Questions That Need Answers????

Yesterday was Veteran’s Day and I was not in the mood to celebrate. Sure I am grateful for their service and I even text my veteran friends to let them know I was proud of them. America just hasn’t been feeling like land of the free or home of the brave to me. There are a lot issues stemming from the defunding of Planned Parenthood to the police brutality on Black people. Why is birth control still a topic of discussion in politics? Why are police gunning down Black people daily? Why was a teen girl assaulted by a school resource officer? Why is history repeating itself? What happened to America?

Women in the Media

The one thing that the media has forced into the minds of their watchers is that appearance is the most important thing a woman has going for her. Appearance alone, not education, motherhood, career, etc but only the way she looks. By promoting all type of production commercials where women are portrayed as perfect human beings. They have perfect hair, perfect bodies, perfect clothes, and their skin is flawless. These commercials have given us the impression that every woman must be super skinny to be beautiful. This is a typical gender stereotype in America that damages some women’s self-esteem. This opens up a whole window of problems regarding a woman’s expectations of her own beauty or attractiveness. Not to mention men will now hold women to higher beauty expectations because of what they see in the media. Can you imagine a young girl dealing with low self-esteem and constantly being reminded by the media of how she should look? I think it’s truly devastating. Will the media ever promote positive images of women?

Love, Sex, Communication: The Talk Your Parents Didn't Have With You

When a child brings up sex to their parents, the parents acts uncomfortable. Parents assume children will get this information from somewhere, just not them. People need to know about love, sex, and communication before entering relationships. It's a parent's job to educate their children not just the school's. It’s this type of failed communication that leads parents to being outraged when their kids explore sexuality. If you were in sync with your child and talked to your child then you wouldn’t be surprised by their choices.  You would be prepared whether you agreed or not. If people are taught about love, sex, and how to comfortably communicate from their parents, I believe marriages would lasts longer. I often think how my adult life would be different if my mom would have talked to me about sex, love, and communication.

Are You Doing Your Part?

Racism has been a heavy topic in America for at least the past four or five years. I will be the first to admit that I am Pro Black. Wait let me finish. Being Pro Black does not mean I am a racist. It’s just that every time I turn on the radio or get on social media an unarmed person of color has been shot dead by police. The majority of these victims are males. The media then attacks the victims by pointing out every flaw in their life as if the flaws justify their death. White people post racist posts demeaning the situation and tell us to get over it. Black people post status pointing out the Black on Black crime as if justifying these deaths by police. I was literally commenting to my American brothers and sisters daily trying shed light that nothing you say justifies the deaths of Black people being killed by police for these petty crimes or no crimes at all. I had to take a step back and limit all social media because my heart was becoming too heavy. It hurts to be living in a country divided by race. I went home to Arkansas over the weekend and noticed at least fifteen homes with new rebel flags all over their yards. I am from a very small town so this is a lot. While I am home I see that nothing has changed in the Black communities and we’re still fighting each other and bringing each other down. At this point, I am lost but I won’t give up on my people or my country. All I can do is my part and stand on my ancestors’ backs letting them know that their fighting for us to have education and voting rights was not in vain. This is possibly to be continued…..

What's It To You?

I personally feel that a person should be whomever they desire to be if it is not causing physical harm to the next person. I was born a girl. I have never questioned this. I have never had a reason to because I am comfortable in this skin. I have grown into a young woman and I love everything about it. However, this is not the case for all people. I can’t imagine living as a woman and being uncomfortable in my own body or live as a man and being uncomfortable in my own body. When people open about their ill feelings regarding their gender or sex, I know that it takes some bravery to do so. These people are met with ridicule and insults from their fellow American brother and sisters. I still don’t understand why. Who are we to shame someone for doing right by themselves? By doing right, I mean doing what makes them happy. I can understand that those close to these individuals may be confused especially if children are involved. I believe if a person is struggling to find comfort in being a woman or man then they should take action quickly as possible. Acting quickly could result in the person not living a lie or forcing others to live a lie. I understand why people do struggle for so long before acting because transgender related issues are frowned upon in America. Yes, many people are affected by a person’s decision to identify as transgender but the people who matter will understand. Besides, in most cases it’s outsiders who don’t matter who have the meanest things to say. What’s it to you anyways?