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URL: http://Forum.BlackHairMedia.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=369914 Printed Date: Dec 13 2019 at 11:02pm
Topic: Creator of For Brown Girls Commits Suicide at AgePosted By: liesnalibis
Subject: Creator of For Brown Girls Commits Suicide at Age
Date Posted: Apr 11 2014 at 5:57pm
I don't know who this is but are any of you familiar with her?
Creator of For Brown Girls Blog Reportedly Commits Suicide at Age 22
Karyn Washington’s work in the black blogosphere encouraged a generation of women to love their natural selves and live their best lives.
Karyn Washington, the 22-year-old founder of the http://www.forbrowngirls.com/" rel="nofollow - For Brown Girls website, which sought to empower chocolate-complexioned black women, died on April 8, reportedly committing suicide, according to http://madamenoire.com/419330/karyn-washington-founder-empowering-site-brown-girls-commits-suicide/" rel="nofollow - MadameNoire .
Her passing is a devastating loss for legions of black women who went online to seek refuge in any one of Washington's many initiatives, including the http://www.darkskinredlip.com/" rel="nofollow - #DarkSkinRedLip project , which knocked down beauty standards and encouraged black women to find and rock whatever shade of red lipstick that best suited them.
Early reports suggest that Washington suffered from depression as she coped with the loss of her mother.
Her supporters are expressing their condolences on Twitter and are beginning a conversation about the importance of addressing the issue of mental health in the black community.
https://twitter.com/WerkChicMag" rel="nofollow -
I have to share this sad news with my daughter who was so inspired by https://twitter.com/KayFBG" rel="nofollow - @ - KayFBG peace, prayer & blessings to the family of https://twitter.com/search?q=%23KarynWashington&src=hash" rel="nofollow - #KarynWashington
This shouldn't be just a shock & awe social media moment. Ask the "strongest" women in your life, are you OK? https://twitter.com/search?q=%23KarynWashington&src=hash" rel="nofollow - #KarynWashington
https://twitter.com/CocoaFly" rel="nofollow -
Let's use https://twitter.com/search?q=%23KarynWashington&src=hash" rel="nofollow - #KarynWashington passing as a chance to stop mental health stigma in the black community. Getting help doesn't make you weak.
RIP https://twitter.com/KayFBG" rel="nofollow - @ - KayFBG , Founder of https://twitter.com/ForBrownGirls" rel="nofollow - @ - ForBrownGirls . May your life be a legacy and your works be our guide. https://twitter.com/search?q=%23KarynWashington&src=hash" rel="nofollow - #KarynWashington
Washington's friend LiaLia http://aliyahmonea.wordpress.com/2014/04/09/words-to-my-sister-my-beloved-brown-girl-extraordinaire-karyn-washington/" rel="nofollow - described what she will miss most about the young social entrepreneur:
When I look at you I see a reflection of myself and most certainly that is why this hurts so badly. From now on I’ll forever remember your big beautiful smile, your charm, ambition, professionalism, entrepreneurship, confidence, humility, your drive, and your beautiful Brown Skin. That is what I’ll choose to remember...
Read more at http://madamenoire.com/419330/karyn-washington-founder-empowering-site-brown-girls-commits-suicide/" rel="nofollow - Madame Noire.
Replies: Posted By: herwoman
Date Posted: Apr 11 2014 at 6:04pm
Lawd have mercy
Posted By: ModelessDiva
Date Posted: Apr 11 2014 at 6:06pm
aw man
having your mother pass that young can be tough
cute girl...im gonna do some research on her...
Posted By: liesnalibis
Date Posted: Apr 11 2014 at 6:09pm
herwoman wrote:
Lawd have mercy
Did you know of her? I think I'm familiar with the #darkskinredlips campaign.
Posted By: mzsophisticated
Date Posted: Apr 11 2014 at 6:15pm
oh goodness so sad
Posted By: herwoman
Date Posted: Apr 11 2014 at 6:17pm
liesnalibis wrote:
herwoman wrote:
Lawd have mercy
Did you know of her? I think I'm familiar with the #darkskinredlips campaign.
I actually went to her FB page to see if she had made a post about Domin because I was looking to share on my page. She seems so strong that I wonder if it's suicide not saying that strong women don't commit suicide but if you look her up you will get what I'm saying.
Posted By: JoliePoufiasse
Date Posted: Apr 11 2014 at 6:18pm
Didn't know her but this is very sad. So many people in distress, nowadays. Y'all be kind to each other.
Posted By: Miss B
Date Posted: Apr 11 2014 at 6:26pm
Another blog writer that had personal contact with her had some insight about Karyn's journey that was a little eerie but also beautiful in that it gave a true inside look at grief and depression. Conversations like this are so essential because so many people suffer alone in order to look strong.
Posted By: kfoxx1998
Date Posted: Apr 11 2014 at 7:00pm
Damn
Posted By: ThoughtCouture
Date Posted: Apr 11 2014 at 7:04pm
Posted By: femmefatale85
Date Posted: Apr 11 2014 at 7:22pm
terrible rip
didn't know much about her but hopefully someone will continue what she was doing
Posted By: maysay1
Date Posted: Apr 11 2014 at 7:28pm
This needs to be give a brown girl a hug week. My heart can't take too much of this.
Poor thing. Hopefully she is at peace now.
Posted By: Nisha
Date Posted: Apr 11 2014 at 7:38pm
rip
this has been a tough week
Posted By: sbrownie84
Date Posted: Apr 11 2014 at 8:14pm
Horrible. My condolences.
Posted By: GoodGirlGoneGr8
Date Posted: Apr 11 2014 at 8:21pm
My heart hurts...this is really sad.
Posted By: 510QUEEN
Date Posted: Apr 11 2014 at 8:28pm
This is just saddening I know sometimes things look hopeless but there are so many things to live for. This has to be hard for her family
Posted By: GoodGirlGoneGr8
Date Posted: Apr 11 2014 at 8:29pm
Forgive my ignorance in advance...
There was a thread a while back where we discussed depression. I remember a few posters stating that it was permanent and that it always comes back...
When depression is onset by a traumatic event such as the loss of a loved one, can it be temporary? If so, how does one differentiate depression from bouts of sadness?
Posted By: Lady ICE
Date Posted: Apr 11 2014 at 8:51pm
This shouldn't be just a shock & awe social media moment. Ask the "strongest" women in your life, are you OK? https://twitter.com/search?q=%23KarynWashington&src=hash" rel="nofollow - #KarynWashington
no one ever does this. smh.as far as i know.
Posted By: Katrenia
Date Posted: Apr 11 2014 at 9:03pm
The death of your mother can be devastating, too bad she couldn't continue living in her mother's memory.
Posted By: Benni
Date Posted: Apr 11 2014 at 9:06pm
Way too sad. They must have been extremely close.
They are together now
Posted By: rell85
Date Posted: Apr 11 2014 at 9:10pm
Sad
Posted By: SoutherNtellect
Date Posted: Apr 11 2014 at 9:21pm
Rough week Rip
Posted By: Im_oh_so_hott
Date Posted: Apr 11 2014 at 9:40pm
Wow, RIP.
Posted By: DiorShowGirl
Date Posted: Apr 12 2014 at 12:29am
2 beautiful black young females passing away ....so sad...so sad...
Posted By: ThatGurlD
Date Posted: Apr 12 2014 at 1:14am
GoodGirlGoneGr8 wrote:
Forgive my ignorance in advance...
There was a thread a while back where we discussed depression. I remember a few posters stating that it was permanent and that it always comes back...
When depression is onset by a traumatic event such as the loss of a loved one, can it be temporary? If so, how does one differentiate depression from bouts of sadness?
Maybe in can for some. For me, the intensity just eased. The first two years were utter hell. As a suicide survivor I can say suicide is a tricky death because people don't know what to say or do. You think obviously they wanted to die. You blame yourself. You wonder terrible things like if God will forgive them. The worst part for me is the constant fear of losing someone else I love. My mother has heart failure and has some really bad days where I feel that weight on my chest pressing the air out. I have a wild little brother who gets caught up sometimes but I love him so much and can't bear the thought of losing him.
So to answer the question, I think the depression can ease but the sadness doesn't or at least hasn't for me. It's been 10 years since my sister shot herself in the head. I still get very, very sad.
Posted By: femmefatale85
Date Posted: Apr 12 2014 at 1:17am
Lady ICE wrote:
This shouldn't be just a shock & awe social media moment. Ask the "strongest" women in your life, are you OK? https://twitter.com/search?q=%23KarynWashington&src=hash" rel="nofollow - #KarynWashington
no one ever does this. smh.as far as i know.
this just reminded me i need to call my grandma :(
Posted By: briany
Date Posted: Apr 12 2014 at 5:54am
RIP
Posted By: tatee
Date Posted: Apr 14 2014 at 4:27pm
- http://shine.forharriet.com/2014/04/karyn-washingtons-close-friend-speaks.html" rel="nofollow - Karyn Washington's Close Friend Addresses Misinformation on Her Death
Last week the death of beauty and lifestyle blogger Karyn Washington, of apparent suicide, http://www.forharriet.com/2014/04/all-is-not-well-with-our-girls-when.html" rel="nofollow - sent the blogosphere into shock . The creator of http://www.forbrowngirls.com/" rel="nofollow - For Brown Girls
touched the lives of many women with her message of self-love and
empowerment, but Karyn's close friend, Yumnah Najah, wants to offer some
clarity on her life and legacy.
In this video blog, Yumnah says assumptions that Karyn's suicide was the
result of insecurity about her appearance are false. According to
Yumnah, Karyn had been having a difficult time dealing with the recent
death of her mother.
Yumnah offers a moving tribute to the loss of her friend. Watch below.
Posted By: liesnalibis
Date Posted: Apr 14 2014 at 4:47pm
^^^Her skin is suspiciously gray...
Posted By: GoodGirlGoneGr8
Date Posted: Apr 14 2014 at 5:33pm
ThatGurlD wrote:
GoodGirlGoneGr8 wrote:
Forgive my ignorance in advance...
There was a thread a while back where we discussed depression. I remember a few posters stating that it was permanent and that it always comes back...
When depression is onset by a traumatic event such as the loss of a loved one, can it be temporary? If so, how does one differentiate depression from bouts of sadness?
Maybe in can for some. For me, the intensity just eased. The first two years were utter hell. As a suicide survivor I can say suicide is a tricky death because people don't know what to say or do. You think obviously they wanted to die. You blame yourself. You wonder terrible things like if God will forgive them. The worst part for me is the constant fear of losing someone else I love. My mother has heart failure and has some really bad days where I feel that weight on my chest pressing the air out. I have a wild little brother who gets caught up sometimes but I love him so much and can't bear the thought of losing him.
So to answer the question, I think the depression can ease but the sadness doesn't or at least hasn't for me. It's been 10 years since my sister shot herself in the head. I still get very, very sad.
I'm really sorry to hear about your sister.
Thank you so much for clarifying this...
Posted By: GoodGirlGoneGr8
Date Posted: Apr 14 2014 at 5:35pm
ThatGurlD wrote:
GoodGirlGoneGr8 wrote:
Forgive my ignorance in advance...
There was a thread a while back where we discussed depression. I remember a few posters stating that it was permanent and that it always comes back...
When depression is onset by a traumatic event such as the loss of a loved one, can it be temporary? If so, how does one differentiate depression from bouts of sadness?
Maybe in can for some. For me, the intensity just eased. The first two years were utter hell. As a suicide survivor I can say suicide is a tricky death because people don't know what to say or do. You think obviously they wanted to die. You blame yourself. You wonder terrible things like if God will forgive them. The worst part for me is the constant fear of losing someone else I love. My mother has heart failure and has some really bad days where I feel that weight on my chest pressing the air out. I have a wild little brother who gets caught up sometimes but I love him so much and can't bear the thought of losing him.
So to answer the question, I think the depression can ease but the sadness doesn't or at least hasn't for me. It's been 10 years since my sister shot herself in the head. I still get very, very sad.
I'm really sorry to hear about your sister.
Thank you so much for clarifying this...
Posted By: Az~Maverick
Date Posted: Apr 14 2014 at 5:43pm
This is why the term "Strong Black Women" needs to be eliminated. It minimizes our pain & other emotional trials and dehumanizes us.
Because at the end of the day, we're all just human. A lot of us may put on a poker face and pretend we're ok, but the reality is.....we all need a shoulder to cry on or some kind of outlet for what we feel and experience.
I know, because I'm one of those people who's looked at as "Strong", when the truth is some days it's a struggle just to get up in the morning and can't wait til the day ends.
Posted By: eanaj5
Date Posted: Apr 14 2014 at 5:50pm
GoodGirlGoneGr8 wrote:
Forgive my ignorance in advance...
There was a thread a while back where we discussed depression. I remember a few posters stating that it was permanent and that it always comes back...
When depression is onset by a traumatic event such as the loss of a loved one, can it be temporary? If so, how does one differentiate depression from bouts of sadness?
I beleive the experience is different for different people
I had a bout of depression 2 summers ago. I was not suicidal, however I was in a constant state of sadness and despair. I felt like I was in a hole I'd never get out of. I went to therapy and recovered completely, no medication needed. I had depression in conjunction with anxiety. I still have issues related to anxiety every once in a blue blue moon but Im not on medication for that either.
Severity plays an important role as well
Posted By: Ds2nice
Date Posted: Apr 14 2014 at 6:15pm
Wow! That is extremely sad. So young....
Posted By: newdiva1
Date Posted: Apr 14 2014 at 6:17pm
Damn. I had heard of the darkskinredlip project but never really looked into it. A damn shame. She seemed to be an inspiration. Rip
Posted By: newdiva1
Date Posted: Apr 14 2014 at 6:20pm
IA Az. I hate that term. It's meaning has been totally twisted over the years.
Posted By: coconess
Date Posted: Apr 14 2014 at 6:34pm
how did she do it?
Posted By: Alias_Avi
Date Posted: Apr 14 2014 at 7:15pm
Yas
Az~Maverick wrote:
This is why the term "Strong Black Women" needs to be eliminated. It minimizes our pain & other emotional trials and dehumanizes us.
Because at the end of the day, we're all just human. A lot of us may put on a poker face and pretend we're ok, but the reality is.....we all need a shoulder to cry on or some kind of outlet for what we feel and experience.
I know, because I'm one of those people who's looked at as "Strong", when the truth is some days it's a struggle just to get up in the morning and can't wait til the day ends.
Posted By: BBpants
Date Posted: Apr 14 2014 at 7:54pm
R.i.p
Posted By: StylingArabella
Date Posted: Apr 14 2014 at 8:22pm
So sad. Some people have a way of putting on such and air of confidence that others can't tell when they are suffering . I hope those whose lives she touched can rest in the fact she did a lot of good while she was here.
Posted By: liesnalibis
Date Posted: Apr 14 2014 at 8:40pm
This article reminds me of my cousin who thinks mental illness straight up isn't real.
Motivational Blogger Karyn Washington Dead at 22 From Apparent Suicide
Karyn Washington wanted to make other women of color feel pretty. She founded the blog http://www.forbrowngirls.com/" rel="nofollow - For Brown Girls when she was just 19 to inspire women with darker skin tones to love their looks, and share stories of what she called "colorism" — discrimination based not just on race, but the degree of darkness of one’s skin. It quickly grew into a http://www.forbrowngirls.com/get-involved" rel="nofollow - social movement for groups of like-minded — and similarly complexioned — women to get together and talk about the things that make them feel marginalized, and then do something about it. Her http://www.darkskinredlip.com/" rel="nofollow - Dark Skin, Red Lip project, which encouraged black women to rock whatever shade of http://www.elle.com/beauty/makeup-skin-care/best-red-lipstick" rel="nofollow - red lipstick made them feel gorgeous, became a social phenomenon of empowerment through beauty.
Washington http://www.theroot.com/articles/culture/2014/04/creator_of_for_brown_girls_blog_karyn_washington_reportedly_commits_suicide.html?wpisrc=burger" rel="nofollow - died April 8 of an apparent suicide . She was just 22.
http://madamenoire.com/419330/karyn-washington-founder-empowering-site-brown-girls-commits-suicide/" rel="nofollow - According to friends , Washington was suffering from depression and mental illness brought on by the death of her mother in 2013. https://twitter.com/search?q=%23KarynWashington&src=typd" rel="nofollow - Her fans and followers are devastated by the loss of someone who inspired them so much. And many in the African-American community are taking this tragedy as an opportunity to talk about the stigma of mental illness, and the silence that conceals it.
"When your community tells you that you’re better off praying than seeking the advice of medical professionals and medication, you feel shame when you feel your mind is breaking," http://www.beyondblackwhite.com/founder-black-girls-advocate-us-karyn-washington-committed-suicide-suck/" rel="nofollow - writes blogger Christelyn Karazin . "There is no safe place. To admit to any mental frailty is to invite scorn and mockery, accusations of acting white.
"Because only white people suffer from depression. Only white people commit suicide.
"Black women are strong.
"Black women are not human.
"And this is a LIE."
Washington was also a passionate advocate for urban agriculture and speaking out about the racial bias in the organic food movement. "If we’re talking about sustainable agriculture, and I look in the audience and don’t see people that look like me or people of color, then I have to step back — and a lot of people are starting to step back — and say, 'Wait a minute, there’s a group of people missing.' So now is the time to really stir up the interest that black people should have in urban agriculture and the impact that we have as consumers," she said in a http://www.indypendent.org/2010/04/01/growing-diverse-food-movement-interview-karen-washington#sthash.cthwCsav.dpuf" rel="nofollow - 2010 interview with the Indypendent .
It seemed no matter who she spoke to — even if she was the one reaching out for help — Washington was able to inspire something in them.
"I wanna pout for a few minutes. I wanna bubble-snot cry. I wish someone had told Karyn Washington that she didn’t have to be strong. She didn’t have to hold the world’s glaring eyes on her shoulders. That asking for help was ok. No matter how you ask for it, it’s ok," writes blogger Ty Alexander in http://gorgeousingrey.com/founder-of-for-brown-girls-karyn-washington-commits-suicide/" rel="nofollow - an emotional post that recalls email exchanges she had with Washington before, during, and after her mother’s death, an experience Alexander had in common. "People say all the time, You’re so strong! That’s so far from the truth. I AM WEAK!!! I think that’s what has gotten me through. I don’t judge myself for bursting into tears in the middle of a meeting. I don’t judge myself for eating the entire pint of butter pecan ice cream (although I just signed up for Crunch)! And I cannot judge myself for not being able to save Karyn."
Washington’s legacy will remain her inspiring work and her words of hope for others that will continue to live on online. Messages such as this one, which http://janethangproductions.com/karyn-washington-interview/#ixzz2yc9uHoLK" rel="nofollow - she shared last year while watching her mother deteriorate from cancer:
"I am empowered by other strong women and girls. Even by those who don’t necessarily know they are inspiring. Women who are doing what they can to uplift others around them and make a difference in their community motivate me to do the same. I think it is so important for women no matter what complexion, race, or religious background to be united in making sure our voices are heard — that we are being leaders and positive role models to the younger generation."
Posted By: yaya24
Date Posted: Apr 14 2014 at 9:01pm
super sad
Posted By: nemesis1
Date Posted: Apr 14 2014 at 10:41pm
coconess wrote:
how did she do it?
I'm wondering too, but didn't see it on any of the articles I've read.
Maybe they don't want to disclose how.
Posted By: nemesis1
Date Posted: Apr 14 2014 at 10:59pm
Does anyone know if she was an only child? I'm just wondering if she had siblings. Maybe she wouldn't have felt so alone if she had siblings, you know, people who were also going through the same thing (the loss of their mother). Then again, you can be surrounded by 100 people and still alone, so I don't know how much difference that would've made.
Posted By: noneyons
Date Posted: Apr 14 2014 at 11:06pm
man, i don't know of her but i wish she had sent a call for help. let folks know what she was going through. damn. fck the strong sh*t. desperate times call for desperate measures.
Posted By: GoodGirlGoneGr8
Date Posted: Apr 15 2014 at 7:46am
She reached out to another blogger right before and shortly after her mothers passing...