Oh, Sheryl, Sheryl, Sheryl. Sis. Come get these flowers, girl. You deserve them all.
If you haven't heard by now, Sheryl Underwood was on the tail end of a Sharon Osbourne meltdown on The Talk this week. Basically, Osbourne lost her mind while standing up for her friend Piers Morgan, in the wake of backlash following remarks he made about Meghan Markle. And since, Osbourne has been whining to anyone who'll listen, that she's being accused of being racist (which Sheryl never alluded to and is what seems to be what she cares more about, versus actually listening).
Of course, she denies being racist blah, blah, blah, watch the clip below:
Chiiiiiiiiiile, the audacity. The demands. I can'ttttt.
Anyway, the conversation ends with Osbourne asking, "Why can't it be he just doesn't like her? Why does he have to be racist?" Which would be a legit question, if we weren't talking about Piers Morgan.
Upset, upset, mad, mad, tears, and tears, who cares, this post is about the Queen Sheryl Underwood, one of the most prolific, comedic gems of the culture. Let's give her some flowers, y'all.
Having joined CBS' The Talk in 2011, Sheryl Underwood, 57, is known for her big personality and stating her opinions. And she has been a vocal ally to disproportionate black issues, never letting up, and always ringing true. She has clawed her way out of her traumatic past, and has a mean pivot game. All the way to a legendary comedy career.
Here's why we love Sheryl:
She is an advocate for trauma survivors:
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Underwood has survived being raped, her husband's suicide, and developing multiple personality disorders to cope with her trauma.
"I will tell you this, sometimes certain disorders protect you. When I was younger, the things that were happening to me, I would separate. So there were two of us. Because I wanted to survive. So one was the fighter. One was, something was happening to me. So I hope that this helps people, and I hope that it helps people understand that the human brain will do whatever is necessary to survive. I really want women to understand: Don't ever let anybody take your power away from you."
On an episode with The Talk panel, while discussing her past trauma, Sheryl recounted the time she was raped, and having to think her way through the moment.
"I remember having a 'this is it' moment when I was raped. I just kept thinking, This ain't it. I am not going to die today. I refuse to die today. It's not going down like this. So the only thing I thought was: What do I do to survive? What do I do to survive? And I start talking to the guy and I said, 'Don't do this this way. Whatever you're going to do, finish what you're doing — don't kill me. And don't take my ID. They'll find you."
Despite her upbringing, she always knew she would be famous:
When asked how she has been intentional in building her brand, she touched on her inevitable fame:
"I knew I was going to be in the entertainment industry, even as a child; but along the way I told myself that I would be sincere, authentic, and trustworthy. Even when I've stumbled and made not-so-good comments like the one I made about natural hair, I've apologized because I work hard to serve my community. I'm intentional about building honest and sincere relationships.
She supports HBCUs tirelessly:
Underwood may have graduated from the University of Illinois, but that absolutely doesn't stop her from publicly advocating for HBCUs. Additionally, she was the international president of Zeta Phi Beta from 2008-2012. Sheryl understands the impact HBCUs have played in black culture, and she knows that now more than ever, HBCUs need financial support, even recently partnering with Metamucil to donate.
"I believe that once we show these large companies that it is mutually beneficial for them to engage HBCUs, maybe we can get them to do more. We want to make sure we do all we can do to keep our historically Black colleges and universities alive. I didn't go to one; but once I joined Zeta Phi Beta and got to see the chapters on the HBCU campuses, I knew that I had to advance higher education and work with companies that were trying to do that."
Underwood has fund-raised for multiple HBCUs through various vehicles, and we love to see it!
And most importantly, she has risen to the occasion of learning to embrace being a proud black woman on a large platform:
What I mean is this: Underwood comes from brokenness. She has been tormented for her features and looks since she was born. She has been called every negative thing under the sun. She has experienced the ridicule of colorism, in, and outside of the Black community. And she's had to learn some lessons as she goes, which we all have. But ultimately, our good sis cares about the culture--even in those moments where it may be easier to look away, Sharon Osbourne incident aside.
And for that, I fucks with her the long way. Come get these flowers, sis!
--
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Meanwhile, frankincense and myrrh originate from the Middle East and Africa (you know, like the Bible does — some folks need to be reminded of that—eh hem — Trumpers) and ginger? It too helps with indigestion (which can definitely creep up at Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner tables); plus, it’s a key ingredient for ginger snaps and gingerbread houses. So, as you can see, holiday-themed scents have a rhyme and reason to them.
Tying this all in together — several years ago, I penned an article for the platform entitled, “Are You Ready To Have Some Very Merry ‘Christmas Sex’?” Well, in the spirit of revisiting some of that content, with a bit of a twist, I decided to broach some traditional holiday scents from the perspective of which ones will do your libido a ton of good from now through New Year’s Eve (check out “Make This Your Best NYE. For Sex. EVER.”).
Are you ready to check some of them out, so that, whether it’s via a candle, a diffuser, some essential oil, or some DIY body cream (check out “How To Incorporate All Five Senses To Have The Best Sex Ever”), you can bring some extra festive ambiance into your own boudoir? Excellent.
1. Vanilla
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When it comes to holiday desserts, you’re going to be hard-pressed to find recipes that don’t include vanilla — and that alone explains why it is considered to be a traditional holiday scent. As far as your libido goes, vanilla is absolutely considered to be an aphrodisiac — partly because its sweet scent is considered to be very sensual. Some studies even reveal that vanillin (the active ingredient in vanilla) is able to increase sexual arousal and improve erectile dysfunction in men. So, if you adore the smell, here is more incentive to use it.
2. Frankincense
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Although, typically, when people think about frankincense (and myrrh), it’s in the context of the gifts that the wise men brought Christ after he was born; it’s a part of the biblical Christmas story. However, frankincense goes much deeper than that. Sexually, since it has an earthy and spicy scent, some people like to use it to meditate (check out “What Exactly Is 'Orgasmic Meditation'?”). Also, since it has the ability to put you in a better mood, soothe and soften your skin and maintain your oral health — with the help of frankincense, every touch and kiss can be that much…sexier.
3. Cinnamon
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I already gave cinnamon a shout-out in the intro. Personally, I’ve been a fan of it, in the sex department, for a long time now (check out “12 ‘Sex Condiments’ That Can Make Coitus Even More...Delicious”). When it’s in oil form, it can be very sweet to the taste while sending a warm sensation throughout the body — which is why the giver and receiver of oral sex can benefit from its usage. Beyond that, cinnamon helps to increase blood flow to your genital region, elevate sexual desire and, some studies say that it can even help improve fertility. Beautiful.
4. Peppermint
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If there’s a signature candy for the holiday season, it’s probably a candy cane — which automatically puts peppermint in the running for being an official holiday scent. Pretty much, in any form, it’s got your sex life’s back because it’s hailed as being a sexual stimulant; in part, because its smell is so invigorating. Plus, it helps to (eh hem) ease headaches, it gives you more energy and it can definitely help to freshen your breath. Also, that minty sensation? The same thing that I said about cinnamon can apply to peppermint too (if you catch my drift).
5. Ginger
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Whether it’s in a meal or in your bedroom, ginger is going to produce results that are hella spicy. On the sex tip, science has praised ginger for being able to increase sexual arousal, improve blood circulation (which intensifies orgasms) and strengthen fertility for many years. Scent-wise, I find it to be one that both men and women enjoy because it is both woodsy and sweet. So, if you’ve got some massage oil in mind, adding some ginger is a way to please you both.
6. Pomegranate
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September through December is the time of year when pomegranates are considered to be in season. And, as someone who is a Rosh Hashanah observer, I have a personal adoration for them because I am aware of the various things that they symbolize in Hebrew culture including the fact that they are a fruit that represents love and fertility. So yeah, they would absolutely be an aphrodisiac — one that is perfect for this time of the year. While consuming it helps to boost testosterone levels in both men and women, the floral bittersweet smell that it produces can help to reduce stress while promoting relaxation (like most floral scents do) — and the more relaxed you are, the easier it is to climax.
7. Nutmeg
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Another signature seasoning during the holiday season is nutmeg. It’s perfect in Thanksgiving sweet potato (or pumpkin) pie and Christmas morning French toast. And yes, it can also make your sex life better. If you consume it, it can intensify your libido and, overall, its warm-meets-spicy-meets-sweet smell is so inviting that it is considered to be a pretty seductive scent.
8. Cloves
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I ain’t got not one lie to tell you — if you’ve got a toothache, put some clove oil on that bad boy and send me a Christmas present for putting you on game. Aside from that, as I round all of this out, cloves are another holiday scent that can do wonders for your sex life. For men, it has the ability to significantly increase sexual arousal and improve stamina and endurance. For men and women alike, it also has a reputation for strengthening sexual desire. And for women solely? Well, if you want an all-natural way to increase natural lubrication down below — the scent and and feel (in DILUTED oil form) can make that happen. It can make the holidays especially special…if you know what I mean.
Ah yes — the atmosphere of the holidays and what it can do.
Take it all in! Scent ‘n whatever stimulating that comes with it! #wink
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