October 2007 Archives
Here's another GOTCHA! scandal. A & E suspends his show on the heels of a scandalous National Enquirer Exclusive allegedly of him shouting the N-word repeatedly via a taped conversation, and allegedly having a hard time dealing with someone's relationship with a black girl. It's a wrap for this dude. Looks like the dog stepped in his own poop!

Photo Credit: National Enquirer
The National Enquirer writes:
"Dog Chapman has been captured spewing foul-mouthed racist slurs on a tape obtained exclusively by The NATIONAL ENQUIRER.
And now a civil rights leader is calling for Dog's TV show to be removed from the airwaves.
In a shocking world exclusive The ENQUIRER has obtained tapes of two revolting phone conversations in which Duane "Dog" Chapman unleashes a filthy bigoted attack, littered with the N-word and other disgusting racial insults. "
Listen to Taped Phone Conversation
National Enquirer update:
"Update: In response to this story, A&E network has released a statement saying: "A&E has just learned of the story released by the National Enquirer concerning Duane Dog Chapman. We take this matter very seriously. Pending an investigation, we have suspended production on the series. When the inquiry is concluded we will take appropriate action.""
Doug Robinson for the Deseret Morning news wrote an article on the racial makeup of two football teams (Colts & Patriots) who have an upcoming match up. The article explores the fact that hip hop culture may be ruining the chances for promising, hopeful black sports professionals.
He makes references to claims by Jason Whitlock (who is black), that the NFL is quietly whitening up it's teams, because it does not want to risk harboring a negative corporate image, brought on by hip-hop or employees who embrace hip-hop, to a point where it affects their image on the job.
One could also question: Are black players becoming increasingly ineligble for hire? Are more white players becoming better candidates for hire (more talented physically & better academically)? Employers are practicing more affirmative action? I am not sure about the answer...

The United Press International reports:
"LONDON, Oct. 29 (UPI) -- British retail chain All Saints has come under fire for window displays that some say are reminiscent of Ku Klux Klan lynchings.
The window display at the stores across Britain features headless black mannequins suspended from silver chains, The Daily Mail reported Monday.
The Rural Racism Project, based in Devon, England, said it has contacted the chain and asked them to reconsider the display.
"I have received a number of calls from people who are offended by the window display," said John McKenzie, from the Project's monitoring group. "Some of them feel it brings to mind the lynching of black people. A number of those who have complained are white."" READ MORE...


Photo Credit: Ex-press
From an August article swissinfo reports:
"Switzerland's biggest political party, the rightwing Swiss People's Party, has come under renewed fire for its hard-hitting election campaign attacking foreigners.
On Wednesday Swiss President Micheline Calmy-Rey denounced posters depicting three white sheep booting a black sheep out of the country as "irresponsible" and liable to incite racial hatred.
"I think it is important that there are people in this country who have the courage to stand up and denounce this type of campaign, which to be quite frank disgusts me. It disgusts me because it stirs up hatred. They are racist campaigns," Calmy-Rey, a member of the centre-left Social Democrats, told Swiss-French radio.
The "black sheep" posters underpin a People's Party initiative to expel foreign criminals, which was launched on August 1 – Swiss National Day – three months ahead of October's parliamentary elections." READ MORE...

Photo Credit: Matt Sayles/AP
Roberto Cavalli has allegedly confirmed, in a Paris Hilton/Christina Aguilera kind of way, that Jennifer Lopez is pregnant.
Yahoo! reports:
"Asked what types of clothing he designs for celebrities, the fashion designer told People magazine: "Well Jennifer Lopez, at this moment, she requests something very special because she is waiting for the baby."
"It is so complicated because every week she is getting bigger," Cavalli said in a story posted Tuesday on the magazine's Web site." READ MORE...
You won't see the commercial on TV during a Jerry Springer or Maury Show break. LOL. Do something with your life. The comedian is Khori Johnson.
Warning: Adult language


Photo Credits: Carol Kaelson/ ABC
Cheetah Girl Sabrina Bryan was eliminated from the Dancing With The Stars competition, and Spice Girl, Melanie Brown is still hanging in there. I don't watch the show, but I thought some people would want to know...well, perhaps one or two...LOL
Yahoo! TV Reports:
"The only thing the Cheetah Girl couldn't pull off was the foxtrot.
Sabrina Bryan, the most promising horse out of the gate, was eliminated from Dancing with the Stars Tuesday, a shocker for all on a night—and a season—that had already played host to its share of weirdness."
Old Lady, Jane Seymour is pulling the punches...MEOWTCH! I see she sharpened her claws...LOL, man is she callin' chicks out...LOL:
""I don't have the doll thing going," Seymour said, referring to the dolls Osmond hawks on QVC. "And some dancers [like Mel B] can come out here and just walk around. You get higher scores in this competition if you just walk around. Or you go up to the judges and you go pat, pat, on the cheek and you get 10s for that."""
After only six hours of rehearsal, Melanie Brown and Maksim Chmerkovskiy continued to roar back from their brush with elimination by positively nailing their rumba, the slow Latin dance whose elusive combination of rhythm, romance and lust has proved especially hard for the stars to perfect." READ MORE...

Reference: Ghetto Fabulous by Chris and Manny Otiko
http://www.gfabtoons.com/blog/
She says it's not a political visit to Venezuela to meet President Hugo Chavez. If it's not for business, then it's for pleasure? Next, they'll be rumored to be romantically linked. What a beautiful country with delicious food. If you are ever in the Boston area, try visiting a Venezuelan restaurant called Viva Mi Arepa...they are the only Venezuelan restaurant in the area and the food is fantastic. You would get hooked...Arepas are the joint!

Photo Credit: Francisco Batista/ AP News
AP News reports:
"Campbell flashed a smile to reporters as she arrived at the presidential palace, but said little about what she hoped to discuss with Chavez.
"I've been here before actually," she said. "A beautiful country, very tropical. You've got great waterfalls."
Then, before turning to walk inside, she added: "I'm not going to be political. Thank you very much."" READ MORE

Photo Credit: AP
The curtains have closed on Stanley. Well he won't be hurting for cash, since his severance pay package will be over $160 million dollars. With that kind of dough, at least he can feed his family.
Yahoo! News reports:
"NEW YORK (AP) -- The unfolding credit crisis has claimed its biggest corporate casualty so far: Merrill Lynch CEO Stan O'Neal.
The announcement of his departure Tuesday came after the world's largest brokerage posted a $2.24 billion quarterly loss, its biggest since being founded 93 years ago. Merrill Lynch did not name a replacement for O'Neal, whose ouster had been expected, and who leaves the company with benefits worth $161.5 million." READ MORE...

Please note: As you can see, this is a celebrity based list. Seriously, this list was created for entertainment purposes only, and is merely a subjective tool just as the People Magazine’s 50 most beautiful people list used. In other words, if you did not send any complaints to them about their list, do not send us any either. The list was compiled with a panel of three judges, and if you disagree with the results, not a problem. Since we will not lose sleep over your disagreement, we hope you will not either. If you do not like the results, create your own list. An opinion is an opinion. To quote John Moore—“Your opinion is your opinion, your perception is your perception--do not confuse them with "facts" or "truth". Wars have been fought and millions have been killed because of the inability of men to understand the idea that EVERYBODY has a different viewpoint.”
Follow the link below to see the rest of the 99 of the most beautiful, talented, smart, and inspiring people of 2007. In addition, you can see how the rankings were compiled.
This is our WeNeedToStop.com annual most beautiful people list. People has theirs so why shouldn’t we have ours? This is the 1st Annual list…well, we could not wait for a year; therefore, here it is…****drummmrollllllllll***

GRAMMY Charity Online AuctionsSM offers an exclusive lunch with Eric Benét at the national GRAMMY headquarters in Los Angeles. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is available during the GRAMMY Charity Holiday Auction Nov. 27 - Dec. 7. Go to here and place your bid today!
Reference: www.ericbenet.com

Photo Credit: Rhapsody
October 23, 2007 - In support of his most recent release, Playlist,
Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds is heading out on an end-of-Fall/beginning-of-Winter tour.
Babyface Playlist Tour 2007
November
23 Paramount Theatre Oakland, CA
24 Rose Ballroom Sparks, NV
30 Detroit, MI Palace of Auburn Hills
December
1 Indianapolis, IN Madame Walker Theater 2 Cincinnati, OH Cintas Center
5 Westbury, NY North Fork Theater
6 New York, NY Town Hall
7 Philadelphia, PA Keswick Theater
8 Boston, MA Berklee Performing Arts Center
10 Alexandria, VA Birchmere
12 Atlanta, GA Cobb Energy Centre
14 Norfolk, VA Chrysler Hall
I don't know. I am still not convinced on this one, but this theory has surfaced again, here in 2007.
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Yahoo! News reports:
"WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The AIDS virus invaded the United States in about 1969 from Haiti, carried most likely by a single infected immigrant who set the stage for it to sweep the world in a tragic epidemic, scientists said on Monday.
Michael Worobey, a University of Arizona evolutionary biologist, said the 1969 U.S. entry date is earlier than some experts had believed.
The timeline laid out in the study led by Worobey indicates that HIV infections were occurring in the United States for roughly 12 years before AIDS was first recognized by scientists as a disease in 1981. Many people had died by that point." READ MORE...
I was driving to Hartford, Connecticut last week and noticed the major R&B and hip hop station changed its format to rock with no warning to the listening audience...what a nice farewell, thank you. At first, I thought it was a mistake, as I kept flipping the channels back and forth I eventually realized it was not a mistake. I was trying to find the Steve Harvey Morning Show.
The same thing happened last year here in the Boston area when 97.7 was switched to rock without warning or notice. The loyal radio audience is the last to know, the jocks and staff probably only know within only a 24 hours notice. It's just cold, callous, and inconsiderate. There's no better way to say screw you to the listening audience.
In a BayState Banner article:
"“They sold us out,” echoed Karen Seymore, a community activist. “All for the sake of a dollar. I’m just angry and upset that they could disregard our community.”
The “they” in this case are the owners of Radio One, Inc. — Cathy Hughes and her son Alfred Liggins. Started 25 years ago, the company owns and operates 69 radio stations in 22 American cities, and programs a channel on XM Satellite Radio. The publicly traded company also owns a 40 percent stake in TV One, a cable and television network started in 2004." READ MORE...
12-4-7 Update: For those interested, here is a petition site link, although I don't think it will help, as it is a done business deal. You are probably better off by writing a letter to the folks who sold it, letting them know how you feel, then move on. The Petition to bring back Power 104.1
It's a Soxtober. Red Sox Nation. CONGRATS SOX!!!! Congrats to the Colorado Rockies for an amazing race to the finish line, and a successful run. Now that's shock and awe!!!

Photo Credit: Ryan McKee/Rich Clarkson and Associates, LLC

The UK Daily Mail reports:
""I've disappointed you. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry," Winfrey told parents after flying into South Africa to attend an emergency meeting in a packed marquee tent on the school premises at Henley-on-Klip.
Winfrey has visited her school at Henley-on-Klip near Vereeniging at least twice in the past few weeks after allegations that one of the matrons fondled a girl and that other pupils had been physically abused.
Referring to the principal, Winfrey said: "I trusted her. When I appointed her, I thought she was passionate about the children of Africa. But I've been disappointed."
According to reports in the United States, the father of one of the pupils responded by telling Winfrey: "It's not your fault. We don't blame you.
"You trusted them. You have more passion for the school and its existence than anyone else in this country, including us parents." Winfrey gave parents the assurance she would do everything possible to ensure that those who had been guilty of abuse would be dealt with." READ MORE...
If you have not tried butter chicken, boy oh boy are you missing out. Here is a simple step by step instruction video on how to make it....mm mm mm WATCH VIDEO


Pvt. Samuel Snow'a 1944 booking photograph and today at 83 in his home in Leesburg, Fla.
Photo Credit: National Archives, left, and Chris Livingston/The New York Times
The New York Times reports:
"SEATTLE, Oct. 26 — Guglielmo Olivotto, an Italian prisoner of war, died with a noose around his neck, lynched at a military post on Puget Sound 63 years ago. Samuel Snow, 83, hopes that people will stop blaming him and the 27 other black soldiers convicted of starting the riot that led to Mr. Olivotto’s death. It was one of the largest Army courts-martial of World War II.
This week, a review board issued a ruling that could lead to overturning the convictions of all 28 soldiers, granting honorable discharges and providing them with back pay.
The board found that the court-martial was flawed, that the defense was unjustly rushed and that the prosecutor, Leon Jaworski, a young lieutenant colonel who went on to fame three decades later as a Watergate special prosecutor, had important evidence that he did not share with defense lawyers." READ MORE...
The Los Angeles Wave reports:
"South L.A.-based televangelist, a pioneer of the “prosperity gospel” movement” sues the television network for suggesting that he lives an opulent lifestyle.
SOUTH LOS ANGELES — Despite the broadcasting of two retractions and the posting of another on its Web site, the Rev. Frederick K. Price, founder of the Crenshaw Christian Center, through his lawyers and a spokesman, said he will continue his lawsuit against ABC and its “20/20” news magazine, alleging defamation.
“[The church wants] to put this in front of a jury,” said Tony Knight, a spokesman for Price, adding that the 75-year-old minister believed the two retractions were worse then the actual March 23 broadcast. “This [lawsuit] is the only way we’re going to put our story out there.”" READ MORE...
The Truth about the Fred Price 20/20 Story
TransWorldNews reports:
"Nas' new album title is continuously causing controversy. His latest album, which is supposed to be released later this year, is entitled "N***er".
New York State Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries (D-57 District), community leader and social activist Rev. Clinton M. Miller, the pastor of Brown Memorial Baptist Church, and founders of the Abolish the N Word Project Inc. denounced a decision by the platinum-selling rap artist to have that title and urged his company, Universal Music Group, to shelve the racial slur from the album’s title.
Jeffries requested that Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli withdraw the $84 million that New York's state pension fund has invested in Universal and its parent company, Vivendi." READ MORE...

If you like battles of old school R&B you will love Gerald McBride's Old School House Party playing mostly 70s,80s, and 90s music and they chat about what was going on back then, such as what people where wearing, fads, events, etc. It can be heard live online on Sundays beginning at 6 pm EST on 104 WDKX online (www.wdkx.com) or go to http://www.classicsouljams.com/ and you will not be disappointed. No downloading of software. No registration and they are not begging for donations...well yet, at least. LOL, enjoy!
Thank you Philly. Hopefully, by example you show others that it is time to stop putting the blame on everyone and everything else, except the real problem. In Philadelphia 85 percent of the homicide victims are young black males.
MSNBC by way of Reuters reports on Oct. 22nd.:
"10,000 said to campaign against number of homicides in 'Killadelphia'
PHILADELPHIA - Thousands of black men gathered Sunday to launch a campaign to cut murders in Philadelphia, which suffers the highest homicide rate among big U.S. cities.
Organizers of the drive to put at least 10,000 volunteers on the streets said preliminary indications were that they met their target, and would in the next 30 days be able to send patrols into trouble spots to deter crime.
"Slavery, at this late time, is no longer an acceptable excuse," said A. Bruce Cawley, a prominent black businessman. He said that in the 325 years since blacks have lived in Philadelphia, they had been overtaken in prosperity by immigrant Irish, Jews, Italians, and now Asians and Hispanics." READ MORE...

Murder victim, San Leandro High School
football player Greg "Doody" Ballard, Jr.
Mike Sachoff, WebProNews staff writer reports:
"MySpace has played an important role in helping Oakland police
apprehend a 19-year old man accused of shooting a San Leandro
High School football player Greg "Doody" Ballard, Jr.
Oakland police had a street name of a suspect and were able to
identify Dwayne Stancill, 19 of Oakland from a picture they
found on a gang's MySpace page. Police brought the suspect to
their headquarters where detectives say he confessed.
What was most troubling to investigators was the lack of
motive for the killing."

Photo Credit: Scott Gries/Getty Images
Hip hop's Murder Inc. head honcho Irv Gotti, responsible for Lloyd, Ja Rule and Ashanti's success, recently did an interview with an AP reporter and he has a reality show airing on VH1. It's apparent that he loves his wife and family dearly, but perhaps not enough to remain monogamous and committed to his marriage and family unit. He talks about his comeback career, Ja Rule and his straying ways. Why has she not headed to divorce court already?
Maybe a change gone come soon? I'm just sayin'.....
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In this interview:
"AP: Are you worried that your wife is going to see you on camera with other women?
Gotti: I told Deb, when Deb kicked me out of the house, let's just get it out there. I was a cheating bastard. ... When she kicked me out it was funny because there was a lot of hatred that she had towards me. It was no good. After she kicked me out, I told her, "You placed your bet. You placed your bet once you kicked me out that I wouldn't survive and function without seeing my kids and waking up because I love ... my kids." I grew accustomed once I was out of the house because I was working so much. It was like seeing them just on the weekends was almost the same thing as when I was living there. Me and her developed a friendship and once we developed a friendship, I confessed. It was like a cleansing period. I told her every crazy thing that I did and it was no more lies.

He claims the phrase book is a joke and that his wife is black and they have three kids. Here are some phrases in the book: "foty: a 40-ounce bottle of beer", "aks: to ask a question", and "hoodrat: scummy girl".
MSNBC reports by way of AP:
"HOUSTON - The city's school system has fired a police officer for creating and distributing a "Ghetto Handbook."
The eight-page booklet, handed out to other police officers at a May roll call, said the definitions it contained would allow readers to speak as if they "just came out of the hood." It was subtitled "Wucha dun did now?"
Gang investigator Roby Morris, 34, had worked for 11 years at the Houston Independent School District before being fired this past week, according to an investigation report released Friday. He had been on paid leave since August." READ MORE...

This is a good time for sports in New England. Although I am also a Florida and New York fan, it's okay to like more than one team, and since I transplanted to Massachusetts, it's been hard not to cheer for the local teams. Well, Boston College is #2 in the country, and they had a phenomenal comeback last night. NE Patriots are UNDEFEATED---as expected. The Sox have a pretty nice cushion of a lead to take with them on the road in this World Series championship. GO SOX!!!!! GO NEW ENGLAND!!!
Ashanti did sing God Bless America/ The National Anthem at the opening game, somewhere during a break. She was alright or mediocre in vocal talent, but she looked fabulous, and I am not quite sure whether or not her performance was lipsynched. I must admit, as I watched it live, I kept thinking: How did she get this gig? Wondering if Nelly had anything to do with it. You be the judge. Watch Ashanti tear the house down.
A really good article on commentary by Deborah Douglas at the Chicago Sun Times. The article makes reference to the recent Light Skinned Women party, Jena 6 and black folks sensitivity or lack of sensitivity to our skin color issues. It just emphasizes the fact, that in this day and age, we are still living by the brown paper bag rule.
On October 19, 2007 Douglas writes:
"It's a dark day in America when I can't get inside a club because my skin tone is too deep to be let in. But that's just what happened in Detroit recently when a promoter advertised free all-night admission to light-skinned black women, leaving us darkies standing outside -- unless we wanted to pay up.
Didn't black America just get mad at the white folks in Jena, La., for being too blase about their kids tying nooses on a tree on school grounds? Isn't this the same country that got distracted from the war in Iraq and Darfur genocide for a whole week because some old dude named Don Imus called a bunch of us nappy-headed?
Sometimes I wonder who's holding black folks back more? Them? Or us? Oh, yeah, it's dirty laundry time, and I'm gonna tell it.
It's us." READ MORE...
A war protester stepped up to Condi at Capitol Hill today, as she was preparing to testify before the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The lady was smart enough not to put her hands on Condi...Condi don't play...LOL...Where are those damn tasers when you need 'em? WATCH VIDEO

Photo Credit: Charles Dharapak/AP
Somebody put a stop to this...LOL

Slash Film is reporting:
“For Your Consideration” season has begun. I know this because the first Oscar screener of the season has been leaked online. A week and a half before the official release date, Ridley Scott’s new film American Gangster has been uploaded to the bit torrent networks and has already been illegally downloaded by tens of thousands of people. And that’s just in the first 20 hours online. As I write this, over 10,000 users are currently downloading the video off a popular bit torrent website." READ MORE...

Photo Credit: Xbox.com
There is nothing more unattractive or hurtful to my eyes than a grown man spending time with his Xbox. Correction... a grown man and his grown friends hogging the TV, huddled around the living room furniture or floor playing Xbox for hours. I do not think I could ever marry or date an XBoxer. When I was growing up, we had Atari, that was fun, and I outgrew it. Then along came Nintendo, Game Boy, and other games. At some point, we are supposed to outgrow these games, right?
The reason I mention Xbox is, that it plays a role in the strain in many relationships. Some men are addicted to playing Xbox games, and do not even realize it. Addicted? When many people think of addiction, they think of gambling, alcohol, drugs, shopping, food, or perhaps even sex addictions, but gamer addiction is growing, especially online gaming. Many people are in denial and do not seem to think they have a problem. They rationalize and say things like, “Well, I am not out cheating,” or “At least you know where I am. I am at home with you,” or worst, “I’m just having harmless fun.”

Memphis strike, 1968: Ernest Withers’s image of sanitation workers with the sign “I Am a Man.”
The New York Times reports:
"Ernest C. Withers, a photographer whose voluminous catalog of arresting black-and-white images illustrates a history of life in the segregated South in the 1950s and ’60s, from the civil rights movement to the Beale Street music scene, died on Monday in Memphis. He was 85.
Mr. Withers worked as a freelance photographer at a time when events of the day were not just newsworthy but historic occasions. He photographed the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. resting at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis after the March Against Fear in 1966, and riding one of the first desegregated buses in Montgomery, Ala., in 1956, along with the Rev. Ralph David Abernathy.
He photographed a mass of men all holding placards reading “I Am a Man” at the Memphis sanitation workers’ strike, the last march led by Dr. King before his assassination in April 1968. He also covered Dr. King’s funeral.
Mr. Withers was the only photographer who covered the entire trial of those charged with killing Emmett Till, a black teenager who was said to have whistled at a white woman. He also photographed the funeral of Medgar Evers, the civil rights activist who was killed in 1963, and the nine black students who integrated Central High School in Little Rock, Ark., in 1957." READ MORE...

Ithaca High School students left to right: Matt Lee, Elizabeth Armstrong, Matthew Pinkard, Clarisa Linder
Photo Credit: Narayan Mahon/ New York Times
The New York Times reports:
"ITHACA, N.Y., Oct. 18 — Nestled in the hills near Cayuga Lake’s southern tip, surrounded by creeks, waterfalls and two of the Northeast’s more prestigious colleges, this city of about 30,000 has long prided itself on its cultural diversity.
Tempers flared last week over the district’s handling of a two-year-old racial-harassment complaint. Almost half of the 1,600 students at Ithaca High School stayed home two days amid fears of possible violence and a rumored “hit list” that singled out minority students who have been seeking a forum to bring their grievances into the open.
For one thing, some students contend that administrators routinely dole out harsher punishments to minority students, a charge that school officials deny.
The latest furor arose when one mother claimed that district officials failed to act quickly enough when her daughter — a 12-year-old middle school student at the time — was subjected to racial slurs, threatened, spat on and punched by a group of white boys who called themselves “the rednecks” on the school bus beginning in the fall of 2005.
Upset that it took five months for district officials to step in and end the harassment — which resulted in suspensions and, in the case of two youths, criminal charges — the mother, Amelia Kearney, filed a complaint with the Tompkins County Human Rights Commission." READ MORE...
This is a fun, new feature of this blog. Five random celebrity websites will be selected and rated and the results will be listed. We will try this whenever and see how it goes. The website must be an official website and not a MySpace type page. This is a review of the website only.
Scorecard max points= 65
Scale from 0-5 with 0=worst & 5=outstanding
Celebrity websites rated:
Serena Williams, Ashanti, Sherman Hemsley, Arsenio Hall, Shaggy
RESULTS
1. www.serenawilliams.com 61

2. www.ashantithisisme.com 57
3. www.shaggyonline.com 53
4. www.arseniohall.com 41
5. www.officialshermanhemsley.com 32
Get a full breakdown of each site's score.

Fanshen Cox and Heidi W. Durrow
Photo Credit: Honey Mag
Ever wondered what mixed chicks chat about and their issues or concerns or are you mixed and wanted to connect with other mixed chicks online? There's a place reserved for you over at HoneyMag.com. Yes, the lovely Fanshen and Heid bring a weekly podcast to their listening audience, and you can visit their site to get in on the talk action.
The next podcast is on Oct 24th, and the discussion topic will be Episode #22 "Is Mixed More Beautiful?" They feature interesting, thought provoking issues on being multi or biracial. READ MORE... MixedChicksChat.com
If you have no time to listen to the podcast visit their Mixed Chicks Chat Blog, READ MORE...
Reference: HoneyMag.com, MixedChicksChat.com
According to The LA Times, Mariah Carey's new perfume "M" is inspired by:
"The fragrance, she says, is based on various scents that are near and dear to her heart. One is a Moroccan incense; another is a flower called the Living Tahitian Tiare. A third scent, believe it or not, is toasted marshmallows.
That aroma was added because it brought back happy memories of her childhood around the campfire. But she adds: "It's blended in there — it's not like you're gonna walk around smelling like marshmallows." " READ MORE...
It sounds mouth watering...yum, and I cannot wait to smell it.

Find the perfume at www.mariahcareybeauty.com
It's nice to see someone get out of prison and have determination to do right by making a legitimate living, and staying out of trouble. Will be interesting to see where this clothing line goes. The line reminds me of prison (not that I have been there), so I don't think I would wear any of the t-shirts, but there is a market for it.
Latin Rapper.com reports:
"From the mind of Adrian Nieto comes Big House Clothing, a line conceived behind bars which is quickly making a name for itself. While serving four years for racketeering, Nieto considered developing a clothing line from his cell, but was discouraged at the possibility of not earning his freedom to fulfill his desire. Nieto used his business aspirations and sketches to keep him focused on his release during his four year bid.
After legally setting up his company, he enlisted the aid of graphic artists such as Fonzi, a regular in the lowriding community, to convert his sketches into digital artwork that was print worthy. The original sketches were Nieto's work, but he began using artwork by artists such as Tattoo Tony or friends that were still on the inside." READ MORE...
www.BigHouseClothing.com

Big House Clothing Samples

Photo Credit: Charley Gallay/Getty
People reports:
"Actress Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon and husband Michael Nilon welcomed twin boys, her rep tells PEOPLE.
Jax Joseph Nilon was born at 8:30 p.m. Oct. 18 and weighed 4 lbs. 7 oz., and Jaid Thomas Nilon was born at 8:31 p.m. and weighed 4 lbs. 9 oz.
"We're so in love with them," Beauvais-Nilon tells PEOPLE. "They boys are just gorgeous."
The twins, who were born in Los Angeles, join Oliver, the actress's 15-year-old son from a previous marriage." READ MORE...
God Tube is reported to be the fastest growing website on the Internet.
You don't have to be Irish to appreciate this:
Death is nothing at all.
It does not count.
I have only slipped away into the next room.
Everything remains as it was.
The old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged.
Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.
Call me by the old familiar name.
Speak of me in the easy way which you always used.
Put no sorrow in your tone.
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was.
Let it be spoken without effort
Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was.
There is unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner.
All is well. Nothing is hurt; nothing is lost.
One brief moment and all will be as it was before.
How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting, when we meet again.
That's why it's best not to drink...or drink at home if you must...lol, so that's what they teach in bartending school...hhhmmm

Check this video out on his MySpace page: www.myspace.com/tegocalderon
Excerpts from Latina Magazine interview with the Puerto Rican Latin hip-hop artist:
"Latina: You've been an outspoken advocate for Afro-Latinos, including when you said Afro-Latinos need a civil rights movement. Do you think racism is different in the United States versus in the Caribbean or Latin America?
Tego: Well, I'd say yes. In the United States, it's more obvious who is your enemy. In our countries, it's more subtle yet more (pervasive).
Latina: We often hear now in the U.S. that there's a growing black-Latino divide. Having worked with African-American hip-hop artists, what's your take on that?
Tego: Obviously a lot of Latinos have African blood. But now we are getting to be so many here in the United States that maybe the African-Americans feel displaced. We're seen as the competition. It's the same thing that happens in Puerto Rico with the Dominicans who have come there, that people view them as a threat or competition. I would like to see all of that change and relations get better." READ MORE...

Photo Credit: ABC
I caught about 15 minutes of her interview. Shar (Sharisse) Jackson on Wendy Williams today and talks about: Brandy-when she last saw her, being self-sufficient, Polow Da Don, drugs, Britney Spears, Plastic surgery, contact lenses, teen parenthood, single parenting, winning Celebrity rap star contest, being born in Boston, Britney stealing her man (K-Fed), her kids, her car accident, the VH1 rap star reality show, plastic surgery, her masters degree in psychology and forensic science, sex, sexuality, how she met K-Fed (Wendy talks too much about Kevin Federline & Britney), family, and more. She has always seemed to have that "I don't need a man to take care of my kids" attitude. This is fine and well, but men need to be held responsible for the kids they bring into this world. LISTEN TO AUDIO
Warning: Audio is not CD sound quality, but you can hear it.
Looks like Ms. Porter made a quick run to the store to buy milk & cookies, and left the youngins home with Bad Boy Records mogul, Diddy. He sounds proud of himself saying he's home alone and babysitting all by himself. LOL. I wonder if Kim is behind the camera...LOL WATCH VIDEO
Memo to Diddy: When you are with your own kids, it is not called babysitting.

Popular blogger Sandra Rose wrote on her site re: arrested rapper, T.I. or TIP:
"Last Friday, I received a call from an Atlantic records exec who informed me that T.I.'s lawyers were discussing amongst themselves the fact that the judge read my blog and was "very angry" by what he read. The exec indicated that the judge may have been angry enough to alter his decision to release T.I. on house arrest last Friday. The exec asked me to "be more sensitive" about what I wrote regarding T.I.
I agreed to comply with the record exec's request but later that same night I heard from two others in T.I.'s camp who said T.I.'s lawyers informed them that if T.I. isn't released this coming Friday it will be my fault. As ridiculous as that may sound, I'm taking this reckless innuendo seriously. I decided to post this for two reasons a) because I want this on record just in case, and b) because some people have a hard time accepting the fact that T.I. - not bloggers or the media - is responsible for his current situation.
I don't believe for one minute that the judge reads Sandrarose.com. If I was T.I. I would be concerned about paying all that money to lawyers who would resort to these types of intimidation tactics. The attorneys need to be worried about their case and not about what some random blogger writes." READ MORE...
Reference: SandraRose.com
Have dreams of being on a reality tv or game show?
"Real Estate Road Test"
TLC's newest show lets buyers have a slumber party in three prospective homes. The show is also looking for homeowners in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut who are excited about hiding their silverware and faulty plumbing before potential buyers invade. Doug Wilson of "Trading Spaces" will host.
Requirements: Applicants must be looking to buy a house before December, and they have to be approved for a mortgage.
For more info: Apply at www.bbcnyc.com
Stand-Up for Diversity
Not actually a reality show, but NBC touts this stand-up competition as the opportunity for diverse comedians to get face time with the big shots. Of course, it’s NBC, so they may be desperate enough to offer a show to anyone who gets a laugh.
When: Auditions on Nov. 8 at 10 a.m.
Where: Caroline’s on Broadway
For more info: Go to www.standupnbc.com.
“Nothing But the Truth …”Honesty finally pays: Get hooked up to a lie detector and win money. Just like every other recent game show, this is an import.
To apply: For the New York casting call, send an email to Twinsworld1@aol.com with the subject line “Truth.” Include your name, age, location, contact number, photo and why you want to tell the truth (besides those boring “ethics and principles” reasons).
Reference: The Starr Reports/ New York Post
We quickly forget Alfonso used to star in commercias and perform as the tap dance kid before he became Carlton Banks on the Fresh Prince of Bel Air. He was quite a talent in the dancing and performing arts department. In this You Tube video posted by member ghostofmccleve , Alfonso was selling a How-To break dance manual/kit. He was so cute. WATCH COMMERCIAL

Seems as if almost everyone who saw this romantic comedy stage play loves it. It stars Billy Dee Williams, Leon, Elise Neal, Shirley Murdock and Lenny Williams (oh, oh, oh, oh, ohhhhhh, lol). Someone commented that the Black National Anthem was sung at the show. We have it on this site, if you don't know it or need a refresher. It's in one of our earliest posts and has lyrics and music links. The show is produced by Johnson's I'm Ready Productions.

Described by Yahoo! Upcoming:
"Je'Caryous Johnson's romantic comedy, 'Shackin' Up' is the latest from the writer of 'Whatever She Wants.' She's a woman who seemingly has it all. But attorney Chastity Moore is missing the one thing her parents want her to have most... a HUSBAND! Feeling the pressure from her father, Wayne Moore, to finally tie the knot with her longtime wealthy boyfriend, Jamarcus Hansen, Chastity offers what she thinks is the perfect compromise...take marriage for a six month test spin and begin "Shackin' Up!" It's a move that doesn't sit too well with Chastity's mother, Patricia Moore, who can't fathom how a daughter she raised would even think about Shackin' Up."


Photo Credit: left, Global Darkness & rigth, MySpace
Long before Eve, Foxy Brown, Lil Kim, etc., there was Roxanne. Remember Roxanne Shante from the 80s'? Now she is Dr. Roxanne Shante. See, there is life after hip hop. On wax, she lyrically battled The Real Roxanne (Adelaida Martinez) and Hitman Howie Tee. Here is a grown up Roxanne rockin the mic at a 80's theme party. Anybody remember the dance, The Wop? LOL
Her starter website at www.roxanneshante.com states:
"Thank you for reaching out to The I Sankofa site of Dr.Roxanne Shante Roxanne Roxanne I want to be your man.... If you can remember that song then you must wonder what happened to the famous Roxanne Shante ? Well she is no longer just Roxanne Shante. She is Dr. Roxanne Shante. Yes, you read right.
This young lady went on not to just conquer the Hip Hop world she is titled the First Female Rapper. She was the first to have a platinum single and Gold albums. She has appeared on Singles with all of QB Finest , Foxy Brown and even the late great Rick James, just to mention a few. Her recent appearances in both Beef Cd’s ( Beef I and Beef II ) showed the world that this lady could hang with the best of them and she has done so without even breaking a sweat . But today she is still making them sweat .She insist on making the Hip Hop world give back and pay atonement. But this woman has many reason to feel the way she does. She has earned the respect of many .Dr. Roxanne Shante a titled that she also has earned. A Doctorate in Psychology from Mary mount University and a degree in Criminology from the New York Law School. She has a lot to be proud of .
Roxanne Shante raised in the Queensbridge Public Housing Projects in Queens , New York released her first single at the age of 13 ( the response record to Roxanne Roxanne titled Roxanne’s Revenge that had more than 17 response records. Not long after she became a teenage mother, at the age of 14 in Newark , New Jersey . Moving to Newark, New Jersey gave Roxanne Shante a whole new outlook on street life and the importance of an education . She has manage to not only raise a teenage son but has also launched a Hip Hop Ices franchise .Her company Hip hop Ices is more than just a Hip Hop hot spot it is an information and safe environment meeting center for teenagers . Where they offer employment and seminars targeting the Music Industry including publishing and writers royalties .
Hip hop Ices believes that an Entertainer with an education has the advantage . During her career Dr. Roxanne Shante wasn’t always educated and because of this she was taken advantage of . But that could no longer be the case . When presented with the question Would she perform again she says” I perform everyday I perform my best in everything I do “. Well, from her track record we can’t argue with that. Dr. Roxanne Shante has appeared at the following Universities Savannah , Howard , Cheney, Hunter College and has spoken on endless panels . Anyone who has been fortunate enough to see this great woman in person can’t wait to see her again .
Dr. Shante "s New Projects include Teen Domestic Violence Groups Queens New York , Family Developement Program LV Nevada , Cease Fire Program Newark New Jersey."
Who Needs a Royalty Check? Smart chick, talks about her record contract she signed when she was maybe 14, and the clause in it stated her college education would be paid. She milked that clause to death...lol, and went on to earn that PhD. In the next video she talks about it. Go girl!
Check her out on MySpace: www.myspace.com/roxanneshante

Boston Red Sox #24 Manny Ramirez during Game Six of the American League Championship Series at Fenway Park on October 20, 2007 in Boston, Massachusetts
Photo Credit: Al Bello/Getty Images
Still love my Yankees too, but they (owners) were wrong for what they did to manager Joe Torre... Steinbrenner putting his impending pink slip announcement out in the media. Just wrong. Joe, stand by what you believe in.
In fairness to the promoter, he reportedly stated he had planned on having other "hue" themed party nights also, and he has regrets about the whole concept. This is old news by black blog standards and has already been debated on the major and not so major black and urban oriented blogs, but the story has finally hit mainstream media, and MSNBC reports:

Yasmine Toney, right & Tamika Franklin, left
Photo Credit: Carlos Osorio / AP
"Free club admission for black women with light skin tone sparks outrage
DETROIT - Yasmine Toney describes herself as a “dark-skinned sista.” So when she heard about a recent club promotion in Detroit, allowing all-night free admission to black women with fair or light skin, she was incensed.
“It’s offensive,” Toney said. “It continues a negative stereotype.”
“I’m perceived to be aggressive, assertive, attitude-having ... a lot of things, because my complexion is darker,” said the 24-year-old receptionist.
The party was canceled last week after its promoter, who is black, received dozens of complaints. But for Toney and other black women, the issue reopened old, deep wounds as word of the party spread through the Internet.
Ulysses Barnes, who goes by the name DJ Lish, says he canceled his “Light Skinned Women & ALL LIBRA’s” promotion after complaints rolled in from women, activists and organizations across the country.
“I thought it was a brilliant promotion at the time,” said Barnes, who has spent the last several days apologizing to people. “I didn’t anticipate any type of feedback. It was just a party thing.”
Barnes, 27, canceled future “sexy chocolate” and “sexy caramel” promotions and just wants the controversy to go away." READ MORE...
The article also makes note of "“Other People’s Skin,” four novellas released this month and co-authored by Atkins and three other black women. The fictional work looks at discrimination that results from “colorism” in the black community."
"Other People's Skin" is described by eBooks as:
"In Other People’s Skin, Tracy Price–Thompson and TaRessa Stovall, along with fellow authors Elizabeth Atkins and Desiree Cooper, take on one of the most controversial topics within the African–American community: the self–hatred caused by intra–racial prejudice and the ongoing obsession with skin tone and hair texture. In other words, the skin/hair thang among black women.
It begins with TaRessa Stovall’s “My People, My People,” in which a successful advertising executive acquires firsthand knowledge of prejudice when her clients insist on using light– rather than dark–skinned models. Next comes Tracy Price–Thompson’s award–winning story “Other People’s Skin,” a tale set in 1970s Louisiana, where a dark–skinned young woman must come to terms with the bigotry of her light–skinned family. “New Birth,” by Desiree Cooper reveals the intense roles that money, class, and skin color play in the intra–racial relationship between Catherine, a wealthy, light–skinned lawyer, and Lettie, her dark–skinned house cleaner. Finally, Elizabeth Atkin’s “Take It Off” tells the story of a biracial girl who hides her coarse, braided hair from her friends at a mixed–race university in Detroit.
Other People’s Skin is the most innovative and varied anthology of sisterhood and unity to date. Each novella entertains, challenges, and, most important, offers healing to the reader—no matter what her race, skin tone, or state of mind."
Here is more information on the authors and the new Other People’s Skin publications: S4S Empower Ourselves, Inc.
Read the president's welcome letter from the organization's website.
"President's Welcome
Dear Friends:
The most disturbing social trend of our times is the dramatic increase in fatherlessness in the United States.
In 1960, less than 8 million children were living in families where the father was absent. Today the number of children living in father-absent homes stands at 24 million. That means that tonight one out of every three children in America will go to sleep in a home in which their father does not live. While it is at times easy to throw around statistics such as these to make a point, the plain truth of the matter is that for every one of these frightening statistics, there is a child attached to it, and, on average, the consequences of father absence for each of these youngsters are not good. Children who grow up in father-absent homes are significantly more likely to do poorly on almost any measure of child well-being. For example:
*Almost 75 percent of American children who grow up in single-parent homes will experience poverty before they turn 11-years-old, compared to only 20 percent for families where there are two parents.
*Violent criminals are overwhelmingly males who grew up without fathers, including 72 percent of adolescent murderers and 70 percent of long-term prison inmates.
*Children living in father-absent homes are also more likely to be suspended from school, or to drop out; be treated for an emotional or behavioral problem; commit suicide as adolescents; and be victims of child abuse or neglect.
The National Fatherhood Initiative, supported by its members, is working to change all this. We serve as a catalyst for engaging America in a public and forthright discussion about the necessity of reversing these trends. National Fatherhood Initiative encourages and supports family and father-friendly policies, develops national public education campaigns to highlight the importance of fathers in the lives of their children, provides motivation for national and local coalition-building, and provides resources to men to help them be better dads.
I extend to you my personal greeting and invitation to support the National Fatherhood Initiative. Ensuring that more children grow up with involved and committed fathers is the best way to ensure that every child has what should be their birthright: a happy and secure childhood.
Roland Warren
President
National Fatherhood Initiative Contact:
Roland Warren
President
info@fatherhood.org
p: 301.948.0599
f: 301.948.4325"

www.fatherhood.org
This is outrageous. School systems have too much power. They want to handout birth control pills (bcp), which promote risks of STDs. Would you rather have your 11 year old come home pregnant, because she could not get consent to have bcp? On the other hand would you rather her have bcp and intercourse without your knowledge. Each case is a lose-lose situation? This topic has been burning up the talk radio airwaves in New England. I have listened to various opinions. Just plain crazy. Kids need permission slips signed to go on field trips, and can't bring an aspirin to school. What's the world coming to?
Don't forget we are talking about 11 to 13 years olds from grades 6 to 8 at King Middle School in Portland, Maine.

Photo Credit: CBS/AP
AP News reports:
"PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - Pupils at a city middle school will be able to get birth control pills and patches at their student health center after the local school board approved the proposal Wednesday evening.
The plan, offered by city health officials, makes King Middle School the first middle school in Maine to make a full range of contraception available to students in grades 6 through 8, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services.
Diane Miller said she felt the plan was against religion and against God. Another opponent, Peter Allen, said he felt it violated the rights of parents and puts students at risk of cancer because of hormones in the pill.
A supporter, Richard Verrier, said it's not enough to depend on parents to protect their children because there may be students who can't discuss things with their parents.
Students treated at the centers must first get written parental permission, but under state law such treatment is confidential, and students decide for themselves whether to tell their parents about the services they receive." READ MORE...
What a GREAT Loss in the reggae community. He left behind a wife and seven children. RIP, Man
Independent Online reports:
"Dube was murdered in what appears to have been a botched hijacking in Rosettenville in Johannesburg on Thursday night.
The council said it joined the whole world in condemning such acts.
"We are not suggesting the situation is out of hand, but pleads with all South Africans to support government in its quest to arrest the situation.
"Road accidents, suicides, crooks and hijackers have in the past few years robbed us of excellent talent in our country," said LACC." READ MORE...
Comedian Sinbad and Dionne Warwick are on this list. The list would have been longer, but some people paid before the list was made public. I think public lists are a form of extortion and intimidation, because the state will get its money one way or another.

Photo Credit: E! Online
Yahoo! News Reports:
"Los Angeles (E! Online) - Apparently, the Goldmans aren't the only ones having trouble getting their hands on O.J. Simpson's money.
The ex-NFL star joined Sinbad and singer Dionne Warwick on a list compiled by the California Franchise Tax Board of people who have been late in forking over their state income taxes.
According to state controller John Chiang, 26 of the people who were going to be publicly revealed as delinquent taxpayers coughed up the money out of embarrassment, leaving 224 people on the list, which was released Wednesday.
"Certainly, people don't want the public embarrassment of being on the list," Chiang told the Los Angeles Times. "I wouldn't want to be on a list with O.J. Simpson."" READ MORE
This is when real bands used to sing REAL R&B with REAL instruments. No technology to enhance their voices or instruments. In general, groups weren't singing about killing and who has more bling in these songs. I was a kid when this song was playing on the radio and I just heard it on Memory Lane (early every Saturday morning until 1 or 2pm- www.wdkx.com, you will fall in love with Memory Lane & gospel Sunday mornings). One more thing...people wore clothes, and did not feel like "flaunting it, if you got it" meant you had to show body parts to be sexy or get attention. They saved that for hookers, strippers, and fast women. It all seems like the dinosaur ages.
Wish we could get back to that mentality. aaaawwww....
I am hearing that this is an old commercial, but do we need nooses in commercials as the person who created this video questioned? I don't think the commercial has any racist connotation, but I do think it is insensitive.

Photo Credit: AP
AP News reports:
"A dormitory matron at Oprah Winfrey's school for disadvantaged girls in South Africa has been suspended amid allegations of serious misconduct.
No details were disclosed about the alleged offense at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls at Henley on Klip, just south of Johannesburg.
Police confirmed they had been informed of the allegation, but weren't investigating at this stage.
Chief Executive Officer John Samuel said an internal inquiry had been initiated "based on one serious claim of misconduct involving a dormitory parent."
South Africa's Child Protection Services have been notified, and U.S. and South African private detectives have been engaged to investigate, Samuel said." READ MORE...
"To be in love again; and again...Maryann Reid, foreground, founder of "Marry Your Baby Daddy Day," poses with some of the participating couples, at the Riverside Church.
The Riverside Church on the Morningside Section of Manhattan, even on a normal day is overwhelming.
Its 20-floor gothic tower, 74-bell Laura Spelman Rockefeller Memorial Carillon and its Narthex stained glass Renaissance windows are awe-inspiring and inspirational. Last Thursday, it was the perfect setting for multiple nuptials.
Dressed in resplendent gowns, 10 beaming mommies-before-brides at the “Marry Your Baby Daddy Day” ceremony yesterday, walked down the aisle mostly escorted by their children, even as the prospective husbands waited eagerly.
This was no ordinary wedding ceremony. It was a ceremony for couples who were already living as a family, without having tied the knot.
Going back two years, to what made them jump the broom, India said, “My daughter often asked me why my last name was Willis while Ahmeid’s was Potts and we always evaded the question. When I saw the ad for the event, I thought, ‘I have been performing the role of a wife for so many years, now let me just become one’.” The couple has a seven-year-old daughter Amina and a son Kasson, four." READ MORE...
Photo Credit & Reference: Black Star News
Is something not right here or is this an overreaction? Just a random thought: Why do most commercials with black actors have to play hip-hop type music in the background? It is most likely marketed to the black community, and advertisers need to realize we have varied tastes in music. And even if it airs during non-black interest programming...should consider trying something (music wise) else?
This commercial is running to "Movin' On Up?" It's like...oh, now we up in the big leagues, and we finally get to go to the big ball. Someone else interpreted as: We're finally good enough to drive a Mercedes. Don't like this theme. I don't know. I am not losing sleep over it. Just thoughts...