Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Women's History Month - Diahann Carroll
In honor of Women's History Month, I will be blogging and Facebooking about Black women in several fields whom I believe to be trailblazers and positive examples for us.
The first...Ms. Diahann Carroll.
Many people may not know, but I began my acting "career" in theatre, as did Diahann. Her achievements in theatre led to groundbreaking achievements for Black women in television, as well as film. Broadway roles for black singers were rare but at age 19, Diahann was cast in the Harold Arlen/Truman Capote musical "House of Flowers". Starring the indomitable Pearl Bailey.
In 1954 she and Ms. Bailey supported a riveting Dorothy Dandridge as femme fatale Carmen Jones (1954) in an all-black, updated movie version of the Georges Bizet opera "Carmen."
Little did Diahann know that in the late 1960s she would break a major ethnic barrier on the small screen. Though it was nearly impossible to suppress the natural glamour and sophistication of Diahann, she touchingly portrayed an ordinary nurse and widow struggling to raise a small son in the series "Julia" (1968). Despite other Black American actresses starring in a TV series Diahann became the first full-fledged African-American female "star" -- top billed, in which the show centered around her lead character. The show gradually rose in ratings and Diahann won a Golden Globe award for "Best Newcomer" and an Emmy
nomination.
The breast cancer survivor and Tony award winner is also an honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. "I like to think I opened doors for other women, although that wasn't my original intention."
Thank you for opening these doors and helping shape roles for Black women in television and film! Diahann Carroll is flawless. Period. Point blank. When I think of modern-vintage I think of her. She has a timeless look and has always embodied the epitome of class and grace.
Monday, March 5, 2012
My Speech from the 2012 LSU Mr. and Miss Imani Pageant
I recently had the honor of serving as judge of the LSU Mr. and Miss Imani Pageant! I was allowed to speak during the course of the evening. During this time I felt it necessary speak on an issue which seems to constantly plague my Twitter and Facebook feeds....The Black Woman in the media.
The evening before the pageant, the reality television show "Basketball Wives aired", leading to an all-night commentary about the show and its stars. If my grandmother were alive today, she would say, 'Do you know your lesson as well as you know TV?" I could just hear her now! If I could meet any of the stars of the show, I would tell them to strive to use their position in the media for more positive means by lifting young Black women up.
So I took the time to focus my remarks during the pageant on my responsibility of ending the negative stereotypes of Black women in the media, instead of my platform:
"My name is Ashley Hebert, and I am blessed and honored to be Miss Black Louisiana USA 2012.
I am excited to represent my Alma Mater and the state of Louisiana in the Miss Black USA pageant this August as “The Bayou Beauty” and I intend to bring the national title home to Louisiana for the first time in history.
Like my fellow contestants, I am on my journey to the crown, traveling our great state to promote my platform of “improving that state of higher education in Louisiana.” I was blessed to have my platform published nationally in The Washington Examiner and USA Today.
The 2012 state delegates have elevated the status of The Miss Black USA Organization to an entirely new level. After having the honor of meeting my Sister Queens in January, I can honestly say, these women are phenomenal. They are driven, gorgeous, and EDUCATED – 80% of the 2012 contestants hold advance degrees. And we have even been nicknamed, “the next first ladies”.
Being a figurehead of The Miss Black USA Organization also puts me in a unique position. The image of the Black woman in the media leaves mainstream society under the impression that Black women are disrespectful, unkempt, low class, and sometimes, even worse. This negative image has even recently prompted First Lady Obama to go on record to debunk the notion that she was “an angry Black woman”.
As Miss Black Louisiana USA 2012, it is my RESPONSIBILITY to challenge these stereotypes by using my reign to EMPOWER women of color. It is my DUTY to show them they are more than their race…more than their gender…and more than their social status. I am in the position to be the example to show them that NO ONE can ever prevent them from walking into their own greatness. I want today’s Black woman to want more for HERSELF.
This is a cause greater than myself and I am proud to be the “new face” of the African-American woman! Miss Black USA is more than a pageant; it’s a MOVEMENT – a movement for women of color across this nation to stand up and prove that we are more than your lowered expectations of us…more than what is said in the news….and definitely more than what you see on reality television.
Ladies….my beautiful Black sisters….this is my CALL TO ACTION…it’s time to start leaving a legacy that our grandmothers and great-grandmothers would be proud of and as YOUR Miss Black Louisiana USA 2012, I am proud to lead the way!"
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