Enter the Portal of Self-Love

Definition of portal
Merriam Webster

1 : door, entrance especially : a grand or imposing one

2 : the whole architectural composition surrounding and including the doorways and porches of a church

3 : the approach or entrance to a bridge or tunnel

Everyone stumbles upon the body positivity movement in their own way. Props to Lizzo for being a modern and hyper-visible voice, but shout-outs go, as well, to the LGBTQQIA umbrella family, tattoo and body art world, and sex workers, who all remind folks about the importance of autonomy and choice in presenting, describing, transforming, sharing, denying, withholding, and protecting our bodies as they are and as we want them to be.

Some people land on body positivity almost effortlessly. There are those that land on it as children – blessed with some kind of self-esteem compass that guides them through the dark times or looks and aesthetics that match the approval of the social norm. Some people find it emerging from the torture chamber many call adolescence. Others find it as intimate encounters turn into better relationships with one’s own body and movement, or as we encounter peers who teach us directly, and indirectly, other definitions of self-love.

For those who grew up watching stars like Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Alba or Halle Berry being praised as curvy, who watched and heard girls in our class participating in rituals associated with anorexia and bulimia at the same time as the rise in the waif aesthetic in Hollywood and Milan, and whose souls were shamed when outsiders commented on certain parts of their (our) bodies or the way clothing fit them (us), today’s era of visibility, as far as different kinds of bodies, is the oxygen mask many of us needed. Yes, there is room for additional representation and subversive attacks on auto-norming “thick/thicc” bodies, – such as only featuring plus-sized models with flat stomachs and round hips despite bellies, guts, and fupas being common in women wearing similar sizes.

I am one of those people who grew up taking in, internally battling, and, to this day, working to fight the demons singing toxic songs about better bodies, inept beauty, acceptability, and respectability. But I scored a victory, recently, when I walked through a digital doorway and entered a new world, from which I haven’t turned back since: The Pink Portal. I think I know the person who posted the first announcement or promotion I saw. I think. Either way, as Merriam Webster describes in one of its definitions, portal means “the approach or entrance to a bridge or tunnel,” and this couldn’t be truer of the black women-owned lingerie shop. From the moment I saw the first graphic, I saw thighs that looked mine – or that of my friends and family members – breasts that fit bras and bodysuits in ways similar to mine – or that of my friends and family members – and intimate-wear outfits, makeup, and styling choices that reflected those I sometimes choose – or those chosen by friends and family members.

Like walking into a family reunion or popping up at a homie’s cookout, arriving at The Pink Portal page has a unique way of hugging you with a sense of familiarity, while also beckoning you to take bigger strides in loving yourself. It is because of this very personal reason that I have decided to use 3 AM IS THE NEW BLACK to highlight the work they’re doing, the product they’re selling, and the event where you can see it all for yourself. Enter the portal, and join the founders, models and supporters for “The Pink Portal Experience,” a gathering that will “showcase pieces and styles from [their] collection as well as other designers and boutique owners.” The event is scheduled for September 24, 2021, from 7:30-10:30pm in Providence. Tickets are available through Eventbrite (https://bit.ly/2WNalXp) or using the attached QR Code.

Browse their merchandise and read testimonials on www.thepinkportal.com. And follow @3amblack on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook all month long to follow our partnership with The Pink Portal, and to catch fun tidbits leading up to their September 24 event.

Sunshine and laughter,

Reza Rites, Publisher/Editor, 3 AM IS THE NEW BLACK

#RezaRites #3AmBlack #ThePinkPortal #SelfLove #BlackGirlMagic #CarefreeBlackGirl #BodyPositivity #fashion #Providence #RhodeIsland #NewEngland

New Partnership Announced: The Pink Portal and 3 AM IS THE NEW BLACK

It’s the first of the month, which means different things to different people. For us here, at 3 AM IS THE NEW BLACK, September 1 signifies the launch date of a new partnership we are happy to announce: a Media Sponsorship supporting and extending outreach for The Pink Portal. The Pink Portal is a Black woman owned company specializing in lingerie and adult wear with sizes for all – and models fully reflecting the inclusive catalogue and culture of the company. You can find The Pink Portal across social media sites, and on the world wide web at www.thepinkportal.com. Or see the action and feel the love in person on September 24 at “The Pink Portal Experience,” which is an event to “showcase pieces and styles from [their] collection as well as other designers and boutique owners.” The event is scheduled from 7:30-10:30pm in Providence.

All month long, here and across #3amblack spaces, we will highlight The Pink Portal, learning more about the founding and vision of the company, meeting models and hearing from Remi N – co-owner and “HBIC” of The Pink Portal – and sharing exclusive looks during the lead-up to the event. To activate the Critical Social Discourse tenet behind 3 AM IS THE NEW BLACK, we will also be highlighting other activists, spaces, and campaigns advocating for body positivity, Black business ownership, women entrepreneurs, and shame-free sensuality and sexuality.

Purchase your ticket or learn more about the September 24 event by visiting their Eventbrite page at https://bit.ly/2WNalXp. Or use the attached QR Code. Browse their merchandise and read testimonials on www.thepinkportal.com. Follow @3amblack on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook to follow our partnership with The Pink Portal, and for fun tidbits leading up to their February 24 event.

Sunshine and laughter,
Reza Rites, Publisher/Editor, 3 AM IS THE NEW BLACK

Multimedia Poetry Pieces for Those Who Love Black Girls, Women, Femmes

If you are in the business of caring for Black girls/women/femmes, you might be exhausted. There is the slow tide of justice moving in the Breonna Taylor case. There are all the misogynoiristic bottom-dwellers who emerged to tell Black woman hip hop artist and community activist Noname that she and other intelligent, justice-driven Black women need to be nicer and more accommodating to Black men who’ve never valued intelligent, justice-driven Black women in the first place. And there are the details that have emerged surrounding the tragic last days of activist Toyin Salau. This does not scratch the surface when we think of the continued attacks and murders of our trans sisters, the cultural and physical attacks on our younger sisters who are just trying to graduate high school, and my own biological sister, who is currently suing the ACLU SoCal for racial discrimination. And of course, there are the instances right out of my hometown – like the disrespect, disdain, and downright displays of discrimination recently directed at Providence City Council members Nirva LaFortune and President Sabina Matos. And oh, by the way, there is more.

It is exhausting.

That is why I want to ensure that I make my two most recent multimedia poetry videos and audio links available and easy to access in one place – in case you too are exhausted, and need some poetry and art to help you regroup. The two pieces were inspired by thoughts on community, leadership, joyfulness, Black Love, and resistance, and by the invitation to perform during the June 18, 2020 Campaign Kickoff event for Cynthia Mendes, a woman of Cape Verdean and Puerto Rican heritage who is running for office in the 2020 elections for Senate District 18, East Providence, Riverside, and Pawtucket, RI. rho

I love you/us, and I pledge to continue making art, poetry, and public statements that say so.

Sound only: https://soundcloud.com/rezaclif/reza-rites-and-cynthia-runs-preview

Sound only: https://soundcloud.com/rezaclif/reza-rites-cynthia-runs-campaign-launch

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High art. Street art. Critical social discourse. 3 AM IS THE NEW BLACK. #3amblack #photography #digitalart #clouds #providence

Share this:

High art. Street art. Critical social discourse. 3 AM IS THE NEW BLACK. #3amblack #photography #digitalart #clouds #providence

Voting Ends Thursday – Reza Rites Nominated for Spoken Word Artist Award

Voting Ends Thursday – Reza Rites Nominated for Spoken Word Artist Award

Voting for the 2017 Motif Theater Awards ends Thursday, August 3. Click here to access the information and ballot.  PROVIDENCE, RI – Hi friends, crazy awesome news happening here in the universe of Venus Sings, 3 AM IS THE NEW BLACK and the #AmbitiousBlackFeminst: Yours truly, Reza Rites, has been nominated for a 2017 Motif Theater Award. As I’ve told some folks recently, this was already feeling…

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