The reader’s chance to interact with Delores Shante
Dear Delores:
As an (ex)subscriber to St. Louis Magazine, I received my new monthly issue over the weekend and found myself very disappointed with the cover story “Top 19 Singles.” Of the singles, there were two black men and one black woman representing black St. Louis. Well, that’s one more than last year. Hooray! Unfortunately, I didn’t hold this sentiment very long. I found the text describing the black woman quite disturbing. She is a 30-year old, never married mother of an 8- and 1-year-old and works as an office assistant with future plans of becoming a restaurateur. While I commend this sister for being a mother, being employed and pursuing her dreams, I do not believe that she is The BEST representation of black women in St. Louis.
Could St. Louis Magazine have found a successful single black woman (or several for that matter) with stats just as impressive as those of the white women featured? Of course! Did they? Of course, not! The accomplishments of the white women featured in the magazine far outweighed the black woman’s and I find this very offensive, yet indicative of how black women are portrayed in America.
I am 29 years old, hold a senior position within my company, have no children, reside in a community voted as one of the best places to live in the nation and live in a home I had built as a 25th birthday gift to myself. I am not degrading the black woman in the article and would not want to take any credit away from her, but her stats are stereotypical; not quite “Top” material.
How many times are we portrayed daily as young, unwed mothers with low paying jobs?
That magazine has disenfranchised Black St. Louis. They failed to feature minority lawyers in their Top Lawyer’s issue, which prompted a letter to the editor (not from me). In turn, they tried to redeem themselves by placing a black doctor on the cover of their Top Doctors issue. But, this Top 19 Singles article has left a bad taste in my mouth and served as my “last straw.”
Sincerely,
Nikita S. Mapp
Sister Nikita,
Okay. What can I say ? Looks like you’re all over this one Miss Successful!
Quick Q’s from Delores for you:
How many y’all think Whitney’s gonna take the train right back to nose candy city?
Did y’all hear that there was a shootin’ at the chicken noodle soup dance kids’ show in New York? Mercy me, where we headin’?
Speaking of New York, did y’all hear that Flava Flav’s runner-up New York, Miss 2-Time Loser, and actin’ a fool ‘bout it hoochie-self is gonna be bustin’ out her own show?