November 2007 Archives

Another important time is approaching and many of us will be talking about voting and Presidential candidates. If you have not had a conversation with someone, you should. Unfortunately, many of us will not be voting. I remember when I was a teen, and how I could not wait to be eligible to vote. I filled the form with a sense of earned entitlement and pride. What political party I would join?

At that time, the question...well, for me it was without question, that I would check the Democratic Party box. I unthinkingly became a Democrat by default. What did I know about the party? Actually, I did not know squat about any political parties. The Democratic Party has a 90% monopoly on the Black vote, meaning overwhelmingly 90% of us (all black eligible voters) vote Democrat.

Yesterday Warren Ballentine mentioned on his radio show that the local NAACP chapter in Bangor, Maine has to hold secret meetings, because a 75 year old man threatened to shoot chapter members. As a result, the Kwanzaa celebration has been canceled for this year. As far as I know, this person has not been taken into police custody YET. The chapter has 175 members. This man is clearly a walking time bomb. Hopefully, he is taking his meds and will be off of the streets.

Maine Today reports:

“According to court documents, Sawyer apparently made statements to his doctor at the Togus VA Medical Center that he was "going to shoot any and all black persons that he saw attending a meeting of the NAACP at a church in Bangor." He made similar statements to a Department of Veterans Affairs police officer, who described the encounter with Sawyer as "chilling."

Sawyer, who has no known criminal record, was quoted as saying he did not like blacks and Hispanics and that "Maine should be a 'white' state." He also said he owned a .45-caliber handgun, which authorities later removed from his home.” READ MORE...

Micheal Eric Dyson poses a question to his website readers: Is Hip-Hop good or bad for the culture at large? Here are excerpts from four of the interesting comments.

Brent, Louisville, KY

“Breakin', graf-writing, dj-ing, rapping; these things in and of themselves are not bad. I come from a church culture that is now taking up a crusade which says that ALL Hip-Hop is bad and furthermore, that Hip-Hop culture itself is inherently evil and Anti-Christ. I do not believe that. The Bible says that God created every good and perfect thing. Breakin', graf-writing, dj-ing, rapping; these were all created by God. But when these tools are used to glorify money and street life, to degrade women, and visually molest our children, this is when it becomes an evil and vile work.” READ MORE...

Melvin, Chicago, Illinois

“Those cats from the South are modern day minstrels. They need to be silenced. Hell, if nothing else they should be censured. Them cats don't understand the immense power they have. Today's rappers shape the perception of the world. I'm afraid they are woefully under qualified for such a job. As a fan, I'm calling for an end to all Chiken George Southern rap.” READ MORE...

A Denver city worker complains diversity training video is racist to whites and threatens lawsuit.

WATCH NEWS VIDEO

Dell features B and C-list Star Power celebs to star in its November and December marketing campaign of its computer products. Here is a video of a commercial Miss Fox is featured in. Who knew she had a little technie in her? I'm just not convinced with her ad...lol

Her title is "Sassy Sell."

Why does the black woman almost ALWAYS have to portray the sassy character? She has some controlled neck rolling in the video, and if she was ad libbing, I am quite sure a hand roll would have been thrown in there too. hhhhhmmmph! Click on the link to watch Vivica, Ice-T, and other celebs' Dell commercial spots.

Oh wait, Ice-T plays "Silky Sell." Comical as hell. He is seated on a couch in a setting fit for a Vogue magazine photo shoot, looking like a college professor trying to pass off a 'smooth as silk' reformed pimp persona. Sorry Dell, ...lol, I only see gangsta all dressed up. Man, did they miss the marks. I don't even want to see the others.

WATCH Commercial

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:
Blair Underwood, Timbaland, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, Dr. Nikki Giovanni, Bob Marley

RESULTS

1. www.BobMarley.com 62

2. www.BlairUnderwood.com 61
3. www.MichaelEricDyson.com 54
4. www.TimbalandMusic.com 53
5. www.Nikki-Giovanni.com 52

Follow the jump to get a full breakdown of the scores.

I was listening to the Tom Joyner Show this morning and Latasha Norman’s father, Danny Bolden was interviewed by telephone, in an effort to keep his daughter’s story alive. Latasha Norman of Greenville, Mississippi has been missing since around November 13, 2007. She was last seen in Jackson, Mississippi. Bolden expressed frustration over the fact that the Natalie Holloways of the country receive constant national coverage on all network and cable television stations, and his daughter has not received similar attention.

Update 11/28/7-- FUNDS ARE NOW SET UP FOR LATASHA NORMAN'S FAMILY. FOLLOW THE LINK BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION

Update 12/5/7-- Service held for Latasha Norman READ ARTICLE

Photo Credit: MovieWeb.com

The NY Daily News reported Oscar winner Terrence Howard is set to make his Broadway debut in the Broadway African-American production of the Tennessee Willimas classic "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," this February. He will take on the character of Brick. Other stars reported to be in the cast include: Phylicia Rashad, James Earl Jones, and Giancarlo Esposito. I hope I will have a block of time to go NYC and see this one.

Photo: Mamie Manneh, Monkey & Meat from Recipezaar

A few years ago, I watched a PBS special on 'bushmeat' or monkey meat in Africa and how the gorillas and monkeys populations were briskly being decimated, due to the high demand for food in many countries. The meat was sold on the black market and in some places openly. I sat in horror as I watched the meat being sold, and the footage of the dead carcasses, but I did not think for once, that the meat would be the center of a court case here in the U.S.

I know many would argue, including monkey meat eaters, and Koreans who eat dog meat, that their eating of monkeys and dogs is no different from people eating beef, chicken, pork, or fish. Bushmeat can be any wild animal. Okay. I get it. But MONKEY??? LOL. It's still a big yuck for me. I don't condemn those who eat it, but monkeys are too high up on the food chain for me. Next is humans. If you have tasted monkey meat before, and it tastes like anything other than chicken, please let me know in vivid detail what it tastes like. An inquiring mind wants to know. Thanks.

Back to the story. Mamie Manneh, 39, a Staten Island resident and native of Liberia is fighting a federal monkey meat case. She is currently in jail for for trying run over a lady she suspected of sleeping with her husband, according to AP news.

A series of videos created by a black male growing up in the U.S. about his experiences. Thank you for sending me your videos. Here is video #1 and I will show one video per week on this blog. These are really good videos on one black man's perspective. His timing was just right in making me aware of his videos, as I have been looking for some content on a black male's perspective, which does not involve crime, death, gangsta, absentee fatherhood, or male bashing. Those stories will continue to be included, but there must be balance of good with the not so good.

If anyone wants to share a positive story about a black uncle, son, friend, father, brother, grandfather, nephew, mate, spouse, please send it this way. I do have a heartwarming story I read on the net, but want to get permission first from the person before I post it. Ideally, I want to showcase a story once a week, if possible. Thanks :)
WATCH A Tree Grows in Brooklyn bygINCpresents

From My Wife and Kids fame, the young singer/actress appears with Terrence Howard in the movie along with Robin Willaims, Freddie Highmore, Kerri Russell, and others in the new movie 'August Rush.' Here is one of her older performances. With that beautiful, charming face and voice she is going places, and hopefully headed down the right path. I am guessing she is about 10 or 11 years old right now.

Sorry I am late with this one. I cut it out of the New York Times newspaper and sort of put it on the back burner, then forgot about it. Well congrats to Ambrose, the winner of the 20th Thelonius Monk Institute Jazz Competition.

"(Los Angeles, CA - October 29, 2007) – The famous Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles held its first major jazz concert ever as celebrities, business leaders, and musicians converged onstage to pay tribute to one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time. Legendary music icon and 10 time GRAMMY® winner Herbie Hancock was honored with an all star tribute concert recognizing all he has contributed to jazz, the music industry and society through his illustrious career. Further, the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz established the Herbie Hancock Humanitarian Award, which will be given each year to a person who has used their passion and influence for the greater good of society and mankind. Legendary producer and friend Quincy Jones presented Hancock with the inaugural award saying, "Over the course of his career Herbie Hancock has not only changed the world of music, he has used music to change the world." " READ MORE...

Reference: www.monkinstitute.org

Twenty year old Megan has been skating for quite some time and she is on the U.S. Figure Skating C Team, so that would make her a C-Lister figure skater...lol, but seriously, I think her mother is the one who used to be a professional speed skater. I have only seen Megan perform once before, and it's nice to know she is still competing. Her hometown is Ellicott, Maryland and she trains in Newark, Delaware. Here is a video of her in competition.

This is a video I found on You Tube. The older videos show 15 chest compressions for adults. The new guidelines call for 30 chest compressions for an adult. In this video there is a CPR demonstration for pets also. If someone's heart has stopped and they are unresponsive you need to begin CPR and call 911 (acivate the emergency response system).

It is invaluable for you to contact the American Heart Association or your local Red Cross, and take a course. If you are not in the healthcare field, you only need to know community CPR. The course is virtually inexpensive and you may save someone's life. The video feature and AED (Automated Electronic Defibrillator) if you have one nearby. The AED is used once a heart has stopped beating. Be careful, they deliver shocks. Never touch the person while a shock is being delivered or you WILL be shocked also.

American Red Cross Classes

Follow the jump to see the CPR video

Want to review a film or write about your movie going experience or list a black film screening or festival? Go to www.BlackMovieReviews.com

Your online voice for writing YOUR own Black Movie Reviews. Seen a good movie lately? One that offended you? Made you laugh? You cried. Loved it. Hated it. Too stereotypical? Inspirational? Wasted your money? Rented it 10 times. Saw it twice. Bought the video/DVD?

Do you have a better ending? You recommend it or you don't. Rated G-PG-R-NR? Favorite black actor or black actress? Want to comment on your favorite black movies. Independent-Drama-Action-Comedy-Blaxploitation-Vintage-Science Fiction-Foreign-Animation. Any year. Color or Black and White films.

This is an opinion site. Add your comments and let the world know what you think.

No adult film reviews accepted. Movies must be black starring, themed or with predominately black cast. You don't have to be black to participate. Everyone is invited! Just bring your own popcorn. You can even talk back to the screen if you wish. Now relax, sit back in your seat and enjoy the show!

This 1930's era film produced by Oprah Winfrey, and is based on a true story is about Texas' Wiley College Professor Melvin B. Tolson's black debate team, and is eventual challenge of Harvard in the National Championship, is set to be released on Christmas day and should be a good one, as my favorite actor Denzel Washington will be directing and starring in it. The film was written by Robert Eisele.

Remember little Jurnee Smollett? She is a grown woman now doing much in AIDS charity work, and she stars in this film. This man is sure to grab another Oscar this winter. Part of the filming was done here, locally, at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, as I remember when Denzel came to town, there were reportings of Denzel sightings about the place.

The local news did a segment on the set where they showed an audience set up. The audience was fake---all dummies propped up in chairs. So I will be sure to look for the dummies in the the crowded debate scenes where there is an audience in the auditorium. Mr. Washington continues to trailblaze, burnin' up that path. Go Denzel!

Follow the jump to watch the movie trailer, get more information on Melvin Beaunorus Tolson's poetic work, bio, and photograph.

Photo Credit: Album/CD Cover from AfriClassical.com

William J. Zick has done a fine job over at AfriClassical.com of compiling information on historical African American classical musicians. I like classical music, but I would not say you can find me in the record store aisle browsing CD covers, but this site is worth looking at. Figure skating is a sport I follow, so I can recognize a work or few. It is absolutely fabulous with its audio, photos, and important stories. It is a good visit for students and if you have children learning to play instruments. Perhaps they will appreciate lessons a bit more.

One of the musicians featured on his site is bandleader Francis Johnson (1792-1844) and he led the first African American musicians to Europe according to Zick. A research publication excerpt, from professor Dominique-René de Lerma of Lawrence University, featured on Zick's site, details some of Frank's racial discrimination trials:

"Johnson's career was never far from the ugliest forms of racial persecution. White bands often refused to participate in parades when Johnson's band was scheduled to appear; and when the band toured to St. Louis, Missouri, its members were arraigned, fined and ordered from the state under laws prohibiting the entry of free Blacks. A particularly violent incident occurred near Pittsburgh: "At the close of the concert the mob followed Mr. Johnson and his company shouting "n____" and other opprobrious epithets, and hurling brick-bats, stones and rotten eggs in great profusion upon the unfortunate performers. One poor fellow was severely, it is feared dangerously, wounded in the head, and others were more or less hurt. No thanks to the mobocrats that life was not taken, for they hurled their missiles with murderous recklessness if not with murderous intention." The Tribune [NY], May 23, 1843."

Follow the jump to read Zick's article reprint called "Classical Music Not All Whites in Wigs"

This happened in Maryland and ABC 7 News reports:

"The Frederick County Sheriff's Office says a 20 year old man, Jarrel Gray, died after a deputy used a Taser gun to break up a fight and the NAACP wants them to stop using the device." WATCH VIDEO

There is a recent weekend headline of a Canadian person dying from a Taser. I am a Taser advocate, but I strongly believe, people who are already subdued and/handcuffed should not be Tasered, and citizens should not be excessively Tasered, in addition, officers should have frequent, ongoing training requirements (if they don't already) as a condition for being qualified to use the Taser gun.

Follow the jump to see how taser technology works and to see product videos on how they work.

This is a new book I purchased over the summer and loaned to someone to read. Lol, I still don't have it back yet. But here is an excerpt from the book. I purchased after watching the author, Harriet A. Washington, give a book presentation on Book C-Span. The woman did her research, and she discussed roadblocks to gaining access to information and how those barriers were torn down. The book basically chronicles the history of blacks in this country as subjects of medical research experiments, many unwillingly and/or unknowlingly, and may for the basis for the reason why many are distrustful of the medical establishment. The book is entitled: "Medical Apartheid: The Dark History of Medical Experimentation on Black Americans from Colonial Times to the Present"

Book Excerpt:

"During the 1830s, a Dr. T. Stillman ran serial advertisements in the
Charleston Mercury for his infirmary, in which he principally treated skin
diseases. On October 12, 1838, he made a fascinating addendum:

“Wanted: FIFTY NEGROES. Any person having sick negroes, considered
incurable by their respective physicians and wishing to dispose of them
[emphasis added] . . . the highest cash prize will be paid upon application
as above.”

Washington KOMO TV reports:

WATCH VIDEO

The 36-year-old former Washington State University basketball player had been found with a shoelace around his neck and two weeks after his pregnant wife reported him missing, his body was found in Goias, Brasil, leaning against a tree, and it is estimated that his body had been there at least five days. Brasilian officials feel it is a suicide, but family and friends refuse to believe that, since “according to some of the other players, Harris appeared to be nervous and overly anxious about something, but he never said what was bothering him.”

Read The Olympian Online related article

Depending on when you read this, it's Monday Nov. 26th. We have two posts on the black folk group,Chocolate Drops...here is a bulletin message from the group. The "click here's" aren't linked in this post. Check our earlier posts or look them up on MySpace for more info. Congrats Chocolate Drops!!

"Our song from The Great Debaters soundtrack will be on Oprah tomorrow!

Recently, we were lucky enough to play a small part in the new Oprah Winfrey-produced movie The Great Debaters. The film, which stars Denzel Washington (who also directed the movie), Forest Whitaker and more, hits theaters on December 25th.

In the meantime, we'd like to invite you to check out the trailer here!. Or you can listen to the song we recorded with Alvin Youngblood Hart, which will appear on the soundtrack, courtesy of Atlantic Records. To listen to the song, click here. It's the second track in the player at the bottom of the page.

Last, but not least - the song will also appear on the Oprah Winfrey show on MONDAY, Nov 26th - check out oprah.com for more info."

It's holiday season and unfortunately many of us won't be going "over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house we go." We will be singing: "Fill up the tank 4x, hit the highway, pay 4 tolls, stop at the rest area 6x-- to get to grandma's house we go."

Gas in Norway is over $13.00/gallon and $0.13/gallon in Venezuela...is there anything wrong with this picture? I know Americans are considered to be greedy, but does gas have to be so high? And yes, I know allll about supply and demand blah, blah, blah. It seems as if you used to, could travel from NYC to LA on Greyhound or Amtrak for $49 bucks each way. Over are the days of being able to race down to Florida from western NY in 28 hours, and spending a little over $150 dollars on petroleum. Those days are forever gone.

It is still no consolation for me when people say: They pay $4/gal in this country and $5 in that country. I don't care. That's their situation, and this is mine. I know. I should be thankful. And I am. For now, but after Thanksgiving, it's back to...LOL. Now, where can I apply for a gas voucher?...lol, there must be a program SOMEWHERE in this good ole U.S. of A.

btw, gone for several days, but feel free to read some of the articles posted on this blog, and leave comments. Gotta go and burn up the gas. Will be back Monday!

Reference: Consumer Reports

Photo Credit: Jim Cooper for AP

December 2007 issue

It's that time of year and all of the year-end lists are slowly being revealed. New Orleans born rapper Lil Wayne made GQ Magazine's 2007 Men of the Year...Roger Federer, Simon Cowell, and Alex Rodriguez are men I am familiar with and agree should be on the list. Who did they leave out? Guess I will have to read the December issue article to find out why he (Lil Wayne) was selected. Here are the honorees:

- Casey Affleck - Breakout of the Year
- Judd Apatow, Michael Cera, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, Paul Rudd - Comedy
Mafia
- Javier Bardem - Villain
- Brad Bird, director of 'Ratatouille' - Innovator
- Cate Blanchette in 'I'm Not There' - Performance of the Year
- Mike Bloomberg, Mayor of the City of New York - Maverick
- Boise State vs. Oklahoma at the Fiesta Bowl - Game of the Year
- Josh Brolin - Tough Guy
- Cast of 'Mad Men' - Instant Classic
- David Chang of New York's Momofuku - Chef
- David Chase, creator of 'The Sopranos' - Final Act
- Simon Cowell - Mastermind
- John Cusack - Comeback
- Daft Punk - Trailblazers
- Daria - Supermodel of the Year
- Sgt. Joshua Delgado and the new breed of medics serving in Iraq - Unsung
Heroes
- Roger Federer - Court King
- Tom Hanks - Icon
- Emile Hirsch - Wild Man
- Ryan Howard, first baseman, Philadelphia Phillies - Slugger
- Lil Wayne - Workaholic
- Josh Marshall, blog founder, Talking Points Memo - Muckraker
- James McAvoy - British Import
- Derek O'Dell, student, Virginia Tech - Lifesaver
- Hayden Panettiere - Obsession of the Year
- Ron Paul, presidential candidate - Dark Horse of the Year
- Alex Rodriguez - Hit Man
- Seth Rogen - Father of the Year
- Mark Ruffalo - Secret Weapon
- Julian Schnabel - Visionary
- Jason Schwartzman - Cool Kid
- John Smeaton, baggage handler, Glasgow International Airport - Employee
of the Year
- Channing Tatum - Man of Next Year
- Robin Thicke and Rihanna - Smooth Operators
- John Varvatos - Designer of the Year
- Shaun White - Reinvention

This is another must see documentary by Morgan Spurlock, who created the documentary 'Supersize Me' which is about a guy who eats McDonald's foods for about 30 days, and he chronicles the hazards of eating fast food. Black folks definitely need to add this film on their films to watch list. But here is another one of his documentaries (new) on the commericalization of Christmas in America. Add this one to your list also.

"The Shopocalypse is coming! Who will be $aved? Let me exorcise your credit cards! Changellujuah!" - "Reverend Billy" from the documentary

December 2007

Here is a list of the readers' choice for most influential people and Essence states: " The melange of influencers, ranging from actors and advocates to moguls
and students, were compiled in a compelling feature of rarely seen before
photos and biographical profiles."

-- Senator Barack Obama
-- Gina McCauley- Blogger, whataboutourdaughters.com ***Congrats Gina!!!!
-- Tyler Perry - Writer, Producer, Director
-- Majora Carter - Environmentalist, Founder, Executive Director,
Sustainable South Bronx
-- Victoria Lanier- Former Youth Director, NAACP, Northeast Region
-- Reverend Jesse L. Jackson - Civil Rights Activist, Minister
-- Reverend Al Sharpton - Civil Rights Activist and President, National
Action Network
-- The Jena Six
-- Beyonce Knowles - Singer, Songwriter, Actress
-- Oprah Winfrey - Media Mogul, School Founder
-- Timbaland - Music Producer, Recording Artist
-- Cory A. Booker - Mayor of Newark, New Jersey
-- Lovie Smith - Head Coach, NFC Champions, Chicago Bears
-- Tony Dungy - Head Coach, Super Bowl Champions, Indianapolis Colts
-- Deval Patrick - Governor, Massachusetts Congrats Deval!!!Our 1st black governor
-- Don Cheadle - Actor, Activist
-- Shonda Rhimes - Creator, Executive Producer, Grey's Anatomy and Private
Practice
-- Venus Williams - Tennis Champion
-- Charles Rangel - Chairman, House Committee on Ways and Means
-- Barry Bonds - "Home Run King"
-- Cynthia Tucker - Syndicated Columnist, Editorial Page Editor, Atlanta
Journal-Constitution
-- The Scarlet Knights - Rutgers University Women's Basketball Team, NCAA
Finalists
-- Kiri Davis - Filmmaker, Youth Activist
-- Bishop T.D. Jakes - Founder, Senior Pastor, The Potter's House of
Dallas
-- Steve Harvey - Radio Personality, Comedian, Actor

Read Eurweb's Mo' Kelly's analysis of this list: Essence Magazine - Officially Irrelevant

Chaka Demus & Pliers, Beenieman... loved the dancehall/reggae set. I missed the American Music Awards show, but caught Chris Brown's performance...LOL, and they were careful to call him the "prince" of R & B. Because if they had slipped up and called him "king"...LOL, Bobby, Usher, and everybody else would have been on his case by morning, even though he did not call himself the king.

All I can say is with Chris Brown, who needs Usher? I used to think Usher was the best dancing performer, but Chris is holding down #1 in that department for "singers."

You will be hearing more from Junior Reid on urban radio (what's left of it), a very veteran reggae singer, as he just recently signed to a major U.S. record label.

Junior Reid audio to song 'One Blood" (this was a club banger back then...lol)

Follow the link to see Alicia featuring Junior Reid in the reggae remix of her hit 'No One.' They performed it last night onstage.

Don't believe the hype.
This is a memo from the Department of Justice clarifying the Voting Rights Act:

U.S. Department of Justice
Civil Rights Division
Voting Section
Voting Rights Act Clarification

The Department of Justice has received numerous inquiries concerning a rumor that has been intermittently circulating around the nation for many months. According to this rumor, the Voting Rights Act will expire in 2007, and as a result African Americans are in danger of losing the right to vote in that year.

Jeff Lorber WHO? LOL...well, if you know Biggie Smalls' hook "I know you seen me in the video...truuuuue. I know you heard me on the radio...truuuuue?" Actually, Lil' Kim's (back then-pre physical reconstruction) Crush on You, sampled this 1979 tune, 'Rain Dance' by Jeff Lorber. Take a listen to the You Tube audio.What a great jazz tune. The instrumental is hot and funky. Really, rap lyrics were not necessary.

This is what it is like to pass through the countryside in Vermont...lol, well driving through any place in Vermont is country. The mountains are breathtaking. Beauty. Tranquility.

The city of Detroit was named the most dangerous city in the U.S. This cannot be good for Detroit’s travel and tourism industry, if they have one. However, the annual FBI crime stats rank Detroit, Michigan in numero uno’s spot. I have only been to Detroit once, as a kid back in the 80s to visit a great aunt and uncle. They lived in what was a “nice” neighborhood, but had bars on the windows to their home.

My mother wanted to ride around town to site see on her own. They refused to let her go. She was in denial then. She talked them into “letting” her drive up to the corner store…LOL, as soon as we walked out the store, my uncle (who has since passed and must have been in his seventies then), was sitting out in the car with his “piece.” (follow the link to see the rest of the list)

I saw a theater screening a few years ago which was about this song, Strange Fruit, which started out as a poem written by a Jewish schoolteacher . It was very good. PBS Independent Lens has info of the film and notes:

"While many people assume that the song "Strange Fruit" was written by Holiday herself, it actually began as a poem by Abel Meeropol, a Jewish schoolteacher and union activist from the Bronx who later set it to music. Disturbed by a photograph of a lynching, the teacher wrote the stark verse and brooding melody under the pseudonym Lewis Allan in the late 1930s. Meeropol and his wife Anne are also notable because they adopted Robert and Michael Rosenberg, the orphaned children of the executed communists Julius and Ethel Rosenberg."
READ MORE...

When I was a kid, Rick James was a popular icon or should I say a funk icon, and his music blew up our airwaves. Even then I did not know what Mary Jane was, and today, it still is symbolic for marijuana. I must admit I liked the song.

I came across this video on You Tube with the caption
"Nia singing and dancing to Mary Jane by Rick James age 3." Her parents must be too young to know Mary Jane was reported to be about Marijuana. Then my eyeballs scroll over to the right menu and I see she has a catalog of videos. Amongst others, there is one of her singing on stage with Earth Wind & Fire, and a video about her being featured in a local Sunday newspaper. Is this too much?

I could not help but think about the Foxy Browns and Britneys of the world. And yes we have the Raven Simones, Jurnee Smollets, Tiffany Evans, and Malcolm Jamal Warners too, whom all seem relatively balanced from a public point of view. But this video begs to question again: Are we pushing our children too soon to embark on a career in entertainment or showbiz?

I am not the hip hop police and I'm not applyling for the position. She is cute, yes, but this song is so inappropriate. Did this particular video have to be broadcast to the world? Just asking...WATCH VIDEO

I had to do a double take when I saw this photo, but yes it is the Mr. 'Caribbean Queen' minus-the-curl singer. Has it been that long?

Caribbean Queen Video

Photo Credit: Jose Luis Magana/AP

Thousands of people marched around the Justice Department in Washington today to protest hate crime issues. Next we need to march in our crime ridden neighborhoods against black on black crimes and low educational test scores. Hope that is on the agenda along with other issues in the near future.

Shaggy's new album dropped yesterday and I can't wait to hear all of the tracks...reviews report he gets back to his reggae roots and moves away a bit from a mainstream sound.

Here is Bonafide Girl feat. Rik Rok (hot tune...love it!), from the new album by Shaggy, "Mr. Boombastic" himself,'Intoxication' from VP Records/Big Yard Music Group.

Kimora Lee Simmons for The Diamond Empowerment Fund Helping Africans Help Africa
http://diamondempowerment.org/

Hal Turner, White Nationalist was just a guest on the Warren Ballentine Radio Show, and he stated there "will be lynchings next year." Lynchings as a result of people taking justice into their own hands. I don't know how many people are just going to sit back and accept that when/if this should occur. Hal, it's not 1951.

Reference: The Truth Fighters

Last night I was reading the New York Times newspaper (not online) and I came across this headline "Justice Dept. Chief Faces a Test in Minnesota." I glanced at the photos as I quickly skimmed through this article, and I saw someone who I instinctively identified as a sister (keep in mind, I only saw her news print image). Then I read she is the subject of an inquiry. Her name is Rachel K. Paulose. She is 34 years old, a U.S. Attorney, smart---graduated from Yale Law School. The name...hhhmm, sounds Greek? I dunno. Further, on I read as my curiosity grew. LOL, whaaaat? A "sister" is accused of discrimination against her own kind? Wait a minute.

Here is a quote on New York Times quote: "Ms. Paulose is the focus of a wide-ranging investigation by the Office of Special Counsel, a federal watchdog agency charged with protecting the rights of government workers.

Administration officials with knowledge of the inquiry say it centers on accusations that Ms. Paulose mishandled classified documents, retaliated against at least one staff member who complained about her management and used a racial epithet in reference to another employee. She has denied the accusations."

Photo Credit: Jean Pieri/St. Paul Pioneer Press, via Associated Press

Photo Credit: Marion Barry, World Bank

Ada Calhoun wrote a commentary on the hot water critically acclaimed music critic Tim Page is, in after referring to Marion Barry as a crack addict. Some are demanding that he be fired. Must people be fired for everything nowadays? He was not being professional, sending this sort of email on behalf of The Washington Post, and should be disciplined for it, but on the other hand, did not he speak the truth? Mr. Page, you probably might have been safer if you said "former crack smoker". The squeaky wheel does get the oil, right Mr. Page?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Calhoun wrote:

"According to the Washington Post, Pulitzer Prize-winning Post music critic Tim Page received a mass email from Mayor Marion Barry's press office last week. In the past, he'd apparently tried to get off the distribution list and was cursed at, he says, by the staff member he spoke with by phone.

So when he got this email about a local hospital, he sent a furious email to Barry's aide. We've sent plenty of emails we instantly regretted. Unfortunately, Page's was sent from his Post account, was especially nasty, and became public; it read:

"Must we hear about it every time this crack addict attempts to rehabilitate himself with some new -- and typically half-witted -- political grandstanding? I'd be grateful if you would take me off your mailing list. I cannot think of anything the useless Marion Barry could do that would interest me in the slightest, up to and including overdose."

She heavily promoted her new album a couple of months ago, and a single I really like is called 'Angel', and her remake, 'You Belong to Me' featuring Michael MacDonald are both getting respectable airplay. Don't let mama's age distract you. Chaka can still tear up a song. Here is a link to her singing her single 'Angel' live, blowing today's pop tarts away. WATCH VIDEO

Chaka Live on Black Voices

In a music review by BlogCritics Magazine they write:
"On September 25, 2007, Chaka Khan will release her first solo studio project in ten years. After listening to Funk This you'll agree this is a CD long overdue. Just maybe it will help people remember that live musicians play music more danceable then anything a computer or sequencer can generate. It also has the plus that you can sit and listen to it if you don't feel like dancing – amazing huh?" READ MORE...

This story link was spotted in Inside Black Hollywood magazine. And it was reported by First Coast News out of Jacksonville, Florida.:

"BRUNSWICK, GA -- First Coast News has been investigating allegations that a major local company is guilty of racial discrimination.

Lisa Woods contacted us almost a year ago. She worked at Georgia-Pacific near Brunswick at the scaling house where truckers come to weigh their logs.

She says for months the restroom had a sign saying, "OUT OF ORDER." She alleges her co-worker, Anthony Lee, believed the races shouldn't mix. Lee had no comment.

An independent trucker, Donald Jones, says when he went to the scaling house he saw the same "OUT OF ORDER" sign.

Jones says, "I had to go off in the woods and do what I had to do."

But Lisa Wagner, a former security guard at the scaling house, says if a white truck driver came through, "No problem, no problem at all." Whites were invited to use the toilet, Wagner says." READ MORE... WATCH VIDEO

This story link was found in the Inside Black Hollywood magazine. According to website Six Shot, Nelly is business partnering to build a multimillion dollar athletic facility:

"Nelly and Larry Hughes of the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers, both St. Louis natives, have reportedly teamed up to build a multi-million dollar athletic facility in their hometown.

According to The St. Louis Business Journal, Hughes and Nelly’s development company, Nelly Inc., plan to build the massive athletic complex on 60 acres of farmland at Page Avenue, near the Maryland Heights expressway." READ MORE...

Dawson and Nye Appraisal Auctioneers is handling the sale of remaining estate items from the late singer, Luther Vandross. Various personal items will be auctioned off, so if you’re a collector and want a personal piece of Luther history, you may want to get more information on this auction. Below are examples of the many items which will be available from December 4 - 5, 2007 by a single owner sale, entitled Estate of Luther Vandross "Elegance On Stage, Elegance in Life."

This is one of my favorite songs, and for those who aren't aware, the deceased Donny Hathaway is singers Kenya, and Lalah Hathaway's father. Both sisters are excellent singers. See a family picture on Lalah's official site. btw, love that Take 6 photo with Lalah. Beautiful photos on her site. Lalah Hathaway's Website

Follow link below for lyrics...

Photo Credit: Damian Dovarganes/AP

R.I.P.

Houston Chronicle reports:

"LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Donda West, mother of Kanye West and former chairwoman of Chicago State University's English department, has died, a spokesman for the rapper said. She was 58.

Donda West died Saturday night in Los Angeles, said the spokesman, who asked for anonymity because not all family members had been notified.

"The family respectfully asks for privacy during this time of grief," the spokesman said.

A cause of death has not been released.

Donda West was known for the strong bond she shared with her son, by whose side she was often seen at parties and award shows.

Kanye West, 30, often spoke of his close relationship with his mother, who raised him alone after her husband left when Kanye was 3." READ MORE...
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Today RhymeFest, Kanye's writing partner, confirms Kanye's mom's death on Chicago radio station 107.5 WGCI. As an educator and mom, clearly this woman touched many people in her life. Here is a link to the audio. GET AUDIO

This week and in fact, every week is a time to reflect on all of those who have bravely served and continue to serve this country in the Armed Services. Some have given their lives, arms, legs, face (due to burns from explosions) health, sanity, family, time, forgone other careers or opportunities, and have made countless other sacrifices.

If you know a Veteran or someone in active or reserved duty or someone who has passed, it would be nice to take the time to say "Thank You." To all of you fine men and women a simple, but heartfelt sincere: Thank You

I am getting tired of the "GOTCHA!" moments. It is becoming like entertainment. This article is good. Not detailed, but raises a valid point or two.

The Washington Post asks in an article:

"As incidents pile up, formulaic entertainment replaces serious discussion

Has racial conflict become amusement? Is the conversation about racism mere entertainment, dialogue rendered for show, inflammatory words tossed back and forth over a racial divide to excite an audience?" READ MORE...

This is a challenge for those hooked on weave/wigs/hairpieces. If you are NOT hooked, then the open invitation to take the challenge does NOT apply to you. Liberate yourself for a week or month, and let your REAL hair down. Take the time to let your scalp breathe. Have friends or family members or even you forgotten what your real hair looks like? Take the challenge with a friend, or ask someone you know to take the challenge and share your experience with others.

When you share your experience, tell us why you wear weave/wigs hairpieces?
Why you decided to take the challenge and what was others’ responses to the wearing of your natural hair.

For me, personally, I am tired of the eyesore sight of some weaves, and the proliferation of owner/wearers in the community is disappointing. Why do people wear weaves? I ask that question not to start World War III. Yes, it is a matter of personal choice, but for SOME, it goes deeper than the usual explanations of weaves are versatile, save time, easy to manage & maintain, and makes maintenance of one’s appearance less cumbersome. Some people have really grown to hate the locks borne to them.

Michael Jordan's son, Jeffrey, passes up on a small school college scholarship (not like he can't afford to), to join the University of Illinois basketball program as a walk-on. Michael Jordan supports his son's decision. READ MORE...

I did a post on the Chocolate Drops, a black string folk trio from South Carolina, a few months ago when I first started this blog, and you can find their MySpace page in an earlier post, but when I came across their page I could not help but like their sound. Last night, I was reading to Boston Herald, and to my surprise, there they were the Chocolate Drops in a feature article. They will be here (Cambridge, MA) tomorrow night and I can’t make this show :(, but the article did bring up some issues about blacks and folk music.

Here are some excerpts and I just wanted to re-introduce them to people. This and other bands are a reason why public schools need to retain and grow the music and arts curriculum. When I was in school someone once remarked that folk music sounded like slave music,that's why they did not like it. If you are black and can’t stomach folk music, is there a reason why? If you like it, what do you like about it?

The Boston Herald Reports:

“When we first got into it, we were glad to play with other black people, ’cause there aren’t a lot of black people in folk music today,” Flemons said. “There was great chemistry between us right away. And it’s a good thing to revive black string band music. You can’t debate that.”

…there are some who feel the Chocolate Drops are needlessly reviving a racially demeaning tradition that was lost for good reason. After all, no one outside of the Ku Klux Klan wants to see a minstrel show revival.

Popular talent show The X Factor winner, Leona Lewis, has an album called Spirit debut November 12th. Her first single off of the album sounds really good. During the competition, she covered songs Whitney Houston did, and here is a video match up. Leona has been compared to Whitney and Mariah, but while she has a very beautiful voice, in my opinion, vocally, she has not reached Whitney or Mariah’s level. When I say Whitney, I am talking about Whitney-before Mr. Brown. Who knows what Whitney sounds like right now? Both are singing “I Will Always Love You.”

Leona Lewis

Whitney Houston

http://www.leonalewisfansite.co.uk/

The Purple Rain singer doesn't want anyone using his images online without his permission, including fans. While on his website I discovered he has a new perfume called 3121, but would love to show it here, but well, you know....LOL, but you can get it at Macy's. The Guardian Limited reports:

"He has threatened to sue thousands of his biggest fans for breach of copyright, provoking an angry backlash and claims of censorship.

His lawyers have forced his three biggest internet fansites to remove all photographs, images, lyrics, album covers and anything linked to the artist's likeness. A legal letter asks the fansites to provide "substantive details of the means by which you propose to compensate our clients [Paisley Park Entertainment Group, NPG Records and AEG] for damages"." READ MORE...

This is an old story from late summer which buzzed heavily on women, urban, black, and some law blogs, so I thought I would add it for those who did not hear about it. A Glamour Magazine junior-level editor lectured to women about corporate fashion at New York City law firm Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton. Well, what she said did not fare well with some of the African American attorneys in attendance at the presentation.
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FolioMag.com reported:
“During the presentation the editor said that “political” hairstyles such as Afros and dreadlocks are a “Glamour don’t.” Several of the African American women in the audience took offense. Since then, the story—which was first reported in the August issue of American Lawyer—has been circulated in the form of a chain e-mail, a Glamour spokesperson says. The incident even led to a segment that aired on NPR. “

NPR adds (note: title drops from junior editor to staffer):
"The staffer suggested that certain hairstyles were not ideal for the workplace. During the talk she showed a picture of a woman with an afro, calling it "a real no-no." She moved on to dreadlocks, calling them "shocking" and claiming that those "political hairstyles really have to go."

Keep your ears and eyes open. www.myspace.com/tweetsouthernhummingbird

Follow the link below to see her backstage interview with DJ Spinderella at the VH1 Hip Hop Honors 2007 show.

This letter is reported to have been written by a Caucasian woman and her views on black people. It has been circulating on the web and forwarded on email lists, and can be found on other blogs. It is quite interesting. Her name or alias “Dee Lee,” and how the person has been identified? I do not know. I know some of us don’t like to be critiqued by others and feel they don’t have that right; however, whether she/he is black-white-purple-green, sadly, there is much truth in this letter or essay. btw, I know there are many black folks who do read.
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“THEY ARE STILL OUR SLAVES We can continue to reap profits from the Blacks without the effort of physical slavery Look at the current methods of containment that they use on themselves: IGNORANCE, GREED, and SELFISHNESS.

Their IGNORANCE is the primary weapon of containment. A great man once said, ‘The best way to hide something from Black people is to put it in a book.’ We now live in the Information Age. They have gained the opportunity to read any book on any subject through the efforts of their fight for freedom, yet they refuse to read. There are numerous books readily available at Borders, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.com, not to mention their own Black Bookstores that provide solid blueprints to reach economic equality (which should have been their fight all along), but few read consistently, if at all.

Are you black and have heard black people either living in or out of a black community say “I don’t buy from black people,” or “I don’t do business with black folks” when it comes to patronizing black businesses. Have you said this yourself? I have heard this at least once or twice in my lifetime from other black people.

Photo Credit: Book Cover, BrownSkin.net

Dermatologist, Dr. Susan Taylor was on Steve Harvey’s morning show today discussing dermatological issues people with brown skin face and she promoted her book also. The book is entitled “Brown Skin: Dr. Susan Taylor's Prescription for Flawless Skin, Hair and Nails,” and her skin care products for women of color can be found at Sephora (www.sephora.com) or Rx for Brown Skin (www.rxforbrownskin.com).

She describes Brown skin on her website:

“Brown skin is Diverse, Unique and Beautiful. Our diverse backgrounds span the globe and include Asian skin, Latino skin, Black skin, Indian skin, and Middle-Eastern skin types. Our unique skin care, hair care and nail care needs are different from those of Caucasians. Our Beauty shines in mind, body and spirit. We are women with Brownskin.”

Visit her site: www.BrownSkin.net covers topics related to skin care conditions such as Melasma, Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (also known as darkened, healed skin after popping a pimple), Vitiligo , Acne , Acne Vulgaris , Acne Roseca , Eczema , Hyperkeratosis, Psoriasis, Scars, Seborrheic Dermatitis, Skin Cancer, Hair Loss, Hair Breakage, Hair Growth, and Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (also known as razor bumps).

Additional contact information: Society Hill Dermatology (www.societyhilldermatology.com)

Photo Credit: Book Cover from "African-American involvement in the Vietnam War"

Back when I attended university, I did work-study in a biology lab in the evenings cleaning equipment and stocking reagents. There was an Amerasian lab technician who worked there and told me about some of her experiences. Her father is white American and her mother is Vietnamese. She told me how tough it was being Amerasian in her mother’s country, but was worse if you were a black Amerasian. I wonder if things have changed for the better.

“When Luong Hung looks in the mirror, he says, shame ripples through his body. His sad-eyed visage, his tightly curled dark hair, are daily reminders of the relationship between his Vietnamese mother, a waitress in Saigon during the war, and his father, a cargo pilot he knows only as John.

"I feel ashamed that my mother was with a black man, and now I have to carry that," said the slender 26-year-old refugee, his knees almost touching his chest as he perched atop a child-sized plastic chair in his Bronx apartment. "I wish I were a white Amerasian."” READ MORE...

Reference: New York Times, African-American involvement in the Vietnam War (http://www.aavw.org/index.html)

Don't know where this is airing, but it is artistic, creative, and well done. Must be showing is Europe, because people would have a fit if this aired on network television in the USA. Vaseline is great for the skin, hair, and face. Oh yeah, yes, it is good for the face. I remember when I was a kid, this older girl named Suzie (r.i.p.) was about to scrap with another girl in the neighborhood. Beforehand, she ran in the house and "vaselined" down her face...lol WATCH VIDEO

It can be dangerous to chase down robbers. And it is better to let the clown have the money. This news story was taken from the Boston Police Department crime blog today. A pizza worker was shot in the head after being robbed while working. He chased down the robber who is allegedly a teen and OFF the streets. The pizza worker died. Often times, we get reports from the newspapers, but there is rarely follow up on what happened to the victims. This is another sad case of another dumbass kid who has destroyed his life and the victims, not to mention friends and family members. Condolences.
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On Thursday, November 1, 2007 at approximately 9:30am officers on-sited an incident of a person shot at Norfolk Street and Woodrow Ave. in Dorchester. At that location, 45 year-old Mimin Manavoglu of Brockton was observed suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. The victim was rushed to Boston Medical Center, where he was listed in critical condition with a life-threatening wound. At approximately 6pm yesterday evening, he was pronounced.

Starring two of my favorite actresses Loretta Devine & Regina King. Singer Chris Brown will be acting in this film also. I know it’s early, and Thanksgiving isn’t even here, but the movie will be in theaters this month beginning 11/21. VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Description: This year, Christmas with the Whitfield's promises to be one they will never forget. All the siblings have come home for the first time in years and they've brought plenty of baggage with them. As the Christmas tree is trimmed and the lights are hung, secrets are revealed and family bonds are tested. As their lives converge, they join together and help each other discover the true meaning of family.

Starring: Laz Alonso, Chris Brown (III), Loretta Devine, Idris Elba, Regina King

Reference: Sony.com, Mochacity.com

Let’s see…how would I define snitching if it were a Jeopardy question: Alex, what is tattling? I may be correct if I was on Jeopardy, but I had not recently thought about the concept of snitching until I saw the movie American Gangster yesterday. Watching this movie made me think more about recent news events and old, especially here in the Boston area. There have been at least a handful of deaths related to snitching that I have read about in the Boston area this year. There are more cases which I am not aware of, because I can’t keep count of all of them.

The Stop Snitching concept in most urban, poor black and Latino neighborhoods is more about witness intimidation, which is manifested by threats, bribery, personal injury, or even death. One form of intimidation I read about locally is witnesses were being photographed and videotaped with cell phones as they left courthouses. I guess it is easy for some to say, do the right thing and tell what you know, tell the truth.

Photo Credit: AP

Lakshmi at the Sparsh Hospital in Bangalore, India. Doctors will begin to operate today (11/6/07) on this 2 year old girl born with a “parasitized” twin. She has 4 arms and 4 legs. Her twin is headless and 30 doctors will participate in this surgery which is estimated to cost $200k. I hope she makes it. What a living doll.

UPDATE: 11/7/7 - The 24 hour long surgery was a SUCCESS!

Reggae, dancehall, soca, and calypso...LOVE IT ALL! But here is a sweet reggae song by Junior Kelly. Actually it is a love song and one of my favorites from him on his Tough Life CD. Lyrics...

Click on the link below for lyrics...it's laced with a little patois.

Yesterday I was in the Barnes and Noble bookstore checking out books, before going to see Denzel's movie American Gangster, and I ran across Rain Pryor's new book (book cover above). Rain, the daughter of late comedian Richard Pryor is expecting her first child also. I quickly glanced at her site and saw many of the photos online are printed in her book.

One interesting caption in a photo with her dad remarked on how she was spending quiet time with him. The photo was of her with him lying across a bed just relaxing. She commented about how a woman was always lurking around, and this seemed like a time to seize the moment, and monopolize on the time she could spend with dad. The photo was telling with that caption. It is nice to get a peek into her upbringing as biracial and Jewish. I am thinking about buying this book.

Her website is www.rainpryor.com

The Republican debate is coming soon. Do you want to submit your questions to the Republican presidential race candidates? You don’t have to be a Republican or registered to any political party to ask a question. Create a YouTube video with your question, and your question might be selected to ask your video question during the live debates on November 25th. All of you Democrats by default (those who don't know why they are a Democrat or what the party stands for) should consider asking questions also, if you have questions. Good Luck!!!! TAKE ME TO YOUTUBE

GUIDELINES
• Be original -- choose your own approach.
• Be personal -- your perspective is important.
• Choose your focus -- you can address one or all of the candidates.
• Keep it quick -- your question should be less than 30 seconds (and, in the language of your choice).
• Make it look good -- speak loudly and keep that camera steady.
• Provide context -- in your question or video description, include your name & home town.
• Please note -- all videos are subject to the YouTube Terms of Use.

Avery Beverages, a Connecticut based company is manufacturing bottled water for dogs. Woof Water--pure spring water. In their research 9 out of 10 dogs prefer Woof Water. Fido won't drink tap water? Too bad. He gots ta go. This is ridiculous...LOL, can't believe it. The sad thing is kooks will buy it and they will make a ton of money.

File under: Only in America

Photo Credit: ABC News

When I saw the captions "New Mom Wins" or "Mom Rules" in reference to the NYC Marathon, which occurred yesterday, the photo of the winner told me the victory was more than about being a single mom. It was obvious after viewing the photos, since the winner was non-Kenyan, Ethiopian, or African that the media and public were ecstatic that SOMEONE ELSE has won.

That SOMEONE ELSE happens to be an athletic blondie, Paula Radcliffe, of Great Britain. If she was American, there would be a national holiday the next day, and she'd become a household name faster than you can say Tiger Woods. Therefore, in my opinion, this is not about a mom winning. It is about a non-African winning a marathon. I understand. I live on a street where the Boston Marathon runners run by my place of residence. I am right on the runner's course, and I see thousands of people running by, overwhelmingly non-black. In addition, it gets boring year after year after year seeing Kenyans win, place, and show. They deserve it because they want it and train for it, but that still does not take away from the fact that it gets old.

Photos of 19-year-old pharaoh, King Tut (Tutankhamun) have been revealed to the public for the first time. The ancient Egytian boy king died more than 3,000 years ago.

Photo Credit: AFP/Cris Bouroncle

Video of King Tut's face unveiled

TMZ has reported that Dog the Bounty Hunter has reached out to Rev. Al Sharpton. Here is a copy of the full text of Sharpton's response letter posted on TMZ.com. Rev. Al invited him to a march. People only want help after they get caught with there hands in a cookie jar. My mother had this saying: A fish would not get caught if it didn't open its mouth.

Dear Mr. Chapman:

I received your call while on the road promoting a March I am leading on the United States Justice Department on November 16th in Washington, DC, against hate crimes and racial attacks around the country. The revelation of your conversation came at a time that is most frightening to a lot of people because we are in a state of crisis with the proliferation of racial attacks, hate crimes, and bias incidents in the United States and abroad. In fact, Abraham H. Foxman, the Executive Director of the Anti-Defamation League and I released an unprecedented joint statement today because of this climate. Even more concerning to me though is that the Justice Department and the federal government have failed to intervene in cases all over the country of racial bigotry and hate which is the reason we are having our march on Nov. 16th in front of the Justice Department.

Usher Raymond and his pregnant new wife graced the covers of Essence magazine and here is a link to the behind the scenes footage of the photo shoot. He talks about love, family, and his album. This surely reads like an infomercial. Anyone sold or buying? WATCH VIDEO

Photo Credit: Contact Music

According to ContactMusic.com, singer Seal revealed he used to get his &%$ kicked by his dad on a regular basis. He has forgiven his father. I wonder if his father has changed. Abusers are just troubled people. Well, Seal, plenty of people share that experience of a whooping. Whoopings aren't fun. I have swapped whooping stories with colleague and I was surprised to find, that someone had it worse than I could imagine. There is a difference between whoopings and spankings, in my opinion.

ContactMusic reports:

"Soul star SEAL endured regular beatings from his violent father throughout his childhood - but is grateful to his dad for showing him how not to behave as a parent. He says, "My dad was a troubled soul, but I understand why he was like that. He couldn't break out of a vicious cycle: his father, my grandad, was also a nasty piece of work. And maybe dad hated the fact that I was a newer, younger, version of him. "I still describe my father as a great man, because he gave me the gift of seeing everything I shouldn't do as a father."" READ MORE...

Soulja Boy Tellem...all I can say is LOL. I know this is a young people's thing and it's part of some Pepsi Smash promotion, I'm guessing...
Check out the dance moves.

Presidential candidate Barack Obama appeared on SNL last night in a skit with Bill and Hillary Clinton impersonators. Hey Obama, don't quit your day job...LOL. Here is the opening skit video link: WATCH VIDEO

Photo Credit: ABC News

Is this a computer glitch or racism? This is the question at hand. Who knows? Is this the work of a racist hacker? Google hacked? Nooooo. Say it ain't so.
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Photo Credit: Getty Images

Newsweek reports:

"How a Google glitch linked black execs to a pair of monkeys

A screen grab (center) of a Google News search result that the company says unintentionally linked Time Warner's Richard Parsons and outgoing Merrill Lynch CEO Stanley O'Neal to a picture of monkeys

A keyword search for "Richard Parsons" generated a flood of stories about the executive, accompanied by a photo of two rhesus monkeys. Clicking on the image linked users to a story on neither monkeys nor Parsons. Instead, a speculative account on O'Neal's waning support among Merrill directors appeared on screen. Other than the lynch mob's noose and the Klansman's hood, few images of racism are as offensive to African-American as monkeys. Yet the bizarre juxtaposition of image and stories persisted through the week. And even after Google was specifically contacted this week, it continued." READ MORE...

This is just got-dang-ridiculous...lol & smh at the same time. But there is a report that Yankees, now free agent Alex Rodriguez gave a bottom line re-sign contract figure of AT MINIMUM $350 million, which would keep him suited in NY Yankees garments. If this is true, I just don't know what to say.

Yes, he is considered the best all around ball player and historically may be considered the best all time player, and I know he has a family to feed and a new baby on the way, but got dammm! LOL, is this PURE greed or a case of A-Rod just trying to "get his?"

$1 million is nothing anymore. It is yesterday's $100,000. It seems as if everyone is racing to get to billionaire status. I guess having a few million is not exciting anymore.

Dominican Republic, what a beautiful place & people--hopefully, those affected will be able to pick up the pieces and put them back together again. We have heavy rain here, but none compared to this devastation. I am thankful.

Residents in the street in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa

Dominican Republic resident cleans her belongings.

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa

Man crossing a crowded street with his child in la Plaine, Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Logan Abassi, MIN

Update: Floodwaters and mudslides have claimed a total of 118 lives to date.

This video was just spotted on Yahoo! while reading my morning news...so, so, funny

Photo Credit: AP Photo/KATHY WILLENS

They have three children, ages 17, 22 and 23.

The Alliance Review reports:

"Carlos Santana and his wife of 34 years are divorcing, according to court documents.

Deborah Santana, who in her 2005 memoir "Space Between the Stars" described her guitarist husband as being unfaithful, filed for divorce in Marin County Superior Court on Oct. 19, citing irreconcilable differences.

Carlos Santana's publicist, Michael Jensen, said the case is "a private matter and there is no comment."

The musician has said he knew he made mistakes in his marriage.

"I sincerely apologized to her and to my kids when I wasn't in my right mind and did something hurtful," Carlos Santana said after the memoir was published.

"It has helped me become more humble and to try harder to be the man she wants me to be."" READ MORE...
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I am wondering why there is emphasis on the cheating in the reporting of this news....hhhmmm, just makes one wonder.

Photo Credit: AP news by way of Harpo Productions

Actress Hilary Swank lets Oprah cut off more than nine inches of her hair. Oprah is having a makeover show today and the website says "Five celebrity hairstylists and their teams made over more than 100 people in only 48 hours. Click on an image below to see the dramatic before and after transformations. Check back later this month to see the rest of the makeover reveals!"

Here is a link to thumbnail photos of all of the participants. It's obvious to note that about 10% of the lucky people appear to be black. Do you think roughly, only 10% of black women/people watch Oprah? There is one of us on each line of the photo. The show is called Oprah's Great American Haircut. Here is the link to the before and after pics. I really like the makeover concept. View Makeover Candidates

Michael Moore on a dated Oprah show, showing a cartoon about American history. I don't know whether or not it was banned, and I rarely watch Oprah. I used to watch her religiously back in the early 90's and when she first syndicated. But the last time I watched, was when Bill Cosby was a guest, and this was probably my second or third time catching her show on air this year.

Whether the cartoon is banned I do not know, but some that post it online label it as banned. If anyone knows, let me know. With Columbus Day recently passing and Thanksgiving coming up, I thought I would post this thought provoking video. Anyone think it should be banned? As far as I can tell, it's telling the truth about American history, however brief it is.

Photo Credit: JAMN 94.5

Jay Z made a surprise visit to Boston’s JAMN 94.5 Monster Jam concert, at The Garden this past Monday, and performed with Kanye West. It's nice when a guest is just in the neighborhood and decides to drop by. Visit www.jamn945.com to see more concert photos.