Miss Chicago News and Blog!
December 21, 2009 -
New Appearance Videos and Photos Have been added. View Appearances.
November 10, 2009 -
Ask Yourself: Is It Honorable?
What I Would Say If Rihanna Was My Sister
(Disclaimer: this blog was totally meant for November but alas, holiday time crept up on me! Don't judge me guys! LOL! Happy Belated Turkey Day! Gobble Gobble!)
I just watched the Rihanna interview with Diane Sawyer, and every time I hear about this case it breaks my heart. It doesn't break my heart because Chris Brown and Rihanna are so famous, or so good looking, or so talented, or so wealthy. It breaks my heart because when I look at these two young people, all I see is pain. I see a young man who doesn't know how to express his emotional conflicts and anger, and I see a young woman who had to carry the weight of the world on her shoulders (even during her toughest hour).
Rihanna said during the interview that she's in a very good place now. By getting to a point where she could publically speak about her ordeal, I commend her. Concurrently however, I'm sure her good place is more in "within the healing process" than "all better." As she spoke to Diane Sawyer, eyes piercing , words thick with emotion, she seemed as if she was still trying to understand how so much turmoil could be caused by a man she unconditionally loved.
And while I was glued to my television set ( well actually computer screen a la Youtube), listening to the story unfurl, I had to ask myself: What would I say to Rihanna if she was my sister or cousin or close friend? How would I respond to so much emotional unrest?
Firstly, I would commend her for understanding that she is as much a public figure throughout this ordeal she is a victim. I commend her for understanding that she (as Tina Turner, Halle Berry, and Robin Givens before her) is the example to ladies of her generation on handling their relationships, and that her choices will be emulated by those that idolize her. I am proud that she understood that in this situation, her life and mistakes are not really just her own. I'm appreciative that she wasn't a shrinking violet in any sense, and finally said, "It's not okay. And it wasn't my fault."
Continuing, I would want to express two concepts to this brave young woman to keep in mind for the future. The first one is taken from a Maya Angelou quote that I find very dear: "When people reveal themselves to you, believe them." There are always warning signs. Heed them.
The second one is that love should be honorable. Yes, it's kind of a heavy word, but I did mean to say honorable. Honorable love has a splash of respect and a dose of patience. It acts, produces, and creates. It does not merely "intend to do." Honorable love is willing and flexible. It thinks outside of the box, tolerates opposing opinions, wants to share time and space. It's kind. Honorable love exists in front of friends and family, and in doing so is a profession of intent. Honorable love is not condescending, contemptuous, or mistrustful, or jealous.
Love lights up a room, it doesn't narrow the eyes, furl the lips, or fill the heart with fear. Yes, there will be disagreements and arguments, but never that end in contact with intent to hurt (spiritually, emotionally, or physically).
Lastly, honorable love begins with honoring yourself first.
October 25 -
Dare To Love Yourself
As of late, I've been catching all the media promotion for Chris Rock's documentary "Good Hair." The movie, which debuted on October 9 to theaters across the nation, offers a deeper look into the lives of African American women's hair, with brilliant commentary thanks to Chris Rock's cocktail of cunning wit, keen aptitude for timing, and great understanding of social relevance. Though some say that by poking fun at personal hair- grooming rituals, the movie inadvertently serves African American women up as a punch line, it was not the love- hate tango that black women dance with their hair that interested me most. My greatest interest was actually the reason why the movie was even dreamed up.
Supposedly the comedian overheard one of his young daughters expressing a desire for "good hair," which his daughter went on to describe as hair completely opposite of her own in color, length, and texture. Horrified, Rock was then prompted to explore black women's behavioral patterns in styling their hair. He wanted to understand what these women do to it, how these women do it, and why these women do it. Additionally to my understanding, because I have yet to see the film, Rock tries to uncover if all of black women's mane endeavors are in pursuit of attaining a concept of "good hair."
Many women thought the documentary was funny. I understand why. Many women were offended. I also understand why. As a member of this demographic, I have done everything to my hair (except shave it off!) that is being noted in the documentary and have received the full range of reactions to my new do's (from admiration to a date laughing abruptly in my face). Trust me, I understand why African American women's hair grooming techniques and the reasons why we do them are a touchy subject.
But I think that in bemoaning the fact Rock pokes fun at some of the over-the-top methods used to present hair (many of which I am guilty of LOL) is doing a disservice and, bluntly, missing a greater tragedy. The mere need and existence of a documentary like "Good Hair" shows that there is another generation of young women that think something's wrong with the skin they're in (or in this case, the hair on their heads). There is another generation of young women growing up and wondering why something about themselves is not "right." When Rock's daughter asked him why she didn't have a certain type of hair, she was actually asking him why her God-given hair wasn't worthy of praise.
Chris Rock can joke all he wants to about my press and curl. It's not going to stop me from getting my hair done. I might even joke about it with my stylist. Because I've gone through every style and battle with my hair, I have consequently learned to appreciate it, no matter how it is worn. But I cringe to think that the funny man had to create this documentary for a young lady not even in her teens. I cringe to think that a girl so young already recognizes that her assets do not fit into mainstream standards of beauty. And I cringe to think that issues of self- worth are trudging through our younger generations of women so unnecessarily. I understand how long my journey took to love every coil, color, and curve I was adorned with at birth, and am dismayed that another generation of young ladies may face that journey as well.
In my last blog, I dared young women to not fear adversity, but to welcome it. I dared them to welcome the growth that comes keeping one's head when everything around is in disarray. Today, I am daring young women to simply love themselves. It cannot be done for anyone, thus as a young lady, one has to make the commitment to accept and love oneself without condition. Again, I emphasize, without CONDITION. Until this task is done effectively and efficiently, one is only allowing themself 99% of life (and we are all responsible for our personal happiness). And if you know a young woman that needs to understand how brightly her light shines, by all means tell her. You never know when you might be the factor that changes someone's perspective on life.
Unfortunately, the pressure to beautiful will never completely disappear and that's why understanding one's inherent value is so important. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but the radiance of the soul, it shines on everyone. There is something about all of us that is worthy of praise and acceptance, and the most blaring horn of devotion should come from oneself. Or, as I read along time ago in a Nikki Giovanni poem: "You show me a woman who is not full of herself, and I'll show you an empty person."
September 12, 2009 -
We have a date for the Miss Chicago 2010 Pageant - February 27, 2010. View Event Information.
September 11, 2009 -
A Thought On Adversity ...
As we bundle up in preparation for falling leaves and crisper air, I'd like to take a second to remember those we lost this summer including the iconic Michael Jackson and the lion-hearted Ted Kennedy. The lives led by both of these men ( both so different, yet both so passionately filled with richness) show that no matter where you begin in life, you can overcome adversity to reach the mountain top. Whether you're escaping the poverty and steel mills of mid-century Indiana, or overcoming unfathomable family tragedies, one has to remember that there are no heights to which one cannot soar.
Adversity. Thinking of that word brings to mind my grandparents' generation, the generation to which Ted Kennedy belonged, a generation that is sadly seeing the end of its era. These people were the toilers that developed into adulthood during World War II, that saw every social and world phenomena from Civil Rights and the Cold War to Feminism, Hip Hop, and 9/11, knew the kinds of hardship that younger generations may never fully conceptualize, being very familiar with adversity while simultaneously not being of it. For this reason, the generation born into a Great Depression was not a generation of the downtrodden, but of great and substantial character.
The funny thing about character is that it's easiest to get under the most trying circumstances. Character is the result of facing a challenge, disregarding the success or failure in the possible outcome, and accepting the value of personal growth instead. It's understanding that when taking a leap of faith one of two things will happen: you will find firm ground to land on, or you will be taught to fly.
What's the need for the character achieved through toughing out adverse situations? Easily I can say the need for character is likened to the need for energy to complete a workout. Everyone occasionally goes through a rough patch, and everyone needs to have the stomach to get through them. It's a universal thought: no matter how charmed one's life may seem, its not always going to be smooth sailing. I'll use myself for example. I was elated to become Miss Chicago 2009, devastated to lose my grandmother a week before state competitions, and terrified to compete for Miss Illinois on the evening of her funeral. My father said I could have easily dropped out and no one would have though the lesser of me. And for the one time in my life, I probably wouldn't have been too hard on myself if I had opted to sit out, too. But something told me to stick it out, despite everyone who told me, "Imani, it's not supposed to be this hard." But who ever guaranteed me that it was supposed to be easy?
Nine times out of ten, the things in life that are most valued come out of the roughest circumstances: the beautiful pearl held tightly in the mouth of the clam, the rarest jewel that must be excavated form the deepest caves and mines. Anything worth getting is worth fighting for.
The purpose of this blog is not to be an for masochism (LOL), but I will repeat something that my father emphasizes to me all the time: people tend to steer away form difficult things to avoid possible pain, but it's the difficult things that challenge us to grow. Adversity makes us stronger. Pressure makes us think quicker. And only dead things don't grow.
In closing, I encourage everyone to pursue their goals no matter how far fetched they may seem. Please don't be discouraged by the possible pain of rejection, but instead, be welcoming of the possible journey. No, I didn't become Miss Illinois that night, but I was the best Miss Chicago that I could be ( a nabbed a Top 10 spot). For a girl who reaching for the moon when it seemed all too far away, landing amongst that stars never felt so good.
June 24, 2009 -
Miss Chicago 2009, Imani Josey, was top ten at the Miss Illinois Pageant
June 12, 2009 -
Alliance for Lupus Research annual walk "Walk With Us To Cure Lupus."
I walked on the "Childs Dance for a Cure" team.
Click on the Image below to enlarge the Email and read my Special Message.
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Photos provided by Alex Ha. |
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March 29, 2009 -
View Event Photos
April 13, 2009
Amazing. That's the only word I can use to describe this experience. Amazing. To a degree, I still don't believe that I am Miss Chicago 2009. I'm still wondering where this crown and sash came from, why this amazing opportunity for service has been bestowed upon me, and why this little girl from the South Side now will be able to represent her big city at the Miss Illinois Scholarship Pageant.
But I also learned early on not to question blessings. So I won't:)
During my question and answer segment in the show, I was asked to describe the significance of the title of Miss Chicago and (fingers crossed) Miss Illinois. The gist of my answer (because sometimes when you get me talking, it's hard to shut me up!) was that the beauty of the title doesn't come from the sparkles on the tiara, but from the opportunity to do real work in the community, to extend oneself personally to others.
Because my personal platform of CROWNS, a program that helps young ladies wear the many hats (or CROWNS) they will encounter in their life times, deals directly with mentorship, I am THRILLED to work with Triple Threat Mentoring during my year of service. Triple Threat Mentoring is the official platform of Miss Chicago and gives urban young people an outlet to be creative, athletic, and to shine in general.
My local director Stacy and I were able to meet up with Caleb Luper (Triple Threat Mentoring Executive Director) over the weekend, and I am just amazed by his (and the organization's) positive energy, his dedication to serving young adults, and his ideas for programs in the future. I have a great intuition, and it's telling me that this partnership is going to be both enriching and rewarding for everyone involved!
This road is going to be an honor to walk on during this upcoming year and I anticipate each step! But above all, I have every intention on taking the entire Chicago community with me!
In the words of my grandfather, Lerone Bennett Jr., "Thank you for this honor and thank you for this great opportunity."