Nowadays it is becoming increasingly common for women of colour to go out and have cosmetic procedures. The most recent recipient was Tameka Raymond, Usher's 38 year old wife. Following the birth of her second son, Tameka travelled to Brazil for post-baby liposuction on her stomach. It was reported that after she went under general anaesthetic, she suffered a heart attack. Was it worth it?
On hearing this news my mind ran over previous cases of sista's and surgery. Kanye West's mother who sadly lost her life as a result of cosmetic surgery and also the late great James Brown's wife Adrienne Lois Brown also suffered the same fate.
You may remember my pictures of Lil Kim, she is a prime example of surgery gone too wrong and too far. What would make a beautiful and successful woman go and disfigure herself permanently. In our community it is very much acceptable to weave our hair and wear acrylic nails but what about bleaching and cosmetic surgery? 
I have a friend who when she came to this country was as fair as Michael Jackson, I never knew she was a bleacher until she returned home the same complexion as Grace Jones!!! I lie not Diva's, Once the effects of the bleach had worn off she said she felt black and ugly, her light complexion made her feel pretty...My question is and always will be what about the hands and feet???? Is it only the Jackson's that remember those parts of the body! Its like a Polar bear having the feet of a Gorilla!!! (somebody stop me!) Anyway back to my point...Our community accepts beautification as long as we don't cross the line, the line that is trying to look white. I believe the further away from your natural self you try to be, the uglier you become. Take a look at these pics of both black and white stars who have mash up themselves! Jackie Stallone and Latoya Jackson and Donatella Versace.
These pictures are both scary, funny and sad all at the same time. For me a weave, acrylics and makeup are as far as I will take beautification. At 18 I bought a tub of Palmer's skin success fade cream to get rid of my black knees (didn't work) and I've sat in the sun after having rubbed lemon juice into my elbows(didn't work)...I can laugh now because the things that used to bother me as teenager don't even cross my mind anymore. Its a shame that some of us just don't grow up and grow to love ourselves.
Peace and Love V xxx
Who she think she is?
- Ms Vean
- Mother,writer,singer/ songwriter, Worship Leader your resident Diva has many strings to her bow! I have a genetic intolerance to fake people and if you dont like to keep it REAL this blog is NOT for you! I say what others think and always DARE to be different!
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Veyan,
Thank you for the link. I am working on a piece about little kim and plastic surgey.
You know what they say about great minds....
Loved the article it was beautifully put together as always. Just had to get off my chest some of the points raised. Looking at the pictures of the ladies pre op they all had 1 thing in common, they are not what the world classes as beautiful. They have had to go through teenage life turning pages of magazines or watching TV and not seeing anyone that looks like them being held up as beautiful. I'm a dark skinned diva and for years not only dealt with knees and elbows being to dark, but my whole body especially my face. Try going to boots, bodyshop and superdrug and the shade closest to your complexion makes u look like your dead! I can't begin to imagine the pressure the Mrs Raymond must be feeling, based on the everyday Joe standards its hard to fine a man let alone a husband. Now add Hollywood into the mix and your husband is Usher I know I would take a few slices off my body to keep my man! If we as a people are going to see an end to our black sister looking more like our white sister’s then black beauty needs to be embraced. I'm not talking Beyonce or Halle. I wanna see Estelle on the cover of a main stream mag. It’s time that broad nosed dark skinned, hard haired beauties were recognised.