Last night I attended a fundraiser for Teen Voices. Teen Voices is a feminist magazine for girls. It’s been publishing now for 16 years. It’s not just a magazine. The organization provides mentoring, workshops, and internships for girls of all walks of life. The girls write the magazine, so it’s really about what teen girls want to talk about.
The fundraiser was like many others. Delicious hors d’oeuvres. Wine. Chatting. Presentations and politicians speaking. There was also a live and silent auction. Additionally we had a fantastic view from the 36th floor of the
Toward the end of the program, though, the most memorable and special part of the evening occurred. Seven teen girls got up and performed a poetry, rap slam.
It was awesome. The girls spoke with strong and vibrant voices about self-esteem, their futures, being comfortable in their bodies, older female mentors, and about feeling good about race and diversity. These are girls that will grow up to be positive women, contributing to our society.
Though Teen Voices is diverse, and helps all girls, it happened last night that all of the poetry slammers were African American girls.
As I watched them, I couldn’t help thinking of the contrast between their centeredness and positivity, and the ugly stereotypes plastered all over the media recently.
I’m speaking, of course, of Don Imus’ recent, blatantly racist and sexist, disrespectful comments. ((If you don't know... He called the Rutgers University Women's Basketball team "nappy-headed hos,' among some other comments. ))
Today Don Imus was fired, and that may provide some consolation. But the truth is that a world exists out there in this country where his comments are accepted, and found amusing and harmless.
I just feel fortunate and privileged, that last night I had the opportunity to see the reality. The contrast to Don Imus’ world of stereotypes. I got to see a glimpse of the lives of young, vibrant, strong, African American women.
Earlier I had posted an entry about Don Imus. I posted his picture and called him a "Farrah Fawcett hairdo-ed, spineless, cowboy pimp.” I decided to delete this entry because (though I intended it to be funny) it’s just name calling.
Perhaps Don Imus would defend himself by saying his comments were only meant to be funny too. He’s only using harmless words. But it’s a cheap shot—name calling. That’s what Don Imus did, and I don’t want to do the same.
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