Tayari's Blog: Mariah and Me
Posted by TayariJones on March 17, 2005 10:49 PM
Filed under
News
So, the Essence magazine article is out. I'm in the issue where Mariah Carey is officially crowned at "the most mis-understood black woman in America." (And just think, for all these years, I thought I was the undisputed winner of that particular title.)
If you pick up the magazine, turn to page 100. The headline, "A Novelist To Watch." I have to admit that I love write up. My beloved mentor Pearl Cleage pitched in with a couple of fabulous quotes.
The best part of this whole thing is that I have been contacted by people I haven't heard from 15 years or more.
That makes it all worth it. It's enough to make me stop scrutinizing the photo wondering if is good or bad that I am all dolled up, looking less like a writer and more like a good time.
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There are 6 comments on "Mariah and Me". If you'd like to leave a comment, click here to jump down to the comments entry form.
Comment #1, by Slim Jim
Good good good! Congratulations Tayari. But about Mariah--why misunderstood? Maybe it's just that most people think she's white?
March 19, 2005 11:57 AM
Comment #2, by Annika Archieri
Essence was wrong for putting Mariah on the cover. All these years she has called herself anything and everything but black. Now, she needs record sales, so NOW she is a sister. My dad is white, my mom is black. I have always been proud to be a black woman. I was taught to see myself that way because that is the life you live as a "mixed" person. You live a black life, not a white life. Anyways, I just think it was wrong of Essence.
Congrats to you though Miss Tayari!
March 22, 2005 04:05 PM
Comment #3, by cherrie
I don't have a problem with mariah being dubbed the "most misunderstood black woman in America", but does mariah have a problem with it? I don't think a bi-racial person should have to choose sides, but I have known those who identify a little more with one or another part of their heritage. Does Mariah fall into this categorey? I mean, besides her dating Derek Jeter and having a mixed leading man in the video, "We belong together", her love interests in either real life or in her videos seem to be what I call "pigment impaired". I don't know, maybe it's just me. It seems to me that her music may be more soulful than she is. I mean what's the difference between Mariah and another "Blue-Eyed soul singer"?
May 21, 2005 08:51 AM
Comment #4, by tayari
But no one is addressing the fact that *I* am truly the most misunderstood black woman in America!!
May 21, 2005 11:33 AM
Comment #5, by TheDogon
Well, I think it's important to remember that race isn't all that real or logical in the first place. The only thing that really makes us "Black" is our willingness to look at one another and accept each other as being members of the same group. Mariah has taken a lot of heat because it was perceived she sat on the fence for many years. I think people. . .well, actually "Black" people should take it easy on her. We have all been lied to with respect to race. Humans are social/cultural beings. We don't choose to hang out together simply because we think we look the same or have the same heritage. We hang out with "Black" people, go to "Black" events, and support "Black" causes because we are a culture with a distinct flavor and history. We are the members of that group that is culturally descended from Africa. I think that recognition of that should be enough for being a member of our grouping.
November 28, 2005 06:13 PM
Comment #6, by Dlady
I don't know how people can just say Halle Berry and Alicia Keys is black when they have a white mama and black daddy like Mariah. Now answer that. Plus Mariah always said that when she used 2 say she was black it hurts her mama's feelings.
November 29, 2005 07:26 PM