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I'm beginning to sense a pattern in the manner in which Time chooses to depict Black women: Now given our last conversation about Time Magazine's treatment of Viola Davis, one might assume I was on the hunt for more damning evidence against Time's controversial treatment of Black women on their covers, I assure you I wasn't. This controversial cover just landed in my lap. I attended a book fair in Queens, New York yesterday. As I was walking around I decided to check out a panel on feminism; primarily because there were two Black women participating and I wanted to learn more about them. One of them was Andrea Queeley who is currently an Associate Professor at Florida International University in Miami who, in the video below, related the controversy surrounding this cover. Apparently, it was "a thing," but since I not as tuned into these social media fueled "controversies." I missed it entirely. The New School in New York City hosted a discussion, titled "Are You Still a Slave?," back in May of 2014 which included with bell hooks, Janet Mock, Shola Lynch, and Marci Blackman. hooks said, "Let's take the image of this super rich, very powerful Black female and let's use it in the service of imperialist, white supremacist capitalist patriarchy because she probably had very little control over that cover — that image..." Janet Mock said, "I would argue she chose this image, so I don't want to strip Beyoncé of choosing this image — of being her own manager." to that bell hooks replied, "Then you are saying, from my deconstructive point of view, that she is colluding in the construction of herself as a slave." Mock later continued, "...when I am writing about sex work and sexual abuse and issues with my body, my sexuality — it was freeing to have Beyoncé owning her body and claiming that space." To which hooks replied, "I see a part of Beyoncé that is in fact anti-feminist — that is a terrorist, especially in terms of the impact on young girls." bell hooks pulls no punches. I don't know much about Beyonce or her stance on feminism. But I suspect she is most interested in money, and uses feminism as a tool when it helps. I just don't think Time would have a white man who they considered one of the 100 most influential pose in his drawers... does this make sense?

When in Florida, I spend hours in Barnes and Noble and Starbucks working on AALBC.com. Sometimes I use the library, but I like being able to buy a cup of coffee and something to eat without having to pack up and leave.. Plus, I can people watch in B&N and Starbucks. People are so interesting, but before I digress let me tell you about a Brother I've become friendly with over the last couple of years, Milton Bertrand. We started talking because I noticed he was sitting in the B&N at a wooden desk--that he brought into the store himself--which initially seemed crazy--who brings a desk to a bookstore?!. We started talking and he explained how his desk actually folded up into his backpack. I thought that was such a cool idea since tables can fill up during busy times in the store. I filmed him on my cell phone but never edited the video (just never got to it). Late last year, I ran into him again and this time he had an upgraded model of the desk. It was no longer made out of wood, but plastic and a light-weight metal. The desk can also be converted into an easel with the desktop doubling as a whiteboard-like writing surface. So I filmed him again and this time I even started to edit the video, but one thing led to another and I never finished editing it. Yesterday I saw him again and told him I'll get to his video, but I was saying to myself I must sound like I'm full crap. So while he never asked for a video, I'd been promising to create one, for the better part of a year, but never did it. So I decided to finish it today. Hopefully, it will inspire others to create. He told me he actually filled a large order for a school.

Who's using whom is the question... or is it a collaboration on a level most black people aren't privy to... But first, I'd say anyone who sells their labor is a slave. The industrial economy wage system, according to some was built on the slave-master model. In this discussion, Janet Mock is closest to describing the reality of the use of this image. ... One who uses their talent and image for gain is usually in a licensing agreement. You literally have to enter into a contract to use someone's image. The person licensing the image sets the terms and compensation. In this case, Beyonce licensed her image to benefit her product. Beyoncé Exclusive: Watch the Official Video for "Pretty Hurts" TIME Video Apr 24, 2014 Beyoncé graces the cover of this year's TIME 100 issue and she's made TIME.com the first official outlet to show her "Pretty Hurts" video. The latest clip from her fifth, self-titled studio album strives to explore the definition of pretty. Starting today, Beyoncé asks you to join the conversation. How do you define pretty? Upload a photo or video to Instagram tagged #WhatIsPretty that captures what the word means to you. Visit WhatIsPretty.com for additional details. From Rollingstone "Beyoncé is this year's Time 100 cover star and to celebrate the occasion, the news outlet has debuted the official video for "Pretty Hurts," the opening track to her surprise 2013 album, Beyoncé." To help promote the video and its body-positive message, Beyoncé and Time are also asking fans to upload photos or videos to Instagram with the tag #WhatIsPretty. You can find out more details on the WhatIsPretty website as well. " As I've mentioned before - NOTHING and I mean Nothing happens without Beyonce's approval and her calculated moves. She runs her empire and manages her brand. So if she decided to appear on TIME magazine in a two-piece bikini w/ coverup to promote her (at the time, secret album) and first "single" Pretty Hurts... It's seems she got a two-fer from Time. (An award while promoting her new release) Time-Warner owned Time, Inc. and still owns HBO. So I'm not surprised. Beyonce always releases her newest projects through that media giant - (Time was sold in June 2014 - a little bit after her album release and cover) In February 2016 - Beyonce tapped Warner Bros Exec to run her parkwood entertainment label...so there must a powerful deal between the two entities - One that her record label isn't in on. Now that's the real story! As for the body conscious outfit on Time, Inc. cover. I wasn't surprised. I mean what would one expect her to wear? She wears body conscious costumes during all her performances - it's her brand. Thinking she would appear out of costume is like asking Bootsy Collins not to wear skintight pants and platforms or Sir Nose D'void of funk not to look like Pinocchio (or vice versa) Beyonce dresses conservatively for interviews - but not magazine covers. That would be a rare cover. *** By the way, @Troy what does feminism mean to you? Feminism has several layers and means different things to different people. Some feminist are activists and do their best to remind men not to hog space. Some just want equal treatment/equal rights and equal pay. For others such as me, Feminism means you don't get to usurp my agency. You don't get to tell me how I should feel or behave AND definitely not what to do with my body I'm responsible for my actions and I don't ask permission. I decide my value and worth not someone outside of me. I tell you how much you'll pay me for what I offer. Sometimes I'll negotiate. Sometimes, I'll gift it but it's my choice. I'm the we stand together in a partnership or I walk alone type of feminist. Beyonce represents that brand of feminism partly and she's also subscribes to womanism (which the old school definition was very protective of black men in addition to black woman's agency). She reaches her publics by reminding them they are "unapologetically" women, in charge of their lives, firstly. She reminds them through her music they don't need permission to be great or even small. It's their choice and they should own it all. I'm surprised this isn't clear to everyone. But I guess they aren't paying attention to Beyonce's actions, her artistry or even music selection. Just looking at her as if she's making a spectacle of herself.

I think I see what you mean. When the brother Randy Kearse told me what the video meant to him I felt #verkempt, mainly because I was unaware of the impact it had on him. He just struck me as an interesting Brother. To put it in context I was still work in corporate America and living very comfortably. I was leaving the African American Literary Award show which was held in the Alhambra Ballroom in Harlem (webpage upgrade not started) I'd spent some time talking to Doug and Jackie Christie and other Black authors and publishing professionals. I just found the page I created after the event (which I just now upgraded) on it I wrote: "Randy served 13 years of a 15-year sentence and is now selling a book to help others have a positive and productive life after prison. I brought a book -- one can't help but support." Later Doug and Jackie (webpage upgrade incomplete) would buy quite a bit of advertising to promote their books. They were quite generous and their support of AALBC.com meant as much to me as what I did for Randy, I just never got a chance to tell them. We all do things to support others, often without knowing it... Mel you've been a keen supporter of AALBC.com as well. Just the idea that someone whose opinion I respect thinks my efforts is worthwhile helps a great deal. I also know you know things I could be doing that would make me more effective, which will enable me to help someone else--these are the activities that uplift a culture.

I agree, that Beyonce is a feminist when she WANTS to be. Her behavior is actually no different than Lady Gaga's or Katy Perry's or any other female celebrity who may be considered attractive by the mainstream. She uses her sexuality and body to make money on one hand and spouts out about women being objectified and sexualized on the other....sending mixed messages. But when you realize that most people (male and female) tend to do whatever they WANT to do and whatever they think will benefit them and then try to justify and rectify it later on....then you're no longer suprised or perplexed by hypocrisy. When people look good and they know it....they flaunt it....male OR female. Even most very religious women will show off their body if they know it's attractive or think it'll get the attention of a person they're interested in. Just like the humblest rich man in the world will draw attention to his wealth IF he thinks it will get him a much desired result. So I'm not suprised that so-called feminists use their sensuality to make money. My problems with Beyoncé's image in the media is actually not with her perceived feminism or lack of it but are more racial in nature. First of all I don't think she's Black...literally. She's an AfroAmerican, but not Black. But to understand this particular point I'm making you'd also have to understand my views and classification of race and ethnicity. And with her light skin and her wispy long blonde (I know it's dyed but it's still part of her image) bone straight hair, most people outside of the English speaking world DO NOT see her as a Black woman but as a typical blonde "American" woman. Thus she shouldn't represent "Black women". Secondly and very closely related...... I consider her an attractive woman, but not BECAUSE of her light skin and blonde hair....but because she just has an attractive looking face and well made body. Having said that, I don't like how so much of the media uses HER as an example of a beautiful "Black" woman. It's almost like saying the only time a Black woman can be beautiful is if she looks like or almost like a White woman. But those are my issues with her image. I actually don't have a problem with her as a person. I think she's using her talents to the max and doing her thing and I really don't blame her. (Well, she could actually lose the blonde hair). It's how the media is using her and portraying her that I have a problem with.

@Pioneer1 Is the person in your new profile picture you? Since everybody else is presenting a face, guess i'll go back to showing my mug.

@Troy, this inspiring post made me tear -up... #verkempt. I spotted it while reading your newsletter. I do my best to "press this" your newsletters but this morning I stopped to read to see what part I wanted to feature. I got to this story - and got so filled up. @Delano, is so right - your story needs to be told -in a way that's uniquely you. You are our modern-day true Griot.

I am interested in the Occult not a occlusion.

Mel Yeah....I remember making that statement but I just couldn't figure out where. I THOUGHT it may have been in this thread....looked at the date....and went back to the page trying to find it about 4 or 5 times and just didn't see it for some reason. I was actually trying NOT to ask you and look silly....lol..but after so many attempts I finally decided to ask and when you confirmed it was from this thread for some reason I was able to go back to the very same page I read over 5 times before and see it. Perhaps your twin Del was working some sort of magic to keep it hidden for a few days.

Troy Conversely, Black men do not earn the respect of Black women for women to behave in a traditional manner. They also realize that we are essentially powerless to protect them. This is saying the same thing you said but from a different perspective. Perhaps that explains the huge jump I've been seeing lately of White male Black female relationships. Maybe many sisters have finally decided to just give up on the brothers and throw their lot in with White men who they feel can protect and provide for them. I used to argue it and stopped. Money talks....bullshit walks. I found out as a young man that most women didn't give a damn how that dope dealer got his money, she just knows he was buying her what she wanted and showing her a good time. I can argue with a Black woman all day long about White men this and White men that but at the end of the day if he has the money and power to protect her and provide for her and all I have to offer her is a hard dick and excuses......from a scientific biological point of view she's justified in getting with the man who can take care of her. When you say "traditional" do you mean where the man is the head of the household? Forget about that man; those days are gone, perhaps irretrievably so. Those traditional roles, especially in the Black community are essentially nonexistent with the exception of very Christain households when tend to be more socially conservative. Yes, that's what I meant by traditional....however that is NOT what I personally advocate. I was just explaining why the "traditional" marriages have such a high failure rate in Black America and that's just one reason, but I personally don't think that that patriarchal standard should be pushed or forced on our community. I believe in a more liberal approach of people finding what works for THEM. Sometimes the woman SHOULD be in charge. Some women have a strong dominating personality, and they go good with weak ass men...lol. They're happy together because the woman makes all the decisions and the weak man doesn't have to "man up" and can lay back and play the passive role that fits his personality. Others like the more traditonal "man is in charge" type of relationship. But I still think the group relationships are the most healthy and will be the most beneficial in the future. It will prove to be the most stable type of family structure is a liberated society. 　 many of Umar's statements reminded me of stuff I've been saying on these forums over the years. Most intelligent Black men have seen and are saying the same things in this society. All it takes is someone who actually has a brain and can THINK and comprehend to realize what's happening in the community. But not everyone can ARTICULATE the problems in a way that those who are not as perceptive can grasp....and that's one of the things he seems to be able to do. when you described Umar as one of "the greatest Black leaders in America today." I did not agree, but if I were to think about Black leadership today, I can see why you would make the statement. The bar is relatively low today isn't it? No Malcolm X, no Dr. King, no Kwame Toure, no Huey Newton. Exactly! That's why I was careful to say TODAY. Yeah we had more effective Black leaders in the past, but if you compare him to what we have today....besides Minister Farrakhan....I don't know who else is as articulate and effective in stirring up the Black community. But you're right, one of the traits of a TRULY great leader his his followers. If you have no followers or no people visibly on your team, how great of a "leader" can you really be. You can make speeches and rile people up all day long, but at the end of the day if they aren't lining up behind you following orders or carrying out your instructions like a M.L. King or even better a Marcus Garvey.....what good is it? No, I haven't seen any "followers" of his in the few times that I've met him so far. He gets a lot of love when he comes to the Detroit area and hundreds come out to hear him and he has connections tha accomodate him....but as far as a hard core group of people that surround him...I haven't seen it. I think one of the problems is he isn't preaching RELIGION. Most of our people tend to be religious minded and if you want to gain thier dedication and following you often have to come at them with a religion and make them think God wants them to follow you. That's one of the reasons the Nation of Islam was/is so successful with Black people, the Jehovah's Witnesses too.