#OscarsSoBlack? 🏆
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#WednesdayWisdom
"I did my best and my best was good enough." — Hannah Beachler
Morning Musings
This Black History Month has been ... interesting, to say the least. So much so that there's been a recent Twitter campaign to reschedule it for this summer. While Black history is American history and should be celebrated EVERY DAY, Sunday's Oscars were a hell of a way to close out the month.
Yes, you read right, the Oscars. Five years ago, advocate and activator April Reign created the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite. This year, she attended and WOW, the diversity in the building, the nominees and the winners was outstanding. Like, can we get April to attend every year? Who has the petition? I will sign it!!
In addition to seeing #blkcreatives get their due (Regina King, Ruth Carter, Hannah Beachler, SPIKE LEE), I was feeling beyond inspired as a Black creative myself.
I mean, Ruth has been around for a MINUTE. Check out Tracy Clayton's interview with the iconic costume designer on Strong Black Legends for further proof. And Spike waited THIRTY YEARS for his Oscar ... that's damn near my entire life!
If Sunday's Oscars taught me anything, it's that there's no such thing as an overnight success. I think Lady Gaga said it best:
"And if you are at home, and you're sitting on your couch and you're watching this right now, all I have to say is that this is hard work. I've worked hard for a long time, and it's not about, you know...it's not about winning. But what it's about is not giving up. If you have a dream, fight for it. There's a discipline for passion. And it's not about how many times you get rejected or you fall down or you're beaten up. It's about how many times you stand up and are brave and you keep on going. Thank you!"
I mean, y'all. Querying this book proposal has been frustrating many times over. I've been rejected. I've been ghosted. I've been looked over altogether. One literary agent told me to come back when I have 20,000 followers. Oh, okay.
And many times, I've felt like giving up, especially when I see other dope Black women doing what I aspire to do. Of course I'm thrilled for them, that goes without saying. But it's only natural to also feel a bit dejected.
At times like these, I try to remember what my mom has told me my whole life: "What God has for you, nobody can take it away." In my heart, I know that God's timing is perfect, but during this season in my life. I'm learning to trust. Because like Beyoncé said: "I'mma keep running 'cause a winner don't quit on themselves."
Love,
L'Oreal
ICYMI
In my latest for Shine, I try the notorious AOC's three-step strategy for dealing with stress. Find out how it can help you here.
IRL
March 25: A Love Letter to Myself: A Chicago Variety Show
Links I Love
Editor's Note: In honor of Black History Month, I'm spotlighting articles and essays written by and/or about Black women.
My Latest Obsession
If you follow me on Twitter, then you know how much I stan New York Times bestselling author Angie Thomas. After her debut YA novel The Hate U Give had me hooked on every word, I knew I couldn't wait for her follow up, On The Come Up.
While set in the same city as T.H.U.G., the latter follows the rapper aspirations of Bri Jackson, a 16-year-old girl with dreams of making it big. Although I'm loving Thomas' books as an adult, I so wish they were around when I was growing up. I mean, a young Black heroine in the cover? I live!!
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