March 2008 Archives
Here is an excerpt of a copy of a discrimination complaint letter that I received from a person who says he is an African-American U.S. Army pilot. In the letter, he alleges racial discrimination in the Army, particularly in the Aviation unit. I returned an email back to the Army address on the letter, and received a response, so I will assume it is a genuine complaint from the person who replied listed in the file.
Read the letters addressed to Senator McCain, Senator Hillary Clinton, and the President(which does not have the President’s name on it). It is just addressed as the “President.” I do not know what to tell bruh, on an individual basis alone, it is hard to take on any large entity, let alone the U.S. government. This subject matter doesn’t get the media excited unless a powerful name is somehow entangled in these allegations. This sounds like stories 60 Minutes used to cover.
And I guess I am naive when it comes to the military, because I have most often heard, color does not matter much in the military, especially when you are out there on the battlefield. All for one, one for all, however, I have never served in the U.S. Armed Services, therefore, I don't have first hand experience.
The link to the letters is above the image. I have to ponder on this one and will add more comments later. Anyone care to comment?
The video linked below is an excerpt from The 90's. "Crack Clouds Over Hell's Kitchen" by The Educational Video Center. Drug users are smoking crack in this video clip, and explain why they like to do crack and the sensations they experience when they get high.
I remember the “crack epidemic” in the late 80s and early 90s where I used to live in NY state, and nowadays I hear very little about crack cocaine, so I am wondering if the magnitude of addiction has lessened since those days, is it about the same, or worse? Why and how does crack keep getting in the country? I know. The first response from most will be the government.
Enough people say they can ‘t find well paying jobs…where is the funding to employ all of these employable people to help fight the war on drugs. Unless you live in a drug-infested neighborhood or a familiar with a crack addict or user, one would be inclined to believe the “War on Drugs” is under control. WATCH VIDEO
I turned on my screen, came back and thought a virus had taken over my screen. Google, made it's homepage black in what it calls a "gesture to raise awareness of a worldwide energy conservation effort called Earth Hour." Now that really forces you to think about conservation. That is clever! With the price of gas, I didn't need that reminder, because my wallet automatically goes into the default conservation mode.
However, while we are on the subject of conservation: Yesterday, I was just thinking about how wasteful we are, and when I throw my trash away, how many more landfills will he have? Will future generations have to live side by side with trash? Hospitals waste so much plastic, and one employee can use an entire box of gloves or two during one shift. It's nice when we can go and use the toilet, press that magic handle and flush everything away. What if we no longer have that luxury? I see urban cities littered with trash. Where are the "keep it clean" campaigns?
Then I think about how people fight and quarrel over land, as if we created this land with our own hands. We don't OWN anything, everything is on loan to us. Look at that hugh glacier/iceberg that broke off this week, I wonder how many people had a discussion about this and the future implications of this happening? We really need to be kind to earth, before earth becomes angry with us and will return the favor, and not be so kind to us.
No one likes to recycle, because "it's too inconvenient" or "I don't have time to...," or only "certain people" recycle, but one day we will wish we had.
Conversations Book Club and TRU Publishing, in connection with their literary partners*, are pleased to announce the 1st "Hiphop & Books" Youth Rally of Mississippi! This will take place on Saturday, April 26, 2008 at the Smith Park in Downtown Jackson beginning at 1p.m. and ending at 5p.m. The purpose of the event is to unite and entertain lovers of hiphop music with a family-friendly show as well as bring attention to the problems of illiteracy and school dropouts.
Conversations believes that by showing that the hiphop community is about more than just the glitz and glamour portrayed through television and music that it can serve as a wakeup call for young people to still strive for the best possible life they can get through a good education and positive role models.
The days events will feature space jumps for the kids provided by Inflatable Kingdom, concession-style food and performances by Mississippi's own Ondrea Nicole, Trill, G-Money(seen above), Britt, Jacktown Slim and Jack Squad. Our special guest for the rally is Lil Half Ounce aka HollywoodHalf whose album SMALL TOWN HYPE features Fiend, C-Murder, Lil Cali, Pearlie Mac, Savage of Trill Ent and more.
To encourage school participation, Conversations & TRU are presenting this contest: The school that has the most students that attend the rally will receive $1,000 in brand new books for their school library donated by Conversations & TRU! (In 2007, Conversations & The Jackson Advocate donated over $500.00 in brand new books to the Shady Creek Trailer Park in South Jackson.) At the close of the event there will also be a historic, special announcement made that you want to be present to hear!
Admission is free, however, vendors including Krooked Ledda Clothing and others will be on hand with merchandise. For more information, contact Robin Gardner at 601.664.8805, Stanley Clark at 601.559.3463 or Stephanie Mitchell at 601.500.8950. Also visit http://www.hiphopandbooks.com.
*This event is brought to you in part by Shadow Play Entertainment, For The People Productions, S. M. Productions, C. O. D. Records, Off Da Chain Entertainment and Jaia Productions
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This sounds like an event ANYTOWN, USA could use!
Randy Jackson stole my idea...LOL, seriously, I have always had this concept in mind, but never the financial backing as he does to put on a national show. I enjoy watching dancing, pretty much any form, and I always thought of it as a productive outlet and good exercise for kids. So naturally, I gravitated towards watching this programs.
The finalists were Boston's "Status Quo" representing the east coast and "JabbaWockeez" representing the west coast. JabbaWockeez, the mostly Asian crew won, and wholeheartedly deserved it, but both teams were PHENOMENAL. Like Lil Mama said, the title should have been "Best Dance Crews." Here is a clip of both teams steppin' on the final show. We need more competitive urban dance programs coupled with tutoring after school.
What, are they carrying around pediatric taser guns now? A cop can't get an 11 year old under control? Parents can't spank, but cops can tase? Come on, now. Tasered in a class in front of students. She was in an English for Speakers of Other Languages class (ESOL). I can see the suit now, alleging she did not understand the command of the officer.
Moss Park Elementary School, located at 9301 N. Shore Golf Club Blvd in Orlando called police after an 11 year old female student, Thaliamar Jiminez was supposedly out of control, and was accused of spitting on her teachers, and pushing another student into oncoming traffic. The student had punched a cop in the face. Clearly out of control. But to be tasered?
Her mother Sandra Garcia said, "The school knows pretty well that my daughter is like a 5-year-old." Some are coming out on the side of the deputy, saying the girl "deserved it." Apparently, she has a behavior problem. READ MORE...
This could have been the most discipline she has ever had, but do you think cops should be tasering children? I don't think they should be tasering any child.
Reference:
11-Year-Old Girl Tasered At School After Punching Officer In Face
The NY police shooting trial of Sean Bell is taking place and during a court recess, Essence was able to get an interview with his would be wife and mother of his two children, Jada, 4, and Jordyn, 1. Excerpts from the interview:
Essence.com: From the beginning you’ve always said that you’re not angry at the officers. But have you been able to forgive them for what happened?
Paultre Bell: I don’t think I’ve reached that point yet. Every day I have to look at my children’s faces and know that their father was taken away from them. My daughters have to one day have a Sweet Sixteen and a wedding, and they have no father to be there with them. That’s very hard. And it’s something that should not have happened. It could have, and should have, been avoided. There are still times when I’m at home and in disbelief and think, Not Sean. I still have those moments. READ MORE...
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If you would like to send a letter of condolence, a gift or monetary donation, please mail it to:
Nicole Paultre Bell
PO Box 900537
Far Rockaway, NY 11690
Photo Credit: Peter Chin
Months ago, I combed the web for Stacy updates, but could not find anything except for her company website. Jet magazine offers a few crumbs more than what you can find on the Internet on what former 70s singing teen sensation Stacy Lattisaw-Jackson has been up to. I wish she would do an interview with someone. I think Janet Jackson picked up right where she left off.
Here is an excerpt from the small paragraph they printed and it goes on to mention she is a minister, runs a recording studio with her husband, and is quite content being a mother:
"She left the music scene 19 years ago after making her mark with the R&B hit Let Me Be Your Angel and remakes of Love On A Two Way Street and Don’t Throw It All Away. Today, Stacy Lattisaw-Jackson at age 41 can be found in Maryland where she headlines as wife and mother of two."
"Let Me Be Your Angel " and "Don't Throw It All Away" were my favorite Stacy Lattisaw songs. Here is a YouTube audio with her duet with Johnny Gill Where Do We Go From Here?:
I can tell dad's gene were more dominant. Funny how DNA has a way of assigning those little genes. Actress Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon covers the latest Jet with her cute boy twins and she looks great.
Young ladies from a Seattle Spring Formal Dance. Simply beautiful and wholesome looking. When was the last time you wore stockings with a dress? While I am on the subject, do people still follow the stockings in church rule?
When I was growing up, you would never come to church without stockings on with a dress. Mini skirts and sleeveless tops were an understood no, no, and this was in the 70's and 80s. I saw a movement from this and changes in the 90s.
Photo Credit:
The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration
This letter stems from a new black activism movement to improve conditions within the community, by solving the problems on our own. I saw this letter on a few of the websites listed below. What do you think? Are you passionate about the cause or feel compelled to get involved? Tired of complaining, wishing, hoping, and want to START DOING? My only difference with this movement is I am for improving the outlook for not only black woman, but black man have real issues which need much attention drawn to, black men need to step up, unify, and do better.
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DEAR READERS:
This mass open letter is a call to action for all black people who care about the safety and welfare of black women and children in America. If you are concerned about the recent developments about Dunbar Village, please copy the post below, and email it to all of your friends and coworkers.
WE WILL NO LONGER BE SILENT ABOUT VIOLENCE AGAINST BLACK WOMEN.
Copy and email below, and title your email: Stop Al Sharpton and the NAACP from endangering Black Women!
Let us know in the comments section if you are supporting the movement to protect black women from black on black violence.
______________________________________________________________________
Right-thinking black people everywhere are stunned by the recent betrayal of Al Sharpton and the NAACP in a situation that is just too outrageous to ignore.
This is a painful story to tell, but it's important for the moral, law-abiding majority of black Americans to understand exactly why Al Sharpton and the NAACP must be immediately stopped.
On June 18, 2007, a black woman was gang raped by 10 youths and forced at gunpoint to have sex with her own 12 year old son in a housing complex called Dunbar Village in West Palm Beach, Florida. The young men not only viciously punched, kicked and sliced this sister and her son with glass objects, but they also blinded her boy by pouring nail polish remover into his eyes.
The young men forced this sister and son to lay naked in a bathtub together, and attempted to set them on fire (they could not find matches). The youths boldly took cell phone pictures so that they could enjoy their violent, immoral and sadistic acts at a later time. The violence continued for more than three hours, and although this sister's neighbors heard her screams, no one called the police or came to her aid.
This sister and her son had to walk a mile to the hospital, because the assailants stole her car, and threatened to kill her and her family if she told the authorities.
Only four of the young men have been apprehended, while the remaining six are on the loose, doing Lord knows what in our communities. There is no manhunt for the remaining suspects.
As devastating as this story is, what the NAACP and Al Sharpton have done about it will simply take your breath away:
Not only did the NAACP ignore hundreds of requests to assist this woman because it was 'outside the scope of their mission', but they joined forces with Al Sharpton, and sent their lawyers to speak out IN SUPPORT OF THE RAPISTS.
You heard me right.
Even though there is conclusive DNA evidence and signed confessions, the NAACP and Al Sharpton are saying that it is 'unfair' to not offer bail to these four alleged rapists. They even had a press release about it.
IT IS TIME FOR SENSIBLE BLACK PEOPLE TO STOP THIS KIND OF NONSENSE ONCE AND FOR ALL.
Al Sharpton and the NAACP are banking on the belief that you and I will be just like this black woman's neighbors. Join me by saying NOT THIS TIME. We will not turn a deaf ear to when we hear calls for help from one of our sisters and brothers who are being victimized.
Stop the NAACP and Al Sharpton's National Action Network from committing this disgrace in our community. Just this once, let's stand up and be counted by saying that we demand safe neighborhoods for our women and children.
Here is what you can do:
1. Spread the word. Forward this email if your conscience and concern have been raised. Send it to every concerned black citizen that you know.
2. Demand an explanation from your local NAACP chapter about this case. Cancel your membership to these organizations, and write a letter explaining that you will return when they prioritize the public safety needs of black women and children.
3. If you do not belong to these organizations, call and write them to tell them of your outrage and displeasure:
NAACP National Headquarters
4805 Mt. Hope Drive
Baltimore MD 21215
Toll Free: (877) NAACP-98
Local: (410) 580-5777
National Action Network
Rev. Al Sharpton
106 W. 145th Street
Harlem, New York 10039
212-690-3070
877-NAN-HOJ1
4. f you know an African American reporter or a black radio talk show host, forward this story them and ask them to follow up on it.
Each Friday at 9:00am, visit any of the websites below, which will give you an update on the status of this situation. DO NOT LET THIS GO. Let us start working for safer neighborhoods in black communities.
Read the history of the Dunbar Village problem here:
www.dunbarvillage2008.blogspot.com
ON FRIDAYS, CHECK THE NETWORK OF A NEW GENERATION OF BLACK ACTIVISTS:
http://blackwomenvote.blogspot.com
http://adifferentstory.wordpress.com
http://anonymissblog.blogspot.com/
http://auntjemimasrevenge.blogspot.com
http://blackfirewhitefire.blogspot.com/
http://blackwomenvote.blogspot.com
http://charactercorner.blogspot.com
http://electronicvillage.blogspot.com
http://episcopalienne.blogspot.com
http://essentialpresence.blogspot.com
http://focusedpurpose.blogspot.com/
http://h-essays.blogspot.com/
http://lareinacobre.blogspot.com/
http://mynewblog-ravenelvenlady.blogspot.com/
http://politicalseason.blogspot.com
http://privyconcepts.blogspot.com/
http://thesowingcircle.blogspot.com/
http://web.mac.com/roslynholcomb/iWeb/Site/Blog/Blog.html
http://whataboutourdaughters.com
http://whattamisaid.blogspot.com
http://www.blacksapience.blogspot.com
http://yanmommasaid.blogspot.com
http://www.somethingwithin.com/blog
Is this guy qualified to answer this question? Do you agree with or like his explanation?
sidenote: I love his accent
I buy and like Cottonelle toilet paper and they've launched their "Be Kind to your Behind" campaign. If you look at all of their products including their flushable wipes (which I have not tried...lol), they have a cute little puppy on it. At first glance, you'd think they were trying to break into the pet industry.
The puppy stands alone on packaging for wipes and toilet tissue. Are they trying to send subliminal messages? I know there's doggy water and many other products I would not splurge on for an animal, but now dogs are on toilet tissue packaging? Flushable wipes
Don't be surprised when the next commercial says "soft and cottony for you and your pets..." guess they save money by targeting two markets in one message. Also, I am sure, it cost less to pay the doggy model/actress than a human. What's next?
Here is s short diary of a Dallas black woman after the nose job. I happen to love my nose, and would not change a thing about it. Now suctioning the fat from my....lol, is another story. But seriously, if you had a coupon to get rhinoplasty from the surgeon of your choice, would you have the surgery done to alter your big full lips or large, wide flat nose (that's if you have these features), even if the changes were subtle?
I remember growing up and hearing about people changing their noses, and I think it was either Patti Labelle or Stephanie Mills talking about why they altered their nose...in fact, it may have been Patti. The response included..."I cut that sucker in half," in a chuckling sort of way, as it was explained away.
It looks like the doctor posted the video, and someone asked how much it cost and what was done, and here is the response:
samlammd
"about 7500 including all anesthesia and facility charges. i reduced the bump on her nose, narrowed the bridge of her nose, defatted the tip, projected the tip forward with a cartilage shield graft, and narrowed the nostrils with a nasal sill reduction. "
Dr. Samuel M. Lam, Rhinoplasty (nose job) specialist of Lam Facial Plastics performed her surgery.
This is a beautiful song called "African Queen."
Artist: 2 Face Idibia. Album: Face 2 Face
Rev. Kirbyjon Caldwell, pastor of Houston's Windsor Village United Methodist Church does Q & A this weekend for The Dallas Morning News on the black church and white America. The question is below. Follow the link to get his response. Do you agree with him?
"What does white America need to know about the black church? The style and content of preaching differs from what many mainstream white Christians are used to in their churches." READ MORE...
Reference:
The Dallas Morning News
I am not certain whether or not the candidate search is taking place in other parts of the world, but if not, why Australia? From the Australian article I read, it appears as if she is looking exclusively in Australia for a replacement. There aren’t any qualified principals in all of Africa? If not, that is pretty unsettling. There's not ONE qualified person in the U.S. with the Hahhhvards, Princetons, Columbias, and Yales paper?
Australian Victorian Principals Association, president Fred Ackerman made a statement on the issue:
“Victoria has the highest level of self-management and one of the most devolved management (systems) in the world, and that is recognised as more effective, productive and efficient…So our people are accustomed to working with people from a range of backgrounds." READ MORE…
Reference:
Herald and Weekly Times
I saw this poll in the Sunday Boston Globe which had me thinking. The question:
What, besides salary, do you value most when looking of a job?
Choices:
- Commute
- Workplace/atmosphere
- Employer flexibility
- Good medical and retirement benefits
- Educational and advancement opportunities
I had to juggle retirement benefits with workplace atmosphere, but I could only select one, so I chose good medical and retirement benefits as 2nd choice behind salary.
Follow the jump for poll results.
I didn't know YouTube had a video awards ceremony. Who could forget the Chocolate Rain viral video by 25 year old Tay Zonday? Zonday is one of 12 to win the YouTube Video Awards and won in the Music category. The program is in its second year. His video Chocolate Rain had 15,768,410 views. WATCH VIDEO
Tay says in an AP interview:
It's the new Emmys...It's the next Oscars. The next People's Choice Awards. It'll be interesting to see what happens five years, 10 years (from now)...A lot of people see political commentary in (the song)...A lot of people find humor in it. A lot of people, they say their 2-year-olds can't stop repeating it at bedtime, so lots of people get different things out of the song. And I think the greatest consequence and the greatest mileage it can have is to get people asking questions."
He offered advice on how to have a successful YouTube video: "Just be very authentic and put yourself out there," he said in his mellifluous voice. "You'll never know what will happen." READ MORE...
Reference:
Yahoo! News
2007 YouTube Video Awards
Photograph of Bill Clinton and Rev. Wright Surfaces
Now bloggers and the media are starting to play the Rev. Wright version of Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon. Below is a supposed thank you note president Clinton sne ot the Rev. after attending a “Religion Leaders Breakfast (w/POTUS).” There is a friendly photo of President Clinton chumming it up with Rev. Wright on The New York Times' The Caucus blog.
Reference:
The New York Times
According to an AP story Mariah Carey will be in the April issue of Allure magazine which hits newsstands nationwide March 25. The talented singer addresses how her sexy image clashes with with her talent and how she still has problems with maintaining self-confidence. Supposedly, she doesn't care that people find her to be "ditzy," I beg to differ. It must get to her at on occasion. Perhaps not every waking moment, but people with insecurities and problems with self-esteem deal with this issues, and often some of their insecurities are based on how they feel others perceive them to be.She’s quoted as saying:
I've always had really low self-esteem, and I still do," she said. "What's weird about that is being onstage, and the love that you get, and the adoration that you feel from your real fans. It's hard for a partner to compete -- just imagine."
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I guess the skimpy clothes and “flaunt it, if you have it” philosophy help to keep her self-esteem right up there in the clouds. She is 37 years old and you’d think a light bulb would go off saying: Hello, I need to dress more appropriately for my age. And hopefully, she will stop wasting that magnificently beautiful voice on crappy songs, and start singing grown folk music, instead of trying to keep up with the teenie boppers.
Check out Mariah during her Allure photo shoot:
What is going on here? Eight, nine year old information? I guess NY governor David Paterson was being tactical in getting it out there in the open pronto, because I know the digging for dirt probably already started last week. When is information too much, especially indiscretions between a husband and wife?
According to MSNBC:
"Paterson told the Daily News of New York City that he maintained a relationship with another woman from 1999 until 2001 during a rough patch in his marriage. He and his wife eventually sought counseling and repaired their relationship.
"This was a marriage that appeared to be going sour at one point," Paterson told the Daily News. "But I went to counseling and we decided we wanted to make it work. Michelle is well aware of what went on."" READ MORE...
Barack Obama is giving a speech tonight on RACE. I have a mild nauseating feeling that the curtains could slowly be lowering down on his political campaign bid for president. Even if he gives a phenomenal speech, I think the Rev. Wright’s comments have done much damage, and I just don’t like how many Republicans and Conservatives are behaving and being so hypocritical.
Right now, I am of the sentiment that I may not even vote. However, these impending feelings of doom for his presidential campaign have surfaced for me over the last 24 hours. Therefore, this morning, I created a political obituary for his campaign. It may be premature, but this is how I feel about his chances to be the president of the United States of America. This is not a death announcement of his person, but an announcement of the end of his political campaign for presidency.
For the record, I hope this issue (pastor's comments) does not prevent him from gaining the Democratic nomination. Should Obama win and go up against Senator McCain, this could potentially be the nastiest, ugliest presidential race this country will ever have seen.
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Obama, Barack Hussein –of Capitol Hill formerly of Chicago. Presidential political campaign entered into rest March 18, 2008. His beloved wife Michelle, campaign manager and staff were at his side at his press conference to announce the end of his U.S. presidential bid. His political bid leaves behind millions of supporters and ex-supporters. He was placed in a position where he had to be defensive and distracted on issues regarding race.
He was one of the few black prospective candidates who could get over the racial divide. Nevertheless, unfortunately, “politically toxic” comments by his pastor, and his twenty-year relationship with the Reverend Jeremiah Wright, Jr., left many to question his judgment, and were the heavy hammers his opponents needed to seal the nails his political campaign coffin. They did not have much else to hang his presidential bid with, and he faced very little scrutiny. However, yearlong grassroots email campaigns, spreading rumors about his pastor and his middle name, transitioned from rumor to news with mainstream media.
Political funeral services will be private at the request of the Democratic Party family. Only Democratic Party family members from Obama’s side will attend. If you are a Clinton supporter, please call to pre-arrange viewing of remnants of what is left of the political campaign. Conservatives and Republicans need not attend, and in lieu of flowers memorial contributions, please send donations to the “Obama for President in 12” campaign funds foundation, Hypocrites Anonymous, or in his name, at a local educational charity of your choice.
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Update: I was mistaken and I was under the impression that the speech would take place tonight. It has already taken place and here you can Read the full text of Obama's race speech.
Follow the jump to watch the speech.
What a better way to celebrate than with some music? Here is the Irish born and raised Laura Izibor singing live "From My Heart to Yours." She is becoming the "Soul of Ireland." Laura needs to hookup with John Legend for a duet, because her style is similar to his in this song.
Follow the jump to read her YouTube bio and listen to her sing live.
CNN explores the question of whether Tyra Banks is the new Oprah? I don't watch either one, except Oprah every once or twice a year when a topic really grabs my attention. As for Tyra's show, I don't have any interest in it, but her success is just as admirable as Oprah's. Both seem to have two different audiences, and Oprah has paved the way for Tyra...so I am wondering, why can't Tyra just do Tyra and Oprah continue to do Oprah? Right now, the similarities I can quickly identify are: both are black businesswomen, charitable, and have talk shows with their names on them. If anything, it seems as if Tyra's media success is more paced with that of a Rachel Ray.Yes, there is some competition, but Tyra has a long way to go before I would consider her to be on the same level in the media world as The O. WATCH VIDEO
Women have done it and continue to bleach their faces, and increasingly more black male youths in Jamaica are adopting this practice. Is something wrong with this picture? Read today's article on the subject which Paul Williams wrote about:
"Their necks, hands and torsos are very dark, but their faces are pale, deathlike, some replete with blotches and sores. And you wonder what affliction has beset so many of our young black-skinned Jamaican youths.
Sociologists will tell you their sallow facial skin, caused by bleaching, is the physical manifestation of deep-seated psycho-social malaise that goes way back to colonial times, to the plantations of slavery days, when the black-skinned man was reduced to the status of beast of burden. His identity was taken away from him, and he was told that his black skin was a curse. " READ MORE...
note-People from many ethnicities bleach their skin for various reasons, mainly I think due to inferiority complexes, but they are not the focus of this article. This article focuses on black males.
Follow the jump to check out a photo.
Four hundred people packed Rumor last night to sell out a political fundraiser for presidential hopeful Barack Obama, and a chance to meet Ben Affleck and wife Jennifer Garner. It was lauded as an event that regular folk could attend, since instead of $1500/plate tickets, VIP reception was only $250 and $50 for the main party. According to the Boston Globe, Affleck has contributed at least $4600 to Obama's campaign.
Reference:
Boston Globe
Queen Latifah was in Boston this weekend for a charity event to benefit the Roxbury Comprehensive Community Health Center, which raised more than $350,000. The function was held at the Four Seasons Hotel and she sang a set of jazz, blues, funk, and some of the 90s hits. Imagine that. The crowd rocking through some of her old rap tunes. The gala honored the governor's wife Diane Patrick and the mayor's wife, Angela Menino. Latifah addressed Diane Patrick as "cousin" while on stage, and Patrick was quoted as replying back, "I wish I were your cousin." People partied til the wee hours for a good cause.
Reference: Boston Globe Celebrity news
Should this guy be allowed to leave racist grafitti up on his garage doors?
omg! LOL. Sony, AT&T need to sit it down...lol. I am sitting here on a Sunday watching tennis matches on the Pacific Open, and these My Music Maniac commercials keep coming on during breaks. They are advertising the Sony Ericsson W580 Walkman® phone, so naturally out of curiosity I went to website. The avatar type animated figures dance on the commercials and you can build your own "Maniac" character with associated features...lol, what a great marketing campaign/tool. The commercial is effective, because it prompted me to go to the website to see what was behind these characters.
The "Maniac" character shows one with an afro with an afro pick sticking in the "hair." Now I have not seen anyone with an Afro Pick walking around with it stuck in their afro since the 70s. Then there is this character which does the booty shake. LOL, now who was in the board room drumming up these brilliant ideas(j/k)...lol, I would have loved to see the creative minds team giving their presentation on this product. I am quite sure these products will sell like hotcakes. My, the smiley face has truly evolved. They have taken it to a whole new level.
Reference:
Remember Jason Weaver from the 90s TV show Thea? You know the one where Brandy played Danesha, Thea’s daughter, and Jason was her son, Jerome. Here he is singing a very grown up song from around 1995. He was also in Smart Guy. Looks like he’s moved away from sappy love songs. According to Wikipedia “Weaver is in talks to play Johnny Gill in the Untitled New Edition Biopic.” How true this is, I don’t know.
Jasmyne Cannick & “N’Digo” Publisher Hermene Hartman speak out on the O’Reilly factor regarding Barack Obama’s pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright and racial speeches he has made in the past. Conservative media has been fanning the flames to keep this story alive, and it appears they may have been successful.
This week Obama has been releasing statements on the issue, however, Conservatives, Republicans, and increasingly more Liberals are alleging that his responses are too tepid. Here in Massachusetts, there has been wall-to-wall coverage all week with excerpts of his pastor’s comments airing throughout talk radio programs. So I know this is not unique to one of the most liberal states in the country. His pastor has resigned from his campaign committee. Do you think this issue will be the downfall of Obama’s bid for presidency? Is it downhill from now on for Obama? Surprisingly, Hill’s camp has had very little to say on the topic. I wonder whyyyyyy? Hmmm…
Question: If you had planned on voting for him, and he lost the nomination due to this pastor issue, will you still vote? If you will and you are a Democrat, will you switch and vote Republican or for Ralph Nader and NOT Hillary Clinton?
Reference:
Newsweek takes a look at a question of the touchy subject of white actors portraying black characters in TV and film. Blackface? I think this is strong of a term. We know about the minstrel era, but in the year of 2008 the practice white actors playing black people is still a issue up for debate. I say if it is tasteful and not "minstrelsy" as they term it, there should not be a huge problem. But the underlying continuous problem is black actors/actresses are still not being offered as many roles as their white counterparts, so I can see why people still have a problem with whites portraying blacks, when the argument can be: Why not give that job to a black person? Newsweek was right. This still is a "thorny issue." READ MORE...
Here are photos of Fred Armisen playing Barack Obama on Saturday Night Live and the photo on the right is Armisen. If you ask me, he does not look so white to me.
Photo Credit: Newsweek
Starts ticking just…about…NOW! I knew it would not be long before we would know the name of his prostitute, excuse me, ahem, escort. Then the media would school us on HER Myspace, HER interview with NY Times, HER pitiful upbringing, HER struggles with her music career, HER million hits to her Myspace page, HER 700,000+ downloads of her music, HER innocence in this entire thing. It is sickening already. Reporters staked out in front of her $3,000+ per month studio apartment building. They reported how her lover left her after divulging he had fathered two children. Poor girl. Now how will she make her monthly rent payments?
Slowly, she is being made out to be this innocent damsel, and frankly, I have heard enough. I just don’t want to be seen as a “monster,” she says. LOL, she is already setting up for the sympathy tour. She “has been identified” and I wish it had stopped there. I admit--I was curious to know what a $5,000 trick looked like. But honestly, she looks average, like the next person walking on the street. I expected more of a fantasy type chick. My curiosity is over. But of course, the press won’t let this one die. This isn’t over, and hopefully, if she has a deal we won’t have to be subjected to seeing her do healthy lifestyle Jenny Craig ads.
Sure, the Playboy, Penthouse offers or Perfect 10 offers have probably started rolling in and PR/Management firms and paparazzi must be jumping over each other like a pack of hungry wolves trying to make a connection and holla. Book deals, record contracts, movies, TV & radio appearances, reality show deals. I am sure they are to follow, because it seems this can only happen in America. Rewards for bad behavior.
Does anyone think HER deal should specify that she should not be able to profit from this situation? And hopefully, HE will strike the same deal.
Demario James Atwater, 21, and Lawrence Lovette Jr., 17 are suspect University of North Carolina student body president Eve Carson’s senseless murder. Do you think they should get the death penalty if found guilty? How would you charge them? READ MORE...UNC Murder Suspect Tied to Duke Slaying
Photo Credit: AP
The Today Show Matt Lauer speaks with Dan Klores on his 2 part documentary "Black Magic" on the history of race and college basketball. It airs this Sunday. Here is Klores with Matt.
There are some gooooood things brewing over at Black Women Vote’s website. It appears to have started mostly as a political website, still maintains its political focus while addressing issues black women face in this society. I have a feeling that it is the start of big things to come for and about black women. Let’s face it. Can you name one organization whose sole focus is to address the unique issues black women face? And I am not talking about women’s magazines. If you want to get in on the pioneering of new black women’s movement, which is being cultivated over there, do yourself a favor and stop by. Get involved. People are working on your behalf to make our situation better. It won’t hurt you. They are looking for free thinking black women. No one can do this for us. We must unite and make change for ourselves. Take a peak. Let me know what you think. Do you like the idea? Do you plan to get involved?
Here is an outline of the BLACK FEMALE AGENDA (reprint from Black Women Vote):
1. Family Integrity. We want healthy, supportive environments in our homes. We want a national climate that is conducive to producing mutually satisfying, loving and equal family dynamics for any black woman that desires to marry and raise a family. We want a plethora of marital options. We want a national climate that is supportive of black women who elect to remain single or childless.
2. Media Integrity. We want to be represented truthfully in media. We want to be the final arbiters of what is an 'accurate' depiction of the average black American woman. We want to be able to own and control our own media outlets.
Click on the link to listen to this church radio advertisement. You have to admit, it is not your usual church advertisement...lol GET AUDIO
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the latest worldclass school to offer free tuition and make it easier for you or someone you know to attend. YYYAAAAAYYY! This is great news for undergrad students whose family income is less than $75,000 per year. Someone is finally hearing the cries and woes of the "rich" middle cla