Chasing the Bluest Eyes: Real Talks On Internalized Racism

With the recent casting of Zoe Saldana in the upcoming unapproved Nina Simone biopic, Hollywood continues to reaffirm that it’s okay to play a dark-skinned black girl, but not to be one in real life. That is why when I came across recent pictures of L’il Kim, the original rap bitch, I was heartbroken but not surprised. And I wanted us to have a different conversation, one that isn’t about victim blaming and rather about community accountability.

We need to vigilant in decolonizing and confronting the standards that make some bodies more valuable than others in the context of this system. This system is populated by people just like you, body policing others for their camel toes, nappy hair and saggy breasts. We contribute to each other’s safety and well-being and we can and do create the conditions to heal each other.

Continue reading on Black Girl Dangerous.

Feminism is Totally Cool with Beyoncé Posing in Her Underwear

“In the same way the patriarchy sucks for telling me I need to be more sexy, you suck for telling me I’m too sexy.” This Feministing piece tackles the slut-shaming, while privilege and body policing taking place in criticisms of Beyonce’s GQ cover.

Read on Feministing.

Quvenzhané Wallis Talks Oscar Fashion in an André Leon Talley Interview

Pint-size Oscar nominee Quvenzhané Wallis gave fans a little hint on what she might wear to the Academy Awards in a new interview with fashion guru André Leon Talley.

Originally posted theGrio.

Gays in Sports: On the Field — and in the Closet

There is currently a movement to make it safer for athletes to be open about their sexuality. I’ve gladly and wholeheartedly lent my voice to this work and will continue to do so. But I think every athlete is entitled to make a personal decision about whether or not to come out.

More at the Los Angeles Times.

Oprah, Frank Ocean, Marc Lamont Hill, EBONY.com Among GLAAD Award Nominees

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation announced on Wednesday 120 nominees in English-language categories and 33 nominees in Spanish-language categories. The winners will be announced March 16 in New York and at ceremonies in April and May in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Details over at EBONY.

Join NBJC at Creating Change 2013

January 23-27, the 25th National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change is coming to Atlanta! Creating Change is an annual organizing and skills-building event for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and their allies. The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), the nation’s leading Black LGBT civil rights organization, will be among this year’s presenters.

Read more at NBJC.org.

Category: Week in Review