details on the gown, plus deep red lipstick and curly hair that helped emphasize the who am-i-an-actor-or-a-medieval-queen situation.

Can you even with this entire look? It's not something everyone could rock with such confidence, but on Christie it looks completely natural. Most people on Twitter immediately connected it to her GoT character (and Brienne's relationship with Jaime Lannister): After all, the Lannister coat of arms features a golden lion on a crimson seal that's basically the exact color scheme of the actor's Emmys outfits. Others, however, thought the look was more Jesus-esque or, as one user put it, "my Catholic guilt in Gucci." Either way, everyone wants to join whatever religion Christie's spearheading. -Bustle

While Christie looked nothing short of heavenly, wearing loose blonde waves and a bold red lip, her cream and red dress with matching embroidered cape was definitely a statement, one which seemed to say, "Who cares if Bran won the Iron Throne because what's a king to a god?" -Allure

Viewers were stunned by Christie's one-of-a-kind red carpet look. Could anyone other than this fashion-forward star pull off this outfit? -Harper’s Bazaar

Gwendoline Christie Arrived at the Emmys and the Internet Said: "SHESUS CHRIST" -Yahoo

All Hail Gwendoline Christie Superstar -Vulture

[free-falling-grenade]

The Gazebo under a cherry tree

Chapter 4. Its here too ao3.

Chloe was startled back to the present as she desperately blinked back the tears, hiding it quickly with one of her signature bright smiles. Her soon to be husband wore a worried expression seemed to notice her zoned out state, "You okay?"

"Yea! Just had a tiny headrush. I should definitely not have drank a lot last night. I think it's finally taking effect. " She covered up enthusiastically, her excuse slightly valid enough or so she hoped.

Chicago's brows furrowed, not entirely believing her but decided not to push. He merely released a slight scoff and smiled adoringly at his fiance who kissed him on the cheek before skipping off to help out with more decorations. He merely shook his head letting out a sigh, his expression falling slightly as he stared at where Chloe went then switching his gaze where Beca and the other Bellas were laughing amongst themselves. The soldier's guts filled with worry but decided not to let his assumptions overtake his thoughts.

xxx

Once Beca returned to the mini bar with the Bellas, she was immediately bombarded with questions.

"B! Where did you go?" A slightly tipsy Stacie asked.

"Was with Chloe."

The Bellas suddenly going silent as they all give each other worried stares. The brunette noticed this and waved them off.

"Nothing crazy. Just catching up. You guys wanna hit the spa next?"

The ladies decided it was safe to just leave it alone for now. They all agreed to go to the spa as they followed Beca all fuelled with alcohol in their system.

Unexpectedly, her phone started ringing, Theo's name flashing on the screen. She excused herself from the Bellas who was already at the spa lounge waiting for their turns.

"Yes, Theo?"

"Hey Beca. I know you're on a small vacation right now but we got an emergency in the studio."

"What happened? Did you set it on fire or something ?"

Theo scoffed at the other end of the line, "No. Luckily. But Sarah almost did while she tried to heat her instant noodles."

Beca let out a chuckle. Sarah, a sophomore in college, their intern was a little bit of a clutz but she was creative and passionate with a strong ability to learn quickly, the reason why Beca agreed to take her in the first place.

"Seriously though, DJ Khaled and the other big bosses is holding an emergency meeting. Regarding what, I'm not so sure. They just need everyone to be present there or else apparently."

The producer let out a sigh, she knew there were consequences but she had luckily never missed a meeting to know what they were. "Its that important?"

"You know they barely hold meetings like this out of the blue. So I guess there's not much of a choice here."

With another sigh, the petite woman came to a decision. "Alright. Well, do you mind picking me up around tomorrow afternoon or something? I can't miss this, you know that."

Theo smiled sympathetically for the brunette, understanding the importance of the wedding. "Got it, boss. I'll do my best. I'll give you a call when the driver arrives tomorrow."

Beca was half glad and half torn. Not having to witness Chloe and Chicago actually getting pronounced as husband and wife was a blessing in disguise however, also the fact that this was her bestfriend, despite barely talking for 2 years, she cared deeply for her happiness and was hopelessly in love. It was tearing her apart but it would kill her if she made the dick move of leaving right now.

So the decision to get the next flight tomorrow is so she would be there a little during the wedding not to miss the entire thing and just make her presence still known. Surprisingly, Theo's lack of persistence to get back immediately made her wonder how much of an emergency it really was.

Beca luckily had a friend like Stacie who packed formal business clothes which she asked her why, the tall brunette merely winked. She lent her a black silk blazer to go with a matching pair of midnight black formal pants and Flo's black heels that she had lent the brunette as they had the same shoe size. The unfortunate part was that Beca only had a white casual v-neck t-shirt to act as an inside. She couldn't wear the outrageous orange bridesmaid dress. That would totally ruin her image as a producer once she flew back to LA wearing it.

Fortunately for her, all the Bellas understood how Beca felt about the wedding, especially Aubrey. So she made up a reason for there being too much up in the small altar so only certain girls would be up there with Chloe. Stacie, Jessica, Emily and Aubrey herself volunteering to be infront which Chloe agreed to after a slight confusion.

After their spa sessions, the girls had decided to all pass out early to get their beauty sleeps right before the wedding day. Which took Beca an agonizingly long time to fall asleep as she fidgeted the whole night, mentally giving herself a prep talk repeatedly till it lulled her to sleep : No tears. No pain. Just smile. Move on.

xxx

Day 3 of Wedding: Speak now or forever hold your piece.

As the wedding started, Beca was stood all the way in the back row which she guessed was where all Chloe's other friends and coworkers sat. The petite woman was trying to keep her distance to physically restrain herself, not trusting her own actions.

Waking herself up earlier was already physically too much. She didn't know if she was ready for the closure. She didn't know if she was ready to move on, not knowing anything beyond the thoughts of Chloe that haunted her 24/7. She didn't know if she wanted to.

As she stood there infront of the bathroom mirror, the other Bellas all ready in Cynthia Rose's and Flo's room, she took in her appearance. The dark circle around her eyes still visible through the foundation she applied to hide them, her smile trembled trying its best to carry the weight of the reality, her hair braided by none other than the self declared hairstylist of the Bellas - Cynthia Rose and her outfit not matching the other girls as she wore the business outfit ready to leave for the meeting as soon as possible. She let out a deep, long sigh.

Aubrey stood at the door, noticing the brunette staring at the void reflection of herself. The blonde gritted her teeth, cautiously knocking on the door to make her presence known.

"One final heartbreak, huh?" The hoarse and vulnerable voice almost knocking out Aubrey.

She formed a tight lipped smile, "One final heartbreak." The blonde repeated firmly

Beca turned to her friend, her eyes dangerously glassy as she offered a wide empty smile and walking out to join the Bellas.

She tried to ignore the sound of millions of pieces that fell from her now shattering heart, the bonds she had used to keep it together now falling apart as she saw Chloe approach in her beautifully tailored one shoulder, white laced satin wedding dress, accompanied by her father. Beca's breath completely caught in her throat as crystal blue skies met the midnight sea locking gazes briefly, but it was gone as fast as it started, failing to read each others expressions.

Beca internally scoffed at the traditional wedding instrumental playing in the background. She let out a small sigh as she watched Chicago's eyes sparkle at the sight of chloe. Honestly, whose wouldn't. Chloe Beale who was the epitome of all the wonderful things the world was lucky to have, all of her now within the soldier's reach. Beca swallowed back the venom rising from inside her.

As the preacher began the ceremony, the world around her suddenly gets muted. The pang in her chest seemed to grow larger, swelling from the pain of holding in the water works that kept persistently trying to push themselves out of her eyes. Her fist clenching and nails digging into her palms every time she watched the couple smile at each other, looking at their hands intertwined caused hers to burn like acid being poured agonizingly slow on delicate skin. As the anguish in her heart start bubbling over the surface, burning every part of her skin that Chloe Beale had once touched, boiling red, seeing black; if this was more painful than death then she prayed to the gods for them to take her now. Her heart shrivelled smaller and smaller.

The vibration in her pocket startled her back to reality forcing her clenched fist apart as she politely got up her seat, slightly bending down to not attract any attention to herself. Lucky enough, everyone was focused on the couple. She stood right by the entrance, as she finally answered the phone call.

"Mitchell." She responded with a quiet but firm tone.

"Beca. The driver is outside the resort up front. The private jet is waiting. I'm sorry I had to call at a time like this."

"No, it's fine." Beca silently replied. Her eyes closed for a minute as the echo of the minister's words rang in her ears,

"If anyone can show just cause why this couple cannot lawfully be joined together in matrimony, let them speak now or forever hold their peace"

She took a deep shaky breath, exhaling it out slowly. The world under her suddenly trembling, begging for her to do something but her feet suddenly felt like it was glued to the floor.

"Beca?"

"Coming, coming. See you there." She hung up without further words and shoved the phone in her pocket. She swallowed thickly exhaling one last breath as she made her way out towards the exit. She didn't dare to look back.

. . .

She texted Aubrey to let her know she had left for her emergency meeting. She had told the girls about it once Theo had called.

Beca sighed as she made herself comfortable on the plane seat. One of the good things about becoming famous was getting your own private jet. It wasn't hers per se, but it was designated for her when she needed it. She didn't need to worry about other people cramped up in a tight plane with a crying baby on board. She thanked the hired stewardess for the water before she left her alone. She gazed out the window, evaluating how things came up to this. If she just knew earlier, or back in Brooklyn, if she could've just sucked it up and told her before the USO tour, how her life would've been much better.

But of course, she wasn't Beca Mitchell if she didn't live some type of cursed life. It was a give or take life she had. Have your parents divorce but get a nice DJ set for your birthday to make up for shattering your entire view of family. Have to tolerate college but get to meet all the amazing girls she was glad to call her family now. Somehow have your dream that you'd been chasing for years come true but have your bestfriend, that you're completely, hopelessly, excruciatingly in love with be taken away by someone else and watch them live a happy life.

How ironically amazing her life was; Living the dream with a broken heart.

She let her sulking drain all her energy as she fell into a deep slumber.

[jessicakehoe]

How Montreal-Based Model Djamilla Toure is Amplifying the Voices of the African Diaspora

At the age of seven, Djamilla Toure learned what it’s like to be “the other.” She and her family had just moved to Morocco from Côte d’Ivoire, where a political war was raging, and she was a dark-skinned girl in a North African country where many people have lighter complexions.

“I was one of just a few Black kids in my school. To have lived in a place where I was the majority and then be a minority at seven—it was really difficult for me to navigate,” says Toure, who moved to Montreal upon completing high school. “After Casablanca, I wanted to go someplace where nobody knew me and I could define who I was.”

Toure began modelling while still a student of international relations and international law at Université du Québec à Montréal. Since signing with modelling agency NEXT, she has worked with brands including M.A.C, Want Les Essentiels and Browns Shoes. This past winter, Toure was featured in a CoverGirl campaign and wrote this caption when she shared the news on Instagram: “No one can understand how crazy this is for me. How unbelievable it is. NEVER ever my 15 year old self could have thought that this was possible for her…that this was waiting for her.”

View this post on Instagram

No one can understand how crazy this is for me. How unbelievable it is. NEVER ever my 15 year old self could have thought that this was possible for her… that this was waiting for her. ⁣ ⁣ And as crazy as it sound, this brand was on my vision board for 2019. It’s a living dream. ⁣ ⁣ Working with @covergirl was pure bliss , thank you for the opportunity 💕@nextcanada it’s a love story 💕⁣ ⁣ For some it’s only an ad for me it’s God’s blessing. 🕊 ⁣ ⁣ #covergirl #beauty #beautyshoot #melanin #blackgirlmagic

A post shared by Djamilla 🇨🇮🕊 (@djamishere) on Jan 24, 2020 at 5:00am PST

With her career on the rise, though, Toure notes that it’s “unfortunate” that even in 2020, makeup artists and hairstylists aren’t taught how to work with Black models’ skin and hair, which makes for uncomfortable experiences on-set. Or Black models are asked to come to the set with their hair already done.

“Most of the time when I’m booked, I’m the only Black girl,” Toure adds about modelling in Montreal. “And it’s sad because there’s this weird competition because we know that only one Black girl can be booked. But because we don’t have that many Black girls represented by modelling agencies, we know each other. And we support each other.”

“Most of the time when I’m booked, I’m the only Black girl. And it’s sad because there’s this weird competition because we know that only one Black girl can be booked.

Toure has spoken up throughout the Black Lives Matter movement about these examples of racism in the fashion industry. And the pervasiveness of the inequities is clearly fatiguing for her. “But the thing that keeps me going,” she says, “is knowing that if I’m booked for a job, somewhere a little Black girl will be able to see a young Black woman with a wide nose, big lips and an afro in an ad.”

Growing up, Toure was acutely aware of the lack of African women in mainstream media. “For me, media representation is truly key,” she says. “I believe that you can become what you cannot see, but it will take a lot of strength and a huge amount of imagination. Media has the power to make that path easier for us as minorities, whether it’s the Black woman doctor with kinky hair that they put in an ad or an Arab woman with a veil running in a Nike outfit. But while it’s great to see an ad with women from all walks of life doing amazing stuff, and men as well, I truly believe that the best representation happens in the rooms where the decisions are made—at the table where they’re creating ads and fashion shoots.”

View this post on Instagram

Being young, gifted and black ~ Actively writing our own stories. ⁣ ⁣ We use cellphones to create content, laptops to create platforms and pens to reclaim what’s ours. Our creativity invades the digital space and shapes it with grace. ⁣ ⁣ We are building what we did not see growing up. We are becoming models of inspiration for the generations to come. We leverage the tools that were given to us to amplify what bothers them. ⁣ ⁣ We amplify our joy, #Blackjoy ⁣ We amplify our magic, #Blackgirlmagic ⁣ We amplify our voices, #Metoo⁣ We amplify our stories, #DiasporaSpeaking ⁣ We amplify the narration of our ancestors. ⁣ ⁣ We reclaim. ⁣ ⁣ Because even though the media shapes stories, highlights what matters to them and presents a single story to their audience, we’re done fighting to sit at tables that were not meant for us to thrive. ⁣ ⁣ We build. ⁣ 🕊⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ Frame: ⁣@akembe_⁣ Mua: ⁣@_roze_glow⁣ Edit: ⁣@djamishere⁣ ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ #africancreatives #blackcreatives #ivoriangirlskillingit #melaninqueen #bloggers225 #melaninhairstyles #melaninstyles #melaningoddesses #blackqueen #darkskinnedqueen #africangirlskillingit #lightroom #photography#vsco#team225 #explorearound #melaninart #explore #blackgirljoy

A post shared by Djamilla 🇨🇮🕊 (@djamishere) on Aug 30, 2020 at 8:39am PDT

In an effort to amplify and empower Black identities and voices, in 2015—the same year she began modelling—Toure launched Sayaspora, an online platform for the African diaspora to share their stories; the site now receives freelance submissions from African women around the world. The platform, explains Toure, “gives young women the space to share their ideas and also provides a community that will read what they have to say.”

A collective of 14 women in Montreal works on the  site on a volunteer basis, with a recent grant from the Department of Canadian Heritage allowing Toure to work on expansion plans such as launching a podcast and establishing partnerships with like-minded organizations across Canada to create a wider network of voices.

“Sayaspora at its core is an act of resilience against a biased system,” she says. “It was created in response to how Black people, and more specifically women from the African diaspora, are widely under-represented in the media. As Black women, we have the experience of our own condition, and our voices need to be heard during this crucial time. Our space is a way for us to provide that.”

The post How Montreal-Based Model Djamilla Toure is Amplifying the Voices of the African Diaspora appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

How Montreal-Based Model Djamilla Toure is Amplifying the Voices of the African Diaspora published first on https://borboletabags.tumblr.com/

[johneburton]

Bad Tipper? You Might be Driven by Three Demonic Spirits: Poverty, Entitlement and Offense I’m SHOCKED at how many Christians aren’t generous tippers and givers—and many argue against the need to tip their servers at all! 7 But just as you excel in everything–in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us–see that you also excel in this grace of giving. 8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 2 Corinthians 8:7-8 (NIV) Are you the most extravagant giver among those you know? Do you tip extravagantly? Are you looking for opportunities to bless? Or, are you holding back, expecting others to serve you? Has a spirit of entitlement and poverty gripped your life? Here’s a truth that will set you free: If you expect other people, systems, the church, the government or any other entity to meet your financial needs, you are destined for a life of frustration and lack. However, if you are focused on giving to others, no matter your current financial condition, your joy will abound and your faith surrounding your finances will skyrocket. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 (NIV) A spirit of poverty will cause us to keep the dollars that are actually meant to be sowed and multiplied back to us. A spirit of entitlement will result in a lack of gratitude, causing us to keep our money in our pockets while waiting for others to give us more. A spirit of offense will cause us to reject the call to use our money to bless others who we have determined don’t deserve it. These three spirits must be eradicated from our lives. I’m offering a powerful, free resource at the end of this article to help you find freedom. Keep reading. HOW COULD ANY CHRISTIAN ARGUE AGAINST TIPPING? 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:12-13 (NIV) I’ve heard arguments against tipping by Christians who admit that sometimes they simply can’t afford it. I understand the seasons of scarcity, and I know that these seasons can come for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it’s our fault and sometimes it’s not. However, to presume in seasons of scarcity that we can still live large is a sign of these spirits having a root in our lives. Entitlement demands they experience life the same way those who prosper do. They argue they have a right to eat out just like everyone else, even if they can’t afford to tip. This is absolutely nonsensical. In fact, it’s selfish and rude to expect a server to wait on us and then to tip poorly or not at all. Everybody is in a different financial position, and some can afford to eat out, some can’t. Some can afford to buy a new car, some can’t. Some can afford to go to the Super Bowl, some cant. Some can afford a new computer, some can’t. Nobody has a right to things they can’t afford, including eating out. Some actually presume the tip to be an optional but unnecessary bonus for servers if they do a good job. I wonder how many people actually think that the majority of waiters and waitresses are mostly supported by their paycheck every two weeks. They aren’t. In fact, are you aware that most servers receive ZERO dollars in their paychecks? They live solely on the generous tips from those who are eating at their tables. Taxes on those tips wipe out the $2.13 per hour that most servers make today. This means, if I don’t tip $20 or $30 on my $100 check, my server may miss a student loan payment or they may not be able to buy their children new shoes or take them to the amusement park they were promised. I take this responsibility very seriously. I want every person who serves me to be more blessed than I was by the time the hour-long dinner is over. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV) Our resolve to bless those who live on tips (servers, valets, hairstylists, bellhops, etc.) should be a core value—even when their service is poor. My wife and I never decrease the tip by even a penny if we received poor service. Why? There are many reasons. They may have had a bad day. The kitchen may actually be at fault. They are dealing with depression. Their family situation is bad and declining. They dealt with rude customers at their last table. Or, possibly, they have yet to meet Jesus. I guarantee I am not going to try to “teach them a lesson” by decreasing my tip instead of blessing them in the love of Jesus. If we can’t bless those who don’t refill our drinks quickly enough, how can we presume to bless those who use and curse us? 27 “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. Luke 6:27-31 (NIV) When the Bible talks about curses, that includes verbal assaults, insults and all sorts of mistreatment. We don’t seek revenge. We don’t try to teach them a lesson. We don’t leave a nasty note on the check. We don’t decrease our tip. We don’t attack them back. We love them. We bless them. We give. BREAKING FREE FROM POVERTY AND ENTITLEMENT I know many who are reading this are rejoicing. Many Christians are tired of others being such a poor representation of Christ. Many servers are tired of dealing with selfish, entitled people. There is a black mark on Christianity because of many in the after-church crowd on Sundays who eat together. They can be demanding, loud, difficult to deal with, entitled and absolutely terrible tippers. It’s embarrassing and many Christians out there have had enough. I know servers who despise working on Sundays. Great job Christians. You’ve made quite a name for yourself. Here’s some advice: If you can’t love your server and financially bless them radically, just stay home. Nobody has the right to eat out if they can’t afford it. I was engaged in a Facebook discussion on this topic, and some came out of their skin with indignation that I would say such a thing. They feel no obligation to tip their server, and they believe their financial condition should have no bearing on whether they can eat out or not. I wondered if they also might just pay whatever they want instead of the total on the check. Do they just pay what they can afford when checking out at Walmart? This is a clear indicator of being driven by poverty and entitlement. If we can’t afford to tip at least 20%, you can’t afford to eat out. Most definitely stay home or eat somewhere where tipping isn’t expected. In order to break from from poverty and entitlement, we must crucify our flesh and become radical givers instead of expecting others to meet our needs. There are many mad people in the world. Mad at pastors, government, friends, their church family and others for not meeting their financial needs. This mindset will ensure they remain sad, angry, disillusioned and in lack. We break the demonic grip of poverty and entitlement by turning the tables and giving with passion instead of expecting others to give to us. 1 As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2 He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3 “I tell you the truth,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4 All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” Luke 21:1-4 (NIV) The poor widow had every right to be bitter at the church and at the rich. The natural reaction when in lack is first to look to others to resolve our problem, and second to despise them when they don’t. The widow was applauded by Jesus because of her heart. She had the greatest need yet still gave everything she needed to live on. She wasn’t entitled, and, believe it or not, she didn’t have a poverty spirit. She certainly wasn’t offended. Here’s a comment by my wife, Amy: We have always tipped both in times of plenty and in times of lack. During our first year of marriage we were very poor, with (nearly) no money for Christmas presents and a sack of potatoes for Christmas dinner. We were barely scraping by. However, if we chose to eat out we calculated the tip amount into the cost when deciding whether we could afford to do so. I'm sure our server made a better living than we did at the time. It didn't matter. It's never appropriate to withhold what a server is due in an attempt to better our own financial situation. I remember that season very well! In fact, I still vividly remember standing next to the sack of potatoes in the grocery store in Cleveland, Tennessee 23 years ago wondering if we should use our few remaining dollars on it along with a frozen chicken. That was to be our Christmas dinner. We did buy the potatoes and had just a little cash left over. On Christmas morning, my gift from my wife was a belt (that didn’t fit) and my gift to her was a Jenga game (that she was upset I bought because we needed that $10 for bills). That afternoon we had friends over to eat our chicken and potato feast—except my wife burned the chicken. One of our friends ran home to get a frozen pizza. We enjoyed a wonderful mashed potato and frozen pizza Christmas dinner! In that season finances were scarce, though we were working hard. Our car was bashed in on the passenger side and the doors didn’t open. We had to steer about 30 degrees to the right in order for the car to drive straight. We replaced the tires with $5 used tires once every couple of weeks due to the misalignment. We couldn’t afford a repair. The bottom line is we had almost nothing and we very rarely ate out. Why? because we knew our $40 check would end up being $50 after tip. Instead we’d eat at home or grab something from McDonalds. It wasn’t our right to eat out if we couldn’t pay our bill—including what was owed to the server. It wasn’t only our faithful giving to the church and to ministry that broke us out of lack. It was a “widow’s mite” attitude. We expected nobody to pay our way and we knew that we must be radical givers at restaurants and other places. If we couldn’t afford to tip, we stayed home. The same is true with the church. I can’t imagine how anybody would attend a church, utilize their children’s ministry, receive teaching and be welcomed with open arms without giving extravagantly. We should give radically to the church, period. We should attend church with the same attitude as when we eat out. We are there to bless them instead of expecting them to bless us. We want to give with passion. It’s true that the church is called to take care of widows. But, here’s the problem: when we stomp our foot and demand to be served because of this instruction in Scripture, we align ourselves with the spirit of entitlement and poverty, even though the church should in fact be helping. We should give and bless even when we aren’t taken care of in ways we should. Don’t blame, don’t point fingers. Here’s a portion of my Charisma Magazine article The Spirit That’s Taking Over Our Nation—And It’s Not Jezebel: It's time to repent for a spirit of entitlement that is destroying our testimony. entitlement noun en·ti·tle·ment: the condition of having a right to have, do or get something the feeling or belief that you deserve to be given something (such as special privileges) In a self-centered, narcissistic world, one can only presume entitlement would be in the mix, as well. This attitude is doing great harm to our testimony as Christians in addition to creating a proud, lazy people who expect to be served instead of to serve. I’ve heard about godly people who always tip double their check. I love this! While I wouldn’t suggest it’s mandatory to do this, I would suggest it’s mandatory to tip at least 20%. In fact, I’d encourage you to consider other opportunities to break off spirits of poverty and entitlement such as tipping double the check, paying for another patron’s check (including a huge tip), occasionally tipping five or six times the amount of the check or more and other opportunities to radically bless. When we give to others instead of demanding they give to us the spirits of entitlement and poverty lose their grip. A SPIRIT OF OFFENSE WILL ENSURE YOU REMAIN ENSLAVED TO POVERTY AND ENTITLEMENT Too many live offended lives. Offended that others aren’t taking care of them financially, offended that others are prospering and they aren’t, offended that they are continually overlooked. We should live free from offense. In fact, I’d like to offer my most popular teaching titled “Unoffendable” at no cost to you. Trust me, it’s revelation that will change your life dramatically! You will receive the audio teaching, the eBook and teaching notes at no cost whatsoever. You can get this powerful resource here: www.burton.tv/free. A spirit of offense is absolutely deadly. It will cause your love to grow cold and your heart to harden. It’s a death sentence. This spirit will cause you to rise up against others instead of serving them. Your unmet demands and expectations will result in a dark soul, a life of lack and deep resentment. This three-fold cord of poverty, entitlement and offense will imprison all who embrace these evil spirits. When we break these three spirits off our lives, and discover the power of Kingdom finances, we can live free and full of joy, no matter how much money is in our account. Faithfully giving and passionately tipping all who serve us out in the world will result in remarkable, prosperous, victorious lives! http://bit.ly/2FVpLOt