There are few words. Whitney Elizabeth Houston was pronounced dead on February 11, 2012 at 3:55PM in Los Angeles, CA.
For about 8 minutes, I was in complete denial. While every social media outlet repeated the news of her death, punctuating the harsh fact with links from news outlets, it didn’t seem real to me until the radio began playing her hits in succession. Whitney Houston. The icon whom every little Black girl in the 80s grew up trying to immulate vocally. She was everything a pop star should be (in MY mind), and artists both established and aspiring vocalists knew Whitney is the barometer for excellence.
Throughout the 80′s her thin frame and beautiful features graced the covers of magazines, flawless album covers and sell-out shows. Hit after hit, award after award, Whitney’s timeless voice blazed the way for artists following her, desiring similar crossover success and adoration. She starred in blockbuster films in the 90′s, continued to sell millions, yet her tumultuous personal life began to gain as much attention as her professional success. In spite of a highly-publicized struggle with addiction and appearing on arguably the archetype celeb-train wreck reality television show, “Being Bobby Brown”, she maintained relevancy and a vocal celebrate and connection with fans around the globe. Whitney was the first of her kind- hand-picked and polished to enter the pop world as a powerhouse vocalist by Clive Davis himself. Irreplaceable and unforgettable. A music queen and American treasure, she will be missed by her family, friends, and fans across the world. 
As the reality of her passing settles into pop culture’s psyche, Remember to tell people in your life how you feel while you can. Give them their roses while they can still smell them. I love you Whitney, and will always remember your voice.
My Whitney Houston Favorites:
Album: “I’m Your Baby Tonight” (1994)
Singles: “I’m Every Woman,” “Run To You,” “I Will Always Love You,” “Saving All My Love For You,” “When You Believe” and “Queen Of The Night.”
Live Moment: TIE. 1) Singing the National Anthem at the Super Bowl 2) Whitney Houston’s LIVE interview with Diane Sawyer (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, & Part 5)
Hairstyle: Curly bob 
What are some of your favorite Whitney moments?
Peace,
Dawnavette
WTJJH?! XXL’s Promotion of Sexual Assalt Via Rapper Too $hort
Too $hort & Totally In The Wrong
Yesterday I was shocked to learn of a video posted last week on the uber-popular XXL Magazine website. A video interview with rapper Too $hort became totally inappropriate when he advised and then detailed to young boys how to “turn girls out.” (The video has been removed, yet transcript of the ignorance remains courtesy of The Grio)
“When you get to late middle school, early high school and you start feeling a certain way about the girls… I’m gonna tell you a couple tricks,” Too Short said in the video. “A lot of the boys are going to be running around trying to get kisses from the girls… We’re going way past that. I’m taking you to the hole.”
Then, the 45-year-old rapper, whose real name is Todd Anthony Shaw, asks women off camera to “cover their ears” to avoid being offended. Short then describes a scenario in graphic detail. “You push her up against the wall,” he continued. “You take your finger and put a little spit on it and you stick your finger in her underwear and you rub it on there and watch what happens.”
While Shaw is giving his graphic “advice,” upbeat, child-themed music plays in the background.
WHATTHEJOEJACKSONHELL?!?!
Aside from the basic and horrific facts that $hort is permissibly advising young boys on how to RAPE YOUNG WOMEN, what writer/content editor would find it appropriate to submit such irresponsible filth? Imagine my utter disgust to learn the Editor-In-Chief is a WOMAN. Editor-In-Chief of XXL, Vanessa Satten, is being held responsible for allowing this promotion of rape culture into pop culture. Harpo, WHO is this woman?! Where is her “Sisterhood” pass? It should be revoked. A statement was issued (passing blame- what a shame):
“I do not see all content before it goes live. When I saw this video, I was truly offended and thought it crossed the line. I had it taken down immediately. I am disappointed that an employee decided to post it and I am putting internal procedures in place to make sure content like this does not go on the site. The video goes against my value system and represents poor judgment on behalf of the individual who posted it. XXL apologizes to anyone who was offended by the video and assures readers that the brand does not condone this type of content posting on the site and it is making internal changes to avoid any similar content being posted in the future.”
O. Well that explains it. *eye roll* The rampant and increasing levels of misogyny found within hip hop culture is no secret yet the XXL video felt like another kick in the face was given to women, many of which supporters and fans of the genre. Where is the protection and general decency for our young girls and ultimately women?! Where is the public backlash?!?! Sure the video was taken down, but it speaks volumes of the general attitude of the hip hop/pop culture community that few were aware or care about this passive-aggressive attack and reaction on our girls. *Fingers To Temple* It’s getting harder and harder to defend this bollocks. And I love hip hop.
Too $hort offered an apology as well:
“I want to apologize to anyone I may have offended with the XXL video interview I recently did,” $hort stated. “When I got on camera I was in Too $hort mode and had a lapse of judgement.I would never advise a child or young man to do these things, it’s not how I get down. Although I have made my career on dirty raps, I have worked over the years to somewhat balance the content of my music with giving back to the community. Just coming from a man who wants to see young people get ahead in life, I’m gonna do my best to to help and not hurt. If you’re a young man or a kid who looks up to me, don’t get caught up in the pimp, player, gangster hip-hop personas. Just be yourself.”
The reaction to such an offense, or the lack thereof, is indicative of the mentalities of many women of/in the hip hop culture that enable the disrespect and misogyny that permeates. Way to sell out the safety of sistahs in order to be a top-ranked site and gain “street cred” amongst a male populace that clearly don’t care about women. Enough is enough.
For Harriet is circulating a petition calling for Editor-In-Chief Vanessa Satten to step down from XXL. You can also send an email or call Harris Publishing to voice concern: Vanessa@harris-pub.com / 212.807.7100
Make your voice heard. Thank you to online pioneers who keep us aware of these attacks on our girls and our communities. @DrGoddess @milfinainteasy @ForHarriet
Peace,
Dawnavette