We’re in week two of our countdown of stories that shaped the images of black women in popular culture. We’ve chosen a dozen stories (the good, the bad and the ridiculous) that captured our attention in 2009. Here’s the story that made our hot list today:

#4: A Precious Year (aka “The Fat Black Girl Wins: “Push” Takes Sundance” originally published January 26, 2009)

If you’ve already read Push, the debut novel by Sapphire you won’t soon forget it. (If not, you should read the book now!). It’s the haunting tale of Claireece Precious Jones, an overweight, undereducated, abused black girl trying to survive. And the author, a poet, has written it just the way she talks (which will take some time to decipher). The reason you should read the book now is to get ready for the movie which should make its way to a theater near you sometime later this year.

Lee Daniels, who produced, Monster’s Ball, is the director who has brought this gut-wrenching saga to the screen. And along with sweeping both the Audience and the Grand Jury awards, an unlikely actress is getting rave reviews for her performance. Any guesses? Wait for it… It’s Mo’Nique, star of The Parkers and Phat Girlz actual got a Special Jury Prize for her portrayal of Precious’ cruel mother.

But it is a newcomer named Gabourey “Gabby” Sidibe, who tackles the tough role of Precious. Her performance had the audience in tears as well as her co-stars, Mo’Nique and Paula Patton (with Lenny Kravitz and Sherri Shepherd rounding out the cast).

Although some of us may not find the subject matter entertaining, this is a must-see for many reasons. Primarily, this is a reality for many young sisters. So instead of sticking your head in the sand, take a big girl pill and see this film. Better yet, take a group of young girls with you and discuss it afterward.

Now the audience who saw the film and awarded this film top honors was overwhelmingly white. And now there is all this buzz surrounding this movie. But we need to see it too. Or will this be another case where white audiences support a movie and we don’t? Thankfully, we all have some time to make sure that isn’t true.

UPDATE: Well although there are some in our community who boycotted this film either because they thought it poverty porn or had issues with the light-skinned saviors cast many of us went out in supported this film. And Sundance was just the beginning of accolades for the film and its performers. Gabourey Sidibe and Mo’Nique continue to rack up impressive nominations and wins (and the entire ensemble cast has also been called out for its stellar work). Let’s see if Oscar follows suit.

If you liked this post, we think you might like these too:

1. The Fat Black Girl Wins: “Push” Takes Sundance
2. TBGS Year in Review: #10 A Black Girl’s Letter to The President
3. TBGS Year in Review: #8 The Redemption of Whitney Houston
4. TBGS Year in Review: #2 The Night That Changed Rihanna’s Life
5. TBGS Year in Review: #3 The Creamy Crack Debate