#occupymlkday?

When I saw Gap’s advertisement I closed my eyes and disturbing images began to flood my mind (art historians are the keepers of the pictures…)   Maybe I should be excited that MLK Day is being exploited as a shopping holiday just like President’s Day or Labor Day. Now there is true equality in corporate opportunism, at least.  

What are we opening the door to?  I see this scenario going a couple of ways:

People of all colors and creeds could get ripped off for overpriced and poor-quality merchandise side by side, shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand in perfect harmony...*

...as they contemplate the days when it was not possible for African Americans to even try on clothes in a department store (if they were even allowed in the store at all).

I hope that as consumers walk the aisles side by side they remember the multitudes who marched in front of segregated establishments and braved police brutality unarmed. Perhaps there could be a moment of silence at the cash registers. 

These sales must be stopped or we run the risk of losing the memory of MLK’s accomplishments and their legacy for worthless trinkets. #

Oh wait…

* http://independentfilmnewsandmedia.com/chaos-stores-u-s-thousands-shoppers-scramble-nike-air-jordans/   "Brawl over Jordans: Arrests, pepper spray, gunshots, brawls and doors pulled off hinges” December 12, 2012
# http://functionalshmunctional.blogspot.com/2010/11/black-friday-crazin

A TRUE FASHION ICON: Happy Birthday Ms. Ella Baker

“You didn't see me on television, you didn't see news stories about me. (However, when she was in front of the camera she was stunning) The kind of role that I tried to play was to pick up pieces or put together pieces out of which I hoped organization might come. My theory is, strong people don't need strong leaders.” 

Ella Baker believed in grassroots activism. She didn’t believe that the people would benefit from a spokesperson, but rather the people would benefit from agitating for their needs from the sweat of their own brows (“ahem” MLK—God rest his soul), which is why she founded SNCC (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee) in 1960.

The spirit of Ella Baker’s activism is still so relevant today. In 2008, the citizens of the United States were looking for a strong leader. Through aggressive grassroots efforts, Barack Obama was elected. But some of those same grassroots activists invigorated by the hope offered by candidate Obama became disgruntled by the leadership style they expected from him. Arguably, Obama embodies the spirit of Ella Baker’s activism. Grassroots is not a buzzword for him; it’s not a campaign strategy. It’s a movement. Is Obama just as disappointed in his supported as they are in him? Will that movement pick up its steam  in 2012?

Revolutionary Rosa (with the Flower in Her Hair), December 1, 1955

For some reason afros (a la Angela Davis) represent the African American revolution for civil rights. However, I beg to differ. Rosa Parks was a revolutionary. She didn't wear an afro, but a flower in her hair. I will never wear another flower again without thinking about the message it's sending--even if it is covert.

 Eyes on the Prize was a wonderful documentary, but it created a lot of misconceptions about the nature and chronolorgy of the Civil Rights Movement. Rosa Parks did not just decide that she was too tired one day. She decided to revolt, but my children are still being taught that narrative in school. What is there to gain by perpetuating such a falsity?

A TRUE FASHION ICON: Happy Birthday Mrs. Daisy Bates

Daisy Bates and her husband L.C. owned and operated a black newspaper press to keep African Americans informed of news that affected their community. They were active members of the NAACP, but they are best known for their diligent and successful efforts to integrate Little Rock's public school's in 1957. The Little Rock Nine were escorted into Little Rock Central High School by soldiers against the will of the local enraged community. The road for the children, their parents, and the Bates was dangerous, but they perservered. In her memoir The Long Shadow of Little Rock, Daisy Bates reveals that she was emotionally exhausted from the constant stress. Yet she remained composed under the pressure with incredible style, grace, and beauty. Mrs. Bates is not only a true style icon, but an example to this generation of women of sacrifice and steadfast devotion to our values.

“Jailing our youth will not solve the problem in Little Rock. We are only asking for full citizenship rights.”

"What is happening at Little Rock transcends segregation and integration–this is a question of right against wrong." 

A TRUE FASHION ICON (reaching beyond the canon)

Jackie Ormes (1911-1985) was the first black female comic artist. Patty-Jo 'n' Ginger and Torchy in Heartbeats were nationally-syndicated staples in numerous newspapers. I am absolutlely mesmerized by women who faced the racial indignities of segregation while agitating for civil rights and still managed to maintain flawless appearances.

From the Collection of Judie Miles VIA
 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93029000

Torchy in Heartbeats came with a paper doll of the heroine-Torchy Brown, which was replete with wardrobe choices. “She modeled some cartoon characters after herself as beautifully dressed and coiffed females, appearing and speaking out in ways that defied stereotyped images of blacks in the mainstream press”(1). Jackie Ormes provided girls their fantasy fashion world. That’s what paper dolls are all about: creativity, experimentation, and rehearsal for a fabulous future.

I am obsessed with paper dolls. All of my nerdy obsessions have memories attached
to them and contribute a great deal to my fashion sense. On birthdays, my Great-grand Mother would send me a birthday card that had paper dolls attached. Along with my supply of workbooks and coloring books, my Mother also got me books of paper dolls. I coveted them. Sadly, because of their ephemeral nature, none of those dolls survived.


ME--PUTTING MY FASHION
ILLUSTRATION COURSES & BFA
TO GOOD USE

A few years ago I found the most charming paper doll template on the Studio Museum of Harlem’s website and sat for over an hour with my Prismacolors meticulously coloring the outfits created for May, by a contemporary black female illustrator Elaine Pedlar. The slogan on her website reads: “WHERE DREAMERS AND FASHION LOVERS COME TO CREATE AND PLAY.” It is my goal to visit her store very soon, but until then I will continue to visit her website Dumbelle (the movie rocks!) and keep up with her blog.      

REFERENCES

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93029000

http://www.jackieormes.com/

http://www.nps.gov/brvb/planyourvisit/womensmonth.htm (1)



Jackie Ormes: The First African American Woman Cartoonist
by Nancy Goldstein