Of Omarosa’s Alleged Firing, Black Women Voting for Alabama’s Doug Jones & More…

Hello World,

Last week was a memorable week for black women in America! And let me breakdown how…Although most of us don’t live in Alabama, I’m reasonably sure that many of us not living in the state were nevertheless tuning into election coverage of the senate race of Doug Jones versus Roy Moore like we had real estate in 205. For weeks leading up to this critical election, we’ve heard story after story revealed regarding Moore’s alleged proclivity for teenage girls when he was a fully grown man working as an assistant district attorney against the backdrop of other high-powered men and sexual harassment claims.

I’ve been especially puzzled by people’s willingness to overlook these stories in favor of Moore’s supposed Christian/political values aside from cruising girls at a local mall (from which he was later banned allegedly) and elsewhere. Juxatapose that with Doug Jones, who instead of allegedly cruising high school-aged girls, honored the legacy of four little black girls who were killed in Birmingham’s 16th Street Baptist Church in 1953 after Ku Klux Klan members planted bombs there. When Jones served as the U.S. Attorney in Alabama, he prosecuted two of the klan members responsible for the church bombing which is remarkable since Jones skipped law school classes to watch the trial against the first klan member prosecuted for this crime in 1977. While many across the country hoped that Doug Jones would win, it seemed highly unlikely since a Democrat has not been elected a senator in that state for quarter of a century! But some black girl magic was sprinkled from heaven it seems since 98 percent of black women who voted in Alabama cast their ballot for Doug Jones. Black women showed up and showed out for Doug Jones and are a huge reason why he was elected. Poetic justice playing out! And I hope somehow in Heaven, Addie Mae Collins, Carol Denise McNair, Carole Robertson and Cynthia Wesley are smiling from on high as they look below!

Below is Lisa McNair, sister Denise McNair, talking about this historic win with CNN’s Don Lemon…

Even as this historic win unfolded, however, what we didn’t know until the next day that Omarosa, another black woman, was making history herself. The world learned the day after the election that Omarosa may have been the first black woman to be allegedly booted out of the White House. Ha! Something to note in Black History Month two months from now. Originally known as a villain on “The Apprentice” through which she met President Trump when he was simply a reality television star and businessman, Trump installed her as director of AfricanAmerican outreach for his presidential campaign in 2016 although many African Americans don’t seem to like her. And when he was elected, she became Trump’s director of communications for the Office of Public Liaison. Although she is a minister of the gospel and should be an advocate to bowing down to Jesus, Omarosa has said that people should bow down to President Trump.

I guess that’s why when White House Chief of Staff General John Kelly fired her, the infamous bad girl allegedly tried to break into the president’s private quarters to plead her case before her deity. Another black woman, one of my journalism heroes “Good Morning America’s” Robin Roberts, quietly shut her down when Omarosa attempted to refute earlier reports of her “resignation.” Although she is the consummate journalist, Roberts slipped in the pop culture reference “Bye Felicia” as she recapped Omarosa’s “quite a story” that she will be likely selling to the highest bidder…For those who don’t know, “Bye Felicia” is a term from the cult classic movie “Friday” in which actor Ice Cube’s character Craig dismissed an annoying female character with those two words…

So following this comment, Omarosa texted “Inside Edition,” stating that it was a “black woman’s civil war” in reference to Roberts’ slick snub. But I wonder if Omarosa, who seems more like a minister of Messy than a minister of the Gospel, knows that if no one is on your side, there is no war!

I don’t know what God is up to, but I find it rather curious that on the night that black women scored a huge victory for this country, the one woman who was supposed to representing black women in the White House was fired allegedly…

Any thoughts?

Why the ‘Good Morning America’ Headline About Meghan Markle and ‘Hope’ for Black Women Wasn’t Offensive To Me…

It's Not the First Time That ABC News Offended Black Women Either...

Hello World,

ABC News’ (courtesy of “Good Morning America” )recent article originally entitled  “For Many Black Women, Meghan Markle’s Engagement Offers ‘Hope’” posted last week had black women all up in their feelings last week! In fact, the article has even caused the author Joi-Marie McKenzie to get hate mail, according to thegrio.com!

A few of the reactions to the controversial headline:

The backlash is so fierce that ABC News changed the headline to “After Meghan Markle’s Engagement, Some Are Celebrating” with an editor’s note:

The story headline has been updated. The original headline misrepresented the intention of the story, which was to report on the excitement among some black women about Meghan Markle’s joining the British royal family. 

But this isn’t the first time that black women have been all up in a tizzy and ready to rush ABC News! In fact, the last time I remember this type of backlash was December of 2009. Remember this article from ABC News: “Single, Black, Female — and Plenty of Company?” From the article, you already know what’s up and the worse part about the article was that black women in Atlanta, specifically, were the focus. At the time, I was a single, black female in Atlanta and so weary from looking for love that I really couldn’t collect my thoughts on what I thought was an attack until January.  Here is what I wrote on this blog:

I had composed what I thought was an eloquent, sociological diatribe of a post about the ABC “Nightline” piece that aired last month about black women, particularly those living in Atlanta, and their inability to find mates due to the shortage of black men…But since this is the Internet and in the interest of self-preservation, I thought better of it…

And now I don’t feel like sugar coating what I originally said…

So I simply want to know what y’all think…take a look at the video if you haven’t seen it already, and let me know…

‘Preciate your thoughts…i.am.out…

And here is the original video of the segment on which the article was based:

From this article came this dismal statistic:  “Forty-two percent of U.S. black women have never been married, double the number of white women who’ve never tied the knot.” In fact, this article and the statistics quoted in the article caused such a seismic shift that that the article was linked to in an article published just a few a months ago  “Black, Single, and Waiting: For 15 years, The Bachelor Franchise Has Made a Caricature of Blackness. Could This Season Finally Be different?” on slate.com.

While I was initially horrified that I and black women were written about like we truly are the “de mule uh de world” (a reference to how black women are viewed in one of my favorite books “Their Eyes Were Watching God” by Zora Neale Hurston), the report, article and subsequent debate Why Can’t a Successful Black Woman Find a Man?  held in Atlanta in April 2010 by ABC News in response to this article forced me to get real clear about what I wanted and needed in a husband and the fact that I wanted and needed a husband. And to be apologetic about it as well. It’s funny that two months after that report, I went on my very first date with my husband.

So when I saw all of this fervor online last week, it reminded me of how I once felt: victimized, a bit ashamed (if I am being completely honest) and unable to hide one of my deepest desires anymore. But those feelings led to one of the best decisions of my life. So the headline last week wasn’t the best, I’ll admit, but if you (and this is for single black women reading this post) find yourself ready to fight after reading the ABC News article, consider focusing inward instead of outward.

And if somewhere down deep the fact that Meghan Markle has found her Prince Charming (or he found her) has given you hope that your Prince Charming is somewhere out there, do what needs to be done (and only you can determine that) so that you are ready to meet him despite negative statistics. For me, it took kissing frogs, dating mentors, professional assistance, online dating, a slew of dating books, prayers and more, but my husband, perfect-for- me-with- all-of-his imperfections (I aine perfect either) Prince Charming, finally came along…

So no, to recap, ABC News (courtesy of Good Morning America) headline “For Many Black Women, Meghan Markle’s Engagement Offers ‘Hope’” wasn’t offensive…

Any thoughts?

 

 

NAACP Announces Open Voting for 49th NAACP Image Awards! (That’s Right! You Can Vote!)

Voting Closes Friday, Dec. 15!!!

Hello World,

For the first time in its award show history, voting for the 49th NAACP Image Awards will be open to the public! Viewers will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite nominees in 36 different categories across film, television, and music.

In previous years, winners of the awards were selected only by members of the NAACP. This year, members of the public who are not NAACP members may cast votes by visiting the NAACP Image Awards online at Naacpimageawards.net.

“We are excited about the opportunity to open voting to the public,” said Derrick Johnson,NAACP President and CEO. “The Image Awards represents a universe of powerful stories and images, told in ways that express our beauty and make us proud.”

Since 1967, the NAACP Image Awards has been the preeminent multicultural awards show celebrating the accomplishments of people of color in the fields of television, music, literature and film, and has also honored individuals or groups who promote social justice through creative endeavors. 

While, this year, voters do not have to be members of the Association, the NAACP encourages those who participate in this year’s voting process to become members. “To become a member of the NAACP is to join a community of individuals from all facets of life who like you are committed to the elimination of discrimination of any type and making our nation a better place for all people,” said Johnson.

The deadline to cast votes for the 49th NAACP Image Awards is Friday, December 15, 2017. Viewers can watch the winners claim their trophies just one month later. The Two-Hour LIVE TV special, hosted by Anthony Anderson, will air on TV One on Monday, January 15, 2018, at 9pm/8c, with a One-Hour Live Red Carpet Pre-Show at 8pm/7c. The evening will be the culmination of a day of volunteer service, citizen action, and celebration on the national holiday honoring the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Check out this video about the 49th NAACP Image Awards below!

Download the nominees list HERE!!! For all information and the latest news, please visit the official NAACP Image Awards website at: naacpimageawards.net.

FB: /naacpimageaward | Twitter: @naacpimageaward (#ImageAwards)

Any thoughts?