on the black hand side

"Dark Girls" is Sad, Powerful and Haunting [VIDEO]

It's 2011, why are black people still dealing with skin color and hair texture issues?

Dark Girls: Preview from Bradinn French on Vimeo.

How many times do black people have to address the issue of dark skin vs. light skin...good hair...bad hair. It's so sad and so unbelievable by people who are not black, regardless of whether black American, Black Hispanic, Caribbean black, etc.

If the truth be told, the problem of self-hatred and skin color envy is so deep and pervasive. If the truth be told, it goes beyond blacks. The desire for blonde hair, blue eyes and light skin is prevalent throughout the  ethnicity spectrum and damages the psyche of many not naturally born with those genetic traits. It's easier and perhaps more damaging to blacks who are farther away from Nordic blonde, but others are suffering also.

This madness will continue until people start really loving their natural selves. It's okay to recognize beauty in others but when you do that while hating yourself, the cycle continues. Some of comments from blacks in this video make me angry and sad --- in that order. We know better, let's do better. And to my dark girl sisters, you are beautiful. Know it. Own it. Be it.

 

Black Actors Collaborate on Milk + Honey TV Series from Brown Paper Dolls [VIDEO]

 

Some of Hollywood’s top black actors have collaborated and created an excellent television series, Milk + Honey . The show, over three years in the making, was created to showcase diverse images of women of color that are rarely seen on the big or small screen and to create more opportunities for black actors.

So who are some of the folks behind this series? Idris Elba, Lance Gross and Debbie Allen for starters. Then add Brown Paper Dolls --- Chicago natives and HBCU grads: Dana Gills (Spelman College);  Asha Kamali May (Howard University); and Jeanette McDuffie (Florida A&M University).

The "Milk + Honey" scripted series will soon be seen on all platforms and is looking to be picked up by a television network. The company needs 1 million views of the trailer, so let’s help them surpass their goal. Click on the video below or visit the official website at http://www.milkandhoneyseries.com/.

Thank you. Spread the word!

 

milk + honey series trailer from brown paper dolls on Vimeo.

 

 

A Message for Chris Brown [VIDEO]

I sure hope Chris Brown sees this video from Jay Smooth.  I don’t want him to just hear about it from his management or a fan or a friend.  You see, I think Chris Brown is very talented, as a matter of fact, he’s multi-talented. I also think he’s headed down the wrong path or will not reach the pinnacle of his potential success without better career guidance. Now, if he is being better advice but just not following it, then that’s another story.

 
^{Chris Brown shows off BET Awards}

Brown was given the all-clear, we forgive you welcome at the 2011 BET Awards Show with his multiple award wins, especially that Fan Favorite award during one of the weirdest presentations I’ve ever witnessed.

What was most disappointing and telling about Chris Brown was his attire to the BET Awards. Now, don’t get me wrong, he wasn’t the only one to have committed a flagrant fashion foul but if he is to be truly forgiven for physically assaulting Rihanna, his career move should be less bad boy roughneck and more smooth operator.  Instead, rather than being perceived as fashion forward, trandsetting or classy, he just came across as disrespectful like many of the other performers.  I’m just  saying.

Well said, Jay Smooth!

  

 

 

Hip Hop Queen with a Refreshing Flavor: Miss Mykie

I like hip hop, I really do. But those who know me, know that I’m also persnickety about the music I like to listen to. There’s a young lady who goes by the name of Miss Mykie who is a breath of fresh air in the rap game. She has a unique sound and flavor that doesn’t make you embarrassed or angry to be a woman, especially a black woman.

I can’t tell you I’ve heard everything she’s done but what I have seen and heard is impressive. In full disclosure, Miss Mykie and I are sorority sisters --- Alpha Kappa Alpha. I’ve never met her and could easily be her mom. Miss Mykie being my soror does not in any way color my opinion of her work but it does make me proud to acknowledge her as my sorority sister and not just my sistah.

Miss Mykie, born Mykel Gray, lists Houston as her hometown and is an alum of Howard University. I can only imagine she would have blown up super big by now if she would hoochify her image. Thank God she hasn’t because she doesn’t have to, the sister has skills.  

Check out  her latest video and see what I mean:

 

I had to throw this one in for my Alpha Kappa Alpha sisters. Pinky up, ladies.

 

Check out more on Miss Mykie at www.missmykie.com

Connect with her:
http://www.youtube.com/mykietv
https://www.facebook.com/Miss-Mykie/
twitter.com/missmykie

 

MSNBC's Black Agenda Show: Interesting and Awkward [VIDEO]

 

Unfortunately, I didn’t watch The Ed Show on A Stronger America: The Black Agenda that aired yesterday. I’m really sorry I missed it because clips from the show were very interesting and borderline explosive. They obviously showed the difference of opinion between the black panelists but let me just say that the entire show was awkward and telling of the lack of a black presence in mainstream media television news reporting.

I’m a fan of Ed Schultz so don’t twist my comments. I do think the show would have had a different feel had the host been a black person. In a few instances he basically served as a referee between Rev. Al Sharpton and Dr. Cornel West. (I must admit I've never seen Dr. West lose his cool before.) If you tell me about Rev. Al Sharpton somewhat co-hosting the show, I’ll say that adding his name to the show’s promos after they had already been running was MSNBC’s attempt at damage control for those folks who were paying attention.

Be that as it may, it seems the show was interesting and informative even if there were a few awkward moments. I hope to catch more clips of it or perhaps it will be rebroadcast. Do check them out and let me know what you think.  

 

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

 

Related Link: "A Stronger America: The Black Agenda"

 

I Love My Hair! Love Your Hair! [VIDEO]

For children of all ages, here is a fabulous Sesame Street video in tribute to loving one's hair. Even if your hair is not straight or blond, love it, okay? The earlier we learn this lesson, the better off we'll be. Smooches...

Tallevast, FL: Environmental Racism, Corporate Greed and Waiting for People to Die [VIDEO]

This is another instance of environmental injustice in the United States. I know all of the residents in the video. They deserve better treatment than that shown to them thus far. Where is the outrage and support from environmental and civl rights organizations? It seems as if the powers to be are waiting for the residents to die so the problem will go away. I think not.

Waka Flocka, Voting and Crimes Against Our Children [VIDEO]

First there was T-Pain, now Waka Flocka. This video is sad on so many levels. I don't know who Waka Flocka is or what Waka Flocka means but I do know that here is a young man, obviously a celebrity since he's being interviewed on 106 & Park, who cannot hold an intelligent conversation. He could have been nervous but that doesn't explain the vocabulary and grammar issues.

It's easy to make jokes about this interview and some of the comments about this incident on YouTube are brutal but it's so not funny. From family to community to the educational system to the record company he works for --- this is so wrong. It's child abuse...neglect...fraud and a number of other charges we should be ashamed of as adults.

Artists like Waka Flocka are emulated by other young people, pushed through or kicked out of our educational system and neglected by family and community. Like many young people, he has potential but for whatever reason, we didn't nurture him. It's not too late for Waka Flocka and many other young people in our communities, so what are we going to do?

In case you forgot...

Get out and vote on November 2, 2010!

West on Racism and the NAACP [VIDEO]

Speak on It: The Exploitation of Hip-Hop and Its Influence on Blacks [VIDEO]

Wise Intelligent of the group Poor Righteous Teachers speaks on the influence of intentional negativity in hip-hop and its influence on the black community. Interesting points and worthy of consideration.

Pass it on.