Why it was dope to be a young black girl in 90's

Growing up as adolescent in the 1990's was awesome. Television was great, the toys were legendary and the theme songs and jingles were constantly embedded into my brain. But one thing that stood out during that era was "us." Black girls were depicted in such a positive light. There was a sense of pride, happiness and lightheartedness that exuded through our television sets.  There were so many products, songs, and characters a young African-American girl could relate to. So let’s take a brief journey with me back down memory lane as I dig up all the gems that brought me so much joy as a kid. Maybe for you too!

The Black Introvert: REVAMPED!!

Throughout my entire childhood I was quiet. An introverted black girl that is. Nothing dramatic or tragic happened in my life to be that way. Shocking to some, that's just who I was; and for the most part who I am today.

I was always teased by peers for my introverted ways.They had no problem constantly bringing it to my attention. I can still hear it now, the comments from teachers,classmates,or others making statements like "Courtney's too quiet" or asking me "Why are you so quiet?" Did there really have to be a reason? The sarcastic flare inside me desired to rebuttal "Why do you talk so much?" or "Just let me be!"

The Struggle: I was a nerd when nerds weren't cool

It's trendy to be a nerd. Some would even call it sexy. A girl whose into comics, batman and cosplay nowadays is considered cool. These are now more socially accepted interests and pastimes. More and more people are "adopting" the nerd culture. Even celebrities like Kanye West and Chris Brown are sporting the non-prescription nerd glasses and preppy sweaters.... people wearing X-men shirts but can't name the characters on it.Sorry I had to say it. But for some us.... we were nerds way before it was cool. It was never a fashion statement or a fad but always a lifestyle....and still is.

No Pity Party for you!

It's so easy to get caught up in social networks...Facebook....Instagram...Twitter. Sometimes it "seems" as if  everyone is doing better than you and progressing in life. People are either getting married, having great friendships, families and relationships, living out their dreams, taking exotic trips, gaining and keeping popularity, losing weight, staying beautiful, dreams coming true etc. And that demon I like to call "comparison" creeps up on you and here comes pity party train. Most people would never admit they've ever felt this way. This is all do to pride and not wanting to appear insecure or jealous aka "hating."

But c'mon we have all felt that way some point. We tend to forget sometimes that people reveal what they want you see on these sites....the glorified parts of their life. That's right... parts.....meaning their whole life is not glitz, glamour and happiness all the time. Not to mention the fantasy world that Internet users create. Do not fall for it! We all have struggles and daily challenges. But sometimes you just need to sign off, log off or deactivate for a little while and connect with "real" life.

Being black and blonde: My thoughts and experience

African-American women have been going blonde for decades. Etta James, Beyonce, Mary J. Blidge, NeNe Leakes, Doroetha Towels are just a few of the sista's that have taken the blonde look and transformed it into their trademark. It's sassy, it definitely turns heads and not to mention it's fun. But not everyone is a fan. In particular black people. Who can get a little too deep and resentful when it comes to a black woman deciding to dye her hair blonde. What is the big deal? I'm glad you asked...

Dorothea Towels (model)

My rant: I can't just "get over it"

I wrote this post a month and a half ago.I was a little reluctant to "share" this but I decided go ahead and be brave. First off I'll start by saying I'm proud to be black. Our people have created and cultivated this country.Our culture has it's perks. We are beautiful, strong, creative and God fearing. We are also the most imitated race. Our style, music, and culture as a whole. Yet with all it's beauty comes an ugly side. Living everyday as an African American can be down right daunting.

Nerdy sista and the mainstream sista: Can we connect? From the black nerd's prospective

Let me start out by saying I'm not writing this post because I am uncomfortable with my individuality but to see if there is any one that has had this feeling and or experience.

You ever been in a store, waiting in line to be cashed out and there are a few sistas in line with you, your phone goes off and Led Zeppelin's is on your ringtone? You get the scuffs, the look of confusion or maybe disgust? Why on earth would this black chick have rock music as a ringtone? This girl is lost! She thinks she's white. All this coming from another sista?

Sadly, I have experienced all thee above............

Let's be real :Why are sista's so hard on eachother: My rant

Now we know in reality that women sometimes have a rather difficult time getting along whether it be in the work place or a social setting. As you can see from the picture there is a Caucasian woman and a African American women. "It doesn't make you less of a woman to give another woman a compliment." But in my opinion and in my personal experience black woman have the hardest time doing this.

Disclaimer: I know this isn't the case for ALL black women and can have cultivating relationships but in retrospect this odd black girl thinks its sadly very prevalent specifically among black women.

I am sure you all seen tons and tons of articles,  the videos and the and debates on how critical black women can be on each other. This may not pertain to ALL sistas but I feel as though its' a major and rather unnecessary issue in the black community.

Well I want to give my personal opinion on the subject.

Django Unchained from The Odd Black Girls perspective

This my good people was my eager Facebook status update on Djano Unchained on the drive home from the movie (I was in the passenger seat!No texting and driving okay!):

       

Disclaimer :I'm not here to dissect the whole film but to simply express MY thoughts and views. What instantly comes to my mind. No essay here! I am not a movie critic nor a historian. Oh and I realized I spelled Tarantino's name incorrectly in my Facebook Stat lol.

I had no interest in seeing this film at first whatsoever. But I gave in! To the controversy that is.

Let's be honest folks, this movie is clearly is not for everyone. While I sat in the movie theatre I saw at least one interracial couple and a black couple walk out in the middle of film mumbling "I can't watch this". Using swear words of course.

Maybe it was the flat out use of the N-word, the shackles on whipped scarred black men , the crude humor and characters, the pitiful run down looking black folks, the unusual random humor about KKK head sheets.... just to name a few. Roots on steroids maybe? Just maybe? Where is Levar Burton?

The Black Introvert?

As a child I was overall quiet. No...nothing dramatic or tragic happened in my life to be that way. That's just who I was and for the most part who I am today. here was always teasing and my introverted "ness" was always brought to my attention.

I could still hear it now..... comments  from teachers,classmates, and others saying things like "Courtney's too quiet" or asking me "Why are you so quiet?" (Did there really have to be a reason). I had (still do) a sarcastic flare inside me wanting to rebuttal "Why do you talk so much?" But I didn't Even as child I wondered why was being less talkative  was perceived in such a negative light. There was always this pressure to talk just for the sake of talking.

Me age 9. I always been an internal thinker

Society as a whole, introverts just seem to have a bad rap.My theory with being a black girl it was difficult for the masses to accept that I was quiet. Black AND quiet. At times you could sense the frustration in peoples voices when they asked why I was that way. Even up to my adulthood in society it appears to be rather unusual and odd for a black girl to be an introvert. It's like an oxymoron.  But we do exist and are very misunderstood in society.




The term "Introvert" seems to be associated with being arrogant, anti-social, mean ,nervous, disconnected, weak, boring, unintelligent etc. But in all actuality it's very much the total opposite. We just take a different approach to life. I tend to be more of an observer if you will. An internal thinker.And yes we do talk! Not so much small talk, but tend to engage in more meaningful conversations. Selective in who we open up to .Some people jump into things head on...conversations, social situations etc and that's okay. But then others simply like to get a feel for things....AND that's okay too.

Me as a youngin'

Based depiction of black women in the media we are stereotyped to be loud, full of attitude with a larger than life personality and always entertaining whoever we come in breathing contact with. But all of us are not the Monique, Tasha Smith types.This brings about a challenge in working and social situations. Because people don't expect that from the black girl. (In reference to people I mean all races...yes even the fellow brotha and sista don't understand why one sista is....well quiet).

Growing up hearing the teasing..... I was brainwashed into thinking I was suppose be a certain way or there was always this sense of guilt.And it can really bring you down because I was simply being myself.

The older I got the more I realize it's okay to be ME. Regardless of it's unpopularity you have to be comfortable with your personality even when others aren't. It is not always an easy task because I'm still learning. But people who love you or want to get to know you....will take you as you are.




Are you an IWB? (Introverted While Black) Do you consider yourself an introvert? Were you always one?Do you have introverted tendencies?

The Black Introvert?

As a child I was overall quiet. No...nothing dramatic or tragic happened in my life to be that way. That's just who I was and for the most part who I am today. here was always teasing and my introverted "ness" was always brought to my attention.

I could still hear it now..... comments  from teachers,classmates, and others saying things like "Courtney's too quiet" or asking me "Why are you so quiet?" (Did there really have to be a reason). I had (still do) a sarcastic flare inside me wanting to rebuttal "Why do you talk so much?" But I didn't Even as child I wondered why was being less talkative  was perceived in such a negative light. There was always this pressure to talk just for the sake of talking.

Me age 9. I always been an internal thinker

Society as a whole, introverts just seem to have a bad rap.My theory with being a black girl it was difficult for the masses to accept that I was quiet. Black AND quiet. At times you could sense the frustration in peoples voices when they asked why I was that way. Even up to my adulthood in society it appears to be rather unusual and odd for a black girl to be an introvert. It's like an oxymoron.  But we do exist and are very misunderstood in society.