Newsweek Article: Is The Obese Black Actress Actress Gabourey Non Threatening To White America Than Beautiful, Slim, & Sexy, Black Women?
Gabby Sidibe: Cover Girl?
By Allison Samuels
A wonderful actress—sure. But putting her on the cover of Elle magazine sends a different, and disturbing, message.
Let me make this point from the very top: Gabourey Sidibe is a wonderful actress. She was pitch-perfect as the abused and ultimately triumphant teenager in Precious and rightly deserved her Oscar nomination for best actress. Watching a smart and talented African-American woman get her due in these racially tense times is something that always makes me cheer.
All of which makes my next observation disturbing, even to me. I hate, hate, hate her new Elle magazine cover, and for many, many reasons. First let’s start with the most important fact of all: Sidibe has done just one movie, yet she’s received beyond her share of press, photo shoots, show-hosting assignments, and magazine articles. Yes, she was nominated for an Oscar, but so was Taraji Henson just two years ago for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. The petite, real-life single mother of a teenage son who also appeared in films such as the critically acclaimed Hustle and Flow received her share of love from traditional black magazines such as Ebony and Essence, but white magazines didn’t seem to find her particular beauty or story coverworthy. Viola Davis was nominated for an Oscar the same year as Henson, for Doubt. The veteran performer (who recently won her second Tony, playing opposite Denzel Washington in Broadway’s Fences) received even less mainstream press than Henson did.
So the complicated question is, why Sidibe? What does Elle see in her that it (or any other beauty magazine) didn’t see in the others? There are actually four Elle covers out this month, and it’s hard to argue that Sidibe’s beauty, however you define it, is of the same type as the three other cover girls: Lauren Conrad, Megan Fox, and Amanda Seyfried. Readers of African-American blogs such as Young, Black and Fabulous and Media Takeout.com, seem to think there’s some kind of conspiracy behind it all—a conspiracy to influence what black beauty is and what it means. Some people on the blogs have even suggested the magazine was making fun of Sidibe, whose styling on the cover leaves much to be desired. Just this week, the magazine released a statement defending Sidibe’s cover and described the actress as an exuberant young lady changing the world. Really? And exactly how is she doing that, with just one film under her belt?
It’s really hard to take Elle seriously on this. In an industry that rarely celebrates the more conventional beauty of black actresses such as Gabrielle Union, Sanaa Lathan, or Kerry Washington on magazine covers, are we really supposed to believe that it’s somehow seen the light with Sidibe? Or is it really the fact that Sidibe‘s plus-size beauty is a nonthreatening beauty? It’s a beauty so completely opposite from the white world’s ideal of attractive that it feels safe to give her all the kudos in the world. Somehow, after one film, Sidibe has so beguiled the fashion and beauty industry that reportedly even mega-makeup artist Bobbi Brown is in discussions with the actress to develop her own makeup line. It’s difficult not to be cynical. Regina King (another wonderful actress who gets little press or fanfare) wrote an article about being mistaken for actress Rutina Wesley from the HBO show True Blood on the Emmys’ red carpet. Not exactly progress for women of color.
With the exception of Halle Berry and Beyoncé (women of either mixed heritage or fairer complexions), African-American female beauty is routinely ignored in television, film, and movies. Only one mainstream cable-television show features an African-American actress (Jada Pinkett Smith) in the lead. And it could be argued that Hawthorne is on only because of the power of Jada Pinkett’s husband, superstar Will Smith.
So why Sidibe? We all know that mainstream has always had a fascination with the so-called exotic look of very dark skin, fuller lips, and broader noses, and it continues to this day. Sidibe represents a look that’s not going to be the big-screen love interest in Ryan Reynolds’s next film. She won’t be considered for the same juicy, high-paying roles that Megan Fox or Kate Hudson will be. Gabrielle Union probably won’t be either, but it won’t be because she doesn’t have the “look.” It will be for the same reasons Regina King gets confused for another black actress on the red carpet and Kerry Washington can’t be the lead in the next romantic comedy. It’s the reason Sanaa Lathan, Nia Long, and many other black actresses can’t find work unless Tyler Perry is making a film. Hollywood and the fashion industry just don’t care.
So while I halfheartedly applaud Elle for attempting to diversify its covers—a move that has taken way too long—I will forever question the real reason it chose to highlight a large woman with such a thin résumé and whose styling needs obviously required skill its staff wasn’t equipped to handle—hence the loud complaints of skin lightening (which Elle denies) and a very, very bad wig. The one good thing that could come from this controversy is that maybe now beauty magazines will stop their knee-jerk reaction to so-called nontraditional beauty and give respect where respect is long overdue.
It’s really hard to take Elle seriously on this. In an industry that rarely celebrates the more conventional beauty of black actresses such as Gabrielle Union, Sanaa Lathan, or Kerry Washington on magazine covers, are we really supposed to believe that it’s somehow seen the light with Sidibe? Or is it really the fact that Sidibe‘s plus-size beauty is a nonthreatening beauty? It’s a beauty so completely opposite from the white world’s ideal of attractive that it feels safe to give her all the kudos in the world. Somehow, after one film, Sidibe has so beguiled the fashion and beauty industry that reportedly even mega-makeup artist Bobbi Brown is in discussions with the actress to develop her own makeup line. It’s difficult not to be cynical. Regina King (another wonderful actress who gets little press or fanfare) wrote an article about being mistaken for actress Rutina Wesley from the HBO show True Blood on the Emmys’ red carpet. Not exactly progress for women of color.
With the exception of Halle Berry and Beyoncé (women of either mixed heritage or fairer complexions), African-American female beauty is routinely ignored in television, film, and movies. Only one mainstream cable-television show features an African-American actress (Jada Pinkett Smith) in the lead. And it could be argued that Hawthorne is on only because of the power of Jada Pinkett’s husband, superstar Will Smith.
So why Sidibe? We all know that mainstream has always had a fascination with the so-called exotic look of very dark skin, fuller lips, and broader noses, and it continues to this day. Sidibe represents a look that’s not going to be the big-screen love interest in Ryan Reynolds’s next film. She won’t be considered for the same juicy, high-paying roles that Megan Fox or Kate Hudson will be. Gabrielle Union probably won’t be either, but it won’t be because she doesn’t have the “look.” It will be for the same reasons Regina King gets confused for another black actress on the red carpet and Kerry Washington can’t be the lead in the next romantic comedy. It’s the reason Sanaa Lathan, Nia Long, and many other black actresses can’t find work unless Tyler Perry is making a film. Hollywood and the fashion industry just don’t care.
So while I halfheartedly applaud Elle for attempting to diversify its covers—a move that has taken way too long—I will forever question the real reason it chose to highlight a large woman with such a thin résumé and whose styling needs obviously required skill its staff wasn’t equipped to handle—hence the loud complaints of skin lightening (which Elle denies) and a very, very bad wig. The one good thing that could come from this controversy is that maybe now beauty magazines will stop their knee-jerk reaction to so-called nontraditional beauty and give respect where respect is long overdue.
Atlanta Constitution Article Tragic News: NFL Star Kenny McKinley Committed Suicide.
South Cobb High School saddened by the death of former football star Kenny McKinley (UPDATED)
11:40 pm September 20, 2010, by Michael Carvell
Kenny McKinley at South Cobb in 2005 (AJC file)
Kenny McKinley’s high school coach had a tough time dealing with the news of the NFL player’s death on Monday night.
McKinley, 23, who was a wide receiver with the Denver Broncos, died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, Colorado detectives told the AP.
“I’m shocked, devastated and in total disbelief because Kenny was one of the most pleasant and happy young men that I’ve ever been around,” former South Cobb assistant coach Derek Cook told the AJC on Monday. “Even when Kenny got in trouble at football practice and had to run, he was still smiling and laughing. I just can’t understand [his death] or believe it.”
At South Cobb, McKinley was one of the greatest players in school history, graduating in 2005. His quarterbacks coach for all four years in high school was Cook, who is now the head coach at Kell High School.
South Cobb’s current coach is Ed Koester, who was hired two years after McKinley’s graduation. However, Koster knew all about McKinley’s legacy at the Austell school and later in college. McKinley went on to have a record-breaking career at the University of South Carolina.
“Obviously, at South Cobb, we are saddened by the news about Kenny,” Koester told the AJC. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
Cook and his former star pupil remained close friends over the years. McKinley spoke to Cook’s team at Kell High School last year. “He talked to the kids about what it takes to make it to the NFL, how hard you have to work, and to listen to your high school coaches,” recalled Cook.
Cook and his wife flew to Denver to watch McKinley play for the Broncos last season.
As a senior at South Cobb in 2005, McKinley played QB and threw for 1,470 yards and 16 touchdowns, while rushing for 750 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was ranked as the nation’s No. 54 athlete by Rivals. The team’s head coach at the time was Shane Queen, who could not be reached for comment on Monday night.
When asked about his favorite memory of McKinley, Cook said, “When he was a freshman, I wanted Kenny to go to the press box with me so he could see what I saw. This was South Cobb’s first varsity game, and Kenny wasn’t on the varsity yet. Kenny is supposed to be studying the game and writing things down. I look over at him and he’s eating chicken wings from the food table. I’m thinking ‘Golly, I’m trying to get his talented freshman to learn something and he’s up here eating food.’
“As it turned out, the next week he was our starting quarterback on the varsity. In one week, he went from eating chicken wings in press box to leading our football team on the field — and he had a great first game. He was smiling and laughing all the way. He was a special player and a special person.”
We will have more updates
South Cobb’s Kenny McKinley (left) after signing with South Carolina in 2005 (AJC)
Sister2Sister Article: Black People & Suicide Why Are We Afraid To Discuss This Important Issue In The Black Community?
S2S gets serious about suicide
Fri, 09/03/2010 – 17:24 — Sonya E
S2S digs deeper into Fantasia’s suicide attempt to shed light on suicide and depression during National Suicide Prevention month.
While we’re so grateful Fantasia wasn’t successful in taking her own life, it made us think: What really gets someone to the point when they’ve had enough? In honor of National Suicide Prevention month (September), we chatted with Dr. Elisa English, a renowned clinician, about two issues that tends to be taboo in the Black community: depression and suicide.
According to her, 5 to 10 percent of African Americans have attempted suicide. What group is most likely to succeed? The answer might surprise you: elderly Black men.
“I think a lot of it has to do with alienation, isolation, ad in some cases men—especially Black men—historically have had to present themselves in a very strong way,” Dr. Elisa said “People holding in stress … Holding in conflict.” She added, ”They really lack somebody to talk to…they feel like [suicide is] the only way out.
With Fantasia in mind, you know we had to ask about the state of our Black women, especially those with some celebrity status. According to Dr. Elisa, Black women “don’t attempt at suicide as much as other ethnicities, but it has increased over these last couple of years.,” the latest numbers being between 2 and 7 percent.
Fantasia’s pill-popping added her to the growing list of celebrities (Ginuwine and Halle Berry, just to name two who have attempted suicide, so we questioned Dr. Elisa about the connection.
“Trying to hold on to an image, unable to meet the standards that people have set out for you,” Dr. Elisa said, listing the reasons why celebs might feel the pressure more than the average Jane or Joe. “Feeling like you have so many people depending on you or you’re being pulled in so many directions, both financially or emotionally. I think it affects them even greater than the average person. They have to deal with so many things pulling at them and oftentimes the response is ‘Maybe things would be better if I could just end this all right now.’”
As far as Fannie is concerned, “I don’t think she fully healed from all that,” Dr. Elisa said. “All the things that she mentioned [as triggers] are still a part of her life… She’s still emotionally torn about her decision to be with this gentleman. The family is still who they are … If that was straining her yesterday, it’s going to be straining her today.” She goes on to say, “I’m not sure whether she’s really been able to resolve all that…What has she done to cope with things?”
What does she suggest next for Fantasia? While Dr. Elisa doesn’t believe in suggesting plans of action to her clients, but she does have one two-letter word for Fannie: “No!” “Learning to say no, learning to set boundaries,” Dr. Elisa listed as ways to start the healing process. “The process is all her. It has to be a process that [she’s] willing to embrace.”
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