Miss Angola to the Universe!

miss_univserse_2011, a photo by Venkateswarlu Boya on Flickr.

I am not going to mince words here. Miss Angola had my full backing--not that she needed it--because she is an intelligent and beautiful Black woman. She was more deserving of that title than any of the other contestants posed up on that stage tonight. You can quote me on that because it's the truth.

The Miss Universe Pageant is not a show that I usually tune into. In fact I thought that the competition had already taken place this year. That may be the reason that I only tuned into the competition when the top ten were selected but saying that I'm disappointed that I did would be a lie.

I had already crowned Leslie Lopes--Miss Angola, now Miss Universe until next year-- in my mind. Her video interview spoke eloquently of her dreams to better herself rather than something petty and superficial, which I found a bit surprising for a competition where beauty is the main factor. That being said she was certainly the most stunning girl there and she even seemed to exude affability (if she isn't then she's a great actress). Based on that alone I believe that the crown was hers. I may not know much about pageants but I'm quite sure the aforementioned is what the judges search for in Miss Universe--and I sort of researched it 2 minutes ago. What really made me love this 24 year old Angolan beauty queen was her response to her interview question. When asked which of her physical traits she would change, she replied, "Thank God I'm very satisfied with the way God created me and I wouldn't change a thing. I consider myself a woman endowed with inner beauty. I have acquired many wonderful principles from my family and I intend to follow these for the rest of my life."

I had to make some noise when those words left her lips. Why? Because I am tired of hearing women go on about wanting to change their looks. Honey, if it isn't harming your health, don't change a thing. Honestly, I was even happier that it was a Black woman who said it. Yeah, I went there. How could I not? We keep taking a beating for being less attractive than other races (which is NOT the case) so much so that we can't keep our men. Then there's that whole dark-skin/light skin rubbish and interracial dating solely for the purpose of having children with 3a hair (Fail!). Of course, if I looked like Miss Angola I wouldn't change a thing either but then again I won't do that looking like good old me and neither should anyone.

I must admit that I still won't be adding Miss Universe to my annual calender. Yes, different ethnicities having been passing around the crown for years but I still feel that a diverse representation of beauty in this competition is lacking. But what do I know?

Enjoy your year in the presidential suite, Miss Angola!

The Classic Oxymoron

Toxic friends. Quite the oxymoron right? How can someone who you consider toxic, also be considered your friend? This boggles me. There are though, tons of people who admit to having toxic friends. I'm a firm believer in positivity, if you have nothing to bring to the relationship, and believe that we are only friends for your personal use  & abuse, then you've got to go. Simple.


Buddha could not have said it better : “An insincere and evil friend is more to be feared than a wild beast; a wild beast may wound your body, but an evil friend will wound your mind.”  Take a moment, think of how much truth there is to that statement. Have you ever had a friend hurt you? Offend you? Lie to you? I can tell you, it hurts an awful lot, since these are the people who should be there dor you in difficult times. I'm not saying that in the history of your friendship that you guys aren't going to disagree ot have an argurment at some point. However constant arguements & doing things to agitatte the situation or be deliberately hurtful, then things need to change.

I love this song!

I like listening to music, so, from time to time, I've decided to post a song I really like or think is fun up here for your listening pleasure. I think all three of us Lady Voices should do it. It's a nice way to discover new music. This one is just fun!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocXFH054vwU

Stress Relief

With the new school semester begining, I can already feel the stress coming on. I have a list of my own personal stress - relieving techniques.  Whether it's school, like me, or work or relationships, these stress relievers work for me, and maybe they can work for anyone else out there as well.

1.  Take a walk. Not for exercise, just a nice stroll on a cool afternoon, or morning. Walking helps me clear my head. It gives me time to think about things - whatever problems are plaguing me at the moment. These walks are more effective at relieving stress when I take them alone. That way I have all the space and time I need to think things through.

2. I listen to my favorite music. I just lie back on my bed, and listen. Sometimes I think about things, sometimes I just sing along to the music and nothing else. It relaxes and refreshes me if only for a moment -It's more short term than walking. It's like taking a break, and then starting fresh a moment later.

3. Talk to someone. It helps to gain someone else's perspective when I'm stressing about a particular issue like a paper or a professor. Talking just also helps relieve the burden.

4. Exercise. Stress isn't only mental, it takes it's toll physically as well. So exercise is a good way to help with stress relief - for me anyway!

I have bad habits when I 'm stresses too. Like eating chocolate (or any food I like in excess), which I do not advise. Stress eating is bad. When I'm tempted, I simply do the other four steps that I know work for me. I hope they work for you too!

Trends in Celebrity 'Reporting' That Annoy Me

I'm not a celebrity watcher, I must confess. While I am a fan of a few--I really do mean a few--actors, singers, musicians, I don't think I need to know every detail of their life. Some websites that I frequent do cater to people who love to keep up with their favourite celebs and I'll be lying if I said I haven't clicked the link once or twice before. In doing so I've noticed some trends. Maybe it's what the readers want but it still irritates me.

1. Who's The Baby Daddy?- Every time a seemingly single celebrity is pregnant, it is not unusual to see the 'Who's the father' story. If Miss Single Actress doesn't reveal who impregnated her then she doesn't want you to know and she has a right to do so. Are you going to be raising her child for her? Yeah, I thought so.

2. Before And After. Who Had Plastic Surgery?- Umm, ok. If we can't already tell for ourselves then they have a really good plastic surgeon. Why are you making it such a big deal now? You have them and their fake nose on the '50 Most Beautiful People' list every year.

3. OMG, Ms Popular Had A Wardrobe Malfunction. She's Def a Slut Now- A nipple peaks out, a scrotum swings free and suddenly everybody turns into that one overly righteous aunty/uncle (they both exist). We know what 'private parts' look like so why the shock when there's a wardrobe malfunction? Did this celebrity whip out her breasts and sexually harass you? No? Then let's move on.

4. No Idea Why This Guy is Famous but We're Going to Continue Writing About Him- You don't know why he's famous? Maybe it's because you keep writing about him...I don't know.

Ugh! If these 'headlines' excited you, that's great but for me these articles are more tired and lazy than I am after a road trip.

No Makeup? Can't Work Here

It's been a while since our last post because we've been occupied with summer school, work and the like so we apologize.

This morning I read an article that rankled me, not just because of the content but also some of the comments made.

A story arose a few weeks ago about a young woman, Melanie Stark, who quit her job at Harrods after unfair treatment due to the fact that she did not wear makeup.

Melanie began working with the high end retail store at the age of 19. She claimed that though she was aware of the dress code when she was first employed but had been interviewed nude face and never received censure from management. She continued to work without makeup for five years before she quit. The young woman said that she adhered to all of the other components of the dress code and her supervisors had labelled her one of the company's best employees.

However, when the company began to seriously enforce the policy last August, Melanie was treated like anything but one of the best. She was sent home on two occasions and sent to work in the stock room on some days so that customers couldn't see her. Unable to withstand anymore of this treatment, the 24-year-old quit the job she loved.

The company has a right to implement and enforce their dress codes but I have two big problems with Harrods. The first of which is the policy itself.

 "Full makeup at all time: base, blusher, full eyes (not too heavy), lipstick, lip liner and gloss are worn at all time and maintained discreetly (please take into account the store display lighting which has a 'washing out' effect)."

 I would have thought that Melanie was going to give the six o'clock news instead of working in the music department of the store. Actually, when I first read this piece I assumed Melanie had been working at the cosmetics counter. That would make sense, wouldn't it? A sales assistant at the cosmetics counter with a bit of makeup can showcase the product. However Melanie worked at the HMV department of Harrods. There is no real reason that this young lady would have to wear makeup in the music department if she was always attired according to code (minus the maquillage).

Secondly, Melanie had proven herself to be an diligent worker, excelling in customer service and she did it nude face. The managers knew she was nude face and during her first four years with the company they told her nothing. They didn't even pull her aside on her first day of work and ask her to slap on some concealer so why now? According to a legal expert, Lawrence Davies, Harrods is in the wrong. He claims that "custom and practice would suggest that her contract has changed over the years to allow her to not wear makeup".

I read this article feeling rather incensed because I don't wear makeup (OK, I have been known to put on some mascara but more often than not I am nude face) and I would dare any coworker or manager to call me out for looking unprofessional because of my unmade up face. I doubt some eyeshadow would prevent the sales assistant in the children's department from being rude to a customer or ducking out for an extended lunch. And sending Melanie to work in the stock room so she can't be seen? I won't even touch that one.

So against my better judgement I perused the comments. It was a little shocking that in this 'post-feminist' age that most of the women who commented--I'm assuming they are women--were against Melanie for not putting on a cosmetic face.

This commenter made me wince.

A Polished ,well groomed look makes you look professional,clean,and makes you look more approachable.To me not wearing makeup in a public profession is like not showering,or fixing your hair ,the finish look is “im lazy i cant be bothered to groom myself let leave alone working.

Oh and it continued. 

When I see a women out in public, esp. at work without make-up it looks like she didn’t finish getting ready.

Fortunately not everyone thought along the same vein.

There are plenty of women who can show up to work with a natural face. And why not? Make-up should be a CHOICE not a requirement. So, what, are they saying that women are not beautiful without make-up? And I’m sure the men are not being asked to wear concealer, foundation, mascara, and lip gloss. So, if they’re not being asked to wear make-up, the women should have a choice of whether or not they wish to wear make-up to work

 And this last one made me smile because I do remember hearing stories about how a few decades ago Black women weren't allowed to rock their natural hair at work. This issue with Melanie wasn't racially motivated--there's no talk of that--but it does speak of inhibiting somebody's choice to be themselves even though it doesn't hinder their work ethic.

Let Harrods come up with a policy requiring black women to have permed hair, and watch the fur fly. Cuz, you know, “When I see women out in public, especially at work, without a perm, it looks like she didn’t finish getting ready . . .” (rolls eyes)

Co-sign! Let me go cross Harrods off my employment list. 

Today In The News

Ok, from time to time a news article pops out at me and I feel inclined to share. so here we go!


On July 7th, Janet Johnson from Texas gave birth to a 16 pound baby boy! She had previously been diagnosed with gestational diabetes & and as such was expecting a large baby but no one expected he would be quite this big. He was 24 inches (2 feet!)  long and his chest was 17 inches wide. He encountered a few difficulties shortly after birth with being able to regulate his blood sugar levels. He's presently reported to be doing just fine.