I am but a ripe 23-years-old and I am FAR from perfect; however, I can say ONE THING: Role models for girls nowadays SUCK! When I was a younger we had Lauryn Hill to teach us how to love and learn with our hearts. India.Arie to teach us that even though we weren't the average girl from the videos or built like super models, we could still love ourselves unconditionally. And even Erykah to teach us how to kick "Tyrone" out with a touch of class and style.
As much as I enjoy the positive interaction I have with my inner-city students, sometimes I like to step back and just take in what's really going on. In a recent discussion with a small subgroup of my girls the issue of role models came up. And with the teacher mentality I have, I decided to make it an assignment - PowerPoint to be exact! I charged them with the task of creating a slideshow utilizing many of the skills we'd cover in order to discuss their favorite woman influence in popular culture. I said influence, because the word "role model" hardly applies to some of these characters. The results nearly made me suicidal.
1.) Nicki Minaj-
Ughhhhhhh.. This is literally what I was thinking the entire presentation. First of all, I was amazed that none of these 13-year- old girls had the since to locate and attach decent, clothed a picture of her heroine... then I tried to look for one. TO NO AVAIL! It was disheartening to see this hyper-sexualized woman showing her body all over the place. I'm so distracted by her character that it's hard for me to even begin to listen to her music.
The simple fact that she's tied to Lil Wayne already puts her on my "Poo Lists" but the ridiculousness continues when she is compared to Foxy Brown and Lil Kim... two people I knew I was classier than in the sixth grade.
2.) Ciara-
Now I remember when she used to be an adorable tomboy; however, times has changed, as well as her virginity status, apparently. Welp.. for those of you who remember that "one, two step", trust her "goodies" are no longer innocent. This "Ride" video made me blush. I am astonished that this woman (or girl) thought that was okay. If I had the ability to block her from under-aged children... I would!
For a woman in the industry with such a following and demographic appropriate material, it was shocking to see the video with her and Luda.
3.) Monica-
Understandable with all the current BET hype!
4.) Rihanna-
* Blank stare* But some of those reasons are personal. i.e. Chris Brown
5.) Toya-
Apparently, having a child by the worst influence on black culture is a ticket to becoming influential.
6.) Michelle Obama-
All I could think was FINALLY!!!
7.) Oprah-
There is still hope!
Today's girls have the likes Nicki Minaj and Ciara! These young ladies continue to perpetuate the hyper-sexualized images of black women which make many of us shiver. The thought that my son will one day grow up and be around young women influenced by these type of women scares the poo out of me. Who is to blame? Celebrities state that parents should monitor what kids watch. When the reality is - the kids many of us are concerned about don't have parents with that ability. 106 & Park airs during rush hour traffic time, and with many parents in transit home, they have NO control over what their kids are watching at home or at their friends. It's scary!
I never saw things as influential until I became a parent, and now that I am.. I blame the media. BET and its parent networks make these sad attempts to bolster education while showing ass shaking during the next half-hour slot. It's time for us (BLACK PEOPLE) to stop supporting such mess and demand SUBSTANCE!!
I'm trying to read you... but I don't speak lust!
