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Black Political Figures Who Made Powerful Beauty Statements – Essence

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Black women have never had the privilege of not being political – and neither has our beauty. Texturism results in government mandates hair discriminationfeaturism turns right into a fight against “nice privilege“while systemic racism makes maintenance – such as hair, nail care and makeup –unattainable for the working class. However, throughout history, black political figures have reclaimed their beauty to combat and affirm the difficulties we face across the board.

ESSENCE looks at three instances where black politicians used beauty to make their point.

Angela Davis

Black Political Figures Who Made Powerful Beauty Statements
Angela Davis (born January 26, 1944) is an American political activist, philosopher, academic, scholar, and writer. She is a professor on the University of California, Santa Cruz. A Marxist, Davis was a protracted-time member of the Communist Party USA (CPUSA) and is a founding member of the Committees of Correspondence for Democracy and Socialism (CCDS). She is the writer of greater than ten books on class, feminism, race, and the American prison system. (Photo: Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Political activist, writer, and member of the Los Angeles chapter of the Black Panther Party, Angela Davis, used her Afro as an emblem of black liberation. While black women often straightened their hair to assimilate—despite current research linking chemical straighteners to cancer—Davis used her Afro to defy European beauty standards and assert Africanness. According to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, “straightening hair was a means of survival. However, both men and women in the Black Panther Party disrupted this narrative by embracing Afros, showing that straightening hair was not necessary for survival.”

Michelle Obama

Black Political Figures Who Made Powerful Beauty Statements
First Lady Michelle Obama attends the Midatlantic Regional Inaugural Ball on the Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC, January 20, 2009. Obama was sworn in because the forty fourth President of the United States earlier that day. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit: SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)

As the primary black First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama was the goal of not only racist but additionally misogynistic attacks—all sparked by the sleeveless dresses dubbed “Armgate.” From the purple dress she wore to handle Congress to the fuchsia number on the duvet of Vogue, showing off her muscular, elegant arms in some way felt against the principles. While black women are sometimes labeled masculine in a racist, misogynistic try and strip us of our innocence, femininity, and womanhood, Obama took it as a possibility to say her power and show how powerful femininity could be.

Jasmine Crockett

Black Political Figures Who Made Powerful Beauty Statements
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 7: Jasmine Crockett speaks during ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™ Presented By Coca-Cola® 2024 on the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 7, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

Jasmine Crockett, a lawyer and U.S. representative from Texas’ thirtieth congressional district, was attacked by now thrown out Marjorie Taylor Greene. She turned the infamous moment right into a comeback, defending the black beauty trend. “I just need to make it clear that black women will not be the one ones who wear lashes, but [people who support] “MAGA do something like that, they talk about my nails, they talk about my hair” Crockett told Allure“They kept saying I was ghetto, that I was employed by DEI. It’s this white supremacy and privilege that they decided to sink themselves into.”

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Health and Wellness

Prince’s sister Tyka Nelson has died at the age of 64

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Earlier this week we announced that Quincy Jones had passed away, and now Prince’s sister Tyka Nelson has also transitioned. The singer was 64 years old and the cause of her death is currently unknown.

The news was briefly shared by Nelson’s cousin, Charles “Chazz” Smith post on social media on November 4.

“Our family is very saddened to learn of the death of my cousin Tyka Evene Nelson this morning,” he wrote.

Tyka’s son, (*64*) LenNard Laeil Nelson, also reportedly later confirmed his mother’s death Minnesota Star Stand.

The singer was Prince’s only full sibling – they were born John L. Nelson and Mattie Shaw Nelson. Musical genius ran in the family, as Tyka also followed the same profession path to Prince.

The Minnesota artist has released a complete of 4 albums in her music profession. These include: released in 1988, released in 1992, released in 2008 and her last album, released in 2011.

Tyka decided to withdraw from public life and was purported to give a farewell concert in Minnesota in June, but she fell sick.

“I’m getting old,” she said of her decision at the time. “I wasn’t really a singer. I am a writer. I happen to know how to sing. I like singing.”

about writing, before her premature death, Tyka composed memories about herself and her family. In June, in an interview with , the singer said that the book isn’t finished and there are still just a few chapters left to write down.

In the interview, Tyka also talked about how she deals with loss, especially the death of her legendary brother, who died in 2016.

“I’m a damn grateful person who had wonderful people in my life. I miss their wisdom,” she said.

Tyka continued: “If I could, I would travel the world and meet people who loved him – for some I am the last link for him – it’s like giving him something from myself. As far as I’m concerned, he stayed because they loved his music.”

The singer left behind her husband Maurice Phillips, with whom she had six children: daughters Danielle Phillips, Crystal Phillips, Chelsea Phillips and sons Rachard Phillips, Sir Montece Laeil and (*64*).


This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Health and Wellness

Get post-election stress support from LeBron James, John Legend, Erykah Badu and more via meditation app

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Headspace, Clam, Exhale, meditation apps, Black meditation apps, theGrio.com

Falling into post-election existential fear? There’s an app for that. As many individuals proceed to grapple with the outcomes of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, the tools we use to de-stress, focus, and get back to a greater headspace are beginning to take hold.

Popular sleep and meditation app Headroom is offering post-election day specials, including a 14-day free trial.

The celebrity-endorsed wellness app features premium content that helps users rest, chill out and sleep. It also features an array of celebrity content and curated playlists from John Legend, Kevin Hart, Erykah Badu, and more.

“Hello, lovers,” Legend began promoting its content in the applying. “John Legend is coming with a special gift for you. I’ll allow you to sleep with me.

The music icon clarified that he meant virtually and only meant getting “regular sleep” through specially curated playlists, sleep recordings and videos.

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According to Hollywood reporterapart from emphasizing his free 14-day trial periodHeadspace offers free toolkit and an election season survival guide. The free trial period gives users full access to the app and its services, and after the designated time, membership costs $69.99 per 12 months or $12.99 monthly.

Headspace is not the only source where Black users can find content created by and for Black people. LeBron James, Idris Elba, Tabitha Brown and many more are helping calm people on Calm with their very own specialized content.

Thanks to James, Calm users can explore mindfulness manifestations and sleep stories. Elba also lends her voice to the narrative, and Brown invites users to decelerate together with her.

For Black people, especially Black women, in search of solace in an area designed specifically for them, a meditation and wellness app is offered Exhalewhich was created by a black woman with black women in mind.

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Health and Wellness

This week’s best new music: Ella Mai, Mario, Eric Bellinger and more – Essence

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Happy Friday, people. As November rolls around, a few of the most talented artists within the industry are releasing great music. From hip-hop to the soulful sounds of R&B, you’ll need loads of options to get into the groove this weekend.

Ahead of the discharge of his upcoming album, Cordae has released a new single titled “Syrup Sandwiches” featuring Joey Bada$$. Additionally, Ella Mai released an EP this week, Ab-Soul unveiled his project, and Ice Cube tapped Killer Mike and Busta Rhymes for “Ego Maniacs.” Our roundup features music from Ferg, Eric Bellinger, Mario and more.

You can take a look at today’s list of new items below.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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