clarence - Blogs - TheBlackList Pub2024-03-29T05:13:51Zhttps://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/clarenceBlack Women No Longer Have Their Essencehttps://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/black-women-no-longer-have2011-05-26T04:00:45.000Z2011-05-26T04:00:45.000ZRaynard Jacksonhttps://www.theblacklist.net/members/RaynardJackson<div><p>May 26, 2011</p><p> </p><p>Raynard Jackson</p><p> </p><p>Essence Magazine used to be the preeminent magazine for Black women in the U.S. They, like many Black publications, have lost their relevance; and in the process become an embarrassment to the very group they claim to target.</p><p> </p><p>Essence was founded in 1968 by Ed Lewis, Clarence Smith, Cecil Hollingworth, Jonathan Blount, and Denise Clark. Their initial circulation began at around 50,000 per month and now is estimated to be over 1 million per month. It is a monthly publication focusing on Black women between the ages of 18 and 49. Essence was bought out by Time Inc. in 2005, thus no longer being a Black owned publication (similar to B.E.T.).</p><p> </p><p>The impetus behind the founding of Essence was to show a side of Black women that was never portrayed in the mainstream media. Images of Black women were controlled by white media outlets that had little to no knowledge of the Black community. Most of these images were very stereotypical and lacking substance.</p><p> </p><p>There were unique issues relevant to Black women that other publications were totally ignorant of. Black women could not wear the same makeup that white women could---there are differences in skin type. Black women have unique issues when it comes to styling their hair—there were no mainstream publications that dealt with these differences.</p><p> </p><p>So, initially, Essence met a very real need and provided a venue for Black women to share common experiences with each other (remember, this was pre-internet days when you didn’t have all the instant communication we have today).</p><p> </p><p>Essence portrayed Black women in the most positive of lights. They made Black women feel proud to be Black and female! That was then, this is now.</p><p> </p><p>Now, Essence is just another Hollywood rag (focused on Black women), sprinkled with a few substantive, positive stories; but, that is no longer their focus!</p><p> </p><p>I looked at the cover picture for the past year and each cover featured an entertainer. Isn’t this the same stereotyping that we have accused white media of—showing Blacks as only entertainers? There is nothing wrong with having entertainers on the cover, but is that all there is to offer Black women?</p><p> </p><p>I can guarantee that most Black women have never heard of Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander, Alicia Jillian Hardy, or Katie Washington.</p><p> </p><p>When I went on Essence Music Festival’s website and looked at the speakers listed under “Empowerment”I was stunned and quite embarrassed!</p><p> </p><p>The Essence Music Festival is the nation’s largest annual gathering of Black musical talent in the U.S. It is a 3 day event filled with cultural celebrations, empowerment panels, and nightly entertainment by some of the biggest names in music. It is held in New Orleans, LA every July. The event attracts more than 200,000 people.</p><p> </p><p>One of the speakers listed under “Empowerment” is “NeNe” Leakes. She is one of the main characters of the reality TV show, “The Real Housewives of Atlanta. The show is about the private lives of women who are dating or is married to successful men in the Atlanta area.</p><p> </p><p>Leakes is a foul mouth, angry, nasty person on the show and from media accounts in real life also. She is also the founder of Twisted Hearts Foundation (which focuses on domestic violence against women). They were forced to close down last year after being suspected of money laundering. Leakes is also a former stripper.</p><p> </p><p>One of the other speakers listed under “Empowerment” is Shaunie O’Neal, former wife of N.B.A. great Shaquille O’Neal. She is the executive producer of “Basketball Wives.” The women’s only claim to fame is that they either dated or were married to a pro basketball player. They have nor had no identity outside the athletes they were involved with.</p><p> </p><p>Both shows portray women in the worst light imaginable—using high profile men to get fame and fortune. These women then try to exploit their former relationships to get their own TV show. They are paid to tell the most intimate details of their former relationships.</p><p> </p><p>Essence, could you please tell me how these two women fit into your mission of uplifting the Black woman? What can they teach women about “empowerment?” Is this really the image of Black women Essence wants to promote? There are many women who could fit into your mission statement. </p><p> </p><p>By the way, Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander was the first Black woman to earn a Ph.D. in America (1921). Alicia Jillian Hardy is the first Black woman to earn a Ph.D from M.I.T. in mechanical engineering (2007). Katie Washington, a 21 year old, became the first Black female valedictorian in the history of Notre Dame University (2010). She gave a wonderful speech (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaouUZrn2vI">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaouUZrn2vI</a>).</p><p> </p><p>One would think that Ms. Hardy and Washington deserved to be on the cover for their achievements; and most assuredly know a little something about empowerment! Oh, I forgot, they are not entertainers, so they don’t qualify. </p><p> </p><p>In times past, Black women used to look forward to reading Essence Magazine for upliftment. That was then, this is now. Black women no longer have the Essence of their mother and grandmother.</p><p> </p><p>In Essence, there is no essence!</p><p> </p><p><i>Raynard Jackson is president & CEO of Raynard Jackson & Associates, LLC., a D.C.-public relations/government affairs firm. He is also a contributing editor for ExcellStyle Magazine (</i><a href="http://www.excellstyle.com/">www.excellstyle.com</a><i>) & U.S. Africa Magazine (<a href="http://www.usafricaonline.com">www.usafricaonline.com</a>). </i></p></div>With All Thy Gettinghttps://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/with-all-thy-getting2011-02-10T05:00:37.000Z2011-02-10T05:00:37.000ZRaynard Jacksonhttps://www.theblacklist.net/members/RaynardJackson<div><p>February 10, 2011<b> </b></p><p> </p><p>Raynard Jackson</p><p> </p><p>King Solomon, of the Bible fame, states in Proverbs 4:7, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting, get understanding.”</p><p> </p><p>I assume that it’s still legal in the U.S. to mention or quote from the Bible? I am not too sure; this can cause me to be accused of being insensitive to other religions—but, I digress.</p><p> </p><p>As I reflect upon the current state of affairs in the world, I am seeking to get some understanding of a few things.</p><p> </p><p>Black groups like the National Urban League and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (N.A.A.C.P.) have been most vociferous about the disproportionately high unemployment rate in the Black community. So, I don’t understand the logic behind them advocating amnesty and citizenship for 30 million illegals that will only further increase the rate of unemployment for those they claim to represent.</p><p> </p><p>Parents claim there are no longer any role models for their kids to look up to. I don’t understand why they no longer consider themselves to be the ultimate role models for their kids.</p><p>Everyone claims they want lower taxes. But I don’t understand why these same people are not willing to give up any government programs.</p><p> </p><p>Africa wants to be treated as an equal partner. But I don’t understand why they behave as a subordinate. They allow foreigners to invest in their countries, but don’t require them to invest in their people.</p><p> </p><p>The NAACP criticizes the Tea Party for the hostile rhetoric they use, but remains silent when white liberals do the same thing. Last month white liberals were protesting an event in California hosted by the conservative Koch brothers. These protesters are on video saying somebody should “string up” Clarence Thomas (the only Black member of the U.S. Supreme Court). Another person said, “send him back into the fields,” and another said, “cut off all his toes and feed them to him one-by-one.”</p><p>I don’t understand why the N.A.A.C.P. refuses to denounce the liberal protester’s behavior. </p><p> </p><p>Last month, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security lifted its temporary ban on the deportation of Haitians with criminal convictions and are actually sending them back to Haiti, despite the continued deplorable conditions there (earthquake, cholera). I don’t understand why the Obama administration doesn’t apply the same standard to those illegally here from Mexico.<br /><br />I know what these above groups/individuals are trying to accomplish, but I don’t understand how they are totally devoid of the impact their decisions have on their very raison d’être.</p><p> </p><p>Does the Urban League and the NAACP not understand that increasing the number of low skilled & underemployed by millions is counter to their mission of decreasing the unemployment rate within the Black community?</p><p> </p><p>People today want to have kids, but yet want to burden society with raising these kids. You made the kids, you raise the kids.</p><p> </p><p>If you are fed up with high taxes, then what do you want to do away with to offset the lower taxes?</p><p>Why would a foreign corporation invest in the people of Africa if their president doesn’t mandate it? Corporations are not in Africa to make a difference. They are there to make a profit. If they make a difference in the pursuit of making a profit, then so be it; but that is not their goal. </p><p> </p><p>Once again the hypocrisy of our foreign policy has reared its ugly head when it comes to Haiti. When our immigration agencies enforce our law towards illegal Mexicans, there’s a huge uproar. But, when it’s done to Haitians, there is total silence.</p><p> </p><p>In today’s world, everyone is quick to point out what their rights are, but can you tell me the last time you heard someone say in the same breath what their responsibilities are? </p><p> </p><p>Rights emanate from the responsible exercise of said rights. Without the responsible exercise of these rights, then society or the law can and should take away those rights. </p><p> </p><p>I am continually amazed by groups and individuals that do things that undercut the very mission they are trying to accomplish. Do they not know that you don’t decrease unemployment by increasing the pool of the unemployed? Do they not know they have to be what they are looking for? Do they not know that no one should show more interest in your own people than you? Do they not know that if you are going proclaim to represent equality, then you must equally call out injustice no matter where it originates.</p><p> </p><p>“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting, get understanding!”</p><p> </p><p><i>Raynard Jackson is president & CEO of Raynard Jackson & Associates, LLC., a D.C.-public relations/government affairs firm. He is also a contributing editor for ExcellStyle Magazine (</i><a href="http://www.excellstyle.com/"><i>www.excellstyle.com</i></a><i>) & U.S. Africa Magazine (<a href="http://www.usafricaonline.com">www.usafricaonline.com</a>). </i></p></div>