Saturday, December 4, 2010

What Do You Want?!: The Ones in Charge

There's a reason why these two are the ones in charge! Meet Manny, my good friend who runs Fresh Honesty and Nkem, the president of the MSU section of the NPHC. 

Name: Emanuel Bennett 
Age: 23
Occupation: Photographer
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Relationship Status: Boo'd Up


What physical attributes attract you to a woman?  
Eyes, Smile, Teeth, Lips, Breast, Legs, Voice

What intangible characteristics do you find important?
Understanding and Trust. 

What's your favorite thing about Black women?
Strength.

Would you date women of other races? Why or why not?
Sure, people are people even if they descend from other tribes.

If you could tell Black women everywhere the perfect piece of advice, what would it be?
Love yourself and embrace your beauty. You are the most exotic, most powerful and most important force on this earth so start acting like it.

If you could pick anyone in the world on a romantic date, who would it be?
It's a secret...


Name: Nkemdilim [kem-dill-em] Uzoka
Age: 22
Occupation: Student
Hometown: Largo, Maryland
Relationship Status: Single


What physical attributes attract you to a man?
Like a basketball player/ quarterback physique. Must be taller. I like thicker, well shaped eyebrows. I like someone who resembles a feline. Nice smile, great lips. Nice teeth, too. You've got to have nice hands. Well-fitted clothes, everything has to look clean and no dirty sneakers. Pretty boys. Pretty eyes.


What intangible characteristics do you find important?
Sensitivity, I like a guy who's not afraid to show his emotions. You've got to be able to laugh at yourself and being gentle is important. And spontaneous! Intelligent, too.


What's your favorite thing about Black men?
They're drive. When a Black man really wants something, whether it's good or bad they do whatever it takes to get it. And I like the diversity within our culture.

Would you date men of other races? Why or why not?
Hell yeah. Why not?


If you could give Black men everywhere the most perfect piece of advice, what would it be?
Keep your head up. Psych! Black women really appreciate you. 


If you could pick anyone in the world to take on a romantic date, who would it be?
Lil Fizz. [she's serious] And Lance Gross.


If you're interested in having a "What Do You Want?!" profile posted, email JadoreMissEmme@gmail.com with interview as the subject.

bisou, bisou
Miss Emme

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Girls... with Friends


Friends. They seem to be an epidemic in young Black relationships. We've heard it in music, seen it on film and have even observed in our own lives. No matter how intensely you feel about your significant other, there always seems to be that one friend that you just cannot stand. It's that simple.

"I don't like them," is the phrase that's spewed out and often paired with a disapproving expression. The reasons may vary, but the issue exists across the board. Whether it's the friend with the bad attitude, the friend that is single or the most-hated male friend, there is a question about why the relationship exists. 

My friends weren't well-liked in my last relationship and neither was the fact that I had a lot more male friends and acquaintances than he expected. He thought that my stance with him was compromised by my loyalty to my friends and male friends always had some hidden agenda. It was difficult to find a median, having to remain true to my friendships and still creating a comfortable environment for my significant other. I'm sure I'm not the only woman that has had to find the balance between the two.


I've heard of all sorts of reasons why men didn't like the company kept by their woman. Single friends are another common issue, having a problem with the advice that they give to where they spend their time and how they dress. They love spending time with you and hate on your relationship just so the two of you can be single together. Then there's the Martin-Pam combination, enough said.

The idea that a man or woman didn't like their partner's friends has always denoted, for me, a lack of trust in their partner's judgment. And with that logic it only leads me to ask, if she can't pick good friends, how could she possibly pick a good boyfriend?

It sometimes seems as if a man's loyalty to his friends completely overrides a woman's loyalty to hers. I believe that it ties right into the traditional concept of women having to sacrifice their lifestyles and replacing it with that of their significant other. Are young women still filing themselves into those positions? How are we supposed love and accept every friend that they've made in a lifetime, when they won't think twice about accepting ours?

bisou, bisou
Miss Emme