“I only date ________ women/men.” The line between racial preferences and straight up ignorance.

source: pinterest

This post is inspired by the recent backlash received by rapper Kodak Black a few weeks ago pertaining to his dating preferences; specifically that he only prefers light skin black women. Side note: I don’t personally listen to Kodak black or care for him really, but his comments sparked my interest because as a darker black woman, we are almost conditioned to feel inferior because our looks and personality. We are also conditioned to believe that we are the last choice in the dating pool (at least in the West). It also sparked my interest because I have been trying to figure out where our dating preferences stem from; specifically with race. Saying that I prefer tall men over short men has a lot more to do with feeling protected, and because I myself am really tall, but (hypothetically) saying that I only prefer white/latino/ men over black men raises a much deeper concern. Is it rooted in bigotry? Is it simply biological? Cultural? Media representations? Self-hate?

During an interview he was asked if he likes performer Keke Palmer, and responded by saying that he didn’t like black women like that. He then took to Instagram to clarify his previous statement:

“I love Black African American women its just not my forte to deal with a “darkskin” woman I prefer them to have a lighter complexion than me #MyPreference #FuckYou.”

At this point, I still wasn’t shaken by his statements. I have heard this statement in many forms over the years. I thought well, a preference is a preference I guess. I recently fell for a white boy, and said white boy told me he only prefers white and latina women. welp. I was obviously upset, but what if he couldn’t help it? On the flip side, what if he believed the stereotypes associated with black women? What if his family ingrained the idea that black women were inferior? Or what if they told him that he could never bring a black girl home?

I only started to roll my eyes and sigh in disbelief when Kodak decided to further his explanation for his preference by spewing complete nonsense like “black people, we too gutter” “light skins are easier to break down” “light skins are more sensitive” “dark skins are too rough”.

My word. Light skin women are easier to break down? what kind of messed up mentality is that? Easier to control and manipulate while her darker skin counterpart is so overly rough and masculine? complete rubbish.

That is my BIGGEST issue with stating racial preferences and preferences in general. If you have a strict racial preference fine, that’s alright. Don’t however, bash or put down dark skin black women or the opposite of your preference in the process. If I have a thing for taller guys, will I bash and deem shorter men effeminate? NO. If I prefer latino/white men over black men, am I putting down black men in the process? HELL no. My father is black, my brother is black.

Additional Side note: I don’t personally really have a strict preference, if a man is gorgeous, he is gorgeous no matter what his skin colour is.

What are your thoughts on preferences? Leave a comment below!

x

 

 

Can you teach people how to treat you?

This is a topic I have struggled to come to terms with; especially when you are born with the capacity to love and overdo it (and I mean, really overdo it). Can you teach people how to treat you? If you have been treated badly by a friend, family member, lover, crush, is it inherently your fault? Will you always come across people that no matter how good you are to them, fail to treat you the same way? I personally think that you can express your expectations, set your boundaries for how you want to be treated, love yourself to the fullest, but you can’t “teach” someone who doesn’t want to be taught.  You cannot force someone you care about, to show the same level of attentiveness, affection, and effort as you do. I’ve been on both sides of the spectrum and burned my self-esteem through tireless efforts to get people I adore to love and respect me the way I love and respect them.

Self love, is so important, but here are some tips to dealing with people who don’t treat you the way you want to be treated:

1. Learning to eventually identify, reflect, and communicate the issue helps. You should never feel like you are doing so much with nothing to show for it.
2. Walking away: having the confidence to tone it down or walk away completely is an option.
3. Learning that people express love and affection in many different ways: your way of expressing love may not reflect someone else’s manner of expressing love/friendship.

 

What are your thoughts? Is it contextual?

“Never give 100% of yourself to someone you love!”

“Esther, you need to be a little meaner/a bitch. Men love bitches.”

“You do too much, you love with all of your heart. In the ends it leaves you hurt and empty.”

“You need to have higher standards and you also need to marry a man who loves you much more than you love him”

“the one who cares less, has more power”

I have heard a variation of these statement over the years; usually following a falling out with a guy or a love/crush that was unrequited.

I hate mind games. I love authentic interactions with men. I love being myself around guys I am interested in. I have however, reached a point where I think that some interactions require these temporary “tactics” or “mind games” that are deemed highly acceptable by the dating scene. I feel exhausted putting so much love, energy and effort into someone who doesn’t see my value/pushes me away, only to realize he is madly in love with me after the fact that I did my part and moved the hell on. There is a plethora of videos and books on the “how to ____ ” in regards to making a man want you more, making yourself seem a certain way when you are not etc. Some tactics are almost borderline manipulating, but branch off human psychology (we are pretty fucked up, y’all). I wish that it were ok for me to display my affections without the need pull away in order for him to notice my absence, or going completely cold turkey even though we both seem to get on very well. *slaps forehead*. Keeping a man’s (or woman’s) interest is a topic that that will stay relevant and will continue to be analyzed, put to the test, and made for profit. I do understand the inherent need for these tactics, but is there an ideal outcome where two people just can be their unapologetic selves?

It’s cool to be apathetic and nonchalant these days, displaying a side of yourself that cares too much or forgives too easily is a HUGE no-no in love and relationships it seems.

 

What are your thoughts?

Valentine’s Day Guide for my single gals

picture: pinterest.com

I’m single as a pringle. Valentine’s Day was the equivalent to a spoonful of Buckley’s on a sick day. February 14th was always deemed a day of discomfort, moping, complaining, and one big WHY AM I ALWAYS SINGLE TODAY?

I am also an incurable romantic. My parents (God bless them), have shown me over and over again that soulmates do exist, that real love is effortless, but in times takes work. They have also showed me their love-sick-teen-like tendencies; which adds more fuel to the hope that maybe one day, I can have what they have.

In recent years I have embraced the widely accepted notion that Valentine’s Day is merely a Hallmark Holiday; you should love your spouse/SO every day Yadda,Yadda,Yadda…

(OK I’M INTERRUPTING THIS BLOG POST TO LET YA’LL KNOW THAT MY PARENTS CALLED ME TO TELL ME THAT THEY JUST WENT ON A NICE DATE) *heart eyes emoji*

I admit, I think I just want to experience at least one cheesy, roses and cards Valentine’s Day with someone I love and cherish. After that, I will gladly indulge in the “well me and so so show our love to each other EVERYDAY”.

For now though, this is how I resolve my Valentine’s Day blues:

1. Feeling Grateful/Love – This could be for my family, friends, etc. have a journal handy, and write down 3-5 things you are grateful for
2. Going about it like it is any other day- I work from 11am-9:30pm on Valentine’s Day, so I don’t have a lot of time to dwell on my singledom
3. Go out with single friends or hangout with people you love- movies, lunch, you name it!
4. If you are not working have a “me” day- pamper yourself, order some food, and watch some TV!
5. Always have a positive mindset- girl you saved some money and didn’t have to get a man gifts! I’m playing. Feel happy for couples you know celebrate. Feel the love and excitement for them. Whatever you feel is what you attract…

Choose Your Damn Self.

Unrequited love is by far one of the WORST life lessons to go through (for me at least). I’m a giver, I go out of my way for people, I have tons of that mushy-gooey type of love that poets and writers thrive from…and for  while, I hated it. I hated it because people I love(d) took advantage of it. It is a hit to your self-esteem and worth. Confidence turns to “I’m not good enough” giving with love, turns to expecting things in return.

I loved a handsome young man who was everything I wanted and more in a friend and lover. Tall, smart, down to earth, family oriented etc. I plucked up the courage  to tell him how I felt but his response was rather vague, leaving me in hope (the unhealthy, obsessive type). As time passed, it was VERY clear that he was not interested but insecurity snuck in and told me that all I had to do was PROVE to him that I was worth being with. I wasn’t his physical type, he had some issues he needed to deal with, he was busy, but I paid no mind to the obvious. My only task was to “make him see” that what he needed was right in front of him. wrong. so.very.wrong. Choose to love yourself first, and foremost. If someone doesn’t see the gem that you are, take it as a sign from the universe that it just wasn’t meant to happen, or that something even BETTER is suited for you.

Let it go.

Cry, binge watch The Crown on Netflix, and work on loving and improving yourself FOR yourself. The rest will follow. If you feel sexy, confident, smart etc. people will naturally be drawn to you. Work on your hobbies, hangout with people who do love and care for you. Go out, stay in, just be YOU. Have expectations on how you want people to treat you, and don’t you dare settle for less. Walking away is the hardest part, but close one door, and another will surely open…

photo from : pinterest.com