Not too late to start caring - #bringbackourgirls

The name of Lupita Nyong'o has been all over the place for the past several months, beginning with the warranted Oscar buzz for her performance in 12 Years a Slave.  She went on to win the gold man trophy, but the continuous talk about Lupita has not been about her acting so much as her existence.  Why?  She has dark skin and short "natural hair".  Therefore she isn't supposed to be seen as beautiful and glamorous.  Not according to the standards set in place by Hollywoodland anyway.  At most, we're supposed to view Lupita as exotic.  Yet we have been inundated with photographs of her, each blatantly indicating that she is in fact quite beautiful and glamorous.  And if anyone dares to say different, Lupita's quickly loyal fan base will defend her with ferocity. I agree with everyone that she was excellent in Twelve Years a Slave (my review of the book).  As for her not only being talented but also beautiful and glamorous, I don't need anybody to inform me of that, not even official recognition by People Magazine.  I have eyes that clearly see it to be so.  And I'm not the least bit surprised that a dark skin African or African American woman is gorgeous, though I do recognize that Hollywood and entertainment media has been VERY SLOW to properly acknowledge, so I get why many are protective of Lupita's image.  

Still, I tend not to dwell for long on what I consider to be obvious.  Therefore I'm done reflecting on the beauty of Lupita and these few words are the closest I'll come to writing a think piece about what her presence means and why her success is valuable and necessary.  Rather than one of many praising Lupita, I choose to be one of the not nearly enough talking about those African girls.  Over 200 of them.  High School age (16-18).  Kidnapped.  Gone without a trace.  Non entertainment media is currently obsessed with a missing plane and a sunken ferry, so no doubt you already know about those matters.  But perhaps you didn't know until now about the Nigerian girls.  If so, see all that is below.  Watch the video, read the articles I've linked to, and then pray for their souls and safe return.  While you're at it, though I don't hold much stock in hastivism, use the #bringbackourgirls hashtag and sign the Change.Org petition.  Stir up awareness.  Maybe it will make a difference.  It certainly can't hurt.  Those girls may not be movie stars or gracing magazine covers but I have no doubt that each and every one of them is beautiful.


230 Girls Abducted In Nigeria Still Missing

Why doesn't anybody care?

Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping.  Who are Nigeria's Boko Haram Islamists?

We need to keep the pressure on

Change.Org Petition

The time to start giving a damn about the atrocities Boko Haram is responsible for has arrived