November 2010 Archives

Did you know that 82% of African-American women are single*? I know right, that's a huge number. That means that the majority of African-American women, 18 and older, are without a mate.

*Although I found that 70% of all African-American women are single, I could not find where the 82% came from, that's still a significant number.

This above information was shocking to me as I received it in a Black Student League (an organization of which I am a member) general meeting titles: Why are black women single? The meeting took place around 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 16 in the Knowlton room in the HUB. The room, which usually seats about 20-25 people, was jammed packed with curious students. The room was so filled that students had to retrieve chairs from another room and sit in the doorway and hallway of the Knowlton room! I was pleased with the amount of students eager to know why the number of single black women was so high.

The discussion, lead by BSL's vice presidents Ayianna Jones, Christopher Harris and Darryl Ellis, suggested that some reason for this issue:

First, 2.5 million African-American men registered for the WWII draft leaving African-American wives to become the head of the household in their husbands' absences.

Next, once these men returned from war, life of a veteran was less than desirable especially for the African-American man. Therefore some of these men turned to the easiest way to make fast money, selling drugs or other illegal activities. Of course these men ended up in prison, once again leaving the African-American woman as the head of the house hold.

By this time, African-American women were gaining a new sense of independence and strength and no longer expected a man to be in the household to contribute. The African-American woman became the wife, the mother, the care giver, the sole provider and the head of the household.

And as the education and salary increase for the African-American woman, their pickings for an African-American man on the same socioeconomic level are even slimmer.

*All of this information was provided at the BSL general meeting*

Here's a video (courtesy of YouTube) that tries to explain this matter. This video was also shown at the BSL meeting Tuesday evening.

"The best $12 I've ever spent!" said IUP junior and Business Major Dionna Jenkins. Boyz II Men performed at Fisher Auditorium, Friday, Nov. 12 in front of what seemed to be a full house. The guys are celebrating 20 years in the music industry but according to Jenkins, it didn't seem like 20 years had gone by,

"It was like it was 1990 the way they were up there singing and dancing!" Jenkins said. "They made me fall in love with their music all over again."

Boyz II Men first hit the scene in 1990, signing their first record deal with Motown Records. With the ability to not only sing and harmonize beautifully, but to also write their own music, it was no wonder why these guys head straight to the top. According to their website, their very first released song as a group, Motownphilly, immediately shot to the top of the charts and sold more than 12 million copies. And they dont seem to be slowing down anytime soon.

Although Boyz II Men originally had four members; Nathan Morris, Wanya Morris, Shawn Stockman and Michael Mc Cary, only the first three named now make up Boyz II Men. Mc Cary left the group in 2003 after suffering from chronic back pain due to scoliosis.

With their bass singer gone, Boyz II Men still found a way to keep their music alive. Here's what one IUP student had to say about the night's event,

"I thought it was a classy event." said IUP sophomore English mojor Jasmine Childs "They catered to all types of music not just things we know like the two classics R&B and Love Songs, but they dove into rock, blues as well as R&B which just prove that they're the all around "American Band"!"

Personally, I agree. I felt like Boyz II Men left their hearts on the stage and that says a lot about their understanding of the music industry. I didn't feel like I was watching average 40 year old men trying to get back what they had 20 years ago, I felt like I'd taken a time machine back to 1990 and were watching them as young high school students.

"They still got it." said Jenkins.

Even during the show, after so many songs, one of the members would just talk to the audience about their appreciation of our understanding of knowing when to sit down and listen to the lyrics and when to stand up and scream the lyrics.

Here's a video I recorded during the show when the guys came out and decided to give us two more songs!

Tonight (Nov.7) was our night ladies. BET partnered with Black Girls Rock to dedicate an entire award show to our fight, our struggle and our beauty (inside and out) donning the same name, Black Girls Rock. The show, which took place in the Bronx, Ny, awarded black women and black young ladies in the entertainment world, business world and those making strides in everyday life. It honestly felt great to see a show dedicated to us. I felt amazing to see all of the black women who have paved the way for many, like me, to do whatever it is that our hearts desire.

Black Girls Rock encourages young black girls to embrace the color of their skin, the texture of their hair and the shape of their bodies and love each and every last bit of it. Presenters and performers such as Nia Long, Jill Scott, Monica, Keyshia Cole, and Marsha Ambrosius set the tone for the night bringing words of wisdom, songs of encouragement and empowerment. Award winners such as Missy Elliot, Keke Palmer, Raven-Symone, Ruby Dee and Teresa Clarke reminded every black girl and woman in the audience and at home why Black Girls Rock.

Sometimes it may seem that there are so many hurdles in life holding us, black women, back. The road to success for us may even seem non-existent but this organization and the award show reassured us that yes, there will be hurdles in life and it will be tough but we can do it. I asked Facebook "Why do you think Black Girls Rock?" And I was moved by the responses:

This is the exact day, almost down to the hour, that Barack Obama was elected the 44th president of the United States. I remember quite vividly jumping up and down with my roommate after finding out that he'd been elected. It was the first time that I'd voted and I really felt like my vote made a difference; like my voice mattered. I remember racing into the hallway of my dorm in Lawrence Hall (which is now where the Crimson Suites stand)screaming with my friends and roommate. We didn't care that it was "quiet hours" as our CA reminded us. The only thing that mattered was that our voices were heard. We raced downstairs and joined what seemed like half of IUP's population in cheering for our new president. I remember hugging anyone and everyone who stood around me. And the crowd roared even louder when a guy drove down the street playing Young Jeezy's song "My President is Black".

Here's a video (courtesy of YouTube) of a portion of the night. The video is being shot from Scranton Hall (where the crimson suites now reside).

Since it is the middle of his term, I felt that it was appropriate to ask you all what you think about how things are going so far. We all know that Obama had a big mess to clean up after the previous president. Obama himself said that it would not happen overnight but change will come. 

I attended an event courtesy of Zeta Phi Beta Inc (sorority) tonight about the president and his progress since being elected. I want to know your thoughts, concerns and hopes for the future.

First I want you to think back to the night he was elected as our president. Where were you? How did you feel? What did you do?

Now I want you to express your initial hopes and concerns at the beginning of Obama's election compared to what he has accomplished thus far.

And finally, will you re-elect him? Why or why not?