Aja Barber

Aja Barber

Bio

Aja Barber is a TV producer who really loves fashion, writing, social justice, art, ballet, and reading. Sometimes she shops for people. She is still figuring out how to pack that all into the perfect job. If anyone has any suggestions, please contact her and she will treat you to a fancy coffee. 

Aja Barber Articles

When I blocked the conversation on Facebook, that person continued to send me text messages.

The Entitled Things White People Do When I Unfriend Them Over Racism

Recently I went through another round of unfriending on Facebook. It keeps things tidy, the arguments thoughtful and my head from exploding. This time around I just got rid of any white person that felt passionate about "certain political topics," but wasn't showing up for people of color, as we watch the meteoric rise of fascism in America and police violence. I’m not obligated to educate anyone for free, especially if they don’t appear to be absorbing what I’m saying or having the tough conversations on their wall with their peers.

Read...
The Me of four years ago is shocked by this and doesn’t quite recognize the person she is staring at. Image: Thinkstock.

This Election Is Making Me Defend Hillary — And I Hate That

I may not be thrilled to vote for her, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to let the misogyny and toxic masculinity we fight so hard against control the campaign narrative of the first major woman presidential candidate.

Read...
No one said protests would be fun! (Photo: Aja Barber)

The Women's March On Washington: Pretty From Afar, Far From Pretty (And My Feet Hurt)

Aja Barber gives us her first-hand account of the Women's March — the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Read...
the 80s return

God Bless The 80s: ESPRIT RETURNS

Warning: The author reminisces a lot in this piece and comes to conclusion that she has probably kept an unhealthy amount of clothing from high

Read...
You are not getting “bullied” because you are being called out for problematic behaviors.

The Problem With White Feminism 

I am shocked, perplexed and a little bit dismayed over the amount of “good liberals” who have pushed my friendship to the point of no return over the term “white feminism." As a matter of fact, I would go so far as to say the cries over white feminism vs. intersectional feminism is the new #BlackLivesMatter vs #AllLivesMatter. You might not see it that way now but you will by next year. Trust me. I’ve been through this before and damn, am I tired.

Read...
I can’t with Lena Dunham anymore. (By David Shankbone - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19316876)

Why Women Of Color, Including Me, Are Officially Done With Lena Dunham

If Lena Dunham wants to be a part of the movement in a constructive way, I’d recommend stepping down and quietly supporting women of color with dollars.

Read...
Image via YouTube (Kendall and Kylie)

Cultural Appropriation, Kendall Jenner, And That Pepsi Ad

How does one advertisement go so magnificently wrong, managing to center whiteness in the story of the battles of marginalized people, while playing down the horrific effects of police brutality and concluding in a white savior grand finale?

Read...
I never pay retail for anything (unless it’s from an independent designer, because we have to support the little guys) and I always hold out for what I love. Image: Thinkstock.

Why You Should Never  Shop For Occasions

When I help people clean out their wardrobes, the items I come across that hang in the back closet never seeing the light of day are usually pieces purchased in a frenzy — out of necessity instead of joy.

Read...
Why do women feel the need to police other women’s bodies? Image: Thinkstock

You're Not Entitled To Comment On My Body Just Because I'm A Black Woman

In 2015, to be a woman (and a black woman at that) among the general public means having to keep your defenses up.

Read...
Journalism loses one of its titans. (Image Credit: By PBS NewsHour via Wikimedia Commons)

Shoes That Cannot Be Filled: Goodbye To My Hero, Gwen Ifill

There are so few people in this world who can bring very many strong, stoic people to their knees in the hour of death.

Read...