The Bluest Eye & The Self-Love of Jill Scott (Enter Jill Scott, Nina Simone, India.Aire and Erykah Badu)

Part 2 of 2
(Part 1)

At the higher end is the self-embracing Jill Scott. 

I’m not a fan of Jill Scott and I confess that I know only about two of her songs (and not very well) but one doesn’t have to be a fan to see how vibrant a person she is. Her light heartedness, humility, strength, pride, determination and incredible sense of self-worth will touch a person at any encounter.

Jill Scott is a powerhouse and a remarkable spirit who evidently believes in all that she is as an artist and knows who she is as a person. Behind the multi-talented artist is a great person who genuinely demonstrates her ability to love and accept herself.  Her many talents become second to her affirming self-love as a person and her belief in herself as a black woman.  That self-love comes out of her every where she is.  It emits from the television screens during airings of cable movies that she starred in, children’s programs that she sang in and talk shows where she graced with her presence while plugging her latest creative venture.  It flows off of her from the stage and from the radio. Her ability to see herself and present herself in the best of light steadily increases her worth as it continually moves her to the top.

Her self-acceptance is apparent in the way that she presents herself. Her ability to wear three cornrows on one side of her hair and a short afro on the other side and then walk confidently on stage speaks volumes. It says that she does not define herself by anyone else’s standards – that’s the real beauty.

That type of ability to be self-embracing is rare. That is the real source of her empowerment and incredible abilities.  This is completely contrary to Pecola or any of the Pecolas of the world. Very few people have been able to honestly achieve a form of self-love.

Jill’s ability to embrace herself has a ripple effect. Her ability to reach within herself also gives her the ability to encompass and envelope others in it as well as to ultimately impact others in the most positive ways.  It has placed her in a really great position to provide opportunities for youth in urban communities of Philadelphia to develop. She has created a foundation that sponsors college – bound youth.  Her foundation, the Blues Babe Foundation Foundation, provides academic and financial support for young scholars. Her foundation is helping to reshape lives and destinies of young African Americans. Jill even developed a line of garments especially suited for shapely women for support where it has been lacking. Under the Ashley Stewart brand Jill created the Butterfly Bra for shapely women. Her ripple effect is not only positive, it’s born out of self love, determination, strength and a belief that everyone deserves a higher quality of life.

A real sense of empowerment comes from being self-defining. Jill, like Nina Simone, Erykah Badu and India.Arie invested a portion of their talents into their own inherited beauty. Neither Nina Simone nor Erykah Badu ever faltered in holding their heads high no matter what the hairstyle was - beautifully bushed, locked, corn rowed.  They held their heads extra high if it were wrapped up. India.Arie came onto the larger musical scene declaring that although she wasn’t built like a super model, she was “learning to love [her]self unconditionally… because she [is] a queen.”   And why not? Provocative, progressive and evolved along with talent and strength makes these women truly remarkable. Add me to the list of fans.

                                                 

Jill Scott’s belief in her self is powerful in and of itself. Along with a long list of artistic and philanthropic accomplishments she is also an entrepreneur. It’s safe to say that she “put [her] good foot down and made [her] soul the winner. I respect that.” Now, how can we get more little Pecolas to follow suit?

                                                   

                                                                                 

Beauty for the body:

Oxsun Natural Hair Salon in Philadelphia, PA

Urban Natural Styles in Metro Washington DC

Jaha Hair Studios in Silver Spring, MD

Madam Walkers Braidery School in Temple Hills, MD


Beauty for the mind, soul and spirit:

Don't Play in the Sun: One Woman's Journey Through the Color Complex, Marita Golden

Sisters of the Yam: Black Women and Self Recovery, Bell Hooks


Dig in!