Social media, unfortunately, just makes it a lot easier to be jealous. It sets up false expectations of reality, so it's really easy to look at someone else's life online and assume that they have everything going great for them and that their life is perfect.
Franchesca Ramsey
It took me years to realize that 'normal' is actually super boring and that being myself was harder but infinitely more rewarding.
The main problem with cultural appropriation comes from dominant groups 'borrowing' from marginalized groups who face oppression or have been stigmatized for their cultural practices throughout history.
Self-care is really about taking care of you and focusing on feeling good about yourself - mind and body.
I think that if you stay positive and remain positive, you can definitely achieve the things you set out to.
Black women come with all sorts of personalities. So it's time for media to wise up and show us in all of our complexity.
People that are not happy in their offline life tend to turn to trolling to fill the void. Oftentimes, the people saying racist things do not even necessarily believe in what they are saying. They are just looking for attention they do not get in real life. When you keep that in mind, it is easier to avoid indulging those people all together.
I have been talking about social issues on YouTube for a long time now. I think it's very important in terms of being able to reach people around the world and people who have never been exposed to certain topics or are maybe misinformed about certain things.
Whether you have locs, natural hair, wear a relaxer, or rock wigs and weaves, thinning edges can be a frustrating issue.
I create videos for my YouTube channel Chescaleigh and for 'Decoded,' a series with MTV.
The Internet is a blessing and a curse. I mean, it's a place where lots of people can express themselves, which is amazing, but it's a place where a lot of people can express themselves that probably should keep those expressions to themselves.
I'm just really excited to expose people to different identities, different conversations but also to kind of reframe how they think about black women just by being myself.
When I get to meet my audience when I go speak at colleges or when I'm walking down the street, it's been really eye-opening how many people have been touched to see someone that looks like them on television.
You create content because you love it, not necessarily because you're looking for fame or know what it will potentially lead to.
For content creators, it's really important to be honest. Your audience will appreciate if you're stingy with the brands you work with.
I have really long legs, so I like cropped pants that make it look like I intentionally wanted my pants short instead of pants that happen to be too short for me.
I think that everyone on the Internet has to deal with people saying negative things. It can be tough!
You have to realize that people are always going to be confused or sometimes threatened by someone who has the confidence to do something different.
Just as you're allowed to be angry about injustice, it's natural to express feelings of sadness or fear, especially if you're exhausted by the prospect of trying to keep a brave face.
'Decoded' is definitely close to my heart.
There was a long stretch of time where I was making these videos, and everyone just thought I was a weirdo because I was making videos in my apartment instead of, like, going out, you know. And so I, like, it's hilarious now because everyone gets YouTube now. But, you know, in 2006, when I started making videos, like, no.
What's really great about social media is we have tremendous access, and there's a wealth of information about the people that we admire online.
I'm so inspired by people like Issa Rae who started on YouTube or Abbi and Ilana from 'Broad City' who also started on YouTube.
As much as we try to deny it, media plays a huge part in how we view the world.
There are some white people who are very unhappy that I am in an interracial relationship.
I'm somewhat wary of being called 'woke' because it feels absolute in a way that I don't think is realistic.
Beauty is really cool because it's something that can make you feel good about yourself.
Now I have a standard for how I make sure people do not speak to me in a way that I feel uncomfortable with. When I was younger, I didn't have that. I was like, 'Try not to make waves.' I wanted everybody to like me, and so I stifled a lot of the discomfort that I had.
I've had lots of people say, 'Oh, Franchesca's content is just for white people.' But I try to talk about identity in a way that's accessible to lots of people and is not a pointed finger.
I'm very fortunate to have a husband and friends and family that are super supportive of my career in all aspects. I do so many different things, it's really nice to have a support network that includes him and my parents and my friends that encourage me to continue to work towards whatever it is that I want to do.
Do not feed the trolls! Racist commenters usually troll the Internet looking for people of color to harass online. If you avoid responding, oftentimes they will get bored and move on.
I love my journal as much as I love my phone. I find it to be a big part of my self-care to reflect on my day and write words that inspire me or paste business cards and pictures.
It's important to take time away from the Internet as much as possible. For me, I love working out, and my husband and I do it together in the mornings! And it's really our time to check in with each other, but it's also our time to really not think about work or what's happening on the Internet.
I believe there's a huge conflict of interest when local prosecutors investigate cases of police violence within their own communities.
In reality, there are tons of unrepresented voices that we don't see in comedy.
For me, social media isn't just about connecting with friends and sharing photos; it's a bigger, more tangled web that's led me to jobs working in television, speaking gigs around the country, and it's even helped me land my first book deal!
The Internet is an actual dumpster fire.
We can't all wake up and know everything.
The Internet has been so good to me; I see its potential to help other people.
Growing up, I was constantly labeled an 'oreo' by my black peers because of my proper speech and 'valley girl accent.'
Over the years, I've found that dealing with white people faux pas can be tricky. If I get upset, I could quickly be labeled the 'angry black girl.' But if I don't say anything or react too passively, I risk giving friends and acquaintances permission to continue crossing the line.
I'm obsessed with cute gym clothes in bright bold prints, so as soon as Mara Hoffman expanded into activewear, I knew my wallet was in danger.
Sounds cliched, but I can't survive without my calendar.
My debut book is a collection of personal stories and advice about communication on the Internet. More specifically, the downfall of communication because of the Internet.
What I love most about SZA's music is her unflinching vulnerability.
If you're brave enough to search 'Franchesca Ramsey' on YouTube, you'll find a sea of ranting white dudes pinning the 'angry black woman' stereotype onto my smiling face.
Social media isn't as quaint as it was when I started my Livejournal back in high school.
The truth is that the performative nature of social media can turn even the simplest conversations into a WWE style cage match with emojis and Internet slang taking the place of pratfalls and over the top costumes.
I love Uniqlo for all the staples, but what I really love are the palazzo pants. They are just so flattering.
My undergrad degree was in graphic design, and I don't work in that anymore, but I obviously do a lot of design and editing and Photoshopping, and the Adobe Creative Cloud is essential!
