You Tell ‘Em Girl: A Letter to My Co-Worker the Misogynist

This post gets the first induction into my “You Tell ‘Em Girl” hall of fame. (A hall of fame I just made up today when I saw this post. )

#1: Running Into An Ex When You’re Looking Extra Cute

(from my blog Stuff That Makes Me Smile)

I had one of those moments today that all jilted rejected girls dream of having (and if you say you’ve never thought about this you’re lying).   I was in the grocery store cruising the dairy aisle, when I spotted a familiar face.

It was my ex-boyfriend Rick, the guy I was head over heels in love with. The same guy who had the courtesy of dumping me via a text message totally without warning.

Rick and I met in college and after we stopped seeing each other I ran into him one time on a morning when I’d overslept. I was running late so I threw on some clothes and didn’t comb my hair. I looked something like this:

It was horrible. I dreamed of the one day when I’d get a chance to redeem myself. It just so happened that, totally unplanned, that I put on a cute dress, with boots and leggings and a cute no ‘do.

I know exactly what it is. Its the secret wish that he will realize what a fool he was and want you back. Or it is the idea that he had a foxy chick and because he was a total jackass he lost out on the fabulousness that is you.

Redemption is so sweet.

From Punkgirl to Naughty librarian: Walking the Runway of Life

 I share a special kinship with Madonna.

 Both of us are exhibitionists to a degree. Both of us are artists. Both of us feel strongly that sexuality can be a legitimate form of artistic expression (Only one of us has managed to become a millionaire as a result, bet you can’t guess which one).

 One thing I really admire about her is how she’s been able to reinvent herself so many times without losing who she is. I”m old enough to remember the “Like a Virgin” days of black-off-the-shoulder tees, capri leggings, and crosses, to the “True Blue” days of the short blond cut, to the Kabbalah days where she’s tamer, but still just as fierce.

 This came to mind recently because I love to reinvent myself. I change my look pretty often. I’ve read articles where people have said this means I’m unhappy with myself, but I disagree. Getting dressed and doing your hair is one opportunity we have all day to be artistic and creative. It’s the only opportunity some of us wage slaves get. To me it’s like getting to play dress up and assume different personalities every day. Its like being a supermodel on the runway of life every single day. You’ve got to strut it and work it out. Clothes should be fun not just functional.

 It also says that I’m not just a one-dimensional person. I’m a mulifaceted woman with many sides to me. What mood I’m in will determine what side of me you get to see today.

 My most recent fashion transformation went from a pretty extreme assymetic haircut (sort of pseudo-punk) to a long layers and a pair of ugly glasses. I was going for that whole sexy librarian look. I love the contrast of sexy and educated, because I definitely believe sexy is smart. So over the course of the past few months I went from punk to librarian chick with the change of a hairdo and some glasses.

 How about you? Are you a fashion chameleon or do you stick with good old tried and true? What are some of your favorite looks?

Diva and other words I freaking hate

 I haven’t posted to this blog in a really long time. It took something near and dear to my heart to get me to stop watching “Real Housewives of Atlanta” and “Jersey Shore” reruns and actually write a post.

 I think I’ve officially got my fill of the use of the word diva. I have a real problem with the oversaturation of it. Even more annoying is that the people who use it don’t realize its true connotation. It drives me insane when a woman calls herself a diva and thinks she’s giving herself a compliment. A diva is not a good thing, its basically just a nice way of saying you’re a bitch. We’re perfectly fine with someone saying we’re a diva, but the minute they call you a bitch you’re ready to fight someone. I don’t understand it.

 Here’s the ugly truth ladies: divas are demanding, pretentious, hard-to-please, insufferable, and unpleasant. They’re narcissistic and and they dont’ really care about anyone other than themselves and what they want. It’s gone from its previous connotation of a regal woman of status to this ugly version. The most troubling part to me is that there really is no male equivalent for this. There is no special word that describes a man that is demanding, pretentious, and hard to please. It’s just yet another example of low-key sexism in our society.

  On a sidenote: when I had this discussion with someone it brought up the subject of other words we feel are oversaturating our lexicon. My cousin hates the word swag. (I actually kind of like it). What do you all think? Is it ok to call yourself a diva? Are there words that you personally can’t stand?

Me on a Soapbox: Love advice from J-Lo

 Jennifer Lopez  actually said something that got me thinking.

I wrote about this in my other blog Pop Culture Inspirations (shameless plug).

 On a lazy day off I was watching J-Lo’s Behind the Music on TiVo. They were talking about her life and many loves: Diddy and Ben Affleck, etc. They end on how she’s finally found lasting love with husband Marc Anthony. Then she said something so profound. I’m paraphrasing, but basically she said being with him makes her want to be a better person and thus being with him makes her better.

It was an a-ha moment for me. This is what I’ve been doing wrong. Find a person you love and that makes you a better person. She didn’t say find the guy with the most money or find the sexiest guy. She said find the guy who makes you want to be better.

 This woman has dated  all types of men from the rich and powerful (music  mogul Diddy and actor/writer Ben Affleck) to regular guys (waiter Ojani Noa and backup dancer Cris Judd). She has dated across racial lines (black, white, Latino).

 I’m by no means a relationship expert, in fact I’m the queen of bad relationships. I do however know this is a method I have not actively tried. I opt for the guy who is the cutest or the most fun or who has the best swagger. None of those things have amounted to diddly squat and here I am 30-years-old, perpetually single, and the only one of my siblings not to give my parents a grandchild.

 I guess the point I’m making is sometimes we have to go outside of our comfort zone to get something we’ve never had before. My most recent relationship was with a guy who was a teacher and was pursuing an advanced degree. He had a job where he was making a contribution to society. He was making himself better educated. It made me realize I could be doing more. It made me want to be more.

 Insanity is doing the same thing and getting a different result. Maybe finding love is doing something so totally different and being open to the possibilities.

My New Favorite Thing: Black Feminist Writer Joan Morgan


“I did not know that feminism is what you called it when black warrior women moved mountains and walked on water. Growing up in their company, I considered these things ordinary.” ~ Joan Morgan

I’ve been suspecting it for a little while now, but Joan Morgan’s “When Chickenheads Come Home to Roost” officially confirmed it for me.

I’m a black feminist.

I remember once in a job interview being asked “What am I passionate about? What motivates me? That was a year ago and I didn’t know. I remember BSing some answer that obviously didn’t work because I didn’t get the job.

In a year of unemployment, college, dating, loving, dumping, and being dumped by black men, I’ve learned a lot about myself.

I can finally say with certainty I know what I’m passionate about. I’m passionate about advancing my people. Particularly black women.  I find myself increasingly concerned with how black women are treated, how black women are depicted, and how black women are perceived. The older, wiser Brandy no longer hates on a young, black girl because she’s got a bigger ass than me, dresses a little more fly than me, or gets more male attention than me. I can’t hate on young black girls, because I’ve been a young black girl. I know how hard it is out there for us. We don’t need anything additional working against us. If anything we need more of us loving and supporting each other. We need to bond together, we need to create a network. And we need to love ourselves just as much, and in some cases, more than we love our black brothers. Only then, will we be able to get what we need from our brothers, our lovers, our communities, this country, and this world.

So Morgan’s addresses this issue in a passage from “Chickenheads.” She’s been ambushed by three black men upset by a pro-woman response to the racial implications of the raping of a white Central Park jogger allegedly by black teenage boys. Her defense, for me, addresses the dark secret of black relationships that is so rarely talked about:

“Whatcha really wanna know is how I feel about brothas.  It’s simple. I love black men like I love no other. And I’m not talking sex or aesthetics, I’m talking about loving y’all enough to be down for the drama — stomping anything that threatens your existence. Now only a fool loves that hard without asking the same in return. So yeah, I demand that black men fight sexism with the same passion they battle racism. I want you to annihilate anything that endangers sistas’ welfare — including violence against women — because my survival walks hand in hand with yours. So, my brotha, if loving y’all fiercely and wanting it back makes me a feminist than I’m a feminist. So be it.”

This sentiment is on point. It’s upsetting that black men sometimes look at black women as the enemy for expecting to be respected and loved the same way we respect and love them. I digress though.

The book is fantastic. Her writing is fantastic.Check it for yourself here, along with other works by Morgan.

My New Favorite Thing: This Video OMG!!!

Hey guys,  

 I’ve been a little down the past few days. Feeling really hopeless: (getting dumped and losing your job in the same month tend to do that to people.) Last night it got pretty bad, I have to admit. Some things came into my mind that were pretty dark and that’s really not like me. I had to sleep and pray for strength.

 I was online searching for material for my other blog,  Pop Culture Inspirationals (go check it out, shameless plug lol), and I found this video. I could not stop crying because it offered me so much hope and encouragement. Hopefully it will do the same for you:

 What is  your favorite inspirational quote?

My New Favorite Thing – Pop Culture Inspirationals

I just can’t leave well enough alone, LOL, I’ve started yet another new blog and it’s called Pop Culture Inspirationals

Pop Culture Inspirationals came about during a really difficult time in my life. I’d just learned that I didn’t get this journalism job that I really wanted. I was depressed. So as I do most every Wednesday night, I went to Bible Study. And it just came to me.

Ironically, the subject of the Bible Study was using our spiritual gifts. In that message he said several things that struck a chord with me, but one thing in particular: “Maybe everything you’ve been trying hasn’t worked, because you haven’t been using your gift to glorify Christ.” It was something like that.  I’ve always loved to write. This past semester, I took a television analysis class and said I wish I could find a way to make a living watching television and writing about it. On many occasions I’ve found inspiration in things I’ve seen on television. This was a way to combine all those things.

This blog is not going to hit anyone over the head with religion. I simply hope through this blog I can teach show some of the inspirational life lessons we tend to overlook because its packaged on television or by a blinged-out rap star. The first lesson of Pop Culture Inspirationals is that appearance isn’t everything…

Please check it out and tell your friends: http://popcultureinspirationals.wordpress.com/

This is your brain on finals

Any questions?

My brain is fried.

No seriously, I can barely complete a thought.

Sleep (what’s that)?

I’ve been too busy cramming it with speeches, and papers, and exams. I”m getting close to the end, I can see the finish line just a little bit closer now and its right at this point that I must bring out the  big guns, you know the heavy artillery.

If-I- absolutely -stay- up-all- night- the- thing- that- works- for-me-is-Mountain-Dew. I-love-coffee-but-I-think-I-drink-it-so-much-that-I’ve-become- immune-to-its-caffeination-powers. Back in the day I was a No Doz kind of girl, I could stay awake for like a week on those joints. The bad thing about those were once you came down it was horrible. You felt like warmed over death, but you stayed awake. (ItAlsoMadeMeTalkLikeThisButIDigress).

As far as energy drinks go I can’t really get into them. They don’t taste very good first of all. I do love those Vault drinks. I think Coca Cola makes them. They taste a lot like Mountain Dew, but sort of different. Those are good for a good energy kick in the pants.

I’m curious, what are some of your final exam rituals? What gets you through those all-nighters and cram sessions?

…grateful there are still honest people in the world

 Last night I walked out of a MARTA commuter train and left my purse inside. This particular purse has straps that always seem to come loose. I keep saying I”m going to stop carrying it, but it’s such a fabulous bag, I can’t bear to part with it.

 Well the said fabulous bag contained an iPod, an iPhone, a digital camera, cash, two debit cards, and my wallet with all my ID. Needless to say I was a hot mess when I discovered it missing. First thing I did was call one of the service phones at the station and incoherently and breathlessly babbled on about leaving my purse on the train. MARTA dispatchers must be trained to decipher incoherent babble because she tracked down the train operator, who returned my purse to the MARTA police station with everything intact.

 I was particularly moved by this because we’re constantly overwhelmed by news coverage of the lowest scum of human life and at times it’s hard to believe that truly good people exist. Especially in these tough economic times and when the gangster lifestyle is glamorized and honesty is looked upon as weakness. I’m here to say that good people do exist and they’re not hard to find.

 I did not get the names of the people who assisted me last night, but I’m so blessed and appreciative for you. My blog readers may know that I’m unemployed and I could only imagine what a bitch it would be to have to try to get all new ID, not to mention the additional expense when I’m not getting much income. It was truly a blessing and I’m grateful.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.