Erykah Badu: Window Seat
CreativeControl.TV: Erykah Badu - Window Seat
Hearing all the hoopla surrounding this video, I was never interested. Erykah is talented, different and deep. That said, having no intent on being managed by anyone's PR and consultants, I assumed this video nothing more than a stunt, though uniquely Erykah, just the same and probably sincere to boot, but a stunt in the final analysis.
As happenstance would have, I came across someone I follow on Twitter, swung by her blog, and ended up on Creative Control.TV to check out the video. I wasn't prepared for its impact on me. It is very powerful. It could be late or me simply nastalgic. That video is compelling and its art; me saying that about anything on film these days, you'd just better be right with God.
Wrongly so, I assumed there were a few bystanders. You know like the place just had to be sparsely populated right. Nope, not at all. Yes, I know who she is and how much money she has and at the same time she was the antithesis of the entertainment industry's facination with faux, augmented, hacked on and highly unreal beauty. For that alone, I was in awe.
Maybe the music got to me but the clear power of stripping the consciousness down, shedding blinders and/or freeing oneself from the chains that bind was palpable if not overwhelming. I couldn't help but wonder what was going through her head from the moment she drove up, knowing the task at hand. She might have been simply on the lookout for the coppers, but still.
Erykah, didn't work out for this video or get it airbrushed or pump up her chest for that matter. At the same time with all the non-Africans present, it was hard not to see the video in the context of their world and their sense of beauty. I like white people, know and love many of them. Equally, I love me and mine and am proud of our proximity to all creation and our distinction as a race, the first race in the history of this planet. Her walk was one of defiance and a regal display of the sheer power, prowess and depth of the unique beauty God continues to bless us with.
It is fascinating that supposedly the west finds us so unattractive, for it is hard to see how their fascination with tannning, hackery (surgery), tooth whitening (maybe not a bad thing) and other orthodontics, and underwear to better endow them with curves; represents self love let alone adulation. Recently someone that I'm aware of brought this cat to my attention. Maxim Vakhovskiy It's astounding the various hues that we take over the course of our lives and how our shading becomes distinct. Yet, the art that is our core, our souls, is enhanced and improved. None others could be displayed so, and come even half way to embodying the very essence of creation. We, Children of God, are beautiful beyond measure.
I won't pretend that I don't tend to be attracted to athletic and lithe carriages (bodies are just that for the souls dears). Though I've never had to pretend that all the big sisters are unattractive or that dimples in the rear are a turn off, or small or big breast or anything else people tend to sell. Black women are beautiful and inspiring to behold. I'm a pretty observant cat and one of the most vulnerable moments I've ever witnessed consistently in my love life is the first time I see a love interest naked. My sense of humor always reminds me of the act of joining we just completed and I secretly laugh as she reaches for a sheet or something to cover herself. Yes, this always makes me laugh inwardly, in a loving and guarded way. For I realize that my being pleased with her visage is important to her as it is to every woman. I do see it ladies, I just don't mention it. That moment when you glance into my eyes, attempting to see of my soul and its beholden thought of you, lying there naked and vulnerable while desiring to be found pleasing.
That's what caused the video to stir me so. The fact that Erykah didn't work out or use body doubles and all the other non-sensical stuff that usually preceeds a shoot. Isn't it funny how we all voluntarily participate in the collective lie that is body image. Although conscious of many of societies equivocations and contructs, this video reminded me of our unrepentant beauty and grace coupled with resplendent spirits. Its why I, or maybe we, pretend not to see the questioning in the eyes of our loves in the wee, small hours of the morn, as you ask quietly; silently are you enough. I only wish for all our sakes that such fervent moments didn't end so badly for so many.
Thanks Erykah.
