Taj's Tome: SWV Singer Tells Sisters To Stop The 'Hate'

By Jawn Murray, BlackVoices.com

Fresh off the heels of her group SWV appearing with Alicia Keys on the 'BET Awards,' Tamara Johnson George has a new book that just hit stores called 'Player hateHER' (Amistad/Harper Collins).

With her debut tome, written with her best friend Katrina R, Chambers, George explores why women hate on each other and how they can stop.

The singer, who appeared with her husband, retired NFL star Eddie George on the TV One reality series 'I Married A Baller,' said she and Chambers were inspired to pen the book after exhibiting signs of "hateration" themselves.

"Katrina and I started writing this book ten years ago after a business trip in the British Virgin Islands. While sitting at the pool bar we noticed a young lady walking towards us. She was cute, slim and rocking the hell out of a really cute two-piece bikini. Katrina and I immediately started finding things wrong with her," she explained.

"Her hair was short, she didn't have a butt for that outfit and she didn't have any breasts. To make matters worse, she had a Caucasian boyfriend who seemed to worship her. How dare she?! We sat in that pool carving her up for almost 20 minutes," she recalled.

The 'Weak' singer said she and Chambers felt guilty upon realizing the same lady they had criticized was actually quite pleasant.

"As she was wrapping up her things to leave the pool she made it a point to come to us, introduce herself and told us how happy she was to see some more sisters at the resort where we were staying. Needless to say, we felt like idiots for being so cruel. As we were sitting there laughing about our behavior we thought of the term 'Player hateHER,'" she shared.

Now George and Chambers aim to show other women just how petty it is to 'hate' on other women without cause, and want 'Player hateHER' to begin that revolution.

"Our mission for this book is to create an awareness that will spark a movement among women. For years I've watched cat fights, groups disband, work relationships destroyed and so many other unnecessary girl fights over things that could've or can be resolved much better. It is our hope that women, young and old will read this book, recognize that is happening and try to avoid the drama. There have been so many relationships that I have lost because of my stubbornness. This book will make you laugh out loud at yourself and make you react differently during your next confrontation. This movement is about restoring one's confidence and attitudes towards the better," she expressed.

In addition to promoting the book, performing occasional spot dates with SWV and still making appearances related to 'I Married A Baller,' the New York-bred talent oversees Visions With Infinite Possibilities, a non-profit foundation created by her husband.

"Eddie created the foundation a few years ago to foster the artistic ability in young kids. After we got married I took over the control of the foundation. I wanted to do more than just the arts. I wanted to do something that would help people in need. I revamped the foundation to be able to raise money for women and children of domestic abuse," she offered.

George said expanding the foundation's base was important to her, because she herself grew up in a dysfunctional household.

"This is very dear to my heart because I grew up in an abusive household and was molested as a child. Initially, I went to different shelters speaking to some of the women giving them words of encouragement. I wanted them to see that they are not alone. This kind of nightmare happens to anybody and it is important that they know that they can move on. From there we started to do local fundraisers to help the local shelters. My ultimate goal is to raise enough money to build a shelter where woman can escape with their entire family. It is illegal for a boy over thirteen years old to stay with his family in a shelter. I want to build a shelter where the entire family can stay together. Why traumatize a child more than he already is by separating them from his family and putting them in a shelter where he doesn't know anyone and is even more frightened. A family that stays together, heals together," she emoted.

Viewers were able to see the singer speak at shelters and do foundation work on the debut season of 'I Married A Baller.' There's been no word on whether the reality series will return for a second season.

"It was great filming the show and not a day goes by when someone doesn't ask me about a second season," she said, before adding: "Unfortunately, I don't have the answer. Sorry!"

For more information on 'Player hateHER' go to www.playerhateher.com and for information on George's foundation, visit www.VisionsWithInfinitePossibilities.org.