Farren El is a writer, former journalist and lover of all things health and wellness. She's usually where black dopeness, pop culture and comedy collide. Follow her on Twitter @FarrenEl and IG @phreshwishes.
The 75th annual Golden Globes aired last night and the star of the show was none other than part business and entertainment mogul, part godmother of the universe, Oprah Winfrey.
After receiving the Cecil B DeMille Award, Oprah (the first African-American woman to receive the award btw) graced us with quite possibly one of the best acceptance speeches in awards show history.
In their beautiful and authentic form, Oprah's words rained a message rich of history, hope, and an unequivocal stance against the injustices plaguing groups like the press and most notably, women. Her timely speech was nothing short of powerful, ringing a bright future specifically for girls of today, yet impacting each and every soul in the room and in homes across America.
Everyone was inspired.
…So inspired that "Oprah 2020'' became the trend of the night on social media as a call-to-action for the queen to save us all and run for president in the next election.
And although she's shut down the push for presidency in the past, her speech, lined with all kinds of political undertones, and last night's celebrity support is making that push real and the possibility of an Oprah campaign a little more promising. Even longtime partner Stedman Graham told the Los Angeles Times, "She would absolutely do it."
CNN Money reported this morning that sources close to Oprah could confirm that the media mogul is "actively thinking" about running for president. Political commentator Bill O'Reilly even added his two cents to the collection plate on the potential Oprah 2020 presidential run:
So could Oprah actually run for president and could she do a decent job as Commander-In-Chief? Yes and yes. Here's why.
She's technically qualified.
At minimum, Oprah meets the qualifications to become a US presidential candidate. She's over the age of 35, a natural-born citizen of the United States and has resided state side for at least 14 years. Yes, these are the only requirements to running for president of the free world. Hence, why we're in the situation we're in now, but I digress.
She knows great adversity and success.
Oprah was born poor - Dirt. Bottom of the mud. Poor. But somehow, despite extreme poverty and sexual and physical abuse, Queen O rose above the odds meant to destroy her and managed to build a billion-dollar empire all while changing the world for the better. Presidents often have to turn s*$@ to sugar, and no one else has accomplished that in the way Oprah has.
She's likeable.
Let's face it. One of the keys to being a viable option for the next presidency is the gift of likeability, especially now. And who doesn't love Oprah? She's inclusive, uplifting, and sing cheers when she speaks. If you've met someone not in agreement or awe of her greatness please show them to me. We can get them help afterwards.
She's Change.
Political affiliations and stances can be argued, but not many would argue that the current presidency has left us in a time of growing controversy, incessant unrest, and isolation of countless groups. The future of America depends on a drastic change starting with who's leading us from the oval office. If an exact opposition to our current situation exists, it's Oprah.
Can we count on seeing Candidate Winfrey on a 2020 ballot?
Oprah's no longer flat out rejecting the notion and with so many in support of the idea now, it's not completely a false hope. There are already companies selling "Oprah 2020" coffee mugs.
A new wave is here, and the pressure for change in the form of Lady O is thriving. I just hope that if Oprah does plan on running for president, the year 2020 gets here swiftly. I'm ready to say, "President Winfrey."
Why Serena Williams Is Still Winning After Losing Her First Game Since Giving Birth
If you thought your 2017 was pretty good, you'll probably find the Year of Serena Williams nothing shy of amazing.
The tennis star won her 23rd Grand Slam (while pregnant!) at the Australian Open, she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl and married fiancé and Reddit cofounder Alexis Ohanian. To top the year off, Nike announced in December that one of its newest and biggest headquarter buildings will be named after Ms. Williams herself.
Extending her beast mode, Serena made her way back onto the tennis court to close out the year just three months after the birth of her daughter. The exhibition match played in Abu Dhabi against French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko ended in a loss for Serena after a captivating tie-break.
We've known Serena to be an ultra-competitive creature of pure greatness who doesn't take losing lightly ever since she and big sister Venus made their tennis debut in the 90s. But, the new mom walked away from the match unbothered and optimistic. She said:
"I don't think I'm going to rate my performance. I have plenty of comebacks, from injuries, from surgeries, but I've never had a comeback after actually giving birth to a human being. So, in my eyes, I feel it was a wonderful, wonderful match for me."
As someone who also has a three-month old and often struggles to find time to shower these days, I can say playing in a professional tennis match at all is a win in and of itself. And Serena's attitude towards what could easily be considered a defeating moment is exactly what she and many of us need to be our happiest and healthiest selves.
So often, we find ourselves skipping along a path of perpetual come-ups that becomes suddenly interrupted by a loss, failure, idiot boyfriend, low performance review at work, etc., bringing our world to a saddening halt.
And as women, especially mothers, we subconsciously allow those not-so-awesome moments to overshadow all of the magic we've achieved.
It's crucial to recognize when we become downright too hard on ourselves when a smudge manages to manifest on our picturesque version of life.
I've lost count of how many times I've caught myself chasing "the every area perfect" life trying to keep my relationship, my family, my health and career in infallible tact. I could have total peace in my marriage, be in the best shape ever, have a 12-month streak of no arguing with my mom, but become devastated with a critique at work.
Of course, some level of disappointment in our shortcomings is healthy and certainly motivates us to absolutely slay the next time around, but harping on them is just expending unnecessary energy on a small issue in an overall beautiful state of being and becoming.
Seeing Serena get back to work after giving life gives me life. And seeing her shake off a not-so-perfect performance like plain dust off her shoulders is even more refreshing.
"Knowing that I have won 23 Grand Slam titles and several other titles, I don't think I have anything more left to prove," she said. "But I am not done yet."
"I know that when I come back I definitely want to be competing for championships. I am definitely looking forward to getting back out there. I am taking it one day at a time."
So, she lost her first comeback match? She's in love, enjoying the blessing of a healthy child, and is one of the best tennis players on the planet (not to mention she's practically best friends with Beyoncé).
Her life may not be perfect, and she may not be back in the groove of things career-wise just yet, but Serena is definitely winning in every sense of the word.
HBO Is Giving Our Favorite Comedy Podcast '2 Dope Queens' The Series Treatment
If you're into live comedy, shameless storytelling and funny black chicks, chances are you've tuned in once or twice to 2 Dope Queens. And if you haven't, you may want to catch up with the podcast and all its hilarity.
Best friends Jessica Williams and Phoebe Robinson host a live comedy show at Brooklyn's King Theatre where the pair, along with guest comic pals tackle topics ranging from life in New York to sex and hair journeys. The two queens fearlessly bring a fresh take to the live comedy scene typically dominated by a boys club.
"For our show, people get to be the stars of their own stories and they get to be the stars of their own stand-up," Jessica said. "It's really cool to give our friends, people of color and different orientations an opportunity to speak for themselves, and to be sort of the main character as opposed to being a side character."
After four seasons of serving as a go-to podcast for most millennial minds of color, HBO has picked up the hit podcast and recently released the first teaser trailer indicating a premiere date of February 2, 2018.
True to the central theme of their podcast, the queens will be taking on subjects like "dating white baes" and "sex" through a series of four hour-long episodic specials. The show has already commanded big props and respect with Sarah Jessica Parker, Jon Stewart and Uzo Aduba (Orange is the New Black) named as some of the guests set to make appearances.
2 Dope Queens comes as another breath of fresh air in an already glistening colorful television and film paradise oozing Black Girl Magic. Game changers like Shonda Rhimes and Ava DuVernay are already blazing trails on basic television and the movie industry with hit shows for Shonda and top producing blockbusters for Ms. DuVernay.
And with our favorite indulgence, Insecure, already coming back to HBO for its third season next year, along with two new shows produced by Issa Rae set to premiere on the network, the stage is set for some dope representation of women of color who are finally getting their proper shine.
"Two Dope Queens and HBO going half on a TV baby? A dream come true," Phoebe said about the news. "The work wife and I are beyond thrilled that the formula we've perfected over the past year four seasons of doing the podcast (Ignorance x Cocoa Butter + Comedic Honesty) is being brought to this network."
Just this time three years ago, it would've been easier to spot a baby deerbra than to find a black woman starring in her own show on a premium cable channel. Now the presence of black women with a lead platform on a big stage is ever-flourishing and hard to ignore. The addition of 2 Dope Queens to HBO's diversifying lineup is hella lit.
What a time to be alive for black women in television!
To tide you over until the specials premiere, have a listen to their podcast here.
At the end of every year, for most of my adult life, I've riddled my brain with thoughts of what to do for New Year's Eve.
The pressure to go out with a bang and enter the New Year with epic moments of illustrious cheers and champagne sips has always weighed on me. Years ago, I needed those moments to happen and to be able to tell about them the next day for anyone who asked what I did. Now, those moments are needed for obligatory IG pics to prove, "See, I go places. I do things, and I have an 'effin good time."
But year after year, I found myself drowning in a pit of sorrow and disappointment with Mission Epic New Year's Eve Turn-up resulting in a fail. There was always some turbulent circumstance ruining my goal of pleasantly experiencing New Year's Eve.
After one too many troubling experiences, I decided change was needed, despite society labeling staying in for New Year's Eve socially misfitting.
Why on earth is there so much pressure to go out and celebrate a holiday so many of us find it difficult to actually enjoy? You shouldn't feel pressed to thrust yourself onto the NYE scene against your heart's honest desire. Here's why.
The Club Is A Crowded Flex Box
There's nothing wrong with dripping swag and grace over the club/lounge/bar scene with your flyest girl squad. But you may not be up for a night of cramped VIP sections, squeezing through sweaty bodies in a beeline to the ladies' room, and receiving unwanted ass grabs.
Church Service Can Be A Struggle
Another NYE option is good ol' faithful church service. I love my church. I love God (like, I luh Him man), but NYE service at my place of worship lasts six hours. Yes, I said six. By the end of the night, I'm mentally drained, zoned out, and hungry enough to eat that 15-piece hot wings meal with lemon pepper flakes AND slap the first person I see. Judge me now, but - I. Can. Not.
New Year's Eve Fashion Ain't The Move
Let's face it. That strappy sequins dress you ordered from Fashion Nova is slay goals and gorgeous on you, but it's not keeping you warm. Why cowboy speed walk with a hunched back and bended knees all the way from the parking lot to the club door in a miniskirt when you can be somewhere indoors not shivering for dear life?
Everything Is Overpriced
You didn't want to drop $30 for parking. And you didn't want to buy that $18 lemon drop, especially after pinky promising you'd be better about your budget next year, or at least that's what you wrote in your new glittery planner. Save those coins, sis!
Now, I'm not shaming anyone who wants to indulge in a good turn-up or praise-up – I've been right there with the best of them. But if you feel obligated to be out and about for New Year's Eve and all of its chaotic glory, know that it is okay to partake in some self-care and absolutely take a step back.
Want to skip the crowd and bottle service? Skip it. Want to stay home and create vision boards with your besties? Go for it.
Celebrate the night on your own terms. What we tend to forget about New Year's Eve is that it's simply the end of a once brand-new start/year in which we set out to be a better version of ourselves and do things differently. That change can begin now with doing what's best for you to close out this year.
For myself, I'll be at home, with close family wearing a ridiculous gold party crown, drinking very affordable sangria, and not feeling pressed about a single thing.
How will you be celebrating New Year's Eve? With a turn up or with a night in? Sound off in the comments down below.
Featured image by Getty Images