The word “diva” in Latin means “feminine divine” or “goddess”.    A woman of superior charms, great beauty, grace, and excellence.  A creator.  

The Italians coined the term “diva” to denote the female lead in an opera.  She is the BEST- a woman at the top of her game.  

And then the term was bastardized because of a few “temperamental” folks.

Diva came to mean: hard to please, bitchy, mean-spirited,erratic behavior, ego-maniacal, and over-indulgent.  Jennifer Lopez.  Oops.  I digress.  

I missed the memo that says you must become hell on wheels when you reach the top.  That it’s all about you.  That you can’t share the limelight with anyone else.  I know all of that is rooted in fear of getting knocked off the pedestal before you are ready to go. But so what?  

I meant to write this post after the Etta James “At Last” controversy.  I was just so pissed off I couldn’t find the words.  I wonder why folks think that if someone else gets recognized for a job well done, it’s a slight on them?  Are we really that insecure?

Now, here’s where I say I am no big Beyonce fan- meaning:  some of her stuff I like, some of it I don’t.  Everything ain’t for everybody.  I realize that.  But the young lady was invited to sing by The Prez!  And she did what she was asked, and did it well.  And so sorry Etta that they didn’t think to ask you to sing, but what does that have to do with Beyonce?  I mean really! What ever happened to wanting our children (society’s children) to do better than we did?   

But I started this post off talking about Divas!  And the thing is, being a diva isn’t about all the negative crap attached to the word.  A true diva is about excellence and beauty and grace.  She leads, creates, and cares for others the best way she can.  She makes her corner of the world (or the world at large, if she is so inclined) a better place.  

And for the record, anyone can be a bitch.  It takes some real work to be a true diva.