(The Root) — If you were around in the 1980s, these pictures, which have been floating around on Tumblr, should move you in a very special way. The women pictured, of course, are Phylicia Rashad and Debbie Allen — actresses, sisters, and possibly your pretend friends-mothers-aunties. This picture was taken in 1988, and in the '80s, Debbie and Phylicia were shining beacons of black womanhood; they were the mothers, dancers and successes we wanted to have and wanted to be. These pictures are awesome for a multitude of reasons:
— Remember how geeked you were when you found out that Phylicia Rashad and Debbie Allen were sisters? That feeling comes back with this picture; it's heart-warming to see them hanging out informally, playing in each other's hair, and being so … sisterly.
— They're beautiful now, but then, they were foxes! That skin! Black don't crack!
— There's nothing like seeing black women excel. Both Allen and Rashad boast stellar careers, and all that power in one picture is impressive. As one Tumblr user commented, "These photos make me so glad to be black."
— Debbie Allen's baby hair. Ultimate perfection.
Tracy Clayton is a writer, humorist and blogger from Louisville, Ky.