“I
believe that children are our future – teach them well and let them lead their
way.”
That is exactly what Whitney Houston did for me
growing up in the 80s and 90s – she showed me a bright future and taught me so
well, a young black girl trying to find herself in a world that confused
her and oftentimes isolated her.
My first most impactful visual of Whitney was
her ‘Greatest love of all’ and 'Saving all my love' videos.
Her model looks and effortless style with hair forward framing her face and wrapped with a cool black band. Her netted shift
dress and leather biker jacket – she looked so chic she communicated that look
in the same way as if she were wearing an evening dress for a black tie event.
All the the looks were simple and stunning.
Her style has set trends. Her beauty has
set trends. Her videos has set trends. Actually trend is the wrong word as its
defines a short period. Correction: she set the standards for us to follow. Timeless
standards. She made me feel that it was ok to have big frizzy hair and her model height
filled me with glee when as an adolescent the awkwardness of my height was at
its height - She made me walk tall.
My friend Marco just texted me to turnover
from the negative news channels with their putdowns and innuendos to Magic (radio) TV channel
– It’s a Whitney day.. 'How will I know' is playing. “I tried to phone but I’m too
shy – can’t speak…” Memories.
The ‘I have nothing’ video from the
Bodyguard movie soundtrack made me scour East Street and Church street markets for similar
headdress and jewellery. In those days
finding decent make up choices for black skin was rare but I hunted down
those lip colours she wore in her videos relentlessly often to no avail. But they are here now - women of colour have endless choices now.
I wanted her hair, her style, beauty, her acting ability. I
never ever yearned for her voice, as I knew that she was a ‘supreme songbird’
and was one of a kind.
Today I feel like I’ve lost a big sister and a
friend. No, I never knew nor met her but I know she stopped me from going down
certain bad roads in my London bred teenage years - as she was such a positive role model for me growing up. The irony, she who later
succumbed to those negative roads. She steered me away from them because I saw
the future in her bright eyes, in her soul and voice – a bright future for me
that said regardless of where you come from, the colour of your skin or what
you look like - who you are - YOU ARE SOMEBODY SPECIAL.
'It’s alright but its ok' video – (in Dolce and Gabbana)
And I will always love you Whitney. Today I can’t
stop crying but will always be inspired and motivated by what you've done and shared with us all.
Thank you and Rest In Peace.
Whitney Houston 1963-2012
