Why Brains Of Obese People Are Different From Those With…
Meet The Clutch's Less Expensive Cousin
By Felicia Pride
After the release of her New York Times bestselling book, Skinny Women Are Evil and a cookbook, Skinny Cooks Can't Be Trusted, comedian turned entertainment entrepreneur Mo'Nique is spreading her literary wings again. She's dropping a young adult novel this September.
In keeping with her theme of empowerment for thicker sisters-Beacon Hills High (Amistad/Harpercollins), is being described as a coming-of-age story that deals with body image, adjusting to change, and being comfortable in one's skin-issues that definitely affect teenage girls.
The book was co-written with Sherri McGee McCovey, who also cowrote the comedian's other two books, and is a producer of Mo'Nique's F.A.T. Chance.
Getting into Millwood High, the "tightest" high school in Baltimore, is all that's been consuming thirteen-year-old F.A.T. (Fabulous And Thick, that is) Eboni Michelle Imes. When she's accepted, all that she can think about are four years of fun with her best friends, Michelle, Yolanda, and Charisse-the TTC (the Too Tight Crew).
But life has other plans for Eboni. When her father finally lands his dream job, everyone is excited-except Eboni. While Dad's new business venture means moving the family to glamorous Los Angeles, for Eboni it means moving away from her friends, her crush Vincent, and everything she has ever known.
Beacon Hills sounds like a play on Baldwin Hills, a wealthy area in Los Angeles that BET produced a show around.
Anyway, I do look forward to this. I'm all for anything designed to get our young people reading.
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Comments: (25)
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By: Avril on 7/02/2008 2:12PM
I won't be buying the book, because I'm sick to death of Mo'Nique glorifying obesity. It is a health problem that affects far too many black women; 60% of black women are considered obese-50 or more pounds overweight, and half that are considered morbidly obese-100 pounds or more overweight. What the hell is that to glorify?? Some of us are just too damn fat, it ain't healthy and it ain't cute.
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By: de\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ on 7/02/2008 3:27PM
i WOULD HAVE NEVER WANTED YOU IN MY LIFE LIKE THIS AND IF YOU WAS GOING TO BE IN IT, I WISH IT WAS TO HELP ME NOT HURT ME. I WILL NEVER BE THE SAME. THANKS TO MY BEAUTIFUL CARE BLACK FAMILY AND FRIENDS. MY CHILD HOOD WASN'T ENOUGH SHIT TO GO THROUGH, YOU SENT ME THROUGH MORE. I AM NOT PLAY8ING YOUR GAME ANYMORE
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By: \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ on 7/02/2008 3:28PM
PLEASE STOP
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By: Rae on 7/02/2008 10:49PM
Sounds interesting. I'd read it, if not to satisfy my curiosity. I don't think Mo'Nique is glorifying obesity as she is glorifying loving yourself, no matter what we look like. She's big and yet she's comfortable in her own skin. Teen girls (doesn't matter what race) need that kind of inspiration since they're plagued with body image issues everyday. Heck, all females need that. I had body image issues as a teen and would've loved to have read books that had characters who were shapely, curvy (I'm talking real curves, not "Hollywood" curves) and confident. I hope Mo'Nique's character is just as accepting of herself as she is.
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By: keia on 7/03/2008 12:31PM
I'm a 14 year old girl thats bout to be in high school, and I'm also F.A.T and I don't have a problem with it because I stay healthy and eat right. Mo'Nique is not saying that we should all be fat she is saying what we go through and loving the skin your in. So why is there a problem Mo'Nique is F.A.T and she is healthy and she walks so what's the big deal. Before you try and say somebody is making it seem like its healthy to be FAT get to know that person and listen to what their saying and stop putting words in their mouth
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By: keia on 7/03/2008 12:42PM
I'm a 14 year old girl thats bout to be in high school, and I'm also
F.A.T and I don't have a problem with it because I stay healthy and
eat right. Mo'Nique is not saying that we should all be fat she is
saying what we go through and loving the skin your in. So why is
there a problem Mo'Nique is F.A.T and she is healthy and she walks so
what's the big deal. Before you try and say somebody is making it seem
like its NOT healthy to be FAT get to know that person and listen to what
their saying and stop putting words in their mouth
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By: ShonaRee on 7/03/2008 9:06PM
I like Mo'Nique's confidence and because of her many girls and women have begun to appreciate who God has made them. A smaller weight size is not always a given. Some people's health conditions are the cause of their weight big or small. For me being a woman of color I know that the standards America sets for beauty does not pertain to me because im not blonde, a size 1 or have long, flowing hair. People come in all shapes and sizes and that is what makes up the world. If we all looked a like this world would be a boring place. I support Mo'Nique in trying to uplift those who lack self confidence and want to feel good about themselves. I dont think she promotes obesity but a sense of self love, respect and self-worth. Some of the ladies looking at her has had the courage to change things they dont like about themselves. Then there are the others who have became comfort with who they are. To you judgemental people I pray you take a look in the mirror and seek who you really are before you start pointing fingers. (When you point a finger there are 3 fingers pointing back at you) :-) Peace and Blessings
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By: Faith on 7/03/2008 11:54PM
I also don't think that Monique is implying that being overweight is glamorous or anything. She just wants to lift of people's self esteem and make them feel like they are beautiful too. Everyone by now knows the risks of being obese but you also have to believe in yourself and have confidence to try to work and improve your body to love what you see in the mirror. Besides what about all the skinny rib showing actresses out there?! That also is not a realistic or positive image for women. How many young women have starved themselves or harmed their bodies trying to keep up with what society thinks is beautiful??? So I say it goes both ways and people should leave Monique alone!
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By: BigGirlBlue on 7/08/2008 8:01PM
She's a wonderful champion for promoting a positive body image (for curvy girls at least). I don't think she glorifies obesity. Is that even possible? I've never heard her tell us to go out and stuff our faces with a buckets of chicken and veg out in front of the tube/computer. If anything she's all about respecting your body, curves, food etc. Some people just refuse to see the positive.
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By: Shalove on 7/10/2008 10:05AM
I think what Monique is doing is great. She is lifting up young girls who would either be very depressed, suicidal, low self asteem or just plain miserable. It's not only black girls that are obese, there are plenty of white girls who are obese too. Hell, half the country is obese so maybe everyone will get something from this book.
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