How Times Change

Whatever happened to style and grace? I just recently saw a photo and commercial of Phylicia Rashad and her new slender frame. For those of you who do not know, Phylicia Rashad is most famously known for playing Clair Huxtable on the Cosby Show. Apparently she got fat and with Jenny Craig lost over 30 pounds. At the age of 60 plus, she was fine compared to most but she looks so fab now.

 

The lovely Ms. Rashad before and after her 35 lb. transformation

What I began to wonder was what ever happened to style and grace? In celebrity culture nowadays all you see is platinum hair and skimpy outfits many times paired with outrageous behavior. While I adore the celeb gossip as much as the next person, we sure let our celebrity standards drop over the years.

There was a time when people like Ms. Rashad and Angela Bassett were the norm. A woman of style, grace, class and a sense of style to go along with it. Now the most classy person we have is Beyonce (No diss!). She’s a pretty girl with hot fashion sense but just no personality in any interviews. She’s got the looks and voice but missing the whole package with that monotone speaking voice.

Well something had to make up for the less than average interview skills...

When did the Lil’ Kim’s and Kim Kardashian’s take over? I miss me some Lynn Whitefield, Nia Long, Queen Latifah and Sheryl Lee Ralph. They possess such a refined look that the makeup and hair only enhances their outer beauty not make up for lackluster inner beauty.

We have a few ladies of our day though who seem to embody the characteristics a little though. Jada Pinkett-Smith, Sanaa Lathan and Thandie Newton have all been sophisticated females in many roles and on the red carpets.

Am I wrong to want the classy sophisticated ladies back or am I just an old spirit in a young body?

 True Ladies Lynn & Nia

Behind Every Man...

In the spirit of gender equality, "Behind Every Man..." is a question section about women's beauty issues asked to men. While we as woman try to look good for ourselves, many times we do it for the men in our lives. Get a man’s opinion on the latest women’s look.

This week's question: What is your viewpoint about women who have hair extensions or weaves?

It is no secret that many women today walk around flaunting their money, their man's money, heck even parent’s money. Unfortunately they do it in the most ignorant ways. Clothing that makes you look like you have on less than you were born with, purses that I can fit my whole wardrobe in and hair.

Ladies this is in no way intended to insult any of you but the way you wear your hair, how much you pay for it, and where it comes from doesn't make you who you are. I would much rather have a women who is going natural than a girl who is spending $150 on a bag of Remy Velvet hair and begging for rent money. Hair never has and never will define who you are. 

If a guy wants you only because your hair is long, silky, and straight he is a boy not a man. He is immature and not ready for a real woman. Now I am not telling you to go be nappy for the rest of your life. By all means presentation is a lot but you can be presentable without having $300 worth of hair in you head flowing down to your behind. Be the you God made you to be.

Jerry C. Wells Jr., TX, Open Eyes Ministries