Waiting to Regret – I Mean, Exhale!

Waiting to Regret – I Mean, Exhale!

Alright, my dear Dreamers, gather around. Let me tell you about a movie that I thought was going to change my life. A movie that I waited my entire existence to watch, despite the fact that it was released when I wasn’t even a concept in my parents’ minds. A movie that I illegally got my hands on (don’t judge me, the hype was real), and when I finally watched it... Oh. My. Goodness.

Regret. Pure, unfiltered regret.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I am talking about Waiting to Exhale—the so-called classic that was supposed to be the movie for Black women. The film that had the audacity to be born on this day, and I still have the nerve to be discussing it instead of pretending it never happened. But here we are.

First Things First—Let’s Talk Facts

For those of you who have better things to do than waste two hours of your life, let me give you a quick rundown: Waiting to Exhale is a 1995 film based on the novel by Terry McMillan, directed by Forest Whitaker (yes, that Forest Whitaker). It stars four stunning Black women—Whitney Houston (the queen herself), Angela Bassett (a powerhouse), Loretta Devine (forever playing the sweet, motherly role), and Lela Rochon (the gorgeous light-skinned one who had me asking, "Where have I seen her before?" Oh yeah, Girlfriends!).

The movie follows these four women as they navigate love, heartbreak, and friendship, all while dealing with the disaster that is their dating lives. Sounds promising, right? WRONG!

Now, Let’s Talk TRUTH

Listen, when I say I was ready to exhale my soul out of my body while watching this, I mean it. First of all, what was even the point of this movie? What was the message? What was I supposed to learn?

Because all I saw was this:

Black women being degraded left, right, and center.

Sex being treated like a casual handshake. Like, “Hi, I’m Sandra, nice to meet you.” Boom, they’re already in bed, and then they start introducing themselves. What in the Netflix & Chill nonsense is this?!

Men being absolute disasters, and the movie acting like it’s just part of life. Like, “Oh well, sis, men ain’t ish, but at least you got your girls.” No, I need solutions! Not sisterhood trauma bonding!

The interracial relationship drama. Why is it always the same storyline? Black man leaves Black woman for a white woman, and the Black woman loses her mind. I mean, sis was furious! I get that heartbreak is real, but must we always turn it into a racial war?

And don’t get me started on the agenda this movie pushed—because yes, there was an agenda.

The Biggest Problem – Normalizing Foolery

Y’all, I have never seen a movie so obsessed with making reckless decisions look normal. The way these women were just hopping into bed with men they barely knew? The way they acted like it was fine to have multiple partners without any emotional accountability? The way they made it seem like you could just sleep your way into love? Make it make sense!

And guess what? They never actually won in the end! No character arc, no growth, no redemption—just more heartbreak and tears. So what exactly was the lesson here? “Go out, make bad decisions, and suffer”? Because if that’s the case, I could’ve just watched reality TV.

The One Thing That Saved This Movie… THE MUSIC!

Now, if there is one reason not to completely erase this film from my memory, it’s the soundtrack. Oh, my goodness! Whitney Houston, Babyface, Brandy, Mary J. Blige—legends! If the entire movie was just Whitney Houston singing all the songs, I would’ve called it a masterpiece.

But nooo, she had to act, and let’s just say… her voice carried the movie more than her performance. Sorry, but facts are facts.

Final Verdict – Is It Worth Watching?

If you’re watching for the comedy of it all, yes. If you’re watching for life lessons, absolutely not. Waiting to Exhale was just two hours of watching beautiful Black women make terrible life choices while blaming men instead of choosing better men. No accountability, no growth, no resolution—just vibes and soundtracks.

And that, my Dreamers, is why I wish I could inhale back the time I wasted.

Until next time,

The girl behind The Dreamer’s Pause ⏸️

 For those seeking concrete references to back up my reflections on Waiting to Exhale, here are some reputable sources:

1. Roger Ebert's Review: The esteemed critic offered insights into the film's portrayal of Black women's desires and the challenges they face. 

2. Rotten Tomatoes Audience Reviews: Viewers have shared their thoughts on the film's themes and character dynamics. 

3. IMDb User Reviews: A collection of audience opinions highlighting both praise and criticism of the movie. 

4. Wikipedia – Soundtrack: An overview of the film's acclaimed soundtrack, featuring contributions from prominent artists. 

5. Spotify – Soundtrack: Stream the full soundtrack, showcasing the musical talents that accompanied the film. 

These sources provide additional perspectives and information on the film's narrative, reception, and musical achievements.

Congo at a Crossroads: Is Félix Tshisekedi a Good Leader?

Congo at a Crossroads: Is Félix Tshisekedi a Good Leader?

Lately, I’ve found myself caught between two perspectives. On one hand, my dad praises President Félix Tshisekedi, convinced that he is doing good things for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He watches independent Congolese journalists who report on the country’s affairs, most of whom speak French. On the other hand, I find myself struggling to see what my dad sees. Am I being overly critical? Is he blinded by the few things Tshisekedi has done right? Or is the truth somewhere in between?

The Reality in Congo Right Now

Congo is facing multiple crises. Just recently, I came across reports of:

A Mutant Mpox Outbreak – A new, highly contagious strain of the Clade 1a mpox virus is spreading, with severe symptoms and a high fatality rate.

A Mysterious Deadly Illness – Over 60 deaths have been reported due to an unidentified illness with Ebola-like symptoms, but the response has been slow due to a lack of funding.

Escalating Conflict in Eastern DRC – The M23 rebels, reportedly backed by Rwanda, have taken over major cities like Goma and Bukavu. A recent explosion in Bukavu killed 17 people, worsening an already volatile situation.

Environmental Damage – Chinese-operated gold mining in protected areas is destroying the Okapi Wildlife Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

This is not the picture of a stable country. So, what is President Félix Tshisekedi doing about it?

Tshisekedi’s Response: Progress or Failure?

From what I’ve gathered, Tshisekedi is:

Pushing for a new constitution that he claims will give more power to the people.

Continuing military operations with Uganda to fight the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).

Making diplomatic moves, but facing challenges in handling the ongoing conflict.

Some people, like my dad, see these as signs of progress. Others, including many independent journalists, argue that his leadership has been weak and reactive rather than strategic.

Why This Blog?

One thing I struggle with is accessing the perspectives of Congolese independent journalists because most of them speak French and deep Lingala. I know I’m not the only one. Many younger Congolese, especially those in the diaspora, might not be fluent in French but still want to stay informed.

So, I’m starting this blog to break down what’s happening in the DRC, in English, with an open mind. I don’t claim to have all the answers, but I want to explore both sides—what Tshisekedi is doing right and where he’s failing.

Is he truly leading Congo in the right direction? Or are people, like my dad, just seeing a few good moves and ignoring the bigger picture?

I’ll be diving deeper into this in future posts, so stay tuned. Let’s figure this out together. 🇨🇩✊🏿

Reference:

1. President Félix Tshisekedi Addressing the Nation:

Photographer/Source: Specific photographers for these images are not directly mentioned in the provided sources. However, reputable news outlets such as Reuters and The Guardian have covered President Tshisekedi's public appearances.

Source: Reuters

2. M23 Rebels in Eastern DRC:

Photographer/Source: Arlette Bashizi, a Congolese photographer, documented the events leading up to and following the M23 rebels' capture of Goma.

Source: The Guardian

Credit Line Suggestion: "Photo by Arlette Bashizi, as featured in The Guardian."

3. Humanitarian Crisis Imagery:

Photographer/Source: Hugh Kinsella Cunningham, a British photographer, has captured striking images of civilians displaced by conflict in the DRC.

Source: RFI

Credit Line Suggestion: "Photograph by Hugh Kinsella Cunningham, via RFI."