I chose to write to Tyra Bamks Dana “Queen Latifah” Owens Oprah and also Monique the comedian. All these women are successful black women who exemplify elegance. Many of them have beaten the odds and they show positive images of women. They have a lot of pull in the media and can show girls that it is okay to be them selves. I like that they work in the opposition to the media. This is why I chose them.

T-Zone Foundation

2029 Century Park East

Suite 500

Los Angeles, CA 90067

 

Dear Tyra Banks,

My name is Dannielle Foster. I am a sophomore Biology major at Xavier University of Louisiana. This semester I am taking a theology course that requires us to do some community service related to a problem that we see as being a very big issue. My biggest issue is the way that the media portrays women. I do not like how they objectify and degrade women and also I do not like their image of the ideal woman. The media has a tendency to show that if you are not a size two or have measurements that equal 36” 24” 36” then you are not attractive or desirable. Only about 5% of women fit that criterion. While doing research on my problem I found that Marilyn Monroe was a size 14. Why models and actresses now insist on being so thin?

I am sorry to keep going on and on. The real reason that I wrote you is to tell you that I love what you do. You are definitely an inspiration to me and I am sure many other girls around the world. I like how you try to build up young women’s self esteem instead of tearing it down like so many other things in this world. The media needs so many more people like you who show people how to be comfortable with them selves. Sometimes it gets very discouraging to flip through magazines and see nothing but pencil thin models. If it is not then it is women who are half dressed or in compromising positions. It almost makes you not want to look at a magazine.

I hope that you continue the work that you are doing because people like you make a difference in the emotional state of young girls life. Thank you for your time and hope that maybe one day I can be as influential and confident as you.

Sincerely yours,

Dannielle Foster

 Queen Latifah
c/o Flavor Unit Entertainment
155 Morgan Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302

Dear Mrs. Dana “Queen Latifah” Owens,

My name is Dannielle Foster. I am a sophomore Biology major at Xavier University of Louisiana. This semester I am taking a theology course that requires us to do some community service related to a problem that we see as being a very big issue. My biggest issue is the way that the media portrays women. I do not like how they objectify and degrade women and also I do not like their image of the ideal woman. The media has a tendency to show that if you are not a size two or have measurements that equal 36” 24” 36” then you are not attractive or desirable. Only about 5% of women fit that criterion. While doing research on my problem I found that Marilyn Monroe was a size 14. Why models and actresses now insist on being so thin?

The purpose if this letter is to tell you that I admire what you are doing. You are a strong, beautiful black women who happens to not be unnaturally skinny. I love that you give girls like me, who are not the size sixes that the media says a woman should be, a good role model. You show us that it is okay to have some curves. You give women the power to embrace their body type. You teach them to be proud of what their mama gave them. I wish there were more spokespeople for the plight of the big girl. I aspire to be like you. I hope that one day I can be a strong and successful woman like your self. Thank you for making a difference in my life.

Sincerely,

Dannielle Foster

 

Dear Monique,

My name is Dannielle Foster. I am a sophomore Biology major at Xavier University of Louisiana. This semester I am taking a theology course that requires us to do some community service related to a problem that we see as being a very big issue. My biggest issue is the way that the media portrays women. I do not like how they objectify and degrade women and also I do not like their image of the ideal woman. The media has a tendency to show that if you are not a size two or have measurements that equal 36” 24” 36” then you are not attractive or desirable. Only about 5% of women fit that criterion. While doing research on my problem I found that Marilyn Monroe was a size 14. Why models and actresses now insist on being so thin?

I love that you are plus size and love it. You are so comfortable in your skin. You are truly beautiful and I just want you to know that you are an inspiration to plus size women everywhere. We look at you and see nothing but elegance and poise. You are one of the first images that come to mind when a beautiful plus size woman name needs to be given. You have managed to become successful in a world who shuns people like us because we can not wear a size six. I really do admire you and I hope that you continue to be an inspiration to women all over the world. Thank you for caring.

Sincerely,

Dannielle Foster

 

Dear Oprah,

My name is Dannielle Foster. I am a sophomore Biology major at Xavier University of Louisiana. This semester I am taking a theology course that requires us to do some community service related to a problem that we see as being a very big issue. My biggest issue is the way that the media portrays women. I do not like how they objectify and degrade women and also I do not like their image of the ideal woman. The media has a tendency to show that if you are not a size two or have measurements that equal 36” 24” 36” then you are not attractive or desirable. Only about 5% of women fit that criterion. While doing research on my problem I found that Marilyn Monroe was a size 14. Why models and actresses now insist on being so thin?

I like the positive image you give of women. You are a successful black woman who made it from nothing. You made a way from no way and I admire you for that. I hope that I can one day be as influential as you are. You show that women can be successful. You are the most influential women in the media and you do not use your power to objectify and belittle women. I think that the things you do are wonderful. Helping the girls in Africa get an education is a very admirable thing to do. I hope that you will continue to use your influence for good. I wish you much more success and hopefully one day I can be like you.

Sincerely,

Dannielle Foster

The idea of the Promised Land is problematic because there is already people who occupy this land. How can you go up to the ruler of this land and say “Uh God said we can have it” and then tell them to get out. That is not going to work. They are going to fight to keep what they see as belonging to them. African American Criticism helps Biblical scholars to understand what the Bible means when referring to people of African descent.  It also shows how these people have been misrepresented through out history. The temples tell us that God likes his privacy and that he also likes what is due to him to be given.

This entry was posted on Sunday, April 26th, 2009 at 10:57 pm and is filed under Class Comments, Week 08: Letters. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.