| For us geeky black grrrls with glasses.com |
| "I Am Not My Hair" Click title to listen! Artist: India.Arie Album: I Am Not My Hair Buy The CD and patronize this artist! |
won't you celebrate with me what i have shaped into a kind of life? i had no model. born in babylon both nonwhite and woman what did i see to be except myself? i made it up here on this bridge between starshine and clay, my one hand holding tight my other hand; come celebrate with me that everyday something has tried to kill me and has failed. ----Lucille Clifton, won't you celebrate with me, THE BOOK OF LIGHT, Copper Canyon Press, 1993 |
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If you're a crazy-assed, introspective, "weird-looking" black lesbian of decidedly different sensibilities (with glasses), like me then I hope this site, though somewhat tounge in cheek, offers some affirmation, comfort, info, amusement, and plenty of tasty horror flick reviews. I welcome the odd and the off-beat. Despite the dominant culture's insistence that we don't exist, I see us everywhere; Whether walking purposefully through the public library or hanging out in the "cult" section of the video store or dotting the crowds at Star Trek conventions, we are out there and have always been. I decided to start this site after seeing the cover of the DVD set for the first season of "The L-Word." It re-enforced the sad lesson that I learned some time ago; women who look, think and believe as we do are invisible even to our own lesbian communities. Don't get me wrong. When there's a march, rally or demonstration, we are photographed en mass. We are displayed with our variety of shapes, colors, physical abilities and degrees of African-esque features. We've marched, organized, fought (and sometimes have been beaten up) just to be completely under-represented on a little cable TV show. Yes, I agree!This is a problem that affects more than just lesbians of color and others who have surpassed the oppressive beauty standard of the current dominant culture. I suppose it's just that being marginalized by the marginalize groups to which we belong goes beyond what I can stand. It seems as though they've bought into the lookism that keeps a stranglehold on the media at large. So, to the dominant culture's horrid, fallacious belief that , "lesbians are lesbians because they're not hot enough to get a man." The Lesbian media culture has answered, " Na-ah, look, we can conform nicely to your morbidly thin, light and often ridiculously "feminine" model!" Remember folks, it's us 'garden variety' lesbians who have taken it on the chin so that the few celebrities who are out don't suffer the same devastating career loses of those who came before them. There are other sites out there that say the same as I've said here-- -perhaps even said it better. But those sites may not cater to your other concerns,such as providing suggestions on the best of the least racially offensive cannibal horror/cult movies to watch on a first date. Or maybe even a link to a lesbian pen pal site. The hope is that, for the paucity of us out there, here's a place where you fit in . Here, you are not some sexpot, matriarch or mule, and neither are you oreos. This site is a work in progress for those of us who have interest that are 'different' than most of our Gay/Lesbian Brothers and Sisters. Here I've listed only some of my own interest, including must read books, an essay on the origins of "The Black Bulldagger," and more food for your head. But if you have an interest, the say Tibetan throat singing, then please share it with this site---perhaps you can name some places on the web or places in your community that are color and gender-friendly where one can learn to throat-sing. Please write in. Feel free to share maybe some obscure historical facts about black lesbian cultures around the world. Or perhaps you feel a need to emphasize the importance of industrial ceramics and metallurgy to the sexual health of contemporary black lesbian communities in the nations of the British Commonwealth. Got a manifesto? Then let's have at it! If you collected Star Wars cards when you were a kid (like me) and you're tired of dealing with mean, insecure guys who somehow feel as though you've invaded their turf, then drop a line if you want to set up a swap. If it's "weird" and it affects you, then please share. We are lesbians of African descent occupying different classes, body shapes, colors, physical abilities...etc. But, first and foremost, we are human beings, both as unique and indefinable as the TAO. (Oh, and weird as hell) |
| " Calling you" click title to listen! (adaptation of a song from the movie Baghdad Café) BUY THE CD! Artist: Jazz at the Movies Album: Body Heat: Jazz At The Movies |
| Note: Both the music and the photo images on this site were borrowed with tremendous gratitude. I have provided the bibliographical information for each thing shown here. Please don't mistake this for any kind of sharing or what-not. I heartily suggest that you purchase the books and CDs and DVDs that I have listed. The images and songs are only a sample ( or advertisement, if you will) of the excellent writing and/or artistry you'll find in the complete books, CDs or DVDs. Please, if you are able, patronize the work of these creative souls and devoted scholars!! |
WELCOME!! |
| Here is one of my favorite heroes from herstory-->> "Stagecoach" Mary Fields She courageously delivered the mail for the U.S. Postal Service for several years in the un-tamed wilds of 19-century Montana. |
Cool links
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Site Directory
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| From Thompson, Kathleen and Mac Austin, Hilary editors, The Face of Our Past, 1999, Indiana University Press, Bloomington, Indiana--> ordering Info. 1 (800) 842-6796. |
| from Hull, Gloria T., Scott, Patrica Bell., Smith, Barbara editors,All the Women are White, All the Blacks are Men But Some of Us are Brave, 1982, The Feminist Press, Old Westbury, New York. |
| Mysterious ways Click Title to listen Artist: U2 Album: Achtung Baby I'm not ashamed to say that this tune has been something of a lifesaver for me. Really listen to the words! I hope it works for ya' and gives you strength for your journey !! |
| ""TRYIN' TO THROW YOUR ARMS AROUND THE WORLD" CLICK TITLE TO LISTEN! Artist: U2 Album: Achtung Baby This is another tune that has provided my with a little comfort. I hope it does the same for you!! |
| Undoubtably, you've seen these signs. Sometimes on websites and sometimes on signs in someone's front lawn. I can not stress the importance of this issue and how much it requires our attention not only as women of African descent, but as human beings. Even if you can't spare the money to contribute, there are still ways to make your voice heard in coming to the rescue of Black Africans subject to the unabashed genocidal practices of the Sudanesse government and their extension, the Janagweed. Please click on some of my links to find out more and what we can be forcing our government to do. |
| Let's not be known as the generation of Americans that stood by and did nothing !! |
| Not On Our Watch |
| "Video" by India.Arie Album: Acoustic Soul Buy the CD or Download this kick ass record! |
| "Hero " Artist: David Crosby Album: Thousand Roads |