Essence Magazine Sucks!
NOTE: When I wrote this article back in 2008… I really meant every word that I had wrote. Since that time, Essence has went on to make several major changes, and I am back reading it again. *shrugs* Maybe they read my post and used my suggestions, lolll. In any event, I was not disrespectful just dissapointed as a long time reader at what the magazine had become. Hmmm, maybe I should go on and create a post about Jet magazine now lollll j/k.
Today I read the November issue of Essence Magazine and shook my head in disbelief. I remember this magazine being interesting once upon a time, now it’s about as relevant to the black women as butt injections. I read it and I thought to myself, “Boy I am glad I didn’t purchase this magazine”. Let me break Essence Magazine in a nutshell
Advertisements: 75% of the magazine is Ad’s
Barack Obama: Okay, I Kitty Bradshaw am voting for Barack Obama… but I’m thinking it would of been interesting for Essence to spotlight other Presidential Candidates… also I am sure there are other African Americans running for office throughout the country (i.e. Mayors, Senators, Judges, etc…) can they get some shine too?! I mean they need our vote on Nov. 4th as well…
.5% is dedicated to truly interesting people and they get one paragraph to introduce themselves. In the November issue Idris Elba got his half paragraph=30 seconds of shine in Essence… and the Journalist asked him some random dumb question about his accent?!
Kitty Bradshaw’s thoughts: Ok, you have an intelligent successful black man sitting in front of you and the best you could ask was about his accent?! I’ve read more interesting interviews in Black Tail Magazine smh…. Essence needs to hire me to do some interviewing… I will get the answers Black Women want to hear!
Black Women in Debt: *thinking* are all black women in debt?! Must we read about black women in debt every month?! I mean are black women the only race of women who go into debt?! Can we spotlight black women who have their finances in check for once?! What do they do in their spare time?! *sheesh* already!
Black women overweight: Ok, Black women with weight issues need to be addressed… but someone needs to do a better job of working it into the issue. It’s like an Elephant thrown into a china store… it makes you wanna ignore it. It doesn’t fit… I would post some idea’s but then again I am not getting paid for my contributions so I will keep them to myself for now. If the powers that be at Essence want to hit me up for consulting… I am at their service (for a small fee of course).
Book Section: To many pages are dedicated to buying books 8 for a penny…. then you get the best sellers list… then you get one paragraph dedicated to the Book of the Month Club…. wait, why is it that they always pick the most uninteresting book to read?! Lastly, is it too much to get an honest opinion on a book?! I mean I don’t necessarily like every book that I read… hell I can’t stand any book that Zane writes and can list reasons why. Why does Essence always got to give every author free positive press regardless if the book is good or bad. If that’s the case Essences should just do a “Pick’s of the Month” and keep it pushing.
Beyonce: Ok, she was the cover girl of the month… but I find that every issue has Beyonce in it in some form or fashion. ENOUGH ALREADY! Ok, she is pretty! She sells records! She is also the most uninteresting, successful person in history! She has nothing to say that is worth hearing. Essence… everyone is not a fan! It’s not hate… it’s called having the God-given right to like something other than Beyonce. Everyone’s taste are not the same… Essence latches on to one topic or person and they beat you over the damn head with it!!!! I think Beyonce should become the editor of Essence, lolll.
Speaking of which, what happened to the chick with Corn Rows?! She did a good job of running Essence. They need to bring her back ASAP!
Recipes: Umm… fire the chef! The same type foods/ same colors/ same damn thing just a different ingredient every month! I have some ideas here as well, but then again I am not getting paid for consulting! I am sending my rant into Essence and let’s see if they respond.
*sighs* Essence… I dislike what you have become… don’t get me wrong I don’t hate you like I hate BET but I am a concerned reader who is saying: It’s not to late to make a change!
Kind Regards,
Kitty Bradshaw
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I used to be a huge Essence fan, but I have to agree with you. Lately, I have been disappointed in the content. Ever since Susan L. Taylor left the Editor-At-Large position, it’s kind of gone down the toobs. I used to cop EVERY. SINLGE. ISSUE. Now I just walk right by it on the newsstands.
What happened to the great black women’s mags like Honey (which really was the all-time greatest in my opinion) and Vibe Vixen? They were hip and sexy and informative. If you can find a copy, they make a point to have cover girls that you don’t typically see on magazines, but… Still, pickings really are slim on relevant black women’s mags…
I know I was very disappointed with the Beyonce interview. You’re right Essence does the same shit all the time. What you get from Essence is that all Black women are in debt, overweight, and need sex tips. To Skinny I think Honey went under a few years ago. I read an article a while ago about them not being able to maintain. Vibe Vixen is gone too now. Soooo Sad. I think it’s up to us to create!
Hello there!
This is so true!
Essence used to have much more respect among educated black women. Now, it seems that their articles are geared towards women from the ghetto who have a 10th grade vocabulary. It is VERY disappointing.
Hi Kitty I just wanted to let you know that I really enjoy reading your blog. Keep it coming.
LOL! I enjoyed this article
Oh, I agree with you! Essence has been on the decline for a while now. But I think most magazines have. We’re so into the “digital age” now…who reads magazines?
ME! I do. Sheez.
I’d love to take over Essence and give it a total revamp.
God! I’m glad someone else noticed that Essence sucks now. Bring Susan Taylor back! It will have articles about being in debt, yet full of layouts with $1000.00 designer bags! A lot of white products and models are appearing too. Oh, and not only are we all in debt, fat and need sex-tips, but we all have AIDS too (according to the all knowing editor)are there no black companies making makeup and clothes anymore? What happened to Black Opal? and Beyonce’ is a pretty no talent “idiot”. Very bad writing going on . WTF Essence!!!
Essence has been owned by White conglomerate Time, Inc. since '05, so that probably explains its going down. It often takes a few years for a corporation to f__k a good company up; that's why you could be a longtime subscriber and then realize one day, "Ugh, this rag sucks!" See this link:http://www.blackamericatoday.com/article.cfm?Arti…
Let us not forget the crazy Jill Scott articles that make black wmen look undesirable and desperate. Every issue has some article about why black men love us and some terrible dating tips. The Reggie Bush cover for Feb. was the final straw for me. Than all these Black Girls Rule T-shirts are really embarassing. If I saw a white woman in a White Girls Rule T-shirt I would totally offended. Essence is truly trash now.