Cherise “Reese” Charleswell is a dynamic, ECLECTIC, self -and- internationally published author, poet/spoken word artist, entrepreneur, activist, bookworm, model, fashionista, penny-pincher, accessories designer, music lover, and sista-friend, host of “Wombanist Views” radio program; who has been described as the “Mad Scientist”, due to her varied interests and passions. She is of West Indian descent, with heritage from numerous Caribbean islands, such as St Thomas, St John, Puerto Rico, Tortola, St Kitts, and Anguilla.
Cherise is also the CEO of Eclectic Life and Liquid Whine Entertainment, as well as the Assistant Director of the Los Angeles Black Book Expo.
She is currently serving as the California State Representative for the National Black Graduate Student Association and the Editorial Intern for the American Public Health Association Student Assembly. She is also a member of the Southern California Public Health Association, National Women’s Studies Association, Society for the Analysis of African American Public Health Issues, California Caribbean Chamber of Commerce, and the Women of Color Research Network. Cherise is also the creator, producer, and co-host of Wombanist Views (www.facebook.com/wombanistviews) , a radio program that focuses on promoting and highlighting the achievements of women in various fields and social sectors.
Cherise has recently published the satirical self-help guide Real Talk TIPS For the Morally-Challenged, Socially Inept, & The People Who Love Them (available at http://www.etsy.com/EclecticLivingOnEtsy) She is also currently working on a book project, The Link Between Food, Culture, & Health Disparities in the African Diaspora.
The controversy from the African American community surrounding Zoe Saldana playing Nina Simone in the upcoming Biopic is warranted, yet a bit hypocritical. Where was this uproar when Kerry Washington was playing Kay Amin or Jennifer Hudson was playing Winnie Mandela? The way in which Hollywood chooses to portray people of African descent is a real issue. But we must view this problem equally when an African American actress is hired to play roles that disenfranchise the upward mobility of African actresses.
Jessica Ann Mitchell
Jessica Ann Mitchell is the founder of The National Black Pages & Black Bloggers Connect. She also writes on her personal blog at OurLegaci.com. To reach JAM email her at info@OurLegaci.com.
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Where do we go after the second election of President Barack Obama?
I want it to be known, that I’m proud to have Barack Obama as the President of the United States of America. I’m proud of his ability to lead and to be a role model. That being said, Blacks Cannot Wait on President Obama to make things better for them. President Obama has written another historic chapter in American history. The shift of cultural acceptance has happened in the political spectrum of this country. The people have spoken by their votes. This will be the second term for President Obama’s administration and his family.
It should be known that even though America still has a Black President the House of Representatives and Congress may still be controlled by Republicans. This will make another four (4) years a challenge to make continued progressive change in our country. The reality is there is still prejudice and racism in America, not in the gross levels that the news media attempts to show. If racism was so bad I do not believe that President Obama would be our President for another four years, voting creates change. This shows that even the media must be scrutinized for their political views and the influence they try to generate in society.
My direction in the blog is: Where do Blacks go from here? Where do Blacks go, what direction economically, educationally and politically should be traveled? Blacks have the best role model that they could have, a Black President and truly unmistakably a Black First Lady in Michelle Obama. The most powerful Black man in the Free world, the Commander in Chief of the most technologically sophisticated and weaponized military in the world. He is a product of the educational system of the United States, struggled in school, was bullied, and not the best student all the time. He shares this with other students as he speaks at schools around the country, and takes the time to build students up to see their potential to become greater than he.
This is the ultimate role model, one who acknowledges his flaws and weaknesses and always works to pull the youth up to pass his accomplishments in the future. So why are too many Blacks still caught in mental and emotional slavery claiming there are no good role models? Even Jacksonville, Florida has a great role model in Mayor Alvin Brown; he is visible in the community, supportive of public education and sets a good example as a father, husband, community activist and supporter of progressive growth for all people, but Blacks should see him as a guide to the importance of education and self-improvement.
Similar actions and events took place in1964, Cleveland OH in a different venue, but with the same challenges for Blacks. What has happened to The Negro Revolt and Where Do We Go From Here? or What Next? This was stated by Malcolm X, the same person who went through a transformation from thug, hustler, drug dealer, gambler and other societal deviations to a man that educated himself, became a father, leader and role model.
Don’t look down on this man, because some of our politicians, priests, preachers, bishops and even educators have past lives that may remain hidden from us. Malcolm X statement that, “In my little humble way of understanding it, it points toward either the ballot or the bullet.” This reference is addressing the political situation of Blacks during the turbulent times of the sixties and seems to be present in the 21st century. What has changed?
During the sixties there was no Barack Obama making eloquent, intellectual and moving speeches there was Adam Clayton Powell Minister Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York, Dr. Martin Luther King, Atlanta, Georgia, Asa Philip Randolph, Jacksonville, Florida, Civil Rights Activist, Rutledge Pearson, Jacksonville, Florida Civil Rights Activist and Reverend Galamison Minister in New York to name a few involved in the school boycotts to eliminate segregated education. These were real people with dedication and a vision to make progressive change to benefit Blacks. Their legacy will live, but too many Blacks have forgotten them.
There have always been role models for Black men and women, but truth be told Blacks must take responsibility and accountability to make progressive change by unifying. Making a commitment that needs to last beyond street protests, religious radicalism, songs, dance, videos, raps and pledges.
The commitment that lasts beyond the doors of churches on Sunday mornings designed to make Blacks “feel good” and accept their plight of second class citizens, diminishing political power, and dwindling economic development. Where do Blacks go now that the jubilation and excitement is over? The time to work is now, the time to establish a vision and mission is now. Civic and community problems still are alive and well, in order to solve these challenges it will take the collective wills and hard work that was found during the 50’s to 80’s. That self-determination seems to have died; evaporated even as the lyrics of “We Shall Over Come” have evaporated from the minds of millions of Blacks because of their perceived freedoms that are as transparent as their abilities to seek to improve themselves. How can a people that died for the right to be educated look down and curse education?
Satisfied in too many cases to live month to month on welfare, food stamps and a third class education. Complaining because they are so use to getting a third class handout that their cries seem to sound like the cries of slaves that accepted their servitude with exuberance and satisfaction. The comments by Malcolm X rings truthful even in the 21st century, “it’s time for us to submerge our differences and realize that it is best for us to first see that we have the same problem, a common problem, a problem that will make you catch hell.” So called Black political leaders complain, blame, degrade and demean President Obama, but my question is after all these years, why have THEY not motivated Blacks to improve their lives instead of blaming President Obama? Why are they not visiting inner city schools, homeless shelters, welfare lines, food stamp facilities to work to give a hand up not lip service and empty promises?
How can our religious leaders lay claim to being like Jesus or disciples when they tear down President Obama, lyrically damning him just as Judas Iscariot sold out Jesus for 30 pieces of gold? President Obama is not Jesus, but he represents our country to the world. He should be respected, held accountable, but not openly disrespected. Why wait for a Black man that is supposed to be the President of the United States, not the President of just Blacks. Many people will disagree with me, but that is the beauty of living in the nation of freedoms, we can agree to disagree and not be jailed, beaten or killed like in other countries.
I agree that President Obama must be held accountable, but he cannot cure all the social ills that plague Blacks. Just as our economy was destroyed by someone else, Blacks have allowed themselves to be castrated physically, psychologically, economically and educationally by blaming others for their inaction, inattention, and ignorance. If you do not believe me, look at our inactive parents that refuse to come to parent-teacher conferences, look at the lack of support for school PTO’s, School Advisory Councils that need parents to participate and support, and listen to the excuses that drown out the cries of screaming babies as girls lay on their backs and make babies, but refuse to respect teachers and learn to read to improve their lives first before spreading their legs to become impregnated and again spreading the same legs to give birth to illegitimate children. Don’t be mad at me for the truth, what would Dr. King say now???
The cycle continues each generation, becoming a slave to welfare and drowning deeper in Hellfare and poverty. Too many Black boys would rather rap, dance, be comedians and sag than engage in learning. They bully their peers that want to be intellectuals, scholars, scientists, educators, politicians. Too many Black young men would rather be hard and ignorant instead of educated and empowered. Anthony Butler, Jr, Founder of E3 Business Group displays a unique change during his transformation in his unique presentation that shows how you can grow from thug to entrepreneurial. This empowering presentation should be seen by all Black youth, “Accuse Yourself of Success!” http://e3businessgroup.com/
Malcolm X made a profound statement that we all catch hell, ”whether you’re educated or illiterate, whether you live on the boulevard or in the alley, you’re going to catch hell.”
“We’re all in the same boat and we all are going to catch the same hell.” The idea is
“If we have differences, let us differ in the closet; when we come out in front, let us not have anything to argue about until we finish making progressive and lasting changes in Black people.
It should not take the death of Trayvon Martin or any more young Black men or women to unify people against injustices in the criminal system and self hatred in our communities. It should not take the threat of cutting welfare, diminishing of food stamps and elimination of governmental handouts for Blacks to finally get they need EDUCATION, Are Blacks like the Hebrews wondering the desert until several generations die before God can use them? IS that to be our legacy for the next centuries?
Blacks Can’t Wait On the President: The President has made numerous speeches to what end?
Blacks have to WANT to change, WANT to work to be better, WANT to have political and economic equality. Until then Blacks will be politically, economically and educationally weak and ignored. Blaming others even those they elect to fix social challenges that are decades old.
Change can only come from within, when Blacks are tired of being beaten into economic slavery of poverty, the slavery of psychological ignorance of accepting failure in schools, enjoying the self destruction of drugs in their communities, the visual slavery of music videos that glorify free sex, cultural violence, the slavery of producing children that are born into ignorance and taught ignorance, will learn ignorance and stay ignorant until they are jailed or killed and companies make money from them as incarcerated slaves… If you are angry good, go out and volunteer at a soup kitchen, a homeless shelter, the library to teach people to read. Go to your child’s school and support teachers not curse them out for trying to teach your child. Tutor and mentor a young person, take yourself back to school for a skill or a degree. If you cannot do these simple things to better a better person then you are always a part of the problem and not part of the solution.
The institution of slavery is still present and strong, but instead of the fields there is Hellfare, Drugfare, Sexfare, and denial ending in death and destruction.
Blacks Can’t Wait On The President
William Jackson, M.Ed.
Educator, Speaker,
Mentor, Father
Community Activist
Maxine Shaw “Attorney At Law”, although my academic leaning would later be geared towards the PreMed track, you could not have told adolescent “me” that I could not be as fly, as funny, and as smart as Erika Alexander’s character on the television series LivingSingle. Sure, I appreciated the other characters on the show, the loony but lovable Sinclair, the seductive Regaine, and the witty and reliable Khadijah; but I saw myself in the assertive and intelligent Maxine. The magic of Living Single revolved around the fact that the show depicted the different types of Black women in our families and social circles, and not just in their personalities, but also their body types and complexions. I would watch every Thursday night, along with the other shows that made up my “Must See TV” line up: Martin and New York Undercover. Here was a collection of diverse Black women all being shown in a positive manner.
Even before Living Single first premiered, at a younger age, I would watch Claire Huxtable on the Cosby Show, and would marvel at how much she looked like my own mother, and was even more amazed by the fact that she carried herself like my mother too. She was educated, intelligent, calm collective, funny, nurturing, but strict! Like my mother, I found Claire Huxtable to be so classy and non-stereotypical. My mother was not the type to roll her eyes, raise her voice, snap her fingers, whip her neck, or use profanity. Like Claire she didn’t have to employ any of those “Angry Black Woman” tactics to be a respected disciplinarian and matriarch.
Then, what about the Spin Off, A Different World, where we were introduced to characters like Julissa, Whitley, Freddy, Denise, Lena James, and Kimberly Reese? Yes, Kim played by Charlene Brown, she was a PreMed major like I wanted to be, and she was the epitome of the statement Black Is Beautiful; with her dark chocolate skin, big eyes, full lips, and shapely hips. I can still remember the episode where those strikingly African features brought her to tears when she had to adorn clothing that reminded her of a “mammy”, only to later peel off those layers and proudly reveal the African beauty that she was.
I reminisce and can’t help but notice that something has happened. Turn on your television and you will have difficulty in finding a Black actress, particularly in a prominent role. You literally have to LOOK for us, and unfortunately when you find us, it will not be in traditional roles or in a positive light. Instead, Black “actresses” and pseudo-celebrities are being casted on surreal “reality” shows shucking for the camera. Gone are the talented and classically trained actresses, they have been replaced by Black women who would rather indulge in stereotypical and derogatory behavior for the world to see. The danger here is that life often imitates fiction (and yes it is fiction, because these shows are highly scripted), and the degenerative behavior will be emulated by viewers; particularly those who are younger and impressionable. Even more problematic is that these images are broadcast around the world, and gives a false view of the American Black woman. It helps to uphold long-standing stereotypes and misconceptions, and even affects the manner in which Black women are treated when they travel abroad.
We can only hope that the pendulum will swing the other way. Perhaps through letter writing campaigns, demands for more inclusive and positive programming, or simply turning the television off. Once again, we can only hope. Maybe the transformation will come about when we begin to pen our own stories and actually support these shows when they air. If not, we will continue to witness the inevitable demise of the Black television actress.
Cherise Charleswell
Eclectic Life Books
September 2012
Cherise Charlseswell is a published author, writer, poet, model, health researcher, contributing writer of Lady Influence; host, producer, & creator of Wombanist Views radio program, creator and lead designer of Eclectic Life, Associate Director of the Los Angeles Black Book Expo, and the California State Representative of the National Black Graduate Student Association. She is currently working on the book projects “The Link Between Food, Culture, & Health in the African Diaspora” and “Walking In The Feminine: A Stepping Into Our Shoes Anthology”.
I’m excited every time I learn about a new networking opportunity. I highly anticipate Networking Mixers and Happy Hours. Then the excitement slowly wanes as I remember, “I have to talk to people.” The dreaded talking to people fear is a staple personality trait that my sister, brother and I all possess. My mother recently invited my younger siblings and I to a holiday event. This led to my younger sister and I consoling each other as we both exclaimed, “Oh, God we’re going to have to talk to people.” Its not that we don’t like people. We love meeting new people and learning new things. The problem is we are afraid of exactly what we’re supposed to say.
Ironically, this doesn’t happen to me when I’m doing public speaking or performing. Its those darn personal moments in which people ask standard questions and you are expected to give standard answers. “Yes” “I work at…” “I live in …” “Its been raining at lot lately.” And then what? You’re forced with the dilemma of thinking of something that will either continue the conversation or end it, so that you can return to the safety of your solo corner in the far right of the room. The worst problem is saying the wrong thing. This is the unfortunate moment when your lips form and say the exact opposite of what your brain would have preferred. Its always easier to network online. All you have to do is click a button and abracadabra, you’ve “liked” someone or “joined their network.”. Networking in person is definitely an art. I find that I’m always better at networking in relaxed settings.
Our Legaci Question: How do you feel about networking and what are some of your suggestions for people that are apprehensive about the networking process?
Jessica Ann Mitchell
Jessica Ann Mitchell is the founder of The National Black Pages & Black Bloggers Connect. She also writes on her personal blog at OurLegaci.com. To reach JAM email her at info@OurLegaci.com.
Share the link to this article on Twitter and Facebook and let us know about it. We will give you a shout-out on our next article and we’ll link to your blog or website.
On a recent episode of The Unwritten Rules webseries, the main character Racey deals with negative attitudes of Black co-workers. She was teased for being a “whack” girl; a play on the racial descriptions white and black. The episode quickly became a hot topic of discussion as viewers expressed differing opinions on the subject.
One viewer stated:
I think the episodes are entertaining, but why do middle and upper middle class black people act as though all poor and working class black people are the same, This is just as bad as the white stereotypes they rail against. Many of the most accomplished ‘black” people came from humble beginnings, acting as though the only thing able to make one successful is money and a “white middle class” prospective seems quite ignorant to say the least. (Youtube viewer 9xxxxxxxxx)
A different viewer stated:
Stereotypes or not…there are black ppl who act like the employees downstairs, and there are black people like Racey. There doesn’t seem to be a biracial experience either, it’s just people who “look” the same, but act differently, the same can be said for white people who act like the family on full house or the family on Honey Boo Boo. People are people, they’re gonna act differently. The problem arises when ppl don’t show social ediquette or one group puts another down because of appearance.(Youtube viewer cycarter25)
Our Legaci question: Do you relate to Racey’s experience as the Black employee from “upstairs”? If so, how did you deal with the situation?
Jessica Ann Mitchell
Jessica Ann Mitchell has a M.S. in Public Relations and a M.A. in Pan-African Studies. Mitchell specializes in multicultural outreach and communications. She also writes on her personal blog at OurLegaci.com. To reach JAM email her at info@OurLegaci.com.
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No One Should Make You Vote by William D. Jackson Photo Credit: georgiaencyclopedia.org
No One Should Make You Vote
Through the course of history Black people have fought for the right to be treated and respected as citizens of a country they were forced to travel to on slave ships that crossed the Atlantic Ocean.
The numbers of Blacks that did not survive have been long forgotten and dismissed by generations of Blacks that think just because they make a little money, drive some kind of car, work on a job,but still are Just Over Broke can take voting as a event that can be discounted, overlooked or even forgotten. The evidence of non-participants in voting can be seen in the data that is kept. A record that shows there are still Blacks that either do not care for the sacrifices of others to allow them to been seen as a resemblance to equality or they are just ignorant and still lost on mental slave ships waiting to be mercifully sunken to save their lives.
Yes, this last election brought about a reality in the power of voting, but statistically Blacks still
need to grow in their political awareness and participation.Too many Blacks have forgotten the struggles, sacrifices and deaths to be granted the opportunity to vote. In the early 1960’s a Civil Rights struggle started; The right to vote. This was not easily earned, Blacks were not respected enough to be freely given this right. Blacks had to protest, fight (legally), seek legal means, demonstrate, were jailed willingly and unwillingly, some gave the ultimate sacrifice of their lives, women, children and men died for the right to vote.
The murder of voting-rights activists in Philadelphia, Mississippi, gained national attention along with other murders, lynching’s and brutal violence that made the United States Government take action.
President Johnson, at that time, signed the resulting legislation into law on August 6, 1965. Section
2 of the Act, which followed the language of the 15th amendment, applied a nationwide prohibition
against the denial or abridgment of the right to vote on the literacy tests on a nationwide basis.
Black at that time were given an unfair test to see their “worthiness” even to vote. Even if they did
pass the test many were still denied the right to vote in many cases. Does this sound familiar even
in the 21st century?? In the 21st century if there was a nationwide literacy test in order to vote, graduate from high school, be employed or even have children, if this were the law how many Blacks would fail??
The reality is there are tests, but based on other criteria that seem to grow each year, Blacks still
fail to see the writing on the wall hidden under governmental programs, incentives, and special
programs.
Don’t question my rights to ask as a teacher over 20 years, mentor and involved in my community, I
put my mouth were my actions state, but too few Blacks do not want to get their hands dirty to
work with our children and involved in their communities.
This proves several important things, 1. Education and the ability to read will always be important
2. It is sad that in the 21st century still too many Blacks are not literate enough to read a voting ballot.
3. Some Blacks still don’t get it, the right to vote can be slowly and systematically taken away or denied.
4. If incarcerated in any way this can keep them from voting.
5. Voting rights can be re-established even after a felony conviction, but they must be demanded and not allow threats to work.
The seriousness can still be seen in the because across the nation, legal battles are building over state laws passed in the past two years that impose photo ID requirements, scale back early voting periods and restrict voter-registration efforts. There are other efforts being planned and will be implemented t he closer election day arrives. This is a warning of alarm for minorities and even women, that the right to vote is still an attempt to provide political power minorities and women.
These are changes that threaten the ability of many to vote even legally. What more needs to be said to Blacks and other minorities about their right to vote? There has been a recorded change in the past 6 years. Black voting turnout reached a record 65 percent in 2008, compared with 55 percent in 1988, according to Pew Research study. Driven by Barack Obama’s Presidential campaign, blacks
voted at the same rate as whites for the first time. This has created both a positive image to the power of voting and a threat to those in political power that desire to keep minorities from political and socioeconomic power or even equality.
Denying minorities the opportunity to vote weakens the voting strength of all minorities,
women, the poor, under educated and even those that were incarcerated and served their
sentences are discriminated against. When I think of the first time I voted, I was proud to
get may ballot and cast my vote in the political process. I was just as proud that I could
read the ballot because I valued education to know how important reading and compre-
hension is.
When people ask me if I think everyone should vote, I say, “Yes, I think they should.
But, vote intelligently.” Through the voting process Blacks were liberated physically
from slavery over 150 years ago. The psychological / mental liberation is still occurring
even today.
Too many Blacks are mentally still in slavery with thoughts of low self esteem, self and
cultural destruction, and accepting second class citizenship by not wanting to go back
to school to continue their education. Allowing the media to define their existence and
behaviors that result in continued self destruction.
Voting in November 2012 is just as important now as it was during past generations.
After looking at this video how can you NOT get out and register to vote, how can you
NOT honor the men and women that sacrificed their lives to earn the right to vote for
you and your children. The effort for equality and equitable treatment is never over,
it is a continuous fight on multiple fronts from education, politics, economics and
human rights. The first place to start is your vote.
Racism Is So Utterly Ridiculous By Jessica Ann Mitchell
In less than the span of a month citizens of the U.S.A. have endured multiple deadly public shootings. These horrific acts of violence took the lives of innocent people who were living their daily lives until they ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time. One of the latest massacres occurred in Wisconsin where a gunman with a 9 mm semiautomatic handgun walked into a Sikh Temple on their day of worship and went on a shooting spree, shooting at men, women and children in the congregation. Six people were killed.
The murderer, Wade Michael Page, was a white supremacist that often hung up swastikas and Nazi paraphernalia. Additionally, he spent is days singing about how much he hates non-whites. But low and behold, when the cameras started running and the tv analysts began to talk with “acquaintances” of Page about this brutal murder, what did they say?
“He was a nice guy.” CNN
“He always seemed happy and smiling.” CNN
“What could have made him snap?” CNN
“Police are still looking for a possible motive.”MSNBC
“Hate Rock groups lure in veterans.” MSNBC
I wanted to throw my shoe at the television screen. I was outraged, but not surprised. When an Arab person commits an atrocity like this, before any investigation takes place it is promoted as an act of terrorism. When a Black person is suspected of committing a crime, it is promoted as “Gang” or “Drug” affiliated before any investigation takes place. But when a white male goes on a shooting spree for the world to see, people somehow find a way to say something good about him. The newscasters stumble upon their words and can hardly bring themselves to say what is the glaring truth to the rest of us. He Was A Terrorist. This Is An Act of Terrorism.
They even went as far as trying to break down his mental state. MSNBC brought on a former hate group member that started saying he joined a hate group because of his sad childhood. That’s when I really had enough. So now they’re making excuses for a murderer. Not just any murderer, but a known white supremacist. He was so well known that civil rights organization, Southern Poverty Law Center had been tracking him for over ten years. But were the police tracking him? No. The B.S. that he might have been lured in because of his rough past is overwhelming.
If so called Muslim Terrorists and Black Criminals do not get this same “psycho” analysis, why are they doing it for this bottom barrel hideous murderer, Wade Michael Page? I’ll tell you why. It is because America still refuses to believe that white men are capable of acts of terrorism. They don’t want to believe it because it would force them to be held accountable. It would also force America to come to grips with the overwhelming truth. Criminal behavior is not racially based. The fact that people of color have been arrested for crimes means nothing because the police are not stalking and paying the same amount of attention to white communities. Thus, we have this current situation where Wade Michael Page can be a member of a hate group, openly sing hateful lyrics, express his deep disdain for anyone non-white to hate group scholars and is still free to roam free with no surveillance murdering 6 innocent people. And they are still “looking” for a motive.
Racism is so utterly ridiculous.
Jessica Ann Mitchell
Jessica Ann Mitchell has a M.S. in Public Relations and a M.A. in Pan-African Studies. Mitchell specializes in multicultural outreach and communications. She also writes on her personal blog at OurLegaci.com. To reach JAM email her at info@OurLegaci.com.
Share the link to this article on Twitter and Facebook and let us know about it. We will give you a shout-out on our next article and we’ll link to your blog or website.
We all go through days that seem to take all of our strength to get through. Sometimes, we have experiences that are life changing and we don’t know how or why it’s happening to us. My grandmother experienced this over 50 years ago. As a young wife and mother, Mrs. Hattie Virginia Jones decided to start working to bring in some extra income. At the time, my grandfather was the sole family provider. They had a house full of children and were living on limited funds. The extra income from my grandmother working was helpful. She enjoyed being able to buy her children extra Christmas presents.
Jam & Grandma
However, they were living in government housing aka “the projects.” Due to her additional income, however minimal it was, authorities said she was making too much to continue living there. My struggling grandparents, with a house full of children, were kicked out and forced to pack up everything. Some would expect my grandmother to be bitter about this situation. But instead, decades later, she used it as a testimony. She said,”The day they kicked us out of the projects, I thought it was the worst day of my life. But now I’m glad. Because if I was never kicked out, I never would have bought a house.” Years later she bought a second house.
Someone told this story as one of her many testimonies at her funeral this past March. The house that my grandparents bought is full of memories from my mother’s childhood and my childhood. I picked plums off the trees in the back yard. I slept beside my cousins and shared peanut butter syrup sandwiches. Even as a college student, on summer breaks I’d go to grandmother’s house and sleep beside her like a little child. And even as she lay taking her last breaths, that house is where her children gathered to sing hymnals, pray, and hold her hand as she went home to be with God.
Grandma & her first Great Great Grandchild
When my grandparents were kicked out of the projects, my grandmother didn’t know what was in store for her. She didn’t see the treasure and foundation that she was about to create. She thought it was the worst day of her life. It turned out to be the beginning of a long loving, memory filled journey that impacted the lives of all the generations she nurtured. When she died, her legacy was continued through her 6 children, 14 grandchildren, 12 great grand children and one great great grand child. Every one of us spent our childhood in the house she never would have bought, if she hadn’t been kicked out of the projects.
The worst day of your life, might be the best day of your life.
Jessica Ann Mitchell is the founder of OurLegaci.com & BlackBloggersConnect.com. To reach JAM, email her at OurLegaci@gmail.com.
Colorism rears its ugly head again. Twice in one week has the issue (and yes, I dare say, issue) of color complexion among African Americans come up in conversation. The first time was in reference to an old article that some very witty young writer wrote asking the question, “Why Does Alicia Get a Pass and Fantasia Doesn’t?” She was questioning the publics scrutiny of Fantasia’s alleged infidelity and Alicia Keys who, prior to marrying Swiss Beats, was in the same position but to many it seemed…cute. She dared pose the question, “Is there a color complex at play in this infidelity circle?” Alicia and Swiss are superstars. Who was Antwan Cook anyway but a tatoo on Fantasia’s body?
Color complexion discrimination was the furthest thing on people’s minds because we’re supposed to be PAST that! Well, after putting it out of my mind a bit, while having a conversation with an old friend, he mentioned to me that he knew a gorgeous actor in the media that most women have been gawking over since his on screen debut a few years ago. And when I playfully asked him to “hook me up” he simply (and without effort) responded, “Well you’re not really his type. He likes the light brights.” So I stopped for a minute and thought to myself, “Wouldn’t you know, I still can’t pass that darn paper bag test.”
Just as Michael Eric Dyson has asserted that racism is intrinsically located within the DNA of America, I say, that complexion discrimination is intrinsically located within the DNA of Black America. (and America in general of course) Light skin, in. Dark skin, out. And in some cases it’s vice versa. There has been someone who has looked at someone with lighter skin and thought, “Now she think she better than er’eybody.” And like racism, we need to stop pretending like it doesn’t exist within our subconscious.
In the book The Color Complex, the authors write, “Most Blacks are careful about letting Whites in on their dirty little secret.” Yep folks…while we’re crying racism on every corner of the American Flag, this reality is our dirty little secret. Of course brought on by racism, but nonetheless an issue that has historically pervaded our culture. And yes…it shows up in the media too. Look at how Usher’s ex-wife was vilified. Don’t tell me it was because she was a “bad person.” I can count the number of times on my hands people kept pushing the “she’s not cute enough for him button.” And Loreal’s convenient lightening of Beyonce’s skin for their magazine ads. I think they even got sued for that one.
I’ve gotten comments as bad as people wanting me to “get with” a light skinned brotha so that we could have cute kids…anything so that the kids aren’t dark. God forbid! Don’t get me wrong, I know i’m cute. Maybe not to everybody, but there is somebody out there who thinks my skin is my greatest asset…me being the first one because it always starts with you. For 30 years i’ve had to be the “cute dark skinned girl” representing on behalf of underprivileged other dark skinned girls without those features that were identifiably able to be exchanged for their darker skin. It took me a really long time to look at black and see beautiful….to look at Dark chocolate and appreciate its beauty and milk chocolate and appreciate its beauty too and vanilla chocolate and appreciate its beauty three. I get that people have their preferences in beauty and look, but must we still limit it to such disdain for ones skin complexion?
“48 Ways to Spell Khristi is a smorgasbord of reflections on faith, beauty, relationships, pop culture and other thoughts that go through the head and heart of this newly turned 30 year old single woman.”
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Cherise “Reese” Charleswell is a dynamic, ECLECTIC, self -and- internationally published author, poet/spoken word artist, entrepreneur, activist, bookworm, model, fashionista, penny-pincher, accessories designer, music lover, and sista-friend, host of “Wombanist Views” radio program; who has been described as the “Mad Scientist”, due to her varied interests and passions. She is of West Indian descent, with heritage from numerous Caribbean islands, such as St Thomas, St John, Puerto Rico, Tortola, St Kitts, and Anguilla.
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