Around the way girls such as myself grew up watching Monique star alongside Countess Vaughn in the show Monique. Although Hollywood has yet to put the well deserved respect on veteran comedian and actress Monique name, I salute her for her contributions in the culture and standing firm during the situation with Tyler Perry and Lee Daniels over promotion of the movie Precious. A movie which also landed Monique an Oscar win.
Monique recently made headlines when she took to social media to share a message to Black women about wearing Bonnets outside the house.
“I’ve been seeing it not just at the airport. I’ve been seeing it at the store, at the mall… When did we lose our pride in representing ourselves? When did we slip away of let me make sure I’m presentable when I leave my home?”
Having my hair laid under the wrap or scarf has become a norm, so Monique’s message resonated with me. We have to be careful when sharing messages to our people, however, who are already marginalized and have created a subculture which works for us.
Many will often mistake your unsolicited advice for looking down on, or, criticizing them. We do not uphold the ideals of respectability politics this way, but the ancestors do say that it is time to start looking your very best in public.
You never know who you will meet. Especially at the airport!
