I
started this blog nearly five years ago as an “open conversation” between me
and my girlfriends on what mattered to us (i.e. random thoughts about our
social circle, various social events we attended, the outfit of a woman we
admired and desired to emulate, and our adventures in travel). Blogging is an unbelievably challenging grind
so I initially thought I would only write occasionally to entertain my family
and friends – really more as an update on what’s happening in my world.
Never
beyond my wildest dreams did I ever think that so many people desired to be a
part of this so-called open conversation” about America’s so-called Black Elite.
I’ve enjoyed many press interviews,
invitations to incredible events, and an international base of supporters who
encourage me with kind words (and hold me
accountable if I don’t post at least once a week!)
Most of
you celebrate and herald the accomplishments of people I refer to as “super
socialites.” A few people like to launch
cowardly, fake name attacks toward me and those I feature on the blog from the
comfort (and security) of their computers periodically. The majority of you
just enjoy looking at well-dressed Black people being philanthropic.
Regardless
of the motivation for visiting this blog, it’s all good.
Within
recent years, the image of Black people (and specifically Black women) has been
filtered through reality television’s stereotypical lens. It has been painful
and quite shocking to digest the violence and viciousness thrust upon us thanks
to [fill in the name of any of these
shows here] on VH1 and Bravo primarily. It’s awful that middle aged women
are willing to conduct themselves like complete idiots for fleeing fame.
What’s
even more heart rending is that I know for a fact that young girls are being
(in my opinion) negatively impacted by these reality television “starlets.” Girl-on-girl
violence is being documented actively on YouTube and other video sharing sites.
Fist-to-cuffs has replaced conversations and verbal disagreements. Bitch has replaced “girl” or “dear” as a salutation
among friends. Vibe Magazine placed a bunch on them on their recent cover as the “new
role models.”
Well, I’m
here to tell you that the reality show nonsense has officially worn me out and
I’m extremely tired of it.
I have
had more than four major reality television production companies approach me
about doing a show “inspired” by this blog. And as tempting as money could and
would be, I can’t stop hearing my Grandmother’s voice in the back of my head
saying “Just remember child…all money ain’t
good money.”
I simply
cannot sow into anything that would ultimately embarrass me, my loved ones, or
Black people.
That’s too high of a price to pay.
I have
vacillated over the years about ending this blog because it really is time
consuming and I’m not exactly thrilled about the lack of personal privacy I’m
experiencing now either. Plus, my life is too doggone full right now.
I’m
getting married (I was single when I started blogging), I’ve lost a great deal
of family members and friends over the past five years (and still mourning), I
had major surgery in 2008 (no I didn’t share that on the blog back then), my
home was damaged in Hurricane Irene last year (we’re still repairing it), and
my professional life was la vida loca (but earlier this month I got
promoted!)
So, I’m kinda a psychological mess now trying
to balance it all. I started becoming weary of having one more thing (this
blog) on my proverbial plate.
But,
then I reflected on the email I received from a mother in South Africa who told
me that three generations of her family gather around the computer to view
images of beautiful Black women on my blog. I think about how other Black
bloggers have been inspired by The Black Socialite. I recall that prior to
launching this blog 2007, the term “Black Socialite” didn’t exist in mainstream
media.
I also think
back to the time when we (as Black people) didn’t have many options of how we
were represented in the media, in advertising, and in popular culture. So, historically
those of us with resources worked diligently to show images of Black refinement
and aid the next generation toward professional and social excellence.
It’s
good that our major vanity press outlets (Ebony and Jet) are on the upswing
again because God knows - we are bombarded with details of Black disenfranchisement,
under-achievement, or just plain ole ignorant attention whores have attempted
to commandeer the term “socialite” for profiteering purposes.
So, I
have this widely read platform to celebrate positive Black people doing awesome
things for their communities – and I will press on.
I know
that what I offer on The Black Socialite (in terms of the portrayal of Black
women and Black people) is a whole heck-of-a-lot better than the garbage that’s
on television currently.
I remain
committed and will get back into the “lab” for a re-launch before the end of
2012 (fingers crossed!).
I'll start posting more too!
