dear white people...

Dear White People,

Look, I like you guys. Actually I love you. You're generous with alcohol, and other unmentionables, and you never seem to mind splitting a tab or leaving a big tip. I'm friends with many of you. With that being said, over the last couple of months I have run into many 'white folk' who are starting to give you all a questionable name. I am black. I am also a bit Creole and Mexican American thanks to my mother's ethnic background resembling the United Nations. It is 2010. We have a mixed race President, racism went out twenty years before fanny packs, and I can walk into a room full of your kind and not end up hanging from a tree (yes. I went there). So why is it, white friends, that there are still so many of you that just don't get it. Why, as a predominately African American woman, am I having to deal with racial shit? Especially considering I'm perhaps the most minded mild tempered black woman any of you will ever have the opportunity to meet. What makes me the target of so many little annoyances?

Instead of mentioning all of my concerns with our relationship in one (or several) paragraphs, I have decided to list what concerns (read: ANNOYS) me about the several culturally retarded people I've had the pleasure of coming across in the past few weeks.

I know they say one bad apple shouldn't ruin a bundle, but damn.

1) Do not...and I repeat...DO NOT EVER call me anything but a Black woman.
I speak proper English. I know, don't look so surprised! It happens. I was lucky enough to be raised by a man who didn't and still doesn't tolerate ignorance, so growing up every time I even THOUGHT about speaking like I didn't have a brain cell to depend on my Dad would show up out of thin air and give me what I affectionately call: The Stare of Eternal Death. Basically white people, just because I speak in grammatically correct and complete sentences, wear clothes my size, and "don't have a weave" (that you know of), do not make the grave mistake in thinking you can call me anything other than a strong black woman. I am not Mercedes down the block with the bamboo earrings, and Air Jordans (although I have a lot of both products lol), but I will thrown down and show out in the most stereotypical way possible if anyone even THINKS about calling me: White Girl, Off White Girl, Oreo, or any other dumb ass name your pea brain can take the time to muster up.

2) No. I will not be your token black friend.
Just because you have ONE black friend...that doesn't mean you aren't racist. Sorry. If you sit with me, talk with me, and share my food with me, please please don't ever tell me you dislike black people. I know the confusion of me being a decent person and not discriminatory towards ethnic backgrounds could lead you to believe I'd be Ok, even sympathetic, towards the views you have of my race. I know this could be very troublesome, and I'm sorry for that. But just know, you telling me you dislike black people doesn't make me less of a black woman. It actually makes my inner Harriet Tubman come busting out. She will most likely have a shot gun, a bottle of moonshine, and want to brand the black national anthem to your forehead.

3) Black jokes are only funny once. And sometimes....not even once.
White People, have you ever seen the movie "Guess Who" with Bernie Mac and Ashton Kutcher? Of course you have. Do you remember the part where good ol' Bernie eggs dumb ass Ashton on to tell several stereotypical black jokes? Could you tell that during these said jokes the wheels in Bernie & Co's heads were turning BEGGING for any excuse to murk that Anglo Saxon retard. Well, eventually he gave them a reason, even riling up the poor old Grandpa who, I'm sure, wanted to go Huey P. Newton on that ass.

The point is this: Although I'm known for being overly racial, making light (sometimes) of the color of my skin, I'm not down for IGNORANT RACE JOKES. It's alright to make light of a awkward situation, I do it all the time, but don't think it's alright to create ignorance by obviously breeding it. It's not cool, and Harriet will come out and set that ass straight.

4) I like things other than Hip Hop ya know....
I love hip hop music, but just so you know, Kanye West, Jay Z, Tupac, Biggie Smalls, Mos Def, Kid Cudi, Ja Rule, Oj Da Juiceman, Lupe Fiasco, Lil Kim, Trina, and any other hip hop personality are not at the forefront of my mind when I reach for my iPod. Of course I love debating about the state of hip hop music, and even conversing about not only the aforementioned artists, but also underground acts. Yes, I bow at the throne of Run DMC, Public Enemy, and NWA, but I also enjoy loads of other artists. Please do not get impressed with my collection of Simon & Garfunkel vinyls or my extensive knowledge of all things pertaining to Bjork because it will only piss me off. Is there some contract that says I can't love Goldfrapp if I happen to live by Nas? And furthermore, where is this asinine creation, so I can BURN IT.

5) NO YOU CANNOT TOUCH MY DAMN HAIR.
Nor will I teach you the mechanics behind hair weaving. That is not my job. Read a goddamn book or Google that shit. Do not ask me questions about why I don't wash my hair or manage my hair as you do. It's none of your damn business what I do in my spare time, nor will I be be the talking head for a entire gender of people. Forget it.

6) Barack Obama
Just because I'm a person of color does not mean I voted for Barack Obama. I did, but that's besides the point. The point is that although Barack Obama is HALF black, that doesn't make him less of a black man. Also, just because he happens to be President of the United States, does not make him nor I the advocates for an entire race of people. He is human. I am human. We triumph and make mistakes like everyone else. I am not Barack Obama's keeper, and I'm not his public relations coordinator either. Don't think for a second that it's alright for you or anyone else to bash him around me or any other person of color. It won't fly. Try it and find out why. For example:

a- If you happen to be sitting near me and exclaim that Obama resembles a monkey: I will bitch slap you.
b- If you call him a dictator, fascist, socialist, or communist: I will bitch slap you.
c- If you call his wife ghetto: I will bitch slap you.
d- If you question why his daughter wears braids in her hair and wonder when she has time to wash it: I will bitch slap you.

Don't talk shit if you have no CLUE WTF you're talking about. Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, and Ann Coulter will end up getting you bitch slapped.

There. I've said it. I know that I may lose a few friends, piss of some of my uncle's wives, and start a riot, but I don't care. Some things just need to be said. And if I pissed you off I'm sorry. I know that every white person is not the same, just like blacks, Asians, Hispanics, and all the infinite amounts of races and ethnicities I'm blanking on right now. I finally feel free. Hope I haven't offended any of you, that's the last thing I want to do. I just want you to be aware of what comes out of your mouth and consider that insensitivity has a voice if you give it one. I am not sensitive, I have very thick skin, but there just comes a time when you have to let it all hang out regardless of who's feelings it may hurt. I'm tired of shutting my damn mouth and putting a minstrel smile on my face to keep some form of peace. Deal with it.

See you at the bar Saturday!

Love Always,
Dee

r.i.p. dj am.

As far as deaths go, the last couple of years have been punching everyone below the belt with the passing of many iconic and well known celebrities. After a long day out riding bikes and enjoying the weather, I came home to find out Adam Goldstein aka DJ AM had passed away this morning of a accidental drug overdose in his home. Aside from his music, DJ AM was known for dating the likes of Nicole Richie and Mandy Moore, and more recently for being involved in a near fatal plane crash with Blink 182's Travis Barker.

"New York, new york. Big city of dreams, but everything in New York ain't always what it seems." (DJ AM's last tweet 3 days ago)

It's extremely sad to see anyone die, but I think this is hitting home for me because he was so young and this was so sudden. Before the deaths of AM, Michael Jackson, and Heath Ledger, I'd never thought of life as fragile. My Grandma use to tell me that death was something that will inevitably happen, but I'd always thought it happened when you were older, not this young. May sound naive, but I like to think I've got many great years ahead of me. Although this is true, the time we have on earth is never guaranteed or known to any of us. No one knows when the party is over. Life is indeed fragile. I don't mean to sound morbid or depressing, but I think it's important for all of us to enjoy everyday we breath, and live each day as if it were our last because you never know when it's the end.

recycling made fancy with novella royale.

I don't recycle. And before all you environmentalist freaks out there give me hell about it, just know that I hear it from my neurotic neighbor every time I take my garbage out. Thanks to Novella Royale I can make my contributions to maintaining Mother Earth the fashionable way. Novella creates luxury leather handbags that are not only pleasing to the eye, but are also good for the environment. All of their products are hand crafted from vintage leather jackets, making each piece one of a kind. In addition to being made from vintage leather, every Novella bag is lined with organic fabric, and made right in Los Angles. Who ever thought recycling could look so good...

an open letter to katya & danielle.

So two of my friends are leaving me. Katya and Danielle are leaving me for greener pastures, gelato, and Italian men. Their going to Florence Italy for a semester abroad, and although I'm super excited for the adventure their getting ready to embark upon, I can't help but me sad because their leaving me behind. It's not jealousy (Ok maybe a little jealousy) but an intense sadness, because the prospect of me seeing them is very slim, damn near non existent. My first intention was to create a movie for them, telling them both how much they mean to me, highlighting the crazy ass events our individual cameras collect on a daily basis, but since the iMovie application on my computer is acting out like a bad ass child on crack, I looked too one of my strengths to express how I feel about them both. So I'm writing a letter...

*clears throat to sound/look/feel important*

Dear Katya & Danielle

I love you. You mean the world to me, no seriously, you do. During my last year at Kent, the year I affectionately call 'My Meltdown' you were there for me in ways not even my life long friends could've been. During sit downs at my house and on my porch, while drinking 40's and smoking illegal things (cough), you allowed me the opportunity to pour my broken and wounded heart into your hands with no judgment. That is something I will never forget and something that can never be replaced by anyone. Ever...

There aren't very many people I consider to be close friends. Dollabill told me once that if I can count my closest friends on one hand, I was much better off than the richest man in the world. He was right (as usual), I counted and I feel like the richest woman on earth by having you both on my one hand, Katya the middle finger and Danielle the pinky.

Even though we've been apart for awhile now, with the occasional once a year visit, I miss you both being constant objects in my life. There isn't a day that goes by where I don't miss your advice, your jokes, and your food card. And although that rift is about to become bigger, I'm confident with the help of a little thing called the internet, and his trusty sidekick Skype, I'll be in Italy with you both. So have fun. Make sure to live it up, eat lots of gelato, take loads of pictures, and Twitter me daily. I'll be waiting here in the U.S. for your safe return. Can't wait to be in NYC with you all for the Spring.

In all seriousness, I don't think even the best writer in the world could describe in words how I feel about both of you. You are some of my best friends. And I don't take that title too lightly...

Love you more than you both will ever know...
D'Onna

Katya is keeping a blog about her overseas adventures appropriately entitled Ambition is the New Black . The trailer for her video blog is to the left on the side bar. Check it out!

so i guess you want to be compared to grace jones?

Is Rihanna the new Grace Jones. Are the hair cut, the mean & surly looks, the dominatrix outfits, all to achieve this obvious goal. And lets say that someone does dub her the new Grace Jones, are Grace Jones fans everywhere willing to stand on chairs and tables, and shout from the rooftop what a joy this news is.

I'm not so sure, but then again these are just my opinions. With the world (or at least the Twitter world) going ape shit over Solange Knowles' hair cut, and tweeting about celebrities suddenly cutting their very fake hair very short, I got to thinking. Why do we as people try do hard to be like everyone else around us? While it's alright to be inspired by someone it's 10x better to do your own thing your own way. No one seems to be doing that these days, and it makes me very sad.

Probably the best tweet I read today, came from my pal Michelle:

"Why is it that EVERYONE wants to talk about "their swag" but when a person is TRULY standing out everyone hates on it? Really?!"

I already have a Grace Jones, I don't need another one...

the diary of: My Favorite Bloggers.

I've started expanding my blog a bit these days. The new design, adding a couple more pages, trying to really make this place my main squeeze. With the additions and expansions, I got the bright idea to start to also put myself out there as a writer. I've always been the type of writer to only talk about my opinion, especially when it comes to The Diary of a Broke College Student. This has always been a place for me and by me, it houses everything I love and some of the things I hate all sprinkled with friendly (sometimes) funny (always) opinions.

During my journey on this blog, I've come to meet some really awesome people. Some of them I know from my life as a student, some from my life as a blogger, and some are my real life friends. They are all fantastic at what they do individually, and though their approaches to the game of blogging are all different, I value the opinion of all of them. They are my inspiration to keep blogging. From the more successful of the bunch, to the designers, all the way down to the amateur bloggers, they keep me going.

So I thought to myself, why not share the wealth. Thus the creation of the "the Diary of..." series of interviews I will be conducting so that they can share with you what their hustle is all about. Stay tuned, I've got some great people lined up...

Tee of Trend Doll
Jennifer Farris of Jennifer Farris
Meena Osei Kuffor of Gossip Me Style
Kayta Hackman of Musings of a Madwoman
Sarah Morrison of Sarah's Electronic Blog Ride
Katya of Ambition is the New Black
Loren & T. Hubb of Find Your Dreams

MODEL CALL: Chicago's Go Green Vintage Fashion Show.

A friend of mine, designer Meena Osei Kuffor is involved in Chicago's first ever Vintage Go Green Fashion show, and is looking for models. Models will be compensated for their time and involvement in the show including FREE GIFTS! She's looking for men and women to participate, so if you or someone you know have what it takes check out the information below or go HERE for the scoop. Good luck!

Vintage Go Green Fashion Show
Monday, July 6th at Plush Lounge from 6-8p
1104 W Madison St # 1 Chgo.

Thursday, July 9th at Evil Olive from 9-11p
1551 W Division Ave. Chgo

Be sure to visit Meena on her blog Gossip Me Style and follow her on Twitter!

i've been cheating on you.

With this:

misadventures of a misfit.

It's my online writing portfolio, kind of like my resume of sorts. I've been building this portfolio so that I can properly go out into the world of journalism and be prepared to beat the crap out of any and all competition. So kidding, but not really.

Anyway, I re-post most of my writing for magazines that I blog for like JENESIS and M.I.S.S. Crew, so be a doll and check it out. Make me feel good by talking shit in the little doo dad called the comment box. Go on,
BOOKMARK IT.

Thanks. Management.

when life gives you lemons.

Today is a bad day. You know how you get this restless feeling, like theirs a knot in your stomach that just won't untie. You get anxious about absolutely NOTHING, and you've got no idea why. Well I've been feeling like that for a couple weeks now. And now I know why.

Today I lost my job. Now in this economy that's bound to happen, but you never know how it feels until it happens to you. It sucks. It hurts. It makes you want to kick someones fucking ass. But then you take a step back, reevaluate some things, and keep it moving.

Life hasn't been giving me as many lemons as it use too. So I guess I'm due for this kick in the groin, but you know what. I refuse to lay down and feel horrible about myself. Life has given me lemons but like Atmosphere says...I'm about the pain the shit gold. Maybe this is the kick in the ass I needed to start making the name I want for myself. Maybe this is just what I needed to REALLY start working towards the type of life I want to lead. Maybe this is it....

things i want for my birthday: oxfords

My (blank) birthday is in about 20 days, and the closer it gets the more I get questioned about what I want. Well there's a lot of things I want: world peace, to be Michelle Obama and Leighton Meester's BFF, a new car... ya know, simple things like that. For the life of me I can never verbalize what I want for special gift giving occasions because I never list anything. So for the next 20 days when I see something I want for my birthday, I'll post it. Now lets all put our hands together and pray I get this shizzz...

Oxfords
Now I know to some Oxford shoes aren't as cool as a pair of Air Yeezy's but one must admit these Paul Smith Cervantes women oxfords are indeed the shit. Couldn't you imagine wearing them with a super girly dress or some destroyed boyfriend jeans. OOOO Or maybe even something simple like cut offs and a tank with stacked bracelets. Oh the possibilities are endless!

Now which parent shall I ask to get me these? Hmm...

updates & shizzz.

Hey Everyone & their perspective mama's!

Yea so I haven't been blogging as much as I use to due to 2 things. 1) I've had school work so far up my ass I can't see, think, much less blog straight, so I've been taking care of that first so I can graduate and get on with my life or at least what I think my life should be. And 2) Aside from school work and the occasional fuckery filled evening, I've had my hands in a yummy new project with some really fun people. I'm not going to delve into what exactly the project is, but just know that I'm super duper psyched about it. Some of the people I'm bringing on board are fellow bloggers Rio, Kayta, Rachel, Drew, and my homegirl Katya. I can't tell you how excited I am to start making magic with these magical people. Words can't even describe how I'm sure we'll be shitting on this blogging industry SOON.

Ok. Love you all that read my daily ranting. I'm going to try my damndest to get my mojo back and get this shizz popping again. Back to your regularly scheduled fuckery.

Love, Shits, and Giggles...
Deeeeeee Moneyyyyyy

the end of an era.

This weekend Missbehave Magazine unveiled their new website. If you didn't know the beloved girly mag announced a few months ago that they would indeed be going digital after their March 2009 issue dropped.

I actually enjoy the new site. I found the blog/site before to be confusing, especially after my favorite person in the world Sarah Morrison left the magazine. I'll be sad not to receive the magazine in the mail anymore, but like a good friend of mine said, magazines are a dying breed of publication. Too bad it's my hearts desire to work for one...Go figure.

So what does everyone think about the new change to Missbehave Mag?

invisible for the last time.

I'm applying right now to be a Vibe Magazine intern and it got me thinking.

I've spent the last couple years of my life as a student working toward a dream I didn't take seriously. Writing has always been a hobby for me, something I love to do, but had no way of knowing if it was the right path for me to take. I had no idea that I could be successful at this craft. Writing and sharing my world on this blog and others have opened my eyes to what I'm capable of doing. I cannot express to you the joy I've found in doing what I love to do. It's invigorating and exciting.

I've had my share of ups and downs just like any other man or woman out in this world trying to make a name for her or himself, but right now I want/need a breakthrough in a major way. I'm hoping and praying that this is my big break. Getting this internship will open doors for me I previously never imagined me going through. I need this.

Ok. Rant over.
Lonely dreamer out...

the diary of an individualist.

Hey Ladies & Gents!

In addition to blogging here, writing for MISS CREW, and sending in the odd article to whoever wants it here and there, I'll also be blogging just about everyday for a magazine based here in Pittsburgh called Jenesis. Apparently someone likes my style and asked me to spread my good fashion sense and irresistible charm across the blogesphere. LOL...

Check it out HERE!

new miss crew posting.

Today I woke up to find my new post up on MISS CREW. It's about President Obama creating the White House Council on Women and Girls, which in my opinion is a great step in ensuring further attention is given to women in the areas they need it most. Go read the article HERE.

girly mag gone digital.

Awhile ago the news that my favorite girly mag Missbehave was going digital was broken to me over AIM in a Starbucks. I will never forget this moment. Not because I screamed 'NOOOOOOOOOO' at the top of my lungs staring at my computer, but because of the utter disbelief and pain I felt. Yes this is a sad time in our nations history with the recession and all, but damn. Did it have to go that far?

My heart bleeds.
Here is the cover for their March issue featuring Katy Perry. This will be the last printed version of Missbehave. Let us all gather and have a moment of silence (or epic bitching) for this devastating time...

(sigh)

wise words.

All I have to say is 'out of the mouths of babes....'
Take heed my friends. Take heed.

Found @ Miss Info's

topshop usa.

If you aren't completely aware of what exactly TopShop is, that's alright. Its been hiding in the UK for years now, so I don't blame you. But if you're a fashionista worth your weight you know that TopShop is better than H&M, Forever XXI, and all other cheapish, hip, clothing stores combined. I've been buying items from their UK site for about a year now, and although it can get a bit on the expensive side (our US dollar blows), I always get compliments on my TopShop grabs.

TopShop was suppose to be opening their US location last I heard in October. It was the same weekend of the Teen Vogue Fashion U thing I went too, so it was awhile ago. Of course complications were seen so they pushed back the opening until April 2nd. If you're in NYC around that time, be sure to check out TopShop!

Here are some of my favorites from a sneek peek they gave to NY Magazine:

help me: community service ideas.

I think for my next post on M.I.S.S. Crew I'm going to list the 5 coolest community service ideas I can find. Since Obama is all about lending a helping hand, I'm going to do my part and find some ideas that will make you and I get off our asses and do our part.

But I need your help! If you have any ideas, suggestions, or just want to say whats up, holla @ me!

Email: dlsdivine4@gmail.com
AIM: DLSDivine
Follow me on Twitter!