We Talk About Protecting Black Women, But What Does That Actually Mean?
If you feel insignificant, you better think again.
Black woman, black woman. You are everything, sis. And you're the focus of Happy Hour Podcast's latest episode. This week, the ladies invited Shivy Brooks to the table for a fresh, male perspective on all things black woman, specifically in reference to current events. A high school teacher by day and a self-proclaimed activist and thought-leader by night, Shivy brought the same heat of his weekly Teacher Talk Live show, to hang with co-hosts Sheriden Chanel and Amer Woods for an epic discussion of education, race, politics, culture, and everything in between.
Be sure to subscribe and listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Show Notes:
Intro:
Verzuz Takeover
- Brandy and Monica Verzuz was life (Amer was #teammoinca, Sheriden & Shivy were #teambrandy) Who won?
- Ray J is underrated and unappreciated.
- IG, it's time to have the conversation to allow monetizing of IG Live!
- A potential tour series?
- Sheriden wants to see an Omarion Verzuz. Shivy would like to see Jay-Z + Nas, and Beyonce + Mary J Blige.
Cardi, Megan, + "WAP"
- Are we allowed to live in multiplicities?
- Society (men) doesn't like women to own their sexuality.
- Video was everything, except....Kylie (ugh, yawn)
What are people doing to leverage the people around them?
- Tyler Perry, Joe Budden vs. Charlemagne: ownership
- Collaboration vs. competition
- Crabs in the barrel mentality, oppressive society
- We're not realizing we're actually fighting over crumbs
Black women need capital
- For opportunity, why do we always seem to have to compete for capital (pitch competitions, contests, etc.)?
Believe. Black. Women.
- Megan vs. Tory Lanez
- Powerful black women intimidate men
- Sheriden discusses having lots of responsibility growing up for people older than her, and shares the time she had to change clothes when around male house guests.
- Black girls are hyper-sexualized and boys are seen as a threat.
- Amer discusses intentionally not going into situations where she wouldn't be able to protect herself.
What does protecting black women look like?
- Perspective from both the men and women on why men lie.
- Women tend to cater to men to give them what they want to be together and be happy.
- Game playing is avoided from being honest, is this savage-dating?
- The normalization of online fights directly correlates to the treatment of viral mistreatment of black women.
- Black women should be protected whether you know them or not.
- Breonna Taylor
- Trans women, homophobia, and LGBTQ community.
- Black people are conservative, and they forget that they are. Whew.
- The non-reciprocation of black woman's protection of the black man.
- Shivy asks: how much protection of black women is needed, if we instead empower them?
References Mentioned in this episode:
"We Failed Megan. Point Blank And Period." by Shellie R. Warren
I May Destroy You (TV Show)
All About Love by bell hooks
People Mentioned in this episode:
Rashan Ali
Flavor Flav
Desi Banks
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Shivy Brooks hosts Teacher Talk Live every Tuesday-Thursday on his Instagram at 8pm EST. You can follow him at @callmeshivy
You can connect with us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @xohappyhour and use the tag #xohappyhour to join the social convos.
Leave us a voice message on xohappyhour.com to share your story with us or ask a question for a chance to be featured on the show!
Featured GIF via Beyonce/"Bigger"
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.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Rihanna Talks Shedding Expectations And Finding Balance As A Mother
Since becoming a mother in 2022, Rihanna has defined parenthood by her terms and hopes to pass that sense of autonomy on to her children.
For Vogue China’s April cover story, Rihanna shared her perspective on raising her two sons with A$AP Rocky, and how she hopes to preserve her children’s uniqueness, devoid of societal expectations.
"The most beautiful thing...is that [children] come into the world with their own individuality and sincerity, without any logic or conformity,” she told the publication. “Which usually makes you feel that you must fit into a certain group."
The “Work” artist, known for her trendsetting style and captivating persona, expressed her desire to support children in fully embracing their individuality and encouraging them to be whoever they want to be. "It's really beautiful to see and I want to continue to help them navigate that and make sure that they know they can be whoever they want to be,” she says.
She continues, “They should embrace it completely, because it's beautiful, and it's unique. I love them just that way."
From shattering music charts to shaking up the beauty industry, Rihanna has forged a path that has since created the “dream” life we see today. One that she says has made her parents proud of.
“I’m living my dream,” she continued. “My parents were very proud of that because they just wanted me to be happy and successful. So, I think the key thing is to find some kind of balance. Yes, balance is important. Do this and you get the best of both worlds. You can write your own life the way you want, and it will be beautiful. Sometimes, you just need to let go of everyone’s expectations and start living your own story.”
Rihanna, who shares sons, RZA, 23 months, and Riot, 8 months, with rapper A$AP Rocky, recently shared her vision for expanding her family in the future in Interview Magazine.
When stylist Mel Ottenberg asked about the number of additional children she hoped to have, Rihanna replied, "As many as God wants me to have.”
"I don't know what God wants, but I would go for more than two. I would try for my girl,” she adds. “But of course, if it's another boy, it's another boy."
Featured image by Neil MockfordWireImage
