Category: Junior Literary

Who doesn’t love some good gospel music? Growing up in the church, I’ve been surrounded by this sacred music for as long as I can remember. Today I’d like to share a gospel playlist with all the hits! In the last couple weeks, this playlist has been getting me through IT! I’ll list some of my favorite songs from the playlist.

I know I’ve been changed by LaShun Pace- THIS SONG HERE! Through any issue I face, this song comes to mind. The soulful voice of LaShun Pace just feels my soul with joy. It is more of a comfort song for me at this point. The sing along part at the end gives me CHILLS everytime!

Brighter Day by Kirk Franklin- This song makes me so happy! It talks about finding security and love and being happy about life. Whenever I feel extremely sad or I’m just in a down mood, this song will lift my spirits!

Let The Church Say Amen by Andrae Crouch- I can remember the days when my family would be late to church and the choir would be singing this song when we walked in. This song is so peaceful and fills my heart with such joy. 

The Best in Me by Marvin Sapp- Whenever I feel insecure or I feel bad about myself, this song will make me feel so loved. It really does tell the truth behind not listening to what other people see in you or say about you. This one will bring tears to your eyes when life really goes bad. 10/10 would recommend.

Go Get It by Mary Mary- This song will get you HYPE! It’s more modern than most gospel songs, but its message is amazing. The song emphasizes getting your blessings. This will uplift you so much!

Praise Is What I do (Live) by William H. Murphy, III- This song is the ultimate choir song. The slow melody rocks your body and entrances you to listen to the message of the song. It is so good. The end part gets really hype and will have you feeling amazing. 100/100would recommend.

Total Praise by Richard Smallwood- This song is so beautiful. If you ever have a chance to see a performance of this song live, you will forever be in love. I got the chance to see it live by a choir at a benefit concert and by the end of the performance, I was in tears. This song makes you feel so warm and loving inside. I really do recommend listening to this song. 

Church Clap by KB ft. Lecrae- This song is very modern. It has techno beats and is very, what do the kids say?…Lit? It is a very non-gospel song, but it still holds the same message as most gospel songs. It even has a dance to go along with it. I learned this song from a summer camp at my local church over the summer. This song will have you up and dancing for real!

Hear My Prayer by William Murphy- This choir in this song sounds so good. The dynamics, the crescendos, the decrescendos, EVERYTHING! This is a top tier gospel song. I hope I get to see it performed live one day.

Never Would Have Made It by Marvin Sapp-This song makes me reflect on all the bad things I have faced in my life. It makes me see where I was and where I am now. This song definitely gets me in my feels. I highly recommend listening to this song as well!

That’s all I’ll give today. I want to tag the playlist, but it’s on Apple Music and I want it to be on a free music app like Spotify, so everyone can have access. I’ll try to post it soon. Hopefully you guys will listen to these songs! I promise it’s worth the look up!

I missed out on a lot of things as a child. One of the biggest holes in my childhood was the amount of TV shows I didn’t watch. While other kids my age were being raised on The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and Hannah Montana, I was watching Dora and TLC’s 19 Kids and Counting. So for this week’s blog, I decided watched some of  Nickelodeon’s most popular shows that I didn’t watch when they first aired.

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Drake and Josh

Season 4, Episode 10 – Treehouse

I knew nothing about this show going into the episode. The friend I watched it with explained to me that Drake (left) and Josh (right) were stepbrothers and that was all I needed to know to watch. The episode starts with Drake and Josh getting a model rocket from their grandmother, which that they accidentally shoot into their neighbor’s treehouse. This partially destroys the treehouse and as punishment, Drake and Josh are forced to rebuild the tree. After screwing in the last wall from the inside of the treehouse, the two realize that Drake forgot to cut a whole out for the door, trapping them both inside. They attempt to escape by ramming their bodies into the walls of the treehouse. This eventually knocks the entire treehouse to the ground with both boys inside of it. The episodes ends with them still trapped inside of the toppled treehouse.

The most shocking thing to me about Drake and Josh was that it actually made me laugh. I’m used to Nickelodeon’s newer content’s comedy, which doesn’t get so much as a chuckle out of anyone. But I laughed out loud several times throughout the episode, which really surprised me. I also like that the episode could stand alone. I had no prior knowledge to anything that took place in past seasons and still enjoyed the episode!

I only have a few criticisms. Josh Peck’s overly exaggerated acting got on my nerves, but I’m going to guess that’s normal for him on the show. The theme song didn’t fit the high energy visuals of the opening, which was disappointing because the theme song for this show gets hyped up a lot. I also couldn’t figure out how Drake and Josh knew how to build a treehouse. Aside from the door situation, the treehouse looked professionally built. But like Drake and Josh are just a couple of teenagers?? And they supposedly built it in just one afternoon??

Overall, I enjoyed it and definitely would watch more.

Rating: 4/5

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Victorious

Season 2, Episode 1 – Beggin’ On Your Knees

The most I knew about Victorious before watching this episode was that Ariana Grande was on the show. I was was later told that the show was about Tori (middle) and her friends going to an art school in Hollywood. I googled the best Victorious episodes and “Beggin’ On Your Knees” was number two. Tori has to sing a solo or duet in a musical festival for one of her classes. A hot guy in her class, Ryder, asks her out right after they are given this assignment. They hang out at Tori’s house for their date, but it quickly ruined after Trina (first on left) convinces Tori to go through his phone and he catches her. The next day at school, Tori tries to make it up to Ryder but offering to do a duet with him for the music festival and their class. Robbie (second on right) finds out that Ryder is dating Tori only to get a good grade for their class (Ryder had done this multiple times before with other girls). Once Tori learns this, she and Andre (first on right) write a revenge song, which Tori sings to Ryder at the music festival, completely embarrassing him.

I actually really liked the theme song and Tori’s revenge song. Though not perfect, the show original music was just good enough for me to enjoy. Robbie’s puppet, Rex Powers, managed to make me laugh a few times. He was by far the funniest part of the show.

Honestly, I hated the transitions between each scene of Tori updating her social media status. Cat wasn’t funny and I don’t understand why everyone in Tori’s music class wanted to sing a duet with her (like they were actually fighting over her). I mean, Tori an okay singer, but was it really necessary for the whole class to be fighting over her? And finally, why didn’t Tori know Ryder was playing her if he’d done it so many times before with other girls?

In conclusion, I probably wouldn’t watch Victorious again. It wasn’t extremely funny and the characters weren’t great, especially Tori. The most the show has going for it is the music.

Rating: 2/5

I find it funny how Valentine’s Day went from being like my favorite holiday to a day i’m just like, “can we just not celebrate it this year?” Don’t get me wrong, the small class parties are fun and everything, but I miss the days when it meant handing out chocolate and other candy with a small ridiculous note attached on the back of it. I miss when I associated Valentine’s day with decorating a paper bag to put all my candy and notes in and eating all the candy in it by the end of the day. (actually my mom would never let me do that)

Now a days, Valentine’s is less of a holiday to me and more of a regular day that I wait to pass. Honestly, it is a little sad that I’ve lost all interest in something that I used to enjoy so much, but that’s just a part of life that I’ve realized is inevitable. No matter who you are, you’re bound to lose interest in something as you grow older– especially holidays that seem to lose all meaning without the class parties you so loved to take a part of. Without the small notes and pieces of candy you collected in your poorly decorated brown paper bag, Valentines probably loses all your interest.

Now don’t get me wrong, some people LOVE Valentine’s Day. That is, of course, if they have a significant other to celebrate it with. However, for those of us that are single, it just seems to be another reminder of our loneliness, as if we don’t already have enough. “Okay, we get it. You have a boyfriend/girlfriend. good for you!” Meanwhile, I’m over here just chilling with my food and dog. Is that a complaint? *gasp* Never! Only positive vibes over here:) Although… it isn’t something I’m like super euphoric about. No, I take that back. You can never go wrong with eating food and watching a movie with your dog lol.

Anyways, If you are one of those who looks forward to this “holiday”, I hope this upcoming Valentine’s Day is just the best day ever for you. Not only am I glad that someone finds joy in this day, but I hope you continue to have a positive outlook towards it. Who knows? maybe you won’t be like me and lose all interest in a holiday you used to love– maybe you’ll keep loving it. If so, good job!

I hope you all have a lovely week. Thanks for reading:)

life is a blob

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Life is a blob. It is an amalgamation of many different definitions and reasons and questions. And the blob changes continuously for each individual, a metamorphosis without clear stages. The blob will digest you slowly, suffocating you, or the blob will meet your feet like a buoyant trampoline. Sometimes we become lost in the blob, and it morphs into something hideous and terrifying; it adopts the same consistency as bubble gum. And sometimes we allow it to become something grotesque; we allow it to swallow us whole, apathy and all.

How can a blob have any beauty?

How can a blob “blobbier” than a blobfish have any beauty?

I appreciate the blob, even despite its mess. I appreciate all of its colors and textures and emotion. I think that the blob is beautiful (although not as beautiful as a blobfish).

I know that saying this alludes to me loving the blob, but I do not, in fact, love the blob. I do believe, however, that the blog deserves care and respect.

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reasons to respect the blob

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• Tacos
• Coffee
• Dinosaurs
• Cats
• Dogs
• Plants
• Jurassic Park
• Batman
• Sleep
• Blue
• Orange
• Green
• Food
• Writing
• Art
• fam (hah)
• Music (…)
• Reese’s
• Some people

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random rant

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Why do we expect life to be linear? Perfect lines do not exist in nature. I feel that it is important to not fight the currents of effect; I feel that it is important to trust the waters of existence, to allow yourself to be shaped by the waves.

Have a little faith in chance and find comfort in the fact that we can not control where we end up.

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some of my reasons (just…reasons)

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• Coffee
  • Seven in the morning: in front of my window, watching the sky (drained of color); running down flights of stairs or slouching in the elevator; always in a hurry.
  • Nearing noon: discombobulated but rested; cartoons from the living room; voices; lazy, lazy, lazy; whipped cream and chocolate syrup; never warm because I oversleep. (thank you  🙂 )
  • Ten in the morning: rocking chairs; cold air but warm sun; distant passing vehicles; still; peace.
  • Whenever o’clock: coffee house?; fourth block?; lit. classes?; either a half-hearted attempt to stay awake or indulgence taking over.
• Oranges peeled on the way to class.
• Desk dinos
• Gifts
  • Coffee
  • Words
  • Compliments
  • Understanding
  • Tacos
  • A dinosaur door sign
  • Reese’s
  • Time
• Music
  • Laughable music videos
  • An amazing range of sound
  • LyRicS
  • s y n t h e s i z e r s
  • Making fun of your music taste out of shame
  • Tears for Fears
  • A broken, despairing flute
• Taco pillows
• Tortilla blankets
• Depression fries
• Dandelions
• Eating outside
• Cactus coffee cup
• Writing stuff
• Time

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oh no…random spill

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Please do not stress; write everything down and take it one step at a time. Eat while studying so that you can convince yourself that you are happy. Open your eyes every once in awhile; do not be afraid. Doubt will never be a stranger, so remember your accomplishments. Take your microwaved tacos down the stairs with you; never throw them away. Try not to ruin the mood of others because of something temporary; you will regret it. Do not say good bye when leaving; say you will see them later. Feel free to take two cupcakes. Feel free to stretch across a bench and stare up into the branches of a tree. Collect all of the dandelions you want, but never throw them away. You have time; you have time; you have time. Live intentionally; do not be afraid of living the life of a dreamer. Take risks with your art, and do not fall prey to barriers. Feel free to dance like a car dealership balloon, and do not forget how momentous the little things in life are. Draw all over your arm and wear that hideous 90’s shirt and know that courage is not completely without fear.

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Wednesday’s Fun Fact:

February = stress (& guacamole)

also:       

(I know…the truth hurts.)

Peace.

Black History Month is from February 1st- February 28/29th, but you probably already knew this—many people do. However, what people don’t know is how this month came to be and why we celebrate black history, which is what inspired me to write this blog.

Origin

In 1926, Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History created “Negro History Week” as way to recognize and celebrate the progress of African-Americans. The event was set to be the 2nd week in February because it coincided with both, President Lincoln and Frederick Douglass’ birthdays, and their birthdays had already held significance in the black community since the 19th century.

Woodson created the week because he believed that black history was important, especially at a time when no one else was recording it. This resulted in The Journal of Negro History , which was one of the first texts that contained the history of African-Americans. After the ten year journey writing the book, Woodson said,

“If a race has no history, it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being exterminated. The American Indian left no continuous record. He did not appreciate the value of tradition; and where is he today? The Hebrew keenly appreciated the value of tradition, as is attested by the Bible itself. In spite of worldwide persecution, therefore, he is a great factor in our civilization.”

The release of the book caused a surge in popularity of Negro History Week for many decades, and mayors all over the U.S. declared it a holiday.

Because of Woodson’s work and dedication to the teaching of black history, at a time when it wasn’t even acknowledged, he was deemed the “Father of African-American History”. His early efforts have resulted in the Black History Month we know today.

Black History Month

In February 1969, students and teachers at Kent State University proposed that Negro History Week be an entire month. The following year, Black History Month was born and celebrated annually at Kent State.

Just 6 years after Kent State’s first celebration, colleges and schools across the country were celebrating the month of black of history. Even President Gerald Ford was in support of the month, encouraging people to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history” at the U.S. Bicentennial.

Conflict Arises

Despite the tremendous strides Black History Month has made, some people disagree with it entirely. In 2006, Morgan Freeman had an interview with 60 Minutes in which Mike Wallace asked him about Black History Month.

Freeman says that Black History Month is ridiculous and that “Black history is American history,” but he’s not the only celebrity who believes in this.

In 2016, ten years after Freeman’s interview, Clueless star, Stacey Dash, tweeted, “Either we want to have segregation or integration. And if we don’t want segregation, then we need to get rid of channels like BET and the BET Awards and the Image Awards, where you’re only awarded if you’re black. If it were the other way around, we would be up in arms. It’s a double standard.”

Why Do We Still Need Black History Month?

Do you think that Black History Month shouldn’t exist, like Freeman and Dash? NowThis News says, “No, we need it [Black History Month] for the same we needed it in 2019 and every year before that… In US news and current events today, in 2020, Black History Month is important more than ever. In short: America has a loonnng way to go for equality, black rights, and eradicating racism. ” In the video, the news outlet asks people why they think we still need Black History Month; here’s what they had to say:

Why Isn’t There White History Month?

One of the many disputes about Black History Month is the fact that there’s not history months dedicated to other races and nationalities. However, this is just a misconception. There are months dedicated to commemorating different races, nationalities, gender, and sexuality. Besides, you have to think about why Woodson created “Negro History Week” in the first place: people weren’t acknowledging the history of black people.

Similarly, the same argument applies to that of the dispute of W0men’s History Month. At some point in time, change occurred as a result of strides made by phenomenal women, so we celebrate their efforts and progress in that month. It’s not to say that men aren’t great, but that men didn’t have to overcome the same obstacles as women, and the same applies for why we don’t have a white history month. As stated in the video, “Even though words like “black” and “white” seem the same, they function quite differently. ” So, it isn’t actually as black and white as it may seem.

The Importance of Black History Month

According to a blog by the National Museum of African-American History and Culture,

“Carter G. Woodson’s vision for black history as a means of transformation and change is still quite relevant and quite useful. African American history month is still a beacon of change and hope that is still surely needed in this world. The chains of slavery are gone—but we are all not yet free. The great diversity within the black community needs the glue of the African American past to remind us of not just how far we have traveled but lo, how far there is to go.”

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Thanks for reading!

Hello loves, it’s ya girl Maple. Lately, things have been absolutely hectic. I mean, just wild. Even so, I have been able to find spots of positivity in many ways. Before I begin, I would just like to say how thankful I am for the people + things that have supported me during these days. Now, let me share with you the things that have brung me happiness. I hope this will encourage you to find specks of joy in the midst of despair as well!

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 Humans: Before, I really preferred plants + animals (and I still do…we’ll get to that), but I enjoy the company of humans as well. You see, I’ve always enjoyed conversation with my close friends, but lately I have a new appreciation for everyone. I feel like everyone needs to be loved, and I see the goodness in each person. I really appreciate how people are so helping and kind. I am trying my best to make sure you all know that I genuinely care + appreciate you guys. I am always here if anyone needs me. I promise you won’t be a bother!

Animals: Ah yes, animals are truly wonderful. I have so much more of an appreciation for animals. I mean, they are just so loving. So many animals are hurt, abused, and it breaks my heart. I hate that they go through this. We really should be more loving towards our friends. And also, maybe 

Plants: Funny story, yesterday I was crying about eating plants because I love them. I believe plants are wonderful + lovely. Looking back, I literally cannot just eat air. Unless?? Nope. Anyway, I got more plants yesterday. There’s just something about the way they light up a space. But I got them from Walmart in the garden section. They sat outside, in a little cluster where no one seemed to notice. The sign said that they were marked on clearance. I know it sounds ridiculous, but I was so upset to see that they were just because they were hurting. So I am a plant mom again. 

Trust me, there are many more things that I am truly grateful for, but these are the ones that are currently in the front of my mind. I find that it is helpful to practice mindfulness, seeing the things that are truly lovely. I wish you all a bright day, and I have a sneaky suspicion that things will get better from here on out. Take care of yourself, be gentle, and know that crying is not a sign of weakness. 

-Maple 🙂

Hello, I hope all is well and you’re having a great black history month! To continue on my series of appreciation to African American artists. This week I will discuss The Black Arts Movement, and I’ll name ten influential African American artists who were apart of the BAM. 

The Black Arts Movement, also known as The Black Aesthetic Movement, was a period (1965-1975) were politically driven black artists challenged racism through their craft. The assassination of Malcolm x in 1965 was the catalyst for The Black Arts Movement. The supporters of the Black Panther Party divided into two groups: Revolutionary Nationalists and Cultural Nationalists. Revolutionary Nationalists identify as the Black Panther Party, and Cultural Nationalists used the arts to exposed racism. The goal for the Cultural Nationalists was to demonstrate black pride and to achieve freedom through the art of writing, dancing, acting, singing, visual art, and music.

Amiri Baraka, an accomplished African American writer, moved from his home in Manhattan to Harlem. Baraka opened up the first Black Arts Repertory Theater and School (BARTS).  He visualized BARTS to be an art school catered to and from the black community.  In the theatre segment, all of BARTS performances were written and performed by African American artists. In the literature segment, BARTS artists created poetry, novels, plays and published many extraordinary works. BARTS was the first establishment of The Black Art Movement, and even though it operated for only a year, BARTS attracted many artists. It also provided a fine example to others and broaden the BAM movement across the nation.

The Black Arts Movement began in Harlem with BARTS but quickly expanded to the states: Illinois, Detroit, and California. For instance, John Johnson and Hoyt Fuller published Negro Digest,  a magazine that promoted black writers, in Chicago, Illinois. Also in 1969, Robert Chirsman and Nathan Hare created The Black Scholar. The Black Scholar was the first scholarly journal to print academic African American studies.

However, music was also a detriment part of the BAM, specifically, jazz. Cultural Nationalists saw that they could use jazz as a political source; as a result, many jazz musicians and poets collaborated.  This created a new genre of literature and music: Jazz Poetry. Here is a video of the infamous jazz poet, Jayne Cortez, reciting her works. Experience the amazing collaboration of her spoken word poetry and jazz.

https://youtu.be/0PqqSPgUm2s

 

The Black Aesthetic 

Now after reading all this, you may be wondering, “What is the black aesthetic?” During the Black Arts Movement the term ‘Black Aesthetic’ was used to describe works of literature, music, art, and theater that captured African American culture. With the BAM came a new way to express their work, that, black artists created. Writers like Ntozake Shange didn’t confine to westernized, European English nor did she let anything limit her creativity. In her writing, she wrote by her own rules and communicated her craft by using, what we know today as, African American Vernacular English.

In all, there isn’t one exact way to define ‘Black Aesthetic’. It means many things in various ways. According to Tate.org the black aesthetic means, “a cultural ideology that developed in America alongside the civil rights movement in the 1960s and promoted black separatism in the arts.”

However, I believe that the ‘Black Aesthetic’ doesn’t promote black separatism in the arts. Simply because black culture is an art, in itself. I believe it radiates off the walls; it is in the air you breathe. Black art is everywhere; therefore, it is impossible to separate it from anything that is true art. I believe that the ‘Black Aesthetic’ has more to do with the black identity. When you disregard the rules, and barriers that have been placed on you as an artist. When you have decided to create by your own rules and standards. To me, that is the ‘Black Aesthetic’.

Ten influential artist who were apart of the Black Arts Movement

1. Sonia Sanchez

2. Gwendolyn Brooks

3. June Jordan

4. Benny Andrews

5. Kay Brown

6. Nikki Giovanni

7. Amiri Baraka

8. Dr. John Henrik Clarke

 

9. Rosa Guy

10. Wanda Coleman

I know I haven’t shared that much of my writing, but I thought today would be a good day to share some of the pieces that I am most proud of.  I’ve always enjoyed writing poetry, and it is my favorite type of writing to do! Please enjoy, and hopefully these will inspire you/ provoke a thought.

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Abuse is Your Party Trick

Breathe whispers down my throat.

Trail your fingers up my spine.

Grasp at my insecurities like gold,

Just because you think I’m yours.

 

Claim me as your broken dolly,

The one you need to keep safe.

Growl at the passersby viciously,

While holding my limp form.

 

Don’t you see what you’re doing?

Before I was filled with life,

But now I try to survive from you.

I can’t act perfect any more.

 

You call it protective, honey,

But I call it control issues.

You call me delusional,

But I call it gas-lighting.

 

I am done.

 

Done with toxic waste

that you cover up in 

false smiles,

gifts,

and compliments.

 What’s That in the Windex?                                                                                                        

All over America women are cleaning homes.             

It’s apartments in New York; condos                                                                            

in California; cabins in Alaska.                                                                                            

All over America women are making messes they’re                                                            

supposed to be cleaning up with brooms;                                                                            

sweeping away at the floors with glee.                                                                              

Anger fumes in her brain, confined but spewing out                                                        

in squirts of blue Windex.                                                                                                    

Uncleansed despair wipes like a dust rag                                                                         

from the laundry bin against the back of her eyes.                                                                

If she wants to clean up anything, it’s                                                                                 

her husband’s vile mentality.                                                                                            

If she wants to sweep up anything it’s his                                                                             

pitiful attitude towards her every day.                                                                                      

Her life is supposed to be polished;                                                                                        

it’s meant to shine.                                                                                                                   

Look, she says, once I was your welcome mat

that you could walk all over, but now 

I have reconsidered my role.

It’s not incompetence darling, 

it’s war.

Rainbow Baby

Your eyes are dull blue,

crows feet kissing the corners.

My eyes are blue too,

looking at you with wonder.

You didn’t think I would

be here with you today.

Here in your arms crying,

after you did all the work.

Saying I was your rainbow,

as you lulled me to sleep.

What is this love?

To be pressed against your

chest beating with life—

something you decided

to share with me.

Only a momma’s heart

could produce this

pure connection.

 

I hope you have enjoyed reading some of my poetry. Poetry was the first thing that I really started writing. I started off writing love poems. In fact, back then I was really into rhyming poems. It was much different than the poetry I write now. Thanks for reading!

-Maple 🙂

 

 

 

 

As I mentioned in my previous blog, every post in the month of February will focus on black history in honor of Black History Month. The same goes for Women’s History Month in March. There won’t be a specific format for each post; it will most likely vary based on the topic.

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Miss America was the first national pageant dating back to 1921. It all started when 16-year-old, Margaret Gorman, was named “The Most Beautiful Bathing Girl in America”. She was then recognized as “Miss America”.

 

 

However in 1950, Yolande Betbeze,  refused to pose in a swimsuit, even after she won the title of Miss America. Because of the controversy her refusal caused, there was no Miss America pageant in 1950, so Betbeze won the crown in 1951. This was a pivotal time in the pageant world; it is said to have been the point in which pageants began to focus on intellect, morality, and leadership abilities rather than just beauty. From then on, the pageant has focused more on scholarship than beauty, and Betbeze continued to fight for change in pageantry being active in the feminist movement, NAACP, CORE (Congress of Racial Equality), and SANE (The Committee for a SANE Nuclear Policy). Nevertheless, the shift in the pageant world caused the creation of the Miss USA and the Miss Universe pageant in 1952.

The End of Rule Number 7

When the Miss America pageant was established in 1921 there were rules set in place. One rule was that contestants had to be in “good health and of the white race.” In 1950, that rule was abolished. However, there were no African-American contestants in the pageant in 50 years (they appeared in musical numbers, but only cast as slaves).

In 1971, Cheryl Browne, competed as the first African-American in the pageant. Browne faced discrimination for competing, and although she did not win, she paved the way for other African-American women.

 

Nearly a decade later, in 1983, Vanessa Williams became the first African-American woman to win the Miss America pageant. She, too, faced discrimination, and a few weeks before the end of her reign, Williams was pressured into giving up her title due to a scandal that arose when a magazine bought and published unauthorized nude photographs of her. In 2015, thirty-two years later, while she was serving as head judge of the Miss America pageant, former CEO, Sam Haskell, publicly apologized to her during the pageant for the events that occurred in 1984.

 

According to Wikipedia, “Miss USA has been held annually since 1952 in select states.” It began as a result of before-mentioned Yolanda Betbeze’s refusal to pose in a swimsuit. Pageant sponsor, Catalina, agreed with Betbeze and created Miss USA along with Miss Universe.  It is currently operated under the Miss Universe Organization, which also operates Miss Teen USA. The pageant was owned by current president, Donald Trump, from 1996 to 2015, and is now owned by WME/IMG.

In 1990, Carole Gist was crowned Miss USA; she was the first African-American to do so. She then went on to win first runner-up in the Miss Universe pageant. Since then, there have been nine African-American women to win the title, with the latest being Cheslie Kryst in 2019.

 

 

The Miss Universe pageant is under the operation of the Miss Universe Organization. The current president of the Miss Universe Organization is Paula Shugart, who has held this position since 1997.

In 1977, 25 years after the pageant’s start, Trinidad native, Janelle Commissiong was the first African-American to win the title of Miss Universe. Since then, only 4 African-American women have won the title. Most recently, Zozibini Tunzi won the title for 2019.

 

 

 

Miss World is the longest-running international beauty pageant. It began in 1951, when Eric Morley created a bikini contest at the Festival of Britain celebrations; he called it the Festival Bikini Contest. It gained popularity and became a pageant; it was later named “Miss World”. It faced many controversies due to its beginnings as a bikini contest. The fact that the first winner of the pageant was crowned in a bikini added to the controversy. As a result, in 1976, swimsuits were replaced by evening gowns for the crowning; the first winner of the pageant remains the only one to have been crowned in a bikini.

50 years later, in 2001, Agbani Darego, became the first African-American woman to win the Miss World pageant and represent Nigeria.
In 1968, J. Morris Anderson created Miss Black America before Cheryl Browne broke the racial barrier in 1970. However, it was still a time when women of color weren’t necessarily unable (Rule #7 had been abolished) to compete in the Miss America pageant, but it was still frowned upon. Creator of the pageant, J. Morris Anderson, told The Post, “Many Black people had been convinced that Black skin was ugly, that curly hair was bad hair. There were kids who might have seen their mother pinching their nose so it wouldn’t be broad and would be more European.” As a result, the pageant thrived. Black women started seeing themselves as beautiful, and soon after, the #BlackIsBeautiful movement began. Despite all of the good the pageant brought, it went on hiatus from 1996 to 2009 due to a scandal in 1991 with boxer, Mike Tyson. However, the pageant has been supported and praised by many influential people, such as Curtis Mayfield who wrote the pageant’s theme song, Oprah Winfrey, who competed in 1971, and Stevie Wonder who has sung at event numerous times.

 

In 1983, Miss Teen USA was created for girls aged 14-19. Eight years after the pageant’s start, in 1991, Janel Bishop became the first African-American to win the title of Miss Teen USA. The pageant was held in Biloxi, Mississippi.

Pageantry in Mississippi

The Miss Mississippi pageant was created in 1934, and has been held in Vicksburg since 1958. Since the pageant’s start, four women have won the Miss America title from Mississippi. In 1987, Toni Seawright (Pascagoula , MS) became the first African-American woman to receive the crown; she was 4th runner-up in the Miss America pageant.

 

Two decades later, in 2007, Kimberly Morgan (Oxford, MS) was crowded as the second African-American woman to win the title of Miss Mississippi.

 

 

 

 

In 2014, one of own, MSA alum, Jasmine Murray (Columbus, MS), became the third African-American woman to win the Miss Mississippi title. Previously, she won Miss Mississippi’s Outstanding Teen in 2006 and competed in the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen pageant in 2007 where she placed in the Top Ten. She also competed on American Idol in 2009.

 

In 2018, Asya Branch (Booneville, MS) became the fourth African-American woman to be crowned Miss Mississippi. Recently, she became the first African-American to win Miss Mississippi USA, and she will represent our state in the 2020 Miss USA pageant.

Black Women Reigning in Pageants

In 2019, history was made. For the first time ever, top beauty pageants: Miss USA, Miss Teen USA, Miss America, Miss Universe, and Miss World have all crowned black women as their winners simultaneously. From women of color being banned from participating in pageants at all to having all black women crowned at the same time is astonishing; pageantry has come along with equality. And these 5 girls show some real #BlackGirlMagic.

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Thanks for reading!

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**MSA’s annual Black History Month production is this week: February 7-8 at 3:30pm in the Enochs Black Box Theatre.**

IT’S FEBRUARY SO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS…IT’S BLACK HISTORY MONTH YOU GUYS! (the shortest month of the year)

To celebrate I have decided to dedicate a blog post to African American artists for the whole month of February. Whether they may be perished or alive, I really want to express my appreciation towards them. Because they help pave the way so I, a black artist, can succeed. So, with that being said, for my first blog post I have decided to write a letter to the divine, Maya Angelou.

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Dear Dr. Angelou,

As a young girl, I always knew about you, even though I was never introduced to you. “The great and talented Maya Angelou,” is what I always heard when your name was mentioned. I was thirteen when I discovered the documentary Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise. While watching the documentary I immediately became inspired. This may sound a bit odd, but I felt a connection with you, Dr. Angelou.

You see, when I was a little girl I did not speak. I have a speech impediment that causes me stutter and mispronounce words. I was bullied by my family members and others.  I became very ashamed and self-conscious about the way I spoke. So, I decided to remain quiet, and communicate to others by simply pointing my hands. The only person I spoke to was my mother because she was the only one who could understand me. I began to take private speech lessons in preschool, and this lasted until I was in the 3rd grade. I was shy, quiet, and did not have many friends. As a result, I turned to reading and writing to entertain and comfort me. When I learned that you were mute, it made me feel accepted in a way. I understand that you decided to be mute for a completely different reason, but I found it inspiring that you took that tragic experience and transpired it into something phenomenal… your book: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. 

I wish that I  had the chance to meet you, watch you recite one of your poems, or even be in your presence. Even though it saddens me that I will never get the opportunity to meet you. I want to thank you. I want to thank you for never believing in the ones who didn’t believe in you. I want to thank you for never giving up even though times were extremely hard to be a black woman. I want to thank you for reminding me that I am a phenomenal woman¹. I want to thank you for your writing, acting, dancing, singing, and activism. Finally, I want to thank you for providing an example and and being a phenomenal role model. For little black, magical girls and little black, joyful boys to look up to. I thank you, Dr. Angelou.

Sincerely,

Stephyne Weathersby

 

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Maya Angelou: Sunrise: April 4, 1928 Sunset: May 28, 2014

Maya Angelou was an African American poet, singer, dancer, memoirist, and civil rights, activist. She published autobiographies, essays, books of poetry, plays. Performed in movies, and television shows in her lifetime.

 

 

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Phenomenal Woman¹ – A poem written by Maya Angelou.