“Good Hair”

10/26/2009
Beauty, Black, Culture, pop culture
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Ladies,

I have a confession to make. This evening, I did something that I said I would never do- I went to see “Good Hair,” the newish Chris Rock movie documentary comumentary (comedy masking itself as a documentary).

After I saw this trailer, I surmised that this film was not what it initially advertised itself to be (an informative, thoughtful and thought-provoking look into his why long, straight hair is considered “good” by many, particularly in the black community, which would help answer his daughter’s (and countless others’) question as to why her hair was not “good.” Instead, I got the distinct impression that the film would be more mocumentary (meaning, in this instance, a film mocking weave-wearing black women). So I decided that my $12.50 would be much better spent elsewhere. Then I heard a clip from a radio interview where Chris Rock was discussing the backlash the movie has received and he said that most people who were criticizing it, hadn’t even seen it. Fair enough, so I went to see it for the same reason I finally went to see a Tyler Perry film in the theaters- so that I can speak intelligently and factually about it. And here’s what I have to say.

Chris is a commedian…he might awant to stay in that lane. If I had paid to see this movie, I’d want my money back, but since I knew better, and I can’t retrieve the time spent watching it, I’ll take away an important lesson- trust your instincts. More specifically, I really disliked the wild and inaccurate generalizations made (by Chris) in the film, such as: you can’t (and better not) touch a black woman’s hair, black women are high maintenance because of the price of maintaining a weave, the cost of maintaining one may create some animosity between black women (who wear the weave) and black men (who help pay for it), black women’s hair (and its untouchability) may contribute to the breakdown in black relationships because it prevents black men from really getting close to black women and- my fav- may be a reason why black men are attracted to white women…because they can touch their hair and therefore, get closer to them….gtfoh with that.

Throughout the movie Chris seemed to imply that a) all black women wear weaves, b) reinforce every stereotype imaginable about black women and hair (i.e. they will pay to get their hair done with money they don’t have, they don’t swim or get it wet) without providing any counterbalance, c) that all black women have one texture of hair- nappy- and that if a black woman has long, straight hair, it’s a weave, d) natural hair doesn’t cost money to maintain; and he seemed to forget that d) that some women with natural hair also wear weaves, or hair extensions. Where was the nuance? Where were celebs like India Aire, Chilli from TLC, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott or Solange (although I think her hair cut was more recent) in this film? They weren’t.

And how do you have a movie about “good hair,” featuring only one celeb with natural hair and maybe a couple (literally 2) of other women with natural hair in the whole thing? I’ll tell you how…you can’t. That’s why the title, and the movie, is so fraudulent. The film was not about “good hair,” it was about weaves and the Bronner Bros. hair show. That’s what Chris really wanted to make a movie about all along and he should have kept it honest and stuck to that.

That said, I did learn a few things from watching the movie- 1) the circumstances under which Al Sharpton permed his hair (James Brown advised him to do so for cosmetic reasons before a visit to the Reagan White House to try to gain support for making Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday a holiday) 2) Maya Angelou got her first perm at 70 ?!? Seriously. 3) Where a l ot of the human hair comes from- India- and the process by which weaves are made. That was extremely interesting. The rest, not so much. Sure, I had a couple of laughs (far fewer than most of my fellow movie-goers) but I was far from impressed. Don’t get me wrong,  I’m no natural hair fanatic. Yes, I do have natural hair and yes I have had a perm and a press. But, I also agree with what  Andre 3000 said, “Now question, is every nigga with dreads for the cause? Is every nigga with golds for the fall? Naw So don’t get caught in appearance.” And we shouldn’t.

However, Chris’ belief that telling his daughter that what’s in her head is more important that what’s on it is faulty because at the heart of her question was why she is not good enough, why her hair is not good enough, as is. (Btw, I wonder what his wife had to say to her daughter or about her own weave.) And this movie, sadly, will no more help her figure that out than the film will make any real difference.  But maybe it wasn’t supposed to. Maybe getting the conversation started was his contribution.

So, talk to me.

Help G.E.M.S. End Child Sexual Exploitation

10/23/2009
Child Sexual Exploitation, Issues, Local, Magazines, Making a Difference, Uncategorized
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In the previous post, we talked a little bit about Child Sexual Exploitation, around the U.S. and right here in NYC. Here is some additional information on the NY-based organization Girls Educational and Mentoring Services (GEMS) and what YOU can do to learn more an get involved.

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“Girls Educational & Mentoring Services (GEMS) is the only organization in New York State specifically designed to serve girls and young women who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking. GEMS was founded in 1999 by Rachel Lloyd, a young woman who had been sexually exploited as a teenager. GEMS has helped hundreds of young women and girls, ages 12-21, who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking to exit the commercial sex industry and to develop to their full potential. GEMS provides young women with empathetic, consistent support and viable opportunities for positive change.”  Source

Know the Facts

  • 2,200 children are estimated to be victimized by commercial sexual exploitation each year in New York City alone (OCFS Prevalence Study 2007).
  • 325,ooo are estimated to be at risk for commercial sexual exploitation annually in the United States (Estes and Wiener, 2001).
  • A 2001 University of Pennsylvania study states “Child commercial sexual exploitation is the most hidden form of child abuse in the Unites States and North America today” (Estes and Wiener, 2001).
  • The majority of victimized youth have run away from home, or were running away from a foster care home, juvenile detention center or group home (Estes and Wiener, 2001).
  • 70-90% of commercially sexually exploited children have a history of child sexual abuse (Murphy, 1993).
  • 1.6 million children run away from home each year in the United States (NISMART). Source

Watch the Film (Trailer)

And read the survivor stories.

What Can You do TODAY Help End the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children?

  • When you see examples of pimp culture glorified in the media, music or movies, acknowledge this kind of societal acceptance adds to the program by not buying those products, albums or movie tickets.
  • Change your language around the issue and encourage those around you to do the same. Instead of saying “teen or child prostitute,” recognize them as legitimate victims by calling them “commercially sexually exploited children and youth.”
  • Join the FB page.

Adults:

  • Be active in the lives of young people you know. Attention, interest, support and love at home will keep children from running away to find it.
  • Volunteer your time to GEMS or other youth-centers programs in your community.
  • Donate to GEMS and support them.

Source

Who Can You Contact For Help?

GEMS (here in New York City): 212-926-8089

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC): 1-800-THE-LOST/ 1-800-843-5678

National Runaway Switchboard: 1-800-RUNAWAY/ 1-800-786-2929

National Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888

Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE/ 1-800-656- 4673

To find organizations that offer help in your state (if not NYC), GEMS offers many additional resources here.


Sarah’s Story: Sentenced to Life as a Teen for Killing Pimp

10/23/2009
National, News
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So, this is a story that’s recently gained a lot of traction,  and that weighs very heavily on my heart. Sarah Kruzan is a young woman from California who grew up hard-  a mother on drugs who abused her. At 13, she met a man who forced her to prostitute herself sexually exploited her. At 16, she killed him. Sarah was sentanced to life in prison w/o the possibility of parole…plus four years. She’s now 29, this is her story.

In cases like these, we all wonder what we can do. Well, the first thing, I think, is to educate ourselves and share what we’ve learned. Two years ago, I went to a panel discussion hosted by the National Organization of Women (NOW) here in New York. They topic was “Mean Streets: NY Teens Caught in the Sex Trade,” and the panel was discussing the selling of children for sex, specifically in New York State (what it is, who it affects, and what we can do to help)

Here are some of the startling facts I learned there:

Fact: “Every year, thousands of kids, 85% of which are girls and 67% which are African American, end us as the victims of sexual exploitation in New York City.”

Fact: “Selling sex if a harsh reality for girls as young as 13 and 14, which is the average age of entry into prostitution in the Unites States.”

(no longer a) Fact: “Children under the age of 17 are not old enough to legally consent to sex, yet under current New York State law child runaways caught in prostitution are prosecuted.”

The panel was to raise awareness for  The Safe Harbor Act which would “treat sexually exploited youth as children in need of supervision and services,” (instead of criminals) and “create a range of specialized, community-based programs to help sexually exploited children reclaim their young lives and get them off the street permanently.” And after years of working to raise awareness, lobbying, rallying, speaking out, and testifying in Albany (by girls who themselves were formerly exploited), The Safe Harbor Act passed last year! It wasn’t an easy fight, but it happened because people worked to make it happen.

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One thing that will always stand out in my mind about that NOW panel was this advice- don’t call it “child prostitution,” because that makes it seem like the girls had a choice, or agency, in selling their bodies for sex. Instead, call it “child sexual exploitation,” because that is what it is- adult men exploiting children (who are the victims) sexually. From that point on, I have stopped saying “child prostitute,” and corrected others when they did. It may not seem like much (and it is really a very little thing), but changing the way people think about something is the first step to changing how it’s dealt with.

So when we read stories like that of Sarah Kruzan (and make no mistake about it, she is not the only youth who was sentenced to life in prison without any possibility of getting out), let’s think about what we can do. Learn about the issue, sign the petition (if you are so inclined), send a letter to your congressman,  friend the campaign on myspace.com, or facebook.com, but even more than that, tell somebody else. Start a dialogue in your home, with your friends, in your community. Get involved. It’s the only way to make change happen.

And if you, or someone you know is being sexually exploited, there are places you can go for help. Please check out G.E.M.S.,  a phenomenal organization here in NYC that’s making a real difference.

The November Issues

10/23/2009
Magazines, pop culture
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Hey girls! It’s that time again…Here are the November issues of your favorite only mainstream teen magazines…(don’t worry, we’re working diligently on ours- it’s coming…soon!)

Teen Vogue

The folks over at Teen Vogue are at it again! This time teen supermodels Jourdan Dunn and Chanel Iman get some face time on.the.cover. Yesss!!! Now, as I wrote in a previous blog, there was a wee bit of controversy over the pregnant Jourdan Dunn appearing on the cover. Whatever you may think about that, we’re glad to see them on it. In the article they discuss the industry, their success, lives and relationship with each other. Check it out.

Notable articles:

Class Act: Nineteen-year-old Marie Mason held fund-raising dinner parties to finance a free school in Cambodia.

The Real World: Graduates are facing a shrinking job market. Teen Vogue reports on ways to beat the odds.

Slim Shady: Diet pills may seem like a quick fix, but the risks are heavy.

For all my aspiring fashion editors- there’s an article entitled The Graduates, about former Teen Vogue interns who’ve landed dream jobs in fashion. I’m sure there’s some helpful-ish advice and inspiration there. (Basically, use your connections. If you don’t have any, intern at Teen Vogue and get some.)

For all my fashion bloggers (and aspirings)- there’s an article entitled Big Shots, about bloggers who are making a name for themselves in the fashion world. Lesson learned- start something and you, too, can be getting it in!

There’s also a piece on Zoe Kravtiz, entitled Rock Princess, about her charmed life as daughter of Lenny of Lisa Bonet, her film and music career (?) and her foray into…beauty.

And a piece entitled Ink Heart about the serious responsibilities of getting a tattoo.

There’s also the usual fashion, what to wear, how to dress stuff…

You can go here for a complete table of contents.

Seventeen

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And, over at Seventeen, Kristen Stewart holds he cover girl honors. Apparently, this is part of a series of interviews with the New Moon cast (Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, and the new kids on the block) as well as some behind-the-scenes dirt to get you ready to see the movie (as if we need more reasons). Oh, they are also offering free tickets to see it, so you might want to check that out if you want to save your what is it now? $8 or so…

The Health+Sex+Fitness section has an article, Sneaky stuff in your food, on what’s hiding in your food- sugar, salt and fat- that you might want to check out. There’s also a quiz on depression, Is it just a bad mood…or more? and advice on how and where to get help if you need it.

There’s also an article Stop Bullying Now! on Demo Lovato’s mission to stop…what else? Bullying. It’s definitely a problem, so I’m all about finding solutions that help keep you safe.

And, as always, there’s the usual make-up make-up make-up, what to wear to look really good for your size on the low, horoscope, crazy ish that happened to me stuff as well.  Here’s a complete list of what’s in the mag.

Have at it ladies!

Mary J. Opens Center for Women in Yonkers

10/23/2009
Giving Back, pop culture
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You know, there are just some celebs that you feel you can relate to; that you know you’d probably like even if they weren’t celebrities. Women who are from “around the way,” and have a certain “realness” to them more believable.  Women who’ve gone through tough times in their lives and are honest about it, which makes them more relatable, more likeable. People like Jada Pinkett Smith (who reps B-more) and Taraji P. Henson (D.C. all day) and of course, Mary J. So I’m always glad when I hear that one of them is giving back, especially when they’re helping girls/young women who are much like they were when they were younger.

This time, it’s Yonkers Homegirl Mary J. Blige, who recently opened the Mary J Blige Center for Women in the same community where she grew up.

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Mary J., who has always been everyone’s homegirl- the singer whose struggles in life and pain in love you could relate to- has spoken openly and honestly about growing up in Yonkers and all the drama and hardship she went through-  the drugs, the alcohol, the abuse, the violence, the self-esteem issues, the trust issues, the issues with men issues, the issues with other women issues… But she grew up and she got out. She became a celebrity and sang about her struggles in public. Then she grew up some more and found happiness with herself and in her life. Now, she is going back to her community, where drugs, violence, poverty and unemployment are still very much a part of people’s lives there and is doing her part to ease that road to a better life for other women.

According to The Mary J. Blige and Steve Stoute Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now, Inc. (FFAWN), which partnered with Westchester Jewish Community Services to open the center, it “will focus on helping young, single mothers enhance their parenting skills, obtain education and vocational support, and access individualized programs designed to help these women reach their goals and lead full, happy, productive and healthy lives. The services offered directly at the Center will include educational opportunities, employment preparation and job placement, childcare services and parenting skills training, self-esteem counseling, and assistance for victims of domestic violence and abuse.” And that’s only the beginning. It’s meant to be a one-stop show for women to get all the resources they need to improve their live in one place. Sounds dope right?

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Now this is the kind of celeb news you can use!

(New) NYC Youth Poet Laureate Zora Howard

10/23/2009
Uncategorized, Writing
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Hey girls! Did you know that New York City has a Youth Poet Laureate? Well, it does and so do you! A month or so ago, I got an email from a group called Urban Word NYC about a competition for the first ever Youth Poet Laureate of New York City; young people were being encouraged to apply and compete for the position.  I immediately got excited. NYC was recognizing the importance of artistic achievement and contribution to this “city of dreams,” especially among the youth is incredible.

A week or so ago, I got another email announcing that 16-year-old Zora Howard had been named Youth Poet Laureate after competing in a Voter Slam at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe. According to the press release, 75 young people submitted applications and 12 made it to the finals; Zora was selected as the winner among them.

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Go to NBC NY to hear the poem she recited that won her the award.

So you might be asking yourself, what exactly is a poet laureate and what do they do? Both are good questions.  Well, according to wikipedia (that all-knowing, quick information site), a poet laureate is “a poet officially appointed by a government and is often expected to compose poems for State occasions and other government events.” Most states have poets laureate- the New York State Poet Laureate is Jean Valentine; some of her poems can be heard  here.  And there is even a poet laureate of the United States; her name is Kay Ryan. It’s quite an honor to be named poet laureate and I’m glad to see poetry getting some respect on the national stage. Do you all remember when poet Elizabeth Alexander read her poem “Praise Song for the Day” at President Obama’s Inauguration back in January ? She was only the fourth poet ever to do so. We’re making progress.

So, congrats to Zora, who’s a student over at LaGuardia High School of Music, Art and the Performing Arts. What will she be doing as Poet Laureate? Well, according to the press release, “Zora Howard will travel our great city over the next year encouraging and engaging younger New Yorkers to be civically involved members of our democratic process.” How dope is that?

Look out for that and keeping writing! Hopefully, we can get an interview with Zora and find out a little bit more about her. Here’s a video of her performing the poem “Bi-racial Hair” at the 2006 Urban Word NYC Annual Teen Poetry Slam, back in ’06.

Also, you should really check out Urban Word NYC, they offer a lot of free writing workshops, classes and performances in the city. It’s a great way to work on your writing, connect with other teen writers and get your name out there.

Black Girls Rock!

10/21/2009
Culture, Events
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Oh, yes, they do.
There’s an organization in the city that I’m SO inspired by called Black Girls Rock! It’s basically and hands-on mentoring program for young girls of color and women in the arts intended to counteract so much of the negativity that’s already out there by encouraging girls to see themselves as they are- not as they are portrayed in mainstream media…hmm…sound familiar? Yeah. I thought it might.

Anyway, each year, they hold an awards show to celebrate the achievements of some of our favorite celebs who also give back. This year, the Fourth Annual Awards show was hosted by actresses Regina King and Tracee Ellis Ross. Some of the honorees included: Mary J. Blige, Raven Symone, poet Sonia Sanchez, Naomi Campbell, Janelle Monae, DJ Spinderella (of Salt-N-Pepa), Dr. Mehret Mandefro.
Here’s a video from The YBF.com from that event-
Throughout the year, they also host programs designed with you (and your talent/self-esteem/inherent greatness) in mind! From The Black Girls Rock! Scratch DJ Academy Program to the ‘I Rhyme Like a Girl’ Poetry Workshop, from the ‘Taste the World’ Program to Summer Camp and College Tours- there are a lot of varied options. If you’re interested, check out the program details here.

Local News (10/12/09-10/18/09)

10/21/2009
Local, News
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Pre-Teen Pageant Controversy, 10/17/09, New York Daily News (NYDN)

*Oct 14 - 00:05*

Ashanti McKelvin, an 11-year-old Queens girl, wanted to compete in the Miss Pre-Teen New York City Pageant. Only, Ashanti is deaf and pageant officials said tat they would not provide a sign-language interpreter for her unless she paid for it herself. (Does that not sound all types of illegal?) Well, interpreters aren’t cheap, so her outraged mom contacted the Daily News and after the story aired, Ashanti got her interpreter. Good for you, pretty pretty.

Another Teen Shot by Stray Bullet, 10/14/09, NYDN

*Oct 12 - 00:05*

Brian (Cozmik) Scott, a 18-year-old “Rollerblading phenom” died after being shot to death in a Brooklyn restaurant. “Scott, a rising star in the city Rollerblading scene who dreamed of going pro, was shot twice in the chest and once in the back, police said.” Reports are that the was just an innocent bystander. Two of his friends were also wounded. r.i.p.

Middle Schooler Killed in Car Crash Laid to Rest, 10/12/09 NYDN

*Oct 11 - 00:05* *Oct 11 - 00:05*

Leandra Rosado, an 11-year-old middle schooler, who died in a terrible drunk driving crash was finally laid to rest. I’m not sure if you heard, but here’s the basic story. Carmen Huertas was driving a car load of girls to her house for a slumber party, only Carmen was apparently driving drunk. Her car flipped over on the Henry Hudson Parkway and Leandra was killed; the other girls and Huerta suffered cuts, bruises, whiplash and broken bones. smh.

National News (10/12/09-10/18/09)

10/21/2009
National, News
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Teen Vogue Cover Controversy? 10/16/09, New York Daily News (NYDN)

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So, Jourdan Dunn and Chanel Iman, two young teen supermodels, are on the cover of Teen Vogue. Score 1 for Teen Vogue for putting teens of color on their cover, but that’s not the controversial part. Jourdan, 19, is also pregnant, although you can’t see her “baby bump” on the cover. Apparently, the magazine said they didn’t know she was pregnant when they shot the photos, but she talks about the pregnancy in the article. Hmmm….controversial? or made up ish? You decide. I call bs.

Ralph Lauren Fires Size 4 Model for Being Too-Fat, 10/15/09, NYDN

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So, we’re back to too-fat models again…or not skinny-enough models, I should say. This time, model Filippa Hamilton is claiming that Ralph Lauren cancelled her contract when she couldn’t fit into the clothes. She is 5-feet 10 and all of 120 pounds, a size 4. Then an ad shows up which was photoshopped to death, making the girl look bobblehead ridiculous. Many are concerned with the message this sends out to young girls.

Cross Burning and Lawsuits in Westchester 10/14/09, NYDN

Ok. So this one is a bit of a doozie…Timothy Montague-Artope was suspended for four months after hitting a girl who said racist things to him back in 2007. The girl, on the other hand, was suspended for about 5-10 days. Her older brother, Christopher Hudak, and his friends then burned a cross on Timothy’s yard. So Christopher went to jail for six months for that and went back last week for making threats against President Obama online. Now, Timothy’s family is suing the school district for not doing more to prevent what happened. Drama. Is this not 2009? People, please.

15-year-old Boy Burned in Florida, 10/13 and 15/09, Associated Press (AP)

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Michael Brewer, a 15-year-old Florida boy was set on fire by about 5 other teens and badly burned. He is in the hospital in serious condition. Apparently, “Michael Brewer was attacked at an apartment complex i in South Florida on Monday after turning in another teen for trying to steal his father’s bicycle, authorities said.” Check out the article for more details.

Halloween Costumes Too Sexy for (Pre) Teens? 10/12/09 NYDN

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Halloween is fast-approaching, and with it the “too-sexy costume” debates…Pre-teens and teens dressing too provocatively and sexily for their parents (and other concerned adults’) tastes…idk…what say you?

Miley Cyrus Leaves Twitter, 10/12/09, People Magazine

Miley Cyrus (actress, singer, phenom) quit twitter last week and wrote a rap about why. (Basically, she wants some more privacy in her private life). Can’t be mad at that. But I’m sure her fans/followers miss her. Do you, girlie.

“Yeah, the rumors are true, I deleted my Twitter. I had to say goodbye and this little rap is to tell my fans why,” People magazine quoted her as saying in the song. “I want my private life private. I’m living for me.”



Global News (10/12/09-10/18/09)

10/21/2009
Global, News
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Teen Girl Sets Sail on a Journey Around the World, 10/18/09, New York Daily News (NYDN)

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Jessica Watson, a 16-year-old girl from Australia, set sail on Sunday in an attempt to becomes the youngest person to sails around the world, unassisted. “‘Without assistance’ means a vessel may not receive any kind of outside help or take on board any supplies, materials or equipment during the attempt. A craft may be anchored or beached during the attempt, but any repairs must be made without outside resources, materials or help.” So Jessica and her pink yacht are on their own. It’s a long trip (23,600 miles) and can be very dangerous, so some wonder if she should be allowed to try. Back in August, a court in The Netherlands ruled that 13-year-old Laura Dekker was too young to try. What do you think?

Is Nepalese Teen the World’s Shortest Man? 10/16/09, (NYDN)

Nepal Shortest Man

Khagendra Thapa Magar is 22-inches tall. That’s shorter than the length of two rulers, y’all.  His family tried to get him into the Guinness Book of World Records when he was 14, “but was told he was too young and may still grow.” Now he’s 18 and wants his shot at the title. “21-year-old He Pingping of China currently holds the shortest man title, standing just 29-inches tall.”