The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl

Hello ladies! Thanks again to those of you that came out for the Welcome Back dinner and screening of Awkward Black Girl. For those of you new to AWSOME, this is our official blog to share information we come across in the media, in class, or in every day conversations that address the appearance of African American women. This space is for everyone and every opinion will be valued and respected. Below are the questions for the screening that we didn’t get to. Feel free to comment on the one’s you want and even give feed back to each other. It was nice meeting/ seeing you all!

~Jasmine

 

Awkward Black Girl Questions:

The show implies that there’s something foreign or odd about the “awkward and black” combination that Jay speaks about in the first episode. Why do you think that is?

What do you think is at the root of the problems between Nina and Jay?

What do you think stops Jay from saying all the interesting and clever thinks she thinks? Can you identify?

The friendship of CeCe and Jay began with their acknowledgement of their awkwardness. How is their relationship maintained despite their cultural differences?

Do you think there were elements of truth in the spoken word piece about interracial dating? If so, what was truthful?

Are you Team White Jay (Team Dynomite) or Team Fred?

What’s the deal with the boss at Gutbusters? What is her role in perpetuating stereotypes and setting the work place environment that affects these characters? (Also, could you see her scalp when she wore braids?)

Let The Conversation Continue...

Tonight's discussion was fantastic not only because of our fabulous panel, but because of the participation from all the attendees. Below is a list of the questions as well as the links for the resources that we discussed to help you discover your self-love. ALL feedback is welcomed and every opinion will be respected.
Questions:
1. Is the discrimination between fair-skinned and dark skinned blacks still prevalent in today’s world?

2. Is the notion that the high incidence of single-parent, female headed households among African Americans today is a legacy of slavery valid? What other explanations exist?

3. 50% of couples say "I love you" regularly. Yet, 52% of committed couples say that communication between them is a problem. How important do you think communicating one’s own feelings are in a relationship?

4. 62% of women and an equal percentage of men believe there is a one and only soul mate for them. What is your take on the “soul mate” phenomenon?

5. 5% of singles think sex on the first date is a good idea. 7% of singles think sex is OK after 2 or 3 dates. 15% of singles say sex should wait until marriage. What are your thoughts on when it is appropriate to begin having sex?

6. Sex educators believe that there is a difference between sexual desire and love. Do you agree or disagree with this and why?

7. Nearly 1 in 4 teen girls between the ages of 14 and 19 have an STI. How do relationship dynamics dictate the possible contraction of an STI?

8. Birth control is always a big topic when trying to protect oneself. How do you launch into a discussion about protection with your partner?

9. Black women are the group most affected by the AIDS/HIV epidemic. How do you think education and testing can help this?

10. People under 25 have the most sexually transmitted infections of any age group. How do you think this issue should be addressed as far as lowering the numbers?

*We also mentioned the importance of African American students branching out to engage the Rhodes community as a whole, yet maintaining bonds within the African American community. This topic is related to recent blog entry that has sparked this debate in the Philosophy of Race course which can be found here*

Resources:

Planned Parenthood
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/memphis/
2430 Poplar Avenue
Suite 100
Memphis, TN 38112
Phone: 901.725.1717

Memphis Reproductive Health Center
http://mcrh-tn.org/contact.asp
1726 Poplar Ave
Memphis, TN 38104
Phone : 901.274.3550

Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center
http://mglcc.org/
892 South Cooper St., Memphis, TN 38104
Phone: 901-278-6422

Church Health Center
http://www.churchhealthcenter.org/
1210 Peabody Ave.
Memphis, TN 38104
Phone: 901.272.7170

Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA)
http://www.memphisywca.org/
766 S. Highland Street
Memphis, TN 38111
Phone: 901.323.2211

Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women
www.baptistonline.org/facilities/womens
6215 Humphreys Blvd.
Suite 301
Memphis, TN 38120
Phone: 901.767.3810

What is beauty?

In an effort to begin the discussion that we will continue at our meeting next week, I wanted to share some thoughts on what beauty is. The term "beauty" comes from the Latin word bellus which means beautiful/ fine. The word developed into the modern English pronounciation from the Old French word beaute. Oxford English dictionary sites the definition of beauty as "a combination of qualities, such as shape, color, or form, that pleases the aesthetic senses, especially the sight." Like any word however, beauty has many meanings and is different for each indiviual. 

According to Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, beauty can be directly tied to ones emotions as portrayed with a line from their famous version of Cinderella in which the prince sings, "Do I love you because you're beautiful, or are you beautiful because I love you?" Confuscious being the great thinker and philosopher that he is says, "Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it." Actress and comedian Roseanne Barr takes a more literal view of beauty saying, "Beauty comes in all sizes, not just size 5." My challenge to you all is that you create your own definition of beauty that portrays your sentiments on the word.

Additonally, being the psychology major that I am, I found a study that discusses the European influence on what African American females on college campuses think of as beauty. I found it very interesting and it could be something we include in our discussion of beauty. Hope everyone enjoys their Fall Break and I will see you all next Thursday!

~Jasmine

Article: Aesthetic Resistance to Commercial Influences: The Impact of the Eurocentric Beauty Standard on Black College Women

Welcome Back!

Hello ladies. Like I said at the first meeting, the purpose of the blog is for us to keep up with the discussions we have during our meetings. As much as I enjoy blogging, I have another one that is my own and would therefore like this one to a collaborative effort of all of AWSOME. If you guys have any suggestions on ways I can improve the blog or have any additional comments for any of the executive board members, all the contact information in on here as well as the on the AWSOME Facebook page. Hope that you guys enjoyed the first AWSOME meeting and I look forward to really getting to know each and every one of you.

~Jasmine

National Women's Health Week

Hello Ladies. Hope everyone's finals haven't been too stressful. As a member of VOX, I receive the weekly newsletter for the Memphis Planned Parenthood. This week's newsletter contained an announcement about the services Planned Parenthood will be offering for National Women's Health Week May 9 - May 15th. If you'll still be in the Memphis area this next week, Planned Parenthood will be offering multiple services to women such as free STD testing, emergency contraceptions, health education, and more. I encourage all those with questions to check out the website for the schedule for the week's events and to learn more about women's health. Hope evryone has a great summer and I can't wait to get started back up in the fall!

~Jasmine

Planned Parenthood Celebrates National Women's Health Week