I love being me!
Can you say that? And MEAN it? If not, it is time to get yourself together. People may often try to make you feel bad about who you are, where you're from, or what you have not yet accomplished in life.
If you've ever watched Basketball Wives on Vh1, you will see the "clique" that consists of Shaunie, Jennifer, Royce, Evelyn, formerly Suzie and Gloria, and now Tami Roman. Evelyn and Jennifer are the "bffs" (and apparently nudists...) of the group and the gatekeepers for the "clique" apparently. (I mean we have to hear about how everyone wants to get into the group and what they need to do and not do, this season...womp womp.)
I called into Power 98 FM this morning to speak about the Tami Roman vs Jennifer Williams debacle from this past Sunday's episode of Basketball Wives Season 2 on Vh1.
Check it out below:
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| The cast of season two of Vh1's Basketball Wives |
Can you say that? And MEAN it? If not, it is time to get yourself together. People may often try to make you feel bad about who you are, where you're from, or what you have not yet accomplished in life.
If you've ever watched Basketball Wives on Vh1, you will see the "clique" that consists of Shaunie, Jennifer, Royce, Evelyn, formerly Suzie and Gloria, and now Tami Roman. Evelyn and Jennifer are the "bffs" (and apparently nudists...) of the group and the gatekeepers for the "clique" apparently. (I mean we have to hear about how everyone wants to get into the group and what they need to do and not do, this season...womp womp.)
I called into Power 98 FM this morning to speak about the Tami Roman vs Jennifer Williams debacle from this past Sunday's episode of Basketball Wives Season 2 on Vh1.
Check it out below:
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Now y'all know I am a reality tv junkie at times. I need a way to zone out and relax. And since I don't club, drink, smoke, or do drugs...I watch reality tv. :) LOL
Anyway, back to my point. The above scene with Jennifer and Tami, was so very familiar to me. When I was in 7th grade, I confronted a girl because I heard she was talking about me. I was not the type to spread the word back and make up some gossip on the other person, I just went up to the chick and either put the fear of GAWD in her, or prepared to throw blows. (Yes, that was not smart, it was just me...).
Anyway, the girl, we'll call her Liz. Liz went around talking about how poor I was and how I had only stepped my wardrobe game up because some aunt somewhere was buying my clothes. Say whuh? Now Liz lived in the projects herself and her family was receiving government assistance (hey it happens...).
See, in my 7th grade mind, the first things that popped up were 1. This heiffa don't know me. 2. If she wants to talk, let her tell me herself, I don't do he said she said. 3. We don't have a lot of money, but heiffa you're in a worse financial situation than I am! 4. I'm about to put my hands on her for running her mouth.
But all of that was because I was overly concerned with how other people viewed me. I didn't want people to shame me for being poor. Shoot both of my parents worked, and worked hard, but we didn't have as much as everyone else. As we grew financially as a family, things began to change. But I had gone through so many episodes of people bullying me because they didn't like who I was. I was tired.
Yes, I grew up poor. But it made me appreciate and respect what I have and understand that things mean nothing in the grand scheme of things. It is about WHO you are, not WHAT you have. Yes, I was the only Black girl in my advanced courses in school, but it made me realize the lies people tell about Black children not being able to achieve.
Yes, I was a tomboy, but it gave me an appreciation for men and I don't have the hang ups a lot of women have when it comes to understanding them. Yes I went through things in life most people only read about, but I went THROUGH them, I didn't stay in them. I get to empathize with people who are still suffering and dealing.
When I finally woke up and realized that God creates us, each one, uniquely for a purpose, I learned to LOVE ME. Every bit of me. I don't have to be in an exclusive group of people to feel superior. I don't have to be a label conscious person to look good. I don't need validation from other people to appreciate who I am. No one is superior to me, I am superior to no one.
I am also very conscious of my image, at the same time. I know who I am, and it is important that I control what I project to other people. You will not get me confused for something/someone I am not. If someone says "CM did x,y, z," and you believe it, then that is the character I have created for myself. There are many facets to who I am as a person. I am a diva. I'm a free spirit and conservative at the same time. I am reserved and outgoing. A "pretty girl" and comfortable.
Some people take my confidence and nonchalance as an insult or view it as off-putting. But it isn't meant that way. I am the same way around everyone. If I do not use perfectly proper standard American English all of the time, it is not because I'm incapable. I just know how to deliver a clear message without the confines of what other people determine is "correct." If I choose to not associate myself with certain things/places/people, it is not because I don't appreciate them. It is because I think about what things within me, those things/places/people will call to the forefront.
I joked this morning about having a bit of hood in me. It is there. I know it. I did not grow up IN the hood though, however I grew up around (and was raised by) a lot of people with the mentality it takes to survive the hood. "Hood" is often associated with aggression, a hustler's mentality, fearlessness, etc. I learned how to channel it into a positive direction. There is a negative element that comes along with it, as well. That is why I try to quell it, by avoiding certain situations.
At the same time, I know there are people who did not grow up in the same way I did. And I think that is what makes the world so amazing. People are individually great. And should be appreciated for the wonderful way God made them. The problems tend to arise when "group think" and group influence take over. So I tend to stay away from cliques. They are too superficial and have too much of a gang-related mentality. And I pledge allegiance to no one just because we're apart of a "group". Give me a break. lol
There is a freedom that comes with not caring what other people think, and thinking highly enough of yourself to maintain your dignity and command respect. I've grown up and realize there is a time and place for everything. Also that everyone will not have to like me to respect me, and vice versa.
Sometimes I'm disappointed by the way women are portrayed on these reality shows. But I then remember it is still TV. A lot of these things are played up for the cameras. In fact all of the Basketball Wives are on Twitter...and they don't seem to hate each other.
Peep what happens with Tami and Jennifer AFTER the show. Reality-Piece Theater: Jennifer Williams And Tami Roman Recreate Their Food-Stamps Fight
Source: Photo and videos courtesy of VH1.com
Side note. The Game is back! It premieres tonight on BET at 10 p.m.!!! Wooohoooo!! Check back here at 10 p.m. for live commentary!
Now y'all know I am a reality tv junkie at times. I need a way to zone out and relax. And since I don't club, drink, smoke, or do drugs...I watch reality tv. :) LOL
Anyway, back to my point. The above scene with Jennifer and Tami, was so very familiar to me. When I was in 7th grade, I confronted a girl because I heard she was talking about me. I was not the type to spread the word back and make up some gossip on the other person, I just went up to the chick and either put the fear of GAWD in her, or prepared to throw blows. (Yes, that was not smart, it was just me...).
Anyway, the girl, we'll call her Liz. Liz went around talking about how poor I was and how I had only stepped my wardrobe game up because some aunt somewhere was buying my clothes. Say whuh? Now Liz lived in the projects herself and her family was receiving government assistance (hey it happens...).
See, in my 7th grade mind, the first things that popped up were 1. This heiffa don't know me. 2. If she wants to talk, let her tell me herself, I don't do he said she said. 3. We don't have a lot of money, but heiffa you're in a worse financial situation than I am! 4. I'm about to put my hands on her for running her mouth.
But all of that was because I was overly concerned with how other people viewed me. I didn't want people to shame me for being poor. Shoot both of my parents worked, and worked hard, but we didn't have as much as everyone else. As we grew financially as a family, things began to change. But I had gone through so many episodes of people bullying me because they didn't like who I was. I was tired.
Yes, I grew up poor. But it made me appreciate and respect what I have and understand that things mean nothing in the grand scheme of things. It is about WHO you are, not WHAT you have. Yes, I was the only Black girl in my advanced courses in school, but it made me realize the lies people tell about Black children not being able to achieve.
Yes, I was a tomboy, but it gave me an appreciation for men and I don't have the hang ups a lot of women have when it comes to understanding them. Yes I went through things in life most people only read about, but I went THROUGH them, I didn't stay in them. I get to empathize with people who are still suffering and dealing.
When I finally woke up and realized that God creates us, each one, uniquely for a purpose, I learned to LOVE ME. Every bit of me. I don't have to be in an exclusive group of people to feel superior. I don't have to be a label conscious person to look good. I don't need validation from other people to appreciate who I am. No one is superior to me, I am superior to no one.
I am also very conscious of my image, at the same time. I know who I am, and it is important that I control what I project to other people. You will not get me confused for something/someone I am not. If someone says "CM did x,y, z," and you believe it, then that is the character I have created for myself. There are many facets to who I am as a person. I am a diva. I'm a free spirit and conservative at the same time. I am reserved and outgoing. A "pretty girl" and comfortable.
Some people take my confidence and nonchalance as an insult or view it as off-putting. But it isn't meant that way. I am the same way around everyone. If I do not use perfectly proper standard American English all of the time, it is not because I'm incapable. I just know how to deliver a clear message without the confines of what other people determine is "correct." If I choose to not associate myself with certain things/places/people, it is not because I don't appreciate them. It is because I think about what things within me, those things/places/people will call to the forefront.
I joked this morning about having a bit of hood in me. It is there. I know it. I did not grow up IN the hood though, however I grew up around (and was raised by) a lot of people with the mentality it takes to survive the hood. "Hood" is often associated with aggression, a hustler's mentality, fearlessness, etc. I learned how to channel it into a positive direction. There is a negative element that comes along with it, as well. That is why I try to quell it, by avoiding certain situations.
At the same time, I know there are people who did not grow up in the same way I did. And I think that is what makes the world so amazing. People are individually great. And should be appreciated for the wonderful way God made them. The problems tend to arise when "group think" and group influence take over. So I tend to stay away from cliques. They are too superficial and have too much of a gang-related mentality. And I pledge allegiance to no one just because we're apart of a "group". Give me a break. lol
There is a freedom that comes with not caring what other people think, and thinking highly enough of yourself to maintain your dignity and command respect. I've grown up and realize there is a time and place for everything. Also that everyone will not have to like me to respect me, and vice versa.
Sometimes I'm disappointed by the way women are portrayed on these reality shows. But I then remember it is still TV. A lot of these things are played up for the cameras. In fact all of the Basketball Wives are on Twitter...and they don't seem to hate each other.
Peep what happens with Tami and Jennifer AFTER the show. Reality-Piece Theater: Jennifer Williams And Tami Roman Recreate Their Food-Stamps Fight
Source: Photo and videos courtesy of VH1.com
Side note. The Game is back! It premieres tonight on BET at 10 p.m.!!! Wooohoooo!! Check back here at 10 p.m. for live commentary!
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