theHotness 2.0!
I have come to believe… that what is important to me must be spoken, made verbal and shared, even at the risk of having it bruised or misunderstood.” –Audre Lorde
Rebooted. Re-ignited. Revised and Re-visioned. After a sorely needed hiatus and also some much needed retooling, theHotness is back, baby!
On March 31, 2000 I launched theHotness in the form of an e-newsletter that “celebrated the creativity, ingenuity and straight-up flava of women of color.” Read more…
I Am Not My Hair!
I guess it was yesterday or maybe Wednesday when singer, Solange Knowles was snapped by paparazzi rocking a very short-cropped coif. And before this young mama could get back home, the Web was a’buzz about her buzzed cut. Of course the haters had their Yaki Platinums in a knot over the do saying she and others are allegedly biting “the bald look” of Kanye’s ex Amber Rose. And those were the sweet comments. Other Read more…
They Won’t Go When I Go – MJ RIP
Off of Fulfillingness’ First Finale, “They Won’t Go When I Go” is, for me, one of Stevie Wonder’s best and most moving songs. Hearing it sung at MJ’s Memorial was nothing short of pure genius. Following “I Never Dreamed You’d Leave in Summer” (which ironically was featured in Poetic Justice with a young, grieving Janet Jackson), with this here song singing: No more lying friends/ Wanting tragic ends/ Though they do pretend/ They Read more…
THE GOODS: MAC’s Naked Honey
There’s something just so sweet and pure when it comes to homegrrrls and honey. A sticky ole love affair that just can’t be denied. There’s Erykah Badu riffing in that funky sweet southern drawl, “You got that honey/ You running from me/ You really turn me on.” And there’s The Secret Life of Bees that featured Queen Latifah running the business of “Black Madonna Honey” using her product to wax metaphorically about justice, honesty and Read more…
So Sneaky Freaky
I love rocking high heels and wedges and especially love kickin up snow in my pumpkin orange platform boots, but really I’m a sneaker freak at heart. Living in NYC I’ve been blessed to have access to some of the best sneaker spots in the world. Not like I’ve ever paid more than $100 for a pair of kicks, but it’s so nice to try on the classic, crazy expensive limited edition joints every now Read more…
Kerry Washington’s New Green-House
Apparently Kerry Washington, the actress who bored us in She Hate Me, charmed us in Ray and then unhinged us with her portrayal of Kay Amin in Last King of Scotland was experiencing a décor dilemma. It would seem (if we are to believe all that’s fit to print in O and we kinda do), the Bronx born activist did not know how to fuse her desire to live an eco-friendly existence with having Read more…
I am Sonia Sotomayor!
Okay well I’m not really Sonia Sotomayor, but I can identify with the 54-year old judge who is poised to become the Supreme Court’s first Hispanic justice and only its third woman. Firstly, she’s a Boriquena from the Bronx (my hometown) who went to Cardinal Spelman H.S. Supported solely by the wages of her single mom she went on to attend Princeton and then Yale Law where she served as Editor of their Law Review. Read more…
What Do Goddesses Do When Blue?
Recently I spent an entire day reaffirming myself, my sense of purpose and my personal goals for prosperity all in the company of a very powerful sisterhood. Our gathering was extraordinary in its depth of knowledge, passion, and reverence for the ancestors and for its respect for current sisterhood. As much as I write about the importance of having your grrrls and repping for women’s issues, I, theHotness Grrrl had even forgotten how good just Read more…
Santigold: Authentic & Real
Santigold is the new evolution or should say revolution of Stiffed. It’s Santi White remixed and renewed and right on time. I’ve known Sant for awhile now– at least 10 years. We even lived together for a minute in ’96 and during that time, especially on weekends when we were both around, I really got to know and love her. She’s mad ambitious and passionate and always has a ton of things on her plate. Read more…