The Scottie Pippin Controversy

Someone on my Facebook page just suggested when I responded to his post that I said Scottie Pippin dogged Michael Jordan and I replied, "Never said he dogged MJ. Just said, "Who asked him and why was it even necessary? I respect him for his opinion, but some things can be left alone. For the record, there are many things Scottie could say about both MJ and KJ to encourage young people, like how hard they worked at their craft to be better than average, they both will go down in history as two of the best players ever in the NBA, and what I used to remind students when I taught who wanted to emulate KJ, that he graduated with honors. Scottie should make comments that bring young people together rather than separate because as KJ says on a commercial, they are role models and they can't forget they had role models when they grew up."

The Power of Perseverance and Determination

I predict the Miami Heat to win the 2011 NBA Championship. It’s not because they are my favorite team. It is the demonstration of perseverance and determination I have witnessed in LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and their trusted helpmate, Chris Bosh. Together with their teammates, they have achieved in one season what many (including the writer) said they would not do or should not have done. In spite of the bad press and slow start, the Miami Heat are on the brink of giving LeBron what he left the Cavaliers to achieve, “a championship team.”


Winning an NBA championship is a massive undertaking and players really have to be committed to their vision with a team effort. There is value in staying focused on your goals, but perseverance is the difference between the winner and the winning team. There were several personal set-backs for LeBron and Dwayne during the year. Many would have cracked under the pressures, but the dual stayed true to the vision and are on the brink of making their “mission possible.”

I am a Chicago Bulls fan and excited about the great job Derrick Rose, Coach Thibodeau and the team were able to accomplish with the MVP accolades. However, we all can benefit from the lesson we are receiving by watching the Miami Heat’s tremendous execution in setting and achieving their goal with perseverance and determination.

Black Women Should Fight Back!

Black Women Should Fight Back!


I went back in history and pulled out a quote from my sister Fannie Lou Hamer to write this article, "I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired." After tossing my thoughts around for a few days in order to suppress my anger about the latest negative comments from a black man, Albert Haynesworth of the Washington Redskins, regarding black women when defending the allegations that he assaulted a black waitress, "I didn't touch her. I don't even like black girls. I know what this is about; she is just upset I have a white girlfriend. I couldn't tell you the last time I dated a black girl. She was trying to get with me", I succumbed to the pen. Actually Albert, the word is black women, not girls, and we are not upset because you have a white girlfriend or even that white women are your preference. We are upset because you and others like you make dumb statements that degrade black women to support your preference.

I took the liberty to research Albert Haynesworth specifically to find out if he had a black mom that worked her butt off to make sure her family had food, clothes, education and a home regardless of their economic status. As I suspected, the Washington Post printed an article in May, 2009 with the headline, "Redskins' Albert Haynesworth's mother knew best" (http://hamptonroads.com/2009/05/redskins-albert-haynesworths-mother-knew-best). There it was, in living color, a big picture of Albert "don't like black girls" Haynesworth and his beautiful black mom. Albert's mom worked as a seamstress in a factory, machinist and truck driver to support the family and provide a good home for them after her divorce from his dad, which is not an unfamiliar story among single mothers of many black athletes. Most interesting in the article is when a teacher suggested six year old Albert may need medication to suppress his behavior in class, his mom developed her own remarkable routine of getting him up every morning at 6:00 am and running him around the house to reduce his excitement, which she reported to be successful in calming Albert in class. I consider this an honorable action as surely his mom must have been tired from working long hours, but placed her son first, which quite possible was the impetus for him developing his talent for the NFL. The fact that Albert would make such a blatant statement about black women is a direct insult to the person who not only paved the way for his success, but gave birth to him. Unfortunately, he and other black men like him don't understand that negative actions and statements about black women does not separate his mom. It makes her inclusive in the race of women he does not like.

When researching Albert, the information I found did not get better, it got worse. Chad Ochocinco (the football player formerly known as Chad Johnson), reportedly requested that no black women be a part of his 2010 reality show, the "Ultimate Catch." I watched possibly two episodes and realized up front that Chad was not into dating black women judging from the selection. The producers were even a bit blown away by his actions and protested when he suggested the pre-selected black women be replaced with Caucasian and Hispanic women. They managed to talk him into placing two obviously token black women who were later booted. To his credit, unlike Albert (to date), Chad did make a public statement, "As a kid growing up, I developed a strong sense of self-worth from the incredible women in my life, all of whom were black. I am the man who I am today because of black women, and I am forever grateful for the values and strength they instilled in me....... Bottom line is that I love black women. I got four beautiful children and their mother is black." While this does not excuse his behavior, at least he made an attempt to correct his actions. Again, the anger was not about his preference, it was about a black man refusing to want beautiful black women included in his reality show. Are we not worthy of an "Ultimate Catch" or is this an option strictly reserved for non-black women?

Apparently an Asian psychologist by the name of Satoshi Kanazawa thinks he has come up with the answer. In his May, 2011 article in the "well-regarded" publication, Psychology Today, entitled Why Black Women Are Less Physically Attractive Than Other Women, Kanazawa supposedly conducted a study which suggested among women, black women are less attractive. Blackvoices.com published a reprint because Psychology Today pulled the article due to the huge public outrage from all races and genders causing the site to crash. I am appalled a publication of this distinction would even allow an unfounded article which lacks competent proof to support the findings and makes a generalization about groups of women based on what appears as a personal opinion to be published.

Kanazawa's conclusions quite honestly were more disgusting and more damaging than the statements and actions we as black women receive from some black men.

"There are many biological and genetic differences between the races. However, such race differences usually exist in equal measure for both men and women. For example, because they have existed much longer in human evolutionary history, Africans have more mutations in their genomes than other races. And the mutation loads significantly decrease physical attractiveness. But since both black women and black men have higher mutation loads, it cannot explain why only black women are less physically attractive, while black men are, if anything, more attractive."

This comment suggests that black women are damaged from genetics. To be more specific, Kanazawa is saying it's in our DNA to be less attractive. In researching mutation loads, I found no evidence to suggest his statement has any validity from a physical prospective, but medically lower levels of mutation may produce diseases such as Sickle Cell Anemia which is prevalent in African Americans and more recently a growing number of Hispanics.

"The only thing I can think of that might potentially explain the lower average level of physical attractiveness among black women is testosterone. Africans on average have higher levels of testosterone than other races, and testosterone, being an androgen (male hormone), affects the physical attractiveness of men and women differently. Men with higher levels of testosterone have more masculine features and are therefore more physically attractive. In contrast, women with higher levels of testosterone also have more masculine features and are therefore less physically attractive. The race differences in the level of testosterone can therefore potentially explain why black women are less physically attractive than women of other races, while (net of intelligence) black men are more physically attractive than men of other races."

Kanazawa is suggesting with this statement that black women look manly and masculine. I almost had to laugh to keep from crying. Is this man a psychologist or psychotic? This is taking me back to black people have tails and the Mandingo myth about the size of a black man's penis. Where are the facts to support his statements? While there is some evidence to support that African Americans, particularly younger black men have higher testosterone levels, Kanazawa provides no scientific evidence to support that black women are less attractive than non-black women because of testosterone. Also important to note, he makes a suggestion that black men are less intelligent, though more attractive than men of other races. In his research, black men get all the props (par intelligence) and sisters are the lowest form of human beauty.

The danger in this and other "research" by people who are non-black and have no idea about black women, their life or experiences is damaging and adds to the difficulties that continues to plague black women who have fought for so long to erase the negative images around the world. Additionally, this type of labeling lowers the self-esteem of young black girls who often struggle with their image due to constant reminders from media that the perception of true beauty is the 3% of white women and girls they see on TV, movies, print, and online.

I suggest that black women begin to fight back with a vengeance. I don't mean with finger pointing and head swirling. I mean we need to speak out loudly against all the negative media, research and opinions about who we are and how we look. We should use our voices to sing positive songs of praise about our sisters and their struggle. Instead of imitating black women on shows like Basketball Wives and Housewives of Atlanta, we should contact the producers and ask them to present more positive images of black women and relationships with black men or we will boycott watching these shows which rank tops among black TV viewing audiences. A black male told me the reason he does not like Housewives of Atlanta is all the other Housewives shows portray white women in positive relationships with husbands that have successful careers and businesses and the Atlanta program only show black women in successful relationships with gay black men. Black women should demand organizations like the NFL and NBA publicly denounce the derogatory statements these athletics make against black women. In fact, women in general should not be degraded by their players. These organizations should provide life skill classes to help reduce the often public disregard of women by a growing number athletics for their verbal and domestic abuse.

If we support each other and present our positive voices and accomplishments to America and the world, we can reduce negative and encourage positive images. We should not argue with someone about their preference, but we can denounce and boycott anyone who degrades black women because of their own ignorance.

Read the article Why Black Women Are Less Physically Attractive Than Other Women @

http://conversations.blackvoices.com/entertainment/99435682aaea4564b24369ed6fc90973/sistas-they-still-s%20.../5241bb8866a545a7aafefe26b6268e01?sn=3



reprint with permission only May 2011

Why Boycott Aruba Dr. Phil?

I just read yesterday that Dr. Phil called for a Boycott of Aruba, an island I happen to love.  While I can't even imagine the pain and loss of Natalie Hollway's family, the island did not murder her. One deranged individual did.  Also, I always felt there was a side to this story that has not been told, like why we never heard publically from her classmates or the supposed chaperons that were on the trip? Why no one is warning teen girls about the behavior of these kids that led to this horrendous act?  

"Fab Five" Another case of exploiting young black athletes

While passing my husband's man room last night, the Fab Five documentary caught my attention to the point that I eased in and took an uninvited seat on the ab press.  As it became more interesting, I moved to the floor and eventually to the couch.  For years, these young black athletes have been exploited financially, mentally and physically.  I was appalled to learn that Michigan had taken down their banners and severed tides with the young athletes who had contributed so much to their institution.  The thought that they would consider such an action and not return any of the money they earned off of the Fab Five left an empty feeling in my stomach.  I wonder what the action would have been if these were five young white athletes.  After all, there was a lot of hate and racial ignorance surrounding the Fab Five's reign.  I say Chris Webber in the grocery store last week.  He looked very involved in selecting his fruit and vegetables.  He appeared to be a very quiet person and you can tell he would rather be left alone, than receive all the publicity.  I pray all the Fab Five get what they rightfully earned from Michigan with all the trimmings.  

Black Women and Marriage

In this era where marriage as it was once established in biblical and cultural terms is constantly being challenged, black women have emerged as the underdog in the hopes and dreams of ever getting married. Though divorce statistics are extremely high and marriage is plummeting in general, the challenge for black women is critical in comparison.

According to The State of our Unions, a yearly study produced by the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia and the Center for Marriage and Families at the Institute for American Values, marriage is at a high risk particularly among the middle and lower classes, mostly attributed to an "overriding shift in values." The study further concluded that highly educated and more affluent marriages are on the rise enjoying more strong and stable households. The report may be reversed for highly educated and affluent black women who are often plagued with the issue of finding viable mates. This may be associated with the lack of black men accelerating at the same level and the unwillingness of black women in higher wage groups to accept men with a lesser income or profession.

My difficulty in emotionally digesting the thought that society has come to a point where marriage is being constantly attacked and frequently labeled as obsolete and the fact that black women are challenged more severely than any other segment of the population is the compelling reason for this writing. I highly respect the institute of marriage and believe like many cultures and societies around the world that marriage is a sacred gift from God and should not be taken for granted.

Considering the statistics in most studies and reports are overwhelming, I am prompted to research further how this phenomenon came about and if we can find solutions to shift the pattern and break the chains that continue to enslave us and our way of thinking. This thirst for answers took me back to slavery, where African Americans can often find the roots of many problems we still face in America today.

The prolific writer and scholar, W.E. DuBois believed "the pattern of separation and rape by white slave owners during slavery produced single and unwed black mothers." Noted scholar and sociologist, E. Franklin Frazier, described "black women emerging as a more controlling force in the slave household--self-reliant, self-sufficient, and lacking a spirit of subordination to masculine authority." I believe these early experiences with the break-up and separation of the black family is significant to why so many black women remain unmarried today.

My reason for connecting our past history with the limited marriage opportunities for black women today is the direct ties to modern day enslavement of black men. Sociologist William Julius Wilson has argued that increasing levels of non marriage and female-headed households is a "manifestation of the high levels of economic dislocation experienced by lower-class black men in recent decades. He asserts that when joblessness is combined with high rates of incarceration and premature mortality among black men, it becomes clearer that there are fewer marriageable black men relative to black women who are able to provide the economic support needed to sustain a family." Today's society breeds other prevailing factors that support the limited availability of black men including homosexuality and marrying women outside the black race.

As painful as this situation appears, we have to openly discuss and work on solutions to counteract the doom portrayed in statistical reports and main stream media. I am hopeful if we begin even as individuals to implement change we can reduce and reverse negative ratios. Some thoughts and suggestions are.

• Encourage black men to advance their education. With innovation and technology at the forefront of our future, black men must be in a position to compete in the global workforce. Women will reinvent themselves at forty, fifty, sixty and beyond, whereas men are less likely to be motivated to return to school or embark on another trade or profession. We can begin early by instilling the importance of education in our boys and continue to encourage our black men whether they are husbands, partners, sons, brothers, friends or colleagues.

• Focus on communicating openly and effectively with our mates. Instead of concentrating on being right, listen to what the other person is saying. We may agree or disagree. No matter how strong the disagreement, ineffective communication leads to separation. Separation breeds distance and increases the gap.

• Drop the "angry black woman" image. No matter how strong men are, they don't want to be overpowered by their women. For some black women, this may mean humbling yourself to submission. Humility is an honor and submission is a deep level of devotion and commitment that should be exercised by both men and women to create a deeper love for each other. We often confuse submission with control and manipulation when we simply need to cooperate with the divine flow of working together.

• Stop settling for less in relationships. Less is defined as physical and mental abuse, relationships with married men we are not married to and living together unmarried. A good question to ask yourself is, "Would you do to the other person what you are allowing them to do to you?"

• Move up, move down, and move out. Try dating and marrying men who are younger or older. As long as the gap makes sense (let's be realistic) and you bring joy to each other, age is insignificant. Moving out is to consider dating men of other races. Black women are among the most loyal women staying within their own race in dating and marriage. Be more open to expanding your horizons.

• Pray and seek spiritual guidance and stay focused on things that enrich your life with or without a mate.

These suggestions may not resolve many of the deep issues that have created the tremendous marriage gap black women experience, but we should make a commitment to start focusing on self-improvement and become role models for our young daughters. One final comment, media, statistics and other people do not define us and rarely portray black women for the phenomenal women we really are. We still stand as beautiful queens regardless of our marriage status. "Facts do not hinder our faith."