Here is the cover design for the second short story that I am working on. What do you think? What does the cover say to you?
Fake Mommy Wars: What We Moms REALLY Want
Here is a follow up to my post earlier today about the “mommy wars” from the website, My Brown Baby. This is the quote that resonated with me:
But are we women really this politically naïve that we’d toss our valuable vote into the ring of a man who neither understands nor gives two crap-filled diapers about what mothers want? What mothers need? Are we really so politically stupid that we’d let this man, his rich wife and their equally rich-and-out-of-touch cronies distract us from the real issues while we bicker and get all emo over who works harder—women who work solely in the home vs. women who hold down full-time jobs outside the home? When, exactly, do we mothers come together and demand politicians—whether Republican or Democrat, rich or poor, black or white—get down to the real issues that affect us mothers? When do we stop arguing over stupid s**** and start exercising our political might to affect real change?
via Millionaire Ann Romney and the Fake Mommy Wars: What We Moms REALLY Want.
The “Mommy Wars” Don’t Exist
By now everyone has heard about Hillary Rosen and the statement she made to Anderson Cooper on his talk show. As a reminder, here is what she said,
“What you have is Mitt Romney running around the country saying: ‘Well, you know, my wife tells me that what women really care about are economic issues. And when I listen to my wife, that’s what I’m hearing. Guess what? His wife has actually never worked a day in her life.”
And everyone lost their minds. It didn’t seem to matter that Hillary was talking about Mitt Romney’s economic policies. No, what people heard was an attack on stay-at-home moms. Please, stop.
By making this non issue a major news worthy debate, Republican politicans are pulling the old divide and conquer routine. I believe there is no such thing as the “mommy wars” and here’s why. Some mothers work outside of the home. Some work at home. Whether that decision is make by choice or circumstance, all mothers want the same thing. We want our families to be safe. We want access to quality health care (including reproductive health care) and good schools. We want safe neighborhoods. And while women are not some monolithic interest group, all mothers make decisions every day that they feel benefit their children. I don’t think our beef is with each other.
There is no such thing as the “mommy wars”. But there is a war on women. It seems as if some men in this country want to roll back the clock. Why are they questioning a woman’s right to affordable health care including contraception, abortion and equal pay for the same job? Why are issues that were decided years ago in some cases up for debate? We, as women, need to stay focused on that.
This is something I needed to hear today.
Mary J Blige Burger King Commerical is Racist?
So, everyone is upset about a Mary J Blige commercial for Burger King? Mary singing about chicken wraps is supposed to be racist? Huh? Have we as a society thrown around the word “racist” so much that we have forgotten the definition?
This isn’t racist. This is just a cheesy commercial by the Queen of R&B drama. I like chicken. A lot of my friends like chicken. Who doesn’t like chicken? Take it easy, people. See for yourself.
Do you think this is racist? Please explain why.
To motherhood!
The Teenage Struggle – A Parenting Moment
“Teenagers are the most misunderstood people on earth. Treated like children but expected to act like adults.”
I saw the above quote on Twitter and it made me think. As a parent of two teenagers, I know that navigating the transition from child to adult can be tricky. One minute they seem to have everything under control. The next minute they see to revert back to being a toddler where the simplest task is a mystery for them to master.
I only focused on my job to help guide my girls through this time. I didn’t concentrate on things from their perspective. Princess told me that, “Being a teenage is a struggle.” The seriousness on her face as she said this gave me pause. She is right.
Teenagers today have a lot more challenges to overcome. In my day, we had the usual things like school, dating, sex and drugs. Today they have all of those things combined with the internet age. Now a teenage mistake can follow you throughout life. The internet is forever.
I reminisce on my own teenage years and I remember feeling confused and misunderstood all the time. I especially felt that my parents were clueless. I vowed that I would do things differently with my own kids.
They say that you become your parents but I disagree. Okay, you may have the tendency to follow certain actions and beliefs of your parents. But I think most people strive to be better than their parents.
I may not always get it right with Princess and Diva but everything is done out of love. My goal is to raise two responsible adults that will treat people with respect. I want them to be smart enough to surround themselves with positive people and contribute something good to society. I want them to be comfortable in their own skin and accept people who are different from them. I want them to choose a career that is satisfying and enables them to pay their own bills. I want them to choose a life partner wisely. I want them to be happy.
Bottom line: Yes, being a teenager is a struggle. Being a parent isn’t easy either. But together, we can make it through.
What do you think? Any teenage stories to share? Advice?
New Cover Design
I got a professional to design an ebook cover for my upcoming short story, Lie to Me. What do you think?
I love it. It’s much better than my feeble attempts.
Lesson learned: Hire professionals.
Enjoy!
White Until Proven Black: Imagining Race in Hunger Games : The New Yorker
I must admit I recently downloaded “The Hunger Games” based on the popularity and discussion of the movie. However, I was disturbed by the back lash against the movie because of some Black characters.
If you have read the book, it is clear that the characters in question were people of color. My question is, why is that a bad thing?
As a writer, an African-American writer, I often wonder if my work will be read by people of all races. I understand that people easily relate to others that are most like them. But is race the defining factor. I enjoy Jodi Picoult’s books. The main characters are White and yet I empathize with their plights and root for them the same way I do with a book by Bernice McFadden or Kimberla Lawson Roby. Why does it matter? A good book is a good book. Period.
Most of the time, I don’t enjoy the movie adaptation of books because the visual element limits the experience. I do enjoy it when the character on screen mimics the picture I had in my head. Of course, reading comprehension is a learned skill. Maybe those fans of “The Hunger Games” that were surprised about a character’s ethnicity should go back to school.
Please click the link below:
The Book Bench: White Until Proven Black: Imagining Race in Hunger Games : The New Yorker.
It’s My Anniversary!
Today is my 18th wedding anniversary! We have been through our share of challenges just like the next couple but I feel we have grown stronger as a result. I can say today that I love my Hubby more than I did on our wedding day. Each year it gets better.
When you live, learn and grow with one person, it takes commitment to make it work. One key area that helps is communication. I think this is the most important area but it’s also the one area that is easy to mess up. How many times has a gesture or action been misinterpreted by your significant other? Maybe its time you learn your partners love language.
I highly recommend Dr. Gary Chapman’s “The 5 Love Languages”. The main idea of the book is that people love and show love based on their unique “love language”. That language may or may not align with your partner’s. Using common sense techniques and examples of the five love languages (Words of Affirmation, Physical Touch, Acts of Service, Receiving Gifts and Quality Time), this book is a guide to better communication. We took the assessment quiz and learned we have different love languages. This knowledge helps make a positive difference in the way you “see” your partner and what they need to feel loved.
I’m off to enjoy the day with my Hubby. By the way, his language is “Quality Time” and I am “Physical Touch”. Sounds like fun, doesn’t it?
What is your love language?