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60 comments:
She looks great. I find it funny some people think she is too thin, especially coming from white women. I guess they are more comfortable with a fat, black woman. Haters that's what they are. Black women better wise up and see whats's going on.
Yes! Jennifer lost weight, is getting healthier (which I think is the most important), and you've got black women complaining. Are you serious?! So you wanted Jennifer to stay fat so you would have an ally in fatness or something? No, no, and no.
i do generally hear white women saying that she is too skinny....and yet they worship rail thinness...we are supposed to stay obese and sassy....gtfoh with that
she looks great! not a size 0, lovely slim 4-6, I want to be where she is
The media loves to promote the fat black woman image. In a weight-obsessed country, black women have been the torchbearers for the "Don't feel bad about your fatness" mantra. Once a black woman steps out of that bubble, she is chastized for it.
When I was younger, I was frequently made fun of by my overweight black female "friends" for being too skinny. Even now, one of my friends who wants to lose weight tells me I have no "curves" (which I do). When I was younger, I felt bad about it and thought I needed to gain weight to look "thicker" and have a bigger butt. Sometimes I would overeat in an attempt to gain weight.
Now that I've gained more exposure to global standards, I see that most of the world likes slim women and I'm proud of my body. My taste in men has allowed me to feel more secure in myself as well; no more DBRs telling me I need to gain weight or worrying about not being "thick" enough.
Too thin? She looks wonderful! I'd do her myself if I went that way, LOL.
Wish I looked that good...
Jennifer looked STUNNING. I saw alot of those red carpet dresses and a lot of those women looked washed out and drab. Jennifer wore a beautiful color and she looked amazing. Too skinny? Yeah folks are getting a little scurred b/c that means some BW may be looking at Jen thinking "hmm maybe I too should lose the weight".
This is the MAIN way folks keep BW out of the dating competition in the global village. By trying to make BW feel that its ok to be FAT while other Non Black women are striving to maintain and more healthy trim weight.
BW need to stop falling for the okey doke. We have some of the best bodies out there when in shape. Believe me there are plenty of "others" who don't want to see BW at our optimal health and size. And trust me they are NOT men of other races.
I too notice a lot of WW saying "i liked her better when she was bigger". mmm Hmm I bet you did!
BW will also say this b/c ONCE AGAIN BW are like robots who allow themselves to be programmed by everyone else on what we are supposed to look like, act like etc.
Its time for BW to get a mind of our own and start using common sense. If all other races of women are telling you to do something that they aren't doing themselves (proudly procaliming that being FAT is okay and beautiful), then in the famous words of Khadija, you need to start asking yourself CUI BUENO?
Hee hee... silly white women are just so typical. Jennifer Hudson isn't even remotely "too thin," but I guess they're mad there's one less fat and sassy "Mammy" type for them to objectify!
I think she looks great! I have noticed that sometimes women are threatened when a BW is fit and trim. They are more comfortable when we are "big" aka fat and not in any way seen to be in competition.
It is also threatening to some BW when another BW is fit and trim. It forces them to confront their own physical state and examine the fat is beautiful mantra which is just bs on rye.
I guess all the haters now see her as competition now that she looks lovelier than ever. She is an inspiration to anyone who sees losing weight and getting healthy as a part (one important puzzle piece) of having a good life.
J-Hud was the best looking woman on the Oscar red carpet with Natalie Portman coming in second.
The dress complimented her complexion, and no one looks as good in a "hot" color than a beautiful black woman.
Neecy is right: the other women looked washed out and drab.
Ya'll know I love me some JHud!!! She's the regular black girl who did good (the jury is out on her perpetual boyfriend/baby daddy but oh well). She can now position herself to do anything, go anywhere and partner with a better mate if she chooses. I appreciate the work she's put into her health and yes, her appearance. She looks amazing. The transformation has been a wonder to witness. Some people don't want her to be competition and are concern trolling. She's not underweight and as long as her food intake is nutritionally sound she can be as skinny as she wants!!
When I first saw the picture and the one line post I almost screamed in disgust. I get really testy when bw are chastised for wanting to be a decent weight. At my age it took me over two years to lose 80-85 pounds.
Thankfully I am not around a bunch of jealous women that thought I had lost too much weight. That is complete madness. LEAVE THE WOMAN ALONE. She can starve herself to death if she wants to. SHE IS GROWN and does not have to answer to anyone. Why should she care about what immature, petty, jealous women think?
I'm really glad she got a clue while she is young and get the weight off. You can see it did NOT take her two years to do it. Thank God. She MAY HAVE added years to her life.
This is going to be contrary to everyone else's comments, but I have to agree that Jennifer Hudson looks a bit off. Not necassarily too skinny. When she was a bit larger-it fit her frame. She could have easily lost some weight but not look that skinny. Now her head looks larger than her body-it just looks funny to me.
Sort of like when Star Jones lost all that weight, and now her head looks like it's floating on her body. Not everyone is meant to be skinny or be a size 4/6. I'm no specialist in nutrition or fitness, but I do believe that you can be healthy at different sizes. And no I'm not talking about a size 26.
Furthermore-sometimes it's not always a racial issue or WW wanting BW to stay obese. They are legit in saying that Jennifer looks a bit "too" skinny.
I'm all for health and being fit. But I believe there is a major distinction between being healthy/fit-and trying to be rail thin like every other chick.I know this might be extremely contrary to all the other comments, but I have to state my difference in opinion. I'd rather be healthy at a larger size, than to be rail thin.
Ha these women are just jealous that beautiful Jennifer Hudson not only has lost weight but also maintained her weight unlike their precious Kristy Alley. I've said it before...nothing scares a ww more than a beautiful, attractive, slim, bw. I've seen it for myself @ the work place. Even trying to figure out how I've kept so slim all these years. Go there Jen, rock that body and while you're at go wear a swimsuit for SHAPE magazine!
I meant "cui bono" lol
Do not get me started on this one Halima, please! I am so sick of people, even nutritionists that they show speaking on TV feigning interest, saying that 'Jennifer's lost too much weight and I worry if she's gone too far!'
I can see right through them. Jennifer is not Beyonce or Rihanna, who the media and whoever else may let slip by if either of them lost weight. As a side note, Beyonce said that she lost weight for her role in Dreamgirls. Jennifer started out being the 'fat chick' on American Idol, in Dreamgirls, and in the first Sex and The City movie, and she went on to have a kid.
Jennifer is not supposed to be the one out of all of the currently well-known, higher profile black celeb women to lose weight, and I'm sure that some people out there hate this! LOL But oh well!
The fat mammy look and lifestyle is not for Jennifer, she meant to take upon her self the role of Weight Watchers spokesperson by changing her own eating habits around, and she's done it. What else would they generally expect from a Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig spokesperson?? I mean these people kill me.
They're all full of it. Jennifer Hudson from the very recent pics I have seen of her is no smaller than the white actresses/singers seen at the exact same event; to me their body types all look similar to Jennifer's now.
Jennifer looks a lot like Ciara now on another note, but Jennifer's weight loss is no different or worse than KELLY OSBOURNE's dramatic weight loss of whose the media made a little deal of for about a few seconds and then quickly shut up about it.
Both Kelly Osbourne and Jennifer Hudson have been losing a lot of weight that they have been managing to keep off for a while, but the media has never stated that Kelly 'looks like she's trying to kill herself' or any foolishness like that, and Kelly for years now as a young person has had her weight yo-yo up and down constantly for far too long. The media and others all need to get stuffed, pardon my Britishism as a fellow Brit Halima! LOL
Well at least silly John Galliano's huge faux pas will keep them more occupied for now! LOL
Halle better watch out :-D
I myself have been eating loads of soups and salads (salads only very recently as the weather in London is not as bone-chilling as in December or January) for 97% of the week for the past at least two to three months(?).
Well with the odd piece of candy also, and I need to work on cutting out the pop a bit. I do have a lot of cups or normal (black) tea with milk, no sugar and the very odd Starbucks coffee. I've been walking a lot though even in heels.
Jennifer Hudson looks FANTASTIC!!! She has worked very hard to get her weight under control and live a healthier life. She's an inspiration for us all,in my opniion.
Of course there are going to be WW and other brainwashed BW and BM who are going to think she's "too thin" ...yeah right. That's just pure insecurity and hateration talking. More BW need to understand the whole fat acceptance nonsense as another tactic used to "other" us and force us into the role of mammy or mule and not desirable wife material.
I say congrats to Jennnifer for loving herself enough to ger her weight down and living a healthier, sexier life.
Neecy has already hit the nail on the head, but I will add this: Jen looks amazing with her new body. She always had a beautiful face and, of course, a voice I'd sell one of my brothers for. Now, with her new body, you can bet that a whole lot of BW will be looking at how good Jen looks on the red carpet and will get inspired to lose weight. I've heard several BW comment on how awesome she looks and how they would love to be her size. Does that mean that they will put forth the effort and lose their own excess weight? Not necessarily, but if they don't reject the thought, that's a great start. It's always possible that they may be inspired to commit to the weight loss journey one day.
I'll go so far as to answer the question Neecy posted in her response, where she reminded readers of Khadija's golden question: Cui bono? So many folks benefit from the fat BW stereotype. Catty, jealous women who despise attractive women and who feel the need to discourage other women from being desirable benefit when BW stay fat. The media that wants to promote a "safe" front woman that won't offend it's catty, jealous female customers benefit when BW stay fat. Religious and social organizations whose main source of support is the single woman who has a lot of free time (due to lack of romantic prospects and lagging self-esteem) benefit when BW stay fat. DBRs who prey upon insecure individuals and latch onto these 'host' bodies to get their needs met without feeling the need to reciprocate (because big BW are strong and don't need their help, right? Insert heavy sarcasm here) benefit when BW stay fat. Basically, there are a lot of people who have a vested interest in BW staying fat. The BW who chooses this role, however, is the losing party every time.
When a BW loses weight and levels the playing field as regards attractiveness, the claws and the wagging tongues come out to play. In Jen's case, her gorgeousness was clearly evident before she lost the weight, so now that she's gotten herself down to a sexy, healthy size (and kept her killer hourglass body), it's only natural that those who benefited from her being big would be the biggest naysayers.
I agree when ones' height and weight are in proportion most bw have the best looking bodies.
Yes, most other race women win on the global dating scene when we allow ourselves to become to heavy.
Most men I have spoken with prefer a women with a curvy body rather than a flat chest, flat butt and no hips, that descripton sounds more like a boy than a woman.
lois
l.
Jennifer looks GREAT!
lois
Hollywood has always been obsessed with weight-Black or White. Anytime someone steps out of their role they will try to push them back in. For example, Kate Winslet's weight is still a topic of discussion, the model Crystal Ren, and Sara Rue are white women who are synonymous with weight obsessive hollywood. The article and comments are also supportive of her weight loss, and most people will be too once they get used to it.
Although I adored Jen's color choice (proving medium/dark bw can look good in bright colors), the dress style was a poor choice and it made her look awkward in the bust area.
Anonymous:
Kate Winslet's weight is still a topic of discussion, the model Crystal Ren, and Sara Rue are white women who are synonymous with weight obsessive hollywood. The article and comments are also supportive of her weight loss, and most people will be too once they get used to it.
Although I adored Jen's color choice (proving medium/dark bw can look good in bright colors), the dress style was a poor choice and it made her look awkward in the bust area.
Crystal Renn is very pretty on a side note, however what you've said reminds me of Christina Hendricks, the super-hourglassy redhead from Mad Men. I read in a UK magazine that Christina said that almost none of the designers out there would make a dress for her to wear to these events, she was quoted saying this actually. She once wore a Zac Posen dress though, but Christina claims no one's really clamouring to dress her even now.
This is why I'm so glad that Jennifer Hudson is so much smaller now. Because now she can wear anything! Nothing can stop her now that she's out of the plus category. 'They' can all dress Jennifer now without claiming that they 'don't go up to that size'.
Which leads me to what you said about her dress. My friend, another BW, didn't like Jennifer's Oscars dress either but she liked its color; she said the dress looked a bit baggy in places on her. She said it looked like Jennifer bought the dress in a larger size, lost all the weight, and had them take the same dress in which ended up not looking as good on her.
I think that the dress is OK. It's got a great color, and it's not horrible but it could have been a bit better. Jennifer should next time wear a dress with a slimmer, simpler skirt to it next time to show off the new slimness, in my opinion.
I think this is why people slam Chanel Iman and Zoe Saldana, because they don't fit any of the BF stereotypes.
Now some people don't know how to categorize Jennifer Hudson, and anyone who's lost weight here knows how family and friends get down when it comes to us getting down in size.
"Oh you look sick."
"You're too small now, men like something to hold onto."
"You need to eat girl!"
It's utterly ridiculous!
Even funnier, it would have been smart for Ebony and Essence to snap her up for their January or February covers, but People and InStyle got to Jennifer right after her weight-loss.
Essence went with Steve Harvey for January, the most popular month out of the year to promote health and wellness! *faints*
LOL, yes she looks hot!!!
" dress style was a poor choice and it made her look awkward in the bust area."
I really don't see the problem with her dress, most of the negative/criticisms of her, her dress and her boobies has been from (certain types of) women. My husband along with his father and his friends said she looked damn good!--all white men-- no criticisms there!!
This woman has been through so much in her short life, so I will say Congrats!!
Jennifer looks fabulous!
Although I do agree that some people's head does look bigger when they lose weight that doesn't seem to be the case with Jen IMO.I just don't think her head looks big.Monique on the other hand is a pretty and big head chica lol's.
I'm so happy for Jen.I hope she keeps going forward.I wish her much success.
Truth P
I simply can't believe that anyone would say that she's too skinny. This is a NORMAL size! The way she was before was unhealthy and far, far from the best she could be. I got the biggest grin on my face when I saw her at the Oscars- ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!!!
I equally can't believe that anyone would believe that she 'looked better' as she was before. It just goes to show how low the expectations of BW's beauty stands in modern society. The sad thing about this though is that a large proportion of these low expectations are held by BW themselves! It's like BW are embarrassed to look at a beautiful BW and announce her so! They feel comfortable picking their contemporaries apart instead. Finding flaws is like a favourite hobby. It's pathetic.
Go, Jennifer! You are an inspiration to those BW who are clued up about the advantages of looking your best.
Duchy
She looks absolutely wonderful, and she has defined for HERSELF how she wishes to look. She has added years to her life by getting rid of the excess weight and avoiding all the diseases that go with obesity. AS many have mentioned before, look at the criticism with a critical eye. Cui bono indeed.
I agree she looks great! Though I think the cut of the dress could have benefited from some modifications; it made her cleavage look flattened in a weird way; I'm glad she lost the weight. I think she's a great example of how beautiful a regular brown skinned black woman can be with proper diet and exercise. Now she'll have more freedom to wear a variety of more flattering clothing, more energy, healthier lifestyle, longer life etc.
I do believe various members of the media are jealous because they're so accustomed to seeing large black women; to see a black woman who was overweight and beautiful lose weight and still look beautiful with all the curves, beautiful skin, money and talent that Jen has makes them uneasy, uncomfortable-threatened. They're not used to it. It might have been different for a light skinned black woman in hollywood, but for a black woman who looks like many other black women to look so stunning with just a bit of weight loss! Think of the competition that might pose if other black women took that lead! No one wanted to get rid of mammy back in the day either. Mammy made every body feel better about themselves-everyone that is except for mammy herself.
I hope that she proves to be an example for regular black women that being a healthy weight, exercising, eating right etc is not incompatible with being black & female.
"I really don't see the problem with her dress, most of the negative/criticisms of her, her dress and her boobies has been from (certain types of) women. "
Dear Caridad,
I'm going to assume that you weren't implying that I am "certain types" of women seeing as you don't know me. As for the rest of your comment, Jennifer has never been a good dresser and that is something some people have to develop-and she will with time. I don't think she has a "fashion voice" yet, but I think her weight loss will afford her the opportunity to experiment more and get better with time. Although the color was good, her bust area looked slightly discolored and the style (IMO was tacky). Like Nicole Richie (remember what a mess she was), she should work with a good stylist until she is ready to do it on her own.
I guarantee you your husband wasn't commenting on Jen's dress, because men generally are talking about the body/face when they say a woman is looking good.
And maybe I missed the memo here, but a white man (or any man's) opinion holds no more validity than mine. Especially when it comes to relatively small things like fashion.
Jennifer looks fabulous, people who think that she is too thin, like to see fat black women all over, because she has a trim healthy body, she is no longer, "Mammy will take care of us".
Well Done Jennifer!
I am on the floor in hysterical laughter! This is very transparent. She is gorgeous!
I just hope they don't try and hurt her sales in any way.
ANON 11:46PM, catch that knee sweetie, assumptions --like my mother always say--will always make a person look like.... Because you are correct in stating that "I DON'T KNOW YOU." So if YOU felt as though as was talking about YOU, then... I guess I was.
I think this all shows:
- that anytime the press refuses to show this image, like the gracefully aged black woman and others (Angela Basset..invisible) opting for Aretha-types.
- Any time a black woman wears tasteful makeup (not any kind of “ghetto” makeup like bright-blue eyeshadow and heavy black lip liner over gold lipstick), and generally looks “put together” in she’s assumed shallow or materialistic.
- How a black woman in bright colors is considered flashy and demanding attention (maybe this is a complexion issue that we can “glow” in bright colors that wash other women out, but I don’t know).
-How a black woman with pearly white eyes, bright teeth and a pleasing demeanor around white men is considered “cooning”, when there’s absolutely nothing wrong with making others comfortable and relaxed around you.
-How a black woman who accentuates her beauty or who wants to feel beautiful is looked at with immense suspicion.
- No other forms of confidence matter as much as a woman who has a heartwarming smile, a great heart, and knows her best attributes (mental, professional, physical) and appears humble them.
- That black women, when they take care of their skin, it’s just luminescent, and I’ve seen MANY black female stars covered in grease and no makeup in Hollywood movies (while their white coworkers are flawless from large amounts of powder and 15k makeup jobs). (CLAWS NOTED!)
Ladies…Remember when the claws come out, they don’t get put back in by diminishing your light. If there’s one thing I learned, it’s that people will HATE and sabotage you, no matter how much you try to play second fiddle to avoid being a threat.
Jhud proves that when black women take care of ourselves, we’re absolutely radiant. I’d be threatened too.
Xoxo
Ic0n
I see from the comments that I am not the only one who "got it" so to speak. It is just too obvious---see white woman are much more comfortable with the fat black woman singing the blues and moping around.
Because these fat black women are then "out of the game" of competition for the most part for the white men.
It's as clear as day, these same white woman fashionistas rally behind a white woman losing her baby fat and gush and awe at "how fast Heidi Klum, or any other white woman" got back "in shape".
But --OH no--- a beautiful black woman gets into shape and is in no way backing away from the spotlight -- and all hell in the fashion commenter world breaks out.
I say more power to JHud!!! Keep doing what your doing - you are an inspiration to me!!
oshun thats my fear for her, that there will be no more parts for her to play in movies.
To Icon: I agree with your comments
and also with your last blog.
"No other forms of confidence matter as much as a woman who has a heartwarming smile, a great heart, and knows her best attributes (mental, professional, physical) and appears humble them."
lois
Again, Zoe Saldana wants to be known as a Hispanic woman. Although, she looks more like an AA woman.
l.
Yes, it is up to us to lead the parade in congratulating Jennifer on her weight loss accomplishments. She is able to move more freely and play with her child and not lose her breath. Good for you Jennifer.
Jennifer is smart enough to know her own mind and what an intelligent mind it is!
lois
Jennifer and her associates can make her own movie.
@Dr. Iglia:
"Furthermore-sometimes it's not always a racial issue or WW wanting BW to stay obese. They are legit in saying that Jennifer looks a bit "too" skinny."
Your opinion aside (you are entitled to it and I can even understand where you are coming from), do you really believe that there is no subtle indignation at the fact that JHud, a BW, lost weight and is no longer the "pleasant fat girl?" Sure, people can think that JHud looks too skinny, but what white actress her size is dubbed too skinny?? How is it that Gwenyth Paltrow was praised for showing up flat-chested in a dress that definitely did not hide the fact that she lacked curves, while size-6 and still slightly curvy Jennifer Hudson is "too skinny?"
Where are the dieticians worried about Gwen? Or is it that she is expected to be tiny precisely because of her race? So, with personal opinions of Jennifer Hudson's weight aside, we need to ask ourselves, are there any white actresses in Hollywood who are a size 6 and deemed too skinny? It's not a sin to acknowledge that WW benefit greatly from fat acceptance amongst BW.
As a heterosexual wm let me say that I've always found Jennifer Hudson attractive but she looks fantastic now. Any woman who says otherwise is probably jealous.
"So if YOU felt as though as was talking about YOU, then... I guess I was."
Caridad,
In your attempt to sound clever you forgot that I didn't need to "feel" anything. Your post was a reply to my comment and I simply reminded you that a woman with her own mind can have an opinion that differs from yours... or should I say your white-husband approved opinion without being a "certain type" LOL. That was unnecessary dig and I'm sure you know that. Then it took that whole useless paragraph for you to woman-up and admit "I guess I was". Sigh...recess is over.
As for JHud
I have to say another advantage she has is her likability. People seem to really really like her and want her to succeed. If I were her I would find a good stylist (I know people hate Rachel Zoe but she is good IMO, or someone with Tim Gun's knowledge) and work with them until I develop my own eye.
Then, I think a good diction/accent coach would help Jen tremendously. Like Rosie Perez, she has strong regional accent and the earlier she learns to tone it down the better. Alexander Skarsgard and Christian Bale are both actors who worked with coaches to learn to manipulate their speech and tone. Some people don't even know Alex is European.
Call me an optimist but I think people want Jhud to succeed and all she needs is another great role to prove that she's more than just a singer. She's very easy on the eyes and is gracious and feminine. She could be competition for Kerry Washington (another under-employed beauty).
As for Angela Bassett (amazingly ageless BTW, saw her in person and she looks about 32), she is very picky about roles. She was offered Monsters Ball and refused it. People kinda laugh because she only picks the good girl/strong black woman roles. She refuses to play Hollywood's game, and that's why we haven't seen her much. She did that movie with DiNero (he sought her out), and Akeelah and the Bee. She is one person I wish would get into producing and directing. She sticks to her morals and would produce quality films that reflect that. Vivica Fox makes a lot of straight to DVD movies now and although they aren't great IMO, some people love them and she is making money. Black people, especially women cannot rely on Hollywood to pave a way for us. Many of the bigger black stars we have now started off in films produced and directed by blacks and stood out there first, before making it into mainstream.
BTW, Zoe identifies as Black and Latina. She has stated that several times.
About Zoe Saldana you need to go and look at IMDB and look at her personal quotes. In the very first one she says she's a black woman and the interviewer tries to make her say she's just a dark-skinned person and she says let's get this right I am a black woman. I'm just tired of hearing people say she wants to be known as hispanic when there is a public quote of her saying different. Doesn't sound like someone trying to be something else to me.
Im a skinny. I never had to diet. Unlike all of my friends. Recently, I went to a baby shower which many of my long lost school friends attended. They all blew up. But wore clothes that did not suit them. Unfortunately, all women, including skinny ones like me, can't wear any and everything. But many of my sistas didnt get that memo.
Im skinny with little curves and Im ok with it. My husband doesnt mind, either.
Skinny Women Rock. LOL
@ Halima
I agree. I know of a few BW when I was growing up who I thought were beautiful and elegant and they were pushed onto the sidelines and then fell off the face of the earth. It would be a shame as I can really see her as a leading lady/romantic interest.
I also think that she is threatening to others for several reasons. She no longer fits the acceptable BW script in so many ways. Her weight loss was just the straw that broke the camel's back.
I want to preface this by saying I don't agree with her whole fiance situation, but I noticed that Oprah did something like loose a montage of her and her child.
Most times when Black motherhood is shown it is negative. There is some drama or she is deviant etc
So you have a BW, who is attractive, intelligent, successful, and appears to be a good mother...
Even though she has had some awful things to happen to her -I am sure that her having this much going for her that flies in the face of what BW are supposed to be or supposed to be experiencing really disturbs some people.
They can't come for her for anything else so they have to come for her about her "weight" under the guise of deep concern of course.
Jennifer Hudson looks amazing, and I really hope she looks at the criticism from certain quarters with a discerning eye. People would rather have her fit the archetype of the fat, black mammy. I don't see anyone expressing such consideration for the myriads of bulimic caucasian actresses in Hollywood.
Off Topic - to the people slandering Zoe Saldana, please read the below:
"
Personal Quotes
When I go to the D.R., the press in Santo Domingo always asks, "¿Qué te consideras, dominicana o americana?" (What do you consider yourself, Dominican or American?) I don't understand it, and it's the same people asking the same question. So I say, time and time again, "Yo soy una mujer negra." ("I am a black woman.") [They go,] "Oh, no, tú eres trigueñita." ("Oh no, you are 'dark skinned'") I'm like, "No! Let's get it straight, yo soy una mujer negra." ("I am a black woman.") "
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0757855/bio
Not because you would choose to be something other than black, given the chance, means that others would. Smh. Why else are people making these ridiculous assertions?
Jennifer Hudson looks fantastic! After all she's been through, she's come out on top and is determined to stay there. She has extended years to her life and has made the haters uncomfortable which proves she's on the right track.
I'm so happy for this sister.
Off topic also, but I just want to clarify this because 10 its an important issue that relates to BWE 2) its often an issue of contention in the black community due to what often appears to be a limited view of the world outside of the US & tension that's been created in the black community to pit minorities against each other-often AA women against black women of other ethnic descents. Usually telling AA women they are less attractive, etc, than "Hispanic" women despite the fact that there are black Hispanic people & that is in no way true.
People can have multiple ethic identities just because Saladana is Hispanic doesn't mean she's not black also. There are black Hispanic people, white Hispanic people, mestizo Hispanic people etc. Hispanic just denotes people who are born in (or have ancestry from) the Spanish speaking and Portuguese speaking countries of the "New World". It's a cultural ID. Just like being from the Caribbean, Africa, Europe or Asia doesn't make a black person "less black", being Hispanic doesn't mean someone isn't black or cant identify/appreciate their blackness.
We have too many restrictive definitions of what is "black", often to our detriment, including saying being thin isn't black or being intelligent/educated, speaking with proper diction etc, isnt black. Just like Halima & Evia often mention the ABC and black community seek to limit black women (and people in general) and tell us how to behave, think, identify. Then they threaten you by revoking your "black card" if you dont comply.
@Anon 12:35AM
"As for Angela Bassett (amazingly ageless BTW, saw her in person and she looks about 32), she is very picky about roles. She was offered Monsters Ball and refused it. People kinda laugh because she only picks the good girl/strong black woman roles. She refuses to play Hollywood's game, and that's why we haven't seen her much. She did that movie with DiNero (he sought her out), and Akeelah and the Bee. She is one person I wish would get into producing and directing. She sticks to her morals and would produce quality films that reflect that. Vivica Fox makes a lot of straight to DVD movies now and although they aren't great IMO, some people love them and she is making money. Black people, especially women cannot rely on Hollywood to pave a way for us. Many of the bigger black stars we have now started off in films produced and directed by blacks and stood out there first, before making it into mainstream."
Hell yeah! I would love to see her at least produce her own movies. She has the power to cast herself and others, hire whoever she wants to be director, writer etc. Even though Vivica's flicks ain't that great I do check them out for support. I love the fact that she started producing her own movies. She even stated that she realized she made more from being a producer and having control of greenlighting films than she did acting.
(Anonymous20 - just differentiating)
I'm not seeing the too skinny here. She looks great. I think that she's inspiring. I think that a lot of the comments have hit the nail on the head. People are more comfortable with the image of a fat black woman, particularly a black woman who looks specifically black, not Halle Berry black (no offense to Ms. Berry). Jennifer's new look is a bit too hot to handle for some. I know it's cliche, but "You go girl!"
@ Bered re your comments
The ABC-bw don't realize that by limiting other bw, they're also limiting themselves. That's karma.
One reason why this is done is the same reason I mention bm so much in my essays. SO MANY AA women view other bw through the lens of DBRbm. Until these bw can STOP looking at issues and people through the eyes of these damaged men and the NUMEROUS non-critically thinking zombie bw who support them, they're always going to be in the dead zone.
I've noticed that there tends to be an ugly level of competition among many bw for the few crumbs of higher functioning bm, so they think that by beating down another bw, they can win one of the crumbs.
For ex., many bw will look at ZOE and not like her because they KNOW that a lot of AA men would PREFER this type of bw--not just for her looks but because she is from another ethnicity. It's painful for many AA women to accept and face the fact that many AA men seek/prefer "otherness" (non-AAness) even in bw.
In the interviews that Dr. Kellina Craig Henderson (Howard Univ. Social Psychologist) did with numerous bm and the non-AA women they dated, they confirmed this.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2006/06/08/DI2006060800820.html
Please read this whole article but here's a statement from a black Latina re this:
Observations from a Latina/Black woman: I am from a Spanish-speaking Caribbean island...in my case, that means I am both black and Latina. So, I feel that I have a special insight in this topic. This is because I have noticed again and again that when African-American men learn that I am not just black, but also speak Spanish and come from a different culture their interest in me increases exponentially. I just feel that African-American men feel like they have a "prize" in their hands if they are not dating a plain jane African-American woman, but instead someone exotic that somehow elevates their status.
I have noticed that for them it's important to brag they are not just with a black woman, but also a Latina from the Caribbean AND who speaks Spanish...they are besides themselves!!!
This is a SICK, SICK, SICK situation. The ONLY chance that a LOT of AA women have is to stop paying ANY attention to crumbs (because most of these guys are never going to commit to a 'plain Jane AA woman' IF they can get the 'other' or 'other' looking women). Bw desperately need to drop these self-limiting attitudes and all of this "black card" stuff and FLEE because none of this is going to end anytime soon.
@Evia, I read the entire WashPo article. It clearly shows the situation bw face in great detail.
I am so glad that I never judged men by their skin hue. This sad article about Jennifer Hudson is one aspect of it. In some circles no matter what bw do we will be chastised for it. Every bw might as well do what she wants to do and enjoy herself. It is wonderful that she has control of her weight now while young. Believe me it is a lot harder to lose 1/3 or 1/2 of your weight when you get my age.
No one is slandering Zoe Saldana.
Lets move on.
I'm glad the full discussion about non-AA women who may share black ancestry was brought up. The other aspect is with regards to the roles someone like Saldana portrays or may get cast in comes from some of the same mess. Also, her characters have mostly been African-American women so while it's not her "fault" there is still privilege at play here.
Angela Basset also portrayed Biggie Smalls' mother which I wouldn't exactly call a stellar or uplifting role. Too many blacks are still WAITING to be acknowledged and to get cast in someone else's production instead of starting their own companies and teaming up together.
I didn't want to beat the dead horse over JHud's perpetual "fiance". She may need to continue exploring ALL of her options before marrying him now. He had his chance! If she's the one with cold feet, perhaps she'll need to figure out why as well.
She looks DYNAMITE! Too skinny?.....LOL!...Where? Jennifer don't listen to them love they just want you to be fat again and you ain't going back to that all the hard work and effort you put into losing your weight.
In terms of this comment .....
"Crystal Renn is very pretty on a side note, however what you've said reminds me of Christina Hendricks, the super-hourglassy redhead from Mad Men. I read in a UK magazine that Christina said that almost none of the designers out there would make a dress for her to wear to these events, she was quoted saying this actually. She once wore a Zac Posen dress though, but Christina claims no one's really clamouring to dress her even now."
This is the sickness of hollywood. C Hendricks has the best body out there. I would kill to look like her, I even go the idea to die my hair that bright red hue from her. HTe problem is with the designers. She is what a curvy woman looks like, and she mirrors the screen sirens of old.
I think JHud is very pretty, even with the 'large head' because i have one too--it looks rather pretty paired up with the shoulders and breasts--Marilyn Monroe also had a 'large head' or looked like she did
Faith said:
I didn't want to beat the dead horse over JHud's perpetual "fiance". She may need to continue exploring ALL of her options before marrying him now. He had his chance! If she's the one with cold feet, perhaps she'll need to figure out why as well.
Amen to that!!
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