Bleach Lighter, Tan Darker

I wake up to a text reading, "Yo when did Vybz Kartel turn white? lol" and I think of when Blondie from Bad Girls Club yelled "Bleach" a thousand times because Christina had a splashfest with a jug of Clorox after they tried to violate all her personal belongings. Now if you didn't know Vybz Kartel before you glanced at this post, he's a very popular reggae artist. Check his credentials . . . I'm a fan and so are many of other reggae lovers. Which is why I was so disappointed in his quest for a "new look." Aren't people happy with how they are anymore?

Anddddd | drumroll | TO TOP IT OFF, he said that it was no different than white people TANNING!

I had a convo about the situation which resulted in the debate that bleaching your skin isn't very different than an African-American female perming her hair, or people getting tattoos or boob jobs or a Nicki Minaj questionably-sized ass. Although I disagree, I can see the argument from both sides. Changing the color of your skin is less socially acceptable so it'll receive more backlash.

I just think that these stars are sending the wrong message to more impressionable fans, not promoting being comfortable in your own skin. The media stands at the top of the totem pole for many people as a standard to base their fashion and trends on. And I believe that in the music industry, they can give off the impression that lighter is better. There's times I've looked at music videos and noticed female artists getting lighter make-up placed on their faces. Younger generations are experience suicides because they feel so uncomfortable in their own skin due to society's lack of embrace.

We've got to do better.

Every Kiss Begins With... "'Kay?"

So it's dawned on me that it's becoming a growing trend for not only couples but single guys to want to kiss females in the club. At first I only thought it was a white people thing (and it definitely is). Trust I speak from first hand experience. Whether it was the time a white guy told me I was pretty... | Time out for a second. I think all ladies find it more flattering when men of another race compliment them. Right? It's something about it that makes it seem more genuine. Resume. |... and proceeded to try and pin me against the wall, in which I squealed "Wait, woah! What you are doing?" and proceeded to walk away. This other white guy told me my lips were fat...| moment of silence for that awkward comment? compliment? | and asked to kiss me in the middle of the bar after knowing me for all of twenty minutes. And I've experienced the sweeter approach as well. The move-in after nice conversation and the gentleman move of purchasing some drinks. The best part is that they all held a confused look too like they couldn't understand why I wouldn't want to kiss them. As if they were used to every kiss getting the okay. I've been to the white bars and I can guarantee you someone in there is going to be sucking face with another.

Don't get me wrong though, I'm seeing black men exhibit the "Love in This Club" tendencies more frequently. Although, I believe they do it for different reasons. They're much more territorial with their smooches as if to say "Yea, I'm kissing her. That means she's mine." Almost like a "Ha ha" in the face of others he feels might want her, pose as a threat or are even pondering the possibility of getting with the female. Either way they're not opposed to the idea of kissing in a social setting as much as they were before.

For people in general, a few drinks will make them more susceptible to wanting to go on a smooching spree. Females aren't excluded. It takes two to tango. Girls kiss girls. Girls kiss guys. There's triple kisses and all sorts of kissing phenomena. People do this on a regular basis though! And full on make-out sessions at that.

Have you seen Snooki? Perfect example. Being a new interest for the media due to Jersey Shore whether she cares or not, her obsession with kissing strangers is highlighted to an audience. Everytime she goes out she's basically hunting for lips. Perhaps she provides a suitable insight into the mind of a kiss-aholic, complaining on one of the episodes that kissing is not an equivalent to sex so she doesn't see the harm in wanting to make out in a club.

Riiiiight.

Toast to the New Year

Out with the old, in with the new. 2011 is dedicated to embracing change, change and more change! If you haven't noticed, this is my first post not beginning with the letter "F". Truthfully, I've had a good run with the "F" titled posts and after a solid year I found myself holding onto my love for the concept and not wanting to admit that I now found it a bit stifling in terms of creativity. But that's what a blog is for, experimenting and growing. You'll see a lot of personal growth through the entries this year as well as some good elements that I've learned and decided to keep and apply because they worked in previous posts.

A lot has happened towards the end of 2010 and while I've been thinking and wanting to write, writer's block mixed with a lost motivation has cramped my ability to dish out posts. But such is life. And a crazy life it is. You always think you know how bad things can get until worse happens and it either makes you or breaks you. It's these events that change life, your perspective on it, and your decisions on where to take yourself. I've got lots to say for whoever's ready to read!

EFF EVERYTHING IS BACK IN SESSION!