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Sometimes, instead of rehashing certain topics, I find others who have covered it so well that I can't say it any better. There are also topics that are new to me, or beyond my scope of reference that I find myself interested in. Since these stories and topics stood out to me this week, I'm sharing them with you. Be sure to visit these sites and give a read.

Dark Girls. The preview of this documentary popped up all over the internet yesterday. I'm anxious to see it, as I could relate to a lot of what the women were saying about their experiences, especially as children. Hopefully this will not cause a further rift in the black community, but instead help to foster dialog about colorism. Check the video and conversation on O Hell Nawl. I didn't join in this time because I got too emotional every time I started to comment. I'll try to give my thoughts once I see it.

"Easy Bake Feminism" on The Feminist Griote really struck me. She speaks of Beyoncé (and other female entertainers) who claim their sexuality as feminism and "girl power," but are still stuck playing by the boys' rules. I've never self-identified as a feminist, but it has always been peculiar to me that what many seem to consider "empowered" looks much like the chauvinistic behavior of men in the past. She was able to articulate that thought a lot clearer than I ever could, so give it a read and some thought.

Recently Cornell West has been in the spotlight for his criticisms of President Obama. Although he made very valid points, many have stated that how he said it overshadowed what he said. Instead of looking at the jilted lover tone, coop10 on Jack & Jill Politics has a fresh take on "The Linguistic Problem with Cornell West's Attack on The President."

Over on The Atlanta Post, they discuss Peter Thiel. The co-founder of PayPal had the same epiphany I did (although mine was several years too late): automatically going from high school to college isn't always a great idea. He is so convinced of this that he is offering a fellowship which requires delaying higher education--or putting it off altogether. Where was he eight years ago?

Just in time for swimsuit season, The Curvy Fashionista posted about over-confidence and "big girl shame." Big girl shame is something I was all too familiar with at one point (and still struggle with from time to time). Marie Denee discusses two articles that take aim at the plus-sized women with body confidence. Excellent post.

Goddess Intellect discusses acceptance of the female body in "Naked Female Bodies and Booty Shaking." She also discusses & disagrees with the criticism of Beyoncé's video for scantily clad women and "too much booty shaking." On what side of the argument do you fall?