Madame Noire | Black Women's Lifestyle Guide | Black Hair | Black Love

If you’re a fan of “The View,” you know that there are times where things can get really heated. It can actually be uncomfortable to watch, but it makes for really good TV.   One of the first fights on the show came when Star Jones and Barbara Walters fell out.

But I guess all the bad blood is behind them because Star Jones will be on “The View” on February 22, to promote her campaign to raise awareness about heart disease. Find out more about Star’s appearance and watch other fights during the history of the show at BlackVoices.com.

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Many questioned Sherri Shepherd when she said she feels it’s OK for black people to use the n-word and not white people on an episode of “The View” in October when Rick Perry’s controversial camp name was brought up as a hot topic.

Since then, Sherri hasn’t been able to fully explain her stance on the issue amongst a slew of backlash, but she recently spoke to Essence.com to give more insight on why she sees the word in black and white. Here’s what she said:

“That word brings up so many issues with everybody. I have Black friends who hate the word and don’t want it used. I respect those friends, and I don’t use the word around them. However, this is a word that was in my family. When my uncle played dominos and spades, I heard it used in the utmost of affection. My mother used this word with my father, and my cousin used to say it at our family reunions. I also heard it when I moved to the suburbs in Chicago, and it was used very negatively towards me by White people. To hear a White person say it just brings back those negative feelings.

“On the other hand, it was used in a positive way at home when I was growing up. How can it be positive? The power was taken out of the word, and I know where it comes from. I respect Richard Pryor for deciding not to use it after he returned from his trip to Africa. For me, this word was just It was very hard for me to articulate just what I hear when different people use it. Then again, I probably need to take a closer look at it too. When I was younger, there was a clear line on who could use that word and who couldn’t. It’s gotten really blurred today with the young kids, Black and White, who buy the rap music.”

Sherri says she also knows when it’s “appropriate” to use the controversial word and when it’s not.

“Do I use it around my son? No. He has no filter and everything mommy says he repeats. I personally don’t want him going to school and saying it. It is something I call Sal (husband Lamar Sally). That’s our word and I know he loves me with everything he’s got. I know that may make some people mad. Some lady tweeted me, ‘You sent Black people back 400 years.’ I tweeted her back, ‘If my saying I don’t have a problem using the word set us back 400 years, you got some deeper issues than that.’  I’m not taking that on me.”

I don’t think Sherri is alone in her experience with the n-word and how you can become desensitized to it’s ugly past when it’s used so commonly. But then again, that’s the very argument people have against it’s use in everyday language and rap lyrics.

What do you think about Sherri’s use of the n-word? Can you relate? What’s your stance on the word for white and black people?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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 “I am where I am because I believe in all possibilities” – Whoopie Goldberg

Opportunities are endless if you look for them in every situation, circumstance and/or problem. If you believe that anything you want is possible, than that’s exactly what you will get. The first step in making a dream come true is to believe that you can turn it into reality. The always honest Whoopie Goldberg couldn’t have said it better – believe in all possibilities

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Star Jones announced on the Wendy Williams show that she’s signed a deal to turn her her juicy novel, “Satan’s Sisters” into a TV show. The fiction book is based on the off-camera lives of four television hosts—perhaps her former “View” cast members?

I haven’t had a chance to check out Star’s new book just yet, but it definitely sounds like it has potential for a great prime time drama. What do you think. Have you read Satan’s Sisters?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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It seems like every other day the women on “The View” are saying or doing something that lands their hilarious conversations on blogs across the country.

Today is one of those days. The topic was vibrators.

Recently a woman was unpacking her suitcase when she noticed that a TSA employee had left her a personalized message on a very personal item.

The message affixed to the woman’s vibrator read, “Get your freak on girl.”

Whooop!

At first the woman thought the note was funny but the more she thought about it, the more she freaked out. After all, this note proved that a TSA agent had…handled her vibrator. Yucks! (Needless to say this little toy is no longer in use.)

See what the women on “The View” had to say about the incident. You know Whoopi clowned.

Did you catch Sherri Shepherd’s sentiments on the N-Word on The View this week? Do you think non-blacks should be able to use the word?

Watch the video here and let us know if you agree or not.

by Selam Aster

By now, you’ve all heard about how Sherri Shepherd got on her View co-host Barbara Walters about using the n-word when referencing the story about Rick Perry’s family estate, a camp whose entrance is marked by a stone engraved with the word “Ni****head.”

Although Whoopi Goldberg said the word herself, Shepherd had major issues with Walters repeating the word.”I didn’t like the way you said it,” Shepherd told Walters. “I don’t know if it’s a semantics thing, but it’s something that goes through my body.”

Walters is a veteran journalist who has shown much sensitivity when speaking on matters relating to race and justice so it is a little over the top for Shepherd to blast her for using the word to convey a news story. Shepherd may have thought she was standing up for African-Americans when she called out her boss, but seriously, she took it a little too far. Doesn’t the oversensitivity stifle dialogue and honesty?

Shepherd and Walters have been working together for a long time now and I wouldn’t blame Walters for losing a little respect for her co-host for being so short-sighted and dismissive of a trusted friend and colleague. Save the high-drama for another, more worthy occasion Shepherd.

Peep the clip below and let us know what you think.

By Lavette Slater – Celebrity Hair and Makeup Artist, Lead Hairstylist for “The View”.

Why Wigs and Hair Pieces?

Wigs and hairpieces have been used worldwide throughout history. Many people associate wigs with diva glamour and versatility. There are so many reasons why women wear hairpieces. Hair plays such a major part in our confidence, personalities and image. Whether the style is short or long, hair that is healthy, stylish and easy to manage is what everyone wants. Sometimes we want to try a new style without the commitment of cutting our hair or doing a chemical process. Heat styling your hair everyday can be very damaging especially if the hair is fragile and with a busy schedule a hairpiece may just be the thing you need. If you’ve ever wondered why a woman would wear a wig or hairpiece, here are just a few reasons why.

1. Loss of hair and medical reasons
2. Hair is damaged and broken
3. To add length and volume
4. To add highlights and color
5. Protecting the hair from heat
6. The hair is of a fine texture and hard to hold certain styles
7. Growing out an existing style or cut
8. Trying a new style or cut
9. Giving the hair a rest from permanent hair color
10. Going on a vacation

By Lavette Slater

Celebrity hair stylist, makeup artist, and beauty expert Lavette Slater, is known for her trendsetting vision and extraordinary skill. As the Supervisor and Key Hairstylist on ABC’s The View, this 10x Emmy Award nominee and winner of the 34th, 35th and 36th Annual Creative Emmy Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Hairstyling is also the personal stylist to Whoopi Goldberg, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Sherri Shepherd.  In addition to the ladies on “The View” Lavette has styled a host of celebrity guests who range from Chandra Wilson and Glenn Close to political figures Senator Hilary Rodham Clinton and our very own first lady, Michelle Obama.

 You can find Lavette here at : www.lavetteslaterblog.com or follow her on Twitter @lavetteslater.

For the next few weeks Lavette will be providing hair care tips specifically for Madame Noire readers. Today’s tip is about taking your sensational summer hair and making it fall fabulous.

Sherri Shepard, comedienne and co-host of “The View” was motivated to lose weight because of her son. After losing her mother to complications with diabetes, Shepard realized her weight could prevent her from being there for her son for as long as possible. She chronicled her weight loss journey on”The View”, even debuting her new bikini body on the show.

That was in 2009, now Sherri has gained back the weight she lost and then some; but she’s also getting married this summer. So she’s working to fit into her dress. The TV personality is working hard too. She exercises by dancing to Chris Brown songs and has signed up for Zumba classes.

You can read more about Shepard’s weight loss journey and her upcoming wedding plans, including Elisabeth Hasselbeck’s “sexy robot” over at Black Voices.