Beyonce (APPRECIATION not APPROPRIATION ) of the Indian Culture

The musical group "ColdPlay" recently released a new video for their songs "Hymn of the Weekend". Upon hearing the title of the song I thought the song would be some sort of weekend anthem, but my assumption was nowhere near what the song really focused on. The song focuses on love and takes place in India during Holi ( festival of colours or the festival of love). Additionally ColdPlay has Beyonce contributing her amazing vocals throughout the song and that is ultimately why I watched the video in the first place. ColdPlay has previous music videos that highlights other cultures around the world and I think choosing to bring awareness to the Indian culture in "Hymn of the Weekend" was a great idea.

 

 

BUT with anything, there's always drama and hateful comments being spewed into the atmosphere. In the music video Beyonce can be seen wearing attire that many would consider to be that of Indian culture. Once this was discovered comments of "Culture Appropriation" immediately began to take over the internet. Upon hearing the comments this was the face I made.

Seriously, folks really want to come for Beyonce like the #BeyHive wont SHUT IT DOWN.













Any comments that speak negatively towards Beyonce does not sit well with me, especially when it's obvious that people are coming for her simply because of who she is and the status that she holds.

Let's take a look at this SO CALL APPROPRIATION

Here Beyonce is seen rocking Henna Art upon her hands, facial/head jewelry, and Indian clothing attire.

First let's talk about Beyonce who just so happens to be African American, Native American, and French/Creole. I am only going to focus on her African roots because AFRICA aka the motherland is the central/starting point for human life according to history and the discovery of human remains.

Henna is very popular in the Indian community. It is worn throughout many areas of the body to include the face, hands, arms, and feet. The henna plant is not only found in Southeast Asia, but  is also native to northern Africa and Australasia( a region of Oceania, which comprises of Australia, New Zealand, the island of New Guinea, and neighbouring islands in the Pacific Ocean). The dye from the Henna plant has been used in Africa throughout time to include during ancient Egypt as a way to dye skin and hair.

Being that Beyonce is of African Descent and Henna is apart of African culture, I say Beyonce has every right to wear Henna if she wants to. If you don't believe me see the photos below for proof.

Looks like HENNA to me

 

 

 

Boom there it goes again more HENNA

Now what was that being said about CULTURAL APPROPRIATION and Beyonce being in the wrong.

Okay next up is the facial/head jewelry she wore in the music video.

As I stated previously facial/head jewelry can also be seen being worn by many women within African cultures.

she has on head jewelry and she's rocking HENNA

The director of the music video is Indian (Ben Mor) and saw nothing wrong with Beyonce's attire. He new working with Beyonce meant that great things would come of his project. The person who played one of the most important roles in the creation of the music video was actual amazed when he saw Beyonce in the attire.

 

Majority of the time when black people wear items outside of their culture it is not done to ridicule that culture, it is done to show APPRECIATION. I think it is tough to say a black woman is appropriating another culture when much of every culture stems from Africa. The things that cracks me up the most is that this is not Beyonce's song yet she's taking the most heat. The video title does not even say featuring Beyonce, yet she's the center of attention, but hey when you are the Queen, that is expected. I am guessing the HATERS were caught off guard by her SLAYAGE.

I'll conclude with the fact that besides getting to see Beyonce give me life, I enjoyed the video and the opportunity to see Bollywood, Indian children embracing their culture, and the real streets of India. There are great attributes that stem from exploring and highlighting other cultures and I applaud ColdPlay for stepping outside the box and doing just that.


When it is all said and done, I say we take a moment to dive into the BEAUTY THAT IS BEYONCE..... just look at these gorgeous shot taken from the music video.

Personally I think that anytime anyone has the opportunity to come for Beyonce they will, and as a STAN I can not just sit by and allow that to happen.

After the discussions I have seen take place over this music video I have concluded that basically no one outside a culture can embrace or participate in it because if they choose to do so it will be consider CULTURAL APPROPRIATION and folks will be all butt hurt and in their feelings.

Guess what she's still Queen Bey and will still do whatever she wants to ....
hence her song GROWN WOMAN

"I'm a GROWN WOMAN .......I can do whatever I want"

Remember To Always Be

Fierce and Fabulous

xoxo

Lela Victoria

Happy 2016 continue to be great

          Hey everyone I hope you had a blessed and prosperous 2015. Now that 2016 is before us it's time to tackle those goals we set and to leave our mark and imprint upon 2016.  As you know I spent 80 percent of 2015 deployed to the country of Bahrain so I have much to accomplish in this upcoming year. There are so many places I want to visit and many things I will like to tackle. Please take advantage of this new season to improve upon yourself both Professionally and Personally. My advice to you would be to create a vision board and/or write down what goals that you have for yourself this year. By doing this you allow yourself to visually see what it is you would like to achieve. You should always be looking for ways to better yourself, the lives of others and your community.

My goals for 2016 consist of the following:

1) Become USATF Level 1 coaching certified
2) Officially launch my website
3) Start a non-profit
4) Read as much as possible
5) Grow my BLOG and Mary Kay Business
6) Finish my Masters Degree
7) Live a healthier life style
8) Improve my makeup skills
9) Learn more about investing
10) Win the Ms US Universal Title

What are some of your goals for the new year, let me know in the comment section.

Enjoy 2016 and lets make it a good one.

Remember To Always Be

Fierce and Fabulous

xoxo

Lela Victoria

Miss USA 2015 at Miss Universe *national costume sneak peek*

This summer in Baton Rouge, Louisiana Olivia Jordan ( previous Miss Oklahoma ) was crowned Miss USA 2015. For those of you who do not know, this title is considered one of the most prestigious titles in the pageant industry.

On December 20, 2015  in Las Vegas, Nevada Olivia will compete against accomplished and beautiful women from around the world for the Miss Universe Title. During the pageant the contestants/ladies get to wear national costumes that represent their home nation and we have just been graced with a sneak peek of our very own Miss USA's costume 

This fierce red white and blue ensemble was designed by Adam Selman and resembles a Victoria Secret Fashion Show costume and I can't get enough of it. Those wings will definitely triumph over her competitors and make her stand out. 

I extremely excited to watch the pageant and to room Miss USA on to victory. Make sure you be sure to check out the pageant This Sunday December 20, 2015 on FOX 7/6c

Remember To Always Be

Fierce and Fabulous

xoxo 

Lela Victoria

Attending the 20th Anniversary of The Million Man March

20 years ago Minster Louis Farrakhan challenged black men nation wide to show up and support a movement in DC. On October 16, 1995 the original Million Man Marchwas held with the intention of grasping the attention of politicians and to directly bring to their attention the issues, dilemmas, and unfortunate events that Black people were being faced with within America. 

20 years later minorities in America are still faced with injustice and having to figure out how to handle and overcome the obstacles thrown our ways. These injustices are not only popular in the black community but also within the Native American Community and Latino Community as well.

This past weekend I attended the 20th Anniversary of the Million Man March in Washington, D.C. The Million Man March  was once again held with the intent to captures America's attention. It was a way to show our nation that the black community is currently fighting an ongoing never ending struggle. It was extremely insightful to see the Nation of Islam once again work together with organizations such as the NAACP

 Unfortunately many news stations  chose not to cover the March. I saw a snippet of the events late morning on CNN, but overall coverage was almost nonexistent. I was highly disappointed to see that stations such as BET, TVOne, and Centric chose not to cover the event. I know these stations are not necessarily owned by Blacks but I know for a fact that black people work for the companies and could possible play a role in what could possibly be covered. It was disheartening not to see much coverage from television stations that represent our own community. Honestly it hurt more than anything because this was an opportunity to show how great and how powerful our community really is yet many voices went unheard 

Personally to me it gives off the vibe that the only time our events are worthy enough to be covered by all news outlets would be when emotion is at an all time high and negative actions are occurring. It seems to me that positivity and the unity of many different ethnic groups means nothing to our nation. 

I want to know when was the last time close to a million people were able to come together in our nation's capital and hold a peaceful rally. 

Being there at the Million Man March was overwhelming. I was filled with joy and pride over the fact that my people were able to unite with the intent to obtain justice for those who deserved it. It truly was amazing and brought tears to my eyes. African Americans from all over the country united on the national mall with one intent in their mind and a need for justice in their hearts. All age groups were represented from 70+ to children under the age of 5. 

It was truly an honor to be in the presence of such amazing people 

And to know that we can gather as a nation with the Intent of making our voices be heard. Check out some of the pictures I personally took at the march. 

Beyoncé covers The September issue of VOGUE 2015

The month of September brings about many things. It has been seen on many occasions as the start of new beginnings. This is around the time school goes back into session, the seasons change and people tend to see it as an opportunity for a fresh start. Within the fashion magazine industry September is consider to be a big month for sales and the issue is seen to particular be thicker. For Vogue the September issue is their most important issue and Beyonce Giselle Knowles Carter graces this year's cover which makes her Vogue's IT girl/woman of the year 

The September issue is entitled Forces of Fashion and places great emphasis on high fashion couture clothing that catches the eye of any fashion guru. The photographer who had the honor of capturing Beyonce in her element of regal and grace was Mario Testino He did such a fabulous job at capturing Queen Bey. He also was the photographer in one Beyonce's previous vogue shoots.

Here's a preview of the cover story by Margo Jefferson:

What do we want from the glamorous, powerful women we call divas or icons or cultural forces? We want them to want—and in our names get—everything they possibly can. Success in work and love. Sexual pleasure. Money and power. We want them to embody multiple fantasies. We want them to make us believe that exciting realities are just around the corner.

It used to be that the great pop stars with fashion and style gave us small variations on one grand theme. Tina Turner: minidresses and honey tresses. Janis Joplin: boas, bangles, and bell-bottoms. Cher: spangled striptease getups with mythic Third World touches. Nowadays fashion isn’t about the grand theme, it’s about juxtaposition, and it’s filled with allusions to movie and art history; to music and dance styles; to iconographies of race and ethnicity, religion and gender. Madonna opened the door to this collage approach. Today we see it in the wigs, masks, and sculpted costumes of Lady Gaga and Nicki Minaj, the restless dazzle of Rihanna’s couture choices. And, of course, in the music, dance, decor, and looks of the ultimate streamed collage: Beyoncé.

Congratulations to Beyonce on scoring the September cover of Vogue and what makes this slayage  even more fabulous is the fact that September is Beyonce's birthday month

Remember To Always Be

Fierce and Fabulous

xoxo Lela Victoria