GABBY'S GRACE, ROBIN'S SHAME
Posted on March 13, 2010 with 0 comments
FROM GRACE NOTES AND GRATITUDE BLOG.
GABBY'S GRACE, ROBIN'S SHAME
Ouch! Well, unfortunately, this is not a “GRACE NOTE”. I try hard to practice what I preach. As a long time supporter of THE FOUR AGREEMENTS by Don Miguel Ruiz, I strive to live by the 4th agreement, "don't take it personally". That said, I found myself struggling with this very principle and did take the comments of shock jock Howard Stern and sidekick Robin Quivers concerning Gabourey Sidibe, who I believe to be our latest young known Power Package, personally.
Paraphrasing the conversation because there were so many hurtful words they need not be repeated, Stern and Quivers in essence said that Gabourey Sidibe will never work again because of her weight. I believe her weight is her concern. for health reasons and not her detriment for career growth. I also feel kinder voices are telling her what she needs to hear. I take issue with anyone putting ones efforts and accomplishments down because of their weight. Yes, I know how superficial show business can be, however, I also know that Gabourey has just as much a chance having longevity as a great career as anyone else in her situation.
There are so many of our young people who are powerful members of their communities and stars in their own right who have not been given the recognition they deserve. This is why I am so happy to have experienced Gabourey’s rise from a Psychology student to a Hollywood star and cannot wait to see her continued work as she builds her career and her life. She is adorable, talented, funny, intelligent and graceful.
I take real issue with Robin Quivers! Robin, SHAME ON YOU, knowing how hard it is for a woman of color to be judged on standards of what beauty is. Standards, I find hard to believe that you have not been up against yourself. While I admire your tenacity and that you have carved a place in Pop Culture, I believe you have so much more to offer this world .Certainly, you have a right to talk make money on your opinions, but as Howard ranted on, your responses and opinions were even more hurtful than his, considering the source.
If Robin would have thought about her road to recognition and whatever challenges she experienced, I am sure she would have preferred support and a loving attitudes toward her, her goals and career. Criticism and advice can be given lovingly and with care. But I guess the genre she works in, sensationalism and certainly a non-empathic environment, while making a name and fortune for yourself trumps sensitivity and encouragement.
Life is short and Robin and Howard's talk about Gabby might be one conversation among many that will keep them on the air. But I would ask Robin, will this talk keep you in peace, true peace? We as African American Women need to support other African American women with talent. And believe me, she has the talent. She has proven that to all who care to see.
Gabourey's life on some level, may reflect Sapphire's lead character Precious. But does it not, in our darkest hours of abandonment and rejection, represent all of us, no matter who we are, what color we are, or what we look like? Do we not all experience pain and rejection at some time and when we survive and overcome that pain and rejection do we not all thrive not only by our own Grace but by the Grace of those who went before and those who will follow and walk through barriers that we have broken down? I trust Gabby knows this, do you Robin? I hope you will hear this not as a T. V./RADIO personality but as an empathic woman. I can only send you love and hope.
GABBY'S GRACE, ROBIN'S SHAME
Ouch! Well, unfortunately, this is not a “GRACE NOTE”. I try hard to practice what I preach. As a long time supporter of THE FOUR AGREEMENTS by Don Miguel Ruiz, I strive to live by the 4th agreement, "don't take it personally". That said, I found myself struggling with this very principle and did take the comments of shock jock Howard Stern and sidekick Robin Quivers concerning Gabourey Sidibe, who I believe to be our latest young known Power Package, personally.
Paraphrasing the conversation because there were so many hurtful words they need not be repeated, Stern and Quivers in essence said that Gabourey Sidibe will never work again because of her weight. I believe her weight is her concern. for health reasons and not her detriment for career growth. I also feel kinder voices are telling her what she needs to hear. I take issue with anyone putting ones efforts and accomplishments down because of their weight. Yes, I know how superficial show business can be, however, I also know that Gabourey has just as much a chance having longevity as a great career as anyone else in her situation.
There are so many of our young people who are powerful members of their communities and stars in their own right who have not been given the recognition they deserve. This is why I am so happy to have experienced Gabourey’s rise from a Psychology student to a Hollywood star and cannot wait to see her continued work as she builds her career and her life. She is adorable, talented, funny, intelligent and graceful.
I take real issue with Robin Quivers! Robin, SHAME ON YOU, knowing how hard it is for a woman of color to be judged on standards of what beauty is. Standards, I find hard to believe that you have not been up against yourself. While I admire your tenacity and that you have carved a place in Pop Culture, I believe you have so much more to offer this world .Certainly, you have a right to talk make money on your opinions, but as Howard ranted on, your responses and opinions were even more hurtful than his, considering the source.
If Robin would have thought about her road to recognition and whatever challenges she experienced, I am sure she would have preferred support and a loving attitudes toward her, her goals and career. Criticism and advice can be given lovingly and with care. But I guess the genre she works in, sensationalism and certainly a non-empathic environment, while making a name and fortune for yourself trumps sensitivity and encouragement.
Life is short and Robin and Howard's talk about Gabby might be one conversation among many that will keep them on the air. But I would ask Robin, will this talk keep you in peace, true peace? We as African American Women need to support other African American women with talent. And believe me, she has the talent. She has proven that to all who care to see.
Gabourey's life on some level, may reflect Sapphire's lead character Precious. But does it not, in our darkest hours of abandonment and rejection, represent all of us, no matter who we are, what color we are, or what we look like? Do we not all experience pain and rejection at some time and when we survive and overcome that pain and rejection do we not all thrive not only by our own Grace but by the Grace of those who went before and those who will follow and walk through barriers that we have broken down? I trust Gabby knows this, do you Robin? I hope you will hear this not as a T. V./RADIO personality but as an empathic woman. I can only send you love and hope.