FILM REVIEW: Dark Girls
This past Friday night at the historic Apollo Theatre, I previewed a documentary that was buzzing amongst black women on the internet for some time now. I thought to myself “not another black woman down film please.”
Inspired by producers and award winning directors D. Channsin Berry and Bill Duke’s experiences growing up, Dark Girls shines light not only on society’s issue with colorism but African-Americans’ issue with skin color within their own culture.
The film delved into colorism and racism by addressing the history dating back to slavery, the impact that it has had on society and global cultures (the brown paper bag test, skin brightening creams, etc), familial influences, men and women’s views on dating and skin color preference, the stereotypes and stigmas associated with skin color, and the media’s role in perpetuating this. Featured in the film were various industry experts on race, actor and comedian Michael Colyar, Academy Award nominated actress, Viola Davis, along with varying interviews with Black women [and men] of various hues, expressing their biases and disdain for racism that has permeated their lives for so long.
In the audiences, you could hear the ‘umm mmms’ and the ‘yeah girls’ or even the loud gasps as to be surprised or appalled by hearing some of the ignorant stereotypes for the first time. Maybe because I was among some who have already been privy to experiencing or bearing witness to this stuff before. I laughed when it was funny but remained stoic the remainder of the time because it wasn’t unfamiliar to me.
Hearing these women speak about their experiences wanting to be light skinned or men not wanting to date them, reminded me of similar experiences I too had growing up. But I kept things in perspective, knowing that all of their truth wasn’t my truth and wasn’t the only voice for all women of color. Dark Girls offered one of many stories that some needed to hear.
After the film was done, the producers were welcomed back on stage to a standing ovation before the Q&A session started. They carefully crafted the stories told in this film, making sure to express that they sought empowerment of all women, not victimization of them, noting that all skin colors were beautiful. They offered a healing aspect at the end of the film, hoping this would lend way to honest and open communication amongst all people of color.
They also mentioned working on upcoming films, exploring more of this dynamic, including The Yellow Brick Road (contrarian view to Dark Girls, exploring struggles from light skinned women’s perspectives) and What is a Man?
Are their issues telling a story like this and should black men be the one always telling it? Mixed opinions would ring from all kinds of mountaintops so what I will say is this. Dark Girls created a[nother] space for more dialog but for the sake of all women across the world, I just hope it remains as open, honest, and empowering as the producers had intentioned.
The film is currently being shown in various cities throughout the country. Learn more about Bill Duke, whom you may recognize from various acting credits including X-Men 3 and Predator, and D. Channsin Berry. For more information on viewings or to watch a preview, click here.
Are you interested in seeing Dark Girls? What are your thoughts if you’ve seen it already? Did you experience colorism growing up?
Are you spiritually in tuned?
What does that even mean, being spiritually in tuned?
Well over the past year since moving to New York, I’ve been blessed, I mean absolutely and truly blessed from my rent being taken care of [without having worked a full time job yet], me still having the luxury to shop at [organic] grocery stores, shelter over my head, all while making my dreams into reality. Some of the things that I’ve been fortunate to obtain would make people question, “well how did you get that?” Or “you’re only paying what for rent and you live in the Upper West Side by yourself?” Trust me I know but it was no longer a surprise to me when things I wanted or desired were manifesting in my experience.
I consider myself to be a co-creator of my life and very spiritually in tuned now than I was two years ago. I was frustrated with my situation but knew that I had the power to change it to what I wanted it to be for me. So I thought about different things that could be, I started attracting people, like minded energies, books, etc. that lead me to the things that I have now and/or are on their way to me. The most recent books that I read this past spring and summer were The Seat of the Soul, The Power of Now, The Secret, and most recently Ask and It is Given: Learning to Manifest Desires. We all look at spirituality differently but the underline premise of all these books was if we tapped into the abundance within ourselves, was mindful of our thought energy, and remained in a state of feeling good, we could be, do, or have anything that we desired. I am witness to that.
At some point in your life, everything you have or has happened to you [AND I MEAN EVERYTHING], you unconsciously or consciously invited it to your experience including things, people, or circumstances THAT YOU DIDN’T WANT. I don’t claim to be a sage or even God for that matter but for all the things that I’ve learned and have experienced, the best way to get what you want is to FEEL GOOD about what you want along with releasing that energy into the Universe. The Law of Attraction is real so if you’re not mindful of your thoughts, you will continue attracting things that don’t serve you or your energy.
Listen to your soul, it doesn’t lie. If something doesn’t feel right or make you feel good, be it work, relationships with family, friends, etc, then trust that feeling. Everyone and everything isn’t meant to be in your life. Pay attention to the energy around you. You are the master of your thoughts. You can always find a way to “leave”. Just don’t use CAN’T as an excuse. You CAN do anything you want but will you?
So I ask again are you spiritually in tuned? Are you truly living the life that you want? Did you settle because you were afraid of the unknown or were appeasing others?
What experiences or aha moments have you had that made you realize things had to change? Share your thoughts with us.
“Never say anything about yourself you do not want to come true.”- Brian Tracy (taken from the blog The Daily Love)
Radical love shit
My cousin and I were building per our usual weekend conversation and he said something to me that really described my new way of living. He said, “I just want to have an interesting story to tell.” As profound as that may NOT sound to others, it was everything to me because growing up [in private school], I wanted to be perfect, with no flaws, no mistakes, no hurt feelings. I wanted to do everything right [whatever that meant].
Through my [then] perfectionist thinking, I was afraid to try new things especially in the realm of relationships. I didn’t really date that many people because I wasn’t into the same things most people were due to my ignorance of them and/or lack of experience. Plus being the aggressive, assertive Leo lover that I am, there wasn’t anyone that compelled me to WANT to try anything new until a few months ago. I finally grew into my own power.
Having this childlike curiosity for life again led me to do what I call radical love shit, defined by my own perspective. Radical love shit to me is revolutionizing and stretching my views of vulnerability; daring to love me and others differently; loving myself and others unconditionally without expectations; and giving my love away because I recognize the abundance within me and around me. If I got hurt in the process, I would open myself to love again. For me, that was radical, extremist even.
But what I realized contrary to popular belief was that radical love wasn’t about them but about me and removing all the barriers that I had to love (if any).
So one of my interesting stories I can share with you right now in this space is that I send handwritten love letters to a friend, spraying my delicious, smelling perfume on the envelope for him to remember me by. I expect NOTHING in return except for the joy I feel when sending them. I’m all about radical love shit. Are you?
What’s the most radical thing that you’ve ever done for love (things that made you happy)?
October R’ebel of the Month: Male Breast Cancer Survivors
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Women gather across the country in solidarity to show support for those living with the disease, and those who did not survive their diagnosis. But what about the men affected by breast cancer; not the husbands, brothers and sons, but those who are living with cancer themselves? Yes, breast cancer is considered a women’s disease, but over 2,100 men will be diagnosed in the U.S. by the end of 2011.Because Since breast cancer carries a stigma, most men do not discover that they have cancer until it is fatally too late. Of the 2,100 men that will be diagnosed, 450 men will die. Breast Cancer forms in the same way it forms in women, usually with a small cyst or lump found in breast tissue, in the pectoral muscle, nipple or underarm; and similar to women, if the lump is reported early enough the cancer can be eradicated through mastectomy and or radiation. But men are not noticing. Should men be encouraged to have regular screenings and mammograms like women? Should breast cancer Awareness month give men a larger platform to communicate to other men, and become a gender-free issue?Men who are living with Breast Cancer or who have lived through it should be made to feel safe enough to share their experiences and diminish the stigma. Men have breasts too and they should begin to embrace them as breasts, not just “pecks,” or “chests”. We ALL should.
To learn more about male Breast Cancer visit the American Cancer Society: www.cancer.org.
Peace, Love, R’ebellion
Ishshah
FEATURE: Meet Lori Kirk, the Creative behind CAVATA Clothing
Two years ago, I had the opportunity of interviewing my fellow classmate, a business woman, and an overall fun spiritual being. Her name is Lori Kirk and she’s the creative director of her tee shirt company, CAVATA Clothing. Just as candid as she was with me during our first interview, she brings that same warmth and honesty to our second interview. Her journey and success are truly inspiring.
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