

The Miseducation of Black Women: What Lauryn Hill Means To Women Of Color
In 1998, a 23-year-old lyricist from South Orange, New Jersey released a project that would influence and inspire women of color for years to come. Every chance we play Lauryn Hill's record-breaking solo album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, we experience the magic all over again.
The relevance of her first and only solo studio album is undeniable and is especially relevant to the narrative of women of color. The album takes us on an authentic and raw journey through what it means to be a Black woman. In commemoration of the album's anniversary, we've taken the time to give you an analytical track-by-track review of what Lauryn Hill's album meant and still means to women of color.
"Intro"
This 47-second track sets the scene for Lauryn's narrative, where a teacher, played by politician and poet Ras Baraka, takes attendance in a classroom setting. At the end of the role, Baraka calls Lauryn's name as the audio fades out. Her absence implies the overall theme of her "miseducation" in the project. Genius.com implies that this could be an analogy to her, like all of us, missing some of life's most important lessons by not staying present.
"Lost Ones"
"Lost Ones" is the audience's first time hearing Lauryn's signature Caribbean influence on the album, and also serves as one of the greatest diss tracks of all time. The subtle innuendos throughout the track elude to her messy break-up from a former lover, as well as her split with her longtime group members after leaving the Fugees. "Lost Ones" is a bold f*ck you and a testament to women's increasingly progressive emancipation from their oppressors.
"Ex-Factor"
The definition of insanity is continuing to do something repeatedly and expect a different result. We're all pretty f*cking crazy because I don't know one person who can't relate to the eerily familiar lyrics to "Ex-Factor."
"I keep letting you back in/ How can I explain myself?/ As painful as this thing has been/ I just can't be with no one else"
The song has been frequently sampled in popular songs, including recent hits like Drake's "Nice For What" and Cardi B.'s "Be Careful," frankly because it's so damn relevant. We are all guilty of being swindled of our hearts from someone who said they would die for us, leaving us to wonder: But would you live for me tho?
"To Zion"
"To Zion" answers a question that has been relevant to women since the dawn of time. Can we have both? Women are often told that once we decide to have a child, our professional and personal lives are no longer worth fulfillment. In the song, Lauryn candidly discusses the decision she made to keep her baby, Zion, despite her dreams, and in return, Zion has given her the greatest joy in her life.
Lauryn really lets all of her femininity hang out on this track. She refutes critics who told her to use her head, and did what women do best: used her heart. In this track, she depicts the love between mother and child and proves that this connection is the truest reflection of God's grace.
"Doo Wop (That Thing)"
This track is the quintessential 'check yourself, before you wreck yourself' anthem for people of color. "Doo Wop (That Thing)" is a requiem of protest for exploited black bodies, and the lyrics still ring true today; especially in the age of social media, where women are so often caught up in mainstream media's depiction of who we are supposed to be that we forget who we are.
"Superstar"
Now, this side of Lauryn, I love. Yes, we know her as the ultimate soul songstress of many generations, but she also spits heat on this album, yo. She checks the mainstream music industry for transforming hip-hop into an inauthentic commodity that encourages mark ass tricks that aren't true to the game to get a foot in the industry.
"Final Hour"
We see a more theoretical Lauryn on this track as she discusses the juxtaposition between spirituality and materialism. She continues to relay biblical references on this track and warns us to be careful about what we value. She mentions Psalms 73, which says that in the end, living a life close to God is imperative because prosperity, if evil, is temporary and will receive their judgment in the "final hour."
"When It Hurts So Bad"
So often, we are told to trust our gut. But everything that feels good, ain't good for you, sis. Lauryn touches on the vulnerability of a woman and her emotions, and how the combination will lead us to seek out things that aren't good for us. Lauryn loved a man, like we all did. But how often are we caught up chasing what we want so much that we miss out on what we truly needed.
"I Used to Love Him" (featuring Mary J. Blige)
This duet between the songstresses, who were both super hot and going through very public break-ups at the time of the album's release, was straight flames. Lauryn and Mary were faced with the conclusion that we all eventually have to realize: true love shouldn't hurt. The vocalists sung a tune of pain and redemption that is all too relevant to the realities of black women.
We dim our light for the sake of our lovers and over time we forget that we can shine without them.
By the end of the song, Mary and Lauryn find healing and strength in knowing that their life was more than being the lover of a foolish man and that their creator was in full control.
"Forgive Them Father"
This song depicts a story about the forgiving hearts of women. Although she has been oppressed and betrayed by those she loved, this song is a prayer that those who hurt her seek blessings. This is another nod to biblical context as she references Cain and Abel, as well as Jesus and Judas.
"Every City, Every Ghetto"
We dive into Lauryn's nostalgia and get a peek at her adolescence in this track. She reminisces about the challenges she encountered and the memories she garnered after growing up in what she calls "New Jerusalem."
Nothing Even Matters (featuring D'Angelo)
This song encompasses her overall theme that love conquers all. She and D'Angelo's soulful melody creates an image of intimacy that is relatable to anyone that's ever been in love.
"Everything Is Everything"
Lauryn hasn't shied away from getting political on 'em, and this track is no exception. The track discusses social injustice and the challenges that inner-city youth encounter daily. The song is host to a comforting message that even though things are f*cked up now, change will come eventually.
The track also features a young John Legend, who was virtually unknown at the time on the keys.
"The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill"
This song is about the progressively feminist idea that women should be able to choose their own destiny. She, like many of us, went out in the world to find herself and found out that the answer she was seeking was inside of her the whole time.
"Can't Take My Eyes Off You"
This Frankie Vallie and The 4 Seasons remake is a tribute to pure infatuation. "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" is not only a love song, but a piece of hardcore gentrification in the name of black love. What more can you ask for?
"Tell Him"
This is probably my favorite song on the album, as it relates to my own personal relationship with God and the man I plan to spend the rest of my life. To me, God is love. Love is patient, love is kind, and love is forgiving: the same qualities that I seek and hope to exhibit in my every relationship that I encounter. Lauryn compares the love that we share with others to the love that was shown when Jesus spared his life for us. That's pretty deep.
I grew into womanhood listening to this album, but only now can I understand why each song resonates so deeply with me. She was telling my story. I, too, have loved and been loved by a man, scorned and betrayed, and found my own piece and joy within myself.
Featured image by Giphy
- Lauryn Hill | The Official Lauryn Hill Site ›
- Ms. Lauryn Hill (@MsLaurynHill) | Twitter ›
- Ms. Lauryn Hill ›
- Lauryn Hill - Doo-Wop (That Thing) (Official Video) - YouTube ›
- Lauryn Hill - Albums, Songs, and News | Pitchfork ›
- Why Lauryn Hill still has the Ex Factor - BBC News ›
- Lauryn Hill announces tour to mark 20th anniversary of 'Miseducation' ›
Taylor "Pretty" Honore is a spiritually centered and equally provocative rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a love for people and storytelling. You can probably find me planting herbs in your local community garden, blasting "Back That Thang Up" from my mini speaker. Let's get to know each other: @prettyhonore.
Smile, Sis! These Five Improvements Can Upgrade Your Oral Hygiene Instantly
This article is in partnership with Sensodyne.
Our teeth are connected to so many things - our nutrition, our confidence, and our overall mood. We often take for granted how important healthy teeth are, until issues like tooth sensitivity or gum recession come to remind us. Like most things related to our bodies, prevention is the best medicine. Here are five things you can do immediately to improve your oral hygiene, prevent tooth sensitivity, and avoid dental issues down the road.
1) Go Easy On the Rough Brushing: Brushing your teeth is and always will be priority number one in the oral hygiene department. No surprises there! However, there is such a thing as applying too much pressure when brushing…and that can lead to problems over time. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush in smooth, circular motions. It may seem counterintuitive, but a gentle approach to brushing is the most effective way to clean those pearly whites without wearing away enamel and exposing sensitive areas of the teeth.
2) Use A Desensitizing Toothpaste: As everyone knows, mouth pain can be highly uncomfortable; but tooth sensitivity is a whole different beast. Hot weather favorites like ice cream and popsicles have the ability to trigger tooth sensitivity, which might make you want to stay away from icy foods altogether. But as always, prevention is the best medicine here. Switching to a toothpaste like Sensodyne’s Sensitivity & Gum toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth will help build a protective layer over sensitive areas of the tooth. Over time, those sharp sensations that occur with extremely cold foods will subside, and you’ll be back to treating yourself to your icy faves like this one!
3) Floss, Rinse, Brush. (And In That Order!): Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s not what you do, but how you do it”? Well, the same thing applies to taking care of your teeth. Even if you are flossing and brushing religiously, you could be missing out on some of the benefits simply because you aren’t doing so in the right order. Flossing is best to do before brushing because it removes food particles and plaque from places your toothbrush can’t reach. After a proper flossing sesh, it is important to rinse out your mouth with water after. Finally, you can whip out your toothbrush and get to brushing. Though many of us commonly rinse with water after brushing to remove excess toothpaste, it may not be the best thing for our teeth. That’s because fluoride, the active ingredient in toothpaste that protects your enamel, works best when it gets to sit on the teeth and continue working its magic. Rinsing with water after brushing doesn’t let the toothpaste go to work like it really can. Changing up your order may take some getting used to, but over time, you’ll see the difference.
4) Stay Hydrated: Upping your water supply is a no-fail way to level up your health overall, and your teeth are no exception to this rule. Drinking water not only helps maintain a healthy pH balance in your mouth, but it also washes away residue and acids that can cause enamel erosion. It also helps you steer clear of dry mouth, which is a gateway to bad breath. And who needs that?
5) Show Your Gums Some Love: When it comes to improving your smile, you may be laser-focused on getting your teeth whiter, straighter, and overall healthier. Rightfully so, as these are all attributes of a megawatt smile; but you certainly don’t want to leave gum health out of the equation. If you neglect your gums, you’ll start to notice the effects of plaque buildup, which can irritate the gums and cause gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. Seeing blood while brushing and flossing is a tell-tale sign that your gums are suffering. You may also experience gum recession — a condition where the gum tissue surrounding your teeth pulls back, exposing more of your tooth. Brushing at least twice a day with a gum-protecting toothpaste like Sensodyne Sensitivity and Gum, coupled with regular dentist visits, will keep your gums shining as bright as those pearly whites.
Improve The Look Of Your Under-Eyes With These Top-Rated Eye Masks
If there’s one part of the face that seems to be the most vexing to correct, it’s the under eyes.
This delicate area has a way of being tipped off by our irregular sleep patterns, stress, and the straining that comes from our computers and phone screens. From puffiness to dark circles, it can be irksome to find the right products to soothe our under-eye concerns. Thankfully, there’s one solution that delivers a brighter and more awakened look over time, and that’s under-eye masks and eye patches.
Eye patches are giving our under-eye bags an eviction notice because they can’t hang our glowing faces rent-free. The beauty of these patches is that they are designed to bring your eyes targeted results through concentrated doses of active ingredients directly to the skin under the eyes. Typically made of thin, gel-like material and infused with ingredients like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, caffeine, and even green teas, these small but mighty patches depuff your puffiness, brighten your dark circles, or tighten fine lines.
While every under-eye differs in its needs, every eye can benefit from an under-eye mask or patch that suits its concerns. And to help, we’ve put together the best under-eye patches to hydrate, soothe, and brighten your eyes.
KNC Beauty All Natural Retinol Infused Eye Mask, 5-Pack
The KNC Beauty All Natural Retinol Infused Eye Mask, 5-Pack, is a retinol-infused, all-natural product designed to rejuvenate your eyes. It promises to provide hydration, smoothness, reduced puffiness, and brightness without the use of chemicals. With ingredients like retinol to refine skin texture and stimulate blood flow and aloe to soothe and reduce redness, it's like getting 8 hours of beauty sleep for your eyes.
Topicals Faded Under Eye Brightening Eye Masks
These cooling hydrogel under-eye masks from Topicals promise to fade the appearance of dark circles and discoloration in just 15 minutes. The set includes six masks and offers benefits that brighten, hydrate, depuff, and cool your under-eye area.
Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Power Brightening Hydra-Gel Eye Patches
Grab these eye contour gel patches to brighten the eye area and combat signs of aging using a powerful form of vitamin C called THD Ascorbate, which is 50 times more potent than traditional vitamin C.
BeautyBio Bright Eyes Depuffing and Brightening Eye Gels
BeautyBio's Bright Eyes consists of 15 colloidal silver-infused eye gel patches designed to provide instant depuffing, brightening, and revitalization to the delicate eye area within 10 minutes. They also contain natural collagen to help diminish the appearance of fine lines, which we love.
COSRX Advanced Snail Hydrogel Eye Patch
COSRX
These viral hydrogel masks offer moisture and nourishment to rejuvenate tired-looking skin. Their Snail Secretion Filtrate contains "Mucin," an effective moisturizing ingredient that soothes damaged skin and delivers deep hydration, making it suitable for dehydrated and damaged skin types. Your under-eyes will thank you.
Peace Out Puffy Under-Eye Patches
Amazon
Try these caffeine-infused patches to reduce puffiness in the under-eye area. The product features clean, vegan ingredients such as caffeine, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid for deep hydration and moisture delivery.
Dieux Skin Forever Eye Mask Reusable Silicone Gel Eye Pads
The Forever Eye Mask is designed to be the “last eye mask you'll ever need.” This thin, lightweight, and reusable eye patch can hold gels, serums, and creams close to the skin for better absorption, helping your skincare products work more effectively.
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Featured image by blackCAT/Getty Images