Last week, a student of mine in Kindergarten in the Elementary school I work for showed his “private area” to another male student, while singing, “I’m Sexy and I Know It” by LMFAO. I asked him where he learned to do that and he simply said he learned it from television.

Two weeks ago, two girls in 2nd grade were discussing the difference between animals who lay eggs and animals who do not. The girls stated that guys release sperm in the mom and they get pregnant and have the baby 9 months later with a belly button, whereas animals that lay eggs do not.

Though this is somewhat accurate, these two girls were well aware of the biological steps to reproduction, a discussion that is awkwardly saved for them in junior high school. When I asked where they learned this information, which I assumed would be from their parents, I was quickly caught off guard when they said they saw it on Family Guy. An cartoon television series that is known for it’s offensive, adult humor that is definitely not suitable for children.

It is clear that these two examples are definitely eyebrow raisers for concerned parents. Though I wish I could teach them about comprehensive sex education, it is not my place to. That is saved for the awkward pubescent stage in junior high, in which girls and boys are already exploring their bodies and sexual drives. These situations make me ponder…

Is elementary school too early to discuss comprehensive sex education?

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hey. i am attening karachis new media training. 

Earlier today, I read an article that was posted in Psychology Today, a prominent magazine known for its groundbreaking research. Today however, I am blowing the whistle on an article written by Satoshi Kanazawa in which he ranks races (Caucasian, Native American, Asian, Latino, and African-American) on their physical attractiveness.

This article has already been pulled off Psychology Today's website, but screenshots and tweets around the world have already gotten wind of this and are calling it out. You can read the article here: webcache.googleusercontent.com/search.

Rather than rant away, I will compile a list of BS findings that I have found in his research:

BS #1: So women of all races are on average more physically attractive than the "average" Add Health respondent, except for black women... black women are statistically no different from the "average" Add Health respondent, and far less attractive than white, Asian, and Native American women.

Um, where is your research to back up these claims? Do you have a list of participants that were surveyed in your study? If so, what are the demographics and what did you rate them on?

BS #2: It is very interesting to note that, even though black women are objectively less physically attractive than other women, black women (and men) subjectively consider themselves to be far more physically attractive than others.

Are we as Black women supposed to believe that we are unattractive because other people ranked us below average on a BS survey? I'm actually proud of the Black women who participated in the study (even though there shouldn't have been one in the first place). High self-esteem is a wonderful attribute, especially living in a society that makes us feel inadequate and less than average in comparison to our eurocentric looking peers.

BS #3: What accounts for the markedly lower average level of physical attractiveness among black women? Black women are on average much heavier than nonblack women. The mean body-mass index (BMI) at Wave III is 28.5 among black women and 26.1 among nonblack women. (Black and nonblack men do not differ in BMI: 27.0 vs. 26.9.) However, this is not the reason black women are less physically attractive than nonblack women.

Well then if BMI and weight were not reasons for physical attractiveness, then why did you have to state that? To lower people's expectations of us? BS!

BS #4: Net of intelligence, black men are significantly more physically attractive than nonblack men.

This quote discusses intelligence as a factor in physical attractiveness and states that even if Black women are smarter, we still are not as attractive as Black men. Well, okay. I guess my potential Bachelor's degree will not account for anything because I'm ugly to you anyway.

BS #5:  The only thing I can think of that might potentially explain the lower average level of physical attractiveness among black women is testosterone. Africans on average have higher levels of testosterone than other races, and testosterone, being an androgen (male hormone), affects the physical attractiveness of men and women differently. Men with higher levels of testosterone have more masculine features and are therefore more physically attractive. In contrast, women with higher levels of testosterone also have more masculine features and are therefore less physically attractive. The race differences in the level of testosterone can therefore potentially explain why black women are less physically attractive than women of other races....

The worst one of all. After reading all this ridiculousness, Kanazawa believes that the reason Black women are less physically attractive than women of other races is because we have higher testosterone levels. -_-  BULLS**T!!!!

As if Black women weren't faced with enough social stigmas, we now have to deal with "researchers" thinking that our testosterone levels make us unattractive. This only proves that we still have to fight and prove to people that non-eurocentric physical features are beautiful. Anything different than what we see in advertisements, on television, on the internet, and in our daily lives is gorgeous.

For decades, phony researchers have conducted racist tests and theories that told us that Black people were less intelligent, beastly, and that we were inferior to other races. But just as those theories have been disproven, we can definitely disprove this research.

Black women, actually, all women of color who were ranked lower than caucasians, you are BEAUTIFUL inside and out. Research doesn't have to determine that for you. We are all different and unique in our own way. Personally, I think Satoshi Kanazawa can kiss his career goodbye because I highly doubt anyone will take his research seriously after this if he continues to mislead people's perceptions of beauty.

I have always been an advocate for counseling and psychological services for anyone who feels like they need help. I have given referrals, suggestions and advice about issues for young women throughout my college years, but I have never taken the time out to seek help myself.

Recently, I have had issues dealing with demons in my past. As they keep confronting me, I continue to push them back in the closet and keeping busy with activities that will allow me to ignore them. It is something I do not condone others to do, yet here I am doing it myself. 

Needless to say, ignoring my issues has only made my situation worse.

As an advocate for young women of color, I believe that one of the best remedies to ending our oppression in a male dictated world is to communicate, to establish discussion to eliminate ignorance and bring forth change. For so long, I have been providing a voice for others and have not been speaking up for myself. I think it is time for that to end.

The next few weeks will be an road I've never come across and I have a huge fear of uncertainty. I am writing this as a means of release, to seek understanding within myself and also support from my fellow peers. I am going finally building up the courage to get the counseling services I need and praying that I come out a more confident person. It is a scary obstacle to go through, but I am doing what is best for me.

If you feel a similar way, I highly recommend pressing pause in your busy life and evaluating your options. It is so easy for us to occupy ourselves with social activities, school, and relationships that we never take any time alone to deal with our own problems. It is not a sign of weakness to tell yourself to take a break, it shows strength and power to allow time to get better and breathe. Whether you seek help through professional counseling, friends, or family, take time to release it all. Definitely don't deal with it alone. Someone is there for you and is willing to give listening ear. 

I love you all. :)

Hello all!

As you may already know, today is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.

For me, it is an awful truth to know that my people make of 13% of the American population, but what's worse is knowing that 49% of that small minority are infected with HIV/AIDS.

I ponder about these shocking statistics; why are Black people so disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS?

There are so many different factors that are the cause for that question. 

* Lack of education about safe sex

*Lack of resources available to Black communities

* Socioeconomic issues

* The fear of getting tested

* Relationship issues

* Drugs and violence in our Black neighborhoods

The list goes on.

Recently, I went to a panel discussion held by SF State University's Africana Studies Department about the rise of HIV/AIDS in the Black Community.  In this excerpt, Prof. Dr. Richards discusses the stigmas and stereotypes of HIV/AIDS and how it negatively affects Black people. 

New technological advances definitely has it's pros and cons. With social networking tools, such as facebook and twitter, it is easy to access and provide information to the masses in a matter of seconds, however; it is also an open space for bullies to target victims by means of ridicule and abuse.

Today, I read an article about two female teens, Taylor Wynn (16) and McKenzie Barker (15),  in Florida who were arrested on cyberstalking charges. Apparently, Wynn and Barker created a phony facebook page of a fellow classmmate who they were not fond of, posting obscene pictures of the girl, photoshopping her head on a nude body and claiming that she was a "whore" in the "About Me" section on facebook. The classmmate, who is unidentified, was teased and tormented by her fellow peers and the 181 individuals who friended the fake facebook profile.

And what was their reasoning for doing this? Simply because they thought it would be a funny joke and that no one liked her.

Clearly, their excuse is unacceptable beyond measure. 

You can read the article here: www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/florida/girls-busted-phony-facebook-pages

In my opinion, the difficulties of being a teenager in this generation is far more strenuous than ever before. Victims of bullying suffer much more than just physical violence and teasing in school, they have their reputation and integrity at stake when bullying comes into the home, the neighborhood, and the world wide web for all to see. At the blink of an eye, hundreds of people can judge ridicule one another. Word of mouth and gossip is essentially spread to each network one is associated with whether one likes it or not. 

As young women, I think it is especially important for us to make sure we take action and intervene in any way that we can. To be honest, it's easy for women (of all ages) to be catty and gossip, but little do we know that it could potentially harm the person we are talking about mentally and emotionally. If we see any form of cyberbullying or cyber violence on facebook (which I truly hope doesn't happen) or any other social networking site,  take the intiative and report it.  

Bullying is UNACCEPTABLE.

Last weekend was one I will surely remember.

Last weekend was my first club experience.

I expected a wonderful night of dancing with my girlfriends to the beat of the music erupting from the speakers and perhaps going a little hyphy to some E-40. However, I seemed to have gotten my hopes a bit too high cause all I got was the case of some bumpin and grindin.

-_-

Now don’t get me wrong, I didn’t come into the club expecting to be waltzed around by a man elegantly underneath the brightly lit room, but I had some faith that I would at least be respected—just a little spoiler, that definitely was not the case.

Once the music began, I immediately let myself go; dancing with the little space I had, I was completely in sync with the hard bass that was emanating from the speakers above. Next thing I know, I felt big manly hands on my hips, pulling me closer and closer until I feel a bulge grinding onto me from behind! As I attempted to free myself, his grip tightened harder around my waist, slowly pulling up my dress. Finally, impatient and upset with the way I have been handled, I break free from his hold only to find out that this man was balding with gray hair!

Yucky yuck yuck.

I wish I could tell you that it got better throughout the night, but unfortunately I spent most of it trying to free and prevent myself from horny males making a move on me.

Needless to say, I don’t think I’ll be going out to the club again anytime soon, but it upsets me that a young woman can’t even have a good night out dancing with her girlfriends without being grabbed, gripped, and groped in every direction by a man! One guy would dance with you, then on to the next one until you eventually find yourself doing rounds with every guy in the building! No respect whatsoever. 

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