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Naomi Campbell: ABW or Brat?

None of us would be surprised to hear that model Naomi Campbell has issues. Clearly she believes in doing what she wants, when she wants to and to hell with the consequences. Assaulting an assistant, check. Throw your PDA at a maid, been there done that! Now, she has allegedly assaulted an airport employee over hearing that her bag had been misplaced. She flew into a fit of rage and struggled with three police officers. Naomi has been described as hotheaded and angry and been sentenced to deal with her anger issues. But is she really an angry black woman?

My answer: Of course not. Naomi is just a 37 year-old spoiled brat who just wants her way. Her fits of anger don't have anything to do with real life, who among us routinely goes around assaulting other people and expects a slap on the wrist? She does erupts when things don't go according to plan, not unlike a two-year-old.

Naomi is still gorgeous but she is stuck in those model glory days when she was among those catwalk divas who wouldn't get out of bed for less than ten grand a day. Now that models have been eclipsed by actresses and reality show personalities, Naomi has to resort to stunts to get attention. Too bad because these little fits aren't cute at all. I like her far better when she is strutting her regale poses on the runway or shaking her groove thing in a commercial. Otherwise, maybe she needs to live in a bubble so she doesn't do herself and others any harm.

">Naomi's Sobe Super Bowl Commercial

Reason #3: Being an Angry (Black) Woman Will Cost You

No matter how high we get up the corporate ladder women are still not looked upon favorable if we get angry at work. And it doesn't matter if it is warranted. Researchers at Yale and Northwestern are now saying that you will be viewed as less competent if you lose your temper. Turns out that a man can get angry and get rewarded for it but we can't. When we do get angry the finding show that we are valued less and may be paid at a significantly lower salary.

Now this study didn't single black woman out—in fact, the so-called 'angry black woman' syndrome wasn't even mentioned. But of course I need to make the correlation between this study and the label we have been saddled with sometimes unfairly. The one time it is deemed acceptable to lose your cool is if you can explain what has ticked you off. Just something to keep in mind the next time you are tempted to fly off the handle at work.
Why Women Need to Keep Their Cool

Yet Another Reason Not to Be an Angry Black Woman

Some researchers at Duke University have recently found that our hostile pesonality traits have a negative impact on our blood pressure and ultimately, our hearts. Black women have a greater propensity for high blood pressure than everyone else (including black men). Is it because we're angry? Well, these researchers are saying that when we are cynical and/or suspicious it leads to greater blood pressure fluctuations—which can result in the development of heart disease.

So what are you supposed to do when someone plucks your last nerve? Well, definitely don't follow the lead of either rapper Remy Ma or Toccara who have both taken things to the extreme. Remy Ma is currently on trial for shooting an acquaintance, Makeda Barnes-Joseph, in the abdomen last summer because she may have stolen $2,000 from her bag. Makeda testified that Remy was angry AND carrying a black and silver gun. That dangerous combination may cost the rapper 25 years of her life if she's convicted. Then there's Toccara's recent tirade on Celebrity Fit Club. We've all had that moment when we snap but my girl has reached the point of no return on camera (and it hasn't been edited out). Come on girl, is it that serious?
Somehow I doubt it.

Each of us has to come up with our own litmus test of what's losing our minds over because it could cost us in the long term. In the end, we've got to learn to let things go for the sakes of our bodies and souls.

Toccara Snaps on Celebrity Fit Club