Kia Speaks  

by Makeisha Lee

 

 

The Harmful Effects of Our Culture’s Definition of Beauty…

 

“Studies show that Blacks are more accepting of larger body sizes than any other race. For instance, the University of Maryland explored eating attitudes, behaviors, psychology and ethnic identity comparing Black and white female college students. They noted that the biggest factor for the lower incidence of restrictive eating disorders was primarily due to cultural differences in definition of beauty.”

 

“While on one hand this seems to be a good thing, it has ended up hurting us more because our tolerance of these larger body sizes has caused us to be more obese than ever and subsequently lead to more obesity/health related illnesses.”

 

 

One Common Excuse Black People Use To Justify Being Fat…

 

“We may think that we look fine - as in a sister being labeled PHAT, or a brother being pleasantly plump as a show of prosperity and how well his lady is taking care of him. The fact is that it’s not a cute thing when we know what this is leading to. Still you have a whole generation of folks in denial, citing they are not fat, just ‘big boned’. Let’s squash this fallacy right now, there is no such thing as ‘big bones’.”

 

 

Why Blacks Believe It’s Normal To Be Fat After Having Babies…

 

“There is a common myth in our culture that once you have a couple of babies that somehow you earn the right or a free pass to be overweight. Either this is okay for some, or at minimum it is acceptable to carry around that inter-tube in the middle area, chalking it up as “baby fat”. So the concept is to just accept that if you have children, you’re body will not ever be as nice as it was prior to.”

 

This is so erroneous, but our “culture” has cultured up and passed around this general belief. Just because you don’t personally know any mothers who have had children and are in shape; it doesn’t mean they don’t exist, and it doesn’t mean that you can’t accomplish this.

 

 

The Current Mindset of African Americans When It Comes To Health…

 

Have you ever heard of the phrase “stinking thinking”? This a mindset and way of thinking that is counterproductive, negative in connotation and paralyzing. It’s called “stinking thinking” because it’s a line of thinking that is foul in nature that doesn’t belong in our heads. Instead, it should be thrown away and burned forever.

 

What does it sound like? It sounds like, this, “Uh, uh, this is way too much money to be spending (on a health program)”. The right line of thinking should be that a good health program is nothing more than paying “health assurance”.

 

“I just cannot aff ord to go the natural route, so I’ll just go with the meds,” many say. Wake up brothers and sisters! When are we ever going to get to the point when $100 or $200 is not a lot of money at all to spend on our most precious asset (our health)? We are so very worth every penny. If we don’t pay now, you can bet on all the money some of us have lost in Vegas that we will indeed pay later!

by Makeisha Lee 

 

Blacks are officially considered to be an endangered species due to obesity and terrifying related illness. Diets, surgeries, pills, exercise motions and potions; though easily and readily available have done little-to-nothing to help people lose weight long-term. If those options don’t completely suit your fancy, then you have high powered initiatives to  get people moving into action; like the Bally’s fitness Challenge, Shaq’s Challenge, BET healthy challenge, and of course the 50 Million Pound Challenge. All of these are attempting to provide a solution to the obesity plague for our community.

Even with all of these mechanisms in place, The 50 million pound question that lies before us is -

 

Why, is it that we as “Blacks” are STILL some of the most obese people on the planet?  Previously, whites were the poster children for dieting to lose weight; were now doing our fair share too - but with no dent in this trend of disproportionate obesity coupled with chronic illness.

 

The facts are the facts! Prevalence of obesity among blacks has increased 35 percent in the past 10 years alone. According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control), we lead in the highest percentages in both sexes and even amongst children, as compared to other ethnicities when it comes to the contemptible “beast of burden”- obesity. So what is REALLY going on?

 

There have been huge technological advances made so that you can instantaneously access tons of information on how to lose weight. Also noteworthy is that there are thousands of books written, exercise videos on the latest, newest best diet, best fitness tips, best medical advice, on and on and on. Even with all this, something is not being done right. Why come to that conclusion? One obvious reason is that we should certainly see more significant results than what we have.

 

There are in fact an infinite number of theories, but here are a few thought provoking ideas that many don’t want to address, but that will definitely make you want to go, “hum”!

·         Too many of us are being brainwashed; covering ourselves up with benign ignorance instead of trying to find out the real truth about why blacks have been unsuccessful as a whole at getting/and or keeping the weight off.

·          All of these diets, various weight loss challenges and campaigns that are currently underway are nothing more than band-aid remedies that will bring us right back to the drawing board - if we don’t find out about pre-existing and current outside elements that stifle real results. That’s right, in this day and age mainstream society still suppresses corruption that adversely affects our lives, as a people; as a nation.

·         We may have to begin exposing some that are right within our own community that acts as wolves in sheep’s clothing – impeding progress. It’s been said that the “mean green” has caused stranger things to happen. Or perhaps, they are not wolves at all; rather it’s just a bad case of “blind leading the blind”. 
·        Whatever the theory or rationale of the matter, one thing most can agree on is that the obesity pandemic for Blacks is unequivocally multi-factorial. People who can think for themselves can surmise that all on their own!

 

 We all do well to open our minds, and eyes to the fact that if we don’t get proactive and put on our investigative hats - TODAY; we will be tottering upon a horrific human existence and will eventually land ourselves on the brink of extinction.

 

The final analysis: If we don’t “band together” and “stand together,” find out how our entire race of people will actually be (in a bad way) - the world’s biggest LOSERS, the next time on part II!

Initially, I gave Vogue the benefit of the doubt. I mean, the only thing I hate more than racism is people making unsubstantial accusations of racism.

Personally, I had never seen the King Kong photo. After seeing it side-by-side with the Vogue cover, my opinion has changed.

I'm still left with one question: was this an insensitive attempt at reproducing art or was it a malicious attack purposed to demonize black men?

What do you think?

Stroll below to see the images.

Hannity searched it out. Rev. Jeremiah Wright sparked it. Barack Obama challenged us. Lebron, Giselle, and Vogue threw fuel on the fire. And we're talking about it. Join us for our open and honest conversation on race relations in today's society.

Before joining us for our show on America's race relation, check out these links!!! And then tune in on Sunday, March 30th at 8pm EST. 

Call (646) 478-4664 to share your perspective or join our online chat at www. blogtalkradio. com/perspectivetalk.

We love feedback. Email us at perspectivetalk@aol.com.

Sean Hannity Asserts that Barack Obama is a Racist--http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eW3qbibh8Mk

What Rev. Jeremiah Wright Really Said--http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOdlnzkeoyQ

Barack Obama's More Perfect Union Speech--http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/hisownwords

Lebron James and Gisele Bundchen's Controversy Vogue Cover--http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2008-03-24-vogue-controversy_N.htm

Anyone who knows me knows the fact that T.I. was coming to Easter worship service was a big deal to me. I’ve been a fan of this man since he was running around talking about “I’m Serious” and everyone was questioning why this arrogant negro was disrespecting the South by crowning himself Da King. I mean seriously, if Jesus would’ve called and said, “Kia, I’m not going to be able to show up at service today” my butt probably would’ve said, “I understand, Lord, but do you mind if I go and see T.I.” LOL, God knows my heart.

Once I got wind of the fact that he would be showing up, I emailed my peeps to let them know what was going on. My girl, Erika, came through with the witty comment like always. “Please remember to focus on the word and not scope out all three services trying to identify the man’s police detail.” Lucky for me, we only had one service since we were able to worship in the Georgia Dome, and I didn’t need to scope out his police detail because one of the ministers from the church introduced him and handed him the mic.

Read the rest at http://thirstdaysfulfilled.blogspot.com/2008/03/ti-came-to-my-church-sunday.html