Photo: Autumn Prophet

This is a photo of a Praying Mantis I saw on my fence on Thursday afternoon.  I found it to be so beautiful among the tall grass that I immediately took a picture with my phone.  It made the Mantis a bit nervous, but it stood still enough for me to shoot the photo.  In some cultures, the spotting a Praying Mantis is said to bring good fortune. For instance, the Bushman of the Kalahari saw it as a divine being.  The Khoi San people observed its manner and prayerful pose as meditation and reflection; they saw it as a formidable attribute.  Although not directly, It may have something to do with its scientific name, Mantodea, which in greek means "prophet."  However, I don't believe such things.  Besides, my good fortune comes from the One who created the Praying Mantis.  Nevertheless, I did feel fortunate to capture one of God's beautiful creatures on camera.  Have a great weekend and don't forget to turn your clocks back.  I know I won't.  Peace ~

Source:  Andrews, Ted. Animal Speak: The Spiritual & Magical Powers of Creatures Great & Small (2009): 10, 342-3.

JET Magazine: Celebrating 60 Years

Today in African American history, JET magazine launched its first issue featuring the wife of boxing legend Sugar Ray Robinson on the cover. JET magazine was founded on Thursday, November 1, 1951, by John H. Johnson of Johnson Publishing Company in Chicago, Illinois. November 1, 1951, marks a historical day in African American history because a kinship began that would last throughout the 20th century, and it’s doing very well in the 21st century. I cannot think of any other magazine that speaks to the Black experience in America like JET magazine. The magazine’s coverage of the everyday lives and historical events surrounding the lives of African Americans and Africans in the Diaspora continues to be unparalleled.

In fact, besides Rev., Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, all of Stevie Wonder’s music, and Ebony magazine (also of Johnson’s Publishing) I equate growing up as an African in America with JET magazine. Furthermore, JET magazine has also helped to shape my perception of black women with the much anticipated “Beauty of the Week.” As the poet, Langston Hughes, described so eloquently in his poem, Harlem Sweeties, the “Beauty of the Week” featured every woman from a “…Brown sugar lassie” to a "Peach-skinned girlie.”


I was always proud when the model was from the Washington, D.C. area. It was great because JET didn’t highlight the “traditional” Western standard of beauty; instead, it featured the “real” beauties or the quintessential "girl next door."

As JET magazine celebrates its 60th year in publishing, I pray for its continued success as an excellent resource about African American life and culture. I also pray that it continues to present news from an African American perspective; it’s more valuable than many of us may realize. Keep on flying JET. God bless. Peace ~


Sources:  jetmag.com, theblackgirlnextdoor.com, blackfacts.org, and Wikipedia
Photo:  Jennifer Baszile, author of The Black Girl Next Door.