Yasmin Shiraz

Give it to shock jock, Howard Stern, for saying what many people were probably thinking. Oprah and all the fans of Precious applauded Gabourey Sidibe’s performance in Precious, but all seemed to ignore that Hollywood is a size conscious place. With stars like Queen Latifah –who had a breast reduction–early in her Hollywood career, Oscar winner Mo’Nique losing bunches of pounds and hey, winning an Oscar afterward, how much you weigh definitely has made a difference in Hollywood.  Many other stars white, black, and otherwise have said that they can’t get work when they are over a size 2, so how is it that Gabourey Sidibe will have the “Cinderella” career that Oprah has espoused? It’d be wonderful. Sure. But old prejudices die hard. Perhaps screenwriters and producers will begin to write characters and support films for actresses that look like Gabourey. Or perhaps, when casting a role they’ll stop casting the typical 5′7″ 105lb chick. Maybe. I’d love to see it.

Truthfully, though, the decision of how Gabourey’s career will shape up is in her hands as much as it is also in the theater buying public’s hands.

Americans, typically, have been loathesome to look at anyone who was not “Malibu Girl” beautiful.

Beautiful black actresses like Halle Berry, Paula Patton, and Vivica Fox have all spoken of the lack of consideration that they are given for roles when the producer or the Hollywood engine thinks a white actress should play the role. Again, these are black women who are beautiful in their own right. As they fight the color line, how does Gabourey fight the size line?

So many successful celebrities including Jennifer Anniston and Tina Fey both admit to how their careers improved once they lost weight. I believe Jennifer Anniston said something to the effect, “The roles all of a sudden came pouring in.” I’m paraphrasing, but you get the idea. If I were one to give Gabourey advice, I don’t know if I’d say keep the weight on and see if you can change people’s perceptions about those who are overweight or if I would say lose weight so that your risk of heart attack, stroke, diabetes will go down. Because I lean on the side of being health conscious, I would probably suggest the latter. Anyway, can one actress and all of her fans really tip the scales of Hollywood in her favor?  I’ll be watching. What do you think?

Every day I’m sharing quotes from my books to initiate dialogue on the issues that can help us, hurt us, or make us think about life as we know it. Some days it may be an affirmation for living, other days it might be a statement about the stark reality of society, music, culture, etc. Today is a quote from my book, Exclusive. The main character, a journalist, talks about how she sees hip hop videos.

“Guys walk around in the music videos in sweatshirts, baggy jeans, and Timberland boots. The background could be a scene in Alaska, but every girl in the video is wearing a bikini top, butt-cheek shorts, or skirts so high you can see her panties. Women, sex and their bodies are being exploited in every hip hop video.”

Thought of the day: How women are portrayed should matter to everyone, not just women.

This is a movie, I gotta see. The synopsis describes a lot of mother/son relationships. Read the synopsis below and check the trailer. Then, email me and tell me you don’t know several people like this.

A woman devoted to her son struggles to keep him from spending his life in prison in this drama from director Bong Joon-ho. Do-jun (Weon Bin) is a man in his mid-twenties who isn’t especially bright and is easily led. Do-jun lives with his elderly mother (Kim Hye-ja), who loves him fiercely even though she has no illusions about his abilities or his bad habits. Do-jun spends much of his spare time with Jin-tae (Jin Gu), a borderline criminal who takes advantage of Do-jun’s credulous nature, much to his mother’s annoyance. When Do-jun is arrested by police and accused of the murder of a young woman, his mother is certain he couldn’t have done it and sets out to prove her son’s innocence to police detectives, who seem more interested in closing the case than researching other possible leads. At first, mother feels certain that Jin-tae has framed her son to avoid being punished himself, but as she digs deeper she suspects the truth is more complicated. Madeo (aka Mother) was an official selection at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival. – Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

I’m going to sit through the subtitles to see this movie. It looks that good!

Yesterday in my Oscar highlight posts, I forgot to include Geoffrey Fletcher’s win. Geoffrey won an Oscar for Writing (Adapted Screenplay) for his adaptation of Precious: Based on the Novel Push By Sapphire. According to Oprah, Geoffrey is the first African American ever to win in this category. As a person who has adapted three novels into screenplays, I am proud of Geoffrey and happy for him! History is being made. Here’s the text of his acceptance speech.

I don’t know what to say. This is for everybody who works on a dream every day. Precious boys and girls everywhere. All the cast and crew, anyone who’s kept believing in me. My two brothers, supported me in every way. My role models, my heroes, Buddy and Todd. My mother, Bettye, angel of my world. My father, Alphonse, who spent so much time with us and taught us everything. I’m sorry I’m drawing a blank right now, but I thank everyone.

I love it! And I, like Geoffrey, am encouraging people to work on your dream every day!

Left to Right, Kathryn, Barbra

I don’t know if you watched the Oscars last night, but history was made. Kathryn Bigelow, the director of The Hurt Locker, became the 1st woman to win a best director Oscar for her film. Congratulations Kathryn. This is big news and a great accomplishment. It shows that the women filmmakers deserve the same recognition as their male counterparts!

It was also great to see Barbra Streisand, director of Yentl and Prince of Tides give her the award. Barbra’s no slouch as a director, either. Anyway, I’m just glad to see progress being made. That’s what’s up!

Actress/Comedianne, Mo’Nique became the 5th Black woman to win an Oscar at the 82nd Awards ceremony yesterday. Congrats Mo’Nique. The other actresses to win the award: Hattie McDaniel, Whoopie Goldberg, Halle Berry, and Jennifer Hudson. I’m excited for Mo’Nique and all actresses who are stepping their game up! Mo’Nique dedicated her Oscar win to Hattie McDaniel and so I included both Mo’Nique’s and Hattie’s Oscar acceptance speeches.

Below is Mo’Nique’s speech:

Below is Hattie McDaniel’s Oscar Acceptance Speech:

The Female Condom In Action

According to the Washington Post, the District of Columbia will be giving out free female condoms over the next three weeks as a part of a campaign that will distribute 500,000 condoms through high schools, beauty salons, and convenience stores.The campaign is funded by MAC cosmetics. (Get ya lip gloss on!)

This initiative is aimed at reducing the spread of HIV & AIDS throughout the city. In 2008, a report said that DC had a 3% HIV/AIDS rate which is considered a major epidemic.

HIV/AIDS infection is the leading cause of death for black women 25-34.

What makes me glad about this is that there are women who are faithful and want their “sexually risky” partners to wear condoms but they refuse. Now that women have their own condom, they can utilize it. It gives women a sense of power over their bodies and in the bedroom. Stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS is the best way to control the disease. I call this “positive progress” because for years only the male condom was available and even after the female condom was available it was not widely promoted. So, this is definitely progress.

Women do not be intimidated by the female condom. This is about our empowerment and tools to save our lives. As a matter of fact, I plan on going to DC next week and see how easy it is for me to get a female condom.   I’m going to see if this campaign is exactly what they are saying in the papers.  I’ll keep you posted.

Read the full article here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35736237/ns/health-more_health_news/

Lil's Waynes drawers are showing & JayZ's t-shirt are covering his!

Today I visited a suburban school in Northern, Virginia to talk about my career as an author / filmmaker. I showed the students the six books that I’ve written and I even showed them the movie poster to my first film, Can She Be Saved? As an extra bonus (in case they didn’t like my books)–I brought a old copy of my magazine, Mad Rhythms. They listened to me talk about my books and my film, but they were most excited when I told them that I had interviewed Jay-Z, been to Diddy’s house in the Hamptons and they were even more excited when I told them that I had gone to Lil’ Wayne’s 16th Birthday party. Huh? These young people were in 1st through 5th grade! They were so excited when I mentioned the name “Lil Wayne.”

I guess in my mind, I love music so much, I think that its a language that is spoken only to me, but the reality is that music is a universal language that is spoken to all people. When I mentioned to the young people that I had interviewed Jay-Z, there were all sorts of “wow”s and sighs in the room. I knew Jay-Z was really, really hot with Hard Knock Life, but is he still that hot? Apparently. That was something that surprised me today.

I had a great time inspiring and talking to young people about my career as a writer, author, filmmaker. I love it so much that it never feels like work.

Chelsea King, 17

According to www.msnbc.com, a body recently found is likely to be missing teen, 17 year old, Chelsea King. Chelsea was a straight A student who’d gone missing 5 days prior.  John Albert Gardner, 30, was arrested on suspicion of rape and murder. To this I say, be as careful as you can when you see strangers. Even OLDER teens, you have to watch out. There are plenty of crazy, derelict, murderous people in this world. There’s been a lot said about being safe on the internet but you cannot be too trusting of anybody these days. The friendliest looking people could be the most messed up! Do not give a murderer or a rapist an opportunity to get close to you. Stay your distance. Here are some tips:

1. If you are in the mall and feel that you are being followed, have security walk you to your car.
2. If you are in the parking lot and see somebody strange or someone who appears to be doing something to someone, Call 911. Even if you’re wrong, if you’re right, you’ll never regret making this call.
3. If you see someone strange around school grounds, alert the principal, your parents and the police. ALL THREE. Don’t leave it up to the principal to do something, or your parents or the police. Let every adult you know and trust be aware that you’ve seen a stalkerish, stranger on or nearby school grounds.
4. Do not give people your real names, phone numbers or home addresses on the internet. I don’t care how sincere they appear to be. You don’t know ‘em and neither do I. Fake names only!
5. Do not meet up with anyone that you’ve connected with on the internet by yourself or without your can of mace! Seriously, you have to always think safety first!

I know I sound like I’m 100 today, but every time I see how someone’s life has been cut short, it makes me sick. And I want to think of ways to share information on how to be safe. So, be safe, people!

Three weeks ago the media released a video of a 15 year old girl in Seattle, Washington being jumped by two other girls. As the story goes, the girl was in a Seattle subway station and was being approached by two girls. She walked over to three security station guards to seemingly get away from the two girls who were pursuing her. The guards provided her no refuge and she was attacked anyway while the security station guards were standing right there. She fell to the ground, was kicked to in the head and her purse, iPod, and cell phone were are stolen–again, as the three security station guards stood by and did….absolutely nothing.

This latest incident seems like a page out of my book, “Retaliation” or even a testimony from my documentary film, “Can She Be Saved?” The youth that I interact with continue to tell me that fights jump off with adults standing there doing absolutely nothing. I continue to hear that between youth, you cannot get a fair one –a one on one if you will. There has to be 2 or more people against 1. That’s just how it goes down. Growing up I always thought it was punkish for a group of people to jump one person. I thought it punkish because if you could really handle yours why do you need a crew to fight somebody?

My girls from Syracuse who are featured in my film, Can She Be Saved? really hipped me to the adults who stand by and encourage fights or do nothing. In this case in Seattle, I can’t understand how “security” is in a person’s title and when they saw that this 15 year old girl was being attacked and robbed, they felt that the subway station was still SECURE???? I don’t get it.

In doing research on the Seattle Subway station security policies, I come across some information which says that they are not supposed to break up fights…. Yeah, I can’t quote it, yet, but that’s the policy information that I’ve come across. What’s the point of calling them security guards if they can’t make sure that the subway station is secure. If all they are going to do is stand around, let’s call them Subway station Statues. I think that’s way more applicable.

What should have happened in Seattle? Those three guards should have prevented the girl from getting robbed and if the fight was started, they should have broken it up. If there is any policy that prevents a security guard from breaking a fight, the policy needs to be rewritten. Furthermore, the parents of the 15 year old should be suing the Seattle Metro Station because the girl could not be safe while waiting for a train. As far as public safety goes, we do have a reasonably belief that we are not going to be attacked when we are standing next to three security guards who work for the subway. I smell lawsuit. A big one.

What do you think? You can add to the discussion here or on the Can She Be Saved? facebook page or the Retaliation facebook page. The links are below.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Can-She-Be-Saved-Documentary-Film-Page/334549792121?ref=mf

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/The-Retaliation-Book-Fan-Page/328933113699