Farewell, My Summer Love Friday, Jun 26 2009 

Immortal beloved queennoir 10:56 am

Today I mourn the death of an old friend, someone I’ve known consciously and unconsciously since I was a year old.

The King of Pop. Michael Jackson.

I guess what  hit me so hard is two things; one is the fact that he died the exact same way as my sister — cardiac arrest, followed by futile resuscitation. The other is the fact that at one point, my sister had plans to marry him. But whatever it is, it hurts. Bad. I lost it, sobbing for him, my sister, his mother and his family.

One of my earliest memories is the 8-track tape of the Jackson 5’s Maybe Tomorrow sitting next to my parent’s stereo. I also remember watching the Jackson 5 cartoon on Saturday morning and commericals for Alpha Bets cereal featuring the group.

I remember going to the Metro Theaters with my mom and sister to see The Wiz, where Michael, as the Scarecrow, stole the show with the song, “You Can’t Win.”

Then there was junior high, when the Off the Wall album came out, serving as the background music for a friend’s party (the guy I had a crush on was singing the song “Girlfriend”).

In high school, Motown 25 came on, and my family gathered around the TV to see Michael join hands with Jermaine after their feud and do the Moonwalk (which I learned last night was actually pioneered by one of the members of the group, Shalimar, but I digress).

The legendary Victory Tour launched in my hometown. The town was abuzz about being the center of the universe with the arrival of the Jacksons. And my sister sang ”Ben” over and over  in tribute to a guy she had a crush on (the Steve Harvey show played the song today and I of course I fell apart again).

In college, a friend and I saw him during the Bad tour and, of course, Michael stood and delivered. Here recently I’ve gotten misty-eyed over the State Farm commercial featuring “I’ll be There.”

I laughed with Eddie Murphy did his bit about Michael getting choked up during a song — “Tito hand me a tissue; Jermaine, stop teasing.” And I rolled when Chris Rock talked about your interview with Ed Bradley “Get off the stage you nutty . . .” well, never mind.

Michael had his problems, and we hurt along with him. But despite the pain, he was man enough to keep his head up and move forward.

When all is said and done, Michael is ours.

He won’t be replaced

 

Tribute Wednesday, Jun 10 2009 

Immortal beloved queennoir 2:25 pm

Right now, I’m celebrating one of the first black queens I ever met – my sister, Stacy. Trying to write about her is like trying to hug a cloud – from a distance it seems easy, but up close the words are as elusive as the vapors in the sky.

You see, my sister died recently, taking part of my heart with her.

Right now, I’m stuck in the “what ifs.”

Such as, “What if you’d lived about a month or so longer, and we’d gotten the chance to meet up in Dallas to have tea with our cousin at American Girl Place?  And who cares if we’re in our 30s/40s? We both could’ve gotten new dolls.”

Or, “What if you’d lived just a week or so longer, and we’d gone to see the play The Breakfast Club Live, featuring a black woman in the role of the popular princess, Clare?

But instead, I settle for “What if you’d been at your funeral? I hope you would’ve liked the arrangements. I hope I didn’t embarrass you with what I was wearing or said/did something you might’ve thought was stupid. I hope I did you justice.”

Through faith, I know you’re in a better place.

I can almost hear you say from Heaven, “Girl, I made it. Whew. I was worried there for a minute but I made it.” Your hair is now long and flowing, swinging the way you liked it. You’re hanging out with Nana, Grandma Green and our grandpas. You’re singing with the greats like Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald.

Darling, I never told you, all I wanted to say . . .

So I still can’t find the words to celebrate you. All I can say is that I love you.

And I miss you, girl.

 

Welcome to the Queendom of Noir Monday, Jun 8 2009 

All things queenly queennoir 6:13 pm

“I want you to say, I apologize beautiful black woman, mother of the earth, queen of the universe.”

As commanded by Fudge (played by Ice Cube) from the movie Higher Learning, written and directed by John Singleton

 This blog is dedicated to those who have been told that their:

  • Skin is too dark.
  • Breasts are too huge.
  • Butt is too big.
  • Hair is too nappy.
  • Hips are too wide.
  • Lips are too full.
  • Nose is too broad.
  • Voice is too loud.

In short, this blog celebrates the under-appreciated and often overlooked inner and outer beauty of the black woman.

As a child, I was teased about a few of the above features. As an adult, I’ve learned to love and embrace my blackness.

Don’t get me wrong, I have a deep appreciation and respect for people of all skin tones and cultures. But that appreciation first had to come from appreciation of self.

So if you are someone who has been criticized for one of the above reasons, always remember – Black Chicks Rule.