No Black Models Allowed: The Intimidating Beauty of African-American Women

by

Monica Burns-Capers

After reading the latest headlines of fashion designers choosing not to utilize Women of Color in their fashion shows and on their runways, it is a bit paradoxical for me. You see....on the one hand, when the African-American Actresses walk the red carpet in these same designs, I've never once read that a fashion designer had a problem with a Woman of Color at that particular time. And why would they? These designers are receiving all sorts of free advertising and press coverage. The designers and all whom are representatives of these designers, receive funds from these African-American actresses without even thinking about it. But oh I forget, money is green isn't it? And the color of the person's hand whose purchasing these designer clothing isn't an issue. Now on the other hand, these same designers are using spray tans to make the white models appear darker, they're using lip tricks and plumpers to make their lips larger, and they are using hair extensions for the “textured look.” Okay....is it me or are these designers attempting to create an illusion of a Black Woman on their runways? I mean....”What The Hell People!” The bronzed skin, nice full lips, and hair extensions are beautiful character traits and features of Women of Color. When it's time to walk the runway, all sorts of thought is put into the justification of why Black Models aren't being utilized. So the question is: “Can The Fashion Industry Really Continue To Thrive and Survive If African-American Spending Power Came To A Complete Halt? Note to designers: Why not place a tag in your clothing so that African-Americans can steer clear of your particular designs that states the following: “This Collection Is Not Designed For African-Americans. I Do Not Utilize Black Models In My Fashion Shows Because They Are Just Too Darn Beautiful To Look Ridiculous!”

Cattiness Amongst Women

by

Monica Burns-Capers

Words that are used to define Cattiness are: Insecure, Envy, Malice, Viciousness, Grudge, Spite, Hatefulness, Nastiness, Evilness, and Malevolence..... just to name a few. So, which one describes you?

If on a regular basis, you feel the need to share your negative opinions of women, with whom you really know nothing about, you are catty. If you hang out in cliques - be it personal or professional - and you seem to always find the time to strike up the latest gossip in reference to women you work or socialize with, you are catty. If you live with several women and have managed to cause division between them, you are catty. If you get a thrill out of persuading others to dislike individuals whom you dislike, you are catty. This list can go on and on, but why waste the time when you already know yourself.

Cattiness is a surefire sign of Low Self-Esteem issues within you; otherwise, you wouldn't engage in such behavior. You are wasting all of your time and energy on nothing. No one is ever really content on living a life of continuous discard, confusion, and chaos; therefore, you seek ways to ease your inadequacy through your stellar performances of Cattiness. You don't have a clue as to why you act this way, nor of the real underlying negativity issues you project to and on others, by engaging in the obvious evil of Cattiness.

When you feel threatened, displays of Cattiness are utilized as temporary band-aids to cover-up that which you fear the most.....”The Truth About Yourself.” Your Cattiness takes the attention away from your own faults, resulting in you pointing them out in others. And do you even know what it is that you're fearing? You can deny the facts of Low Self-Esteem being the reason you engage in Cattiness if you want, but you know the real truth. And the real truth, is that you Envy those whom you unnecessarily criticize and subject to your Catty behavior.

Cattiness gives you back, via the Universe, that which you disburse to others about others such as: Body aches & pains, Unnecessary arguments in your relationships, Stress in your life, Discontinuing of your blessings from the Universe, Enemies, Bad breaks in life, Loneliness, Depression, Confidence Issues, Inferiority, Inadequacy, Lost of Jobs, and so on and so forth. Why would you want to live that way? Furthermore, what gives you the right and how did you acquire such a broad range of knowledge to judge others? What you see in others as negative, you feel in yourself. What you hate in others, you see in yourself. What you criticize in others, you want for yourself. The Confidence you see in others, is the Low Self-Esteem you feel within yourself.

Acknowledging the negativity within yourself, is the first step towards change. Stop blaming others for your unfortunate circumstances and bad breaks in life. Your life as you see it, is the result of your own actions. Have you contemplated and pondered on the issue as to why your life is in such disarray? Use the energy that you're wasting on Cattiness, towards the betterment of your life. Look deep within for your solution. Until you gain insight of your underlying negative issues and put forth serious efforts to change them......You will never live a peaceful life because peace will never exist in you.

Monica Burns-Capers

Copyright ©2008 Monica Burns-Capers. All Rights Reserved.

Monica Burns-Capers is an Expert Author, Freelance Writer, Consultant, Adjunct College Instructor and President/CEO of Monica Mi'Chelle Communications: A Professional Writing and Self-Development Firm. For More Information, Visit Her Website At: www.monicamburns.com.

Five Ways To Tell If You Are Just A “Booty” Call

by

Monica Burns-Capers

You would think that we would all know when we are involved in “Sex-Only Relationships.” Sadly, most women don't have a clue. There are a whole host of ways to determine whether or not your relationship is just a Booty Call; however, the listing below suggests a few of these ways, and should assist you should you have questions and need answers to why your relationship isn't moving forward.

• He Allows You To Visit Him Only In The “Wee” Hours of The Morning – If the man you are currently seeing has requested that you only visit his home between the hours of 2:00AM and 4:00AM, you are indeed a Booty Call my dear. After the rump sessions are over, cuddling isn't required, nor will it be initiated by him. The only pillow talk going on between the two of you is, “What Night Is Your Next Visit?” You are invited at these hours because it is dark, no one will see you entering into his home, and no one will see you leaving his home. You were just something that happened that night......until your next visit at the same time.

• You Do Not Have His Phone or Cell Numbers – Now you would really be so naïve to think that this is really your man and you can't even call him. You have no way at all of contacting him, not even a work number! Do you even know where he works? He has to always call you. Everything works on his time and his time only. When he calls, you come running. You have put your outside interests and people on hold, so that you won't miss any of his calls. There is nothing about this type of arrangement that says “Pursue This!” You are clearly just a “Booty Call.” I mean really.....don't fall for the “I Work For The Secret Service” crap either, as his reason for not giving you any phone numbers!

• You Have Never and Will Never Meet His Friends or Family – Some men will not even think of introducing their Booty Calls to their family or friends. You are of no importance to them in that aspect. Why would he introduce someone that no one even really knows about anyway. If he introduces you to his family and friends, he'll think that you may think, something more serious is going on, when in all actuality...it's not. He has no intentions whatsoever of allowing you to meet his family and friends, so don't count on it ever happening. You are the Booty Call. Your access to him is totally restricted and very limited.

• He Doesn't Acknowledge You – Have you ever ran into your Booty Call person at the store or some other place in public, and he acted as if he had never in his life ever seen or met you before? This is not an act ladies, but rather, part of your arrangement and role as his Booty Call. He doesn't know you during the day time hours; only in the wee hours of the morning-Remember....between the hours of 2:00AM and 4:00AM? Don't embarrass yourselves attempting to get him to notice you. It will just make things worse for you. You'll get upset at that exact moment, but you know when he calls you later on that same night, you're going to be prepared to see him at your same usual time.

• He Has Never Asked or Taken You Out On A Date – So it has been six months already. You are still visiting him in the wee hours of the morning, you still don't have his phone or cell numbers, you haven't met his family or friends yet, and he doesn't acknowledge you in public. What more do you need? You still haven't been out on a date, not even to the drive thru at your local McDonald's. Dear, you are never going to be asked out on a date now. You see....he has already got what most men want as their reason for taking you out on the date in the first place.

Of course, not all of the above is a conclusive listing, but they are the major players in determining if you are just a Booty Call or if your relationship is indeed worth pursuing. Not all men act this way, and not all women are naïve,; however if you fit into one of the above scenarios, it is your choice to make. If you are okay with your current arrangement of “Sex-Only,” then by all means, do what you do. I'm not the judge, nor do I aspire to be. But, if you are someone wanting to change, you should begin with loving yourself first. When you love yourself it shows, and the universe will arrange your life in a way that will align the right person to cross your path and love you even more!

Monica Burns-Capers

Copyright ©2008 Monica Burns-Capers. All Rights Reserved.

Monica Burns-Capers is an Expert Author, Freelance Writer, Consultant, Adjunct College Instructor and President/CEO of Monica Mi'Chelle Communications: A Professional Writing and Self-Development Firm. For More Information, Visit Her Website At: www.monicamburns.com.