Christmas is Comin’ Uptown - Auditions

AUDITIONS
*Christmas is Comin’ Uptown*

Soulful Version of Charles Dicken’s “A Christmas Carol”

Book by Philip Rose and Peter Udell

Produced by AACTA, African American Council of the Arts

Victoria Thompson Bey – President & CEO

Tracey D. Turner – Director

Dr. James Alston – Musical Director

Victoria Thompson-Bey – Executive Director

A U D I T I O N S

WHEN:

Wed., Oct. 3, 2007 and Thurs., Oct. 4, 2007

From 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 6, 2007

From: 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

WHERE:

PITTBURGH CAPA HIGH SCHOOL

111 9TH Street

Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Speaking, dancing, singing parts

Adults & Children 7-18 Years Old

Prepare: 1 minute song – Acapella piece

Cold Reading from Script

412-583-7091 –For More Information

The City of Pittsburgh and African American and Hispanic Leaders to Hold Racial Equity and Empowerment Summit

October 2, 2007 8:30am — 3:00pm Regional Enterprise Tower, 31st floor 425 6th Avenue , Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Hosted by Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato City of Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and the Racial Equity and Empowerment Coalition

Mission: " To develop a process for engagement, implementation, and sustained accountability with key stakeholders to ensure greater progress towards racial and minority equity in the Allegheny County/City of Pittsburgh region."

ISSUES: Jobs – Education — Housing — Economic Development Criminal Justice System — Health & Social Development Civic Engagement

Schedule:
8:30am Breakfast

9am to 12:15pm:
Introduction of Elected Officials,
Unity Statement by Robert R. Lavelle, Charlynn White and
Morning Presentations by Dr. Ralph Bangs, Dr. John Wallace, Gregory Spencer, Minister Jasiri X, Ronell Guy, Doris Carson Williams Dr. Johnson Martin, Bomani Howze, Odell Richardson, Dr. Ralph Proctor, Bernadette Turner and Valerie Dixon

Lunch 12:15pm-1pm

Afternoon workshops 1pm to 2:15pm

2:15 pm to 3pm Breakout session reports/Next Steps/Adjourn

Leaders of the African American and Hispanic communities in the Pittsburgh region will press Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato, Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Mark Roosevelt, and corporate leaders to make commitments to increase economic opportunities for African Americans and other racial minorities in the region at The Racial Equity and Empowerment Summit scheduled for October 2, 2007. The Summit, organized by The Black Political Empowerment Project (B-PEP), local chapters of the NAACP, the Urban League, the African American Chamber of Commerce, and other African American and Hispanic leaders and organizations in the region, will take place on Tuesday, October 2, 2007 from 9 am to 3 pm at the Regional Enterprise Tower located in Downtown Pittsburgh. Summit organizers stated that their mission is "to develop a process for engagement, implementation, and sustained accountability with key stakeholders to ensure progress towards racial and minority equity in Allegheny County and the City of Pittsburgh."

The Summit was initiated by B-PEP in a series of meetings and communications over the past year challenging County Executive Onorato and Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, to make good on their promises to B-PEP and other local African American and minority organizations to increase equal opportunity in employment, contracts and services particularly on developments funded with public dollars. In conversations with B-PEP over the summer, Onorato, Ravenstahl and Roosevelt agreed to host and participate in this Summit. "We are excited that leaders of organizations from across the African American and Hispanic community have come together to hold this Summit and challenge public officials, as well as key development, corporate, and other private interests, to commit to work together to make this a 'most livable city' for all the people of Pittsburgh. I am thrilled with the level of genuine cooperation between the leadership of the various Black-based organizations and agencies who have come together to make this happen!" said Tim Stevens, B-PEP Chairperson. M.Gayle Moss, President of the NAACP Pittsburgh Branch, one of four Branches supporting the Summit, said: "We trust that the City and County Government will not return to a "business as usual" mode at the conclusion of the Summit." Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh President & CEO, Esther Bush, stated that "The Racial Equity and Empowerment Summit is a unique opportunity for the City and the County leadership to take an honest look at and plan purposeful steps toward eradicating the racial/ethnic inequality that exists in our region." The Summit will include a "Unity Statement" read by Robert R. Lavelle, founder of the Dwelling House Savings and Loan Association which helped break the 'color line' in providing home mortgages to African Americans in Pittsburgh, and Charlynn Smith, a senior at Perry Traditional Academy. This statement will follow presentations by Dr. Ralph Bangs and Dr. John Wallace, authors of two University of Pittsburgh studies on deep and persisting economic disparities between African Americans and whites in the region as well as in comparisons to other major urban areas. Their overview of minority conditions will help set the stage for the day's deliberations.

Other morning presenters include: Gregory Spencer, Minister Jasiri X, Ronell Guy, Doris Carson Williams, Dr. Ralph Proctor, Valerie Dixon, Bomani Howze, Dr. Johnson Martin, Bernadette Turner and A. Odell Richardson. These r epresentatives of organizations leading the fight for racial equity in the fields of economic development, housing, education, criminal justice, health and family development, and the electoral system will follow their presentations with requests for commitments to action to Onorato, Ravenstahl and Roosevelt. In the afternoon, Summit participants will meet in breakout sessions on these issues to develop plans and specific actions to hold public officials and key institutions in the private sector, including development companies and the building trades unions, accountable for playing their part in creating real equal opportunity for racial minorities in the Pittsburgh region.

More than 100 individuals and organizations have registered as official supporters of the Racial Equity and Empowerment Summit. They include: NAACP Branches, the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, African American Chamber of Commerce of Western PA, One HOOD , ACLU of PA, Hill House Association, Western PA Black Political Assembly, Thomas Merton Center, SWPA Coalition of HUD Tenants, People For the American Way Foundation, Black and White Reunion, Sustainable Pittsburgh, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Network of Spiritual Progressives, The Pittsburgh Project, Allegheny County ACORN, Pittsburgh UNITED, Coalition of Black Trade Unions, TALK Magazine, PA Baptist State Convention, Coro Center For Civic Leadership, YMCA, and The Kingsley Association, among others. "This Summit is about action and accountability. We believe this gathering of community leaders and organizations with our elected leaders and other regional stakeholders can make a dramatic and powerful difference in our long suffering neighborhoods and families," said Richard Adams, Co-Convener, Western Pennsylvania Black Political Assembly.

"Shutdown-Shutout" by Vicki Farries

Shutdown-Shutout

Despite the loss to the Arizona Cardinals last week, despite the injuries to key players such as Hines Ward, Casey Hampton, Troy Polamalu and (at game time) our downfield threat Santonio Holmes, and Marvel Smith in the second half (replaced by Max Starks), the Steelers shut out their 2005 Super Bowl opponent, the Seattle Seahawks 21-0.

The prognosis seemed bleak and yet despite the injuries, the Steelers have proven they can prevail in adversity. This is only the beginning.

During Training Camp, the Steelers were visited by the coaching staff of the Pittsburgh Penguins. In the meeting ideas were exchanged. One idea was the use of substitutions. Since the Browns game, Tomlin and his coaches have installed repeated substitutions in both offensive and defensive lines and backfields: all in the name of preparation. When one goes down another must step in. Repeated substitutions give players playing time on the field-keeping them sharp, fresh and honing their skills and assignments.

Nate Washington for Hines Ward, Cedrick Wilson for Santonio Holmes, Chris Hoke for Casey Hampton, and Tyrone Carter for Troy Polamalu. Did you notice the difference? Well the numbers on their backs are different but the results were the same.

The defense was stellar. I hadn’t seen so much good tackling since Cleveland September 9th. “Vote for Ike” Taylor had a phenomenal day 5 tackles, 4 passes defended and a touchdown killing interception. (It could have been a hat-trick, but he missed two which were added to the pass defended category). Farrior recorded 5 tackles, 21/2 sacks and 3 QB hurries. DE Aaron Smith with 5 tackles and stifled Seattle’s RB Shaun Alexanders’ running game to 25 yards in 11 carries. SS Tyrone Carter came off the bench in place of Troy Polamalu to record 5 tackles and a QB hurry. The Seattle offense had a little more than 19 minutes of playing time (they might as well had stayed home) subjecting their defense to be hung to dry in the second half.

The Steeler offense took approximately 41 minutes of the 60 game-time minutes to completely dominate the Seahawks. Both offenses were sluggish (especially the running game) in the first half due to the stout defenses however, the Steelers ate almost 16 minutes in the first half and scored first. The Steelers have outscored their opponents 57 points to 6 this far.

The receivers showed up this week too. Cedrick Wilson (who always seemed to have a chip on his shoulder being a back –up receiver) had a great day catching 5 for 69 yards; several were key 3rd down conversions. Nate Washington, who has had trouble holding on to the ball, caught 3 for 26 yards. And (oh my gash), Willie Reid caught one for 25 yards.

The Steelers rushed for 163 yards to Seattle’s 38. Willie Parker recorded his 4th 100 rushing day and Najeh Davenport 58 yards and two touchdowns.

Special teams’ continues to improve. Punter Daniel Sepulveda recorded his first tackle bringing down return man Nate Burleson. A punter deliberately tackling- linebacker tackling. You gotta love it.
Next week is a bye to be followed by 5 intra and interconference games, Denver, Bengals, Ravens, Browns and the Jets. Next week, I will give a first quarter report.

Enjoy the week off. Here we go Steelers-here we go.
Climb to the top of the charts! Play Star Shuffle: the word scramble challenge with star power. Play Now!

vfarries@comcast.net

Fundraising Event to Help the Youth At Shuman Center

Message from Flo Taylor, Founder of ShoTime Pittsburgh:

As most of you know some of us have volunteering time at Shuman Center for awhile, talking to the kids about learning to vent their frustrations properly, among other things. I have met and spoken to several musicians and they say that the best age for learning to play an instrument is the teen years.

Some of the young folks out at the center say that they would like to learn to play instruments and I've spoken to several musicians who have pledged to find time in their schedules to get them started...we just need instruments, which is what this effort is about.

I partnered with Flo Rice for this endeavor and this is the first of what will be several fundraisers addressing the issue of enriching the lives of our young folks. We are totally committed to this project and all funds donated will go toward fullfillment of this goal. We have a lot of territory to cover where our kids and community are concerned, finding solutions is a challenge and some of us just 'dive in' doing what our hearts dictate.

If you'd like to attend, please call me or if you'd like to make a donation definitely call me. Those of you who contribute will be acknowledged at the end of the Youth Partners and all community-related television shows (unless you'd rather not) produced by ShoTime Pittsburgh. We are on a mission...

Flo Taylor, 412-583-9008
PS - If you haven't heard either of these young women, you're in for a treat!
-----------------------------------------------------
Youth Partners
PRESENTS VOCALISTS
Angee' Gonzalez and Mona Martin
with CARMA (of Black Inc.)

IN A SPECIAL EVENT - "Music for Our Youth"
CELEBRATING OUR CONNECTION TO THE ARTS…
WITH A SPECIAL APPEARANCE BY DaButtonPusha and other surprises!

Sponsored and Supported by: THE FABULOUS OVER 50 CLUB
HILL HOUSE CANTEEN, 1835 CENTER AVE., PGH., PA
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29TH 6-9PM

THIS EVENT IS A FUNDRAISER FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ‘SHUMAN PROJECT’ VOLUNTEER ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS. THE SUGGESTED DONATION IS $15…SEATING IS LIMITED, SO DON’T HESITATE TO CALL & MAKE YOUR RESERVATION. DINNER WILL BE PROVIDED!

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND WE WILL BE SURE TO KEEP YOU INFORMED OF OUR PROGRESS!

RSVP ONLINE AT MYSPACE.COM/YOUTHPARTNERS OR CALL 412-583-9008

No Parking After 7am, But Blessings are 24/7!

by Donna M. Baxter (AKA Soulsis)

Saturday morning didn’t start out to well for me. I was in desperate need of help and didn’t know who to turn to. Eventually, after asking around, my girl Loryvonne was able to assist me at my time of need. Loryvonne being able to help me at that time was a blessing in my life. Later that day I headed downtown to check out the Philadelphia dance company - Philadanco. I went solo as I couldn’t get anyone to attend with me because everyone was tied up at the time – which was unusual. However, I was sort of ok with it because I wanted to go by myself and being an only child, I am comfortable enjoying my own company.

I eventually found a place to park on the street after riding by all the full parking lots and circling the block caught in the traffic of the many theater and night club goers. The meters all were tagged with “No Parking after 7am” signs by the city of Pittsburgh. Most of the meters were taken already, but I was lucky, or at least thought so, to find one around the corner from the Byham. Everyone on the streets were discussing that these are probably for the Steeler’s game tomorrow – since they had no dates on them, all you really could go by was the time. Since it was almost 8pm, no parking after 7am seemed like it would logically be for the next morning. You would think?

Well that theory was incorrect, as many found out to find the streets bare and no cars or SUVs in spots where there once were. I turned the corner and notice my street I had parked on was bare as well. I cringed at the thought of my SUV being towed on a day that already started out bad. I thought – What’s Next? I then noticed a group of women and young ladies standing by a meter where there was a black SUV parked. Noticing it was mine, I was relieved, but something didn’t seem right. The ladies addressed me before I got in my SUV and said “Miss, you have a ticket on your windshield” – that was the last thing I needed. One of them then said, “At least you didn’t get towed”. That’s when I sat in my car in disbelief that I didn’t get towed, but of course at the same time happy that I didn’t. I looked out at the ladies on the sidewalk and almost in a WWJD (what would Jesus do) moment, I asked the ladies if I could give them a ride to the tow pound. We packed my little SUV with the ladies and children and headed to the pound. The pound was closed and I just couldn’t leave them there for their rides to come get them, so I asked them again, could I offer you ladies a ride home? Now you know I was praying they didn’t live like in Mt Oliver or Penn Hills or something. Since I live near East Liberty I was praying they were close by. Would you believe ALL of them lived near East Liberty and I only have to take them to one location? And none of them knew each other! Now they tell me how I was such a blessing to them this night -- Just when earlier that day I was in desperate need of someone to be a blessing to me!

We all bonded in the car and exchange contact info. The one lady was from out of town and talked about how The Soul Pitt was a lifeline for her when she first moved here from California.

Well after I left them, I went in the convenience store across from Peabody. On my way out the door an older brother asked me for .95 cents – I politely said no and walked to my SUV. Without a second thought, and not really caring what he wanted .95 cents for, I grabbed more than what he asked for from my purse and walked by over to him and put it into his hand and told him, “Take this, because I can remember when I didn’t have anything. And someone blessed me today, so I am passing a blessing on it to you." He was shocked, smiled and said, “Lady you are an angel.”

I’ll never forget this day. It started out seemingly bad, but ended up being a day full of blessings. The feeling of helping people in their time of need far outweighed the feeling of getting a ticket. I’ll fight it in traffic court, and maybe I’ll be blessed enough to have it reduced. All I do know is that, if you find yourself blessed in someway by someone or something, you should pass the blessings on!

IN SUPPORT OF JENA 6 - VOICE YOUR OPINION

If you are Black and in America, you should know about Jena 6. Many Pittsburghers went down today to Jena, Louisiana to march in the protest. We wish them a safe trip and a safe march and may their presence help bring about a change. I know some of you would have liked to go, or you have a strong opionion about the situation. For those of you, like myself, who couldn’t attend they are asking we wear black today in support of these young men.

Links to read more on Jena 6
The Case of the Jena Six: Black High School Students Charged with Attempted Murder for Schoolyard Fight After Nooses Are Hung from Tree

www.freethejena6.org

http://www.colorofchange.org/jena/

http://www.whileseated.org/photo/003244.shtml

How do you feel about this case of the Jena Six?
PLEASE POST YOUR COMMENTS BELOW...

Native Pittsburgher Composer/Soloist Makes Mark in Music business

After much anticipation, J'Aira Pryor plans a promo release celebration for her self-entitled upcoming album, “The Music in Me”. Scheduled to be held at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater on Thursday, October 18, 2007 at 7:30pm, the celebration will feature a great talented show of artist including local comedienne Deidre Lesesne aka Comma,DEE, David “The Frog” Bey, as well as local gospel trio “Praise, Worship, and Deliverance. In addition, J'Aira Pryor, lady of the hour , will give a special performance!

J’Aira Pryor has a passion for music. She was trained in classical piano at the age of nine. She earned her performance wings traveling with the National Association of Negro Musicians. J'Aira credits her piano teacher, Mrs. Rita Hilliard and Mrs. Jean Bryant, founder of the Miss Black Teenage Pageant for her musical merit and achievement.

J’Aira has graced many stages , but her proudest moment so far has been competing at the legendary Apollo Theatre on the nationally syndicated Showtime at the Apollo television show. Although she did not win, J’Aira has used the positive experience to elevate her to new heights. Lately, she has been honing her craft as an artist and was even recognized as a suggested songwriter in the VH1 Save the Music Songwriters’ competition.

Born and raised in the Baptist church, J’Aira holds tight to her Christian upbringing. As minister of music at St. Paul Baptist Church, she never wants to disappoint God or her fans and is determined to “put the clean back in r and b music.” Her upcoming album, self-entitled, has songs ranging in topics of love, friendship and self-esteem. She believes in writing from the heart, a recipe that includes two doses of sincerity, just the right amount of bass, a little harmony, and a whole lot of rhythm. And like any versatile chef, although the ingredients may vary from time to time, the mouth-watering taste never changes.

Come support J’Aira Pryor as she continues to “Move on up!” For booking and promo release party information, please call (412) 727-6700 or visit www.myspace.com/jairapryor.

Turnpike Bowl #1 by Vicki Farries

A win is a win especially when it’s a divisional game and the Steelers did what they were suppose to do-beat a bad team.

(If you remember October 29, 2006, the Steelers lost to a bad Oakland Raiders team20-13)

It’s the first game of the season. It was a must-win game. It was the inaugural game for our new head coach Mike Tomlin. Just don’t plan on purchasing the Super Bowl tickets just yet.

Steelers’ special teams’ was impressive. (Did I surprise you? I know I am). The Browns special teams’ was deplorable committing 4 penalties on one play in their first series of the first quarter: 2 for holding, 1 illegal formation and 1 for ineligible man downfield. I don’t think I ever remember any team ever committing 4 on one play. Jeff “Skippy” Reed was 2-2 in field goals and Daniel Sepulveda continues to impress averaging 37.5 yards per punt, especially the 42 yarder pinning the Browns on their own 2 yard line. Every time Sepulveda punts that ball, I find my mouth agape because of his incredible accuracy. He has been quoted to say, his approach is to make sure the punts are non-returnable. Since pre-season, we can count on one hand how many have been returned and those returned paid for it. (Case in point, LB Lawrence Timmons stop in second quarter on Sunday.) In addition, Sepulveda is a former linebacker and loves to tackle. He has gotten in a few good licks in against the Browns.

While special teams kept the Browns’ backs pinned deep in their own territory, Defensive Coordinator Dick LeBeau (who celebrated his 70th Birthday last weekend) let out the wolf-pack who recorded 6 sacks and 5 turnovers (2 INTs, 3 fumbles). One of those INTs can be credited to rookie CB William Gay. The defense blitzed all day. The run defense held Jamal Lewis and Lawrence Vickers to 43 yards on 13 carries. However, TE Kellen Winslow received 83 yards on 14 receptions mostly from QB Derek Anderson who seems to reads blitzes very well. The D has got to get better on TE coverages.

I really didn’t expect the Browns to look so bad considering some of the talent on that team. They do have the makings of a decent defense. In the first half, the Browns defense held the Steeler running game to 57 yards with RB “Fast Willie” and Najeh Davenport. The lack of a running game can be attributed to RB Carey Davis in as starting fullback instead of 8 yr veteran FB Dan Krieder. Also, there were some changes up front, Willie Colon started at RT instead of Max Starks and Kevin Mahan started at center for the first time. The more reps they get in the better for them down the stretch.

(At least these changes happened against the Browns-not the Ravens).

In the first half, the Steeler offense showed its ineffectiveness when the Browns defense held the Steelers to 3 points in the 2nd series of the first half, after CB Deshea Townsend’s interception to the Cleveland 17. It was not until the second half that the defense sputtered.

The Browns have some offensive weapons in WR Braylon Edwards and TE Kellen Winslow along with RB Jamal Lewis. Coach Romeo Crennel made the mistake not selecting the starting QB before the regular season began. QB Charlie Frye won out the starting job and was benched in the second quarter to back-up QB Derek Anderson. Frye was benched in the second half and completed 4 passes on 10 attempts for 34 yards. Anderson finished with 13 of 28 for 184 yards and 1 TD to Lawrence Vickers to avoid the shutout. Anderson had one turnover, an INT by CB “Vote for Ike” Taylor.

The Steeler offense did not show up until the second half. Yes, you heard me right, the second half. The first 17 points were from gimmes. The first 7 points came from the botched up punt with the 4 penalties attached, putting the Steeler drive at the Cleveland 22. 2 series later, 3 points off the foot of Skippy Reed from Deshea Townsends’ INT. Finally, Ben throws a 40 yarder to Santonio Holmes from a fumble created by LB James Farrior, recovered by CB Bryant McFadden. If the Browns had not committed those 5 penalties in the first half and Anderson had started instead of Frye, we could have possibly been looking at a different game. All in all the Steelers capitalized on the Browns’ mistakes and that is a good sign.

In the second half, the running game opened up and the Browns’ defense showed fatigue. Steelers’ offense dominated the game using up 36:16 minutes to the Browns 26:44. “Fast Willie” got his first 100 yard game this season rushing for 109 yards total and Najeh 43.

Sunday, the Steelers host the Buffalo Bills. This off-season, the Bills lost 4 key players, 3 on defense (Takeo Spikes, Nate Clements, and London Fletcher) and on offense Willis McGahee (who went to the Baltimore). Buffalo lost a heartbreaker at the foot of Denver K Jason Elam Sunday 15-14 after leading most of the day.

The Bills come to Heinz Field wounded with key injuries: TE Kevin Everett who suffered possibly a season-ending injury to the spinal cord, and 3 defensive starters – FS Ko Simpson (Fx ankle), CB Jason Webster (fx forearm) and LB Keith Ellison (out indefinitely with a high ankle sprain). To replace McGahee, Buffalo drafted RB Marshawn Lynch and in his first start against Denver rushed for 90 yards in 19 attempts and 1 TD.

Another star that showed in the Denver game is special team return man WR Roscoe Parrish. Parrish returned a punt 102 yards for a touchdown.

The Bills allowed Denver offense 470 net yards- 299 passing and 171 rushing. Bills QB J P Losman was sacked twice and fumbled once. Even with the 470 net yards of offense the Bills defense did hold Denver to 3 field goals and 1 touchdown.

For all intense and purposes this should be another win for the Steelers.

Here we Go Steelers. Here we Go!

vfarries@comcast.net

WHO IS THAT MASKED WOMAN? BE YOURSELF

by Renee P. Aldrich

Persons of high self-esteem are not driven to make themselves superior to others; they do not seek to prove their value by measuring themselves against a comparative standard. Their joy is being who they are, not in being better than someone else.
“Anonymous”

One of the overwhelming challenges of being a woman is coming to terms with who it is we are; the media hype about what it means to be beautiful, and what it means to have a perfect body, leaves us seriously struggling to accept our physical make up as well as our life condition. Because of this; we often allow ourselves to be subject to the opinions of the people in our lives; family, friends, significant others, and sometime even employers. The problem with this is that the opinions of others are often formed by whatever their view is of themselves; and sometimes that view is warped. Additionally, it has been proven that for too many years, women, in general have been owned by society. And this society has dictated to us what we should look like, sound like, act like, where we should live, and what groups we should belong to, and so much more.

Then there is the 'self imposed' quest to be perfect that we impose upon ourselves. In the work place we go through great lengths to create a picture of perfection; including taking on projects that belong to other people; working extended hours to keep up, and coming to work ill. We end up generally bringing stress and anxiety on ourselves by trying to be indispensible, rather than assessing the reality of our capabilities and then being honest about it.

How exactly does the “Masked Woman” function? A woman wearing a mask meets people and creates an imaginary existence; one that she feels will present herself in a better light. After about five minutes of conversation, she has told all her business--having exaggerated much of it. Once when I was working in Washington, DC and living in a woman's dormitory for government workers; there was a girl who used to entertain us in the evening with many stories of her seemingly “perfect life” before, and since she had been living in DC. One of the stories she told was that she was brought to DC by the Department of the Interior and actually started as a Grade 7 which was an extremely high salary for a Secretary back then. (we were all impressed because securing that kind of salary just entering the government workforce was was unheard of). As it turned out, we learned that she and I actually worked for the same agency. I had been brought in as a Grade 5 because I already had 4 years of experience when I took the civil service exam. Most of the girls in our dorm who also had come from different cities, did not have the experience, and therefore started as Grades 2's and 3's.

Because I was a Grade 5, I was identified to join an application review panel in the agency department of personnel. This was a panel brought together to review applications and resumes of people who were seeking promotions or 'next grade level' jobs. It was during one of these sessions were the applicants had applied for a job paying a Grade-4 salary, that I discovered the girl from the dorm had made up much of what she told us about herself.

I was stunned to see that she was not only a Grade-2, but she had been placed on probation for not measuring up to the job requirement at her last review. This girl had also told us she was taking classes at GW University and was in a sociology program. The truth was that she was actually taking a shorthand class so that she could qualify for a grade level increase. I knew this girl for the entire 15 years I lived in DC, and regretably, she stayed behind the “Mask” all of that time.

A mask woman will engage her friends in a lot of the made up imagery around which she has surrounded herself. She pretends to have finances which she does not have, going so far as to make major purchases like luxury cars and getting into homes with huge mortagages just so she can appear to her friends to 'have it like that'. She pretends to be more professionally than she really is, engages in social activities that she doesn't really like, with people she really doesn't like because she thinks it gives her 'points' with people upon whose opinion she places too much importance.

It is in romantic relationships where 'wearing the mask' is often most prevelant, and most dangerous. We enter into romantic relationships projecting a fake persona; then become hard pressed to keep up. Ultimately we generate more anxiety and stress as we become worn down attempting to keep up the facade'. When I married my first husband I so wanted to be the perfect wife and 'servant' to him. When he did not know how he wanted his eggs for breakfast, I would fix a scrambled egg and an over easy egg, and if he was not sure if he wanted home fries or pancakes, I would fix both.

My aunt admonished me that this was unrealistic. She said “Renee you need to 'start out like you can hold out,' if your marriage is going to last a lifetime. Do you think you will want to cook like this every morning for the next 40 years?” I did not appreciate her wisdom at the time, because I wanted it to look like this was okay with me and it was not. Needless to say, that marriage ended in 5 years and much of the reason had to do with me not being true to myself at the beginning.

Another place where you see a lot of “Masked Women”, unfortunately, is in the church. In our churches we are many times presented with a picture what our spirituality should look like. For many, these guidelines are pretty stringent. So on Wednesdays and Sundays we pretend a pious religiousosity that we really can't pull off. We don't receive encouragement to be the best that we can be, and be 'for real' as opposed to holding ourselves up to some man made interpretation of how what our christian walk should be.. I've seen many young women sink into the pits of despair and depression trying to pretend they were something they weren't so they could get the 'nod' of approval from the church mothers who of course never did anything wrong in the entireity of their holy lives.

Paul Lawrence Dunbar wrote “We wear the Mask that Grins and Lies...why should the world be over-wise in counting all our tears and sighs? We wear the Mask.” Dunbar's reference was the fact that it was safer for us to pretend in front of white people during slavery. His poem speaks to the need we had for keeping a masked face—in order that our weaknesses, and or plans would not be revealed. But, WHY DO WE MASK today? Again, something that was once necessary to protect us as a people from our oppressors, has been transferred to our interpersonal relationships and we use it as a tool against one another.

More often than not we mask ourselves and the truth about us, because we don't believe that we will be appreciated as we are. We believe that we are unacceptable; and we believe it because we do not accept ourselves. We spend so much time finding fault with ourselves, that we start to really believe that we are the sum total of those faults and nothing more. We fail to realize that the very people we are trying to impress are themselves flawed!!

If we are honest, we'll admit that we have all done some 'masking' at some point in time. The concern is for those who live indefinitely behind a mask. The problem with this is the mask woman is also living in fear—fear of being found out. Again, fear creates stress, stress creates more anxiety, and both can and often do result in serious physical illness—real or imagined.

A Woman entering a softer more loving relationship with herself, knows that she has been perfectly made by God, flaws, floibles and all. If her flaws are something she wants to work on, she does so on her own terms, but not in response to trying to meeting someone elses expectations of her. She therefore realizes that pretending to be something she isn't is not necessary. When you meet this woman, you do not meet her representative. She finds herself 'acceptable', meets with her own approval, and expects that everyone else will too. She boldly unmasks and says “What you see is what you get”, if you are not okay with it, get over it!

Tips on dropping the Mask

● Get to know yourself you'll be surprised how interesting you are as your true self
● Develop new interests and you'll be so busy cultivating them, you won't have time to take the time to hide-- plus it will increase your confidence
● Lend a hand to someone who needs it, they'll teach you how to appreciate your true self
● Acknowledge that this is an issue for you, and pray for guidence in honoring the unique qualities that make the real you too special to HIDE behind the Mask





Renee is a Community Cancer Control Health Educator for the American Cancer Society, a writer of poetry and prose, and is free lance writer for the New Pittsburgh Courier. She can be reached at Tehreh06@aol.com or 412-414-1347. You may also post a public comment below.