Open top menu
Showing posts with label #BlackLivesMatter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #BlackLivesMatter. Show all posts
Sunday, April 10, 2016
Natasha's Nuances: STOP COLORISM!

  • Posted on Sunday, April 10, 2016
I think by now we all know that COLORISM is an important and detrimental issue that is seemingly ingrained in the very fiber of our bloodstained history. By us, of course, I mean the Black Community. I experienced colorism, or a preference due to my skin tone, as a child in a family of immigrants who wanted nothing more than to achieve The American Dream...part of which included living up to the Eurocentric ideals of beauty e.g. lighter (or whiter) is better. In fact, in our home country of Haiti, colorism is very real. We're very much like The Hunger Games in a sense. Those who live in the capitol have the class, power, money, and seemingly are all of a more French creole (white) descent. The rest of the country lives in the districts getting poorer and more rundown the further from the capital.
In this fight for equality, we ultimately have to address some in house issues. I'm not talking about this nonsense about "Black on Black crime". I mean the shackles that have been passed on generation after generation that keep our minds enslaved and oppressed. COLORISM is one of the areas that we can rectify on our own with just a little bit of effort. It simply takes a belief that we are WORTHY of praise and the emulation that comes from cultural appropriation. We've been so trained to hate our image yet we're allowing other races to siphon our very souls for monetary gain. I actually did a podcast some time last year where I touched on how colorism effected me as a child and my experiences with it [Listen to it here: Colorism in Black Society]. Personally I'm TEAM MELANIN, not TEAM LIGHT SKIN or DARK SKIN because we're all BEAUTIFUL! If the narrative is gonna be changed we have to do it ourselves.
Out of solidarity for TEAM MELANIN, I created a tee that says STOP COLORISM on the front and Flexin' My Complexion on the back. The shirt can be purchased as a tank, tee, or hoodie (in a few color options) on teespring [Buy it: here]. Remember to love yourselves and each other. WE ALL WE GOT!!! *fist in the air emoji*

Natasha Marie


>> read more
Monday, January 18, 2016
Black Girl Magic: Jada P. Smith - "We Must Stand In Our Power"

  • Posted on Monday, January 18, 2016
Once again, the Oscars are SO WHITE. But why are we surprised? We take a group of mostly all white men who are old AF, who watch and are entertained by mostly white movies, and expect them to unbiasedly choose what movies/actors deserve recognition. Yet we are amazingly surprised that they chose ZERO movies of color or POC...? Why should we continue to allow what white people and "mainstream" deem as recognition of excellence become our truth? Why is it even considered MAINSTREAM?!? There are so many talented actors of color and we should celebrate them ourselves! Just like we have BLACK GIRLS ROCK, we need to create the Black Oscars: a space where we can celebrate and take pride in our excellence! If Latinos can have the Latin Grammys, then why can't we have our own Oscars??? I believe Jada Pinkett Smith said it best, both via Twitter and Facebook video. Read and watch below:
We must stand in our power!
We must stand in our power.
Posted by Jada Pinkett Smith on Monday, January 18, 2016
I truly love Jada and everything she stands for. She is the epitome of #BlackGirlMagic. YES QUEEN!

Happy Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day everyone!

Natasha Marie
>> read more
Monday, January 4, 2016
Natasha's Nuances: Positive Teaching and Role Models

  • Posted on Monday, January 4, 2016
In this day and age teachers are trying any and everything to reach and teach this generation. I recently saw a video showcasing the self proclaimed #RCAStyle dancing of the students of The Ron Clark Academy, with their school's co-founder, Ron Clark, in tow. It was entertaining and a positive representation of what we hope our kids have to look forward to each and every day. But there was sooo much negativity in the comments. Like...
I, for one, have been guilty of taking issue with the "great white hope" narrative wherein an "angel" in the form of a Caucasian American swoops in to save "the poor little Black children" without whom they wouldn't know reading, writing, or arithmetic. So I understand how and why that can grind someone's gears. But I've also learned to do RESEARCH before jumping to outlandish conclusions so I did research on Ron Clark (the teacher in the video) and learned about his amazing academy, a private charter school in Atlanta that mimics Harry Potter (who wouldn't LOVE that), and I accepted the video at face value. Especially since they're doing this on a SUNDAY.

What do we make of this "great white hope" narrative though? Why is it so prominent in the media and seemingly in our communities? You see all of these celebrities adopting Black babies and movies like 'The Blind Side' and it makes you wonder "Has a Black person ever helped a less fortunate White person?" Or better still "Has a Black person ever helped another Black person?" I mean, why are we always being "saved" or perpetually painted the victim? I know this isn't true but it certainly feels like the media and the entertainment industry portrays us that way. So what can we do about it?
Personally, I've had this long standing dream to open up an academy, much like RCA, that focuses on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) but for K-12. That's how I want to reach our kids. I want to make both parents and students accountable for their education and ultimately their livelihoods. I especially want the academy to be a place where our kids are not only taught at a gifted level but where they are also taught by those who look like them as well (and no that does not mean that white people are banned from being either teachers or students. Relax, reverse racism crusaders. I'm just creating a safe space for us but everyone is welcome). We need more Black teachers.
Representation MATTERS. Monroe, a new addition to the site, recently posted in the "Monroe's Meetup" section how important teachers are in a child's life, especially early on [read: Monroe's Meetup: Why Teachers Matter]. It gives you hope, a sense of pride, and a positive image unlike that which is portrayed in the media. When I look at shows like 'Gossip Girl' and they're having "Ivy Day" where all of the Ivy Leagues come to recruit I want those opportunities to be given to us as well. Not just sporadically but so that it becomes the NORM. I worked diligently for the National Society of Black Engineers and our youth programs gave me such hope for us and the future. It boils down to opportunity. The only thing that separates POC from superior education is opportunity. I want to help bridge that gap.

Natasha Marie
>> read more
Monday, October 5, 2015
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Candidly, Marie: Melanin Queens UNITE!

  • Posted on Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Yep! I'm back with my fellow melanin queen T. Nikki Paige bringing you yet another eclectic discussion on the "race relations in the US". It is what we do best, after all.
All of the Candidly, Marie podcasts are currently available for listen and download on both iTunes and Soundcloud NOW!

Natasha Marie


>> read more
Sunday, July 26, 2015
Candidly, Marie: BLACK LIVES MATTER, Yeah I Said BLACK.

  • Posted on Sunday, July 26, 2015
Please continue to not judge my current posting habits. But here goes nothing: An eclectic discussion on the "race relations in the US" with special guest Divine Beauty.

 All of the Candidly, Marie podcasts are currently available for listen and download on both iTunes and Soundcloud NOW!

 Natasha Marie 
>> read more
Friday, June 19, 2015
Jon Stewart On Charleston: "We Still Won't Do Jackshit..."

  • Posted on Friday, June 19, 2015
I have NOTHING but thee utmost respect for Jon Stewart. He's as real as they come and he gives it to you straight no chaser. In fact, one of his quotes has been my twitter header for as long as I can remember and I most definitely referenced him in my post about racism yesterday [Read it: here]. What I love most about him is that he utilizes his celebrity and platform to speak to those that look like him (EXTREMEMLY IMPORTANT!!!) about the injustices that Blacks suffer each and every day with no qualms about his "fanbase" or the potential from racists disguised as politicians and the media. He just tells the truth. There are no rose colored glasses. He understands his privilege versus the injustices that we suffer every, as he put it, 2 hours, daily. In short, Jon Stewart is AMAZING. Bless his heart. Watch his monologue below on yet another injustice: the #CharlestonShooting.

Natasha Marie


>> read more
Thursday, June 18, 2015
There Are SO Many Injustices I Can't Choose A Title...

  • Posted on Thursday, June 18, 2015
At this point in history saying that I am FED UP is the understatement of the century. On top of that, I am EXHAUSTED. I'm exhausted because every single day of my life I am fighting a never ending battle against unprecedented fear: fear of my face, fear of my name, fear of my culture, fear of my SKIN COLOR. 
As a Black woman and family member to so many young, vulnerable, and targeted brown bodies, I would be remiss if I didn't inform them not to:

  1. Walk in your own neighborhood with candy and juice.
  2. Wear your hoods up on everyday sweaters even if it's raining or cold outside.
  3. Play with TOY guns in the public even if White children can play with REAL guns in the same city in public.
  4. Attend parties that you are invited to.
  5. Listen to loud music.
  6. Sleep.
  7. Walk.
  8. Breathe.
  9. Pray.
  10. Exist.
I will always be asked the unanswered question of WHY? Because no one understands. There is a war being waged on Black and Brown bodies each and every day but we're expected to suffer in silence. Don't ask us to BE CALM. Where has that gotten us thus far? The racists trolls/Uncle Toms who control the media and dole out the punishments create the most absurd and offensive narratives about us that proves that we need to do more, say more, and BE MORE for our community. Just look at this BS:
I hate to see how many "celebrities" remain silent on these issues for fear that they will lose fans or tarnish their brands. The real concern shouldn't be whether or not you lose fans it should be WHY you're losing fans? And if those are the type of "people" you want as fans to begin with? I could NEVER stand idly by and watch as my fellow Blacks are targeted and not utilize my platform to speak out against all of the injustices.
I said it in my piece about cultural appropriation [Read it: here], everybody wants to be Black until it's time to be Black. Believe you me, this is not a struggle you want to endure. In this moment, in this space, in the span of 14 days we have had (to name a few) Venue Sports Lounge in VA discriminating against Black patrons, the Mckinney Pool Debacle, the Kalief Browder murder, the Rachel Dolezal minstrel show, the Arnesha Bowers murder, complete SILENCE on the racial unrest in DR, and last but certainly not least, the Charleston Shooting. So many injustices, so many circumstances, and still no answers.
WHERE?!? I'd gladly move there. In a country where states PROUDLY fly the racist symbol that is the confederate flag both wholly and hidden within the fabric of their state flags, I feel discomfort and unease. Please save the "you can go back to Africa" nonsense because as stated in the aforementioned appropriation article no one told you to snatch us. So YOU PEOPLE, yes I said YOU PEOPLE, can please stop with your ridicule when I witness you Columbus your way through each and every day of your existence. 
To be frank, I've just been so baffled, more so as of late, as I watched how the media skated over James Boulware who shot up the Dallas PD, planted bombs under their vehicles, DARED police to shoot him, and was taken into custody alive but managed to focus solely on Rachel Dolezal, their White counterpart, and her falsely identifying as a nonexistent transracial so that she could occupy Black spaces, coveting what we have, all whilst basking in her audacious White privilege, allowing the media to once again sweep injustices such as the McKinney pool assaults and injustices under the rug as though we have forgotten that there were CITIZENS THERE TOUCHING AND FIGHTING CHILDREN!!! WHERE ARE THE ARRESTS FOR THOSE FOOLS?!? I'm not talking about paid vacations and fake resignations. I want ARRESTS, INDICTMENTS, and JUSTICE! I wake up each and every morning knowing that at this point in time I, myself, can become a hashtag. All it takes is swimming, walking, talking, breathing, and/or existing.
I say all of this to ask: what are YOU doing? As a Black person, Brown person, or Ally...WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!? We have to accept the fact that our protesting isn't enough [But in the realm of marching...please feel free to join the March on Washington on October 10, 2015. I most certainly plan to.]. We have to do more than talk and get angry. We have to DO something. Pray? Yes. But within that prayer there also has to be action. There can only be so many times that we allow the system to dismantle us as a people. 
I'm just saying...I'm not saying be violent but eventually you have to revolt to start a revolution. I'm sleep though. If you have a platform...if you blog, podcast, YouTube, etc. then use it. Even if you touch one person that's a start.

Natasha Marie


>> read more
Monday, April 13, 2015
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Ask Natasha: Reader Letter: #BlackLivesMatter

  • Posted on Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Dear Natasha,

My friend's big brother got killed by the police a few days ago and I always take these unlawful police shootings to the heart. I keep having those moments where I think my brother is next. I have 7 of them but you know my mom's son is my baby. I'm always so scared when he's outside. I wish he'd just stay in the house but you can't tell a 16 year old they can't live their life. He's such a good kid, I'm just scared that I'm gonna lose him one day to racist cop. I have bad dreams about everything, so much that I hate sleeping these days.

Sincerely,

Concerned Black Woman

Dear Concerned Black Woman,
It's so hard having any Black male relatives (hell at this point females too!) in the times that we are living in but it's a sad reality, even at such a young age I fear for my nephew because he's so sheltered and so positive and doesn't know what life has in store for him. We just have to be positive, pray, and equip them with the best weapons possible to fend off likely attacks: knowledge. Make sure he knows the realities centered around being a Black male in America and not to do or say anything that can be perceived as threatening, even though for a White kid it wouldn't be. Until things are different we have to shrink ourselves in order to live. Swallow our pride and shrink ourselves in the face of adversity for survival's sake. Its a horrible yet necessary sentiment. Arm him with knowledge and strength but the patience and wisdom to know the difference. We also need to educate our non-Black friends as best as we can. This post from my friend Nikki [read: Black Lives Matter] speaks on that topic. Allies are definitely those that can be educated and learn from their mistakes. Racists, however, can't be reasoned with because they don't see the error in their ways.
xoxo,

Natasha Marie


>> read more
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Guest Blog: Black Lives Matter? It’s Not A Question.

  • Posted on Saturday, January 31, 2015
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter.” The racially charged murders of countless Black Americans in the past few years have sparked a social revolution with millennials, and with reason. We’ve had enough. We are tired. WE MATTER! What do we have to do to prove this? How loud do we have to shout it for you to hear us?! 

The phrase, “Black Lives Matter” has given the movement a name. To the brown faces of America, this phrase is a declaration. It loudly exclaims that we deserve to merely exist in a society that was built on the backs of our ancestors with no intention of seeing us survive. Here’s the problem. Outside of Black America, it’s not a declaration. It’s a question. A consideration, even. Oh, Black lives matter? Well, how much do they matter to me?       
                  
This occurred to me as I observed that many of my non-black friends didn’t care to pause their daily kale and quinoa Instagram posts to acknowledge that disheartening things were happening in the world. They were seemingly scrolling past my posts on current events in regards to racism without so much as a blink of an eye, let alone a like. Yes, that sunset you captured at the top of Runyon is gorgeous. But it’ll be there tomorrow.  Michael Brown won’t. Eric Garner won’t.

 I can’t help but wonder why so many of the people that show me love in real life suddenly have nothing to say. It’s almost as if we live in an alternate universe, where the Black people who are dying aren’t Black people like me. Here’s the deal. I am not an exception. People are dying. People who look exactly like me! I am not special. I am Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, and Mike Brown. If they gunned me down, the media would be likely to choose the picture on the left over the one on the right.

So who’d help me if I were in a situation where I really had to prove that my life was important? Am I worth speaking up for? I matter, but do I matter enough?  Do I matter enough to call out your family members and friends on their racism? To call out the store clerk who thinks I’m stealing?
Part of respecting me means breaking your silence. Here’s what you do, friends. Yes, I'm talking to you. Realize that this is not about you. All lives matter, but we’re talking about the Black ones right now. Reject the idea that I’m the “good” kind of Black girl. Identify, acknowledge, and speak on injustice as it’s happening. Even if no one hears me scream, someone’s likely to listen to your whisper. Don’t be afraid to have the unpopular opinion. Boom! You’ve gone from an asshole to an ally.
It’s all love over here. If I matter to you, all Black lives have to matter to you. It’s not a question. Next time, speak up. And say it with your chest or you can’t sit with us.

Signed,
Your Not-So-Token Black Friend

T. Nikki Paige



>> read more
Friday, December 12, 2014
Wow! J. Cole Performs "Be Free" on Letterman

  • Posted on Friday, December 12, 2014
I said it before and I'll say it again: J COLE IS THE REALEST. Like EVER! He took to the Letterman stage and took every single person watching in America outside of their comfort zone. He used his platform to make our issues known. He brought #BlackLivesMatter to the forefront. AMAZING! The song was already everything that MLK and Malcom intended it to be but he added a verse! YAAASSSSSS! This is WHY Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat and Sojourner spoke the truth. So that our generation would have the strength and courage to speak up against injustices. LORDT. I'm about to catch the Holy Ghost. 
Just watch the video below:
Also, an extra special treat. Check out J Cole's interview with Angie Martinez. This has got to be one of the most inspiring and thought provoking interviews I've watched this year.
Hats off to J Cole and please please go cop "2014 Forest Hills Drive". Album is indescribable! [Review]

Natasha Marie
>> read more
Friday, December 5, 2014
New Music: John Legend Feat. Common - "Glory"

  • Posted on Friday, December 5, 2014
That’s why Rosa sat on the bus / That’s why we walk through Ferguson with our hands up / When it go down we woman and man up / They say, ‘Stay down,’ and we stand up

I truly appreciate celebrities such as John Legend and Common who use their platforms to make bold statements. This song, and the movie 'Selma' to be quite honest with you, has come at the perfect time. The racial tension in America is at an all time high following the blows of several injustices strewn our way in recent months. That's only the tip of the iceberg. An African American is killed by the police every 28 hours. EVERY. 28. HOURS. I can go on and on so I'll have to address that in a different post...at any rate, listen to "Glory" below and remember THE MOVEMENT LIVES!!! #BlackLivesMatter

 Now the war is not over, victory isn’t won/And we’ll fight on to the finish, then when it’s all done/We’ll cry glory, oh glory/We’ll cry glory, oh glory
 Natasha Marie
>> read more
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)