spicysista
spicysista's JournalBarbados: Serving All Kinds of Fabulous Liberation
Barbados Crop Over Festival is a liberating space for women of all shapes and sizesNoel Walker
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Yahoo Lifestyle•August 21, 2018
“Oh, she’s scandalous,” a friend said aloud, referring to me, after one would-be carnivalista asked me what to expect on our trip to Barbados Crop Over Festival — the Caribbean island’s annual six-week festival, which consists of parties booming with calypso and soca music and street fairs flowing with flavorful food and arts to celebrate a 200-year tradition honoring the end of the sugar cane season.
“It’s … fun.” The words gradually rolled off my tongue as I stood there baffled about why she would say such a thing. Was it the costume she’d seen me don in the past? Was it the way my wined [danced] like a snake in Instagram Story videos filmed during carnival in Jamaica months ago? Was it the dancing with both women and men?? Was it because a lot of skin was openly shown in public? Or was it the mere fact that she just didn’t understand Caribbean culture?
It was hard to believe she didn’t get it. It was even tougher to accept her comments as humorous rather than backhanded. I felt as if she had put me in the “scandalous” box, where one is also labeled as shameful, dishonorable, and sinful. But Caribbean women — and people from all backgrounds who participate in carnival festivals — are often subjected to this cruel judgment.
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“The perception the U.S. has of Caribbean carnivals shows their ignorance and disdain of African-derived culture and festivals,” says Kai Barratt, a lecturer and carnival scholar at the University of Technology, Jamaica.
More amazing pictures and full article, here: https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/barbados-crop-over-festival-liberating-slideshow-wp-215145872.html
The pictures posted here are ones that I've found from previous festivals. Check out the amazing folks who choose to celebrate in their current skin. Learn to celebrate life in your skin, as you are, right now!
More Than Respect
More than ‘respect’: Bill introduced to give Aretha Congressional accoladesLawmakers are moving to give the Queen of Soul a posthumous honor to add to the long list
By Ny MaGee -
August 21, 2018
On Tuesday, a group of lawmakers introduced legislation to posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal to Aretha Franklin for her contribution to arts and culture.
The Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom are the highest civilian honors in the U.S. government, RollCall.com noted.space“> The last entertainer to be honored was Frank Sinatra in 1997.
Franklin, who died August 16 at age 76 after a battle with pancreatic cancer, is no stranger to such high regard for her work. In 1994 she was given a Kennedy Center Honor; has received NAACP Image, Hall of Fame and Vanguard Awards; and 18 Grammy awards, plus 26 nominations.
Full article: https://thegrio.com/2018/08/21/aretha-franklin-congressional-gold-medal/
All hail the Queen!
Aretha Franklin - How I Got Over
Connecticut Is Ready To Make History
Jahana Hayes wins the Democratic primary for 5th district defeating Mary Glassman Tuesday night.
http://www.trbimg.com/img-5b739478/turbine/hc-1534301300-kcz26d4emn-snap-image/750/750x422
(John Woike / Hartford Courant)
By Daniela Altimari, Rebecca Lurye and Dave Altimari•Contact Reporters
August 14, 2018, 9:20 PM
Jahana Hayes, the daughter of a drug addict who grew up in public housing, won the Democratic nomination for the open 5th Congressional District seat Tuesday night, bringing her closer to becoming the first black Democrat from New England to win a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Hayes, the former National Teacher of the Year who had never run for office before, defeated Mary Glassman, a veteran politician with a long history in government. Hayes will face former Meriden Mayor Manny Santos, the winner of a three-way Republican primary, in November. Santos has struggled to raise money and the district is viewed by most political observers as likely Democratic.
Full article: http://www.courant.com/politics/elections/hc-pol-connecticut-fifth-district-primary-jahana-hayes-mary-glassman-20180813-story.html
Mothers of the Movement, Surviving and Thriving
Let me start off by saying that I love and respect these women a great deal. They are some of the most courageous and inspiring folks around. If it comes across that I am emotionally invested in their journey, I am. These ladies deserve to be lifted, individually and collectively, for the work they've done and are continuing to do.
If you're looking for someone to "be your voice", I would urge you to consider learning to amplify your own. You don't have to be a part of the political class to matter. Sometimes, no one else has your story to share. Lifting your own voice may be the very first spark of a movement.
Seven women, united by a mother's worst nightmare, decided to add their own voices to a growing movement. Seven sisters were recruited into a most somber association. Their sorority's meet and greets look and feel more like a church revival than the beginning of "rush". There are no bake sales to make new "house" purchases or dance parties at the local club on Thursday nights. The colors that unite them are a stark combination of black and red.
During the 2016 election season, they campaigned with Sec. Clinton. All around the country, they bravely shared their stories of pain and loss. They even made a special appearance at the 2016 Democratic National Convention.
(Mothers of the Movement at the 2016 Democratic National Convention)
But their stories did not end there.
These mothers have turned their grief into growth. Their pain of yesterday is becoming tomorrow's progress. Some have entered the world of politics. Others have become authors, making the rounds across the nation's campuses. They've all been raising awareness about police violence against our communities.
I will be posting updates about these mothers on a regular basis. Today, I will focus on Sybrina Fulton. In the clips below, she'll tell you about her journey.... in her own words. It is my hope they will inspire you to be, use, and lift your own voice.
(Gail King Interview on CBS This Morning)
(Talking about the new 6 part series, Rest in Power: The Trayvon Martin Story)
(Encouraging Diamond on Inyanla: Fix My Life)
Mothers of the Movement:
Lezley McSpadden, mother of Michael Brown
Cleopatra Pendelton-Crowley, mother of Hadiya Pendelton
Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin
Geneva Reed-Veal, mother of Sandra Bland
Gwen Carr, mother of Eric Garner
Lucy McBath, mother of Jordan Davis
Maria Hamilton, mother of Dontre Hamilton
Still saying their names.
Uncle Ben Strikes Again!
My childhood hero disappoints again. The following article can be found @ www.newsone.com.
Ben Carson Is Trying To Make Housing In America As Segregated As Possible
The heartless secretary of HUD strikes again.
Written By Parker Riley
Ben Carson has officially taken the steps to make housing as segregated as possible in America. Until now, he was blocking the July 2015 Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule, which was to ensure neighborhoods were not segregated. Now Carson wants to completely dismantle the rule.
~snip~
Under the Obama administration, with Julian Castro as the secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the 2015 rule required more than “1,200 communities receiving billions of federal housing dollars to draft plans to desegregate their communities — or risk losing federal funds,” according to The Washington Post. This rule was necessary considering studies have shown that when neighborhoods are segregated, Black and brown communities receive less funding and fewer resources.
However, it would seem that Carson couldn’t care less about Black and brown communities receiving less. He released a statement on Monday claiming the rule was “suffocating investment” and “we can craft a new, fairer rule.” Now word on what the “fairer” rule would be.
In May, fair-housing advocates filed a lawsuit against Carson, claiming that he “unlawfully suspended the 2015 rule by not providing advance public notice or opportunity for comment.”
link to article: https://newsone.com/3821764/ben-carson-housing-segregation-america/
I had to add the waving gif .....because...... reasons. Hell, I like gifs!
The Queen and Her Crowns
Aretha Franklin is a living icon. Her legendary voice has a special place in the hearts of many, worldwide. Just as powerful as it is elegant, Ms. Franklin's voice graces both opera and church houses alike.
(Ms. Franklin and Luciano Pavarotti)
Ms. Franklin has an especially revered place in many black churches throughout the country. Her rendition of "Mary Don't You Weep" has been danced to and dramatized for decades. "Precious Lord, Take My Hand", a church staple, when performed by Ms. Franklin becomes something that edifies all present.
A factor that endears her even more, as if we needed another reason, is her love of church hats. If you didn't know, church hats are a "thing" in some historically black churches. What some people may reserve for the Kentucky Derby, many black women sport every Sunday. The Queen is no different. Growing up as the daughter of a preacher, Ms. Franklin saw black women sporting their "Sunday best".
Not known to shrink from bold fashion choices, Ms. Franklin has been seen in some striking ensembles. Her majesty is so epically influential that even one of her hats has become almost as famous as she!
Join me, now, as we celebrate one of the greatest of all time.
Trained in the Gospel, tested by life. Her amazing voice continues to reign both the 20th and 21st Centuries! I give you the Queen of Soul in her many crowns........
https://assets.vogue.com/photos/58916cfd97a3db337a24a440/16
/pass/03-aretha-franklin-hats.jpg
(Okay, not technically a hat.....still really awesome)
And last, but not least...the hat that everyone and their mom bought......
Whether performing "Nessun Dorma" or making an appearance in "Blues Brothers", there's only one Queen.
A Queen and her Crowns
Aretha Franklin is a living icon. Her legendary voice has a special place in the hearts of many, worldwide. Just as powerful as it is elegant, Ms. Franklin's voice graces both opera and church houses alike.
(Ms. Franklin and Luciano Pavarotti)
Ms. Franklin has an especially revered place in many black churches throughout the country. Her rendition of "Mary Don't You Weep" has been danced to and dramatized for decades. "Precious Lord, Take My Hand", a church staple, when performed by Ms. Franklin becomes something that edifies all present.
A factor that endears her even more, as if we needed another reason, is her love of church hats. If you didn't know, church hats are a "thing" in some historically black churches. What some people may reserve for the Kentucky Derby, many black women sport every Sunday. The Queen is no different. Growing up as the daughter of a preacher, Ms. Franklin saw black women sporting their "Sunday best", regularly.
Not known to shrink from bold fashion choices, Ms. Franklin has been seen in some striking ensembles. Her majesty is so epically influential that even one of her hats has become almost as famous as she!
Join me, now, as we celebrate one of the greatest of all time.
Trained in the Gospel, tested by life. Her amazing voice continues to reign both the 20th and 21st Centuries! I give you the Queen of Soul in her many crowns........
https://assets.vogue.com/photos/58916cfd97a3db337a24a440/16 /pass/03-aretha-franklin-hats.jpg
(Okay, not technically a hat.....still really awesome)
And last, but not least...the hat that everyone and their mom bought......
Whether performing "Nessun Dorma" or making an appearance in "Blues Brothers", there's only one Queen.
Family, can I talk to you?
Warning: The post you are about to read is a rant. Mildly offensive language may follow. Viewer discretion is advised. 
I just need to rant for a minute but.....
What the hell is going on? Where do they keep finding all these "skin folks" pretending to be my kin? Is there a factory that manufactures these "pod" people?
You're probably saying, "what are you talking about"?
Oh, but You know. You may have seen them on CNN from time to time. If you're particularly brave (or just into brain numbing) you may have seen them on Fox. Still not sure? Here are some examples:
Candace Owens
Sheriff David Clark
"Pastor" Scott
Paris Dennard
And I've just watched another one on Fox and Friends. Smh. I'm turning back to the Rev on msnbc. All this buck dancing is making my head hurt.
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Gender: FemaleHometown: The South with an "F"
Current location: San Diego
Member since: Sun Jan 29, 2017, 06:55 PM
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