What Would Thembi Do? » Fresh Black Girls

Did Moms Mabley Predict The 2008 Election?

Thembi Ford — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:11:16 +0000

Black female entertainers have always walked a fine line between the stereotype of the vulgar, oversexed temptress and the large, asexual mammy figure. When it comes to creating a comedic persona, there's nothing less-funny to black audiences than trite, overdone stereotypes (or, so I thought until Madea came along, but I digress**). Moms Mabley circumvented all of that by presenting herself as an toothless old lady in a bathrobe and raggedy hat who also had the foulest mouth around and couldn't keep her mind off of sex.

In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall

Thembi Ford — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 14:54:13 +0000

Information is still developing, but Alaina Reed Hall passed away on December 17 at the age of sixty-three. The cause of her death has not yet been officially reported but the actress, best known for her roles as Rose Holloway on 227 and Olivia on Sesame Street, has been very public about her ongoing battle with breast cancer. She participated in the documentary “Breast Cancer Examined: An African-American Perspective," to commemorate 2009 National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and share her courageous approach to fighting the disease.

“What The Eff?” Wednesday: Santo Gold v. Santigold

Thembi Ford — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:02:47 +0000

When recording artist Santogold changed her name to Santigold I wasn't really paying attention. I heard something about there being another artist who already had that name and kept it moving. But did you know that the man behind the name change is a tragically weird infomercial/jeweler/musician from the 1980's? He brought legal action against Santi for infringement, saying that by her use of the name Santogold she was "crushing [his] hopes of continuing his music and acting career." Really? 'Cause I ain't never heard

Random Michelle Obama Sweatage

Thembi Ford — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:15:43 +0000

Fact #1: I cannot now nor could I ever double dutch Fact #2: I cannot double dutch because I came from private school to a public school where no one would let me have enough turns to learn how to do it. Fact #3: When I tried to participate by turning the rope, I was called "double-handed." I still don't know what that means. Fact #4: Due to the above events, there is a hole in the tapestry of my blackgirlness. Fact #5: Michelle Obama is way blacker and doper than I am, because even though she is not very good at it, she has double dutched on the White House lawn!

AND she hula hoops.

“Big Black Women Are So Funny!”: Mo’Nique and Sherri

Thembi Ford — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:12:13 +0000

Big black women are just sooo funny aren't they? How else can you explain the premiere of TWO shows starring black female comedians whose girth has played major roles in their public personae? Sarcasm aside, I watched both The Mo'Nique Show and Sherri Shepherd's new sitcom Sherri with an open mind expecting laughs, the chance to identify with women more like me than most, and my usual cautious optimism. Here's what I found:

The Mo'Nique Show

I respect Mo'Nique and hope she succeeds at everything she chooses to pursue. That said, watching her new talk show on BET feels like going to church at the hair salon while listening to a motivational

One To Watch: Aisha Hinds

Thembi Ford — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 18:05:32 +0000

Aisha Hinds is striking: brown, bald-headed, and full-lipped, with a deep, crystal clear voice and black and beautiful features. My "a-ha!" moment with Ms. Hinds came courtesy of HBO's True Blood in her role as voodoo lady/drugstore clerk Ms. Jeanette (a character that was meant to be a good twenty years older than Ms. Hinds, who is thirty-five). Aside from her commanding screen presence, the true pleasure in her performance is her voice.

Odds & Ends

Thembi Ford — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 20:16:12 +0000

Oh, Google Reader, thank you for the share function and for friends like Mr. Smart Guy who share things with me that no one should see, like this "back boobage/diminished glutes," tragedy posted by Saney Sane over at In Hood Terms. Now I get to share it with you but still pretend that I had nothing to do with spreading it across the Internet. Figuring out this woman's body is a Rubix Cube level endeavor, so good luck.

Old School Fridays: Chaka Khan

Thembi Ford — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 13:43:10 +0000

Chaka Khan has a distinctive, amazing voice, a dazzling stage presence, and a fascinating life story. But what I really care about is the hair. Ever since I knew there was a Chaka Khan I’ve wanted my hair to be…

Fresh Black Girls: Naomi Sims

Thembi Ford — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 22:45:35 +0000

On Saturday, August 1, the "first black Cover Girl" Naomi Sims passed away at the age of sixty-one. Naomi Sims was born in Mississippi but grew up in Pittsburgh, enduring foster care life in poor white neighborhoods after her mother became ill. She credited her rough upbringing for inspiring her to become somebody, and as a pretty, but brown and lanky teen she earned a scholarship from New York's Fashion Institute of Technology. It was still 1966, and as much as the "Black Is Beautiful" movement had taken root there was still so little interest in black models that Naomi had to get creative...

Random Michelle Obama Sweatage

Thembi Ford — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:51:38 +0000

She cut her hair! I like it and am now more sure than ever that the Halle Burrrreh style is on its way back in. Update: Churrrrl, this is not a cut, says stylist Johnny Wright . . .