emPower Magazine Blog

Putting it All in Perspective

By Crecilla Scott

As this year’s Thanksgiving holiday approaches, I’ve found myself unexpectedly stressed out and uncharacteristically solemn. But it’s not the usual holiday activities that have me wishing I were on an island, sipping on an ice tea and reading a good book. It's other things in my life that aren’t going the way I had hoped. I’m sure many of you can relate. You thought you had that promotion, but it went to someone else. You thought you had that new job, but they selected a different candidate. You thought you had your plans in order and now, chaos reigns. Maybe that’s a bit dramatic, but most of us can relate to a time and a season when things didn’t go our way.  In other words, we told God our plans and God laughed at us.

During a recent sermon, my pastor instructed the congregation to write down all that God has done for us. She told us that if we write this list, we will find that what we have been given and what God has done for us will far exceed what we complain about. So in the midst of my season to endure the challenges and obstacles of life, I have decided to write down and reflect on the wonderful people God has put in my life and the wonderful things that He has done for me.  Sure enough, that list is long.  From my good health, beautiful and healthy daughter, and loving husband, to my loving mother, good job, car, and house--I am truly blessed. I have wonderful, loyal friends who have enriched and enhanced my life in ways that cannot be measured. I have lived to experience the simple pleasures in life as well as our country’s historic accomplishment of electing President Obama.

My pastor wisely reminded us that there is a due time and appointed season for all things. By researching the career trajectories for professionals that I admire, I have learned that most of them have put in their dues a thousand times over before reaching success by most standards. Speaking of paying dues, this weekend, I watched an interview with Mo’Nique. The interviewer asked Mo’Nique about her new talk show and her thoughts on the competition (i.e., Tyra, Wendy Williams, Wanda Sykes, George Lopez, etc.). In typical Mo’Nique fashion, she was unconcerned about the competition and confidently declared, “I'm happy for all of them, because what’s meant for Mo'Nique, guess who gonna get it?” We all know that answer: Mo’Nique.

As I put all of this information into perspective, I realize that there will be an appointed time and an appointed season for me to experience my breakthrough moment. This Thanksgiving and every day of the week, I will be thankful for all that I have and all that is yet to come!

Reading Resources
http://insidemovies.moviefone.com/2009/11/12/monique-interview-precious-oscar-politics/

Crecilla Scott is the founder of Infinity Research, LLC, a social science research company in the Washington DC area. She is the host of a local TV show, “Conversations with Crecilla.” She is also a passionate speaker, who has given professional presentations for various organizations and federal agencies. She can be reached at Crecilla@liukarama.com. 

A Dedication to Shaniya Davis

By Eric Legette

As I write this blog, my heart is beyond heavy. My heart is broken! If you have not heard of the Shaniya Davis story, you need to Google it.

This is a story that describes where our society is at the current time and where we are headed. First, it was reported that the mother of this beautiful five-year-old African-American princess allegedly prostituted her for money. In another news report, I listened to the frantic 911 call by the mother and father reporting their daughter missing. Then, I saw the disturbing video of an African American man (he was later charged with little Shaniya’s murder) carrying her in his arms like a man carrying his bride across a threshold into a motel. It would be there where Shaniya would meet her end! The police found her body in a rural area in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The man who carried her into the motel raped and strangled Shaniya to death according to police reports. As a father of three beautiful and intelligent girls, there are days when I am feel so much anxiety over their safety that I can barely move. It is during those times where I sit still and say a silent prayer for them.

The Shaniya Davis story is a reminder of a society that is severely morally corrupt. In a span of 20 years, I have observed society erode into a place where unspeakable acts of violence against our children both physically and sexually have become more common. People are abusing, raping, molesting and murdering our babies and it’s almost becoming an everyday news story. What do we do to stop this? At what point did adults start abusing our children instead of protecting them? Where are we going as a society if we are destroying our future? All of these questions are valid and there is a need of a response! Not just answers, but finding effective ways to better ourselves emotionally before we start having children. There is a need to address all issues that can prevent us from being the absolute best parents possible to our children. Before anyone gets offended, I am not speaking to the people who are devoted to their children. I am speaking to anyone who tries to justify harming little children. “Life is tougher since I had this child.” “We need some money and she has to use what her mommy gave her.” These are not justifications. These are signs of an adult who is in need of serious therapy.

Currently, I work two-part-time jobs, seven days a week. I don’t care how difficult things may become, I will never ever use my babies for money. My role as a father transcends providing their basic needs. My other role is being their protector—I will protect them with my very life if necessary just to make sure they are safe. The best form of protection that I can give to my daughters is to place them in the hands of God.

Some time this week, take a moment of silence and say a prayer for little Shaynia Davis. Say a prayer for the family that God will be a source of comfort in their hour of sorrow. Then, grab your children if you have any and just hug them. If they ask why just say, “Because I love you and I will always protect you!  

Eric Legette is the President/Founder of Fathers With Voices. Contact him at www.fatherswithvoices.info.

The Fear of Reporting Crimes at School

By DeShuna Spencer

The rape of the 15-year-old girl after a school dance in Richmond reminded me of an ordeal that happened to me when I was 12-years-old. My incident was not to the extent of the girl in California, but it was just as painful.

I hated wearing skirts when I was growing up. Because of my religion, I wore skirts every day to school until around the 8th grade. Besides getting heavily teased, wearing skirts did not affect me personally until the 7th grade.

I was attending a not so great school located in a deteriorating neighborhood in South Memphis. The boys at my school were very aggressive—so much so that most girls could not walk from one class to the next without a boy trying to grab their butts. My computer class was the worst. Every day the teacher would take roll and then leave for the entire hour. Once the boys saw that he was gone, they would turn off the computers and the lights, and then try to find girls to mess around with. It was such a scary experience for me. It would be pitch black and all I could hear were chairs screeching closer to me. I was constantly fighting the multiple sets of hands coming at me and my skirt. It got so bad that I started skipping my computer class. I would have rather get an F than deal with the wandering hands. It is the only class that I skipped during my adolescence.

My worst experience happened one day in music class, which was held in the basement. We had a substitute teacher that day, and like many subs in inner-city schools, he let the class do whatever they wanted. Many students were dancing to loud music. A few boys were beating on desks and rapping. A some students were actually shooting craps. It was like a scene from Dangerous Minds. The classroom got too loud for about 10 of us, so we decided to go into the hallway to talk. Just as I stepped out into the hallway, one of the boys who I knew had a crush on me grabbed me and lifted me up in the air, pulled my skirt up and started putting his fingers where they did not belong. For the first few seconds, I was shocked. Then I started to scream stop. He had a grin on his face as he kept going while the group of kids (including girls) looked on. Many of the boys were laughing. The girls, including a close friend, watched in silence. I tried to push myself out of his arms. But he was too strong and much bigger. The ordeal went on for a few more minutes until one of the boys saw the teacher coming out of the classroom to see what was going on. The boy finally put me down and I ran to the bathroom. My so-called friend ran behind me. I looked at her with tears in my eyes and asked why she didn’t help me. She said she thought I "wanted it." But I was screaming and crying I told her. She was silent for a while and then said she was sorry. She asked whether I was going to tell the sub. My first thought was yes. But the longer I stayed in the bathroom, I began to wonder if it was the right thing to do. What would my parents and the principal say? I should've been in the classroom instead of hanging out in the hallway. Maybe it was my fault I began to think to myself. I was too afraid to tell. I waited until the bell rang to go back to the classroom so I could get my stuff. The boy was still there. He was waiting for me. I ignored him as I went to my desk to grab my book bag. He then approached me, licked his fingers and walked away. After that day, I stopped going to my music class. I never told anyone what happened and the 10 students who watched never said anything either. Everyone one went on as if nothing happened.

One of the best things that happened to me a few months later was when my family moved to Whitehaven. I moved away from the blight of the neighborhood and the shame from the incident in my music class.

People have asked why so many students looked on as the 15-year-old was rapped. And, how could fellow students watch the 16-year-old honor student get beaten to death. Even after what happened to me, I ask that question. Unfortunately, the kids who witnessed my attack had grown accustomed to seeing violent things. A lot of the kids at the school were already sexually active. My friend who looked on started having sex in the 5th grade with boys in the neighborhood and older men. I was still a virgin. Most of my classmates were not. I think a lot of kids think that those unfortunate incidents are normal for those living in the hood. That's how I felt. I didn’t think anything would change by telling someone. I didn't think the boy would get in trouble. I thought everyone would say I deserved it. I thought it was just how things were for girls like me in the hood. Now as an adult, I realize that I should've told my parents or the principal. But at the time, I felt powerless.

As I got older, I began to stick up from myself and others more. When I was in college, about three of my friends and I witnessed a male student beat his girlfriend in the car. I honked my horn and rolled down my window. We all screamed for him to stop. One friend grabbed her cell phone to call campus police and the guy stopped. He let his girlfriend out of the car. We helped the bruised girl and I offered to testify if I needed to. I wish I had that bravery in the 7th grade.

I'm glad that some students did eventually come forward in the rape and beating cases. It shows that all inner city youth aren't "lost." I hope that next time an incident like that happens students won't wait until someone's dead or sexually violated to take a stand. Hopefully, a brave soul will stop the incident before it gets that far.

Black Conservatives are Truly Interesting

By Crecilla Scott

Appropriately enough, on Friday the 13th, Glenn Beck welcomed black conservatives to his show, presumably to show the world that all black people are not Democrats.  While Glenn Beck referred to his show as a nightmare for liberals, I’d characterize it as more of a show with out of touch people who may be well intentioned, but sorely lacking in appropriate perspective. 

One of conservatives’ favorite topics of discussion is poor people. In typical conservative fashion, Glenn Beck played an audio clip of a woman who showed up to an event and declared that she was there to receive money, presumably from President Obama’s stimulus plan.  One guest, Shakera Jones, blamed the desire for people to want help from the government on liberal policies.  She argued that it’s very easy for individuals to think to themselves, “when the banks were broke, he [President Obama] helped them, I’m broke, he’ll help me.”  But the problem with her assertion is that it is neither unreasonable nor unrealistic to expect help when others are in fact receive help, particularly when “others” are rich individuals and institutions who knowingly and irresponsibly engaged in high risk activities that created an economic tsunami and brought the US economy to its knees. Help does not mean a lifetime of welfare nor abusing the system; and I would also argue that help does not mean passing out cash. But the conversation had to do with the “mentality” of wanting the government’s help. Fair enough, but the conversation was expectedly one-sided. Conservatives never complain about high-paid, multi-millionaire lobbyist who make it their life’s mission to ask the federal government for “help” via passing favorable legislation for their industry and begging for tax breaks so that they can “trickle down” one-tenth of the millions or billions of dollars in savings in the form of average-paying jobs.  They never complain about the “help” homeowner’s receive via tax deductions.  They don’t complain about “help” that senior citizens receive via Medicare or social security benefits. They only complain about “help” when underrepresented, disenfranchised Americans ask for help. For the record, I am all for welfare reform programs. I believe that it is not healthy or helpful for people to develop a prolonged dependence on the government to meet their basic needs.  (I can go Bill Cosby on black folks in a New York minute. But the next minute, I’ll go Dr. Michael Eric Dyson on them.) However, it is the dispassion and outright contempt for poor people in general and poor black people in particular, that I cannot stand.  They speak as if there is no such thing as the working poor. Glenn Beck had the audacity to say that the media would have us believe that black conservatives do not exist. But conservatives would have Americans to believe that there are no hardworking poor people.  Newsflash to conservatives – capitalism’s dirty little secret is that hardworking people must exist in order for capitalism to exist!  All poor people aren’t looking for a handout, many are hardworking, honest Americans who could use some assistance.

I think I’ve identified one of the largest problems that I have with conservatives as it relates to their world view. They speak in one-dimension about complex social, cultural, economic, and political issues as if these challenges exist in a vacuum, void of history, context, or intersecting relationships.  The guests on Beck’s showw nitpicked about being referred to as African American, which they said was politically correct (as opposed to being referred to as black or simply American).  Without fail, someone mentioned that these labels should be replaced with simply the “human” race. That sounds fine--in fantasy land. But the reality is that being referred to as African American sure beats being called nigger.  It also beats being called “boy” (when you are a man), “jigaboo,” “you people,” “darkie,” “that one,” (see Barack Obama-John McCain debate) and a host of other insults regularly directed specifically at black people. In light of this history, I’ll take African American, thank you very much.  As for the human race argument – it’s true, but reality is far more sinister. When a certain demographic (hint: black male) cannot walk down the street without being feared or gunned down – they are being perceived as unequal human beings in our society. When mortgage companies (hint: Wells Fargo) are accused of intentionally targeting African American communities with predatory lending– they are being perceived as unequal human beings in our society.  When people who don’t look like they have European ancestors have to be “twice as good” to get half as far – they are being perceived as unequal human beings in our society.  So, rather than lecture people who do not have a problem with being referred to as African American, why not address the structural institutions that, through word and deed, cement the social, economic, and political context of “black in America?”  In the end, I’m not sure that I learned much from Glenn Beck’s show, except that aliens live among us.

Additional Resources
http://field-negro.blogspot.com/2009/11/is-america-afraid-of-black.html
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/10/08/2008-10-08_john_mccain_calls_barack_obama_that_one_.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpIA6GKlxD0

Crecilla Scott is the founder of Infinity Research, LLC, a social science research company in the Washington DC area. She is the host of a local TV show, “Conversations with Crecilla.” She is also a passionate speaker, who has given professional presentations for various organizations and federal agencies. She can be reached at Crecilla@liukarama.com.  

Is Single Parenthood the Problem?

By Crecilla Scott

“… many Americans are failing their children because they have already failed themselves. They often enter the court system with domestic problems and low-wage jobs, slim educational credentials and no life partners.” – Leah Ward Sears, retired chief justice of the Georgia Supreme Court and Partner, Atlanta office of Schiff Hardin, LLP

Truer words were never spoken.  There is not a day that goes by that I am not reminded of the price that our community is paying for the breakdown of the family unit.  The abnormally high homicide rate; the large school dropout rate; the high incarceration rate –these ‘quality of life’ indicators are correlated with education, income, and family structure.  I have heard opposing views that seek to limit the blame placed on single-parent households in favor of blaming external culprits, such as society’s intolerance of single-parent homes.  I have also heard arguments that lay the burden squarely at the feet of single, custodial parents. While I think the truth lies somewhere in the middle, my inclination is to tip the scales slightly toward single parent households, but not necessarily for the obvious reasons. 

First, let me say that I was raised by a single parent. So this article is not meant to beat up on an already vulnerable, overworked, under-appreciated population.  I know that there are many shining examples of successful, wonderful human beings, raised by single parents. (Pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson comes to mind.) But the criticism is not personal.  It is not about parent A or parent B being a bad person. Anyone can make a mistake and anyone can end up divorced or widowed.  But let’s be clear – the reality is that our children our suffering.  Children who live in single-parent households are more likely to be impoverished.  Many children who attend underperforming schools and live in dangerous neighborhoods are raised in single-parent, single-income households.  In her CNN.com article, Stay Married if You Want Kids, Leah Ward Sears, retired Georgia Supreme Court chief justice, eloquently stated a harsh reality that she observed from the bench:

It broke my heart to see so many children raising babies before they are ready: young people who made no connection between the poverty and chaos in their lives and the choices they had made.

As someone who has a few regrets in life, I don’t fully understand how so many people in our community lack the ability to process this rather straightforward concept. Sure, life is complicated and complex. It throws of curve balls and lemons. I know there are situations beyond our control – drug-addicted parents and molesting neighbors, etc.  But there are many, many people, including some single-parents, who are not able to learn and grow from their experiences and make wiser decisions the next time around. 

I am reminded of a segment on CNN’s “Black in America,” when a single mother complained about the lack of financial and emotional support her child’s father showed their one year old daughter. He rarely called or visited and was basically a no good dad. When CNN visited her for an update one year later, she was pregnant again, by a different man! This may sound naïve, but I couldn’t believe it. I could not understand how she did not learn her lesson. The lessons to be learned…1) that getting pregnant without the benefit of a man by your side (e.g., husband) is terribly difficult financially, emotionally, and physically; 2) because single parenthood is such a tremendously difficult undertaking, it should be avoided if possible; 3) single parenthood limits (but does not eliminate) your options (i.e., it’s difficult to work late / overtime, difficult to attend school / study, it decreases the pool of eligible, interested suitors, etc.). 

Single-parenthood is not the end of the world and there are many success stories. But there are also a lot of less-than-success stories.  As our culture continues to drift away from marriage, we would be wise to remember that single parenthood may not be the problem, but it certainly isn’t the solution.

Additional Resources
http://www.cnn.com/2009/OPINION/11/09/sears.obama.marriage/index.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/02/AR2009100204116.html?sid=ST2009100903649

Crecilla Scott is the founder of Infinity Research, LLC, a social science research company in the Washington DC area. She is the host of a local TV show, “Conversations with Crecilla.” She is also a passionate speaker, who has given professional presentations for various organizations and federal agencies. She can be reached at Crecilla@liukarama.com. 

‘Precious’ is About Women I Know

By G. Melesaine

When I saw the trailer for the new film "Precious," I cried. This film made me think about an old life that I was too familiar with. It made me think about the women I am close to. It made me think about my sister in her San Francisco Tenderloin days; about that loud funny girl in class that smacked her gum too loud; about that girl in West Point who had AIDS and everyone stayed away from; about that girl walking up and down Folsom Street pretending she has somewhere to go; about that teacher I used to have a crush on in middle school; about women -– "Precious" women. This was their story.

Watching the film gave me a sort of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I even cried on my BART train ride home. There has been quite a controversy over the film, with some claiming that it perpetuates a stigma for African-American women. But to me, it advocates a new hero in Hollywood.

The film, based on Sapphire's novel, "Push,” has arrived at a pivotal moment. It was released two weeks after the gang rape of a 15-year-old girl in Richmond, Calif.; at a time when a famous pop star’s beating of a woman is being called a "small mishap" in his career; and at a time when young women in the inner-city –- especially if they’re queer or women of color –- are barely visible.

Even in the screening of the film.

Sapphire, the writer, is an openly bisexual woman, and the director, Lee Daniels, is a gay man, and together they've found a way to throw some advocacy into this film. Yet at a recent screening, the vast majority of the audience (about 80 percent) was made up of older gay white men.

I heard a white man say to his partner after the movie, "It was so realistic." I resented his comment and my resentment was mirrored in my disdain for every white man I saw on my train ride home. And that was one long ride.

At the end of my ride I realized that I shouldn't judge people who live a different life than me. And it’s good that this film was made, because it exposes the public to a reality they wouldn’t otherwise have known, inside a theater where they feel safe. But unlike the other members of the audience, these are women I know. Women at the register who you buy coffee from in the morning, who smile and say, thank you. Women who you know nothing about except for what you want to know.

The story is set in Harlem in the ‘80s. It is a story about Clareeice Precious Jones (played by Gabourey Sidibe), an overweight illiterate black girl who is raped by her father and bares two of his children. In dealing with this trauma, her mother misplaces her anger at her boyfriend and takes it out on Precious. Monique, in her first serious role as Precious' mother, takes the audience through a rollercoaster of emotions. We start out hating her in the beginning and then empathize with her in the end. Also making appearances in the film are Lenny Kravitz as a nurse, Paula Patton as a lesbian teacher and Mariah Carey as a social worker, in a role that will make you forget she ever made a film named "Glitter."

As I type this piece at a One Stop career center on Mission Street in San Francisco, I am sitting next to a girl I watched in a documentary about five years ago. She's from Sunnydale. My sister used to sell dope with her. At the time of the documentary, she was incarcerated for shooting her brother, she was pregnant, and she came from a family where drugs and mental and physical abuse were commonplace. I know parts of her story. It’s nasty. It’s nothing anyone would want to face because they’d cry. But she is sitting right next to me, and she's real -– still alive, with a smile, working on her resume, trying to get a job.

The movie "Precious" is not just a film for you to cry about and laugh at. Like the older gay white man said, "It is so realistic." Maybe he chose to walk by "Precious" a couple of times while walking with his partner in the city, but she's there. And you can watch a movie and pretend that it’s just a Hollywood film, but there’s always a “Precious” around. She's not just a movie.

New America Media granted permission to reprint “‘Precious’ is About Women I Know.”

Rihanna, What Have You Done?

By Eric Legette

 

Domestic violence is a terrible and prevalent problem within our society today. According to research, 20.5 billion dollars is spent on domestic violence programs each year. Millions of women are victims of domestic violence and experience other forms of abuse such as mental and emotional abuse. So why would Rihanna wait almost a year to talk about her incident with Chris Brown?

 

The Chris Brown and Rihanna domestic violence incident made national news last January. If you do your math, that was 10 months ago. For almost a full year, Rihanna has not spoken on this issue in detail. Rihanna, according to my recollection, has not appeared on any national television or radio shows to talk about the incident. Chris Brown however, has made his rounds and from my observations of those appearances he did a very poor job. His public relations people did not do a very good job of preparing him for those interviews. Rihanna is scheduled to appear on Good Morning America and 20/20 this week. Is it a coincidence that her CD is about to be released? I don’t think so!

 

We have seen far too many times the measures that people take for publicity and attention. The latest disturbing example of this was the “balloon boy” incident. National news outlets followed this air balloon similar to the O.J. Simpson car ride 15 years ago, until the air balloon hit the ground. It was eventually determined that the boy’s parents set up the entire scheme in hopes of landing a reality show. The latest events and the scheduling of the Rihanna interviews appear to be a part of the CD publicity riding train. Her public relations people probably said, “By coming out now you will increase your fan base and someone will ask you to become a national spokesperson for domestic violence.” It is unfortunate that some public relations professionals will use almost anything to get publicity for their clients. Rihanna is young, and unfortunately, she does not appear to see the timing of all of this and the potential backlash. She does not see that many people, such as myself, are going to question the timing of her speaking out. Despite having the courage to now speak out about the incident and possibly touch the lives of young victims of domestic violence, could the timing of her album launch diminish her cause? Hopefully she is speaking out now to use her worldwide status to further the anti-domestic violence movement as oppose to using it to sell more CDs.

 

Eric Legette is the author of “Closing the Curtain on Baby Mama Drama” and the President/Founder of Fathers With Voices. For more information, visit www.fatherswithvoices.info.

You Voted for Obama, But How Do You Treat Tyrone?

By Crecilla Scott

Last week, my colleague told me about two people who got into a verbal altercation (with racial overtones) while standing in line. I won’t get into specifics, but during their verbal exchange, the Caucasian guy yelled, “I voted for Obama!” Presumably, this was his way of letting the lady know that he wasn’t racist. I don’t really know why he would say this, but I’m going to go with the guess that his “Obama vote” is his new “street cred.”

This is not the first time I’ve heard “I voted for Obama” from someone who wants to make it clear that they are not among their narrow-minded and ignorant brethren. To be clear, I don’t believe that people either 1) voted for Obama or 2) are racist.  Those choices obviously exclude the multi-faceted reasons that people vote for a particular candidate. Although I’m hard-pressed to believe a compelling reason for anyone to vote for a ticket with Palin anywhere near it, I can understand why a fundamentally conservative person would not vote for then-candidate Obama. I understand that he is just too liberal for some conservatives.  I also understand that he wasn’t experienced enough for others.  However, Barack Obama had plenty of positive attributes that would lead many reasonable people, regardless of race, to vote for him – impressive academic credentials, exceptional intellectual acumen, inspirational speeches, and a brilliant political strategy. 

That being said, what is behind the unsolicited outburst, “I voted for Obama?”  The argument had nothing to do with the 2008 elections. It’s as if one vote for Barack Obama erases our country’s history. Is it supposed to erase intergenerational transfer of disadvantage, constant violation of our civil rights, unequal educational opportunities, and an unequal justice system? Is it supposed to undo missed opportunities due to stereotypes and assumptions?  Is it supposed to make up for a lifetime of being the underdog? 

While I appreciate the sentiment and Lord knows, I appreciate the vote, my question for this white guy would be: You voted for Obama, but how do you treat Tyrone?  You know, the brother with the cornrows who showed up and aced his job interview.  The brother who shows up to work, gives it his all, contributes to the team, but is making $25,064 to his white male counterpart’s $33,843.  How do you treat Jamal, the man who just moved in next door to you?  How do you treat Dante, the man who wants to join your country club and date your daughter?  How do you feel about Javon, your new boss?

My point is this: Americans have usually been willing to make an exception for extraordinary individuals…Colin Powell, Dr. Condoleezza Rice, Muhammad Ali, Dr. Charles Drew, Dr. Mae Jemison, Oprah Winfrey, and Barack Obama. Sometimes excellence cannot be ignored.  Extraordinary intellect, talent, and performance speak for itself.  African Americans with extraordinary accomplishments have always been treated as the ultimate exception to the rule; although most people, black, white, Asian, etc., do not have extraordinary star qualities.  Most people are hard-working, fair, decent people, with intellect, hopes, dreams, and God-given talent. Regardless of color, we all want to be loved, accepted, and provide a better life for our children. But most of us don’t have an Ivy-league education, soaring oratory skills, or a brilliant political strategy.  So the yard stick for determining if someone’s heart is racist or not is not whether or not they voted for Obama. I’d start the measurement with how they treat Tyrone.

Additional Resources
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/tables/09s0679.pdf
http://www.slate.com/id/2039/
http://factfinder.census.gov/jsp/saff/SAFFInfo.jsp?_pageId=tp6_income_employment
http://www.census.gov/prod/2003pubs/p60-221.pdf

Crecilla Scott is the founder of Infinity Research, LLC, a social science research company in the Washington DC area. She is the host of a local TV show, “Conversations with Crecilla.” She is also a passionate speaker, who has given professional presentations for various organizations and federal agencies. She can be reached at Crecilla@liukarama.com. 

Black Dolls 2.0

By Crecilla Scott

“Not all black people like hip hop, said Barbara Mootoo, 15, of Manhattan, looking at Kara's silver rope chain necklace. They gave her a chain like a 50 Cent video.” – Quote from New York Daily News Article on New Black Barbie

Mattel has designed a new line of black dolls (So In Style) that have more “ethnic” features such as curlier hair, a wider nose, and fuller lips. So In Style’s “Grace, Kara and Trichelle” represent Barbie designer Stacey McBride-Irby’s vision of dolls that look like her daughters and her daughter’s friends.  Applauded by some and criticized by others, the dolls are definitely a step in the right direction.  However, two out of the three dolls (Kara and Grace) still have bone straight, long, shiny hair; and while one doll is an absolutely gorgeous brown doll, there seems to be no love for the truly chocolate sisters.  Also, the dolls still look like they need a meal!  (I am all for being healthy and putting the lid on obesity, but many black girls and women are not nearly as skinny as Barbie.)  Nonetheless, progress is progress and I’ll take what I can get!

There has also been some criticism of the dolls’ large jewelry and “urban” gear, but I can’t decide if I should take that criticism seriously. I don’t mean any harm, but if black folks tolerate BET and rap videos, then why complain about big earrings and a necklace on Barbie?  First of all, most of Barbie’s accessories are removable, so… parents can simply remove the “offensive” jewelry.  Second, marketing hip-hop / “urban” style has been tremendously successful for corporations, so I don’t blame them for trying to present a doll that is “appealing” to children.  I say, buy Barbie a different outfit if you don’t like the outfit she comes with.  

 

Of course, there are issues much more important than whether or not Barbie has on too much jewelry – issues surrounding the self-esteem of little black girls. It is important that parents continue to push for and demand dolls that represent our diverse beauty. The extraordinary success of the Bratz dolls, with their exotic and ethnic features, demonstrates that incorporating diversity and ethnicity within dolls can still be profitable for companies.  Often, I am disheartened when I enter a store and can’t find the pretty brown doll that I want for my daughter. Yes, I have gone through the trouble of complaining to the manager. But this year, if this happens, I may very well go through the trouble of complaining at the corporate office.  I feel very strongly about seeking out dolls that represent my daughter’s beauty as well as the beauty of those girls and women with whom she is most familiar.  While I applaud Mattel for “upgrading” black Barbie, I hope Barbie 3.0 will include deeper chocolate hues, varied college and career choices, even curlier hair, and just a few more pounds to make her authentically ours!

Additional Resources

http://www.nydailynews.com/money/2009/10/01/2009-10 01_not_all_gals_embracing_latest_black_barbie.html 

http://globalgrind.com/content/1035673/Is-Mattels-Black-Barbie-Offensive/ 

http://www.eurweb.com/story/eur56459.cfm 

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/10/21/black.barbies.irpt/index.html 

http://www.theroot.com/views/dolls-me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0BxFRu_SOw 

Crecilla Scott is the founder of Infinity Research, LLC, a social science research company in the Washington DC area. She is the host of a local TV show, “Conversations with Crecilla.” She is also a passionate speaker, who has given professional presentations for various organizations and federal agencies. She can be reached at Crecilla@liukarama.com.  

Coverage Denied: One Young Woman’s Plight To Get Health Insurance

By Kaye Guidugli

In late September as a newly unemployed professional, I took the time to carefully research my healthcare options. I discovered that, for reasonably healthy women in their late 20s, nondeductible plans cost a minimum of $190 a month. To qualify for these plans, medical records will be reviewed and the healthcare provider can deny your application. My other option was to enroll in the conversion plan, which does not require medical underwriting. The premiums for this plan begin at $546 per month. 

Neither option is comparable to the coverage I was receiving under my employer. For example, the plan under my employer had a $10 co-pay for office visits and a $5 co-pay for prescriptions. Both the $190 and $546 plans require a $30 co-pay for office visit and a $10 co-pay for generic brand prescriptions. Both of these plans possess a “cap” on the amount the insurance company will pay annually for your prescriptions.

As a healthy 27-year-old, with no family history of hereditary illness and no change in my medical status in the past four years, I applied to for individual plan. My application was denied, due to a pre-existing condition. The same condition that I possessed at 23 when I applied and was accepted into an individual plan with the same insurance company.

I immediately called my doctor who told me for years that my “condition,” uterine fibroids, is nothing to worry about. Fibroids are benign tumors that exist in the lining of a woman’s uterus. They are common in all women, but are especially prevalent in the African American community.

My doctor maintains her original diagnosis that this is not a health concern and no treatment is needed. She was surprised that my application was denied, encouraged me to appeal the decision and immediately annotated my records. 

It is unfortunate that practicing preventive healthcare can result in the denial of coverage. Preventive healthcare saves insurance providers and taxpayers money. However, in this case, it is also used as a tool to deny healthcare to responsible persons.

We have already determined that healthcare coverage is not affordable. What we are now learning is that even if a person is willing to pay the premium they may not be able to secure healthcare coverage.

The lesson here is that you don’t have to be a diabetic, or cancer patient to struggle with healthcare. You can be a youthful, health conscious individual who exercises regularly, monitors their food intake and rarely falls ill. This current healthcare crisis is far more relevant than many of us realize. Take a moment do some research and contact your senators to encourage them that healthcare reform is long overdue.