When Alicia Keys declared she was Team #NoMakeup last Spring in an article on Lenny Letter entitled <a href="http://madamenoire.com/699907/alicia-keys-nomakeup-movement/">“Alicia Keys: Time To Uncover,”</a> the public wasn't exactly completely on board with her proclamation. Some felt Alicia Keys was condemning women who choose to wear makeup while others felt the singer was a fraud, especially when they found out exactly <a href="http://madamenoire.com/720992/really-takes-alicia-keys-skin-glow-without-makeup/">what it take for A. Keys to walk around makeup-free</a>. And though Alicia has already explained her decision to forego makeup is a personal one, telling fans and critics alike "<a href="https://madamenoire.com/715087/alicia-keys-responds-makeup-free-vma-look/">Do You</a>" when it comes to their beauty choices, once again, she's defending her #NoMakeup stance in the latest issue of <a href="http://www.allure.com/story/alicia-keys-on-makeup-no-makeup">Allure magazine</a>.
<a href="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/alicia-keys-allure-february-2017-cover.jpg"><img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/alicia-keys-allure-february-2017-cover.jpg" alt="" width="570" height="760" class="size-full wp-image-782751 aligncenter" /></a>
Plain and simple, the singer who has been an activist since day one told the mag:
<blockquote>“I’m not a slave to makeup. I’m not a slave to <em>not</em> wearing makeup either. I get to choose at [any] given moment. That’s my right.”</blockquote>
Further explaining her non-anti-makeup stance, Alicia added:
<blockquote>“I think makeup can be self-expression. I have no intention to shame anyone at all [who chooses to wear it]. No one should be ashamed by the way you choose to express yourself. And that’s exactly the point. However, if you want to do that for yourself, you should do that.
“I am all about a woman’s right to choose. I think a woman should do anything she wants as it relates to her face, her body, her health. Whatever mode of expression that empowers you, that’s what you should do. What I am not down for is this ridiculously high, unrealistic expectation about appearance that we as women are held to.”</blockquote>
And that, many people have forgotten, was the basis for Alicia's #NoMakeup movement -- the feeling that she had to meet unrealistic standards to be beautiful.
<blockquote>“I started at 20 years old in this ridiculously invasive world [the music business] in which everyone covered me in makeup and then threw me under tons of lights, so I’d sweat for two or three hours,” she told <em>Allure</em>, adding how the breakouts resulting from all of the makeup would maker her feel even more self-conscious.
“It took me so long to finally say, ‘Whoa! Who am I under there?'" she explained. "That is just my own personal quest.”</blockquote>
Check out the photos that backup Alicia's remark that she's neither a slave to makeup, nor a slave to not wearing makeup on the next few pages.
<a href="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/alicia-keys-allure-february-2017-black-underliner.jpg"><img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/alicia-keys-allure-february-2017-black-underliner.jpg" alt="" width="580" height="797" class="size-full wp-image-782752 aligncenter" /></a>
Alicia Keys: “I’m Not A Slave To Makeup. I’m Not A Slave To Not Wearing Makeup”
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Designer Ann Cole Lowe’s Story Finally Told In Fancy Party Gowns; 9 Things To Know About Her
Everyone is currently flocking to theaters to see <em><a href="http://madamenoire.com/782698/hidden-figures-octavia-spencer-taraji/" target="_blank">Hidden Figures</a> </em>in the hopes of learning more about the stories of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson, Black female mathematicians who worked for NASA and helped the U.S. achieve some great things in space. With the success of that book and film, what better time to uncover and share more stories about little-known Black women who've done great things in history? One story you should make yourself more aware of is that of designer Ann Cole Lowe.
<img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Ann-2.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="745" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-782763" />
Lowe is recognized as the first Black woman to become a noted fashion designer, and she he made dresses for everyone from wealthy socialites to Jackie O. Lowe created then Jacqueline Bouvier's dress for her wedding to John F. Kennedy. Her story is being brought to the masses in a new book called <em><a href="http://littlebeebooks.com/books/format/picture-books/fancy-party-gowns-story-fashion-designer-ann-cole-lowe/" target="_blank">Fancy Party Gowns: The Story of Fashion Designer Ann Cole Lowe</a>. </em>The large picture book, written by Deborah Blumenthal with illustrations by the incredibly talented Laura Freeman, may be targeted to younger readers, but it's both informative and engrossing enough to capture the attention of adults as well. Trust me, I read it.
<em>Fancy Party Gowns </em>takes you back to Lowe's childhood, from the days she spent in Alabama helping her mother sew gowns to taking over the business and eventually opening up her own salons. Of course, because Lowe came up in the early 1900s, she faced a great deal of adversity as a Black woman. From having to attend design school classes in New York City in a separate classroom by herself to working anonymously so that people wouldn't know a Black woman made the gowns of certain clients, Lowe went through a lot to follow her dream. But in the end, her one-of-a-kind designs are finally being attributed to her and have been placed and showcased in the JFK Presidential Library Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology, and the new National Museum of African American History and Culture.
The picture book is beautiful and gives Lowe the credit and respect that she went without for so long. We would recommend ordering the book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fancy-Party-Gowns-Fashion-Designer/dp/1499802390" target="_blank">which was released today (you can buy here)</a>, for your children. But if you want to get it for yourself in order to learn more about Lowe's legacy, you will be greatly rewarded with a rich story.
In honor of the book's release and Lowe's story, here are 9 things you should know about Ann Cole Lowe.
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Nick Cannon’s Latest Head Decor Will Tickle You On This #TurbanTuesday
Nick Cannon may not be the first one who comes to mind when you think of a trendsetter, but his latest obsession with turbans is killing us all softly--but in a good way! Men often are afraid to try different fashion accessories or trends, but Mr. Incredible makes rocking a turban do-able for both men and women. Check out our fave looks for #TurbanTuesday!👳🏿♂️
<iframe class="giphy-embed" src="//giphy.com/embed/T9YkJ2bNXRxbG" width="480" height="480" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
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How Does Serena Williams Feel About Being Engaged? “I Really Haven’t Thought About It Too Much”
After taking a brief <a href="http://madamenoire.com/718525/u-s-open-injury-loss-serena/">break from tennis tournaments</a> following her U.S. Open loss and injury in September, Williams is back to work doing what she loves in the Australian Open. But reporters are asking her about <em>who</em> she loves, specifically, her fiancé, Alexis Ohanian. He was present in the stands during her match on Monday. During a post-game press conference following Williams's first-round victory over Belinda Bencic, she was asked about her engagement, and for the first time, she opened up, albeit briefly, about her future husband and how she's feeling.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPYabD1DV8N/?tagged=serenawilliams&hl=en
"I guess it feels good," Williams said before admitting she hasn't really had time to sit down and let it all sink in just yet due to work.
"I really haven’t thought about it too much because I wasn’t even really gonna think about it until after the tournament. So, I just kept saying, 'February, I’ll start looking at the bigger picture of my life.' But right now I’m just so focused that this is all I can kind of think about."
When asked what she loves most about Ohanian, Williams mentioned that he's kind. Of course, she wasn't going to get too mushy with her thoughts considering she'd already said that she wanted to focus on her tournament play for now. (That basically means, "Stop asking me about my personal business when I'm at work, please and thank you...")
"He’s incredibly — a really nice person," she said. "I think he definitely treats everyone the same, which is really cool to see. Really, really nice to see."
https://www.instagram.com/p/BO7GowHgP6_/?taken-by=serenawilliams&hl=en
Serena's comments follow those from her big sister Venus, who called Ohanian a "super nice guy" during a post-match press conference after her own win in the first round at the Australian Open. Venus applauded Serena for knowing a good thing and sticking with it.
"She’s much smarter than I am," <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/tennis/2017/01/16/venus-williams-serena-engagement-first-round-australian-open/96630416/" target="_blank">she said</a>. "She’s a wise woman. She’s actually getting a real life. She’s paving the way, once again, for me. Maybe I’ll grow up."
As for Ohanian, Venus gives her little sister's man a big thumbs up.
"You never know how the things are going to end. In this case, it’s not gonna end, so it’s great."
Check out Serena's post-game chat, including her thoughts on preparing for the road to the altar below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WFZ6zoHZfY
<em>Images via Instagram </em>
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10 Things I Learned From Eartha Kitt’s “Unsung Hollywood” Episode
Today is not only the birthday of our favorite First Lady, she shares the day with legend Eartha Kitt. I’ve always admired Eartha Kitt. And normally I would have nodded in appreciation about the fact and gone on about my day. But after watching her episode of “Unsung Hollywood,” I’m even more fascinated by the life she lived. So her birthday seemed like the perfect day to share all the interesting things I learned.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">trying to find a copy/link of Eartha Kitt - All by myself documentary. if anyone can help. let me know. <a href="https://t.co/NlC6l0j88c">pic.twitter.com/NlC6l0j88c</a></p>
— Good Food (@GoodFoodMusic) <a href="https://twitter.com/GoodFoodMusic/status/814476917558693888">December 29, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<h2><b>She never knew her father </b></h2>
Eartha Kitt was the daughter of a Black and Cherokee woman and a White father. There were rumors that she was conceived during a rape. All Kitt knew was that her father’s surname was Keith. According to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/oct/19/eartha-kitt-suffered-over-identity"><i>The Guardian</i></a><i>, </i>Kitt went to her grave not being sure of her father’s true identity. When she requested his birth certificate, at 71, his name was blacked out to conceal his identity.
"My mother was 71 at the time and it was approaching the 21st century, and yet they were still protecting the name of the father even though he was clearly dead. They were protecting the white man because they would not have gone to that trouble to protect a black man. The courts still held it as legal to withhold the documentation. We were amazed. My mother assumed it was their dirty little secret."
The same day she found her birth certificate was the same day she also learned her true birth date. All of her life she believed she was born January 1926. But the document listed January 17, 1927, as the actual date.
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Taraji P. Henson’s Incredible Style Transformation
They say people change when they get money, but not all change is a bad thing. Taraji P. Henson's climb to entertainment royalty has been a long one, but one thing that's obvious is the star's style has increased exponentially with her notoriety.
[caption id="attachment_782844" align="alignnone" width="1068"]<a href="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/taraji-p-henson-style-transformation.jpg"><img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/taraji-p-henson-style-transformation.jpg" alt="" width="1068" height="600" class="size-full wp-image-782844" /></a> WENN[/caption]
Last year, the actress revealed she had to pay for her own hotel while working on <a href="http://madamenoire.com/721547/taraji-henson-hollywood-pay-gap/"><em>The Curious Case of Benjamin Button</em></a>, and if a Hollywood studio wouldn't even provide accommodations for the woman who turned out to be the star of the film, we know for sure designers weren't rushing to dress the budding entertainer. And looking back at old pics of Taraji it shows. Now some of her fashions were simply a casualty of the early 2000s while others, well, let's just say what a difference a stylist makes. Here's a look back at Taraji's incredible style transformation.
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“I Will Always Love Her” Alexis Manigo AKA Baby Kamiyah Speaks On Her Mother & Biological Family
It seems like I’ve been seeing the grainy baby picture of Kamiyah Mobley floating around the internet for weeks now. I’m sure you’ve probably seen it too.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kamiyahmobley?src=hash">#kamiyahmobley</a> found in South Carolina 18 years after her abduction from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jacksonville?src=hash">#Jacksonville</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JSOPIO">@JSOPIO</a> <a href="https://t.co/1fWx9enY0P">pic.twitter.com/1fWx9enY0P</a></p>
— Ashley Hollander (@AshleyANjax) <a href="https://twitter.com/AshleyANjax/status/819952958280495104">January 13, 2017</a></blockquote>
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It was often paired with the image of another woman, dressed in a leopard shirt looking toward the ground. For a while I assumed that the media got it wrong and was trying to convince us that the baby picture was that of the woman in the leopard print. instead, the woman next to the baby picture, was posing for her mug shot in that photo. She, Gloria Williams, is the woman being accused of kidnapping Kamiyah back in 1998.
<a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/kamiyah-mobley-police-woman-kidnapped-as-newborn-18-years-ago-is-alive/">According to sources,</a> Williams had suffered a miscarriage, a week before Mobley was born. She was only eight hours old when Williams took from the hospital pretending to be a nurse at the University Medical Center. She raised Mobley as her own daughter for the past eighteen years, giving her the name Alexis Manigo. Williams has been arrested and was charged with kidnapping, a crime which has no statue of limitations. And Alexis was reunited with her biological parents.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Kamiyah Mobley was abducted as a newborn 18 years ago. On Friday, she finally reunited with her biological parents: <a href="https://t.co/cCKaUIJMFL">https://t.co/cCKaUIJMFL</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZfxnrkrVIO">pic.twitter.com/ZfxnrkrVIO</a></p>
— CBS News (@CBSNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSNews/status/820827925973004288">January 16, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Manigo’s father, Craig Aiken told CBS affiliate <a href="http://www.live5news.com/story/34262234/abducted-newborn-reunites-with-parents-18-years-later">WCSC</a> that he was still in shock after their initial 45 minute reunion.
<blockquote>“First meeting was beautiful, it was wonderful, couldn’t went no better... she was glad to meet us. It’s a feeling that you can’t explain it, it’s hard to put it in words right now it’s hard to deal with this here right now. We are just trying to process it, 18 years, it’s going to be hard to make that up.”</blockquote>
While Manigo's biological mother didn’t comment to the press when she was reunited with her daughter, she did tell the <em>Florida Times-Union</em>, on the tenth anniversary of Kamiyah’s birth and kidnapping that on each of her birthdays, she wrapped a piece of birthday cake in foil and stuck it in the freezer. She said, “It’s stressful to wake up every saying, knowing that your child is out there and you have no way to reach her or talk to her.”
After the reunion, her father said that it will be his daughter's decision as to whether or not she will visit them in Florida.
Often, when we hear about stories of newborns being kidnapped, we assume that the type of person who would literally snatch a baby from its parents arms, would lack the compassion necessary to be a good parent.
But with Alexis and Gloria Williams, that doesn’t seem to be the case. In a recent interview with “Good Morning America,” Alexis said that Williams is the only mother she’s ever known.
“She will always be mom. Your whole life you’ve been known as Alexis, Lexi. Now it’s like people are referring to you as someone else, nationally.”
Eva Pilgrim asked her, if in the midst of all of this, she’s had the opportunity to even sit and process what has happened and what will happen to her and her family.
“It’s not so much I don’t want…Well, it is that. I don’t want to. But I know it’s going to come…Stuff like this does not happen. It just doesn’t. This attention is very overwhelming.”
As far as her relationship with her biological parents, Alexis says, “I feel like I do owe them that to give them a chance, you know, get to know them.”
Pilgrim asked Alexis if she thinks about what her life would have been like if she had actually grown up with her biological parents.
“I’m not saying they weren’t going to be good parents. I’m not saying that at all. But it would have been a different life. When you find out you got another family out there, it’s just more love.”
Reflecting on seeing her mother in jail, Alexis, who was openly sobbing at the sight, said, “That did hurt that they had her in cuffs. She’s a gentle woman.”
“From that one mistake, I was given the best life. I was. I had everything I ever needed, wanted. I had love, especially.”
Pilgrim asked Alexis what she would like to see happen in an ideal world.
“I understand what she did was wrong. But just don’t lock her up and throw away the key, like everything she did was just awful. She loved me for eighteen years. She cared for me for eighteen years.”
Alexis said that she feels that she has to protect her mother, in fact she can’t even say how she realized that she might have been kidnapped for fear that it could incriminate her mom.
“You feel obligated to protect them in any possible, in any way possible. You can’t just say, ‘Oh they did something wrong. Let me just forget about them and move on.’ It’s not that easy…I will always love her.”
Williams is facing life in prison. While Alexis and her attorney are in the process of getting her official documents like ID and a social security number.
You can watch her interview with “Good Morning America” in the video below.
<blockquote class="twitter-video" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">EXCLUSIVE: 18-year-old abducted at birth speaks out on <a href="https://twitter.com/GMA">@GMA</a> with@ABC's <a href="https://twitter.com/EvaPilgrim">@EvaPilgrim</a>: <a href="https://t.co/GOejfDeDuG">https://t.co/GOejfDeDuG</a> <a href="https://t.co/kY4uYKtXHU">pic.twitter.com/kY4uYKtXHU</a></p>
— Good Morning America (@GMA) <a href="https://twitter.com/GMA/status/821698159550156800">January 18, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<i>Veronica Wells is the culture editor at MadameNoire.com. She is also the author of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bettah-Days-Veronica-R-Wells/dp/1535549866" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.amazon.com/Bettah-Days-Veronica-R-Wells/dp/1535549866&source=gmail&ust=1484843118585000&usg=AFQjCNGe-l5sXt1cdCX8BqaBK-Zi5SyDoA">“Bettah Days.”</a> You can follow her on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/veronicarwells" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.facebook.com/veronicarwells&source=gmail&ust=1484843118585000&usg=AFQjCNH1PuEO8gbImLpToQkuMqe-R-8k7g">Facebook</a> and Twitter<a href="https://twitter.com/VDubShrug" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://twitter.com/VDubShrug&source=gmail&ust=1484843118585000&usg=AFQjCNFalCduk6YSd4hU-VwRp5JVCJW3KA"> @VDubShrug.</a></i>
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Being Mary Jane, Season 4 Ep 2: Congratulations, You Played Yourself
After an interesting (but sometimes slow) start to Season 4 of <em>Being Mary Jane</em>, episode two, or "Getting Naked," definitely drew us in. Not only did Mary Jane reveal a different side of herself, but she revealed too much to the wrong person. Here's what went down:
<img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Ronda-and-BMJ.jpeg" alt="Being Mary Jane Season 4 Ep 2" width="809" height="300" class="aligncenter wp-image-782865 size-full" />
After getting the heads up from Ronda that she may be being used by producers of <em>Great Day USA</em> to create drama, Mary Jane finds herself confident in the idea that she can really trust the lead anchor. Recommended by Ronda to cover a big awards ceremony that honors her charity, which builds schools in Kenya, the two find themselves becoming closer.
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Ayesha Curry “Lucky To Be” Unofficial Twin Of Lookalike Gone Viral After Being Fat-Shamed
If you've ever watched people share side-by-side images of themselves on social media, claiming that they look like a particular celebrity, then you know that they open themselves up to all sorts of scrutiny from the public. Everyone can agree that people are just plain ol' mean these days.
<img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Ayesha-and-Amanda.jpeg" alt="Ayesha Curry and Amanda Parker" width="1068" height="600" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-782893" />
But in the case of Amanda Parker, an image of her was found and someone else tried to compare her to Ayesha Curry. Unfortunately, they did so by criticizing her size at the same time, calling her "AyEatcha Curry." While most of us would go all the way in over such comments, Parker responded in a classy way:
<img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Amanda.jpeg" alt="" width="800" height="824" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-782890" />
(Side note: We blacked out the scrub's name since he thinks he's become an overnight sensation for being a hater.) Parker's image, along with her response, ended up going viral. One person who just so happened to run across it is the real Ayesha Curry, who would go on to say that she's more than happy to be Parker's unofficial twin. The basketball wife, like the rest of us, wasn't happy about the unnecessary fat-shaming:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">If people want to call us twins, I’m here for this. <a href="https://twitter.com/AmandaaParkerr">@AmandaaParkerr</a> is gorgeous! I feel lucky to be your unofficial twin.😊</p>
— Ayesha Curry (@ayeshacurry) <a href="https://twitter.com/ayeshacurry/status/821528527824506880">January 18, 2017</a></blockquote>
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As for how Parker felt about the comments about her weight, she hopes that taking the high road will inspire other women to do so when faced with unwarranted criticism.
"Being body-shamed is so unfair, and I'm happy with the responses I got from most people," <a href="http://www.bet.com/news/sports/2017/01/18/ayesha-curry-and-body-shaming-victim.html" target="_blank">Parker told BET</a>. "People have been showing so much love. I've had women tell me I'm their hero. That makes me extremely happy. I really hope I've inspired beautiful women of all sizes. People on the internet can be so mean."
It is true that the two women do look a lot alike. Here are images of Curry:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BLAjbEmARMP/?taken-by=ayeshacurry&hl=en
https://www.instagram.com/p/BNzqOzxAdeB/?taken-by=ayeshacurry&hl=en
And here's Parker:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPTP5SpAT-c/?taken-by=amandaparrker
https://www.instagram.com/p/9E7JD1rogx/?taken-by=amandaparrker
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPTP5SpAT-c/?taken-by=amandaparrker
They share a similar look but are striking in their own way. And while Parker stuck up for herself just fine, it's nice to see Curry use her platform to further uplift the beauty.
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Woman Behind #BlackGirlMagic Says Those Who Use It Today Alienate Certain Black Women
What does it mean to have #BlackGirlMagic, and better yet, <em>who </em>is #BlackGirlMagic?
Is it Viola Davis winning a Golden Globe for <em>Fences</em>? Willow Smith slaying a magazine photo shoot? Serena Williams dominating on the court? Your best girlfriend finally finishing her Ph.D.? What about the single mother down the street trying to provide the best life for her kids? Or how about the woman working to repair her life after a downward spiral?
If you ask CaShawn Thompson, the woman who brought "Black Girls Are Magic" to life before it was hashtagged into #BlackGirlMagic, it's all of the women mentioned and more.
https://www.instagram.com/p/3ygbeaMH2d/?taken-by=thepbg&hl=en
As she told <a href="http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-everyones-saying-black-girls-are-magic-20150909-htmlstory.html" target="_blank"><em>The Los Angeles Times</em></a> in 2015 about her use of "Black Girls Are Magic" since 2013, "I say ‘magic’ because it’s something that people don’t always understand," she said. "Sometimes our accomplishments might seem to come out of thin air, because a lot of times, the only people supporting us are other black women."
But as she's noticed, and maybe you have too, people seem to think only certain kind of women doing certain kinds of things deserve the #BlackGirlMagic treatment. This saddens her:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">It breaks my heart when BW like me feel excluded from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlackGirlMagic?src=hash">#BlackGirlMagic</a> b/c of the bullshit respectability that some have attached to it. 😞</p>
— La Peebz. (@thepbg) <a href="https://twitter.com/thepbg/status/821426712680468486">January 17, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">BW who aren't degreed, don't have line sisters or do brunch every week. Those of us still tryna make our magic look like something. Or not. <a href="https://t.co/ytWS3vllQy">https://t.co/ytWS3vllQy</a></p>
— La Peebz. (@thepbg) <a href="https://twitter.com/thepbg/status/821430323749781511">January 17, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I'm hearing that 'round the way girls are feeling left out of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlackGirlMagic?src=hash">#BlackGirlMagic</a> which sickens me. Wouldn't be no BGM w/o us.</p>
— La Peebz. (@thepbg) <a href="https://twitter.com/thepbg/status/821430984876953603">January 17, 2017</a></blockquote>
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After receiving quite a few responses to her thoughts on Twitter, Thompson wrote a blog on <a href="http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-everyones-saying-black-girls-are-magic-20150909-htmlstory.html" target="_blank"><em>Medium</em></a> reminding everyone what #BlackGirlMagic is really all about and who it's about. The piece included this gem:
<blockquote>Hood Black Girls got magic too!
So do Black girls that do hair in their kitchen, disabled Black girls, lesbian Black girls, fat Black girls, poor Black girls, Black girls with relaxers and weave, Black girls that are single moms, Black girls that haven’t figured out how to blend their make-up, Black girls that are incarcerated, trans Black girls, teenage Black girls, uneducated/under-educated Black girls, Black girls that work low paying jobs, Black girls that present as masculine, etc.</blockquote>
As she pointed out, without the aforementioned women, there would be no #BlackGirlMagic, as they all inspired "Black Girls Are Magic."
<blockquote>Those women are the Black Girl Magic rule, not the exception. Women like me, because Black Girl Magic was NEVER about the respectability that we sometimes use to oppress ourselves in order to feel special. We are all that kind of special JUST BECAUSE. If you’re really about the divine work of bringing your sisters along and holding them up, they don’t necessarily have to be your line sisters or your brunch bunch, because all of us can’t make it. Hell, all of us don’t even want to. It absolutely breaks my heart when women like me feel excluded from the Love of Black Girl Magic because of the compartmentalization that SOME folks want to put on it. I’m not about that and I hope that you aren’t either. I hope that you can see all of our struggles and our successes as valid and empowering, be they from Tracee Ellis Ross winning an Emmy or Tracee Jenkins winning Employee of the Month on her job at CVS.</blockquote>
Amen to that. <em>All</em> Black girls are magic.
Do you agree that people have tried to make #BlackGirlMagic exclusive instead of inclusive of all?
<em>Image via Shutterstock </em>
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“I Have Black Friends” All The Black Celebs Who’ve Lent Their Support To Donald Trump
The other day, the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/idontdoclubs/">I Don't Do Clubs Instagram account</a> posted this picture and quote from the late, great Malcolm X. It so accurately speaks to what's going on in our country right now, that it's almost as if Malcolm were somehow watching this sideshow of an election cycle and speaking his mind from beyond the grave.
<blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="7">
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<p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BPXWoMhBniv/" target="_blank">Remember. #tomslist</a></p>
<p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A photo posted by I Don't Do Clubs (@idontdoclubs) on <time style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;" datetime="2017-01-17T12:07:25+00:00">Jan 17, 2017 at 4:07am PST</time></p>
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But <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=IX02RSLJrcoC&pg=PA411&lpg=PA411&dq=The+first+thing+he+does+when+he+comes+in+power,+he+takes+all+the+Negro+leaders+and+invites+them+for+coffee.+To+that+he’s+all+right.+And+those+Uncle+Toms+can’t+pass+up+the+coffee.+They+come+away+from+the+coffee+table+telling+you+and+me+that+this+man+is+all+right.&source=bl&ots=thALa_4yQV&sig=-KXpO-5BzIlMw3JxYgxafyc21Qo&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiu68GHwczRAhVl2IMKHcdgB7EQ6AEILDAD#v=onepage&q=coffee&f=false">Malcolm said this in 1964</a>, speaking specifically about Lyndon B. Johnson, asking Black folk why the politicians we loved, the ones who seemed to be working for us, couldn't seem to pass any legislation that would mean anything to Black folk. Perhaps, it's a question we'll be asking all the Black celebrities who have met with or lent their support to Donald Trump in the past few months.
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Ciara And Future Have Officially Reached A Custody Agreement
[caption id="attachment_782917" align="alignnone" width="1068"]<a href="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ciara-and-future.jpg"><img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ciara-and-future.jpg" alt="" width="1068" height="600" class="size-full wp-image-782917" /></a> WENN[/caption]
On top of Ciara <a href="http://www.tmz.com/2016/10/20/ciara-drops-defamation-lawsuit-future/">dropping her defamation suit</a> against ex-fiancé Future, the former couple's custody case has also been dismissed now that the pair has come to an agreement about their 2-year-old son, Future's, living arrangements.
According to <a href="http://www.tmz.com/2017/01/18/future-ciara-custody-settled/">TMZ</a>'s sources, Ciara and Future have agreed to joint custody, although "baby Future will be with Ciara most of the time" due to the rapper's heavy touring schedule. Still, when he returns home to Atlanta, "he'll have reasonable access to his son."
Sources say both Ciara and Future simply want to move on from the co-parenting drama that's engulfed them pretty much since baby Future's birth. In May, Ciara already <a href="http://madamenoire.com/697667/ciara-loses-fight-for-sole-custody-joint-custody/">lost her request for sole custody</a> of little Future Zahir Wilburn so we're assuming before now the pair still couldn't figure out a mutually amicable way to carry out the judge's joint custody ruling. Whatever the case may be, we're happy both parties can now move forward, especially Ciara who is now <a href="http://madamenoire.com/723419/ciara-officially-announces-pregnancy/">expecting her second child</a> with husband Russell Wilson.
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Woman Sheds 170 Pounds And Sees Her Belly Button For First Time In 20 Years
It's not transformation Tuesday, but who doesn't enjoy a great weight loss story any day of the week?
https://www.instagram.com/p/BN0aX9yh7c9/?taken-by=sugarfreeoreo
Today's comes from Kim Carter Martinez. The 41-year-old Oakland, Calif. native has struggled with her weight ever since she was young. She lost her father when she was 12 and her mother at 17, and in an effort to deal with her immense grief, she packed on the pounds.
"I resorted to eating as a way to cope with my feelings," Carter Martinez told <a href="http://people.com/bodies/formerly-obese-woman-sees-belly-button-first-time-20-years/" target="_blank"><em>PEOPLE</em></a>. Before she knew it, Carter Martinez was an adult struggling with her weight, which eventually peaked at 344. Arthritis also impacted her body, and she was eventually told that she needed knee replacement surgery. Unfortunately, her weight was in the way.
"My doctor told me I needed a knee replacement to rid me of the horrible pain I was having, but I was too heavy to operate on — my BMI was so high there was a chance I could die on the operating table," she said. "He wouldn’t operate until I lost 50 lbs. That really motivated me."
And so, Carter Martinez slowly but surely started to work out to get the weight off. She did workout videos in her garage, gave up snacking and started to cook her own meals instead of eating out so often. After seeing changes, she even started the Paleo diet, which allowed her to eat like a cavewoman with its focus on meats, fish, nuts, greens, veggies and seeds. She eventually became more comfortable not only cooking healthier but also working out in public. Carter Martinez ditched staying in her garage solely to try riding a bike, and she ended up mixing that with sessions in the gym.
"I started using the machines and incorporated strength training," she said. "For three years, I exercised every day and went to the gym three or four times a week, and I did walking or bike riding or some kind of exercise video in the garage."
Her hard work paid off, and Carter Martinez met her goal weight. The only thing that was still holding her back was the extra skin that once encapsulated the fat on her body. She decided to have the necessary surgery to remove it.
"When I went for my post-op checkup four days later and took off the compression garment and saw the results, I just started to cry," she said. "I literally hadn’t seen my belly button in 20 years because there was so much belly fat hanging over."
Carter Martinez has come a long way, and after years of struggling to be mobile, including just being lightly active with her husband, she now has a new lease on life.
"Life was really hard before — there were so many times that I had to say no to social situations because I couldn’t walk around, but now I don’t have to say no to things anymore," she said. "I can pick what I want to do and be able to do it."
Get inspired by checking out more images of Carter Martinez's amazing weight loss and work ethic below:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BOsj9HnhVRZ/?taken-by=sugarfreeoreo
https://www.instagram.com/p/BOhsEh4BN7T/?taken-by=sugarfreeoreo
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https://www.instagram.com/p/BMeleADBJeQ/?taken-by=sugarfreeoreo
https://www.instagram.com/p/BL6MG9JhKoZ/?taken-by=sugarfreeoreo
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPNm8YOh8My/?taken-by=sugarfreeoreo
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https://www.instagram.com/p/BPY3ELThVSg/?taken-by=sugarfreeoreo
Keep up the great work, Kim!
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Teyana Taylor Promotes New Workout Video Service With The Help Of Vogue
If there’s one thing we can thank Kanye for over the last few years, it’s the fact that he helped put Teyana Taylor on in such a major way when he asked her to star in his “Fade” video. Since the video debuted at the MTV Awards, Teyana Taylor has carved out some space for herself in the mainstream conversation.
<img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/teyana-taylor-feat.jpg" alt="" width="1068" height="600" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-782931" />
And when the mainstream notices you, there are more opportunities that come your way. Folks were so taken with her music video that <i>Vogue </i>tapped her to create a similar video for their website. Thankfully, it was done to promote Taylor’s own project <a href="http://www.fade2fit.com">Fade 2 Fit</a>, a streaming workout video series.
Taylor, who takes pride in never having set foot in a gym, wants to show the admirers of her body, just exactly how she got it. “Dance <i>is </i>a workout. Dance <i>is </i>fitness.” In Teyana’s upcoming fitness videos, she starts with a very quick warm up, some calories burning and then cardio choreography.
To promote the new service, she appeared in a short video, produced by<i>Vogue. </i>Teyana, in a suite in New York City’s Waldorf Astoria shows you how it’s done. Plus there are a few familiar faces to see as well.
Check it out in the video below.
<script async src="//player.cnevids.com/embedjs/5176e90368f9daff42000014/video/587f725ffd2e61353b000009.js"></script>
You can learn more about Teyana's streaming video service, <a href="http://www.fade2fit.com"><strong>here</strong></a>.
<em>Image via Vogue </em>
<i>Veronica Wells is the culture editor at MadameNoire.com. She is also the author of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bettah-Days-Veronica-R-Wells/dp/1535549866" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.amazon.com/Bettah-Days-Veronica-R-Wells/dp/1535549866&source=gmail&ust=1484843118585000&usg=AFQjCNGe-l5sXt1cdCX8BqaBK-Zi5SyDoA">“Bettah Days.”</a> You can follow her on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/veronicarwells" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.facebook.com/veronicarwells&source=gmail&ust=1484843118585000&usg=AFQjCNH1PuEO8gbImLpToQkuMqe-R-8k7g">Facebook</a> and Twitter<a href="https://twitter.com/VDubShrug" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://twitter.com/VDubShrug&source=gmail&ust=1484843118585000&usg=AFQjCNFalCduk6YSd4hU-VwRp5JVCJW3KA"> @VDubShrug.</a></i>
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Steve Harvey And Whoever Else Can Hang With Trump, And We Can Call Them Out For It
Are some people truly that naïve?
<img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Steve-harvey-Jennifer-Holliday-Chrisette-Michele-PF.jpeg" alt="Steve harvey, Jennifer Holliday, Chrisette Michele PF" width="1068" height="600" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-782934" />
We shared with you <a href="http://madamenoire.com/782734/jennifer-holliday-explains-lapse-in-judgment-agreeing-to-perform-for-trump/" target="_blank">Jennifer Holliday's appearance on <em>The View</em></a> yesterday. During her time at the table, she opened up about the backlash she received over news that she would perform at Donald Trump's inauguration. She said that while members of the LGBTQ community were the ones who persuaded her to back out of the performance after voicing their angst, it was the pushback from Black folks that <em>really </em>disappointed her:
<blockquote>At first, I said, ‘Are these White people messing with me?’ And I would push the button to see who was calling me because your face is there. And I said, ‘Oh my God these are Black people calling me this.’ And they were saying I should kill myself or someone should kill me. All over singing a song! I said, ‘I just wanted to sang!’ I don’t really understand.</blockquote>
Steve Harvey felt that same sort of strong pushback from the community when he decided to take a meeting with the president-elect. The anger was so strong that according to <a href="http://thejasminebrand.com/2017/01/18/steve-harvey-hurt-backlash-trump-meeting/" target="_blank"><em>TheJasmineBrand</em></a>, he said his feelings were hurt:
<blockquote>On a personal note, a lot of y’all hurt me. I didn’t expect the backlash to be so fierce. I also understand if I’m going to keep getting stabbed at, at least while you’re stabbing me, you should understand my intent. I’m from the hood. I’ve been putting in the work for years. I care about these inner cities because that’s where I’m from.</blockquote>
And just today, Twitter had a field day dragging singer Chrisette Michele's name. A report surfaced that said she is indeed performing at the inauguration, but wanted to keep it a secret to avoid backlash. Well, if it's true, it's no longer a secret.
According to the <em><a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/confidential/chrisette-michele-set-join-trump-d-list-inauguration-line-up-article-1.2949205" target="_blank">New York Daily News</a></em>, her deal was put together a week ago:
<blockquote>Our insiders say that inauguration organizers first reached out to Michele's team asking her to perform the song "Intentional" with singers Travis Greene, Jonathan McReynolds, and Tye Tribbett — the same trio with whom she did that tune on BET's "Celebration of Gospel" broadcast one year ago. We're told that plan fell apart when at least two of those three singers declined the offer. But, according to our sources, Michelle agreed to sing for the Prez so long as she could perform an R&B set.</blockquote>
Even Questlove had to get on Twitter and say that he would "<a href="http://www.vibe.com/2017/01/questlove-christte-michele-trump-inauguration/" target="_blank">pay Chrisette to NOT perform</a>."
It's unclear what Michele's response will be to the backlash, but if it's anything like Harvey and Holliday's, she will likely try and blame President Obama. Both individuals used as an excuse a popular line from POTUS's farewell address. He encouraged people to get from behind the computer and try and have real conversations with those we may not agree with. As Holliday put it, "I thought that we had instructions from the Obamas and the Clintons that it was a go-ahead." And according to Harvey, "When I listened to President Obama’s final speech in Chicago one of the things that stuck in my mind was when he told people to get out from behind our computers and get involved. I took that to mean, get from behind the microphone."
But who are they kidding? This is all about money and making Donald Trump look good at all costs -- including their credibility.
What conversation has Holliday actually had with Donald Trump about affecting change? The only talking she's done has been with event organizers who were going to cut the check for her performance. And honestly, how much influence does Harvey really think he has on politics just because he received a call from the president-elect? Much respect to him for his work in the community, but no, just no.
As <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/media/314532-cnns-marc-lamont-hill-blacks-meeting-with-trump-a-bunch-of-mediocre-negroes" target="_blank">Marc Lamont Hill</a> pointed out this week, why is it that the only people he wants to have a conversation with happen to be Black celebrities? Where are the Black members of Congress? Where are the activists? Where are the real change agents? Hell, where is another meeting with President Obama?
Whoops! I forgot that he respects celebrities more than he does our current commander in chief.
Parading around Harvey, Kanye, Jim Brown, Martin Luther King's son (on MLK day to boot) and anyone else in front of cameras as if they truly represent the people in the cities and places he has such a negatively skewed viewpoint on is just patronizing at this point. It's pure puppetry. Excuse the rest of us if we want no parts.
Still, all the aforementioned players, whether they're performing for him on stage or at Trump Towers, have the right and freedom to do what they want. But we the (Black) people have every right to feel betrayed.
That is not to say that I condone anyone offering up death threats or being ugly. People can share their opinion without being insufferable. But then again, Donald Trump has been the leader of the insufferable, so until he owns up to his part in the harsh tone of discourse, the chances of it ceasing are little.
However, the idea that individuals think they can play us and make us believe they wanted to see Trump or sing for him to enact change instead of just making some, is ridiculous.
Not to mention that you can't tell we the (Black) people that we should accept and give Trump a chance when he just called storied civil rights activist and congressman John Lewis "all talk" for saying Trump is an "illegitimate president." <em>This</em> from the man who spent years questioning the legitimacy of Obama's presidency, only to not even have the decency to apologize for helping to start the birther movement when called out about it.
He's not any ol' candidate that we should sing kumbaya around and move on. Hell, at this point, I would give anything for Mitt Romney and John McCain to have ran in his place. He's genuinely a terrible person, and to perform for him comes off as aligning yourself with him. It gives the impression that you support his distressing behavior. He used White fear and racism to get elected and thinks that dealing with serious issues over coffee with musicians and athletes (but beefing with the intelligence community) is the way to go.
He is a hate monger who only sees us, "<a href="http://gawker.com/the-collected-quotes-of-donald-trump-on-the-blacks-1719961925" target="_blank">The Blacks</a>," in one way: as the downtrodden falling apart in crime infested "<a href="http://www.vox.com/2017/1/16/14280458/donald-trump-black-inner-cities-race-racism-african-american-museum-mlk-day" target="_blank">inner cities</a>." He knows nothing about us, cares nothing about us, and only acknowledges Black people through famous folks who share our skin. Anyone who meets with him and doesn't call that out, only to say they don't understand why they would receive backlash, just enjoys being naïve. If you don't meet with him and bring along people who can truly affect change, you don't get it. If you meet with him and stand and smirk in front of cameras like a Cheshire cat and then wonder why you're feeling the heat, you really don't get it. If you hide the fact that you signed up for inauguration commitments and then act as though you don't understand why people would be disappointed in you, you truly don't get it. Own up to your decisions.
So yes, <em>everyone</em> has the right to meet with Donald Trump if they want, just as we have the right to feel however we so choose to about it -- including choosing to withdraw our support.
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Serena Williams Checks Reporter For Criticizing Her Play At Australian Open: “You Should Apologize”
Despite winning both of their second-round matches at the Australian Open this week, the focus on the success of both Venus and Serena Williams during the tournament has been shifted due to questionable comments made by reporters that have a lot of people talking.
<img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Venus-and-Serena-Williams-PF.jpg" alt="Venus and Serena Williams " width="1068" height="600" class="aligncenter wp-image-783002 size-full" />
<a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/tennis/2017/01/19/serena-williams-third-round-australian-open-lucie-safarova/96762652/" target="_blank">Serena beat Czech star Lucie Safarova 6-3, 6-4</a> during play on Wednesday. While she didn't steamroll Safarova, she played well. At least, Serena thought she did.
When a reporter during a post-game press chat called her play "scrappy," as in, "disorganized, untidy," the tennis legend told him he should apologize for being rude.
The exchange went like this according to <em>the New York Times</em>'s Ben Rothenberg (who called Serena's play "hella sharp" by the way):
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A rule to live by: don't tell Serena Williams she played bad, especially when she definitely didn't. This poor guy. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AusOpen?src=hash">#AusOpen</a> <a href="https://t.co/zs5saxmVjl">pic.twitter.com/zs5saxmVjl</a></p>
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) <a href="https://twitter.com/BenRothenberg/status/822047651319267328">January 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
As for Venus, she managed to cruise to victory over Switzerland’s Stefanie Voegele. During their match, her style of play at the time was <a href="http://You see Venus move in and put the gorilla effect on. Charging. Read more: http://metro.co.uk/2017/01/19/broadcaster-under-fire-after-likening-venus-williams-to-a-gorilla-during-australian-open-match-6390390/#ixzz4WDtbmhSR" target="_blank">compared to a gorilla by ESPN commentator Doug Adler</a>. You read that correctly, and you already know how I feel about <a href="http://madamenoire.com/745029/obamas-monkeys-racism/" target="_blank">White folks comparing Black people to primates</a>.
He was captured saying "You see Venus move in and put the gorilla effect on. Charging." You can hear his brief commentary below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlYWdwcRUL4
There could be a chance that Adler meant "guerilla," as in impromptu, and not "gorilla," but clarification won't make his comments sound much better to those who were critical of them on yesterday.
Unfortunately, both women have been the focus of all types of <a href="http://www.vox.com/2015/3/11/8189679/serena-williams-indian-wells-racism" target="_blank">ugly commentary</a> throughout their careers, from statements about their bodies, particularly, Serena's, their looks and to the way they carry themselves on the court. While neither Adler or the reporter in question may have meant harm, it's about time more people were called out for negativity aimed at the stars, who haven't done anything -- but win.
<em>Images via WENN </em>
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President Obama’s Parting Letter From The Oval Office: “We Shall Overcome”
[caption id="attachment_783006" align="aligncenter" width="1068"]<a href="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/barack-obama.jpg"><img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/barack-obama.jpg" alt="" width="1068" height="600" class="size-full wp-image-783006" /></a> U.S. President Barack Obama speaks during a campaign rally to a crowd of 4,500 people in support of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton at Florida International University<br />Featuring: Barack Obama<br />Where: Miami, Florida, United States<br />When: 03 Nov 2016<br />Credit: JLN Photography/WENN.com[/caption]
Today, President Obama followed in the custom of 43 men before him, writing a <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2017/01/19/thank-you">parting letter</a> to the American people as he prepares to step down from office tomorrow and president-elect Donald Trump steps up. The summary of POTUS' letter was a simple "thank you for the honor of serving as your 44th President," and as he's done throughout his entire presidency, President Obama left us with one final message of hope: "We shall overcome."
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Check out his letter in its entirety:
<blockquote>It's a long-standing tradition for the sitting president of the United States to leave a parting letter in the Oval Office for the American elected to take his or her place. It's a letter meant to share what we know, what we've learned, and what small wisdom may help our successor bear the great responsibility that comes with the highest office in our land, and the leadership of the free world.
But before I leave my note for our 45th president, I wanted to say one final thank you for the honor of serving as your 44th. Because all that I've learned in my time in office, I've learned from you. You made me a better President, and you made me a better man.
Throughout these eight years, you have been the source of goodness, resilience, and hope from which I've pulled strength. I've seen neighbors and communities take care of each other during the worst economic crisis of our lifetimes. I have mourned with grieving families searching for answers – and found grace in a Charleston church.
I've taken heart from the hope of young graduates and our newest military officers. I've seen our scientists help a paralyzed man regain his sense of touch, and wounded warriors once given up for dead walk again. I've seen Americans whose lives have been saved because they finally have access to medical care, and families whose lives have been changed because their marriages are recognized as equal to our own. I've seen the youngest of children remind us through their actions and through their generosity of our obligations to care for refugees, or work for peace, and, above all, to look out for each other.
I've seen you, the American people, in all your decency, determination, good humor, and kindness. And in your daily acts of citizenship, I've seen our future unfolding.
All of us, regardless of party, should throw ourselves into that work – the joyous work of citizenship. Not just when there's an election, not just when our own narrow interest is at stake, but over the full span of a lifetime.
I'll be right there with you every step of the way.
And when the arc of progress seems slow, remember: America is not the project of any one person. The single most powerful word in our democracy is the word 'We.' 'We the People.' 'We shall overcome.'
Yes, we can.
And if you'd like to stay connected, you can sign up here to keeping getting updates from me: <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fact.barackobamafoundation.org%2FKeep-In-Touch&h=ATP20r_gYLU4cPtP9AfXC3q3JdEfTv6Ea3IUdfybb0JFPVyByQiV2bwyf5TQDZ79dGjHXqoRwP9UncsR0Cohk4pdkRICGC3NG7UoE0OLT-h6PyibBwraf5jRiWx2P2amBJs&enc=AZMPsjh7QBoMWQpLGF_DIGYyfZWjCQy3aZs3Ubgfuu1wOs4Y0UQCk9adpXRex8y4XQ4SYGa-l-LNQI4CsWIXzsd_ZANQKhJsVysnDB8epFS3DZR_UYJcB3g7LBVKE6pGqFq9yYGH7jY0j_58lnfnMjyXf86lq9eXnqywbEe0IK2gG1IcbO6F9_U_k3GqMCwxNfEAlj2wM1s90lFCb5PcsZw2&s=1" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://act.barackobamafoundation.org/Keep-In-Touch</a></blockquote>
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Did Amber Rose Tell A Rape Victim That Her Story Was “Too Deep” To Discuss?
<img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/amber-rose-feat.jpg" alt="" class="aligncenter wp-image-783008" width="899" height="534" />
I’ve told y’all I root for Amber Rose. I admire what she’s trying to do, take her sexuality and be a voice for women. For far too long the men she was with romantically, cast her in their own fantasies. She’s just now getting around to establishing a lane and a voice for herself, a lane which seeks to empower women. One that calls our rape culture, dismantles respectability politics and gives women the agency to dress as they choose and still demand respect. I love all of that. The fact that a woman so closely linked to the Hip Hop community which has demonized Black women for so long would use her platform to do this work is incredible.
Still, Amber is learning. Her emergence as a feminist and a spokesperson for women and their struggles has not been perfect. There was the time <a href="http://madamenoire.com/598453/amber-rose-tells-women-to-do-what-theyve-done-for-centuries-and-people-are-mad-about-it/">she instructed women to use the men in their romantic relationships</a> to help fund their businesses. <a href="http://madamenoire.com/720286/amber-rose-body-shaming-julianne-hough/">Or even that apology to Julianne Hough</a>. And most recently when she ignored a woman trying to discuss sexual abuse.
According to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BPcKJ2xh1bM/?taken-by=fameolousent_"><em>Fameolous</em></a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ambertheactivist/">AmberTheActivist</a> and a couple of screen shots, Amber Rose and Blac Chyna signed on to Instagram Live for a Confessions hour. And they asked users to call in and talk to them. But when one woman wanted to discuss the fact that she had been raped by her uncle, Amber Rose had no time for her. When she started telling her story, Rose responded saying it was “too deep” and then hung up on her. Other fans were even claiming that Amber and Blac Chyna started laughing at this woman.
Outraged by Amber’s response AmberTheActivist posted this response on her Instagram.
<blockquote><em>Share if you support survivors! TRIGGER WARNING- molestation/incest 🙅🏽 Amber Rose is doing a live stream right now asking for confessions. A girl started telling about her Uncle molested her and Amber Rose HUNG UP on her and said "that's too deep." Then, Amber Rose, Blac Chyna and all their friends laughed. I thought you were and advocate for survivors @amberrose? How could you do that when the Amber Rose slut walk is for survivors of rape and molestation?? Oh that's right- MONEY. I want you all to know that as I rise in fame and abundance, I will always stand with you and FOR you. I will teach you how to be divine feminists, how to heal from rape, and how to be spiritual sluts with grace 💅🏾 @amberrose is not fighting for us. She is fighting for HERSELF, her reputation, and desperate need to not be vilified for being a stripper once upon a time. I will always stand with you, for you, and I will always believe you!! I was totally for the cause but @amberrose just revealed herself to be a scam. 🙄 See last post ✨ #CreatingConsentCulture #amberrose #amberroseslutwalk #ignoranceg</em></blockquote>
In response to the backlash she was receiving, Amber Rose issued this statement on her Instagram page.
<blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="7">
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<p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BPc50tDjHQV/" target="_blank">I was on IG live last night with my friends a woman called in and said that she was molested by her uncle when she was 5 years old at the same time laughing with her friend in the background. She obviously wanted A moment on our IG live that's why I said " That's too much" and hung up on her. I'm not gonna deal with people that think its funny or they just want to get a little five minutes of fame on Instagram. It's really fucked up because I give my life to helping women, rape victims, sexual assault victims and women that have suffered from molestation. Furthermore there were people in that room with me last night that were molested, also SO WAS MY MOTHER! So why would I ever laugh at someone that was molested???? All of you so called supporters of mine were never supporters at all, if you were you would've known better. Also I'm so sick of people saying that I make all of this money from slut walk. Guess how much I make??? 0 fucking dollars Slut Walk is FREE and I put my blood sweat and tears into it every year. I've taken so many punches for all of you!!! From social media, media outlets, people on the street to brands that won't even work with me because I stand for women and Slut shaming. It's disappointing that you can devote your life into helping people every single day and one misunderstanding everybody turns their back on you. Stand up and make a change! Ask yourself what are YOU doing for Women's Rights? Or whatever ur cause is. Know ur facts before you try to erase all the good someone has done. I have an extremely compassionate heart and I will continue to take the punches - Muva</a></p>
<p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A photo posted by Amber Rose (@amberrose) on <time style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;" datetime="2017-01-19T15:51:10+00:00">Jan 19, 2017 at 7:51am PST</time></p>
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I understand that Amber might have believed the woman was calling in trying to make light of a very serious situation. Still, she didn’t handle this in the best way. If she really felt that this caller was not being honest or truthful about what, for some people is a very real occurrence in their lives, then she should have taken the time to one see if she really was being truthful— and not suffering from a fit of nervous laughter— and if she wasn’t, then it would be a great time to explain to this woman why her attempt to use rape as a joke was not called for. And why she as an advocate for women wouldn’t stand for it. Saying “That’s too deep” doesn’t speak to any of that. It makes it seem like the issue itself is too deep. And furthermore, given Amber’s description from that night, I can’t understand why that was her knee jerk response in the first place. Her platform is supposed to be based on speaking about the issues that are too deep.
I understand that it might have been a misunderstanding and I already know people love to call her out as a fraud when she is doing real work. Still, I don’t think it would be a bad idea for her to take a second to try and realize why people were so offended by her response.
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<div class="adL"><span class="im"><i>Veronica Wells is the culture editor at MadameNoire.com. She is also the author of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bettah-Days-Veronica-R-Wells/dp/1535549866" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.amazon.com/Bettah-Days-Veronica-R-Wells/dp/1535549866&source=gmail&ust=1484930322635000&usg=AFQjCNGCR2y_rege7NsJMOWRlIzk1skA9A">“Bettah Days.”</a> You can follow her on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/veronicarwells" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.facebook.com/veronicarwells&source=gmail&ust=1484930322635000&usg=AFQjCNG9gEUQdKfCSSoHvpkE3XD7ZBhCQw">Facebook</a> and Twitter<a href="https://twitter.com/VDubShrug" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://twitter.com/VDubShrug&source=gmail&ust=1484930322635000&usg=AFQjCNEysIJ5bwRYzxltZITLupSjqoHC_Q"> @VDubShrug.</a></i> </span></div>
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Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Sues Country’s Largest Student Loan Servicer For Misleading Borrowers
<b><a href="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/navient-student-loan.jpg"><img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/navient-student-loan.jpg" alt="" width="1068" height="600" class="size-full wp-image-783018 aligncenter" /></a></b>
Although its power may change after Trump takes office, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is taking action while it can against the largest student loan servicer in the country, Navient. The CFPB has filed a lawsuit against the student loan company claiming it has abused borrowers’ rights.
“Navient, a former part of Sallie Mae that services more than $300 billion in federal and private student debt, stands accused of creating ‘obstacles’ for borrowers by providing bad information, incorrectly processing payments and not acting on borrower complaints,” reported <a href="http://www.forbes.com/forbes/welcome/?toURL=http://www.forbes.com/sites/maggiemcgrath/2017/01/18/cfpb-sues-student-loan-servicer-navient-for-failing-borrowers-at-every-stage/&refURL=https://www.facebook.com/&referrer=https://www.facebook.com/#6403ee13477d" target="_blank"><em>Forbes</em></a>. By doing so, the CFPB says Navient “illegally cheated borrowers out of lower repayments.” Navient has been charged by the CFPB for repeatedly misapplying or misallocating borrower payments and this "obscured" information borrowers needed.
CFPB director Richard Cordray said in a statement, “Too many borrowers paid more for their loans because Navient illegally cheated them and today's action seeks to hold them accountable.”
Meanwhile, Navient categorically denied the CFPB's allegations.
"The allegations of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau are unfounded, and the timing of this lawsuit — midnight action filed on the eve of a new administration — reflects their political motivations," the company said in a statement. "[T]he suit improperly seeks to impose penalties on Navient based on new servicing standards applied retroactively and applied only against one servicer. The regulator-asserted standards are inconsistent with Department of Education regulations, and will harm student loan borrowers, including through higher defaults."
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A Less Than “Traditionally American” Kanye Only Person NOT Asked To Perform At Inauguration
While Chrisette Michele and Jennifer Holliday may have gotten a call to perform at the inauguration, it might surprise you that the one musician and so-called friend of Donald Trump who wasn't asked to lend their talents was Kanye West.
<img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Kanye-West-PF.jpg" alt="Kanye West Trump" width="1068" height="600" class="aligncenter wp-image-736452 size-full" />
If you'll recall, West stepped back into the spotlight following his short mental health treatment by meeting with the president-elect on Trump Towers. He received a lot of flack for his decision, but explained their meeting buy saying the following was the purpose of their discussion:
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I wanted to meet with Trump today to discuss multicultural issues.</p>
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) <a href="https://twitter.com/kanyewest/status/808767333065981956">December 13, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">These issues included bullying, supporting teachers, modernizing curriculums, and violence in Chicago.</p>
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) <a href="https://twitter.com/kanyewest/status/808768768906235908">December 13, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I feel it is important to have a direct line of communication with our future President if we truly want change.</p>
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) <a href="https://twitter.com/kanyewest/status/808769046208532484">December 13, 2016</a></blockquote>
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West even shared an image of a signed copy of Trump's <em>TIME</em> "Person of the Year" cover with a message that read, "To Kanye, you are a great friend."
But now West's friendship with Trump, along with whether or not he's "traditionally American" enough are being questioned as queries swirl about whether or not the rapper would take part in the inauguration.
In a chat with CNN's Erin Burnett, Thomas J. Barrack Jr., chairman of the Presidential Inauguration Committee, shut down rumors that West would take the stage:
"There's one celebrity I have to ask you about in particular because he said a lot of positive things about Donald Trump," Burnett asked. "You and I have have talked about Kanye West before. People have now said that Kanye would maybe want to perform. Will he?"
Barrack's response?
"No, we haven't asked him," he said. "He's been great. He considers himself a friend of the president-elect, but it's not the venue. The venue we have for entertainment is filled out. It's perfect. It's going to be typically and traditionally American. Kanye is a great guy, we just haven’t asked him to perform, and we move on with our agenda."
Interesting enough, a few of the stars who were asked to perform but declined the opportunity include Italian tenor <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/20/arts/andrea-bocelli-wont-be-singing-at-the-trump-inauguration.html" target="_blank">Andrea Bocelli</a>, Canadian singer Celine Dion, and British music legend Elton John. So much for "traditionally American..."
Check out Barrack's conversation with CNN below:
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Damn <a href="https://twitter.com/kanyewest">@kanyewest</a> couldn't even get to perform at this friend <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump">@realDonaldTrump</a>'s inauguration b/c the event is "Traditionally American". <a href="https://t.co/wu3EezncR2">pic.twitter.com/wu3EezncR2</a></p>
— Unstripped Voice (@UnstrippedVoice) <a href="https://twitter.com/UnstrippedVoice/status/821832250627125248">January 18, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<em>Image via Splash </em>
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