Black Girls Rule!

Two images came across my computer screen this weekend that stayed with me throughout its duration. One was the latest video from Willow Smith entitled, “21st Century Girl”. The other was a video from a group of young ladies who call themselves “Watoto From The Nile” and who have written a response song to Little Wayne, addressing his derogatory lyrics against women. Both images subvert the image of Black women as angry, unhappy, overtly sexual beings that have dominated mass media for about the last decade.

My heart swells with joy from this small, but steadily growing change because it means change on a greater level within the Black community. First, if young Black girls are seeing themselves empowered and positive then they will undoubtedly expect others to see the same and thus, treat them with respect. They are less likely to accept that they are just breasts and butts, but expect men to see them in their entirety. As such, young Black men will also change in a positive way, and not have just one negative image about the girls around them. What this could mean in the distant future is a strengthening of the Black family unit.

Also, these images will lay a path for a new, more diverse selection of images of Black women in mass media. Little girls and teenagers going through the various stages of development won’t feel as awkward when a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes comes across their television screens, and all are considered beautiful. Further, our little girls won’t feel pressured to hide who they are under weaves and heavy make-up, but rather celebrate the diversity in their skin tones hair textures, and styles.

The future is looking bright for young women of color, and I’m eagerly anticipating what else they will bring to the table.

Black Is: This Week in Photos

Photos and headlines from the week of Jan 24th, 2011.

President Barack Obama delivers his State of ...

President Barack Obama delivers his State of the Union address on Capitol Hill

Egyptian anti-government activists chant slogans ...

Egyptian anti-government activists  gather  in downtown Cairo, Egypt.

Toyota to recall 1.7 million vehicles worldwide

Toyota announced another massive global recall of 1.7 million vehicles

Montel Williams

Montel Williams speaks out in favor of approved use of medical marijuana in Maryland

Willow Smith To Star In Remake Of  “Annie”

  Tiger Woods Looks

Tiger Woods makes his 2011 PGA debut at Torrey Pines in LaJolla, CA

Hursel and Ebony Williams pose for a portrait at the “Stand Up Indiiana – Stop Obamacare” rally in Indianapolis

Nadya “Octomom” Suleman’s octuplets celebrated their 2nd birthday.

CNN announced  that Mark Whitaker be their new executive vice president and managing editor.

Whip That Hair!!!

The issue of hair is one that is specific to the Black community and more importantly, to women in our community. Most recently, Sesame Street introduced a new character – a little Black girl singing about how much she loves her hair. The segment showcased the girl’s hair in a variety of styles from an afro, to braids, to a pressed/permed straight style. You can catch a glimpse of the video below:

Also, check out the Sesame Street/Willow Smith mash-up:

With all this love going out to Black hair, I think I’ll rock my fro extra large this weekend. Straight or kinky, sisters show it off!