#CountMeOUT: Wangechi Mutu & Toshi Reagon
“I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own.” -Audre Lorde
theHotness celebrates and partners with Black queer women this month in our #CountMeOUT campaign that links African and African-American women– both queer and straight in conversations and hopefully in a movement that expands the ways in which we think about community, activism and sisterhood.
In launching #CountMeOUT, I will present a series of Read more...
Brass: A Recessionista’s New Gold
Gold, referred to as “tears of the Sun” by the Incas, is perhaps the oldest metal known to us earthlings and I just love this precious metal like no other. It’s shimmer. It’s depth. It’s richness. It all makes that part of my gut that’s connected to beauty and spirit just razzle dazzle with a rush of excitement. Oh and then there’s its connection to Ancient Egypt and Nubia where gold was considered the skin Read more...
Bootylicious Blackface: Cool or Fool?
So Sasha Fierce is rocking the burnt cork, darky look in the March issue of French magazine, L’Officiel Paris and of course she’s got folks’ Vicky Secrets all tied-up in a knotty bunch. The photo—tribal markings, outfit and all—was styled in honor of Nigerian musician and activist Fela Kuti. Personally, I found the photo spread more boring and in bad taste than offensive, but then again it’s gonna take a lot more than Fashion Read more...
Egypt is Free, But Not The Women?
A week ago today, after 18 days or rallying and protesting, Egyptians successfully won “liberation” and forced Mubarak to resign. The world saw both men and women on the front lines. In a country where women are marginalized, harassed and openly discriminated against, it was hugely empowering to see women– veiled and unveiled– walk side by side their husbands, brothers, sons and fellow countrymen demanding change and reform. It was truly a revolution of Read more...