Culture

Kimora Lee Simmons Launches Baby Phat Beauty With Daughters Ming and Aoki.

Kimora is expanding the Baby Phat brand among generations by partnering with her daughters.

Looks like the 90’s is continuing to make a strong comeback. Over the last year, we’ve seen a variety of beauty and fashion references to the classic era. From Cardi B and Megan thee Stallion’s hair and makeup in WAP, to the Monica and Brandy R&B Verzuz battle, you sort of had no choice but to pull out your black lip liner and iridescent lipstick.

Popular fashion brand Baby Phat recently revamped their line to appeal to the younger generation. On Tuesday, Kimora Lee Simmons took to Instagram to announce the launch of Baby Phat Beauty, in partnership with her daughters. Because Kimora has a daughter in her late teens and one in her early 20’s, their insight can push the success of the company to the next level.

Source: hellobeautiful.com

The Importance of Black Voters, and the Stupidity of Ignoring Them

CBLA thought that although this story was published in 2011, it is even more relevant and true today! Read and let it sink in.

Jim Clyburn made a very good point in the Washington Post

“We keep talking as if it doesn’t matter, it doesn’t matter that Obama gets 92 percent of the black vote, because since he only got 35 percent of the white vote, he’s in trouble,” Clyburn said. “Well, Hillary Clinton only got 8 percent of the black vote. . . . It’s almost saying black people don’t matter. The only thing that matters is how white people respond. And that’s what bothered me. I think I matter.”

Clyburn is, unfortunately, spot on – and there’s two reasons why the phenomenon he describes is such a problem.

First and foremost is the idea that black voters are, indeed, treated as less important than white voters. I would even take it a step further: black voters are not only considered unimportant, but are considered only as black voters and nothing else – a very subtly derogatory and dehumanizing characterization in that it implies African Americans are just one dimensional simpletons, rather than multi-dimensional humans.

Source: Huffpost Read the complete story https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-importance-of-the-bla_b_98776

The Aunt Jemima Brand, Acknowledging Its Racist Past, Will Be Retired

Quaker Oats is retiring the more than 130-year-old Aunt Jemima brand and logo, acknowledging its origins are based on a racial stereotype.”As we work to make progress toward racial equality through several initiatives, we also must take a hard look at our portfolio of brands and ensure they reflect our values and meet our consumers’ expectations,” the Pepsi-owned company said in a statement provided to CNN Business.Aunt Jemima’s appearance has evolved over time. The brand’s origin and logo is based off the song “Old Aunt Jemima” from a minstrel show performer and reportedly sung by slaves. The company’s website said the logo started in 1890 and was based on Nancy Green, a “storyteller, cook and missionary worker.” However, the website fails to mention Green was born into slavery.

Source: https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/17/business/aunt-jemima-logo-change/index.html

Starbucks Bows to ‘Boycott’ Pressure, Will Let Staff Wear Black Lives Matter Gear

Starbucks announced it would allow employees to wear apparel in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, bowing to an intense social media campaign even as the company moves to crank out over 250,000 specialty shirts of its own.

This week, Starbucks was hit with online backlash and renewed calls for a boycott, following reports that it has banned employees from wearing pins and t-shirts at work in support of Black Lives Matter protests.

However, the reason for the policy is pretty technical, despite accusations to the contrary. To address the issue, Starbucks is planning to crank out hundreds of thousands of apparel items in support of a movement demanding change — but will also let its employees wear their own gear immediately.

“As we talked about earlier this week, we’re designing new t-shirts with the graphic below to demonstrate our allyship and show we stand together in unity,” Starbucks executives wrote in a letter to employees entitled “Standing together against racial injustice.”

The note added: “Until these arrive, we’ve heard you want to show your support, so just be you. Wear your BLM pin or t-shirt. We are so proud of your passionate support of our common humanity. We trust you to do what’s right while never forgetting Starbucks is a welcoming third place where all are treated with dignity and respect.”

Source: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/starbucks-dress-code-and-plans-to-create-250000-shirts-speaking-out-again-systemic-racism-133106893.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAG0ZFDlC4h7KoT9BYJbuPcBUTNKx9X3Nn4WhFND237G5Y0iN4ghM5iT24744K36mSbBfQ1vwp6UDLtJgAdBl-tPk0r_I5xFRc50nsemBD03yHdxs4qjQfWpzS44LPQtpakItRa5Q95P7mqC6cy5IX6Hk3pfcPqd_FW5Mcf309WVg