https://blackgirlnerds.com/the-importance-of-black-women-friendships/
Most of us can agree that making friends as an adult is hard. Beyond that, once you’ve established bonds that feel as though they could last, you’ve got to put in the work. I do think that sometimes it feels like you have to do a lot, and I also think, as Black women, we do that disproportionately because we pour so much of ourselves into people.
Friendships are like roller coasters — they can have highs, and they can have lows. Sometimes they are exhilarating, and other times they can be scary and frustrating. But if it’s truly with a person who is worth having in your life, you learn how to manage that ride.
I met my best friend in Mrs. Eads’ fourth-grade class at Greenwood Elementary. As we sat in class on the first day of school, Mrs. Eads called us one by one to her desk to give her our birth date. Shinita and I learned we had the same birthday — and the rest is history. We bonded over pigtails, Michael Jackson, and wearing matching outfits. We had a bond that was different from everyone else, and although we’ve had our ups and downs, it has been a friendship we have nurtured for over three decades.
Like children, Black women’s best-friend relationships begin with similarities and then graduate to loyalty, understanding, and dependability. Black women have an innate sisterhood no matter what we do. Friendships can also be very complicated, and, because of the kind of friends we are as Black women — we care, we want to take care of each other — it can get messy sometimes. That’s okay though. Mess can be cleaned up.
Every week, we see how Black women are portrayed on reality television, as if we fight all the time, lack kindness, backstab, and are incapable of having substantial friendships. It can be assumed we are all the same and act the same way. An article in the Bay State Banner asks, “Are these shows, although heavily scripted, presenting some of the realities of Black womanhood, or are they merely repackaging what America thinks of Black women (and men) and pulling an audience by confirming stereotypes?”
In a society that works so hard to bring Black women down, we have to be able to depend on one another for support and encouragement. The assumption that we can’t be friends is biased and ignores the fact that we have beautiful friendships with one another.
We can celebrate each other, motivate, and tell it like it is in a genuine way. The representation in the media should show more of the fact that we can accept each other and are willing to forgive each other for any mistakes that might be caused through the friendship. Sometimes friendships grow apart, for any number of reasons. What I have found is that often those friendships come back around and are stronger and better than they were before.
We’re oftentimes told that as Black women, we’re all we have. This has been shown as we’re navigating through a global pandemic and social movements. Time and time again, Black women show they are the backbone of society. Not just as mothers and caregivers, but teachers, friends, organizers, and human beings who deserve love, support, honor, and equality. In a world where there’s one crisis after another, it’s important to remember that we’re not just on this earth to give support but to receive it as well.
The terms “women empowerment” and “sisterhood” are seen almost every day on social media. To be honest, it’s been my experience that these are just trending hashtags that provide women with more fluff than substance. I’ve attended conferences that claim to empower women. However, it was just a waste of my time and money to eat cookies and chant affirmations. Really?
Ahyiana Angel, the host of the Switch Pivot or Quit podcast, did an episode about the “underbelly” of women’s empowerment. She and guest Amber L. Wright discuss what it takes to truly empower other women, and where we are falling short. It’s an eye-opening discussion about their experiences with attending conferences and leaving feeling taken advantage of.
In a Medium article written during the height of the pandemic in 2020, it asks the question, “Why don’t we treat each other according to what we claim to believe?” Women empowerment is often seen as something to hashtag, instead of something to be done in real life.
Sisterhood to me means having a circle of like-minded women around you who support you. As for empowerment, I consider it to be when you’re validated and encouraged and you provide that same thing to other women so that we all can go through life with more confidence and without concern we’re being judged. Both are very important for Black women.
Over the years, we’ve had television shows such as Girlfriends and Living Single, as well as Harlem, Run the World, First Wives Club, Insecure, and Sistas, which all follow best friends as they navigate through life, love, and careers. These shows give us a positive demonstration of the meaning of sisterhood for Black women.
Sisterhood is and has always been my lifeline when I need to remember who I am and why I even exist in this world. It’s less of a want and more of a need for reassurance. The bonds I have with my sister-friends sustain me when everything else fails. They tell me the truth and not just what I want to hear. They are my girls, my ride-or-dies, my besties. Knowing that there are women out there who constantly have my back whether I win or lose is one of the most empowering feelings I’ve ever experienced.
Most of us can agree that making friends as an adult is hard. Beyond that, once you’ve established bonds that feel as though they could last, you’ve got to put in the work. I do think that sometimes it feels like you have to do a lot, and I also think, as Black women, we do that disproportionately because we pour so much of ourselves into people.
Friendships are like roller coasters — they can have highs, and they can have lows. Sometimes they are exhilarating, and other times they can be scary and frustrating. But if it’s truly with a person who is worth having in your life, you learn how to manage that ride.
I met my best friend in Mrs. Eads’ fourth-grade class at Greenwood Elementary. As we sat in class on the first day of school, Mrs. Eads called us one by one to her desk to give her our birth date. Shinita and I learned we had the same birthday — and the rest is history. We bonded over pigtails, Michael Jackson, and wearing matching outfits. We had a bond that was different from everyone else, and although we’ve had our ups and downs, it has been a friendship we have nurtured for over three decades.
Like children, Black women’s best-friend relationships begin with similarities and then graduate to loyalty, understanding, and dependability. Black women have an innate sisterhood no matter what we do. Friendships can also be very complicated, and, because of the kind of friends we are as Black women — we care, we want to take care of each other — it can get messy sometimes. That’s okay though. Mess can be cleaned up.
Every week, we see how Black women are portrayed on reality television, as if we fight all the time, lack kindness, backstab, and are incapable of having substantial friendships. It can be assumed we are all the same and act the same way. An article in the Bay State Banner asks, “Are these shows, although heavily scripted, presenting some of the realities of Black womanhood, or are they merely repackaging what America thinks of Black women (and men) and pulling an audience by confirming stereotypes?”
In a society that works so hard to bring Black women down, we have to be able to depend on one another for support and encouragement. The assumption that we can’t be friends is biased and ignores the fact that we have beautiful friendships with one another.
We can celebrate each other, motivate, and tell it like it is in a genuine way. The representation in the media should show more of the fact that we can accept each other and are willing to forgive each other for any mistakes that might be caused through the friendship. Sometimes friendships grow apart, for any number of reasons. What I have found is that often those friendships come back around and are stronger and better than they were before.
We’re oftentimes told that as Black women, we’re all we have. This has been shown as we’re navigating through a global pandemic and social movements. Time and time again, Black women show they are the backbone of society. Not just as mothers and caregivers, but teachers, friends, organizers, and human beings who deserve love, support, honor, and equality. In a world where there’s one crisis after another, it’s important to remember that we’re not just on this earth to give support but to receive it as well.
The terms “women empowerment” and “sisterhood” are seen almost every day on social media. To be honest, it’s been my experience that these are just trending hashtags that provide women with more fluff than substance. I’ve attended conferences that claim to empower women. However, it was just a waste of my time and money to eat cookies and chant affirmations. Really?
Ahyiana Angel, the host of the Switch Pivot or Quit podcast, did an episode about the “underbelly” of women’s empowerment. She and guest Amber L. Wright discuss what it takes to truly empower other women, and where we are falling short. It’s an eye-opening discussion about their experiences with attending conferences and leaving feeling taken advantage of.
In a Medium article written during the height of the pandemic in 2020, it asks the question, “Why don’t we treat each other according to what we claim to believe?” Women empowerment is often seen as something to hashtag, instead of something to be done in real life.
Sisterhood to me means having a circle of like-minded women around you who support you. As for empowerment, I consider it to be when you’re validated and encouraged and you provide that same thing to other women so that we all can go through life with more confidence and without concern we’re being judged. Both are very important for Black women.
Over the years, we’ve had television shows such as Girlfriends and Living Single, as well as Harlem, Run the World, First Wives Club, Insecure, and Sistas, which all follow best friends as they navigate through life, love, and careers. These shows give us a positive demonstration of the meaning of sisterhood for Black women.
Sisterhood is and has always been my lifeline when I need to remember who I am and why I even exist in this world. It’s less of a want and more of a need for reassurance. The bonds I have with my sister-friends sustain me when everything else fails. They tell me the truth and not just what I want to hear. They are my girls, my ride-or-dies, my besties. Knowing that there are women out there who constantly have my back whether I win or lose is one of the most empowering feelings I’ve ever experienced.
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Time to get active...shout out to Youtube favorite, Mediocre Tutorials, and Reviews! Check out the latest episode of Afronerd Radio's Mid Week in Review broadcast airing this Wednesday at 8 p.m. eastern on the BTalk 100 platform. Your Uru armored AFROnerdist hosts will be lending their detective skills for the following (mid) weekly topics: Hat tip to frequent supporter, film historian, Sergio Mims for tweeting us about the growing popularity and interest in Ghanaian hand-drawn movie posters; a few topics that we failed to address from the past Grindhouse show-Marvel slyly critiques rival, DC's Phantom Zone prison; and then in more comic publisher rivalry news-a DC artist gets accused of "tracing" or plagiarizing a Marvel illustrator's previous work:
Dburt has been enjoying the streaming version of the Reacher action-drama series originally started by Tom Cruise and now that role has been assumed by actor, Alan Ritchson (Smallville, Titans); more Peacemaker and Book of Boba Fett news (the finale); dating guru and one of the more popular YouTuber's in the Black manosphere space not only appeared with Nicki Minaj in an interview one week but apparently has set up a tete-a-tete in a forthcoming video with rapper, Future:
New on the black horror front is a short film from the UK entitled, Night Bus and we have our thoughts:
As we approach Super Bowl weekend, we will discuss the Brian Flores versus NFL racism claims and lawsuit and lastly, Dburt took a look at HBO's new Gilded Age period TV series and was intrigued how late 19th-century Blackness was being portrayed.
One thing that Dburt is doing (finally) is investing in cryptocurrency, courtesy of Roundlyx. We would implore our followers to investigate, discern and then explore by using our referral code: afro-87A4BF
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Here’s our list of the best toddler bunk beds and other amazing beds kids are sure to love!
Toddler beds in general are the perfect bridge between a crib and a child-sized bed, making them an excellent option for your little one. They are small, low, have guard rails on all sides, and come in an assortment of styles, themes, and colors. For this, I’ve included single beds, fun beds, and bunk beds that sleep up to 4 at a time! Truly, any of these selections will bring style, comfort, and convenience to your toddler’s room.
Looking for some nursery decor ideas for you little one’s room? Check out our articles all about nursery themes and decor! Having said that, let’s get on with the show!
The bunk bed with trundle is perfect for a large or blended family. It’s lower than a standard bunk and its staircase gives safe and easy access to the top bunk. In addition, it’s a great option where space is a concern, and you have multiple children needing to sleep in a shared space. This makes it perfect for multiple siblings or the occasional sleepover. As a bonus, this bunk bed can be converted into two individual twin beds and a trundle bed, giving you options for later if needed.
Bunk Bed with Privacy Curtains
This toddler bunk bed is an excellent option for siblings who may need to share a bed but want space of their own. The top bunk has a roof with windows and a curtained area that provides privacy when wanted. Meanwhile, the bottom bunk’s curtains can be rolled up and held with a convenient tie for a seamless look. Plus, this bed is simply adorable!
This toddler bunk bed is a great budget-friendly option, without sacrificing safety. The wooden frame is durable and stylish and comes in several colors, so you can match the decor of your toddler’s room. Also of note, the floor-level bottom bunk means the top is lower than standard bunk beds. This makes it one of the safer options out there.
Twin Over Twin/Full/Queen/King Bunk Bed
For the ultimate in functionality, look no further than this bunk bed. The top bunk is a standard twin, while the bottom bunk can be set as a twin, a full, a queen, or even a king. In addition, under the bottom bunk is a trundle bed, meaning this bunk bed can accommodate up to 4 comfortably. The top bunk is the perfect size for your toddler and comes equipped with a full-length safety rail. So, you can sleep knowing your little one is safe.
Contemporary Sleigh Toddler Bed
A wood sleigh bed is an excellent option for your child’s first toddler bed. It has a traditional sleigh design and is low to the ground so your child can crawl in and out without risk of injury. The attached guardrails keep your child safe, while the sturdy wood construction prevents damage and unnecessary wear.
With its simple look, your kids will love this frame bed for its fun and customizable design. Seeing it as a blank canvas, your child can customize this bed with decorative ribbons, lanterns, or curtains on the eaves. There’s also two functionality options available: a trundle bed or a pair of drawers, adding extra room for guests or storage.
This fabulous day bed comes in various colors, from blush pink or pebble grey to classic black or white. Its low-to-floor design makes getting in and out of bed safe and easy for children as young as 18 months on up to 5 years (or 50 pounds). In addition, a removable safety rail prevents any accidental falls while sleeping. I’ve always loved daybeds because my children use them as a play area or a mini couch. Just buy a few comfy throw pillows and line them up along the back, and you have an excellent place for your little one to sit and read.
With its playhouse design, this bed would have been my top choice when I was a child, so this selection comes from my child at heart. The unique build inspires the imagination and adds to the creativity of your child’s bedroom. Its sturdy, low-to-the-floor design ensures your child’s safety and happy in their new bed/mini-cabin. Best of all, if you don’t like this specific design, the manufacturer offers multiple design options in varying price ranges. Click the link to see all the other fantastic choices!
This house-shaped toddler bunk bed set is a beautiful idea if you have two children that need to share a room. There is the option of twin over twin or twin over full bunk bed sets. Meanwhile, your children will love the attached slide and roof so their bed can become a playhouse for their stuffed animals and toys. The high railings on either side of the upper bunk help prevent accidental falls and ensure your child remains safe.
Low Loft Bed with Rope Ladder & Slide
This low loft bed features a rope ladder, or your child can use the attached slide as an optional way to get in and out of bed. Either way, bedtime has never been this fun! The sturdy wood design will stand up to hours of play, and the classic look will function great in any child’s room.
While you’re here, be sure to also check out our list of the best toddler slides to get your toddler active, indoors or out.
This tent-style bed is simple in design but unique for a child’s room. The bed itself is only 6 inches off the ground, so there is no need to worry about your child falling out and hurting themselves. Also of note, these beds are made with premium, knot-free, locally-sourced poplar wood and have a wonderful, natural appeal.
This bed is any car lover’s dream. Its got all the bells and whistles, like remote-controlled LED headlights and underbody lights as well as engine sound effects. With an upholstered sport seat headboard, interior protective padding, and five-spoke wheels (also with LED lights!), this bed has the look and feel of a genuine sports car.
5-in-1 Convertible Crib with Changer
I had to add this bed because I am all for any product I can use at multiple stages of my child’s life. This beautiful 5-in-1 convertible crib with changing table can transition from a crib to a toddler bed to a day bed, eventually becoming a full-size bed. As an added bonus, the three-drawer changing table is detachable. That means, it can be used as a beautiful bedside table with drawers once your child transitions out of the crib. Last but not least, this product is Greenguard Gold Certified.
Although not a traditional toddler bed, I wanted to add it to the list. I love this product and its functionality. I personally always had a toddler air bed that could travel easily for a weekend trip to grandma’s house or a stay in a hotel room. Beyond that, this toddler bed has the added benefit of safety bumpers on all four sides, perfect for younger children, and active sleepers. It inflates quickly and comes with an air pump and carrying bag.
I wanted to include a few of my favorite accessories for toddler beds. As a mother, I know naps don’t always occur at home. So, any product that can keep them safe and comfortable is an excellent addition to any parent’s repertoire.
An excellent accessory to keep in your car for traveling or visiting family and friends. We all know how little ones can fall asleep anywhere, and as a parent, we tend to worry when our child falls asleep in an unfamiliar bed, especially a big adult bed several feet high off the floor.
This little organizer table attaches easily to the frame of any bed, making it an excellent option for your toddler’s bed or bunk bed. Many toddlers love to have water or juice in a sippy cup when they go to bed, and this bedside shelf makes it so your toddler can have a convenient and easy place to set their drink, a book, even a portable nightlight without leaving bed.
The post Best Toddler Bunk Beds & More appeared first on Geek Baby Clothes.
Netflix’s latest limited series Inventing Anna is a dramatization of Jessica Pressler’s New York Magazine article “How an Aspiring ‘It’ Girl Tricked New York’s Party People — and Its Banks.” Creator and showrunner Shonda Rhimes, known for her string of hit television shows (Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder), acquired the rights to the story before Anna was even sentenced. Having read about the true events and being a fan of Ms. Rhimes, I had high expectations for this series. Unfortunately, it fell short in several areas.
Inventing Anna follows journalist Vivian Kent (Anna Chlumsky) as she sets out to cover the exploits of the mysterious Anna Delvey (Julia Garner), the faux German heiress who swindled New York’s elite out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Still recovering from a nearly career-ending story gone wrong, Vivian is relentless in her investigation into Delvey’s crimes, desperately needing a hit story to prove her talent and credibility. She has a fascination with Anna to the point of admiration, and as the story unfolds, we understand why.
Anna is a stylish, power-hungry twenty-something making herself known among the New York social scene, as well as the business and art worlds. While she schmoozes with CEOs and financiers, Anna keeps a tight-knit group of friends — concierge/aspiring filmmaker Neff (Alexis Floyd), Vanity Fair photo editor Rachel DeLoache Williams (Katie Lowes), and celebrity personal trainer Kacy Duke (Laverne Cox).
Since I was familiar with the true story, it was hard to accept the way the character of Rachel Williams plays out on screen. She’s been one of the most visible figures of the case, and the selfie-obsessed, social climber character created for the series is just so over the top that it’s distracting. Williams is definitely not portrayed in a good light, even during the episode revolving around her experiences. (It’s probably good that she has her own film being produced by HBO.) Lowes is great in the role, and when I make myself see this “Rachel” purely as a dramatized character, it’s a little easier to get past.
Playing a real person is never easy, especially one so enigmatic as Anna Delvey. Julia Garner clearly did her homework because she captures Anna’s stoicism and shifting moods. She’s definitely got her mannerisms down, including the signature smirk and mischievous glint in her eyes. The blended German, Russian, and American accent can come off a bit cartoonish at times, but Garner’s preparation and execution are admirable. Anna has an unusual accent, so being able to completely nail it is a difficult task.
The best scenes are between Anna and her lawyer Todd (Arian Moayed), who is easily my favorite character. The client-lawyer dynamic is nothing new, but this sensationalized case makes for an especially tense (and entertaining) back and forth between these two. Unfortunately, there aren’t many of these moments, since both Anna and Todd spend most of the time separately interacting with Vivian. The last episode is by far the most compelling. Garner and Moayed really give it their all, and the results are excellent. I wouldn’t be surprised if one or both actors received award nominations for that episode alone.
There’s a distinct style of a Netflix series, and Inventing Anna doesn’t have it. If it weren’t for the appropriately explicit language, I would absolutely think this series was made for network television. Some shows just feel like they’re made to be binge-worthy, but this one does not. Judging by her own writing, Anna herself might be better equipped to tell this story, though she calls herself the “ultimate unreliable narrator.”
What bothered me the most about the series was the inconsistent tone and style. It goes from Gossip Girl-esque YA soap opera to a more grounded docudrama. The series doesn’t really pick up until the third episode, when the storytelling gets more focused and interesting. I get that, from Vivian’s perspective, sorting through the lies would be dizzying and messy, so I’m assuming that was the intent behind the uneven structure. But the resulting muddled narrative architecture is at times simply frustrating. The unevenness partially stems from the long runtimes for each episode, which range from 60-80 minutes.
Of the several inconsistencies is the voice over, which we get in the first episode and never again. Anna talks directly to the audience, introducing herself and insulting anyone watching at the same time: “This whole story, the one you’re about to sit on your fat ass and watch like a big lump of nothing, is about me.” It may have been intriguing to hear throughout the series, Anna explaining herself a bit, giving her take on a situation, etc. However, it may have just been annoying, distracting, and unnecessary. We’ll never know.
The series reminds us at the beginning of every episode: “This whole story is completely true, except for the parts that are totally made up.” It’s a somewhat compelling tagline, making us further question what’s real and what’s not. That’s part of the real Anna’s appeal, the mystery that surrounds her origins, motivations, and psychology. The show seems more focused on Vivian, the fictionalized version of Pressler. She’s an interesting character, with stressful circumstances and a wonderful husband Jack (Anders Holm), but is she interesting enough to be the focus of the series? Not really.
The show does a good job depicting Anna’s business aspirations. The New York Post’s article labeling her as a “wannabe socialite” proves mostly false, assuming her motivations were purely materialistic. Though she loved to live lavishly, Anna really seemed to want to start the Anna Delvey Foundation (ADF), a Soho House-style private club/event space/art foundation/luxury residence. That mislabeling is part of one of the show’s themes — this young woman with expensive taste wasn’t taken seriously by the boy’s club that is the business world. She got in with the right high-profile people because that’s what you have to do to gain legitimacy. Have the right elitist attitude and flash enough cash and you’re the image of someone with money, worthy of million-dollar loans and free jet rides. Add an ambiguous European accent and you’re a German heiress everyone is drawn to.
Whether you’re appalled or impressed by her actions, Anna Delvey is an undeniably fascinating person. The media loves a good con job — add art, fashion, and high society to the mix, and you have one enthralling story. However, Inventing Anna really doesn’t do the story justice. The series lacks a clear focus and has an inconsistent tone. Overall, I was rather disappointed, but the premise and a few standout performances make the series worth watching.
Inventing Anna stars Anna Chlumsky (Veep) as Vivian Kent, Julia Garner (Ozark) as Anna Delvey, Arian Moayed (Succession) as Todd Spodek, Katie Lowes (Scandal) as Rachel Williams, Alexis Floyd (The Bold Type) as Neff Davis, Anders Holm (Workaholics) as Jack, Laverne Cox (Orange Is the New Black) as Kacy Duke, Anna Deavere Smith (Nurse Jackie) as Maud, Jeff Perry (Scandal) as Lou, and Terry Kinney (Billions) as Barry. It’s produced by Shonda Rhimes (Grey’s Anatomy), with Shondaland’s Betsy Beers, and series directors Tom Verica (Scandal), and David Frankel (The Devil Wears Prada).
Inventing Anna begins streaming February 11 on Netflix.