Why Mo’Nique Is Wrong To STILL Be Seeking an Apology From Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey AND For How She Has Treated Her Son Publicly…

A Black History Month Post...

Hello World,

In the past, I had been a fan of  Mo’Nique for quite some time. I think she is a talented comedian AND actress. One of my favorite Mo’Nique movies is Phat Girlz, and  I wrote one of my favorite blog posts ever Why I Have A Dead Spiritual Mentor Like Mo’Nique Does In Hattie McDaniel… based on something she said. And she rightfully won an the Best Supporting Actress Award Oscar for the role of Mary in Precious in 2010! She was simply magnificent in that role. She didn’t play Mary. She embodied her…

And speaking of Precious, which came out in 2009, and since this is still Black History Month, I hope that somehow Mo’Nique sees this post and decides to relegate her feud with Tyler Perry and Oprah regarding Precious to black history where it belongs a whole 15 years after the fact! If you’re not familiar with the feud, the Daily Mail did a good job summarizing it in an article written by Carly Johnson …Here is the summary below…

Her feud with Winfrey and Perry dates back to 2009. She previously claimed that her refusal to promote their film Precious for ‘free’ as well as omitting Perry, Winfrey and director Lee Daniels from her 2010 Oscars speech resulted in her being ‘blacklisted.’

Mo’Nique is now claiming that she has audio of Perry confessing to her over the phone that he was the one who started the rumor that she’s ‘difficult to work with.’

She also alleged that Perry admitted he was ‘wrong’ and told her that he planned to vindicate her publicly after his 2016 film Boo hit theaters.

The reason why I’m referencing this feud is because earlier in the month, Mo’Nique sat down with Shannon Sharpe on his popular podcast Club Shay Shay and rehashed the entire feud as if she hasn’t been talking about it any time she can in any interview/conversation she can since 2009.  If you want to see the podcast conversation, it is below. (NOTE: If you’re offended by explicit language, please don’t partake in the conversation…)

And now she is not only mad at Tyler Perry and Oprah, she has added others including to her lengthy grievance list including fellow comedian D.L. Hughley and filmmaker Will Packer. The thing about Mo’Nique is that she is a compelling speaker (which is probably one of the reasons why she is a gifted comedian and actress), and if you’re not careful, you can find yourself siding with her against all of these people until you sit back and say to yourself: If she is the common denominator in all of these situations, how is it always not her fault particularly when other people aren’t saying similar things about these specific people?  Still, that being noted, some of these people may have wronged her but to collect this list of injustices like beads in a necklace she wears around her neck is only choking her at this point. Have you heard the statement, “Resentment is like drinking poison expecting the other person to die?” The vitriol with which she speaks about all of these people has clearly poisoned her and her perspective. Meanwhile, these people are living their lives like Mo’Nique doesn’t matter.

I also found it interesting that in all of these scenarios, she is not at fault for anything, according to her. In fact, the only accountability she had was when she mentioned her relationship with her eldest son. She told Unc aka Shannon Sharpe that when he was a child she was more interested in being famous than being his mother. Shortly after the podcast interview aired, her eldest son, whom I never heard speak about his relationship with his mother in public before, made a TikTok video about this mother and shared how the fractured relationship came to be. As you could expect, Mo’Nique and her husband whom she refers to as “Daddy” went on the defensive and called her son mentally ill AND now she is skewering him in her comedy routines!!! What mother does that to a son especially since she shared in the podcast interview that she hoped her relationship with her son could be repaired?

Sadly, unless Monique observes spiritual laws such as:

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37

or

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12

she will be in the exact same place 15 years from now…At the very least, if she wants forgiveness from her son, she needs to forgive others whom she thinks wronged her…

If God can forgive us for our sins and even allowed His son to die on the cross for them, how in the world can we justify not forgiving others no matter what has been done?

Mo’Nique, please let this mess be official black history after this month…If God is on your side, nobody can truly “blacklist” you…

Any thoughts?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tasha Cobbs Leonard Wins 2024 GRAMMY, Debut Book ‘Do It Anyway: Don’t Give Up Before It Gets Good’ Out This Spring!

Hello World,

Congratulations to Tasha Cobbs Leonard, who has earned the 2024 Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song Grammy Award for her collaboration track with American rapper and artist Lecrae, “Your Power.” This marks the Billboard Gospel Artist of the Decade’s second career win!

“God is great and greatly to be praised,” said Tasha Cobbs Leonard on social media after learning about the Grammy win. “Thank you to everyone who played a part in making this song an amazing tool for the kingdom! I’m so grateful.”

“We couldn’t be more thrilled for Tasha Cobbs Leonard on her second GRAMMY win,” said J Gaines, Executive Director, Motown Gospel. “We are honored to partner with her as she continues to impact the world with her music and message.”

 

Recently, Tasha Cobbs Leonard announced she is releasing her debut book titled Do It Anyway: Don’t Give Up Before It Gets Good, out via WaterBrook May 7. Known by millions not only for her stellar voice, but for her contagious smile and positivity, Cobbs Leonard reveals a new side of herself for the first time, sharing very personal moments of unforeseen challenges like infertility, weight struggles, grief, and debilitating depression to profoundly demonstrate the transformative power of resilient faith and perseverance.

Any thoughts?

 

Two Novels About Black Queens To Read During Black History Month: ‘The Queen of Sugar Hill’ & ‘The American Queen’

Hello World,

As it is Black History Month, I want to highlight two recently released novels about Black queens that illuminate Black history

The Queen of Sugar Hill: A Novel of Hattie McDaniel by ReShonda Tate

 

Bestselling author ReShonda Tate presents a fascinating fictional portrait of Hattie McDaniel, one of Hollywood’s most prolific but woefully underappreciated stars—and the first Black person ever to win an Oscar for her role as Mammy in the critically acclaimed classic film Gone With the Wind.

It was supposed to be the highlight of her career, the pinnacle for which she’d worked all her life. And as Hattie McDaniel took the stage in 1940 to claim an honor that would make her the first African-American woman to win an Academy Award, she tearfully took her place in history. Between personal triumphs and tragedies, heartbreaking losses, and severe setbacks, this historic night of winning best supporting actress for her role as the sassy Mammy in the controversial movie Gone With the Wind was going to be life-changing. Or so she thought.

Months after winning the award, not only did the Oscar curse set in where Hattie couldn’t find work, but she found herself thrust in the middle of two worlds—Black and White—and not being welcomed in either. Whites only saw her as Mammy and Blacks detested the demeaning portrayal. As the NAACP waged an all-out war against Hattie and actors like her, the emotionally conflicted actor found herself struggling daily.

Through it all, Hattie continued her fight to pave a path for other Negro actors, while focusing on war efforts, fighting housing discrimination, and navigating four failed marriages. Luckily, she had a core group of friends to help her out—from Clark Gable to Louise Beavers to Ruby Berkley Goodwin and Dorothy Dandridge.

The Queen of Sugar Hill brings to life the powerful story of one woman who was driven by many passions—ambition, love, sex, family, friendship, and equality. In re-creating Hattie’s story, ReShonda Tate delivers an unforgettable novel of resilience, dedication, and determination—about what it takes to achieve your dreams—even when everything—and everyone—is against you.

Below is information about the upcoming stops on ReShonda’s book tour!

Thursday, February 8, 2024
Booksigning and Discussion
In Conversation with Tiffany L. Warren
Politics & Prose Bookstore – Union Market
1270 5th St NE
Washington, DC
7pm
Saturday, February 17, 2024
Booksigning and Discussion
With Victoria Christopher Murray

Rose State University
Oklahoma City, OK
4-6pm
Saturday, February 24, 2024
Booksigning and Discussion

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
Charlotte, NC
5pm
Sunday, February 25, 2024
Booksigning and Discussion

Book Boutique
100 Columbiana Circle
Columbia, SC
2pm
Monday, February 26, 2024
Booksigning and Discussion

Keith Summey North Charleston Library
3053 Rivers Avenue
Charleston, SC
5:30pm

The American Queen by Vanessa Miller 

 

There is only one known queen who truly ruled a kingdom on American soil.

Transformative and breathtakingly honest, The American Queen is based on actual events that occurred between 1865 – 1889 and shares the unsung history of a Black woman who built a kingdom as a refuge for the courageous people who dared to dream of a different way of life. As seen on Good Morning America: GMA 15 New Books to Read!

Over the twenty-four years she was enslaved on the Montgomery Plantation, Louella learned to feel one thing: hate. Hate for the man who sold her mother. Hate for the overseer who left her daddy to hang from a noose. Hate so powerful there’s no room in her heart for love, not even for the honorable Reverend William, whom she likes and respects enough to marry.

But when William finally listens to Louella’s pleas and leads the formerly enslaved people off the plantation, Louella begins to replace her hate with hope. Hope that they will find a place where they can live free from fear. Hope that despite her many unanswered prayers, she can learn to trust for new miracles.

Soon, William and Louella become the appointed king and queen of their self-proclaimed Kingdom of the Happy Land. And though they are still surrounded by opposition, they continue to share a message of joy and goodness–and fight for the freedom and dignity of all.

The American Queen weaves together themes of love, hate, hope, trust, and resilience in the face of great turmoil. With every turn of the page, you will be transported to a pivotal period in American history, where oppressed people become extraordinary heroes.

Below is information about Vanessa’s book tour!

 

Any thoughts?