Forty, French and Fabulous!

Hi Meltingpot Readers,

I'm not sure if I mentioned that I turned 40 earlier this year. Yes, it's true. I was going to have a grand celebration to recognize this milestone, but then I got too busy and the fact of the matter was, I didn't really think it was such a big deal.

I tried, really I did, to feel some kind of special way on my 40th birthday, but I had to take the baby to the doctor. The boys had homework and I had 20 quizzes to correct. Now, I'd be lying if I said turning 40 didn't give me pause, because it did, but I didn't have any sort of mid-life crisis or desire to leave my husband, inject myself with botox and have an affair with my high-school boyfriend. I didn't lament the passing of time because, let's be honest, these last 40 years have been great. I have three great kids. I have written three great (I think) books. I have a great job doing what I love most in life. And I still think el esposo is pretty darn cute.

And as a matter of fact, when I gave myself a moment to meditate on the idea of turning 40, the thought didn't depress me. I figure 40 is my half-way point. If I live to be 80, I'll be a happy camper. And since I'm a glass half-full kind of girl, I figure that means I have 40 more years to fill with new experiences. That's a lot of living I still have to do. That's like re-living the 40 I've already done, but with new stuff. And that's what I'm excited about. I don't even know yet what I'm going to do with part II of my life. Except one thing. Drum roll please.

I'm going to learn French!

I've always wanted to learn French. I learned a little bit of survival French when I lived in Morocco as an exchange student in high school. I have a vocabulary of about 15 words and phrases that served me well the two or three times I've traveled to France as a tourist. And let it be known, I don't read French at all. You can show me a simple sentence in French and I'll stumble through it like an idiot with a mouth full of marbles. (I still don't really care if I learn how to read French)

I just want to be able to speak what I think is one of the most romantic languages in the world. I just love the way French sounds. I always have. I chose to study Spanish because my sister had already claimed French and I wanted to be different. Well, it's part II of my life now and I say it's time to pursue  that other passion. And the thing is, since I'm going to learn the language for myself, I don't have any pressure. It's all about pleasure. I'm thinking about listening to CDs in my car, finding a language partner to parlais with, and wait for it...we're going to Paris at the end of the summer. NOT!

Dear readers, how I wish a trip to Paris was in my immediate future, but it's not something we can afford right now Five plane tickets? I don't think so. But that doesn't mean we can't drive to a French speaking country. That's right, I'm planning a Kinky Gazpacho family excursion to Montreal at the end of the summer. That will be my inspiration to keep learning.

Okay, dear readers. I need your help. Is there a language program you can suggest? Is the Rosetta Stone really all that? And of course, as the summer goes on, I'd like your suggestions for where to go and what to do in Montreal. With three kids.

I'll keep you posted on my progress. Wish me bon chance. And inspire me with your own stories of personal goals. And you don't have to be 40.

Peace!

Black Beauty Queens Causing Controversy in France

Bonjour Meltingpot Readers,

I was intrigued by the latest racial brouhaha coming out of the city of lights. And, no, I'm not talking about presidential hopeful Francois Hollande using Jay-Z and Kanye West's song in one of his campaign videos. I'm talking about the recent controversy over the first ever Miss Black France competition.

This past Saturday, the lovely Miss Mbathio Beye was crowned the first Miss Black France, despite protesters and critics who cried foul. Depending on who you ask among the dissenters, the idea of a Miss Black France was either a racist competition that excluded Whites or a misguided feel good opportunity that sent the wrong message to a country dealing with a rise in anti-immigrant sentiment. But according to the Miss Black France organizer, the purpose of the competition was to "celebrate black beauty," and to "shine a light on the many Black women in [France] who are rarely given any media attention."

As an American who is used to seeing everything -- from beauty pageants to greeting cards -- segregated and celebrated along racial lines, I initially didn't see anything wrong with a Miss Black France competition. In fact, I saw it as progress, or at the very least an opportunity for Black women to have their beauty acknowledged in a country that's been a little lax in that department. And for the most part, I still feel that way. But knowing that most European countries pride themselves on not being racist simply because they don't acknowledge racial differences, I can see how this Black beauty competition might feel like a step in the wrong direction.

But, you can't have your chocolate cake and eat it too. The French want to say everyone is equal and that they don't distinguish White from Black, and that French is French, but we all know that simply isn't true. (And obviously, this is not just a French problem.) Without going into all of the racial politics in France, we know that people of color still struggle for equal rights and opportunities. The fashion and beauty industries are no exception. So, why can't Black women make their own opportunities? I can't help think of Italian Vogue and their launch of Vogue Black in 2010. The Italians too were criticized for creating a publication that is singularly focused on Black beauty, but that didn't stop them. I hope the French take note. I hope they realize that celebrating one ethnic group doesn't have to mean excluding the other.

What do you think, dear readers? Can France have a Black Beauty competition without causing a commotion? Do you think a Miss Black France is a bad idea? A racist one? Why or why not?

I'm listening.

Peace!

Black Women in Paris: A New Novel Takes You There

Hello Meltingpot Readers,

I've only been to Paris a couple of times for short, day-long visits. But I'd be a liar if I didn't admit that the city has fascinated and called me to her for years. Josephine Baker was my first inspiration, as well as many of the Black artists and writers who sought solace and inspiration in France when America's preoccupation with race became too much. Lately, I've been dreaming about taking my kids to Paris. It could happen.

Well, with Paris deeply on my mind, you can imagine my delight and surprise to stumble on author Jacqueline Luckett's new novel, Passing Love. It's a story about two Black American women at two different times in history, who chase their destiny in the City of Lights.

Here's a description of the book from Luckett's website:

"Nicole-Marie Handy has loved all things French since she was a child. After the death of her best friend, determined to get out of her rut, she goes to Paris, leaving behind a marriage proposal. While there, Nicole chances upon an old photo of her father-lovingly inscribed, in his hand, to a woman Nicole has never heard of. What starts as a vacation quickly becomes an investigation into his relationship to this mystery woman. Moving back and forth in time between the sparkling Paris of today and the jazz-fueled city filled with expatriates in the 1950s, Passing Love is the story of two women dealing with lost love, secrets, and betrayal...and how the City of Light may hold all of the answers. "


Sounds good, doesn't it? But there's more to the story than that. Check out the excellent review from Publisher's Weekly to find out more about what the story really deals with; race, the expat experience, family secrets. Also, check out the great Q&A with Luckett on the White Readers Meet Black Authors website. 


Oh, it sound like the perfect book to start off 2012. What about you dear readers? What book will start off your 2012? I'm listening.


Peace!

The New Miss France is kind of Obama-licious!

This past weekend, the French crowned their new Miss France and in so doing made a little history of their own. Chloe Mortaud, 19, has become the first Black Miss France and she is so cute. But even better, her mother is African-American (dad's French and White) from Mississippi so we can kind of claim her too.

I admit I know very little about Ms. Mortaud --unfortunately the Chloe Mortaud website is written in French -- but her story has my imagination running. Mom escaped from Mississippi 25 years ago and fled to Paris, fell in love and made a life for herself. Now Chloe, a student of international business and fluent in Mandarin Chinese plans to use her new found fame to confront the racism that plagues her country. She told the AP, “I want to go to people and explain to them that fear of the other is unfounded.” Hopefully she'll make some time to come to the United States as well to share her vision of racial healing.

Who needs Disney princesses when we have Ms. Mortaud and Malia and Sasha Obama for our little girls to emulate?

Peace and sparkly tiaras!

(Hat Tip to the Heidi for Miss France info.)