Author Sophia Nelson says image of black women needs a ‘makeover’

[Blue_Tires]

Black Woman Redefined will be released in paperback Nov. 20, with new essays and an interview with First Lady Michelle Obama. In this book, writer Sophia Nelson lays waste to the age-old stereotypes of black women as angry, loud-mouthed, and out of shape by creating new images through letters and essays. Her goal is to show another side and perhaps recreate, reinvent, and redefine what it means to be a black woman.

“Too many of us have been living in the shadows of how others have mis-defined us as black women since slavery, Jim Crow, Civil Rights era and even now,” said Nelson. “It’s time for us to take care of us first instead of taking care of everyone else, as we far too often do. It’s time to change the game in a new century, for a new outcome.” …

http://postscriptd.com/the-image-of-black-women-needed-a-makeover-says-author/

[psychmommy]

1. Thanks blue tires this needed to be said.

Some people only see the black folks on tv and think we are all just like that.

[Dooby]

2. Yes.. I agree. Black Women have been misdefined by the media and others..

I am astounded to see this topic as I'm a black woman and I've been thinking heavily about this for the past couple of days. From my years in corporate america I have finally came to the conclusion that black women are largely reviled and stereotyped as soon as we get hired, before we ever speak a word to anyone. I have seen black women be treated awful. Not just in one job but every position I've ever had. I am sick of it. I am sick of always having my word doubted or seeing my friends get mistreated.

This is due in large part by the media. BLack women are beautiful. Black women are good mothers and make very good wives. But the media has done an expert job of turning everyone against us. Even our own men. Even corporate america. Even ourselves. Black women run down more than any other women and straighten our hair and lighten our skin. We try to starve ourselves to achieve those super skinny bodies when our skeletal build doesn't allow that.

Black women need to love ourselves. Go natural. Start our own businesses. Support each other. Black women have been under assault for quite some time. It's time people start researching why and what can be done to remake our image.

[Blue_Tires]

3. Welcome to the site, Dooby!

[seabeyond]

4. welcome to du.

i love your post. i want to hear this so loud and clear across the nation. couldnt agree with you more.

[Number23]

7. I agree with so much of your post

The only thing I think we disagree on is I honestly don't know many black women that have tried in even the tiniest, most minute or miniscule way to emulate mainstream (read: white) ideals of beauty -- outside of our heads, that is, with the hair straightening and weaves (but hell, white women use weaves more than black women do now).

The vast, and I mean the VAST majority of the black women I know and have known realize that the beauty "standards" that exist for the Vogues and Cosmos and the fashion and beauty industry in America are made of sand. That those people have to try to so hard to minimize the beauty of black (and Asian, Latina, Pacific Islander etc. etc. etc) women as a way to prop themselves up. It's an empire of sand and everyone sees it. And when it finally crumbles to the ground and ALL of our beauty is acknowledged, then the beauty industry can finally begin to call itself that in all honesty.

[Party Favors]

5. I hope Ms. Nelson sends a copy to

Sheri Shepherd of The View. I am so embarassed for her even when she's not embarassed for herself. It's tragic how she embraces these stereotypes and gets paid a great deal to do so.

[JustAnotherGen]

6. I'm sending copies

To Graham and McCain . . . so they can learn to shut their filthy mouths.