Tori Talks: Kanye , BET Awards, and Pride

This weekend was crazy, so much going on and it felt like so little time. Kanye West is back at, releasing a visual that many would consider disturbing. Kanyes' video, "Famous" has him in bed with Kim, Taylor Swift, Chris Brown, Riahnna, Ray J, Cailtyn Jenner, Amber Rose and more. I guess when you become famous, the level of creativity is endless. Now, you know Taylor isn't happy because she still thinks what Kanye did back in the day, didn't make her famous, but before that historical Kanye outburst, many of you looked at her like, "how did she beat Beyoncè?"  Check out Riahnna's response here. 

BET got a major response with their classic tribute to the purple one. No, not me , but one and only

Prince!! They did not only one but 3 part tribute! They took over Nickelodeon man!!! These kids have had a chance to view what a Prince tribute is supposed to be like. It was major talent that hit the stage.

Yet, everyone wants to look beyond Usher singing. Did he forget the words? Was he nervous because he was wearing a shirt saying, "Don't Trump America". I'm just wondering, because it's a handful of artist that can age well and perform. Usher you were on that list, what happened?

I'll tell you what did happen, PRIDE in Saint Louis. Did the shooting in Orlando put fear in people wanting to be free? Or did it prove that in this society, the only thing to fear is people that think we should all be the same.

Chris Rock sprinkled black in the Oscars

As the Oscars opens up the show with a video reel of movies and Chris Rock, brings it in with a joke, mentioning there was at least 15 black people in the reel. Which it was! Less black people were nominated for The Oscars. He goes on to say how Will and Jada are mad about Will Smith not being nominated but Chris hits them with the line in regards to Jada that the Oscars for Jada is equivalent to Chris Rock and Rihanna's panties... both Jada and Chris... not invited. Damn!!

Chris Rock got a little serious for us too, saying how as the Oscars have been going on for 88 years now and black people never protested the prior Oscar awards, because black people had more serious things to protest. True! But does it still make it ok?
All around, with bringing Stacey Dash out to the stage for her  to say, "I can't wait to help my people out, Happy Black History Month" and the parodies of nominated movies with black actresses and actors in them. Chris Rock did what he knows best, he made people around him feel uncomfortable. He shook it up for sure, is it enough to make sure this is the last year that no black actors or Leonardo DiCaprio go unnoticed... Again? Oh but wait! Even Leo won! Finally and he didn't have to be a crackhead, crooked cop, or a whore on screen to do it!
If you didn't watch The Oscars, catch the memes. I'm sure they will all be about Chris Rock and Kevin Hart. Lets be honest though, at 8pm I tuned to watch the much anticipated Walking Dead! Gotta love them damn zombies!

Tell me what you think? Hit me in the comments or victoriasaiditstl@gmail.com

CHRIS ROCK OPENING MONOLOGUE 

LOOK OUT FOR DRINKS WITH VICTORIA, COMING SOON!

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Movie Review : RACE (2016)

When you think of Jesse Owens, you think legendary, encouraging, power, and strength. That's exactly what the movie RACE showed. This movie was one for the books, a movie that gave a highlight to history. RACE, set up to the background of the man who was Jesse "JC" Owens. RACE, showed how as a young black man that once picked cotton journeyed to become the fastest man on earth.
Setting  mostly, during the training and trials that got Jesse Owens to the 1936, Berlin Olympics. The Berlin Olympics, still had major politics behind it. Nazi Germans hated seeing the site of Jesse Owens, win race after race but Hitlers hate is said to be the reason behind Jesse's 4th gold medal. A Jewish person winning was harder to stomach than see the n***a win. Regardless the politics behind the 1936 Berlin Olympics, RACE gave the outstanding highlight that athletes, no matter what ethnicity can find a friend, due to the fascination of the challenge and love of the sport.

"Out there, there ain't no black or white, just fast or slow" 

(-Stephan James as Jesse Owens/Race 2016)

Director, Stephen Hopkins, portrayed the harsh reality that is still shown today, just not as "in your face" now as it was then. The reality,  that Jesse Owens, four-time gold medal Olympic champion, regardless... once a n***a,  always a n***a from Berlin to USA. RACE took no sugarcoating of the truths behind the many hurdles faced by Owens. In every inch of the movie, you put yourself in his track shoes.

Is this movie award worthy? YES! (#OSCARSSOWHITE). Hands down, Stephan James, gave a powerful portrayal of the late and great Jesse Owens. As Jason Sudeikis, wins me over as Coach Lawrence Snyder that believed and lived vicariously through Owens.

You can't say Victoria didn't say it! I give RACE 5 out of 5 purple hearts! A major must see! For everyone who knows to those that don't know the history! You'll want to learn and love this movie!

VICTORIA SAID IT:

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Formation ALRIGHT!!!

Not everyone watches the Grammy's or The Superbowl, but by far if the awards had to go to the most influential performances of 2016... Hands down!!! Beyoncé of Super Bowl 50 and Kendrick Lamar of The Grammy's. Now if you haven't caught either one of these performances, it's time to wake up from underneath the rock you've been sleep under. Both artist displayed the most creative and strongest performances of BLACK UNITY.

Yes, Beyoncé marched out in all black performing as the head of the Black Panther party. Black women seductively strong and committed to the cause. Her idea showed that we have had enough, enough police brutality! Enough of the lack of BLACK UNITY! Regardless of Mayor Giuliani and his attacks on her performance, everyone knows the frustration and black people are no longer in silence.

Then Kendrick Lamar, this man comes to the stage, in prison garments, beaten and bruised. He breaks free of the chains to go and perform with the African dancers. To many you may have been lost in translation, but again he promoted BLACK UNITY during the song "Alright". This song alone screams the cries of hip-hop and Kendrick Lamar the man people jokingly but seriously think this could have been Kanye West... am I lying!!???

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#SayHerName

I've been silent long enough. Personally I experienced some would say depression others call it a break down. I've mentally been fighting and can't hold off any longer. I stepped out of the ring of fire because you have cops following you around, your family is in jeopardy, and your family supports you but fears you won't return home and this may be their last good bye.
I'm done holding my tongue. It's more depressing to not say anything and act as if this world isn't full of shit. We have police officers steady getting off murdering us. Then we have folks that only know retaliation as an answer. So, hell we stay in memorial services and funerals.
The biggest problem I have with this world is the people that speak, that should just shut up. Some people don't understand what's going on, you just take everything face value; as is, and that's that. Like you think a woman can hang herself with a trash bag? What kinda trash bag is that?  And I guess you've never been to jail. No trashcans in jail! You think a cop has the right to pull you out of your car? HOW?!

YOU ARE KIDDING ME IF YOU THINK SANDRA BLAND HUNG HERSELF!

YOU ARE OUT OF YOUR MIND IF THINK ANYTHING A COP DOES, THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO BECAUSE OF A BADGE.

#JusticeOrElse

#BlackLivesMatter

#VictoriaSaidit

5 QUOTES

 I've  discovered that being an adult is the ultimate challenge, then to dig deep I find it is even more of a challenge to be a woman. In addition to being a female and adult... add black to the equation baby. 

Women birth the children with the help of a males sperm, but we carry the child for 9 months in hopes that the child we birth will be healthy, smart, and safe. We hope that this child will listen to us and stay away from the bad people. As a mother, the struggles are real. 

Being black is the icing on the cake. It is 2015 and to be uplifted by society is an up hill battle. No I'm not putting down white women. I'm simply uplifting woman all together that I know without a doubt get only little praise and little encouragement. And no I'm not preaching feminism, but as its been stated, encouragement. Yes when all else fails, quote Drake, but no fails here; be powerful! 

• “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” – Maya Angelou
• ‎”When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you.” – African Proverb
• “The triumph can’t be had without the struggle.” – Wilma Rudolph
• “Whatever is bringing you down, get rid of it. Because you’ll find that when you’re free . . . your true self comes out.” — Tina Turner
• “There is always something to do. There are hungry people to feed, naked people to clothe, sick people to comfort and make well. And while I don’t expect you to save the world I do think it’s not asking too much for you to love those with whom you sleep, share the happiness of those whom you call friend, engage those among you who are visionary and remove from your life those who offer you depression, despair and disrespect.” – Nikki Giovanni

-Victoria Said It

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My LIGHT GIRL Experience

After completely watching Light Girls and Dark Girls, I've decided to share my experience. Listening to the women that shared similar stories as mine. "Mellow Yellow!" "White girl!" "Yella bitch!" "You not black!", "your momma or daddy white?" "You too light." "I like you because of your skin color." "You'll win because your light skin." "You dance white!" "You talk white!" Do you know I've heard it all. I was teased and hell, I'm still teased. I never knew how difficult it would be to tell this experience.

Dating while light skin:
In high school I was approached  by a guy who said he gave me a double take because I was  light. Now if you know me, I've been more involved with light skin men and not because I don't like other guys of different complexions. I've just been approached more by those guys. I've had white men tell me, "you're not black but you're cute for whatever you are." Let's not forget the white women that looked at me with these piercing looks because  I was in a club on Wash Ave and a white guy was talking to me and we exchanged numbers... I instantly felt like "that black girl". You're either not black enough or too black.
Recently, I sat down to grab a bite to eat and drink with a good friend that is a white male I've known for about 15 years. We laughed, we hugged, and we enjoyed ourselves. At this Mexican restaurant I was the only black person in there, but I didn't realize until later that I was the only "spook" in there. I assume I was mistaken for being Hispanic because one of the waiters came up and told him I was "trouble". My friend and I continued our conversation about how interracial couples are starred at in all environments, the priveledge versus nonpriveledge, and how complexions are what separate Black Americans. I told him later I felt like the more we talked and laughed we were being observed. No one knew we were friends that haven't seen one another in a very long time and always enjoyed being around one another.

Little Victoria (approx. age 7)

Growing up light skin:
My family has all skin tones, my beautiful family is black. We're made up of different ethnic backgrounds, but our birthcertificates say African-American. Growing up my grandfather looked white, he was biracial. His mother Black and father white, he was raised by the orphanage Boystown. His blue eyes and foul language, people assumed he was Italian. My mother can tell you growing up black, with a daddy that appeared white was probably  even more difficult. She said, "I'd  duck down in the car or have my dad drop me off further away from the school, so the kids wouldn't tease me about  having a white dad".  Black kids can be vicious, I remember  biracial twins Sam and Mike from preschool would tease me and harass me to admit I was mixed. They would refuse to believe my dad was black and from East Saint Louis and my mom was black and from Little Rock, Arkansas.
Growing up I've heard it all. I even think I listen to more hip hop to compensate for not being black enough. I honestly love all genres but unconsciously knowing, I listen to music that I think everyone else listens to ...while being Black.

My daughter is also very light and she has the same name as her cousin but it is spelled differently. These two are different complextions and when they were younger the kids would call them the Black one and the white one. Luckily another kid stepped in and changed that, now they are used their initials to identify the one they want.

Being light skin:
It's one of those things, I appreciate. I can't change it. I don't think I'm better than anyone. It's obvious that others pay attention to the color of their skin. Being Black is already difficult without other Blacks comparing ourselves to one another. I'm still Black and this Black is beautiful. My birthcertificate doesn't say, "yella", "redbone", or "highlighter". No matter who I date, I'm Black. Even if it's a "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" moment or step in the room with my beautiful family members Jackie, Natalie, Bonita or Carmen; I'm going to be the butt of someone's joke. It never fails, but like I said, "I'm still Black and this Black is beautiful.

Nobody understood what it was like to be black and Jewish… being different from everyone else just made me a lot stronger.” – Drake

Sleeping Beauty getting coffee with Bill Cosby

Art Streiber/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Image

I've shared my opinion about Bill Cosby and he's old, but really? Sunday, January 11th; Amy Poehler and Tina Fey hosted the 70th Annual Golden Globes...Again.

Amy and Tina are talk about several movies and actors. The continue to talk about Into The Woods and Amy says, "Cinderella looses a glass slipper... and Sleeping Beauty thought she was having coffee with Bill Cosby". Now, would a joke regarding 7th Heaven Dad, Stephan Collins on his admitted child molestation been that funny? I guess both are crimes, but it's easier to laugh at someone that got women over the age of 18. Is it that Bill Cosby was funny because the crime was developed from 30 year old allegations of women that came for Bill Cosby right as he was making moves to have television bringing back Black Americans back and better than what's being shown today.
Don't get me wrong, I like Tina and Amy, but I feel like the writers of the Golden Globes were trying to get ratings for a show that I only look at the celebrities the day after to whose stylist loved or hated them. The show is more like prom, you get dolled and socialize to be seen. Honestly anyone that is familiar with the show, you'd know that it's mainly a political game on the shows awarded.
Let's think, GoldenGlobes only gave Selma 1 award and they were without a doubt snubbed in major categories. I know half of those movies that won that night, I've never seen. Like every year, the movies I'm rooting for due to their great performances and my love for the talented actors that grace the screen and inspire many like myself... Never win. If they do, their a gangster or slut; either way The Oscars and Golden Globes have proven time and time again what they think about black faces on the big screen deserve.

"Everybody talks and everybody listen/But somehow the truth just always comes up missing."
-Drake (Say What's Real)

Empire VS black•ish; Thanks to their networks

As we enter 2015, the faces of Black Americans on TV are faced with another dilemma. Thanks to FOX  and ABC, that air 2 shows. These shows deliver Black Americans in power and delivering 2 different messages of the black culture but we are having to choose seeing that that ar aired at the same time. Why?          
We have on the Fox network, Empire;  which premiered January  2015. The premiere gave you drama at rapid speed. Jail, drug money, and foul language all in one. Once upon a time lovers Lucios and Cookie; played by Terrance Howard and Taraji P. Henson. Entering the room with a fierce attitude, Cookie enters for the   takeover of what she's owed from the record company that was built from the drug money that caused her to serve 17 years in jail.
In only a few words, she can slash you effortlessly with her tongue. The episode continues with showing a divide in their family as Lucios has moved on while Cookie reside in jail after taking the heat for him. Their son's  Andre (dating a white girl) , Jamal (homosexual), and Hakeem (lost).
Then we switch to ABC where the show Blackish is on and originally  premiered September 2014. Blackish is showing you a strong black family, man and wife played by Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross. Their characters Dre and Rainbow are raising a beautiful  family of 4 kids; Zoey, Dre Jr., and twins Jack and Diane. Now for those that have never seen Blackish. Dre and Rainbow have great careers and a solid household in the suburbs that face contentious battles of trying to raise their black family in the burbs.
As you see Empire and Blackish, 2 black families of different  backgrounds, but they compete for our views. Why is that FOX and ABC? Two shows that could change the view of Black Americans on television. We have to compete for good tv, why? Too much power for the African Americans on tv?
I want these shows both to succeed. Afterall it's refreshing to see black women posed as other than Housewives that are BARELY housewives and Love and Hip Hop of BARELY known artist that are never in love and Sorority  Sisters that BARELY do work in their organization. **I'M BLIND  THOUGH**
I truly hate that we have to be put in a position  to chase our faces on television, especially when we haven't seen good television since Martin, Living Single, A Different World, Fresh Prince, and    Hanging  With Mr. Cooper, and The Cosby show (Yes, regardless).