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Abm
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Posted on Friday, July 07, 2006 - 03:32 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

The following was inspired by the recent “Mariah Carey & Ebony magazine.” thread.


Essence is a FINE magazine. Its articles are about as good as what you should expect from a consumer magazine. It ALWAYS provides beautifully inspirational graphic portrayals of African American women. And Essence generally does NOT bash Black men! (which I’m often somewhat amazed by).

I probably buy 3 – 5 issues of Essence annually.


Ebony is bad. On that rare occasion when I’ll crack open an issue of Ebony, I can’t help feeling as though I had seen/read the same shyt written the same way by the same mofo’ YEARS ago.

But it’s not just Ebony being bad that bugs me. It’s it not being as good as Essence (or a few other major Black magazines, for that matter) that I just don’t get. Hell. Ebony has had about a +20 year headstart on its all it Black-oriented competition. It should be much further along than they are.

To me, Ebony is proof of WHY there reaches a point when every enterprise – no matter how great it once were - should be run by someone OTHER than its creator and/or his or her kin.

I doubt that I’ve bought a SINGLE issue of Ebony since the Reagan Administration.


And the people who populate the covers of those magazines have ZERO effect on whether or not I buy them.

Angela Bassett was on the cover of Ebony a few months ago. And although I love me some Angela Bassett something kinda awful, I didn’t for a SECOND consider buying that magazine.

Conversely I can’t STAND Mo’Nique’s loudmouth, (un)funny fatgirl routine. Yet she was on the cover of the issue of Essence that included the article that inspired this thread.
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Caprical
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Posted on Friday, July 07, 2006 - 04:08 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

if you expect magazines by black women to bash black men, here's another perspective for you, read the comments on this thread. Some think essence bashes black women. here are their comments below










Essence Magazine Pisses Me OFF!!!
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See, this is why I don't buy this freaking magazine. Okay, so I'm terribly bored while dh is watching soccer, so I pick up some mags. I'd already read this month's Oprah and Marie Claire, so in desperation I get Essence. Why? Why? Why?

They have this article in there about black women and IR dating. Essentially stating that something like 75% of the respondents to their poll would date white if presented with an opportunity. (Don't ask why they didn't include other races.) But why did they have to go on about how black women are still freaking out over black men with white women? And, yeah, I could've gotten over that. After all, it is Essence and they wouldn't be 'down with the brothas' if they didn't talk about black men. But then, then they include some crap from some comedian about why black men prefer to date white women! Why? Why? Why? would a magazine supposedly devoted to the empowerment of black women include some asshole talking about how white women will date you even when you're poor and downtrodden. And how they don't hesitate to approach a man! Why? Why? Why?

Why mention black men at all in an article about black women dating IR? And if you do, why include this pile of nonsense that serves no purpose but to denigrate black women? I'm so tired of this magazine.

JJisBaack
Administrator
Posts: 1860
(6/12/06 7:59 am)
Reply Re: Essence Magazine Pisses Me OFF!!!
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Unfortunately,

There are still some black women that feel that way. Essence does need to be more balanced. I get tired of that same old agrument esp when I don't give a gosh darn who is seeing who.

I've haven't read the article yet though.

Dark Rican
Princesa Latina
Posts: 9909
(6/12/06 1:15 pm)
Reply
ezSupporter
Re: Essence Magazine Pisses Me OFF!!!
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I've been mesmerized by the breath-taking beauty of the males and females Essence has displayed on it's covers over the years, but reading the bulk of the contents of that mag? 'Bout as mindless as the contents of 'How to F*ck Your Man Like a Pro' Cosmo or Spanish-language magazines like Estylo, Latina, Vanidades etc.

Kinda off, but on, topic... but I was annoyed that Oprah (who I love) asked BM what they thought about BW being in IR relationships when she covered the movie Something New.

Don't ask BM what they think about BW/wm yet neglect to ask BM what they think about BM who date IR, or ask ww what they think about wm dating IR.




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~I can't escape it's surrounding me. I'm caught in a storm that I don't need no shelter from.~ == Rain, Sisters With Voices





Edited by: Dark Rican at: 6/12/06 1:16 pm

bhasmuchsubstance
Mr. Smooth Operator
Posts: 3947
(6/12/06 1:58 pm)
Reply
ezSupporter
Re: Essence Magazine Pisses Me OFF!!!
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I read the piece as well. And I normally just skim the mags for eye candy reasons. I had the same impression about the comics take and the never ending "what do you guys think about it". I actually saw him do standup a few months back. He had some funny male vs material and I cant remember if did any ir stuff. But that is off the subject. I understand why they probably ask the bm opinion because that will spark some quotes they can run with.

blanc2
Newbie
Posts: 521
(6/13/06 4:44 am)
Reply Re: Essence Magazine Pisses Me OFF!!!
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Essence has had a subtle anti BW/WM IRR bias for as long as I can recall. Actually, sometimes, not so subtle. So long as Susan "The Amazing Growing Forehead" Taylor remains at the helm, I suspect this will continue to be the case. And the recipes are often pretty jive.

I need to digress for a moment about Susan Taylor's forehead. It's truly a wonder to behold. One of the seven wonders of the world. Her forehead puts ole Blanc to shame, and folks who know what Blanc looks like know that this is realy sayin' somethin.

Now, I do enjoy perusing my wife's "O" when I'm enjoying my morning quiet time in "the library." One thing about "O": the recipes are often slamming. Eloquent, easy, yet tasty, healthful and delicious. Big Up to the food editor at "O."

The only thing about "O" is that it doesn't generally have much by way of eye candy. This is where Essence holds a leg up in the "peruse while in line at the grocery store" department. Essence has some great eye candy, stone hotties, often scantily clad in swimwear or lingerie. Big Up to the fashion editor at Essence.



Robert Jones
Saffron Desert Knucker
Posts: 1874
(6/13/06 6:25 am)
Reply
Re: Essence Magazine Pisses Me OFF!!!
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I remember Oprah blasting Dennis Rodman on her show about his preference for white women (this was right after the Bull's second threepeat). The audience cheered her on like a pack of hyenas.





"The Jews don't recognize Christ as the Messiah, Protestants don't recognize the Pope as head of the church, and Baptists don't recognize each other coming out of Hooters or the liquor store."

platinumprincss6
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Posts: 5480
(6/15/06 4:04 am)
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ezSupporter
Re: Essence Magazine Pisses Me OFF!!!
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Oprah, Essence, I don't see the connection. Also, I am not sure I remember Dennis Rodman being on Oprah's show. I do recall Jordan and Pippen years ago. Do you have a link to back-up your claim that Rodman was EVA on the show and Oprah dogged him out about dating IR? If so, I would love to see it.
What's the difference between Vietnam and Iraq? Bush knew how to get out of Vietnam.



Robert Jones
Saffron Desert Knucker
Posts: 1876
(6/15/06 4:32 am)
Reply
Re: Essence Magazine Pisses Me OFF!!!
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Somebody mentioned Oprah, and I chimed in---simple as that.

Anyway, you can always request Harpo studios for a transcript of the Dennis Rodman's lone appearance. Like I said---this was at least 8 years ago during the peak of the Rodman mania (wearing the wedding dress in public, writing books, etc.). Not too many people are going to remember something almost a decade ago, unless it left an impression on a person.


"The Jews don't recognize Christ as the Messiah, Protestants don't recognize the Pope as head of the church, and Baptists don't recognize each other coming out of Hooters or the liquor store."

Derrick2003
Count Oojah
Posts: 1040
(6/15/06 6:49 am)
Reply Re: Essence Magazine Pisses Me OFF!!!
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Robert, I might remember Rodman on Oprah's show when he was promoting his book, "Bad As I Want To Be." He said that he dated IR because many black women rejected him when he was younger and didn't consider him attractive UNTIL he was in the NBA.

IMO, I think Rodman and black women have mutually agreed to disagree. He's a freakin' troll with the gift of snatching rebounds. He's Flavor Flav with added height.

LBellatrix
Madam Chantilly Lace
Posts: 609
(6/15/06 7:02 am)
Reply Re: Essence Magazine Pisses Me OFF!!!
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Roz...are you wearing a bandage to cover the bruises I'm sure you gave yourself from repeatedly smacking yourself on the forehead? You need to be watching all these FOINE men playing soccer (ahem, football)!

I quit subscribing to/buying Essence around the time I turned 30. My parents still subscribe, though, and when I visit them I might pick one up the same way I'd pick up, say, In Style or Bazaar: to look at the beautiful things for sale and the beautiful people in the photo shoots. I don't really read the articles that closely.
--
If you can't see God in all, you can't see God at all. -- Yogi Bhajan
My craft projects photo album

Robert Jones
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Posts: 1878
(6/15/06 10:11 am)
Reply
Re: Essence Magazine Pisses Me OFF!!!
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I overheard one girl saying that Ronaldinho was handsome and I looked at her like she was from another planet. Dude looks like Jar Jar Binks but I guess $$$ and fame changes the appearance of a player.


"The Jews don't recognize Christ as the Messiah, Protestants don't recognize the Pope as head of the church, and Baptists don't recognize each other coming out of Hooters or the liquor store."

platinumprincss6
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Posts: 5481
(6/15/06 1:05 pm)
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ezSupporter
Re: Essence Magazine Pisses Me OFF!!!
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Quote:
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Anyway, you can always request Harpo studios for a transcript of the Dennis Rodman's lone appearance. Like I said---this was at least 8 years ago during the peak of the Rodman mania (wearing the wedding dress in public, writing books, etc.). Not too many people are going to remember something almost a decade ago, unless it left an impression on a person.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



So the answer to my question is No.

OK. I thought so.
What's the difference between Vietnam and Iraq? Bush knew how to get out of Vietnam.



Robert Jones
Saffron Desert Knucker
Posts: 1880
(6/16/06 5:47 am)
Reply
Re: Essence Magazine Pisses Me OFF!!!
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Whatever. How the hell am I going to supply a link to something that occurred over 8 years ago? Google isn't absolute.

Thanks


"The Jews don't recognize Christ as the Messiah, Protestants don't recognize the Pope as head of the church, and Baptists don't recognize each other coming out of Hooters or the liquor store."

rozlips
Green Goddess
Posts: 3855
(6/16/06 9:55 am)
Reply
Re: Essence Magazine Pisses Me OFF!!!
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I think she had Rodman on the show aeons ago, and they did discuss his preference for white women. But, he talks about it in his book and every opportunity he gets, so it only makes sense that Oprah would bring it up.


Quote:
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Kinda off, but on, topic... but I was annoyed that Oprah (who I love) asked BM what they thought about BW being in IR relationships when she covered the movie Something New.
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Yeah, that annoyed the shit out of me too. I don't even understand why they had a BM/WF couple on there, either. If you're going to talk about black women IRing, talk to, and about black women.

Edited by: rozlips at: 6/16/06 9:57 am

lcturn
Got Braces?)
Posts: 2791
(6/16/06 6:21 pm)
Reply Re: Essence Magazine Pisses Me OFF!!!
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Quote:
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So long as Susan "The Amazing Growing Forehead" Taylor remains at the helm, I suspect this will continue to be the case.
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there is apparently some behind the scenes disagreements or catfights at the magazines's headquarters. i believe it is a struggle for editor-in-chief. i do agree that taylor needs to go though.

btw, has anyone heard that she has divorced?

rozlips
Green Goddess
Posts: 3857
(6/16/06 7:03 pm)
Reply
Re: Essence Magazine Pisses Me OFF!!!
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NO! Say it isn't so! Tell me she hasn't left her 'African King.'

lcturn
Got Braces?)
Posts: 2794
(6/16/06 7:06 pm)
Reply Re: Essence Magazine Pisses Me OFF!!!
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my sister's friend commented on this last year. however, my sis claims her friend doesn't get the facts straight sometimes.

Edited by: lcturn at: 6/16/06 7:25 pm

2obfusk8
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Posts: 660
(6/21/06 7:18 pm)
Reply Re: Essence Magazine Pisses Me OFF!!!
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I thought that Oprah show was really disgusting in encouraging(?)/airing discussion of the color of people's GENITALS!!

I would bust a man in the face if he were discussing me in that way after being LUCKY enough to know ANYthing about my nick-nack (or is that Knick Knack, DR?)

Dark Rican
Princesa Latina
Posts: 9946
(6/22/06 2:30 pm)
Reply Re: Essence Magazine Pisses Me OFF!!!
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...that's knick-knack, thank you ver' much!
<!--ezcode><!--ezcode><!--ezcode><!--ezcode>~I can't escape it's surrounding me. I'm caught in a storm that I don't need no shelter from.~ == Rain, Sisters With Voices</span><!--ezcode><!--ezcode><!--ezcode> <br> <!--ezcode><!--ezcode><!--ezcode><!--EZCODE CENTER END---

Maverica
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Posts: 272
(6/23/06 1:43 am)
Reply Re: Essence Magazine Pisses Me OFF!!!
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i have been trying to avoid this months essence having leafed through it at the magazine store, but yesterday my sister bought a copy and droped it off. AGGRRH!

Essence sees black women basically as a support system for the race. this is strongly refelcted in the 'more serious' articles and in 'in the spirit' columns. you can almost 'feel' from these articles, that black women are 'shackled' in every area of their life, to 'group' concerns and not free to just run with 'self' interests. The idea of black women being free entities, with a 'right' to pursue individual rather than 'group' interests has not yet gotten through to the folk at essence. i believe this means that BW are fast 'out' evolving essence.

i guess this will never be realised until some smart and bold new upstart magazine, taps into the 'mood' of the modern day black woman. then it might be too late to salvage things!

still i like the hair and beauty pages, they get you clued up to the latest and best products for black skin!

lcturn
Got Braces?)
Posts: 2797
(6/24/06 11:51 am)
Reply Re: Essence Magazine Pisses Me OFF!!!
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Quote:
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i believe this means that BW are fast 'out' evolving essence.
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have you noticed that the mag has fewer pages? it can't be just the type-font. i also read where the mag's subscription has lagged in sales.






http://p200.ezboard.com/fmindkandysinterracialdebateandrelationsfrm51.showMessag e?topicID=2099.topic
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Caprical
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Posted on Friday, July 07, 2006 - 04:09 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

here is a continuation of their coments





have you noticed that the mag has fewer pages? it can't be just the type-font. i also read where the mag's subscription has lagged in sales.
----------------------

Well i guess the tailing off has begun and i am not suprised. the modern bw doesnt want to be preached at and to have to always be 'representing' for the race. i think most of the folk at essence are well over forty five and unfortunately most people begin to dissociate from the 'newer' more individualistic agendas at that age, or begin to see the emerging culture as an 'aberration'.

Essence will need new and younger blood at the helm to really capture back the market!

hey we love the bebe mores and the rest but lets face it, even I sometimes cant figure out what the younger folk are about let alone folks who have been doing this thing since the 80s!
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Caprical
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Posted on Friday, July 07, 2006 - 04:10 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

it jsut goes to show if you have alot of women who have a MALE-dominated mindset, they will more than liekly descriminate agaisnt their own gender. Alot of black women have a male-dominated mindset no matter how much people claim that the black community is matriarchical.
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Tonya
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Posted on Friday, July 07, 2006 - 04:54 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

If I'm not mistaking (I don't read/pay attention to either one) the people running Essence/Ebony are light skinned blacks. And there's enough evidence to suggest that the experiences of many light skinned blacks are not the same as those of the majority of black folks. Having Essence/Ebony write for us is not that far off from having Vogue or Vanity Fair putting out black magazines. We shouldn't expect Essence/Ebony to get it any more right than a white pub.
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Abm
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Posted on Friday, July 07, 2006 - 04:55 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Caprical,

Thanks! Those ARE some interesting perspectives that I hadn't fully considered, ESPECIALLY regarding the apparent generational gap between Essence's staff and younger portions of its readership.

Still. I don't see Essence being supplanted as the premiere African American woman's magazine anytime soon.

Do you?
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Cynique
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Posted on Friday, July 07, 2006 - 05:15 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

"Ebony"'s owner and publisher just died last year so maybe their bland format will be revamped by his daugher who is now in charge. But then again, Ebony's readership is apparently bland and since they keep it in the black financially, if it ain't broke they won't fix it. To me, "Essence" is like a catalog that just happens to have a few semi-interesting articles dispersed throughout the fashion layouts and ads for beauty products. Youth-oriented "Vibe" and "Spin" magazines are 2 publications that have gained status in the entertainment industry and the venerable "Rolling Stone" is a good example of a magazine that has kept its cutting edge while making inroads into the mainstream. The bottom line remains that "you pays yer money, ya takes your choice".
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Ntfs_encryption
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Posted on Friday, July 07, 2006 - 09:59 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

If I'm not mistaking (I don't read/pay attention to either one) the people running Essence/Ebony are light skinned blacks.

Uh huh…..and you can prove this? Hmmmmm….I was not aware that Essence/Ebony has a skin color prerequisite or that both publications are operated and dominated by indidivuals who share a rigid genealogical skin color similarity. Interesting……

"And there's enough evidence to suggest that the experiences of many light skinned blacks are not the same as those of the majority of black folks."

Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Oh really? Don’t stop there! Extremely attractive people experiences are different than those of ugly people. Obese people have different experiences than people of average weight. Women have experiences that are different than men. People who are very wealthy have experiences that are different than poor people. Should I go on?

It never cease to amaze me how skin color seems to be an uncontrollable fixation for some readers of this board. They seem driven to the point of hysteria at constantly mentioning and prostalizing about the differences in skin complexion. I guess their world revolves around making distinctions and the importance of defining peoples worth and validity based soley (everything is secondary) on skin color. Amazing and tragic at the same time.

"Having Essence/Ebony write for us is not that far off from having Vogue or Vanity Fair putting out black magazines. We shouldn't expect Essence/Ebony to get it any more right than a white pub."

OMG! The comment made by the poster: "I don't read/pay attention to either one", is painfully obvious. The statement documents itself since it is crystal clear that she is clueless to the long standing history and content of the magazine. She would have never made such an erroneous declaration if she read or had the slightest insight into magazine. I have not read the magazine recently but my history with Esscene dates back to it’s orginal inception which is more than thirty years ago. Essence has always been a journalistic leader of black female issues.

Prior to 1970, black American women were hard pressed to find media publications with informative articles and positive images that treated them seriously and reflected their concerns. Today, it’s common to see a number of mainstream magazines featuring black women on their covers. And major brands like L'Oréal and Revlon have developed products specifically for the black women. This did not exist thirty years ago.

Essence Communications, Inc., (ECI) launched its flagship magazine (Essence) in May 1970. At that time, there were no magazines that existed specifically for black women. It started out with an initial circulation around 50,000. Today, it has a monthly circulation of 1.6 million and a readership of 7 million in the US. I think the magazine has come a long way since those original issues of black and white photos and generic text. I’ve always thought that Essence has fronted some of the most interesting and artistically dynamic front covers featuring black women (and at times, black men). The artistic and bold covers have showcased black women in their most aesthetically appealing glory and beauty.

When Essence first came into existence, it shared newsstand space with Ebony, Jet and Sepia (a photojournalist magazine that is no longer in circulation –some of you may recall it). I have a personal vintage collection of all three.

The magazine was groomed and made a success under the helm of editor-in-chief, Susan L. Taylor (who I think is a brilliant and highly professional woman). And I do remember Essence was recognized for "magazine excellence" and ranked seventh on Advertising Age's A-List, the first time a black American publication had ever received the honor in 2003.

This very aesthetically professional and tasteful magazine has always been at the forefront of issues that concern black women; black hair care and styles, health issues for black women, positive stories of successful black women, financial planning tips, relationships with black men, history, fashions, etc, etc. I don’t know of any other major publication that is on par with Essence that directly deals with black women.

So the inaccurate and infelicitous accusations (“We shouldn't expect Essence/Ebony to get it any more right than a white pub”) reflect either the posters misguided cynicism, ignorance or dishonesty (or a combination of the aforementioned) for making such a ridiculous comment.

Ebony is a completely different story. This once interesting magazine that was so desperately needed by black people, is no more than a depressing display of hedonism, silliness and journalistic mediocrity. In November 1945, John H. Johnson ( a 27-year-old ambitious black businessman) launched Ebony magazine. Ebony magazine was created out of a dire need to present black people with positive images, a new sense of self respect and a challenge to widely held racist stereotypes and beliefs about black people.

Ebony began chipping away at the old racist stereotypes and began replacing them with positive black images by highlighting the achievements of black men and women that had America had completely ignored (and rejected) by the general mass media.

I have done much research and documentation of how black people were systematically excluded and barred from mainstream America. The systematic exclusion of blacks from the white-controlled media was so bad, that many people, (including a fair number of blacks), had serious doubts about blacks' ability to perform as well as whites. Ebony magazine helped change all of that. Through countless informative and expository articles and dramatic photos, Ebony showed how determined blacks were able to triumph over systemic poverty and draconian racial barriers (both unwritten and written) to succeed in building viable careers in education, business, sports, the military, entertainment and the arts.

When the civil and human rights struggle momentum in the late `50s and early `60s, Ebony became the mirror of the struggle of the brave and determined civil and human rights activists (in the North and South), to dismantle Americas Apartheid segregation laws in rail (I advise all the readers of this board to read about the life and struggle of Asa Philip Randolph and the black Pullman Porters –fascinating!) and bus transportation, lunch counters, public schools, hotels and motels, the military and housing. At the risk of their own safety, Ebony writers and photographers braved the menacing stalking of racist Southern sheriffs in order to bring readers firsthand accounts of the valiant battle for racial equality waged by determined blacks and whites in a recalcitrant South. And Ebony's veteran staff photographer, Moneta Sleet Jr., who covered MLK funeral, captured the grieving Coretta Scott King and her youngest daughter, Bernice, in a photo that earned him the Pulitzer Prize. He was the first black male to do so. I have that famous Ebony cover framed.

But unfortunately, those days are gone. I feel that Ebony has degenerated into nothing less that an X-Generation rag that focuses on hip hop artists, celebrities and their personal lives. I still relish the old copies (50’s and 60’s) I have for their historical significance and their documentation of a transforming black America. I have no use for the silly and frivolous nature it currently maintains.

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Brownbeauty123
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Posted on Saturday, July 08, 2006 - 12:49 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Ntfs,

Are you biracial/mixed?
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Doberman23
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Posted on Sunday, July 09, 2006 - 05:56 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

jet has always had beuty of the week, and you can't ever go wrong with that :-)

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