Our Sistahs Around the World

A couple of weeks before I revamped and starting back posting on this blog, I received a message from an African young lady, Gladys from Paris, France (Her message is what really re-inspired me to start back posting). Her message was just her expressing her concern about the black identity issue that is international. What really struck a cord with me is the phrase that she used, "international black community".

Starting up this blog, I didn't have in mind our black sistahs from other places. I had African-American females in mind. However, the message from Gladys made me realize that issues of the black community doesn't only affect those in America. These issues affect everyone of African descent. The term "black community" normally refers to us here in America, but I think it's time to realize that it is not only us in America who deal with the issues, but also the international black community.

Even though I can only offer my perspective and present content from my point of view as a black woman in America, I hope that Gladys and all the other international sistahs out there are able to take something away from what we are going to explore together on my blog.

Thanks to Gladys from Paris, France (my dream destination) for sending in her message.

Are you a international sistah? Have you ever thought about our international sistahs? Tell me about your thoughts, experiences, and what you would like to see for future "Think About It Thursday"s.

Dark Skin vs. Light Skin: Why The Separation?

This is a subject that is very sensitive in the black community. Who it seems to affect the most is the females. Lately, I have been watching OWN (Oprah Winfrey's cable channel) and on Sunday, there will be a documentary coming on that night titled Dark Girls. The commercial for it just breaks my heart at times.

Why do dark skinned women feel like they aren't beautiful? Why is there a need to notice each other's skin tone when black people come in ALL different and beautiful shades? Why the separation???

The one thing I hate the most is when you go on social media sites and a lot of us women might say "#TeamDarkSkin" or "#TeamLightSkin". It makes no sense, especially when we all know where this separation started. It had been ingrained in us since slavery times and we have been given the information and educated on this. However, we still decide to feed into it. It's almost like we choose to live in an ignorant bliss. 

In this Think About It segment, I would like for you guys to really sit down and think about this subject. Of course, there will be future posts made about this subject. There is so much more I have to say, because it is such a big and important subject, but for now, just think about the questions that I have above.

What do you think about the subject? Will you be watching Dark Girls on OWN at 9pm CT? Please comment down below and if you watch the documentary, tell me what you think about it.

Why Do We Watch Reality TV?

It seems like most of the shows that come on today are "reality" shows. The reason that I put reality in quotation marks is because there have been a couple of these shows' stars come out and say that some of it is actually scripted or they are forced into situations by producers to actually create the drama for show ratings. Many of us know this but still watch.

Like me, I can admit it. My guilty pleasure is Reality TV shows. I look at the shows as just entertainment. Nothing more, nothing less. However, most of our generation of black women are looking up to these women, idolizing them and copying their behaviors. They are learning how to be the "baddest b*tch" or allowing a man to cheat on them or how to argue, hate on, or fight any other female that gets in their way. I completely disagree with young women doing this, but it is happening and I'm not sure how that problem could be solved.

My challenge to any black woman or girl that watch these shows is for you to sit down and actually name positive things about these reality shows: The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Love and Hip Hop Atlanta, and Bad Girls Club. The reason why I say these three is because I am familiar with these shows (I know there are way more than that, but I wouldn't be able to give my accurate opinion on it). After that, ask yourself why do you watch these shows. Are you looking up these people? Are you learning anything? Is it just entertainment? How can we tell other women and our daughters not to think that the behaviors betrayed by these black women are in no way acceptable?

Just think about all of these things and comment your answer and what you think down below. If you are one of the young ladies who are looking up to these women or anything like I described in the 2nd paragraph, I really need to hear from you.

*I will say though that Tia and Tamera is a wonderful reality show on the Style network. If you want to look for some positive reality TV, please check that show out.