"Single Black Female," mandate moves, and survey overload

LIFETIME’S “SINGLE BLACK FEMALE”

Although big girls like multi-talented singer, songwriter, and rapper Lizzo, are strutting their stuff unapologetically, I can’t remember a single movie in which the female (romantic) lead was black, dark-skinned, and for lack of a better description, heavyset.

Writer Tracy Brown’s “Single Black Female” breaks the mold with Monica (Amber Riley), a single, successful TV co-host and daughter of Houston’s recently deceased mayor.

In the throes of a nasty breakup with her boyfriend, Andre (Kevin Savage) and grief over the death of her beloved father, Monica rebounds with a steamy romance with Eric (Devale Ellis), the TV studio’s floor director.

In their bedroom scene, there is no attempt to downplay or hide Riley’s fleshy arms or bottom. (Yeah!) It belies the prevailing image of sexiness, mostly attributed to women who are slim (and more often than not, white).

Monica is confident, intelligent, and ambitious. Her character contrasts sharply with the historical stereotype of black women as mammies, “good-natured, overweight and loud” according to notes for the California African American Museum exhibit, “Making Mammy: A Caricature of Black Womanhood from 1840 to 1940" (September 2019 to March 2020).

“(T)he mammy not only embellished the realities of black life in the American South, but it also denied African American women their femininity, beauty, and strength.”

Simone (Raven Goodwin) deftly plays a shrewd, conniving, and murderous female. Once again, a juxtaposition of the mammy image.

Costume designer, Yolanda Braddy, created bold, colorful, and stylish wardrobes for Monica and Simone that capture their curves and accentuates their femininity.

Loved this movie for its fresh approach to Lifetime’s formulaic female heroines and villains.

MANDATE MOVES

This week, in my home state of Nevada, Governor Steve lifted the mask mandate leaving Nevadans to decide whether or not to mask up.

On what scientific basis are states lifting mask mandates? It seems that Americans value comfort, economics—and “freedom”— over safety.

Everyday, I read about someone—-usually unvaccinated—who has died of COVID-19 or is suffering severe complications, and this includes children.

Many big box stores no longer provide sanitizing wipes for customers. Now, they will probably stop distributing masks to customers.

At least 15 members of my family have tested positive for COVID. Thankfully, most had no symptoms and have fully recovered; consequently, I think that they consider me foolish for limiting my exposure to groups or persons whose COVID status is unknown to me. Nonetheless, there is no guarantee that if I contract COVID, I would be so lucky.

Likewise, there are reports of COVID-related complications occurring months after initial infection.

Am I being overly cautious? Is the risk of serious complications no longer a consideration? Are we really ready to act like this pandemic is over?

The New York Times reported on Wednesday, “The C.D.C.’s current masking recommendations advise state and local officials to enact indoor masking policies in areas of the country where transmission is high.

“A color-coded map on the agency’s website shows the entire country in red; 99 percent of all counties are in a high transmission zone — a point (CDC Director Rochelle P. ) Walensky underscored on Wednesday.”

Consequently, I will continue to mask up until Dr. Anthony Fauci, chief medical advisor to the president, tells me it is safe not to.

SURVEY OVERLOAD

Stop with the surveys, please!

Whenever I contact a company or agency for help, I don’t think twice about “my experience “with a customer service reps or specialist. I just want a (quick) solution to my problem and to get off the telephone as quickly as possible.

I don’t want to comment on the “professionalism,” “friendliness,” or “knowledge” of someone with whom I have spent only a few minutes.

What do companies do with this information anyway? Do they hand out bonuses—I doubt it—or reprimands based my responses?

The only thing I find more annoying than completing surveys is having to open an account or provide an email address just to browse a website.