Author: Artra Nelson

Comedian Jerrod Carmichael introduced his sexual preference to the world via his latest comedy special titled Rothaniel. What captures my attention is the association with the emasculating of men because of their sexual preference. Carmichael questions his masculinity as it relates to his sexual preference. The preconceived notions of what someone of the LQBTQ is does not plague the interpretation of gender identity. It is the yes but how, or yes but why, or the this is supposed to be this way thought process that impedes the understanding of the LGBTQ community. They, like many others, simply want to experience life without explanation.

Small things plague my mind about Carmichael’s new special. Big moments capture almost every journalist’s article about the act, but what about the tiniest expressions. Carmichael discusses the love and support he garnered from black women in his family. He addressed keeping the secret of his sexuality from his audience. Additionally, he addresses how his friends responded. They found resolve in making jokes about it saying “I feel like I’ve been tricked into having a gay best friend”. Even though vulnerability is seldom on display for the world to see, Carmichael wore it like a skilled master. What speaks the loudest in Rothanial is how Carmichael paralleled his father’s infidelity with the discretion he used in revealing his sexual identity. Again, what’s subtle is the crescendo of comedic professionalism. Initially, the show is what anyone would expect from a comedy show, but by the end, it feels as though Carmichael is simply having a conversation with someone. Carmichael explains his entire experience as a gay man. He manages to eloquently describe the parts of his coming out that he does not understand. Consequently, he gives fresh air to people within the LGBTQ trying to figure out life.

The advocacy for mental health screams the notion that not one of us is an island. Everyone has an internal voice, and each one sounds different. Some may call it a conscience, while others believe it is God or intuition. This awareness is interpreted, used, and can occasionally produce mental health concerns. Additionally, mental health struggles can come from genetics and traumatic experiences. There are infinite efforts to express how people battle mental health. Often what’s not emphasized is the solution. My desire to better understand mental health started after hearing radio personality Charlemagne The God discuss his struggles with mental health. Therapy for Black Girls is a podcast by Licensed psychologist Joy Harden Bradford. One day while I was at the spa, my aesthetician recommended Therapy for Black Girls. It took me a very long time to finally listen to it. I’m glad I did. The podcast educates and sheds light on mental health difficulties while providing ways to combat mental health. One of the biggest things I learned from the podcast is that many of the things that I experience other people experience too. Therapy for Black Girls promotes wellness through community. Every show has a disclaimer that the podcast is not to be used as a replacement for actual therapy. While the podcast is not therapy it is definitely a good start toward a healthy life.

Last week at the Oscars, in the middle of the LIVE SHOW, and in front of millions of Americans, Will Smith slapped Chris Rock. Instantly everyone jumped on the “violence is not the answer” bandwagon. I did not. Violence is not the answer in most cases. However, sometimes it is. Take a stroll down the historical acquisition of America, confidently say violence is not the answer, or take the time to think about whose backs America was built, then confidently say violence is not the answer. Violence is or is not the answer when it is convenient. Shortly after the infamous slap, Will Smith was awarded an Oscar. In his acceptance speech, he justified his actions by saying he was defending his family. Will Smith slapped Chris Rock because he made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith (Will Smith’s wife). Jada Pinkett Smith has alopecia which has caused her to decide to be bald and not wear a wig. When Chris Rock acknowledged her bald head with his joke, she made a face of intolerance and disgust. Will Smith immediately sprung up from his seat, walked to the stage, and slapped Chris Rock.

What’s important is what we don’t see. Often people see a reaction without seeing what action caused that reaction. In this case, it could have been many things, one being Jada’s personal battle with alopecia. Chris Rock produced a documentary about hair with the intention to uplift women, and on the night of the Oscars, he did the opposite. Many believe the art of comedy is dying because of cancel culture and the sensitivity of today’s world. Others think it was highly unprofessional of Will Smith to slap Chris Rock on national television. Decorum and comedy must find a middle ground. Will Smith and Chris Rock have been in the industry for years. Given their longevity, the entire situation could have not happened or been handled differently. Jada Pinket Smith has been vocal about why she doesn’t have hair, what her hair symbolizes, and how she developed the problems she has with her hair. Recently, in my Introduction to Media class, we had a guest speaker who brilliantly stated “Jada’s voice was lost in this entire situation “.

Currently, the United States Government is selecting a new Associate Justice for the Supreme Court. The gentleman who previously held this position was Associate Justice Stephen Bryer. He announced his retirement early this year. Shortly after Judge Bryer announced his retirement, President Biden nominated Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to take his place.
Judge Jackson was born in Washington DC and raised in Miami, Florida. One of the most apparent reasons this nomination is receiving so much attention is that if judge Jackson is selected to be on the Supreme Court, she will be the first African American woman to do so.
Judge Jackson experienced a tremendous amount of verbal abuse during her interview last week. Still, she has also received love and support from many Americans.
A portion of Judge Jackson’s interview that has set a positive tone is her interaction with U.S. Senator Cory Booker. When his fellow republicans berated Judge Jackson with outlandish, intolerable questions, he took the lead in chivalry and respect. He highlighted Judge Jackson’s character and qualifications and discussed the importance of her nomination to the African American community. He isolated them into a temporary safe haven amid a supremely hostile environment. Senator Booker spoke to a plight that very few people in the room understood but that too many Americans know to be accurate, and that is how difficult it is for black people to accomplish what Judge Jackson has. The question is not is Judge Jackson qualified. It’s a matter of votes. The interviews are a matter of formality, confirming what we already know. There will be a lot of times in this country when for black women to succeed, they must go through unnecessary hardship. Regardless of this fact, Judge Jackson has consistently displayed grace and class.

Additional Reads:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/kbj/

https://www.cadc.uscourts.gov/internet/home.nsf/content/VL+-+Judges+-+KBJ

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2022/03/30/poll-two-thirds-americans-back-judge-jackson-supreme-court/7208271001/

https://www.npr.org/2022/01/27/1076162088/read-stephen-breyer-retirement-supreme-court

On Sunday, R&B singer Jazmine Sullivan won a Grammy for best R&B album on her EP Heaux Tales. It is no surprise that every guest had on their “Sunday’s Best.” Many wore gowns and suits. Sullivan was no exception; she wore an all-black suit with white abstract shapes and lines on it. Gold open-toe pumps barely showed beneath her bellbottom slacks. She wore minimal elegant jewelry to subtlety accompany the suit. Her hair was in a half up, half down style, and she wore black sunglasses. Heaux Tales consists of 14 tracks and has a brief narration between a few songs. It was released in January 2021. Heaux Tales serves every woman that has ever loved and experienced hardship in romantic relationships. In her Grammy acceptance speech, she says the album was based on experiences in her twenties that she wasn’t necessarily proud of. Sullivan’s soul-filled voice fills every missing piece advocating for women to have personal agency. Every track introduces a different perspective of what it means to be a woman in a relationship. This album is significant because it’s women controlling the narrative. Frequently, in music, men describe what a woman is or is not. Heaux Tales expresses multiple aspects of how women view relationships. One of the most popular songs on the album is Girl Like Me. In the song, Sullivan compares and contrasts the disparities between faithful and unfaithful women, highlighting that the latter is more valuable in today’s society. Featured on this song is a fellow grammy award winner and R&B singer H.E.R. During Sullivan’s acceptance speech, H.E.R is seen standing and cheering her on. The support and pride H.E.R demonstrates directly reflect the energy felt on Heaux Tales.

 Self-exploration often mandates transparency. Tatyana Fazlalizadeh is an artist from Oklahoma City who lives and works in Brooklyn, NY. Fazlalizadeh began campaigning her body of work titled “Stop Telling Women to Smile(STWTS)” in 2017.  

The first sketch is a self-portrait of Fazlalizadeh. It shows her with somewhat of a bun atop her head with her head slightly turned to the side, magnifying her jaw accompanied by her captivating eyes. The portrait resignates with women across the country. When Tatyana started the campaign, she did not think it would garner its support. Her platform displays and supports social issues. Each portrait illustrates an alluring woman without a smile. Beneath each one reads a statement attesting to street harassment that each woman has experienced. Each and every portrait has a white background. They look as though they were drawn with a pencil. The images can be found around the world. 

Fazlalizadeh’s work grants women the permission to not have to constantly smile. It gives way to the idea of complete personal agency, breaking the necessity to appeal to outside people. Wheat pasting is a gel-like substance made with wheat flour and water. Wheat pasting is generally used as an adhesive for street artwork. Fazlalizadeh pastes her work with wheat paste in areas where street harassment is prominent. She sometimes posts her work in areas where the women live who are featured in her collection.  

Fazlalizadeh’s STWTS collection aims to bring awareness to street harassment and, more importantly, empower women. Initially, Fazlalizadeh engaged with herself in her work, then she invited other women to be a part of her initiative. With 64,000 followers, Fazlalizadeh garners plenty of likes, primarily women. She attracts this type of support because she gives voice to many women’s issues every day.