My Fanning over Lupita Nyong’o

Unless you have been living under a rock, there is no way you have not heard of the amazing and gorgeous Lupita Nyong’o. She was in the movie 12 Years a Slave and has been winning awards left and right for her portrayal of Patsey a female slave. While I’m not ecstatic about the slavery movie, I am ecstatic about the pouring of support this young woman is getting.

Intelligent, stunning, graceful, and a down to earth chic, also the daughter of a Senator :), she is a breath of fresh air in Hollywood. To be honest I feel she is too good for Hollywood, which continues to churn out basic movies and remake of decade long movies. However, I want to focus on her.

As an African I am glad to see her on the scene, why? Because she represents what Hollywood needs: diversity. In Hollywood there are not many African actors and actresses, due to close mindedness, ignorance, racism, and because Africans produce their own movies and are known around the world for them. While there are some African actors they are usually male: Idris Elba, Chiwetel Ejiofor, David Oyelowo, and so on. While I am glad for the representation, I am more pleased to see a woman.

Seeing Lupita just makes me insanely happy, in fact, I have watched at least three of her interviews, will be watching more, and have looked at countless pictures of her. I feel as though in a world where certain standards are pushed and pressed its striking to see those that can break those barriers. Every woman before has helped to make the door a little wider for the next woman, especially when the woman has melanin. In this world not only do we need an exceptional and beautiful first lady, but we need, Octavia Spencers, Angela Bassestts, Oprah Winfey’s and more. I am ecstatic to see Lupita being on the list of the type of women we need to see to inspire young girls and grown women alike that you can succeed on your own merits without bowing down to other people’s standards.