"Dark Girls," Lolo Jones, and Rachel Jeantel

I finally got a chance to watch "Dark Girls" a documentary that premiered this week on the OWN network. This documentary lit up the Black blogosphere and social media with conversations and debates about colorism.

I found myself having to rewind several times because I kept gasping and shouting out at the beauty of the women and girls onscreen. I was also struck by the obvious pain in the eyes of so many of these girls and women. As a Dark Girl myself a lot of the pain resonated with me. 

Colorism also came into play when Olympic hurdler Lolo Jones created a controversy with a tweet she made about Rachel Jeantel, a 19 year-old who was on the phone with Trayvon Martin when he was murdered. 

 

Lolo Jones' comment created an immediate backlash on social media, with much of the anger being levied at Jones' light skin color. This isn't the first time Lolo Jones' complexion has been used against her. I've seen numerous "tragic mulatto" comments and jokes since the Olympics last summer after Jones failed to win a medal. Which begs the question, are we replacing one kind of colorism with another?

In the Dark Girls documentary people talked about growing up hearing negative comments about darker Blacks. Mine was the complete opposite. I grew up hearing a lot of negative comments about light-skinned Blacks. I heard terms like "wasted yellow" as in a light skinned Black person who was unattractive and their high yellow complexion was deemed wasted on them.

The disdain for light skinned Blacks that was going on around me did not make me as a dark-skinned, kinky haired girl feel better about myself. It put the idea in my head that maybe the hatred toward light skin Blacks was jealousy and that they were better than us. It made me long to look like the biracial girl in my class because she was so loved by all of the Black boys.

As I got older and was able to unlearn some of the things I internalized as a child, I've often wondered why it has to be one or the other. Why do we have to uplift one and put down the other? Why can't we celebrate the beauty of Lolo's athleticism AND Rachel's courage on the witness stand at the same time?

Don't Sleep On...

Lion Babe and Johnnyswim

If you're hungry for some good new music, then check out Lion Babe (@Lion_Babe) and Johnny Swim (@JOHNNYSWIM)  Both are duos that feature celebrity daughters.  Before you roll your eyes, just know that these ladies have inherited all of the talent and beauty of their famous mothers, but have a style and sound all their own.  Lion Babe features producer Lucas Goodman and vocalist Jillian Hervey, the daughter of Vanessa L. Williams and publicist/manager Ramon Hervey.  Jillian's voice is reminiscent of Erykah Badu and the video for their first single "Treat Me Like Fire" is like performance art with Jillian playing the part of a fierce lioness in the wild and showcasing her dancing skills. 

 

 

 

 

Johnnyswim is husband and wife duo Abner Ramirez and Amanda Sudano.  Amanda is the daughter of the late great Donna Summer and Singer/Songwriter Bruce Sudano.  Being a fan of Donna Summer, I've been aware of this group for several years.  I happen to be watching the VH1 show "Mob Wives" recently and I heard their song "Heartbeats" and loved it.  Only later did I find out that Johnnyswim was behind that song. The video has a very earthy feel to it which is the perfect setting for Amanda and Abner's haunting, bluesy vocals.

 

Don't sleep on either of these artists.  I hear so many people complain about the lack of good R&B.  Well, here it is.  No bling, no grills, no materialism, just good music.

 

Bigger fish to fry

 

This has been such an incredibly racially-charged week in the media, I've been reluctant to even attempt writing about it. It's been too much, even for a person like me who loves talking race and culture.

I've never been a Paula Deen fan. I've been to one of her casino restaurants a few times and I only went because it was free. The food was mediocre and a feeble attempt at copying the southern cooking style pioneered by Black people.

I have however, NOT enjoyed watching her downfall this week. It's laughable that all of these companies and advertisers severed ties with Paula Deen, yet continue their association with the likes of Donald Trump, Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, and Fox News.

I'm not making excuses for Paula Deen. Her use of the n-word and her love of slave imagery is offensive. But, I think she is harmless. There are people out there spreading hate on the air and the Internet everyday. These people have a lot of power and influence and they use it. Paula Deen may be racist, but her using the n-word and wanting slaves at a wedding does not affect our daily lives.  In the grand scheme of all the racism out there, Paula Deen is meanigless. Save your outrage for someone who really deserves it.

WELCOME!!!

Welcome to The Black Girl Critic.  My name is Cicely.  I am 32 years old.  I am a journalism school drop-out and I work as a temp. I'm an introvert, a bibliophile, a movie buff, a political junkie, a TV addict, and a music lover.  I also love to write and I am tired of waiting for someone to give me an opportunity.  The internet and social media has leveled the playing field. It has provided so many people with a platform for their voices to be heard and I want to add my voice to that chorus. I've had some tough breaks these last several years and have lost my voice. I'm hoping to use this blog to help me get my voice back, while also helping give a voice to other people and topics that need a platform.

On a very serious note, former South African President Nelson Mandela's health is now critical. Let's send all of our love and good wishes to Madiba and his family tonight.