Gabrielle Union 'Wasn't Raised To Be Free' & Wants To Give Her Kids The Childhood She Didn't Have
Gabrielle Union-Wade has had an interesting few years in the spotlight since marrying husband Dwyane Wade in 2014. She's had to face many obstacles from public perception, judgement, and the cruel nature of the industry that she's in, but if anyone can handle it, she was absolutely built to do so.
So much so, that the Breaking In actress has pivoted her brand from being a movie star, to an activist and best-selling author. And although she may have not had the type of upbringing she has afforded to her kids, sis has somehow managed to tap into herself, through raising two daughters of her own.
In a recent interview with People Magazine, the mom of five, touched on the subject and the importance of listening when it comes to parenting.
And gems were definitely dropeth in the best way possible.
"We talk about raising free Black girls, I wasn't raised to be free. I was raised to conform, I was raised to assimilate. I was raised to be super conscious of the 'White gaze' and to constantly shape-shift so you can always be positioned as the exception so then hopefully, you know, you'll have a closer proximity to people who get to make decisions and maybe they'll deem you worthy."
She cheekily reacts to what she's saying, as if she understands how ridiculous it may sound--when in all honestly, most of us were, and are, raised to be the same.
But, no more. Sis makes it very known that this generational curse stops right where she stands.
"We're raising our kids to know that they're worthy because they exist. They are deserving because they exist. And we don't want them to ever shape-shift for anyone else's approval or acceptance. We want to make sure they feel strong, supported, and free to be exactly who they are, where they are, whenever they feel like being whatever that is. Because I definitely didn't have it."
Of course, she's alluding to her daughter, Zaya, who came out as transgender in 2019, and the notion that most of the people raised exactly as Gabrielle was, inflicts the same beliefs onto her simply because they don't take the time to understand it (God forbid, right? *eye roll*)
Andrew Toth/Getty Images
But ultimately, Gabrielle just wants her children to be happy--no matter if you agree with them or not. And she's doing so through the lens of the 'Shady Baby' herself, Ms. Kaavia.
"It's not about creating an image of perfection and these glossy perfect photos, it's just capturing her essence, and the main takeaway is she's free. She's free to be this amazing, dynamic, shady at times, loving at times, funny at times, Black little girl when the world has been not so kind to Black girls and women. So for so many people, she's just straight up freedom and what it can be like."
Watch the full interview here:
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Featured image by Gabrielle Union-Wade/Instagram
Charmin Michelle is a southern native and creative spirit who works as a content marketer and events manager in Chicago. She enjoys traveling, #SummertimeChi, and the journey of mastering womanhood. Connect with her on Instagram @charminmichelle.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Sheila Rashid's Androgynous Approach To Unisex Clothing Is A Lesson In Embracing Individuality
The ItGirl 100 List is a celebration of 100 Black women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table.
For Sheila Rashid, it all started with some free-hand drawings and a few strokes of paint.
The Chicago-based clothing designer and creative director of Sheila Rashid Brand recalls using her spare time in high school to hand paint designs on t-shirts and distressed hoodies, distributing them to classmates as walking billboards for her art.
Rashid sought to pursue fashion design at Columbia College in Chicago but eventually took the self-taught route to build upon her knack for crafting one-of-a-kind, androgynous pieces.
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Thanks to the mentorship of local designers taking her under their wings, Rashid was able to gain valuable experience in putting together collections and creating patterns; equipping her with them with the necessary skills to pursue her own collections.
After two years of living in New York, Rashid returned home to the Chi and uncovered the unique flair she could offer the city. “I moved to New York after that because I wanted to be in the fashion capital world,” she tells xoNecole. “That's when I really got a leg up. I found myself when I moved back to Chicago after moving to New York.”
For the Midwest native, inspiration comes from her time around creative peers and the city’s notorious winters — known to be a main character in many Chicagoans stories. “It's a different perspective and mindset when I'm making stuff because of the weather here,” she explains. “When we get summer, it’s ‘Summertime Chi’ — it's amazing. It's beautiful. Still, I find myself always making clothes that cater to the winter.”
"I moved to New York after that because I wanted to be in the fashion capital world. That's when I really got a leg up. I found myself when I moved back to Chicago after moving to New York.”
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Many designers have a signature aesthetic or theme in their creations. In Rashid’s design story, dancing between the lines of femininity and masculinity is how she’s been able to distinguish herself within the industry. Her androgynous clothing has garnered the eye of celebrities like Zendaya, Chance the Rapper, WNBA star Sydney Colson, and more — showing her range and approach to designs with inclusivity in mind.
“I think I do reflect my own style,” she says. “When I do make pieces, I'm very tomboyish, androgynous. My work is unisex because I feel like everybody can wear it. I cater to everybody and that's how I try to approach my clothes.” From denim to overalls, and color-drenched outerwear, Rashid has mastered the structure of statement pieces that tell a story.
“Each collection, I never know what's going to be the thing I'm going to focus on. I try to reflect my own style and have fun with the storytelling,” she shares. “I look at it more like it's my art in this small way of expressing myself, so it's not that calculated.”
"My work is unisex because I feel like everybody can wear it. I cater to everybody and that's how I try to approach my clothes."
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Still, if you were able to add up all the moments within Rashid’s 20-year career in design, one theme that has multiplied her into becoming an “ItGirl” is her confidence to take up space within the fashion industry as a queer, Black woman. “Being an ItGirl is about being yourself, loving what you do, finding your niche, and mastering that,” she says.
No matter where you are on your ItGirl journey, Rashid says to always remain persistent and never hesitate to share your art with the world. “Don’t give up. Even if it's something small, finish it and don't be afraid to put it out,” she says, “It's about tackling your own fear of feeling like you have to please everybody, but just please yourself, and that's good enough.”
To learn more about the ItGirl 100 List, view the full list here.
Featured image Courtesy