*VIDEO* The mercommunity and it's approach to mers of color and cultures.

Imma leave these here:

https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0...a8&oe=5835DA63

https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0...9f&oe=581D77E5

https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0...eb&oe=58147384

https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-...15774831_o.jpg

https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0...93&oe=5830CDF2

https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0...90&oe=58157847



Got mad love for Hannah but THIS woman is *my* Yemeyah. Not only is she an amazing black mer, underwater performer/model, and business woman, she is also living with cancer and lupus and manages to kick ass.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AniaR

Imma leave these here:

https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0...a8&oe=5835DA63

https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0...9f&oe=581D77E5

https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0...eb&oe=58147384

https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-...15774831_o.jpg

https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0...93&oe=5830CDF2

https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0...90&oe=58157847



Got mad love for Hannah but THIS woman is *my* Yemeyah. Not only is she an amazing black mer, underwater performer/model, and business woman, she is also living with cancer and lupus and manages to kick ass.

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My goodness, she is STUNNING! She sounds like an incredible woman, too, and I'm so happy that there are mers like her out there somewhere!

A little off-topic, but do you have any videos of her performances? I would LOVE to see them!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

she posts teasers on her najestic instagram :D

for reference, this is Yemyah:

https://67.media.tumblr.com/0a0155eb...hryzo1_500.jpg

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...cbe23f63fc.jpg

http://themotherhouseofthegoddess.co...0/yemaya-2.jpg

https://thepaganandthepen.files.word.../03/yemaya.jpg

http://globalfusionproductions.com/w...ag-yemaya1.jpg


In Yoruba mythology, Yemo̩ja is a mother spirit; patron spirit of women, especially pregnant women; patron deity of the Ògùn river but she is also worshipped at streams, creeks, springs in addition to wells and run-offs...anywhere there is water flowing. Her name is a contraction of the Yoruba words "Iye omo eja" which means "Mother whose children are like fish." This represents the vastness of her motherhood, her fecundity, and her reign over all living things. In West Africa, Yemoja is worshipped as a high-ranking river deity, but in Brazil and Cuba she is worshipped mainly as a sea/ocean goddess. River deities in Yorubaland include Yemo̩ja, Ò̩s̩un (Oshun), Erinlè̩, O̩bà, Yewa, etc. It is Olókun that fills the role of sea deity in Yorubaland, while Yemoja is a leader of the other river deities. Since the river deity Yemoja is also a mermaid, she can visit all other bodies of water, including the sea, but her home and the realm she owns is the river, especially the Ogun River in Nigeria.



Yemeyah is literally a goddess of the African diaspora. We literally took a goddess who represents the suffering of her people for their skin. HOW CAN PEOPLE NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT IS WRONG WITH THAT

Yemaya is the Yorùbá Orisha or Goddess of the living Ocean, considered the mother of all. She is the source of all the waters, including the rivers of western Africa, especially the River Ogun. Her name is a contraction of Yey Omo Eja, which means "Mother Whose Children are the Fish." As all life is thought to have begun in the sea, all life is held to have begun with Yemaya. She is motherly and strongly protective, and cares deeply for all Her children, comforting them and cleansing them of sorrow. She is said to be able to cure infertility in women, and cowrie shells represent Her wealth. She does not easily lose Her temper, but when angered She can be quite destructive and violent, as the sea in a storm.
Yemaya was brought to the New World with the African diaspora and She is now worshipped in many cultures besides Her original Africa. In Brazilian Candomblé, where She is known as Yemanja or Imanje, She is the Sea Mother who brings fish to the fishermen, and the crescent moon is Her sign. As Yemanja Afodo, also of Brazil, She protects boats travelling on the sea and grants safe passage.

In Haitian Vodou She is worshipped as a moon Goddess, and is believed to protect mothers and their children. She is associated with the mermaid-spirits of Lasirenn (Herself a form of Erzulie) Who brings seduction and wealth, and Labalenn, Her sister the whale.


Yemaya rules over the surface of the ocean, where life is concentrated. She is associated with the Orisha Olokin (Who is variously described as female, male, or hermaphrodite) Who represents the depths of the Ocean and the unconscious, and together They form a balance. She is the sister and wife of Aganju, the God of the soil, and the mother of Oya, Goddess of the winds.
Our Lady of Regla in Brazil may be linked to Her, and She is equated elsewhere in the Americas with the Virgin Mary as the Great Mother. In parts of Brazil She is honored as the ocean Goddess at the summer solstice, while in the north east of the country Her festival is held on February 2nd (a day that is also associated with Her daughter Oya, as well as being the feast day of the Celtic Bride), with offerings of blue and white flowers cast into the Sea.
Yemaya's colors are blue and white, and She is said to wear a dress with seven skirts that represent the seven seas. Sacred to Her are peacocks, with their beautiful blue-green iridescence, and ducks. The number seven is Hers, also for the seven seas.
Alternate spellings: Yemanja, Yemojá, Yemonja, Yemalla, Yemana, Ymoja, Iamanje, Iemonja, Imanje
Epithets: Achabba, in Her strict aspect; Oqqutte in Her violent aspect: Atarmagwa, the wealthy queen of the sea; Olokun or Olokum as Goddess of dreams
Also called: Mama Watta, "Mother of the Waters"

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MermaidBonnie

Whisper, please share videos of these mers you speak of. Sorry I keep posting responses teying to care for baby

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http://static2.fjcdn.com/comments/53...82caf3d776.jpg

Bonnie, You clearly haven't done much research, nor even skimmed over the material supplied here in this thread. it is an ongoing and known problem with casting people of color as entertainers. as actors, dancers, singers, etc. Heck, even though Othello is a moor, aka, black, he was NEVER played by a black man until VERY recently where only 1 black man has so far played him (Usually actors are painted black, or greenish grey)

And I will say it again, Watch the Misty Copeland documentary, which actually goes over how she wasn't wanted as a dancer because of being black.
<span style="color: rgb(84, 84, 84); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 18.2px;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Y2h6fz2XzQ

A quick google search of the color problem within entertainment would have given you a very quick answer. You can start with #oscarssowhite
But since I have a feeling you won't, here's a condensed video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ospx7tXWYbI

Also I found the best meme that relates sorta to this thread
https://media0.giphy.com/media/IoSE0hXjv5voc/200_s.gif

And you also missed the entire point of the video : Stop stealing our shit.
http://az616578.vo.msecnd.net/files/...3_article.jpeg
https://pulsefeedz.files.wordpress.c...04/56053-a.jpg
Beyonce tries Kylie Jenner lips? Seriously? THIS is what happens when people appropriate cultures, the original people are cut out of it and the white person is given all claims to it.

"Dear white people, You want our culture but you don't want us" (This quote right here, goes very well with Hannah deciding to play and African goddess)

Merwandering, just go to sleeeeeep. We can talk about all the bad stuff in the morning.

A quick tip: if you're concerned about your posts being out of order, you can edit them with copy-pastes of the other posts to put them right.

I've got to go to bed. All my (mer)friendly love.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mermaid Whisper

Merwandering, just go to sleeeeeep. We can talk about all the bad stuff in the morning.

A quick tip: if you're concerned about your posts being out of order, you can edit them with copy-pastes of the other posts to put them right.

I've got to go to bed. All my (mer)friendly love.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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lol you have nooooooo idea:/ seriously.
When I am flooded with a million thoughts but can't finish a.single.one.SOMEONE needs to tell me to be quiet! Glad it's you because I know you will tell me so very sweetly;)
goodnight mermaids!

Guess I am late to the party here since I have not one but *gasp* TWO kids to care for. I am really glad this discussion has begun in our community and I hope it continues. I am excited to see it in real time at MerMania this January. It is a particularly poignant time for me personally as I am living in Baton Rouge which is Ground Zero at the moment for what happens when minorities are disenfranchised for decades. My city is torn apart my hatred and violence. This is a city that had the longest running desegregation case in America. The bus boycotts began here...public pools were filled so blacks could not swim in them. EVERY hospital in the minority neighborhoods have been closed. Tell me this isn't a direct way to "thin" the black population here. Black communities are over policed and the police have blood on their hands. I digress.

The point of this is to say that this is the product of racism. You may think this is an extreme example but it doesn't happen all at once. It happens in little chips here and there over the years. People turned down for jobs, denied basic rights like education and healthcare. As a blonde, pumpkin spice loving white girl, I honestly cant even begin to understand what people of color deal with on a daily basis. And when the protests began here, and people pushed back, they were labeled as "thugs" and "troublemakers." People don't want their authority or the status quo challenged. People like Hannah and even people on this thread want to pretend like they can empathize or that really it is about talent. Can we talk about Hannah right quick by the way? Major respect for Hannah and her "skill level." But Hannah is the very product of white privilege. Born into a family with money, she has had access to the best photographers, the means to travel, etc. People like Hannah and those who voice support of her have never checked their privilege. Because they have not had to up to this point. They believe in their blessed hearts that they are the best because they have been told that they are and the people they surround themselves with maintain that illusion. And when questioned, they deflect with "One Love" and "Let's All Have Unity" and that kind of dismissive condescending bullshit is at the heart of the frustration of why people of color feel they are not heard. When they dare rock the boat they are painted negatively for rocking the boat that cradles the illusions of benevolent whites since Constantine.

So keep pushing. Make people uncomfortable. Be seen. Be heard. Some of us are listening....and we support you.

gasp nothin', girl. I win.
Four kids, two with special needs. lol
but, yes, was at the moment putting down the littlesthttp://mernetwork.com/index/019d46d7...7-440b67312fb1


and now he's back awake. And it's 2am. And I'm definitely not more rested, but also still have this on my mind
as always

Whitewashing isn't a minor issue. Whitewashing is part of the cornerstone of the racism that is leading to multiple deaths and massive inhumanity

So when we participate in the whitewashing
we are contributing to that cornerstone.
And I'm tired of the dying.

So- not only is this issue a result of existing racism, but also continuing to perpetuate racism, and that is why it makes sense to be very proactive in taking steps to change it.

White being overrepresented in media and the performance arts creates a self-perpetuating cycle, where that is the standard, the expectation, and therefore what sells, and therefore what is being promoted.

It has to be recognized that there is a correlation between the promotion of white people in the media and the underlying messages that contribute to a continued construct of racism.
For that reason we have to actively commit to changing it.

On one hand, it is true that many performers of color are being passed over, for a ton of reasons.
White stories are the ones most often being told, the roles most often being written. And the phenomenon of whitewashing puts an implicit bias in the mind of casting directors, when they envision the perfect person for the role, a person of color is much less likely to come to mind.

Then there are the much more complex issues. While it is true that there are so many extremely talented performers being passed over, at the same time- there still aren't enough. This is not about talent in the sense of some inborn aptitude- it is about a cultivated skill set. We have to be honest in this conversation about the reality that while Juilliard is pumping out some incredible talent of color all the time- the cards are systemically stacked against a lot of people of color in general. Unfortunately in a lot of communities, racial lines that divide communities are often also socioeconomic lines. And we have to recognize that racism still contributes to those socioeconomic lines. Schools with less high quality arts programs, potentially amazing performers who spend their summer taking care of younger siblings while their single mom works two jobs and their white peer attends performing arts camp. And the lack of representation of performing artists of color more often causing little girls who are white to identify with the girl on the stage or screen or front of a magazine, and think- 'that's going to be me!'.

That is NOT to label and stereotype people of color. This is to point out that there is a huge discrepancy in "talent" to begin with because of the privilege it takes to cultivate it in the first place.

case in point.

Hannah saying she "most embodied the role" of an African goddess just took that goddess, and said that the best current representation of her is Hannah Fraser.

So we just annihilated the cultural core of that goddess, in a production about culture.

And they said that the best representation of that African goddess is white. So beyond hiring a white woman to fill the role, they said- white is better. Even at being an African goddess.

They aren't just continuing to underrepresent black performers, or black roles, or black role models.
They have taken the role of a black goddess, and taken away black.
They took an African goddess, and made her white.

Just let that sink in.

In America right now, we are emotionally raw, we are weary. Because this issue is contributing to a much, much larger picture.

For example, my cousin is an attorney and has a new client this week. Her name is Breaion King, and in my city a few days ago, footage was discovered of her arrest last year. She is 26, and a schoolteacher, and got pulled over for speeding. She was doing as she was asked. She ended up being violently thrown on the ground, and after an arrest that was hard to watch, there is footage of a conversation between her and the arresting officer. He asks if she knows why people are racist, and she says no. He tells her people are racist because black people have violent tendencies.

So first there is the issue of this man wielding extreme power and weapons in the situation. But the police chief never found out about it, because it wasn't seen as a big deal at the time. And she didn't feel like she had the power to file a complaint.

The problem isn't just a rogue officer. It is an entire construct. It is part of a pervasive, institutionalized, systematic racism. It exists. And this officer, and all of the people above him who made these decisions are still doing their job, as usual.

Meanwhile, my black daughter is learning to drive this summer. She is about to drive down those same streets, patrolled by that same officer.

In addressing this problem, it is important to look at the whole system, not just the officer. What message did it send? what are all of the sources and all of the implications of this? and so when anyone pipes up saying- "it's getting better", "most officers aren't like that"... then before you know it, the conversation has shifted from "how do we unite and make a difference" to eventually just- everyone thinking things are pretty much ok and the salience of the initial conversation has been lost altogether.
and then going about their business

And this thread, that began as a conversation about how to support people of color in this community
kept shifting into a conversation about white girls hair

Whitewashing.

p.s... I'm so tired of the dying, and the weight of the reality of this issue, that that's exactly why I would love to see this conversation continue in a way that is less divisive. I promise that when tensions run high, the people who bear the brunt of it the most are the ones who least deserve it.

Quote:

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Unfortunately in a lot of communities, racial lines that divide communities are often also socioeconomic lines. And we have to recognize that racism still contributes to those socioeconomic lines. Schools with less high quality arts programs, potentially amazing performers who spend their summer taking care of younger siblings while their single mom works two jobs and their white peer attends performing arts camp. And the lack of representation of performing artists of color more often causing little girls who are white to identify with the girl on the stage or screen or front of a magazine, and think- 'that's going to be me!'.

That is NOT to label and stereotype people of color. This is to point out that there is a huge discrepancy in "talent" to begin with because of the privilege it takes to cultivate it in the first place.

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YES, YES, YES......that says it all. That your skill set is MANY time truly a result of your privilege and economic class. And that some people are born on third base and think they are entitled to a trophy because they made a home run. Meanwhile, others don't even get a chance to bat.

And 4 KIDS?!!! LOL....yes, you definitely have me beat. :D

*sigh* As both a black person and an aspiring screenwriter, there is so much I want to add to this conversation about racism, whitewashing, media representation, and the entire justification of the erasure of non-white people and non-European culture going on, but its too late and I just discovered this thread exists and haven't even read through it all yet. Anyway, I see we are talking about the Orishas??!?!?! I have been researching all the Orishas for like the past year, including Olokun and Yemoja (for obvious reasons!) because I was implementing west African culture and mythos into my stories.

If anyone cares, there is an online mini-series about to come out that was produced in Africa about the orishas, were the orishas are essentially superheros. The next one is about Yemoja. I watched the first short today about Oya (orisha/goddess of change, and storms and rebirth). It was pretty good for what it was, considering the budget and all. Can't wait to see the one about Yemoja. But if I am understanding correctly, Hannah whats-her-face is playing Yemoja in a film?
Attachment 38379

Not that we are competing or anything but seven kids here, ages 12-22. Three by birth and four by adoption. Two with cerebral palsy and two with spina bifida. We're heading back to China in the fall for our new daughter, a 12 year old girl with cp. The thing about being a parent of only one child - when something breaks, you always know who did it. ;)

Seamansa I saw the promo stuff for that it looks amazing!


I spent 8 years working for an art gallery that focused on the artwork of minorities. It was my first real exposure to the power of racism because I was always in my bubble. Some highlights include:

There was one piece that was a dream board. It was interactive, beautiful stones that you moved and when you moved them in different combinations it triggered a video of different black mythology and I loved it.

A piece about racism featured a man who was black and his white wife. Their kids were black as night and when she took her kids out, she was treated like a saint for adopting these poor Africans (seriously) meanwhile when he took the kids out he was followed around. He took a photo of himself, made a poster that looked like a wanted posted but left the top blank syaing "I am a ____" or "the ____" or "a ____" he posted these all around canada during black history month, in known places associated with the underground railroad. Then, he documented the defacing people did of the posters. it was chilling. He made a whole website about the experiences, I'm actually going to message the curator and ask her if she still has the link, it was quite powerful.

It featured a lot of work on te opression of women, the African Diaspora, and aboriginal

Check out one of the projects, Miss Canadiana: http://camilleturner.com/project/miss-canadiana/ I met her and she was amazing!

I think the fact I got to have these experiences and go to a famously feminist university really impacted me. I wish all white folks could have experiences like this.

I took a course on the women's right to vote and there wa sa whole sub section on black women and how much harder it was for them. One black woman was quoted as saying something along the lines of that all women had to climb, but black women also had to lift while they climb.



and ps yeah everyone has things that make their life busy and important. If your baby needs your attention just get off mernetwork LOL the conversation isn't going anywhere if we can help it. <3

Merman Dan of course I was kidding and we are not all competing...but you win so hard I always bow deeply when you enter the room. ( though I'm a little surprised that you didn't say that the best thing about having one kid is that when your kid is taking a nap all of your kids are asleep!) we always joke that for us, having one is so different than having two, and having to is so different than having three, and having four is sort of like having 17

And that makes me think so much about parenting, and gives me one other explanation from my perspective. Just totally my personal response, to people who for valid reasons don't understand where I'm coming from, but are trying to.

if I knew nothing of this community, and had never heard of Hannah, my only context would be that I have a daughter who loves mermaids, and she's black. If I heard about a production about a mermaid African goddess I would think- omg!!!! finally!!! thank you !!!!.And I would be so excited.
I can't even tell you how it would crush me to find out that that African goddess was a white woman. So if it was a DVD and I had, in my excitement, ordered it online, and I opened it in the mail I would scramble to throw it away before my daughter even sees it. Because for her it would do more harm than good. And I would probably cry, and I would probably be angry. Because she is COVERED in messages that white is better, and I can't hand her a video as her heart searches for confirmation that she is beautiful, that in this film about a black woman, black women didn't quite measure up.

Even if you grew up all of the world, and I have to say I completely understand that connotations and feelings and customs are different and these are specific to America. But you have to live under a rock to not know what's happening here, and America is a huge market for that type of media, so if you hear someone say wait that's a problem- I just can't understand not listening.

For the Record I realize it would take a lot more time, and it would cost a lot more money but I would love to see them decide to refilm those sections with different mermaids because if they are truly going to honor different cultures then incorporating those cultures would be a massive step in the right direction. being strong enough to say- you know what we've decided that we can do better
Think about what a huge message that would send
It would be so worth it

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AniaR

and ps yeah everyone has things that make their life busy and important. If your baby needs your attention just get off mernetwork LOL the conversation isn't going anywhere if we can help it. <3

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not like that, lol- like...my kid woke up and he's now half asleep and if I fall asleep and stop patting his back, he will be SUPER AWAKE
mernetwork to the rescue
(but at the same time know my brain is scrambled to the point that my thoughts aren't straight and sometime when I type a word I look at them and suddenly question if it's really a word)

Im not stirring up anything. I'm politely asking to see the videos of the other mers who had the talent and skill to outperform Hannah for the role. That is all. Could you share those please? Thanks!

I'm just not sure that comes into play. Assuming it's about the level of swimming, why not incorporate the goddess in another way?

Thanks also to those who have kept their tone respectful and not condescending. There's no reason to be condescending when I'm asking questions and sharing my perspective as I am open to learning and sharing. It's nice to hear others have kids too. I don't know how performers have multiple kids and work. My daughter woke up and needed me hence my misspellings and having to go and coming back this morning.

Well I'm personally happy to help promote performers who aren't white, but I need videos. The little girls I've been working with are desperate to see mermaids perform who look like them. I've only been able to name Farasha and Pearl. These girls want to see videos, and clients want to see them too. Id be happy to send their videos to clients to help them get work.