Our Generation's Big Sis: Brandy

A Thank You Letter To RnB Phenomenon, Brandy Norwood For Representing Young, Black and Ambitious Women

To be honest, I don't know the exact moment I learned of Brandy's existence, I can't name the exact date I saw her across my T.V. screen as Moesha and I definitely don't remember the first time her subtle harmonies blessed my ears. Much like a big sister, she's been an influence to me ever since I can remember. For instance, you don't know the exact date you "met" your older sibling, all you know is that they were your first friend, first supporter and for some, your first headache.

My mom didn't allow us to damage her intricately painted walls with posters, but I remember needing to see Brandy on my wall before heading to my predominantly white school. I was adamant about seeing her; so adamant that my mom framed her posters in my room alongside a few of Mel B from Spice Girls.

In elementary school, I was literally one of a hand full of black girls. I lived in a county where you could be playing outside and it was the norm for young white teens to drive by and scream racial slurs. All through my childhood my mother kept my hair in braids, every now and then the rebel in me would request to wear it in a curly fro or two puffs. White girls with blonde, slinky hair down to their backs would taunt me calling me names like 'Braidy Bunch,' Buck Wheat, Stevie Wonder because they didn't understand my hairstyles.

On Mondays I would literally countdown the hours until I could go home, be embraced by my family, eat dinner and watch Moesha. Back in the day Moesha would come on UPN (before it became the CW and practically every black show 'disappeared') at 8pm on Mondays. To say that seeing this dark skinned, braid wearing, intelligent yet "classy rachett" beauty on television didn't shape my confidence would be a lie. It was a relief to know women who look like me could dominate television, music, the beauty industry. Before RIhanna, Beyonce and Zendaya were 'Cover Girls' Brandy was miss "easy, breezy and beautiful."

Not only could I see myself in Brandy (or Moesha rather) physically but I could relate to her love for writing, how "articulate" she was (something that so many of my white peers were shocked by and later caused me to be called "white girl" by my black peers). She made it cool to be a black girl, from a middle class family, who enjoyed literature...she made it cool, to me at least, to be black and smart.

I was constantly winning writing contests and awards for essays and social studies projects because in addition to what my parents instilled in me about the importance of education, I was inspired by Moesha to grab a pen and journal and express my thoughts through words. I'd learned about Langston Hughes and Maya Angelou long before I was taught about them in school because of episodes of Moesha.

One of the most important years of my sisterhood (in my head) with Brandy was when she went on to be the first ever black Cinderella in Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical. I was so proud, so proud of Brandy and so proud to be a black girl and at that time, I was young so my dreams of being on Broadway had not yet been shattered. I remember in middle school my mom put me in acting classes and I performed in local theaters. For one audition I rehearsed 'Impossible' a Brandy and Whitney duet from Cinderella. We rehearsed for hours at a time and I was determined to do the song justice. Unfortunately, I never even made it to that audition, but knowing that should I, a black girl, not only black but a darker skinned black girl, want to be in theater I could be because the door has already been pushed open for me.

Brandy has given black girls and women so much more than classic hits and a funny sitcom; she's given us representation which is so important. Diversity in Hollywood has been such a huge topic lately; especially after there being no black nominees for this years' Oscars. While this was disappointing, I am proud to say I can't scroll through any major television networks without seeing bomb, black female leads: Tracee Ellis Ross, Gabrielle Union, Kerry Washington, Meagan Good and the list is continuing to grow. It's safe to say Brandy was one of the many women who tore down those walls for the aforementioned women to become the power houses they are today.

Yes, the 90's was a great time for black women in television, but often times, darker skinned women always got that 'sidekick' role as the aggressive, petty and angry friend(i.e. Pam from Martin, Maxine from Living Single, Sharane from House Party and Dejonay from Proud Family). Brandy as Moesha was a breath of fresh air; a darker skinned girl with a lead role as an intelligent, ambitious and fearless beaute.

Side Note: With all this talk about Moesha, it would be great to have a television show today of a relatable black girl facing adversities that your everyday teenager faces; especially one focusing on the social injustices that effect so many of us.

Today, you can scroll through any black girls Instagram/Facebook and see them rocking braids reminiscent of Brandy's. You can find videos and gifs of black women swinging their braids with pride. So many women can take those same braids out and play in a healthy head of hair because of this protective style. No, Brandy did not invent box braids but she did play a huge role in making them mainstream, so much so that you can now pick up any high fashion magazine and find a model (most times white :/) on a cover rocking the once "misunderstood" style. Because this woman won Grammys with her braids, became a Cover Girl with her braids, was Cinderella WITH HER BRAIDS; we now fearlessly rock them and know we can conquer anything WITH OUR BRAIDS-with our BLACK GIRL MAGIC, period.

At the time, I couldn't explain to my mother why it was imperative she be on my wall, at the time I didn't know why it helped me to see images of her. I now know it's because I saw myself in her and to see someone so much like me succeed gave me an undying confidence, that same confidence your big sis gives you when she tells you, "You're beautiful."

Brandy, should you ever read this, I think I typed all of this to say, thank you. Thank you for being a big sister to our generation.

-XoXo,

Mani

#Brandy #Moesha