Letters To The Editor - Letter to the Editor

Ebony, March, 1999

FULL-FIGURED REVOLUTION

I enjoyed your article, "The Full-Figured Revolution: If You Got It, Flaunt It" (Jan. 1999). I am 20 years old and I've been big throughout my life. Although being big wasn't always praised, I was always very confident in myself. At 5-foot-7, 243 pounds, I am quite content with how I look. I don't dressdown in baggy clothes; I enjoy showing myself. I'm glad that you made this a cover story. Now maybe this will show people that big can be beautiful. As for full-figured models, I adore them for their strength and confidence.

DANIELLE GARRICK Brooklyn, N.Y.

Thank you for your "Beauty and Style" feature, "The Full-Figured Revolution." As a part-time, plus-sized, 40ish Black model who grew up in Baltimore, my talent as a performer and my modeling skills were often overlooked because my "size wasn't compatible with my height," as many potential agents would tell me: My waist has always been 15 to 20 inches smaller than my hips, and I've been full-figured since around age 16. It feels good to see my idols Star Jones and Yvette Freeman get the accolades they deserve. To see Star Jones on your cover looking like the elegant queen she is made me not only buy this issue, but I took out a year's subscription.

JOANNE MATTHEWS-SAUNDERS St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.

ANNUAL CAREER GUIDE

I would hope that the January 1999 issue is required reading by all young African-American men and women. The focus was something long overdue. The special section, "Annual Career Guide," could have been the whole issue--nothing else was needed. It was well worth noticing that to be successful in life you don't have to be either an athlete or rap star, both of which receive too much press and attention. Education, dependability, planning and appearance are where the priorities should be. I noticed that all of the subjects have a good education, have worked within the system, and are neat in appearance. I did not see any tattoos, earrings, nose rings or dread-locks. Their careers can go on for many years, well beyond the few moments that are typical of the entertainment and athletic fields. You should be very pleased with the results of such a fine series of articles. Please give us more. Thank you.

HENRY L. MCPEAK Scottsdale, Ariz.

I was happy to see social work highlighted in EBONY's "Annual Career Guide." However, I want to address some confusion regarding education requirements. A social worker must have a college degree in social work--not psychology, sociology or a related field. Social work is a profession with its own body of knowledge, ethics and standards. Confusion sometimes results because many people use the term "social worker" incorrectly to refer to any employee in a social services agency or other "helping" capacity. If the individual does not have a social work degree, he or she should be called a caseworker, social services worker, child welfare worker or other appropriate generic term.

Professional social workers practice in a wide variety of settings, including mental health centers, family service agencies, child welfare, private practice, schools, courts, hospitals, nursing homes and employee assistance programs. Social workers are the nation's largest group of mental health services providers. Also, five social workers serve in the U.S. Congress.

For anyone wanting to become a social worker, the first step is to obtain a bachelor's or master's degree in social work from a college program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Thank you for informing readers of this exciting and rewarding career

JON HIRATSUKA Public Information Associate National Association of Social Workers Washington, D.C.

WHITNEY HOUSTON

I would like to say thanks for a wonderful article, "Whitney At 35! Superstar Sounds Off On Bobby And Their Vow `To Fight Hard And Love Hard Forever'" (Dec. 1998). It was a great story. She is such a great lady, mother, wife and singer. She is so down-to-earth. I am proud of her and how she takes her marriage seriously. Whitney will go a long way in her career because she has the Lord on her side. And she has determination to make things work for her and for Bobby. I know things have been a little difficult for her, but she is a fighter and a wonderful person. She deserves the very best. Thank you for a beautiful story.

RUTH ANITA ALLEN Sunrise, Fla.

In an age where it seems that love goes as quickly as it comes, I say "continue to fight hard for your love," Whitney Houston. The words "I love you" are often spoken without hesitation when people are riding high on the wings of love. There is no thought given to the worst of times that can befall love. Few people know what it means to really love. Infatuation is a short-lived passion, but love stays for all times. Love is for better or for worse; it forgives the unforgivable. Love is for richer or for poorer, when I can't show you the money. Love is in sickness and in health, when a blood transfusion results in AIDS. Love is 'til death do us part. Love is as strong as death. It endures for all times. That, my friend, is love.