Here’s some random links I’ve been reading recently, as part of a new weekly feature. Click away, bellas!
Angela Bassett is beyond gorgeous at the Heart Truth Red Dress event for NY Fashion week.
Talk about aging like fine wine! I yearn to see more of her on the big screen. I can’t wait for her next major project — she’s starring in a big movie with an amazing cast that I am sure all Caribbean people will be interested in seeing.
A while ago, I wrote about Jennifer Holliday and her legacy in Dreamgirls being deliberately eroded. Well, apparently Jennifer Hudson has stronger opinions than I do. Best believe Clay Cane has thoughts on that. Scroll down for the sassy retort.
I’ve been reading a lot of buzz about some of the latest MAC offerings, especially the Raquel Welch Icon Collection, which looks too fierce for words. I was seriously contemplating making a purchase or three, then I discovered there seems to be a MAC boycott by makeup artists and professionals in the industry. Now I don’t know what to think. Did any of you hear about this, bellas? I still might have to get this Raquel Welch Lipglass. Because I am such a fool for tiger print.
The new Lily Allen video for Alfie is sooooo strange. But Alfie is her weirdest song, so I guess it works.
He speaks so well! A New York Times breakdown of the controversial use of the word “articulate,” which I think just cost Joe Biden his chance at the election. Dubya also used the word to describe Obama, let’s not forget. The “soft bigotry of low expectations” goes across political lines.
Oh, how I love Black History Month: Here’s a fascinating article about what should be a fascinating documentary — the story of Percy L. Julian, a black research scientist who has been all but forgotten by the history books. If you’ve got kids, sit them down for this special episode of Nova.
My blog buddy Nichelle of 55 Secret Street wrote a gorgeous homage to Lena Horne.
Today would have been Bob Marley’s 62nd birthday.Recently a friend of mine asked me to name my favorite Bob Marley album, and I couldn’t. I can’t name a favorite song, either. But this one comes in my top five, for sure. So does this one. And ooh, this is a good one. But Ambush in the Night might hold the number one spot for now.
The lyrics are just so beyond anything I hear today: “They say what we know is just what they teach us; and we’re so ignorant, ’cause every time they can reach us. Through political strategy, they keep us hungry. And when you gonna get some food, your brother got to be your enemy.”
I mean, damn if that doesn’t speak to me about the tragedies happening in my homeland right now.
Bob was definitely on a prescient level. Watching him perform makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Oh, to have been at that concert! As a Trini, saying that I grew up listening to Bob is like an understatement. I was just two and a half when he died, but I swear I remember footage from his funeral being broadcast on TTT.
Mr. Marley is sadly gone, but he will never be forgotten.
just wanted to clarify about the back to m.a.c. recycling program…i got this info directly from m.a.c. headquarters online department. it is true that you can receive a lipglass, lipstick, or eyeshadow now, but this ONLY applies at freestanding M.A.C. stores or if you mail them in to the online department. Don’t try to go to a regular M.A.C. counter in a department store and exchange for a lipglass or eyeshadow, because they only exchange for lipsticks.
below is a link to download the back to mac form if you want to mail it in to the online dept. you can trade for lipglass and eyeshadow eventhough the form hasn’t been updated.
http://www.maccosmetics.com/pdfs/back_to_mac.pdf
Angela Basset is simply stunning, her skin is amazing, and her biceps are inspiring. She is truly aging gracefully, I can’t believe it’s already been over ten years since What’s love Got to do with it came out. Jennifer Hudson’s comments are certainly interesting and this is the first I have ever heard of a MAC boycott. I have to admit though I have sometimes wondered about the training of their make up artists/sales people; my experience with them is varied but I still love their products and I am looking forward to the Barbie collection. The article in Sunday’s New York Times on the implications on the use of the word articulate in regard to African Americans also struck accord with me. This is a new era of racism; it is subtler than the past but just as enraging as before. The recent happenings in Trinidad are sad indeed.
Dahls,
thanks for always being a great regular commenter and reader. I appreciate it! Yes, the events in Trinidad are breaking my heart. It’s hard to even really write about it all, because Afrobella is about beauty and positivity, but sometimes I really cry when I read these articles. My mother went to high school with the grandmother who was murdered. My sister used to work with Vindra Naipaul. It’s at the point where my family knows these victims, and it’s affecting my desire to go home and visit. I wish they could all move to Miami with me, where at least I could know that they are safe. =(
Bella I cannot imagine how it must feel to be so close to these tragedies. Though Dominica is significantly smaller and less populated than Trinidad it is still only five Islands away from Trinidad and the possibility of these ruthless and criminal acts happening in my home country aren’t impossible (with the current conditions there they seem to be imminent). It is both scary and saddening to me. As someone who at one point leaved away from their family I know the urgency you must feel to have them near and safe. You, your, family and those going through these rough times are definitely in my prayers.
Bella,
One thing I like about MAC is that they honor older women i.e. Catherine Deneuve, Diana Ross, and now Racquel Welch. To be honest, I do not know what she has been up to, but it is nice to see her looking great. 😀 Did any of you all catch Oprah on Monday. The show celebrated older women of all races and shapes. As a young person, I was uplifted by the stories the women shared.
oh no is MAC acting up? first CoverGirl now MAC.@ AppleDiva, i saw Oprah, the seventy year old woman was fabulous. her rollerblading in the park was bonkers, i just felt so happy for her and rejuvenated about aging in general.
Coffy,
What did Covergirl do? Are you talking about the open call?
@AppleDiva, i found out that CoverGirl conducts animal testing, and now that i know i can’t purchase their products.
afrobella, i just have to tell you that i really think you have one of the best beauty blogs out there. yes, many of them have lots of test drives and new products and are dishy and all that, but yours has a specific gravity that i love. you talk about beauty as an issue, as a cultural phenomenon, as a frivolity, and as a necessity. you have a sense of humor about the world and yourself, but you aren’t afraid to get angry. it’s not a shallow or one-dimensional conversation about it, and it keeps me coming back. i learn a lot about beauty issues for afrobellas, which isn’t always easy to find, which makes my coverage of beauty in my journalism realm better (i’m the fairest girl ever, i wish i had color!)
Angela Bassett is ageless and her arms are phenomenal. I need to purchase a Bob Marley cd and take time out and LISTEN to him….
I just wanted to say that I love your site and come to it on a regular basis. I don’t know anybody living in Trinidad, but it’s horrifying about what is going on. Thank you for bringing positivity, new eclectic music, and things that are going on in the world that pertains to us black folks. Keep doin’ you bella!
WOAH @ Angela Bassett!! She just looks so beautiful everytime. Its been almost 10 years since ‘Stella’ and she NEEDS to do a sequel looking like that!! 😉
http://angiebnews.blogspot.com