Precious: The Dreams That You Dare to Dream

Precious: The self is lost

Last week I avoided the crowds and went to see a matinee performance of the heavily-hyped movie Precious: Based on the novel PUSH by Sapphire. This is not a movie review but more of a reflection into the films themes and their impressions on the viewer. The movie held true to a lot of the atrocities in the book and added some characters--like the male nurse played by Lenny Kravitz- for some flavor. I didn't agree with Paula Patton as the teacher, since I actually read the book and had a completely different vision of Ms. Rain (more fitting of a seasoned actress like Alfre Woodard), but nonetheless the movie was visually striking, uncompromising, and shocking to even those that have been initiated into the school of hard knocks. The reactions to the movie that I've heard ranged from bone chilling to uplifting, and while both descriptions could equally describe this film, I walked away with something even darker.

For a few months I had been studying the causes and effects of paranoid schizophrenia suffered by mind control subjects and sexual abuse victims. My curiosity stemmed from wanting to further understand why a displaced family member began suffering from the mental disease in her teenage years. The information that I came upon was startling, and I saw several allusions to the effects of  mental and physical abuse in both the Precious movie posters and the movie itself. Without going into an all-out thesis on the subject, I'll just touch on a few bold depictions that I have discovered in my studies, and allow you, the reader, to further investigate if you so wish.

Monarch Programming
I was struck by the initial movie poster for Precious because the image of the monarch butterfly is reflective of government mind-control system I had been studying called Project Monarch or MK Ultra. While I do not consider myself a scholar in this subject, I understand that this was a real program developed around World War II by Nazi doctors and the CIA. This once covert operation has since come to light with a public acknowledgement from former President Clinton and, according to some, may still be in use today. Children as young as two years old were sexually abused as a way of fragmenting themseves, forgetting their sense of self, and separating parts of their mind from traumatic experiences, often forgetting that they even occured. Precious' mother acknowledged that she watched as her boyfriend molested three-year-old Precious repeatedly instead of making love to the elder, and so we know that the Precious' torture began early as well.

Another form of torture is constant trance inducement, where the victim will flash to another happier place in their minds as the physical trauma is being administered. In the movie, Precious constantly flashes to dreams as a movie star with bright, flashing lights, and adoring fans. While moviegoers saw these episodes as a light-hearted departure from the movie's heavy emotional theme, it offers insight into the mind of an abused victim. A permanent and damaging effect of repeated torture is that the victim can no longer tell fantasy from reality. In the movie, Precious not only dreams that she is a skinny White girl, but everytime she sits down in front of a mirror she actually sees herself as one.

Ritual Abuse Resulting in Fragmentation
The second striking poster is a stark black and orange image of a fragmented Precious. The theme couldn't be more obvious as the image is a metaphor for a young girl whose soul is literally shattered by sexual abuse. But the sad effect of a victim who is repeatedly traumatized is that they begin to break off mentally into different states, or alters. Think of all those alter egos that have been the big trend of celebrities lately. In a real victim, this is where the schizophrenia kicks in where a person develops several personalities that serve different purposes. For instance, there may be a good alter and a bad alter. The bad alter is the personality that is punished because it has misbehaved, whereas the good alter would never associate with the bad alter. Another alter may be afraid of being chased by some unknown force because of something they may have done. I have seen someone suffer through this disease and it can be frightening.

Precious' alter is a White girl and a movie star. But how many times do you yourself daydream and imagine yourself as someone else? The average persona my not be as far gone as a character like Precious, but a dream and a bad experience can be bad enough to take you there.

Sammy Sosa - Bright Like Us?

Upon seeing Sammy Sosa's Latin Grammy Awards photos splashed over the internet, I came across quite a few comments that likened his new look to 'Dominican self-hatred'. While it's easy to cite examples that support that point of view, I find it ironic that skin lightening being referred as a regional issue - considering that skin lightening cream is still being sold in this country.

Moreover, while Sammy Sosa serves as a painful reminder of the effects of internalized racism, it's hardly shocking considering the images that we've been bombarded with for generations. I, myself, remember seeing tubes of:

being replenished in our family bathroom cabinet while growing up in New York. So, as tempting as it is to dismiss Sammy Sosa as a 'self-hating Dominican', it's ultimately more effective to dissect and discuss that he's a mirror image for people of color around the world.

Rihanna: From the Headlines to the Bottom Line

Another day, another Rihanna post, I know. But I couldn't help feeling a little agitated over the bruhaha surrounding Rihanna's appearance on the Good Morning America show. I have to look at it with a little cynicism considering that she has an album coming out.

I know that that many victims of abuse take months or even years to come out, and that is understandable. Many critics questioned why Rihanna didn't come out immediately and act as a public advocate for domestic violence. I was willing to allow that she, like any other survivor, needed her time to heal, and that her choice to come forward would be her choice alone.

But then the photo promos came. And the new single came, with a timely link to the release of her new video for "Wait Your Turn", which coincided with the the sensational GMA interview with Diane Sawyer. I even watched some of the clips, and I could tell that she was obviously hurt. But I have to question why this moment--the moment when her new album is about to drop--is the moment that she needs to make a statement. Call me a cold-hearted cynic, but using domestic violence as a publicity stunt puts Rihanna in an awkward light. And the industry's need to maintain their bottom line has hit an all-time low.

It’s Gotta Be The Shoes

When a woman reminisces about her first pair of shoes, she usually waxes poetic about her first pair of heels. Yet, there’s something about the memory of your first pair of kicks that sparks up a wave of nostalgia. Whether you broke them for special occasions like the first day or school or wore them out while hanging around the block, they bring that perfect blend of style and swagger that’ll wrap your look up to a tee. So, take a minute today to give props to the first and fabulous pair of sneaks in your life.

Dark and... Lovely?

 Rihanna is a slave for fashion in this barbwire getup

By now, everyone has seen the new Rihanna photo art for  her single Russian Roulette and more recently her album Rated R. Many fashion victims will claim that this is simply Rihanna once again showcasing her new, "sexy-edgy" look. Not only am I tired of this look, but it seems that all of Hollyweird is following the same trend, and I'm not excited. In fact, every time I see these new "fashion photos" I become downright depressed.

Rihanna literally looks like hell.

There was a time when the worlds of Hip Hop, R&B, Pop, and Rock & Roll were on vastly different sides of the wall in terms of style. Now the fashion world and the music-movie video have made these genres nearly indistinguishable where R&B chick are going goth, just like the Pop chicks, who slowly follow the Rock &Roll chicks. Everyone wants to be a badass and fans eat it up as a nod to an artist's "evolution".

I'm not buying it.

Heidi Klum showcases her alters in a collection of dark, sexy photos.

There is something truly sad when I look at these photos of dark, stark, black and white photos with robotic themes, heavy eye makeup that reeks of ancient isoteric symbolism, the new-again trend of having alter egos (Jennifer Lopez as Lola? Come on.), everyone imitating a cat, everyone hitting the town with their ass or breasts completely out etcetera, etcetera. Call it coincidence, lack of imagination, or something sinister, but it's all a blur to me. Everywhere I look, everyone is wearing black, purple, red, or silver, over and over again-- so much so, that you would think that everyone had the same stylist. Surely there are other colors in the spectrum!

Meet Lola, Jennifer Lopez's rock-sex kitten alter ego.

Speaking of which... Britney Spears just came out with her new video for her single "3" whose beat is wickedly addicting, yet hypnotic, dark and full of symbolism that's not obvious to the untrained eye.

Will the real Britney Spears, please stand up?

In watching the video, I question the idea behind the huge barcode, not to mention the multiple dancers dancing on the pole--similar to Ciara's Love, Sex & Magic video--just to name a few. Here's Britney's video. Look closely:





What is up with these girls??? In these times when cash is tight, everyone's getting laid off, and people are just trying to live life, we could all use a little sunshine. Can't we just get lifted?

Candy Coated Me

Halloween just aint Halloween without Candy Corn! Seeing those little classic brown, orange, yellow, and white, teepee shaped candies on store shelves, for me, have always been the sign that that the harvest season was well under way. I'm always well stocked with this candy, making a point to set out little leaf shaped and spooky dishes here and there around the house throughout the entire season. Now Philosophy has captured my favorite fall candy in a sugary smelling, high lather shower gel that works as a shampoo and bubble bath too with I Love Candy Corn. ($16). I'm going to love ending my day with this sweet dream.

Arlice Nichole

StarStruck: From Brazil, With Love

Ok, so I'm not in Brazil right now. But I did indulge in one hell of a trip there for my birthday two years ago. Ah, the memories. I've been taking my own vacation of sorts, doing other things besides blogging, while still staying in the loop of what the crazies--that would be the celebs-- are doing. It's been fun, it's been quite sad, but overall just a plain relief to read what everyone else is gabbing about. Now fresh off a birthday trip to Miami, I'm ready to get down and dirty again.

Last week, I thought about posting Rihanna's awful photo for her new slave-song "Russian Roulette", but then again, the picture gives enough description. Un-flattering, un-chic, and un-edgy. Above all--sad. So I will move on to another one of my favorite fluffs--Mariah Carey-- out in Rio, Brazil.

Now, if you've ever been to Brazil, you'd know that the pressure to wear tons of clothes is next to nil. Which is why Mrs. Cannon fits so perfectly on the scene in a tight, short snake skin-printed tube dress mini, and netted heels.  You can easily find one of these dresses at any back-street boutique without paying the hundreds (or maybe thousands) that Mariah probably paid. And don't be surprised if she comes back with some fresh Rio fashion finds.

Leona Lewis don't look too camera shy. Especially after being a stalking victim. Ah, the price of fame. This striped and cropped sweater is a smart take on the 80's version that so many stars seem to be failing at. This look is a hit or miss. It's all in the styling.

Is Alicia Keys posing for a magazine cover, or shielding herself from the winds at LAX airport. Either way, she is doing the leather jacket justice. Which reminds me-I need to pick up an updated version before I get caught off guard with a shot of cold weather. I already had to whip out a few mini jackets on unexpectedly chilly days.

This is the best picture yet. Nicole Richie went out to pick pumpkins at Mr. Bones Pumpkin patch in West Hollywood with her own little pumpkin, Harlow. While Nicole keeps it Boho in an ethnic printed shawl, ripped jeans, and Uggs, Harlow is just pure childhood sweetness in her little crop top. ♥

Beauty Rx: Lip Service

It never fails. Every year as the weather changes from warm to cool, my hands become severely dry, wind burned and discolored. I've never found a moistuizer that could completely eleviate my cracked and hardened skin, but my hands always returned to normal after a couple of weeks. However, this year it's my lips! This was a new one on me. First, I noticed dark spots, then the chaffing and dryness began, followed was redness and a hint of a burning sensation and numbness. Covering it with lip gloss was not going to make it go away, and I had to act fast because this is my face we're talking here. It's the first thing people see! So, I turned to a friend and trusted source when it comes to beauty, Editor at Hype Hair magazine and She-blogs.com, Allyson Leak. I've picked-up some pretty good info and tips for maintaining my natural beauty with items already sitting in my kitchen cabinet. No need to spend any money.

Here's what she said to do for my current condition:

"Exfoliate very gently with a little raw sugar every two days using warm water and a toothbrush, but be very gentle. Then, before you go to sleep dab olive oil (if your not allergic) on your lips and put a little vaseline on top to coat it. Try this for two weeks to try and get your lips back to normal. After two weeks if the problem has subsided then still do the vaseline/olive oil once a week during the winter months."

Arlice Nichole

Feminista – The New Chick Lit?

When I first heard of Erica Kennedy’s latest novel, Feminista, from The Black Snob, late last month, my heart skipped a beat at the sight of the title. After all, I’ve wondered for a while if society would ever quit pigeonholing a feminist with a hankering for all things fashion like me into a boring square peg. Add an unapologetically confident successful heroine of what Publisher’s Weekly lovingly referred to as ‘bitch lit’ named Sydney Zamora and I was game.

Yet, a funny thing happened while reading this book. The so-called bravado that it promised to provide was as paper-thin as the Sydney’s self-possession. For while I truly expected Feminista to be that chick lit game-changer, it predictably fell back on familiar stereotypes and ultimately reduced this ‘strong bitch’ to a whiny one. Thus, while I’m intrigued by the idea of chick lit’s ornery stepsister, Feminista proves that it has a long way to go before it truly comes into fruition.

Black Hair Is Having The Best Month Ever!

(Image Courtesy of Afro Glitz Magazine)

Over the past few weeks, the topic of Black hair has been inescapable. From the feverish debates over the sincerity of Chris Rock's Good Hair to the detangling of Zahara Jolie-Pitt's 'uncombed' hair, it seems that Black hair is having the Best Month Ever. Which, I suppose, should be seen as some type of breakthrough. After all, we as Black women have had the whole Good and Bad Hair Shuffle play out in real life more times than we care to count. So, it was only natural that there'd be anticipation towards how 'our' issues would be confronted on a national stage.

Except that, interestingly enough, amidst the documentaries, bloggings, and message board musings, there was a lack of honesty on about the image of Black Hair. Sure, the same arguments between 'Weave-O-Holics' and 'Natural Nazis' were aired out, but the lack of examination on how Black Hair has remained an indelible part of our psyche for over 400 years struck a chord within me. Would we be able to truthfully discuss the joy and pain that Black Hair represents as a part of Western culture? Or will we spend the rest of time finger-pointing and not actually offering solutions on how to change the perception of beauty?

I'd like to think that the former will be possible - an attitude that I will carry with me when I finally plunk down my $12.50 to check out Good Hair.