Comments on: Afrobella of the Week — Alek Wek

By: angela

angela — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 22:17:43 +0000

i have to agree with eddesse.
the ratio of interracial marraiges involving, especially, black women is pretty low. I live in Poland and i must say that they so fall head over heels and it even gives me the notion that i look different me eg changed my hairstyle, makeup etc.
They fall head over heels for your looks… your colour… u on the outside even before they get to know you. That’s like looking at a leonardo da vinci painting cos u saw it on tv. And eddesse is right… it gets old and kind of insulting, especially when i’m going shopping or out at night

By: afrobella » Blog Archive » Beauty Tips for Ebony Skinned Bellas

afrobella » Blog Archive » Beauty Tips for Ebony Skinned Bellas — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 19:03:26 +0000

[...] who’s been reading this blog for a while knows how much I love and admire Alek Wek, so it was a no brainer to highlight her beauty. And I reached out to phenomenal makeup artist to [...]

By: Tori

Tori — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 19:01:22 +0000

Hi,

The front edges of my hair are thining badly I beleive its due to over processing and braids. I also have thin hair in general. I was wondering if you had any ideas on products that may help. I’m not sure if I need rogaine. Let me know any other suggestions.

Thanks,
Miss T

By: simone

simone — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 12:46:17 +0000

Hey Rockers – Just turned the last page on Danticat’s Brother, I’m Dying. It is so perfect, so beautiful. Her family’s story is so heartbreaking because of what happens but also she writes about it with such lucidity and love. And she helps us see the degrees between traveler, tourist, refugee, immigrant, cosmopolitan much more clearly than I think we’re inclined to otherwise. I’m so gratefull that Bella mentioned it on her post. I also read Alek. Also moving and important and also about these categories I mentioned with Danticat’s book, including memory, ethnicity and to a degree ideas about skin, color and beauty. (Psoriasis and glamour come up in both books.) Wek is not a great writer but she is so clever and her story is engrossing. Now I know what’s behind those gorgeous eyes–in fact why she is so compelling. She is coming from far and deep!! I appreciated them both very much and I read about them here at afrobella.com!! Thank you bella!!

By: TheBeautifulOne

TheBeautifulOne — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 10:06:12 +0000

@LBellatrix

You are speaking the TRUTH!!!! Every word that you wrote!!!! “little boxes that they call “life” “! “those white folks”! “seek our treasure in heaven” let’s not forget the ones who ask whether or not we are in the military just because we happen to live in Europe or Asia, etc. OMG!! If one more of my people ask me that darn question, I swear! Thanks for setting me straight on what you meant.

YOU ROCK!!!

By: LBellatrix

LBellatrix — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 22:21:59 +0000

BeautifulOne, I’m COMPLETELY (!!!!) in agreement with you. I was talking about some of my sisters and brothers who are still living in these tiny little boxes that they call “life.” These are the people who are still wondering what the hell I was doing in Spain (and France before that, and England after that) and who asked, fearfully, how “those white folks” treated me.
Here it is 2000 and 7 and I come across too many of my own people who cling to a very narrow view of what life can offer them…and it’s only partially because of money. (Seeing middle-class black kids thinking this way infuriates me.) Mostly it’s because too many of us have been TRAINED not to expect much from this world because of our race (but to seek our treasure in heaven, etc., etc.). That’s what I mean when I say that the slavemasters have won.

By: TheBeautifulOne

TheBeautifulOne — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 15:15:38 +0000

@LBellatrix, “the slavemasters” win only if you DO NOT believe in your abilities, your gifts, your God-given talent. Have faith sister. Believe in yourself and your people. The world is a beautiful and friendly place. I find that more people are rooting for me than against me. I hope that you believe this one day as well.
Peace.

By: LBellatrix

LBellatrix — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 02:57:32 +0000

As a black woman who was brutally teased for her dark skin color as a child, it does my heart good to see sisters like Alek Wek on the runways. I wish someone had told me then that someday people of all races and sexes will frequently compliment my smooth, dark, and (mostly) wrinkle-free skin. Both Alek and Grace Jones (a former Afrobella of the Week, I believe, and I’m definitely dating myself here!) are truly inspirational.
As for European responses to black women: I think the truth lies in between the two poles described above. When I was in Spain I was complimented left and right by Spanish men, but I also saw blackface twice during my stay (one in print, one live). It’s a weird dynamic but it’s one that’s worth experiencing, which speaks to that 3% statistic mentioned above…that’s appalling that so few AA students are studying abroad.
I find myself saying more often these days, “The slavemasters have won” (a la “The terrorists have won”)…

By: The Beautiful One

The Beautiful One — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 00:58:13 +0000

Glad that you said “the world is more accepting than we think” because it really is. I feel more at home in other countries, France especially, than in my native Virginia. People think more openly, globally overseas. I think that Virginia is one of the most beautiful states but when you’ve been exposed to the world at a very young age (Mom always exposed us to art, music, etc.)you think of yourself as a world citizen and you actually become a world citizen. Sounds like you’re expanding your horizons as well and I hope that you have a lovely time in Japan. I may be there this weekend, just for a change of scenery. Iceland? Wow! Take plenty of pictures!

By: edesse

edesse — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 16:00:08 +0000

Thanks for sharing the beautiful one! Don’t agree that I am as close minded as you would suggest, i’m just a realist. I agree with many of your points though. Traveling is THE best way to open yourself up to the world–which is more accepting than we think.

I’m headed to Japan for my thanksgiving vacation and iceland for christmas. I can’t wait to learn even more about the fascinating world.