Big Mama Said: Everything That Glitters Is Not Gold

By Terry Allen
Texas Metro News
https://texasmetronews.com

Big Mama used to sit at that kitchen table, flour on her hands and wisdom in her voice, and remind us, “Baby, everything that glitters is not gold.” She wasn’t talking about jewelry. She was talking about people. Power. Promises. Public noise.

We are living in a season where glitter has gone digital. It flashes across our phones, our pulpits, our politics, and our public spaces. Smooth speeches. Polished slogans. Perfectly edited outrage. But shine is not substance. Volume is not virtue. And visibility is not value.

Let’s call it straight.

False Narrative #1: “If they speak loud enough about justice, they must be for the people.”
Some politicians and self-appointed advocates wrap themselves in the language of liberation while quietly negotiating deals that never touch the neighborhoods they claim to protect. Big Mama would say, “Watch what they do when the cameras leave.”

She was warning us about shine without substance.  

Today, glitter has a publicist. It has a social media team. It has polling data and production lighting. It walks into our public spaces dressed as leadership. It sounds like advocacy. It feels like urgency. And if we’re not careful, we will mistake performance for purpose.

I’ve watched politicians master the art of righteous language while avoiding righteous responsibility. They know which words stir us. They know how to echo our pain. But when it’s time to allocate resources, change policy, or take a hard stand that costs them something — suddenly the glitter fades. Big Mama would whisper, “Watch the follow-through.”

I’ve seen self-appointed advocates build platforms around outrage, yet never build systems that actually help people. They are loud in protest but absent in process. They trend well. They organize poorly. And we confuse visibility with victory.

But here’s the twist. Sometimes we also fall for narratives that are accurate — yet still misapplied.

Accurate Narrative #1: “Elections matter.”
They absolutely do. But voting without sustained civic engagement between elections is like planting seeds and never watering them.

Big Mama’s lesson was never about cynicism. It was about discernment. She taught us to look beyond sparkle and test for weight. Real gold carries substance. It survives pressure. It doesn’t beg for applause.

  Here’s the deeper truth: even good messages can glitter. “Go vote.” Yes. But do we stay engaged after Election Day? “Support Black businesses.” Absolutely. But do we demand sustainability, excellence, and reinvestment? Real gold doesn’t just shine — it withstands pressure.  

So here’s my ask: Email me and tell me — what real gold have you found lately? A leader with integrity? A movement with measurable impact? A quiet servant doing the work without glitter?

Let’s learn to recognize it. Let’s protect it. And let’s become it.

Terry Allen is an NABJ award-winning Journalist, DEI expert, PR professional, and founder of the charity – Vice President at Focus-PR, Founder of City Men Cook, and Dallas Chapter President of NBPRS.org