0 Phylicia Barnes - A Tragic Ending for a Promising Life

Image Credits

Phylicia Barnes was a 16 year old, vibrant young girl with a bright future. She disappeared on the 28th of December, 2010 and was never seen again.

The attention brought to this case by black bloggers and other bloggers was the only reason why the media picked up this story. The disproportionate attention brought to cases involving caucasian women missing for a shorter time than Phylicia seemed to incense the blogosphere, who together continued to blog about her, about her case and make her information known.

As a result, many blogs with black and/or female authors covered her disappearance including us here at Qalil. Kudos to all of them. There are other missing women of color out there who need to be found, whose possible tragic ends have to be discovered and perpetrators brought to justice. Like stfufauxminists said guilt is not what we need, we need a call to action for ALL women.

Today the devastating news of her death is being played over and over again by the same media that ignored her disappearance. As we mourn for this life lost so young, let it be our constant reminder of the terrible injustice that permeates our society.  This terrible injustice that women of color who go missing are less likely to be featured in the media than their white counterparts.

There needs to be a change.

Today Qalil.com stands beside the family of Phylica, hoping that time will help these bitter wounds heal.

Rest in Peace Phylicia.

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0 The talented April Parker-Jones

April Parker-Jones first caught my eye in Jericho (2006-2008). A striking actress with tremendous talent, I have since followed her television career through a number of shows including NCIS, Lost, Lie to Me, and The Unit. According to her website's bio:

"A native of Durham, North Carolina, April Parker Jones studied theatre at N.C. Central University before moving to New York City in pursuit of a professional acting career. While in New York, she was cast in many productions at The Billie Holiday Theatre. Parker Jones received two Audelco Award Theatre nominations for Best Actress for the production Plenty of Time."

Ms. Parker-Jones' performances are subtle, dramatic, and poignant. Despite the formulaic nature of television's hour-long dramas, she manages to capture your attention with her delivery and powerful screen presence. She appeared recently on NCIS: Los Angeles.

I would love to see April Parker-Jones in a leading role on television (perhaps next season?!) and in films as well. Given her presence on-screen, it would not surprise me if she becomes one of the best in her generation.

Image courtesy of www.aprilparker-jones.com

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0 Black Women Rocking Grey Hair

Whether they started greying in their teens or are at the cusp of the middle years, many Black women are choosing to rock their greys.

Does grey hair make you feel old for your age?

Do you think it makes a Black woman look more distinguished (think Donna Brazile)?

While you may not obsess about it, most of us need practical advice whether we choose to dye our greys or keep them untouched.

In general, black hair can be vulnerable to over-processing. If you are like most of us, you are processing your hair in some way (either straighteners, hot combs, or a combination). If you have a weave, you'll find yourself watching out for new growth AND greys.

What can a Black woman do to keep her grey hair untouched beautiful and healthy?

- Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! Make sure that you use natural oils such as olive oil and coconut oil in addition to your store-bought moisturizers.

- Get a great hair cut or style! Just because your hair is grey doesn't mean that you should have a dowdy cut.

- Keep your trims up to date! Grey hair can be dry and break easily.

- Accessorize! Get fabulous with a beautiful scarf or ethnically-inspired jewelery.


Image Courtesy of Glamspirit and Stylist.com

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0 GirlTrek .... Who are they?

We have heard enough negative news about Black women over the past few years. We get abortions as a hobby, babies ain't safe around us, we have the worst health indicators and my absolute favorite...we, as a group, have grown shorter nearly half an inch shorter than black women born in the 60s.

When I think of all this negative publicity and image, I worry for our young girls growing up now literally, as well as figuratively, smaller compared to their white female counterparts.

Which brings me to GirlTrek.

"GirlTrek is a national non-profit movement that inspires and organizes Black girls and women - whose communities are most at risk - to live healthier, more fulfilled lives." These words are a direct quote from their page and I chose to not rephrase because of how powerful I found them to be. They are making a difference in their community so that the change could spread to ours.

We at Qalil.com support your initiative and believe in the power of moving your feet to a healthier you. Keep up the great work!!!

I look forward to participating in one of the 2011 Challenges and hope to be a part of your growing community.

*Runners on and walking out the door*

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0 Pure Vanity (on my part)

I found this picture on Kissing In The Dark on an excellent post about black women's sexuality in art. With the recent attacks on black women, their lives and their sexuality one cannot help wondering if the focus is not altogether reminiscent of the gawking that happened to Sarah Baartman.

No matter.

I'd like to celebrate instead and show you some really powerful looking arms on the bodies of some beautiful and strong black women. YAY!

FLOTUS is my personal favorite. I cannot say that I view her in the same light as Gloria Akalitus, but I'm pretty close.

The ever gorgeous Angela Bassett is my second pick. Those guns always look good exposed. Thank you Ms. Bassett!

 Ms. Rice who appeared on Oprah's Master Class series on OWN, has been in the news recently because she gets to be on 30 Rock. I was pleasantly surprised when I found this picture.

It is important to keep these images in our minds when we think of our sisters, beautiful and strong in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. Today I celebrate you!

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0 Happy Black Girl Day!

Happy Black Girl Day!

Don't just sit around grinning! If you're not quite sure what this is, find out here.

Grab some Qalil love y'all!

Today all I want you to feel is love coming straight at you from all of us here at Qalil.com. We love your style, your energy, the varying colors of your skin that make you always looked loved on by the sun, the texture of your hair in its glorious expression of itself. We love the wonderful way in which you wrap your arms around your family and friends, always ready to step up and defend your brood, the fierce look of a lioness in your eye and the deep, sweet strength of your love.

Happy Black Girl Day Everyone!!!!

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0 GEEZ-UZ! What the *bleep* is going on?

I didn't post anything when the billboards accusing black women of being the MOST DANGEROUS PLACE for black babies to be was in the womb of a black mother. Considering the fact that a "black" baby is only referred as such when they are in the stomach of a black mother. Where else would they be? And where the hell do you want to put them? Incubation chambers?


This discussion seemed to go nowhere for me. I was clear about my opinions and spoke about them often in my little group.


I did not post anything when reports came out saying single black women with more than 1 child were more likely to have children from multiple fathers. What the?! To a simple mind this information says, black women are out there having sex out of wedlock and producing all kinds of fatherless babies. There is no regard to the obvious lack of information, specifically how said woman came to be a single mother (death, divorce, taxes) or  if she remarried and had more children but the marriage ended (again death, divorce and taxes). 


I took the high road and discussed marriage instead. After all, most conservative minds would agree that it is the best environment for raising a child.


Then I get online and people are going on and on about black women losing their hair.

A recent study (click here for the abstract) published in the Archives of Dermatology makes the conclusion that continuous use of hairstyles that cause traction (pull on yo damn roots) will eventually result in hair loss on the top of your head, or in scientific terms central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia.


I'll be damned! You don't say? Obviously all the blogs and forums (or is the plural fora? Hmmm)- here, here and here - online and black women talking about hair have not said this for years! And NO, you don't get those little pus filled bumps if you have diabetes, we all get them when the hair is too tight.


And for all the naysayers who said we were being too sensitive about the billboard, and then about abortion (including the recent claim that black women are hookers) and now we're bald, what do you think now? Are we still being too sensitive? In the words of Lenese Herbert on the Facebook page of ForHarriet.com, 

The MSM doesn't love or care about us at ALL. So, I regard this reporting as the type of "interest" and "concern" that makes me paint invisible lamb's blood/cross myself/light a bazillion candles/clutch my four-leaf clover/pray to all the saints in Heaven to prevent "the sickness" from seeping. Beware Trojan Horses; something else is afoot here; trust.

I'm keeping alert and I hope you are too.


I just wish that for once these studies would speak to a few black women and see what their sense of the situation, any situation is. We've been yelling online and even though Dr. Kyei is a black woman, hers is one voice that is geared to a particular audience, not the entire African American community or the African woman in the diaspora in general.

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