Question of the day….
Why is a woman born in 1975 still singing about growing up and talking about how “Big Girls Don’t Cry”?
Think about it.
Artist Profile
Artist Name: Fergie
Born: 1975
In: Hacienda Heights, CA
Musical Styles: Urban, Pop-Rap
What are your thoughts on this article?
“Why Congolese men rather starve to death than look cheap.”
My opinion is one that may cause ruffles in some feathers…
I think that this attitude is rampant in our community. Americans (particularly African Americans) in general seem to be completely focused on what they wear on the outside, thinking it relates to the type of person they are on the inside.
I just watched a show on VH1 called “Charm School” where the contestants were asked to donate two bags worth of their belongings to the under privileged. One of the ladies put everything she owned in the bags with a complete heart of giving. When they presented their clothes to the Goodwill, the owner of the store said that her clothes had little resell value. He offered her $15 for one of her pairs of boots and she completely FLIPPED out reporting that she sacrificed her rent money to buy those shoes and now he is only going to give her $15?
Then she threw a temper tantrum because she said that by him pricing her clothes so cheaply, that was like he was saying her “entire being” was worthless. But the truth is… EVERYTHING loses value after you take it off the rack. Go buy a car or a computer and you will see this example BIG TIME!
But this is the attitude I fear we are creating in our children, communities, and nation. I truly believed her when she said that she equated the value of her clothes to the value of herself. I see it everyday. I struggle with it, because it used to be a part of my life. Aside from judging other people, I judged myself about what I wore. I had to make sure that everything was brand named and ironed just right (except for those 3-5 years in the 90’s when it was COOL to wear Thrift Store clothes). It was exhausting, trying to create the unattainable perfect look. I had to look in the mirror and really see who I was trying to impress. I was working to buy clothes so that every random person on the street would be impressed by it. What is that about? WHO CARES about EVERYONE else’s opinion! I should only care about MY opinion. If I see my value in the assessment of everyone else’s eyes, then I am the one with the problem and no amount of expensive clothing is going to change that.
In the article above, I am so sorry to see the poorest of the poor sacrifice food for a brand name outfit. But I see so many people I care about here in the states doing the very same thing… just on a different level. I am glad I’m no longer a part of that lifestyle. Just last week, a friend (who is still living in that judgement) told me, “Ya know, I love you girl… but you need to iron them jeans and get some new kicks.” I looked down at my baggy jeans and comfortable Crocks and said, “Why?” She started to explain but all I heard was the first part of her reasoning.. she said, “Because people are going to think…” Then I tuned out and smiled… because I knew that whatever she was saying about what other “people were going to think”… I truly didn’t care. 
I used to care… but now, all I can say is it feels good to be free of that Matrix of Materialism.
~Carole
What are your thoughts on the article linked above? Can you see a correlation in our culture? Are you living in the Matrix of Materialism?
Some of you are going to be upset at this one… but I am glad Beyonce didn’t get nominated for the Oscar. YES, I SAID IT! I am glad this year’s Academy Award is not going to be all about her. She is a singer who is still trying to make the transition to an actor. Her work is speaking for itself - good, but not great. Sorry Chica, but you weren’t the best actor out there this year. Go back and work on the craft just a little more.
Speaking of that, whatever happened to working for something anyway? Practicing at something until you are good enough to first do it, and then be awarded for doing it well? We are just handing out awards to people left and right for being the “cutest one at the ball” and that is getting really old.
In an age where Paris Hilton is famous for her DNA and nothing else, enough is enough! When it comes to acting… granted Beyonce is attractive - So what! Granted, she can sing - So what! I’ll even give her a little acting credit as well - she is okay - but she is not the best, not even close, and that is what an Oscar is about. The cream of the crop… not the cutest, most popular belle at the ball.
It is a true anomaly when a beginner actor can work on a movie and hit a home run. That is a rare feat. In my opinion Jennifer Hudson did just that. And I am so glad that her achievement is not going to be watered down by Beyonce’s hair weave.
Well done Jennifer. I don’t know that she should win the Oscar, but on that performance she deserves the recognition of a nomination.
Feel me?
(PS - I am not even going to begin to talk about that 10-year-old from the movie “Little Miss Sunshine”. Let me sum up - Cute, but NOT OSCAR WORTHY!)
I’m both lovin’ and hatin’ Beyonce’s new song “Irreplaceable”.
I know you’ll understand how weak I think the chorus is:
“You must not know about me
You must not know about me
I could have another you in a minute
matter fact he’ll be be here in a minute - baby”
After I heard it, I said to myself, ‘Beyonce! You are better than that,
com’on gurl!’
How you gonna rhyme “in a minute” with “in a minute”? And yet, I can’t
get the song out of my head. I like it…. so I came up with a
compromise. From now on when I sing it in my head, I use the following
new configuration of words. It is the only way I can get through it
“You must not know about me
You must not know about me
If I want another you, I can get it.
Matter fact, he’ll be here in a minute - baby”
Feel me?
~Carole
In preparation for Jennifer Hudson’s “Breakout Performance” in the upcoming Dreamgirls movie, I did a little research on the “And I am tellin’ you” song. Here are a few performances of note. (As you can see, I couldn’t get enough of this song! )
By the end of this note…
You, and you, and you, you’re gonna love me!
~Carole
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Miss Jennifer Holiday, 1982 Tony Awards - “And I’m Tellin’ You”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sq4uc9b2s1o
More Recent: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqt9mfcg7cQ&mode=related&search=
Bianca Ryan - “And I’m Tellin’ You”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUlFnwQuRfg&mode=related&search=
Von - “And I’m Tellin’ You”
(Not sure who this is - Honestly, made me a little uncomfortable to watch. But sounds good.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW898PqcTTE&NR
Miss Whitney Houston - “And I’m Tellin’ You”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULqp3tw3g3U&mode=related&search=
Random Guy: And I Am Telling You… I Should Be Workin’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EVzHrliNxU&mode=related&search=
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More versions with Jennifer Holiday:
Miss Jennifer Holiday @ The White House - “And I’m Tellin’ You”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtlMUbxyT0U&mode=related&search=
(another) Miss Jennifer Holiday - “And I’m Tellin’ You”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-K0gkYplZ0&mode=related&search=
(yet another) Miss Jennifer Holiday - “And I’m Tellin’ You”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtQBNnOYEJI&mode=related&search=
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In case you haven’t got enough of Miss Jennifer Holiday (who could?)
Here are some more performances:
Jennifer Holiday - His Eye Is On The Sparrow Part.1 (1986)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tE3QOnR0QWI
Jennifer Holiday - His Eye Is On The Sparrow Part.2 (1986)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHzDRjUvmWU&mode=related&search=
Jennifer Holiday sings I’m changing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xdwm1vrdVFI&mode=related&search=
