Disqus - Latest Comments for flygyrl72

Re: The Knick TK

flygyrl72 — Sat, 07 Nov 2015 02:27:18 -0000

I think she's a pistol! Very eager to see how this plays out this season...

Re: Racist Frat Boy Chant Would Be A Hit If Kanye Sang it, Says Rush Limbaugh

flygyrl72 — Thu, 12 Mar 2015 13:50:11 -0000

Kudos! Well said! There is no tit for tat in these kinds of situations.

Re: More Thoughts On Jean-Paul Goude, The Black Jezebel Stereotype & That Racist Kim Kardashian Photoshoot

flygyrl72 — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 18:48:17 -0000

What does Kim Kardashian really have to do with Black women & the brutalization of our body images in the media throughout the years?

Because she’s f'n Black men? And appropriating our culture when it benefits
her? I don't count her as an "honorary" anything! Please don’t lump
her in with us. Ever. She don’t get the same (mis) treatment as us, in the
media, in regards to beauty (or lack thereof), in her daily life experiences,
etc…so no.

Now, you can say that Goude has some issues with the objectification/exploitation of Black women & I accept that as a valid concern. But when I look at the photos, I'm not offended as a Black woman. As a woman who doesn't want to see that mess, yes, but not necessarily because it pushes any racial hot buttons with me.

At most, it's tacky & ill-advised, given her reputation. But unless they photoshopped her head onto that ass, she was a willing participant
in yet another exploitation of herself & her body. A co-conspirator, not a
hapless victim. And Paper magazine hasn’t been this talked about in
years! So score a point for them too!

FACT: She is known, first & foremost, for peddling her OWN sex
tape/sexuality for fame. And, obviously, continues to do so to keep that money
machine going.

And THAT is the main reason she has been portrayed in a certain light by the media. Because it's who she is! It’s what she’s pushing! Selling that sex tape is her claim to fame! She gets depicted the way she does because she presents herself as shallow, vapid, trampy & fame hungry. Not just because she dates Black men. That's the least of it.

And the reason no one else is talking about the racism/sexism of the pictures as opposed to the Photoshopping of her booty is because the avg. person has no concept of the original Grace Jones photos, Goude’s previous works, etc. For most, it's not that deep. All they see is a tacky person once again getting all the hype for her lumpy butt & trying to stay relevant.

If you dig deep enough, you'll find parallels to draw between any two
examples, no matter how disparate. I just don't think this is the best
way to try to shed light on some of the historical mistreatment of WOC &
our bodies by society & the media.

You need to lose her as an example. She is not a good subject to anchor this on. You're actually gonna hinge your perception of racial progress in this country on how people react to this person's nudie photos?

And If these photos are racist, then she is just as much of a culprit as Goude is. She's in on it, not a victim of it! Big difference.

Re: Frisky Rant: Kids Don’t Belong On Leashes

flygyrl72 — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 13:49:13 -0000

Oh Katie, you meant well, but you lost me as soon as I read that you're not a parent.
As a single mom to a now 4 yr old, I have never used a leash. Although, there were times up until age 3, where she had no sense of boundaries & would take off the moment I let go of her hand or she was out of the stroller/shopping cart.
It could be terrifying, always having to do a mad dash for her at the store or
mall or in crowds... I was really tempted, but ultimately, decided not to.

Thing is, what a lot of us parents know is, every child is different & so
are moms & dads. What works for you may not work for someone else &
their family. So what has people annoyed is the fact that you're making a
blanket statement on leashes without a) having children b) knowing the
situation of those moms & their children.
Because TRUST ME, you don't know jack until you have a little one you're responsible for 24/7. I used to be like you, before I had kids, I used to get so frustrated when people would tell me to wait until I had my own kids before I passed judgment or gave my opinion on something my brother was doing with my nephew. But now, being on the other side of the fence, OH HO! They were right! I really had no f'n clue!
So, even though it sounds cliche, you really need to hold off on passing judgment when you just don’t know enough about the situation. Everything you’re reading into these women using leashes is just an assumption on your part. It doesn’t mean that they’re not teaching their children right from wrong or about respecting boundaries just because they’re using them, nor does it make them “lazy” parents.
So, you know, just don't...because you don't know. If you don't like leashes, don't use them when/if you ever have a kid of your own. Key
words being "kid of your own".

Re: Starbucks Brings Jim Crow to Venice Beach

flygyrl72 — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 17:45:25 -0000

As a white male, never having been discriminated against, you felt "rage". LOL! Of course you did! You’re used to getting your way!

Welcome to peoples of color everyday existence! And that's even when we're clean, employed & not lugging around a sleeping bag. Your gripe with Starbucks has some basis, as far as them discriminating. But, I think you are really off base comparing this with Jim Crow. Just being incendiary & dramatic! They told YOU that you couldn’t stay. So why are you pulling in all these other factors that has nothing to do with your altercation with them? Like noting the race of the two managers & bringing up that most of the homeless are POC, when this seems more to be an issue of policy? Why would you immediately start throwing around the term “colored”? You really need to check yourself.

I consider myself somewhat liberal, but I'ma tell you right now, I don't want to be in Starbucks or any other establishment with a bunch of homeless people hanging out with all their belongings because they have nowhere else to go. And while you may be educated & from an affluent family, many of these people aren't or are so down & out, they have lost their way. And a great many also have mental health issues. That, combined with challenges to access to regular bathing facilities could make their prolonged patronage of an establishment a turn-off to many of the regular paying customers.
So, while I can sympathize with the gist of your beef, I can’t say I entirely blame Starbucks for trying to address this issue.
Seriously, would you rather that they deny service to homeless people entirely?

Re: Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Honors Nelson Mandela (PHOTOS) | Global Grind

flygyrl72 — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 14:39:31 -0000

Hear, hear!

Re: Kerry Washington Covers Lucky magazine’s December 2013 Issue (PHOTOS) | Global Grind

flygyrl72 — Mon, 18 Nov 2013 01:02:55 -0000

This cover once again brings to light the appalling lack of people the top fashion magazines have who are actually capable of competently styling Black women. This cover is horrible. Nothing to do with Kerry. It's just a bad photo, period. Very unflattering. That pale frosty lipstick & makeup makes her look ashy, not glowy. Hair doesn't look done. And wtf is up with that scarf? Why is it there? Just bad. I wasn't even aware there was a controversy, & saw this on the newstand yesterday & I was like "What the heck?!" Godawful shot & shame on the bozos that approved it. Not that Lucky is exactly renowned for its stunning cover shots anyways...

Re: natural hair growth rates and the black community

flygyrl72 — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 13:42:03 -0000

I think if you take care of your hair (or go to the hairdresser every week or two) your hair will thrive, no matter what texture, or whatever. I know some people assume that once they go natural, their hair will just grow like wildfire, but I don't think it's a realistic expectation. Yes, good hair care can really help out, but I think at some pt. genetics may play a part. If you always had hair, it's likely you can grow it out big time, if hair growth has always been problematic for you, then it's probable that you will not be rockin a big fro anytime soon.

Hair growth has never been a big deal for me, but lately, I've noticed that the hair in the back center isn't growing out as fast as the hair on the rest of my head. My fro is starting to look flat in the back. So, I'm taking extra time to take extra good care of that section in the back & also bout to start going to a person I know who does natural hair, because I think it helps sometimes to have someone else do it & give it a little extra TLC. We'll see what happens...

One thing I have noticed though, is that it seems people with dreads, their hair seems to grow like crazy & fast too! Or am I imagining things? Hmmm...

Re: Why I'm Grateful to Still be Breastfeeding My Toddler | | AlterNet

flygyrl72 — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 01:08:18 -0000

For the record, I am a 39 yr old, Black working single first time mom of a 15 month old & I am still breastfeeding her. As have a few of the women in my social circle (also Af-Am), all of them breastfed their children until at least 12 months, if not longer.

As FourCJ said, I pump at work also, it really isn't that big a deal for me, just part of the routine. Not the most convenient thing, but you do what you have to do.

I agree that the stats & supportive attitude for Black women who choose breastfeeding are alarmingly low, and I definitely understand your frustration. But what was the point of saying all this in the article without offering any perspective on how this particular mindset came to be in our community? Because it definitely has a lot to do with socio-economic issues, education, etc. Or, perhaps telling some of the ways you've combated the raised eyebrows or silly comments from relatives or girlfriends (as I have) with fact & actually challenged the outdated notions or assumptions that many in our community have against breastfeeding. How about saying that you've chosen to lead by example, because the sight of someone like you breastfeeding her toddler in public, or at a family or cultural event, that alone, helps immensely.

I have no issue with you saying how you feel blessed that your circumstances have allowed you to continue breastfeeding your daughter. I feel the same way about my situation, even though I work a full time job & have to pump & do it all alone, I still feel lucky to be able to nurture my child in this way, because it’s created an oh-so-precious bond with my little one.

However, if you're going to tie that into the fact that because you're Black & doing this & how rare you are...well, just putting it out there that we as Black women don't really breastfeed & let's check that off as one more on the list of areas that we lag behind as a people, etc., yet offering no insight into the matter & then going on to say that you're so rare cuz you do b-f & it's great for you, as an individual...well, it does make it seem like you're gloating on some level...I'm just saying.

It's not always what you say, it's how you say it.

Re: http://www.refinery29.com/the-hottest-new-celeb-approved-handbag.php

flygyrl72 — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 18:55:16 -0000

I'd rock it just like Lenny Kravitz did the other day, in a Rick Owens-type, modern Jedi Knight head-to-toe oufit, cept I am a lady, so when I sport wedge boots, it won't cause double-takes...LOL... http://bauergriffinonline.c...

But for real, this bag is seriously fly...it ups the ante on anything you put it with. I'd wear it with just about any & everything I own. Speaks for itself.

Re: take better care of my hair challenge

flygyrl72 — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 02:39:11 -0000

I, flygyrl72, will gladly accept this challenge, and plan to commit to at least (2) segments. I am a new mom as of December 2009, a little overwhelmed right now, time-wise, so I will incorporate as much of this as I can starting now, but fully commit starting April session.

My goals: I expect as a result of sticking to the challenge to see my hair grow even more, hopefully retaining a lot of the thickness I've achieved during pregnancy/taking preggo vitamins, less split ends, longer/more growth in my slow to grow area, which is the back of my head in the middle, & overall, more healthy hair in general. I have a baby girl now, & it is important for her to always see me with a head of not only natural, but healthy hair.
My Goals:

Re: Ugg and Jimmy Choo To Collaborate... We Are Scared - Fashion News at Refinery29.com

flygyrl72 — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:56:22 -0000

Sorry folks, but I'm with Tamara Mellon on this one. I like Uggs, I like Jimmy Choo. Wouldn't spend over a couple hundred on a pair of Uggs, so this collabo is outta my price range. But I live in LA & wear my Uggs all the time, Black Tall Classic. Not because they're trendy, but they're earthy & above all, more comfortable than any pair of shoes I own. Like walking on air, kid you not. Great for when I'm power shopping & also helps me balance out my stilletto & platform addiction. I don't wear them like the youngsters, with shorts or tucking velour track suit pants in them, I just wear them under jeans. I do get it why a lot of people look down on them, but think about it, has to be a reason so many people wear them. They're functional & comfy & well made, you can't beat that. Like it or not, I think they're here to stay...LOL...

Re: Black History Month Daily Thread

flygyrl72 — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 17:58:08 -0000

The Autobiography of Malcolm X changed the way I looked at the world. Read it my sr. year in high school. I remember clearly, a click going off inside of me while I was reading it. Like someone had flicked the ON switch in my consciousness. This man's life story had a profound effect on the way I perceived the world & what I should be doing to actively go about affecting positive change. He is one of my heroes, for what he was & for what he wasn't. Great post.

Re: http://www.refinery29.com/under_the_influence/gap_teeth_the_latest_musthave.php

flygyrl72 — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 12:31:06 -0000

Let's hear it for the gap toothed! As long as the rest of your teeth are in the right place, it's cool. I know, I've resisted orthodontia all my life, although lately, I've been fascinated by Invisalign...

Re: On Little Black Girls, Beauty and Barbie Dolls

flygyrl72 — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 12:23:10 -0000

I remember being a little kid & sometimes for Christmas, we'd go down South to visit my folks' families (both of my parents are from FL). Well, my cousins would have those giant coloring books, w/ Santa Claus, Night Before Christmas, etc. And I recall one time, I was about 6 or 7, I had colored the kids on my page Black & I had made Santa Claus a Black man as well. Can I tell you that my two other cousins had a freak out & one actually started crying & ran to my aunt to "tell" that I'd made the coloring book "ugly" because I did that?! And to me, it was the most natural thing in the world, since my mother only EVER bought me Black baby & Barbie dolls.

And, I agree with 64TayeFosterBradshaw, when I have kids & if I have a daughter, that's exactly what I'm gonna do too. I already practice this with my 3 yr old niece, who, as far as I'm concerned, has too many dolls of the other persuasion, I've told my brother, it's not a good message to send, our children internalize so much...

Re: Oh, the Possibilities . . . Obama and Black Men

flygyrl72 — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 18:20:02 -0000

Dude...you SNAPPED!!! Wow! Thanks SO much for this! I'm sharing this on my Facebook...

Re: Wednesday Convention Night Open Thread

flygyrl72 — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 02:19:43 -0000

Clintonhater, your'e right about the choice of words. I didn't even think about that. When he first came on, I was prepared to disagree vehemently & hate everything he said. And try to decipher every bit of the speech.

I got a pleasant surprise though. I think Billy Boy did a good job. He emphatically put his support behind Barack. He was believable & gracious & complimentary, & whether he means it in his heart or not, that was good enough for me.

You know how he is, once he gets in front of a crowd & feels that love, he just feeds off that... In any case, he did a damn good job of upstaging her & her speech, which I think he always enjoys doing...;-)

Still don't trust either one of them, but I give him a thumbs up for this one.

Re: Democratic National Convention – Wednesday Night Open Thread

flygyrl72 — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 01:53:52 -0000

I agree. You think Bill Clinton would sit on the sidelines with out weighing in?! Yeah, right! Hil neither!!! They would be a nightmare. Disastrous.

Re: Democratic National Convention – Tuesday Night Open Thread

flygyrl72 — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 02:43:03 -0000

I'm with you Caligirl, come November, we're gonna shock the world. And that speech tonight by HRC, absolute bs. She is a snake, through & through, her damned husband too.

She didn't sound sincere to me, not when endorsing Barack. The only time she warmed up is when she was talking about herself, & her campaign, & why she ran for President, blah, blah. The restraint that the Obama camp has shown this bitch borders on superhuman. I would've booted her ass to the curb a long time ago. I guess he just feels that it's better to keep your enemies close... I'm looking at Nightline right now, & they're just swinging all on the Clintons' dick, like they're some type of heroes. You actually lose track of the fact that she was the loser, very poor loser, in all of this...