Monique Black

Are you offended when someones says "that's a Black girl's name"?

I often get told that my favorite name Amara (Greek; eternal.) sounds like a "Black girls name". They always tell me that as if it will hinder me from using it. I honestly don't see why they think saying that would bother me. My middle name is Monique and I was always told the same thing about it. I never really cared, I just don't see the issue. Thoughts?

As the other girl said, there is no such thing as a black name. There are "ghetto" names, but Amara is not one them. It also means Grace in Igbo (a Nigerian language). It's a very beautiful name. The people who are telling you it sounds like a black girls name are ignorant. It's actually one of the names I'm considering if I turn out to be having a girl. I've heard plenty of names that would hinder people in life, but Amara is just fine!

Monique $5.99 Cheovan Monique - Art Print

Monique Diaper Bag in Black $80 With a buckle front and stylish square quilting, the Monique Diaper Bag doubles as a trendy tote. Magnetic clip keeps top flap closed.. Roomy interior with pockets.. Adjustable shoulder strap.. Two outside pockets.. Matching insulated bottle bag.. Coordinating zippered pouch.. Large fold-out padded changing pad.. Optional brown or black diaper bag stroller straps with easy-snap buckles instantly turn any bag into a stroller tote, helping to keep your hands free..

Monique Black Glass Top Buffet $999 This brilliantly modern Monique buffet cabinet by Chintaly Import features a warm merlot stained finish with black glass top and silver accents. Its durable construction will ensure it lasts for many years. Chic and contemporary best describes its style, which can fit well into any dcor.; Features: Monique Collection; Merlot Finish; Black Glass Top; Four Glass Doors; Dimensions: 63"W x 18"D x 35"H

Monique Diaper Bag in Cream $90 With a buckle front and stylish square quilting, the Monique Diaper Bag doubles as a trendy tote. Magnetic clip keeps top flap closed.. Roomy interior with pockets.. Adjustable shoulder strap.. Two outside pockets.. Matching insulated bottle bag.. Coordinating zippered pouch.. Large fold-out padded changing pad.. Optional brown or black diaper bag stroller straps with easy-snap buckles instantly turn any bag into a stroller tote, helping to keep your hands free..

Monique Diaper Bag in Silver $80 With a buckle front and stylish square quilting, the Monique Diaper Bag doubles as a trendy tote. Magnetic clip keeps top flap closed.. Roomy interior with pockets.. Adjustable shoulder strap.. Two outside pockets.. Matching insulated bottle bag.. Coordinating zippered pouch.. Large fold-out padded changing pad.. Optional brown or black diaper bag stroller straps with easy-snap buckles instantly turn any bag into a stroller tote, helping to keep your hands free..

Monique 5 Piece Pub Set $1519 Features: Set Includes Table and Four Counter Stools; Monique Collection; Black Glass Counter Table Top; Counter Table Base in Merlot Finish; Curved Back Counter Stool Fully Upholstered; Silver Finish on Stool Frames; Suede upholstery adds a touch of luxury; Arched back for extra comfort; Black Suede Microfiber Seat and Back; Dimensions: Table: 42"W x 42"D x 36"H; Stool: 16"W x 18"D x 39"H

Laura Ashley Home MX2015 Monique 3 Light Mini Chandelier in Coffee Black $257.4 Traditional Mini Chandelier in Coffee Black from the Monique Collection by Laura Ashley Home. Dimensions: 20.25 H 13.00 W

Monique Black Glass Top TV Cabinet $1129 This Chintaly 60" Monique glass TV cabinet is a combination of modern and elegant. It has a black glass top shelf that can accommodate up to a 60" TV. It has drawers and cabinets that provide sufficient storage space for remote controls, DVDs, CDs, and other gadgets. At the center are deep glass-covered shelves that can accommodate components and other players.; Features: Merlot Finish; Black Glass Top; Drawer & Cabinet Space; Wire Management Holes; Contemporary Design; Minor Assembly Required; Dimensions: 60"W x 20"D x 26"H

L*Space - Monique Hipster Bottom (Black) - Apparel $62 Zappos.com is proud to offer the L*Space - Monique Hipster Bottom (Black) - Apparel: Showcase your fab figure in this sultry L*Space bottom. ; Solid bikini bottoms. ; Sits low on the waist to accentuate the torso. ; Pair with your favorite top for a breathtaking look. ; Ruched bands at the sides add visual appeal. ; 80% nylon, 20% spandex. ; Hand wash with cold water, dry flat. ; Made in the U.S.A. ; If you're not fully satisfied with your purchase, you are welcome to return any unworn and unwashed items with tags intact and original packaging included.

Rachel Kids - Monique Boot (Youth) (Black Crinkle Patent) - Footwear $38.99 Zappos.com is proud to offer the Rachel Kids - Monique Boot (Youth) (Black Crinkle Patent) - Footwear: She'll be walking the winter wonderland in style with the Monique Boot! ; Synthetic upper with eyelet design. ; Side zipper for easy on and off. ; Cushioned insole for comfort. ; Rubber treaded outsole for great traction. ; Heel Height: 1 1 4 in ; Shaft: 11 in ; Circumference: 12 in ; Weight: 12 oz ; Product measurements were taken using size 4 Youth. Please note that measurements may vary by size.

Account limit of 2104 requests per hour exceeded.

Festa Monique - Black Power exclusivo

Comic Mo'Nique takes dramatic turn in "Precious"

Given the buzz that now surrounds her performance in Precious, Mo'Nique made the right decision. But her enthusiasm for the role of Mary Jones, the abusive mother of an overweight New York teenager, was tempered by the need to draw on traumatic events from her private life.

"Lee Daniels said to me, 'Bitch, how do you make me hate you and feel sorry for you at the same time?' " she remembers. The answer lay in her own experiences growing up in Baltimore County, Md.

"I was molested," she says, referring to a family member. "I won't say I'm a victim, because to me that means I'm carrying it with me. But it happened in my life, and I don't wish that on anybody. It started when I was about 7 years old and went on for a few years."

Mo'Nique draws on a reservoir of emotion that might surprise those who know her best as the flamboyant comedienne who has starred on TV series like "The Parkers."

But when she came to shoot, she didn't dwell on it. "When it's done, it's done," she says. "We never looked at dailies, we never went back over it. Everybody asked, 'How do you know what to do?' Well, I trust Lee Daniels and he trusts his actors. Some people, you'd be like, 'Wait a minute, sugar!' Not one time did I ever say, 'Wait a minute, Lee, I don't see this character like that.'"

She adds of characters like Mary, "You see them as monsters. You want to judge them and walk away saying, 'I hated that person.' But I don't hate Mary Jones. I'm sad for Mary Jones. Mary Jones is mentally ill, has spent her life being sick, but nobody ever paid attention -- including Mary Jones."

In her own life, Mo'Nique has found love with her husband of three years, Sidney Hicks, whom she has known since adolescence. Twice divorced before that, she is also the mother of young twins.

She still finds time for a career in comedy, having delivered her first public performance during an open mike night at Baltimore's Comedy Factory in 1991. She was able to leave work -- including a job as supervisor at a phone-sex company -- and pursue her craft full time.

Appearances on "Showtime at the Apollo" and HBO's "Def Comedy Jam" followed. Mo'Nique also opened an eponymous comedy club in Baltimore and played the Montreal Comedy Festival.

Then came a five-year, award-winning run on UPN's "The Parkers" and appearances in such movies as "Phat Girlz" and "Soul Plane."

Did she worry about alienating her comedy audience when she did "Precious"? "No," she says. "I trust that they recognize this is entertainment, this is acting. They won't say, 'Oh, we can't imagine Mo'Nique doing anything that doesn't make me laugh.' "

Daniels had previously cast Mo'Nique in his debut movie, "Shadowboxer," as the drug-addicted girlfriend of Joseph Gordon-Levitt's character, so he was confident of her acting abilities.

Now she intends to continue pursuing dramatic roles. "They keep telling me I'm an actress; I keep telling them I'm a stand-up comedian; they keep giving me these parts. I'm like, 'For real? OK!'"

One project has particular personal resonance. "I own the rights to (Oscar-winning "Gone with the Wind" co-star) Hattie McDaniel's life story, and I can't wait to tell that story, because that woman was absolutely amazing. She had to stand up to the adversity of black and white (society) at a time when we really weren't accepted. Mr. Lee Daniels is going to direct it, of course, and I'm going to be Miss Hattie McDaniel. I really hope I can do that woman justice."

Comedy remains Mo'Nique's professional priority, and she recently started a late-night talk show for BET.

"I love to get on that stage, honey, and make you laugh until you pee on yourself," she exclaims. "That's my baby. I will never stop stand-up. I will be 97 years old, with two teeth and maybe a bit of hair, and I will be on that stage hoping they're having as much (fun) as I'm having."

Watch Precious Streaming Online Free!

About the Author

I'm Jamila. I am a movie buff so I have created Watch New Movies Online Free for those of you who are like me. We love the movies but don't quite have the time to get out to see them.