This where I am at on the evaporating 2023 days of Kwanzaa
For the past few days, my mind has been interchangeably playing Cymande’s “Bra” (1972) and Michael Jackson’s “Off the Wall” (1979) as I try to pen the blog for a princess. You can always find MJ on video but…
For those of you who follow (and then pay attention to car commercials on TV,) you have heard the instrumental parts of “Bra” in CarGurus TV commercials. But you need to see and listen to the band. Bing Videos
Of course, I have the original vinyl and still think this band is kick-ass. Thank me later for introducing you to another aspect of lost/diminished Black cultural history.
So, in trying to write about a princess, this is what I know:
Time has been lost in trying
We have been left outside
Looking at passions dying
Emotions grow strong all the time
But it's alright, we can still go on
But it's alright, we can still go on
But it's alright, we can still go on
But it's alright, we can still go on
They might have said we're lying
No matter how hard we try
Those that are watch them crying
So as the helpless die
But it's alright, we can still go on
But it's alright, we can still go on
But it's alright, we can still go on
But it's alright, we can still go on
So, if you need more motivation and you are a former “club kid” or dance around the house with your young children or grands, just recall
When the world is on your shoulder
Gotta straighten up your act and boogie down
If you can't hang with the feeling
Then there ain't no room for you, this part of town
'Cause we're the party people, night and day
Livin' crazy, that's the only way…
So tonight
Gotta leave that nine to five upon the shelf
An' just enjoy yourself
Groove
Let the madness in the music get to you
Life ain't so bad at all
If you live it off the wall
Life ain't so bad at all
Live your life off the wall
(Live your life off the wall)
Live it off the wall
So, the aaduna’s “what’s the point” is yet again, simple, and complex.
Each of us have to figure out what activist pathway we are ready to pursue for what we now call, “diversity, equity inclusion.” Once you get to where you need to be, just don’t leave anyone behind.
History is complex and ever changing due to revisionist scholars who continue to explore and challenge our assumptions of historical truth. Rarely due we associate the term “princess” with women of color and especially Black women. Sisters who are of a darker hue are often ridiculed for having “princess” as a name or honorific title steeped in family determination and ancestry strength. You may remember when Dick Gregory named one of his eleven children, a girl, “Miss.” As a political, social satirist, activist commentator, Gregory’s work was grounded in years of stand-up comedy, Gregory quipped that he named his daughter Miss so she would grow up being referred to always as Miss Gregory.
And as the diversity of animated (cartoon) films portray Black princess royalty, there are actually real Black women who society rarely knows…since all too often, others tell our stories and not us. So, while the continent of Africa has rich examples of Black women royalty, here are a few examples to whet our appetite for truth.
“Princess Angela of Liechtenstein is the wife of Prince Maximilian of Liechtenstein. She is the first person of known African origin to marry a member of a reigning European dynasty. The marriage was groundbreaking, because it allowed a person of Afro-American ancestry into one of the few still reigning families in Europe by a marriage. The couple’s son, Prince Alfons is the next in line to the Liechtensteiner throne.
“Baroness Cécile de Massy of Monaco is the wife of Christian Louis, Baron de Massy, the only nephew of the late Prince Rainier of Monaco. As the baroness, she is the highest ranked black person in Monaco. She and her husband have two sons together, Brice Souleyman Gelabale-de Massyand Antoine de Massy.
“Her Royal Highness, Princess Sikhanyiso Dlamini of Swaziland is the oldest daughter of King Mswati III. The very smart and well-educated young lady, affectionately known as Princess Pashu, has studied at several different schools around the world. First, she went to school in Britain at St. Edmund’s College, and after that she went to The United States to study drama at Biola University in California. She received her master’s degree in digital communications from Syndey University in Australia.
“Princess Keisha Omilana of Nigeria, a native of Inglewood, California, is an accomplished model having worked with L’Oreal, Maybeline, Revlon and Cover Girl. She is also most recognized for being the first African-American woman to be featured in three consecutive commercials as “The Pantene Girl.” Princess Keisha heads Wonderful TV with her husband, Prince Kunle Omilan. Along with running Wonderful TV, which boasts a network of stations across Europe, Princess Keisha has modeled for nearly every cosmetics brand from L’Oreal to Cover Girl, and has appeared in “Zoolander,” “30 Rock,” and “Saturday Night Live.”
“Countess Mary Von Habsburh of Austria, although she isn’t a princess, was born in Wau, Sudan, and married to Ferdinand Leopold Joseph Count von Habsburg of Austria. Ferdinand hails from the venerable Von Habsburg royal family, who are descendants of William the Conqueror. Countess Mary and Count Ferdinand exchanged vows in 1999 in Nairobi, Kenya and the couple has three children together. Although some in the royal family took issue with their coupling because the Countess was an African commoner, Dr. Otto von Habsburg, head of the family, declared her an equal.”
And with most contributor’s narrative blogs, there is that question, What’s the point?
aaduna suggests that royalty is grounded in any family’s naming of children, recognition of generational ancestry and not only societal lineage and perceptions of privilege. We should always remember our name is a personal and permanent contribution to the world’s understanding as to who we are, not only as an individual, but also as a valued partner in humankind’s journey.
Princess Anne Byrd-Treston
Princess Anne Byrd-Treston, of African-American descent, is passionate about writing fiction supplemented by her literary interests that include poetry, screenplays, stage plays, science fiction, and horror with African American and ambiguous characters. Residing in Saint Louis, Missouri, she is an arm’s reach from the City of Ferguson, a locale that has been an ongoing topic in national and international news.
Byrd-Treston is an emerging writer and her first published piece, Midday Rush will be featured in the forthcoming aaduna issue. Here is a short excerpt:
The café hustles and bustles with an uppity air of I'm in a hurry foot traffic. As one customer
leaves, another enters. The seating is privately distant. Most seated customers have the
Please-Do-Not-Disturb-Me or the Can-You-Not-See-I'm-Busy-At-Work-Here type of vibe. And
a few are plugged into a computer, an iPhone, or some other device. But not Charles. Instead, he
slumps over in a comfortable, brown, high-back leather chair in the fourth row furthest from the
main entrance facing the four large, dark wood casement pane windows. With only his feelings
to occupy his heavy thoughts, he takes cautious sips from his coffee cup.
Out the windows, the rain moves into third gear as the minutes tick away. What was
once a faint mist is now a swift drizzle.
After a fifteen-minute wait of doing nothing but looking out and twirling, sipping,
and looking out and twirling. Again. He eyes a slow-approaching silver sedan claiming a
newly open parking spot while other drivers Kentucky Derby it out the parking lot as if they are
driving on dry land and free of hightailing pedestrians seeking refuge from spit shooting bullets.
Slow yet steady, Annabelle exits the sedan.
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