Thank you for your posting. My heart sank when i heard the news of Dr.West’s death,not only for Kanye West but for all of us,especially black women. In a day in age when black women make up the majority of single-families, its always a blessing to see a positive view of single black mothers. So many people have a negative view of single black mothers because of the media’s depiction of them. As we know, many of our most successful black men in the world were raised by single mothers. The other issue that saddened me was that, her death was completely preventable. As you said there were some bloggers saying it was her own fault for messing with what god gave her. i read alot of the comments as well, and i found them to be extremely distasteful, and most of all disrespectful. If blame must be placed, i think as you said in your blog, it needs to be on society. As a 26 year old senior in college i see how these societal pressures are effecting our young black women, and all women first hand. I took four years off of school, only to return at 24, and attend Clark Atlanta University,and now currently at SJSU in California. I see these 18,19,20,and 21 year old women, and they are so disillusioned with the ideas that they need to be skinny,or light-skinned, and series of others things, its driving them insane. I can’t help but to look at them and feel sorry, and to sympathize,because i was them before and i recall the feelings i would get when i’d see the skinny girl who had all the football players talking to her,and wish i could be her. It took me a long time to be happy with who i am, and now almost 27, i’m so proud of the woman that i am. I alot of it my confidence was gained when i moved to Atlanta to attend school at Clark,i was taken out of element of all-white people,and put in at the time a very uncomfortable situation amongst all black people. I had never been around that many of my people,but as i started to settle into my new surroundings i found it refreshing to see so many beautiful black people. They were skinny, light-skinned, heavy-set, tall, short, dark-skinned,had straight hair, or afros, they were all expectional people. That is when i started to realize i am who i am, and god made me, as he did everyone else as he saw fit. If there is one thing i’ve learned and i am still continuing to learn is that i should not let society form me,i should form society. May Dr.West rest in heavenly peace,and may god bless her family and all those touched by her life.
Thank
Amera Nia

When it comes down to it, whether his mother voluntarily went in for cosmetic surgery or was in dire need of reconstructive surgery, I am with you when you say that there are risks and complications to EVERY type of cosmetic surgery. As editor of a plastic surgery resource Web site, I can say that EVERYONE who is considering surgery should research not only the procedurer they want, but the doctor’s background as well. Accidents can happen, but putting your body and health is so important. I really feel for his family. This might just raise more awareness among prospective plastic surgey patients, as well sa those who are addicted to going under the knife.

Peace out Afrobella. I really enjoy reading the topics you cover. I know that if I miss a newsworthy piece elsewhere, that I can come her and catch up…with great insight.

As for the main topic, people are going to do whatever they want to do. Once someone decides to even seriouly entertain the idea of plastic/cosmetic sugery, all you can do and hope is that they’re exposed to ALL available information and conditions pertaining to their case.

I had fatham the thought of lipo once. I did all the research…the info IS out there. I found it. And I chose NOT to follow through with it. I’m losing my 50 pounds naturally…slowly, but surely. It’s the best feeling seeing the results from…right now not so hard…work.

Those surgeries are for EXTREME cases. Cosmetic surgery were setup for people with extreme weight, deconstructed from a fatal accident and disease of some sort. Our society has turn it into something completely different…almost to the point of glorifying it and the doctors who practice it in less than extreme cases.

Knowledge is power people. Always was, is, and continue to be.

If you know someone wanting to suck out, tuck in, lift up, replace, remove,&/or implant, make sure they know EVERY single thing there is to know about the surgery. Get the best possible doctor, if you can’t afford them…WAIT if you MUST.

If you ARE the person looking into the surgery, get as much advice from as many different doctors as possible. Get the BEST doctor, and nothing less. Can’t afford them yet, WAIT! Until you can. While you wait, walk, laugh, read, dance, sleep, and live life as it comes to you.

Peace and Blessings to all. Happy Holidays!

I agree that Dr. West definitely was a very positive and profound influence on her son Kanye. I am not a rap music fan but I think Kanye is important because shows a different side of black male masculinity. Kanye isn’t a stereotype he’s just himself. I think Dr. West she really taught Kanye to be true to himself and be his own person.

That being said, I wrote a post about this on my site titled “Unpretty.” I have to disagree with you on one point, Bella. I could not fathom me supporting my “mature” mother in any type of cosmetic surgery of that nature. I would need for her to dig inside herself, get some help if needed, and figure out what’s really going on. That woman was an accomplished PhD and had raised a son like Kanye on her own. She was heading up his empire, administering his nonprofit organization. Doing GREAT things. Why wasn’t she able to look in the mirror and only see what was lacking? Whatever she was seeing was not going to be fixed with that doctor’s knife. She needed some help. She knew her health issues and ignored a sane doctor’s warnings and put her life in the hands of a doctor that she must not have researched. This woman was a PhD and I know she had to have 2nd and 3rd and 10th thoughts about this. I just feel terrible that she didn’t listen and say hey, I’m over 50 and fabulous just the way I am. I know it sounds like I’m blaming her. But she’s dead so I can’t do that. I just feel terrible that we lost such a great woman who had so much more to do. RIP Donda.