So I didn't watch the De La Hoya-Pacquaio fight this weekend, but apparently it was a "Man down", "Code 10" situation before the first punch was thrown. Why people continue to let Keyshia Cole sing our Nation's theme song is beyond me. Jazmine Sullivan,Beyonce,Jennifer Hudson, and 1989 Whitney Houston....where are you when we need you? I wasn't even going to mention the "Dreamgirls" wig, turned backwards to be "different." She should have learned from Effie White that fake hair doesn't always cut it. Chick looks like she used an entire can of Aqua Net to set her coiffure. Ruining what's left of the Ozone Layer is not what's hot in the streets.
*Terminology borrowed from C&D
Monday, December 8, 2008
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Michelle Obama: Style Icon
Our soon-to-be First Lady, Mrs. Michelle Obama, Esq. (gotta love that)is already proving to be something of a fashion plate, and I do believe she's on the fast track to becoming a full-fledged style icon (I'm talking to Jackie O. proportions). Please don't forget what happened when she wore that $148 Donna Ricco dress on The View! It's no surprise that a number of designers are beating down Mrs. O's door, submitting their sketches for their idea(s) of the perfect ensembles her and the girls for the upcoming Inaugural events. Some of the ideas are FLY, and some aren't so fly. Take a gander and let me know what you think!
Here are my top choices for gowns for the many Inaugural balls that will be thrown in and around the District.
#1
Badgley Mischka
#2
Christian Lacroix
#3
Christian Lacroix
#4
Monique Lhullier
#5
Christian Lacroix
A few designers have also submitted daytime attire, that I'm assuming is for the actual swearing-in.
Here are my top choices.
#1
This one literally made me gasp! I love it!
Who else but, Christian Lacroix.
#2
Considering the fact that this (and all) Presidential swearing-in will take place outdoors in January, I'm gonna need Peter Som to design a fabulous winter white coat to go along with this ensemble.
Here's my top choice for Malia and Sasha for a ball.
These designs by Bonnie Young are fabulous without being too "grown."
For the rest of the designs for the already fly Obama ladies, visit WWD.com.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
My President Is BLACK!
Ok, so CNN declared President Obama the winner like a half hour ago, and I just stopped crying. The first person I called was my Grandma, who grew up in Arkansas, and raised my father, aunt and uncles in Memphis during the 40's and 50's. We cried and laughed together, and congratulated one another for being able to take part in such a historic event.
I'll have more on this tomorrow, but I'm about to toast with my chicas, and watch PRESIDENT OBAMA address the crowd of adoring fans at Grant Park and on TV's across the world.
I'm not a Jeezy fan but uh.....MY PRESIDENT IS BLACK!!!! Praise God!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
We Are DEEPER Than This!
Below is an article I read by author Omar Tyree (Flyy Girl, Pecking Order), condemning authors and readers who choose to only get into "street literature" (my words, not his). I agree with Mr. Tyree 100%. I can't tell you how many people look at me like I'm crazy when I tell them I don't read "street lit." I read a few in college, and I just couldn't relate. Don't get me wrong, this is a matter if personal preference, but I just don't think people should limit themselves to one genre of literature. Read a self help book! Try other authors! Shoot, try a book from the NY Times' bestseller list - those books are bestsellers for a reason! Sistas were PRESSED to watch "Sex and the City" and to see the movie - but they won't read the book.
I've always looked a books as a way to expand my horizons. You can't broaden your horizons if every book mimics what's going on right outside of your front door. Everything in our lives doesn't have to be about "hustling." We are deeper than this!
Enjoy!
For the record, I never called my work "street literature" and I never will. When I began to publish ground breaking contemporary novels with Flyy Girl in 1993, and Capital City in 1994, I called them "urban classics." They were "urban" because they dealt with people of color in the inner-city or "urban" population areas. They were "classics" because I considered myself one of the first to start the work of a new era. But now, after sixteen years and sixteen novels in the African-American adult urban fiction game, I feel like the man who created the monster Frankenstein. Things have gotten way out of hand. So it's now time to put up my pen and move on to something new, until the readership is ready to develop a liking for fresh material on other subjects.
To a degree, it now seems hypocritical for the man who self-published the first gold digger book with Flyy Girl, and the first drug-dealer book with Capital City, to turn around and cry wolf about a readership who-fifteen years later-seem stuck on the subjects. However, I never intended to remain on those same topics. And I didn't. I moved on to cover a dozen other community issues through my work.
Nevertheless, the new young writers, who became inspired by my earlier work; Teri Woods, Vickie Stringer, Nikki Turner, Shannon Holmes, K'wan, and several others, related to my "urban classics" alone, and they began to match it, writing from their own sources of hardcore street knowledge. And I can't knock them for writing their honest stories. I can't knock them for wanting to be published. I can't knock them for earning an honest living. But after awhile, as dozens of other new writers began to follow in their footsteps, creating more gold-digging, ghetto girl, gangster love, drug-dealer stories, I had to seriously ask myself, "Don't we have some other things to write about it?"
This new form of "street lit" began to remind me of a similar destruction of hip-hop, where the same ghettocentric stories began to take precedence over the creative perspectives and multi-faceted voices and subjects of our urban music. All of a sudden, you could not succeed as a rapper unless you had sold drugs, committed violent crimes, and claimed to be an unruly gangster, who had done hard time in prison. You couldn't rap about the normal joys of life anymore. These new kids on the block rejected how Ice Cube had had a good day, while preferring to hear how dark in hell it was for DMX.
That hardcore fact -- of an urban audience's preference for denigration -- remains to be our most pressing issue here. The fact is, when I began to write about good black men with A Do Right Man in 1997, the importance of black family with Single Mom in 1998, the reality of black-on-black love with Sweet St. Louis in 1999, the indulgences of superstars with Just Say No! in 2001, the ugly face of New Orleans poverty with Leslie in 2002, or the challenge of positive feminine power with Boss Lady in 2005, few readers bothered to listen to me.
In fact, after trying to educate and uplift the same young, urban readership who fell in love with Flyy Girl with the sequel book, For The Love of Money -- which hit the New York Times bestseller's list in 2000, and won me an NAACP Image Award in 2001 -- the positive and progressive voice that I become so proud of, had lost me the support of my young urban audience. They bought Flyy Girl sequel, For The Love of Money, in droves because they were certain that I would return to the "streets" with the reckless young character they had grown to love in the first book. But when this same character grew up, finished college, earned a Master's Degree, and returned home to find that her drug-dealing lover from high school days had been released from jail, and was now a self-respecting Muslim man with a new wife and kids, the lack of expected drama and bullshit caused a national riot.
I began to receive hordes of e-mails from passionate, young, urban women you had obvious tantrums with me for not writing a second "street book," while they began to brag about the hardcore tale of Sister Souljah's new title, The Coldest Winter Ever. And suddenly, I found that my urban voice and validity had been quickly replaced.
That replacement of significant voice had nothing to do with the publishers preferring "street lit" over "responsible lit." It had all to do with an urban audience who preferred grit over polish. And that love for grit, crime, sex, broken hearts, drama, and other bullshit, reinforced the sales that I enjoyed for Diary of a Groupie in 2003, and What They Want in 2006. These were both books where I wrote about the subjects of sex, idolization, blackmail, and black women getting their fantasy freaks on, that urban readers had begun to love from my good friend Zane, and her various Sex Chronicles. Again, I can't knock a sister for expressing her inner freak. I would want a woman confident enough to show me what she got as well, just not on every other page.
Nevertheless, that's what the majority of the black readership, based on recent sales figures, are choosing to read nowadays. So as I hear some of my more responsible peers in the book industry, complaining about the publishers, who market and sell the work, I have to remind us all that publishing is still a business. The majority of these "street lit" and sex titles are still being self-published anyway. In fact, the only people making any significant money from it are the chain book stores, and the small houses who score off of quantity over quality.
Hell, let's sell it all if we make money from it all. The book on the philosophy is called The Long Tail. And if there's another new street writer willing to make a few bucks around the corner, then let's publish them and make more money. In the meantime, only Teri Woods can sell major numbers of a new "street lit" title. The readers barely know the names of a hundred other writers. Unless of course, we count Karrine "Superhead" Steffans and her book, Confessions of a Video Vixen, published two years ago. Her real life sexcapades and celebrity name dropping created a real storm. Now she's back for seconds.
With all that in mind, I couldn't even name my latest book The Writer, about a New York Times bestseller author, who ends up on the run for his life when he agrees to write a true-crime book in the contemporary "no snitch" zone of Harlem, New York. The retail book stores actually informed my publisher that the title wasn't specific or gritty enough. They needed something edgier. Well, that was the straw that broke the camel's back for me. I can't even name my damn book titles what I want now because of what retail says about African-American readership.
So I said, "To hell with it then. I'm done with writing all urban fiction. Tell the stores we'll call it The Last Street Novel and move on to something else." I then enlisted my other good friend, the queen bee of "street lit" publishing herself, Vickie "Triple Crown" Stringer to remind the world that I started this shit, and now I'm closing the book on it all with another "classic" that lands way above the rest. Nevertheless, since The Last Street Novel is an unabashed guy's book, like the original "street literature" of Chester Himes, Iceberg Slim, and Donald Goines that I read, in this new era of 99.9% women readers-excluding the brothers who read while on lock down-you can expect another Omar Tyree "classic" to be overlooked by the smokescreens of featherweight material until Martians land on earth a few thousand years from now and find me buried inside of an obscure library.
So with my publishing contracts running out, I wrote my final adult fiction novel to be published in September, entitled Pecking Order, which is all about the innovation and hustle of making legal money. That's what it all comes down to, folks. Either the product makes money like "street lit" and sex novels do, or it fades into obscurity like a VHS video tape machine. But if the only way I can earn a living now in African-American adult fiction is to sell my people the same poison that they've become addicted to, then I quit with my artistic integrity still in tact, while moving on to a more progressive mission.
Such is the way of all leadership in industry; to remain above the pack, we must successfully diversify of services and products for the betterment and advancement of the overall community.
Omar Tyree is a New York Times best-selling author who has published 15 books and has sold more than 1.5 million copies worldwide.
I've always looked a books as a way to expand my horizons. You can't broaden your horizons if every book mimics what's going on right outside of your front door. Everything in our lives doesn't have to be about "hustling." We are deeper than this!
Enjoy!
For the record, I never called my work "street literature" and I never will. When I began to publish ground breaking contemporary novels with Flyy Girl in 1993, and Capital City in 1994, I called them "urban classics." They were "urban" because they dealt with people of color in the inner-city or "urban" population areas. They were "classics" because I considered myself one of the first to start the work of a new era. But now, after sixteen years and sixteen novels in the African-American adult urban fiction game, I feel like the man who created the monster Frankenstein. Things have gotten way out of hand. So it's now time to put up my pen and move on to something new, until the readership is ready to develop a liking for fresh material on other subjects.
To a degree, it now seems hypocritical for the man who self-published the first gold digger book with Flyy Girl, and the first drug-dealer book with Capital City, to turn around and cry wolf about a readership who-fifteen years later-seem stuck on the subjects. However, I never intended to remain on those same topics. And I didn't. I moved on to cover a dozen other community issues through my work.
Nevertheless, the new young writers, who became inspired by my earlier work; Teri Woods, Vickie Stringer, Nikki Turner, Shannon Holmes, K'wan, and several others, related to my "urban classics" alone, and they began to match it, writing from their own sources of hardcore street knowledge. And I can't knock them for writing their honest stories. I can't knock them for wanting to be published. I can't knock them for earning an honest living. But after awhile, as dozens of other new writers began to follow in their footsteps, creating more gold-digging, ghetto girl, gangster love, drug-dealer stories, I had to seriously ask myself, "Don't we have some other things to write about it?"
This new form of "street lit" began to remind me of a similar destruction of hip-hop, where the same ghettocentric stories began to take precedence over the creative perspectives and multi-faceted voices and subjects of our urban music. All of a sudden, you could not succeed as a rapper unless you had sold drugs, committed violent crimes, and claimed to be an unruly gangster, who had done hard time in prison. You couldn't rap about the normal joys of life anymore. These new kids on the block rejected how Ice Cube had had a good day, while preferring to hear how dark in hell it was for DMX.
That hardcore fact -- of an urban audience's preference for denigration -- remains to be our most pressing issue here. The fact is, when I began to write about good black men with A Do Right Man in 1997, the importance of black family with Single Mom in 1998, the reality of black-on-black love with Sweet St. Louis in 1999, the indulgences of superstars with Just Say No! in 2001, the ugly face of New Orleans poverty with Leslie in 2002, or the challenge of positive feminine power with Boss Lady in 2005, few readers bothered to listen to me.
In fact, after trying to educate and uplift the same young, urban readership who fell in love with Flyy Girl with the sequel book, For The Love of Money -- which hit the New York Times bestseller's list in 2000, and won me an NAACP Image Award in 2001 -- the positive and progressive voice that I become so proud of, had lost me the support of my young urban audience. They bought Flyy Girl sequel, For The Love of Money, in droves because they were certain that I would return to the "streets" with the reckless young character they had grown to love in the first book. But when this same character grew up, finished college, earned a Master's Degree, and returned home to find that her drug-dealing lover from high school days had been released from jail, and was now a self-respecting Muslim man with a new wife and kids, the lack of expected drama and bullshit caused a national riot.
I began to receive hordes of e-mails from passionate, young, urban women you had obvious tantrums with me for not writing a second "street book," while they began to brag about the hardcore tale of Sister Souljah's new title, The Coldest Winter Ever. And suddenly, I found that my urban voice and validity had been quickly replaced.
That replacement of significant voice had nothing to do with the publishers preferring "street lit" over "responsible lit." It had all to do with an urban audience who preferred grit over polish. And that love for grit, crime, sex, broken hearts, drama, and other bullshit, reinforced the sales that I enjoyed for Diary of a Groupie in 2003, and What They Want in 2006. These were both books where I wrote about the subjects of sex, idolization, blackmail, and black women getting their fantasy freaks on, that urban readers had begun to love from my good friend Zane, and her various Sex Chronicles. Again, I can't knock a sister for expressing her inner freak. I would want a woman confident enough to show me what she got as well, just not on every other page.
Nevertheless, that's what the majority of the black readership, based on recent sales figures, are choosing to read nowadays. So as I hear some of my more responsible peers in the book industry, complaining about the publishers, who market and sell the work, I have to remind us all that publishing is still a business. The majority of these "street lit" and sex titles are still being self-published anyway. In fact, the only people making any significant money from it are the chain book stores, and the small houses who score off of quantity over quality.
Hell, let's sell it all if we make money from it all. The book on the philosophy is called The Long Tail. And if there's another new street writer willing to make a few bucks around the corner, then let's publish them and make more money. In the meantime, only Teri Woods can sell major numbers of a new "street lit" title. The readers barely know the names of a hundred other writers. Unless of course, we count Karrine "Superhead" Steffans and her book, Confessions of a Video Vixen, published two years ago. Her real life sexcapades and celebrity name dropping created a real storm. Now she's back for seconds.
With all that in mind, I couldn't even name my latest book The Writer, about a New York Times bestseller author, who ends up on the run for his life when he agrees to write a true-crime book in the contemporary "no snitch" zone of Harlem, New York. The retail book stores actually informed my publisher that the title wasn't specific or gritty enough. They needed something edgier. Well, that was the straw that broke the camel's back for me. I can't even name my damn book titles what I want now because of what retail says about African-American readership.
So I said, "To hell with it then. I'm done with writing all urban fiction. Tell the stores we'll call it The Last Street Novel and move on to something else." I then enlisted my other good friend, the queen bee of "street lit" publishing herself, Vickie "Triple Crown" Stringer to remind the world that I started this shit, and now I'm closing the book on it all with another "classic" that lands way above the rest. Nevertheless, since The Last Street Novel is an unabashed guy's book, like the original "street literature" of Chester Himes, Iceberg Slim, and Donald Goines that I read, in this new era of 99.9% women readers-excluding the brothers who read while on lock down-you can expect another Omar Tyree "classic" to be overlooked by the smokescreens of featherweight material until Martians land on earth a few thousand years from now and find me buried inside of an obscure library.
So with my publishing contracts running out, I wrote my final adult fiction novel to be published in September, entitled Pecking Order, which is all about the innovation and hustle of making legal money. That's what it all comes down to, folks. Either the product makes money like "street lit" and sex novels do, or it fades into obscurity like a VHS video tape machine. But if the only way I can earn a living now in African-American adult fiction is to sell my people the same poison that they've become addicted to, then I quit with my artistic integrity still in tact, while moving on to a more progressive mission.
Such is the way of all leadership in industry; to remain above the pack, we must successfully diversify of services and products for the betterment and advancement of the overall community.
Omar Tyree is a New York Times best-selling author who has published 15 books and has sold more than 1.5 million copies worldwide.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
No Ma'am: The Sequel
Sarah Palin is about as unqualified as it gets. Seriously, I don't see how she was even able to become the governor of Alaska, let alone a nominee for the Vice Presidency. She can't answer basic questions, shoot, she doesn't even read the newspaper!
Those "die hard" Hillary supporters SHOULD be offended that McCain and his camp think they are so weak that they'll vote for anybody in a skirt. I know I would be.
This choice will either work out very well, or very badly for John McCain. Personally, I think choosing Palin was a dumb move on his part. In theory, she was a perfect choice - she's a woman, she's a working mother, she's a Christian (supposedly) so she'll appeal to conservatives, and she has a level of political experience. In reality though, she's stupid! I have got to believe that this woman has been being briefed on what to say to the media since before she accepted the nomination, yet and still each and every time we see her, she sticks her foot in her mouth. You CANNOT tell an interviewer that you'll get back to them when they ask you a question! When somebody asks you which newspaper(s) you read to stay informed and you can't name ONE, there's a problem! The people of Alaska should be ashamed that she's their governor! In politics you have to be swift, and able to think on your feet. This woman has advisors briefing her on various topics DAILY and she still can't answer basic questions.
Let's face it, John McCain is 72 years old. That means that, if elected, Sarah Palin is a heartbeat away from the presidency. I repeat, SHE DOESN'T EVEN READ THE NEWSPAPER!
I'm scared for our country if she does become the president - you should be too.
This is a pic that I stole from a fellow blogger (hey Brub!). It's a flow chart that pretty much outlines the strategy Gov. Palin followed during the first (and only) VP candidate debate of this election season. How you can show up for a debate, and not answer ANY of the questions posed to you is beyond me. She should have just delivered a speech. I will admit, she did a better job than I thought she would, but just because you suck a little less, that doesn't mean you don't still suck.
OBAMA/BIDEN '08
Saturday, September 27, 2008
No Ma'am!
Ok, these videos are pretty self-explanatory. Sarah Palin is in no WAY, SHAPE or FORM qualified to be the Vice President! Shoot, I'M more qualified to be the V.P.! Her interviews are an embarrassment - to herself and to her party. On a lighter note, doesn't she sound like the mom from the 90's cartoon "Bobby's World"*? Say she doesn't!
OBAMA/BIDEN '08!!
Part 1
Part 2
*
OBAMA/BIDEN '08!!
Part 1
Part 2
*
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Somebody Hurry Up and Sign These Guys...
These two are at it again!
Craig Lewis and Junior Kyle have donned curly red wigs to give their rousing rendition of Annie Warbuck's classic ditty "Tomorrow." I don't know about you, but this was one of my FAVORITE movies as a kid.
Seriously though, if I could sing like this, I would NEVER talk. I'd just sing everything - my grocery list, my order at the Chick-fil-a drive through window, the church announcements, EVERYTHING.
Warning, this gets LOUD, so you may want to turn your speakers down.
Enjoy!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
A Meme of the Unspectacular
unspectacular
1. I'm addicted to reality TV: Jon & Kate Plus 8, Clean House, Whose Wedding is it Anyway, Shear Genius, Project Runway, Split Ends. That’s pretty much all I watch.
2. I have natural hair, and I’m glad so many sistas are starting to embrace theirs. I visit the natural hair photo sharing group on Fotki.com pretty regularly. Oh, and I LOVE Dominican hair products – not the stylists though, they always fry my scalp.
3. I’m getting too old to listen to the radio. I barely know any of the songs that are popular now. Even when I’m driving I listen to radio shows – Steve Harvey in the Morning, Wendy Williams in the afternoon at work, and Mo’Nique during my afternoon drive. I never thought I’d see the day when I’d prefer listening to the news over “hip hop.”
4. I’m becoming more weight-conscious. I’ve always had to work to keep it down (sometimes successfully, sometimes unsuccessfully). I took the train to work yesterday and this morning, and it lets me off about a mile from my office. This means I have to get up about an hour earlier than I do if I drive. I’m proud of myself!
5. I think I’ve fallen in love with Snyder of Hanover’s Hot Buffalo Wing Pretzel pieces.
6. I’ll spend almost all day in the hair salon, but I HATE to wait at nail shops.
I've almost fulfilled the terms and conditions of the meme...
And so now I have to tag six other bloggers, but I don't know six, so I'll tag the few I know.
http://shademag.blogspot.com/, http://sagecreativecorner.blogspot.com/
And lastly...here are the meme rules:
1. Link the person who tagged you
2. Mention the rules on your blog
3. List 6 unspectacular things about you
4. Tag 6 other bloggers by linking them
1. I'm addicted to reality TV: Jon & Kate Plus 8, Clean House, Whose Wedding is it Anyway, Shear Genius, Project Runway, Split Ends. That’s pretty much all I watch.
2. I have natural hair, and I’m glad so many sistas are starting to embrace theirs. I visit the natural hair photo sharing group on Fotki.com pretty regularly. Oh, and I LOVE Dominican hair products – not the stylists though, they always fry my scalp.
3. I’m getting too old to listen to the radio. I barely know any of the songs that are popular now. Even when I’m driving I listen to radio shows – Steve Harvey in the Morning, Wendy Williams in the afternoon at work, and Mo’Nique during my afternoon drive. I never thought I’d see the day when I’d prefer listening to the news over “hip hop.”
4. I’m becoming more weight-conscious. I’ve always had to work to keep it down (sometimes successfully, sometimes unsuccessfully). I took the train to work yesterday and this morning, and it lets me off about a mile from my office. This means I have to get up about an hour earlier than I do if I drive. I’m proud of myself!
5. I think I’ve fallen in love with Snyder of Hanover’s Hot Buffalo Wing Pretzel pieces.
6. I’ll spend almost all day in the hair salon, but I HATE to wait at nail shops.
I've almost fulfilled the terms and conditions of the meme...
And so now I have to tag six other bloggers, but I don't know six, so I'll tag the few I know.
http://shademag.blogspot.com/, http://sagecreativecorner.blogspot.com/
And lastly...here are the meme rules:
1. Link the person who tagged you
2. Mention the rules on your blog
3. List 6 unspectacular things about you
4. Tag 6 other bloggers by linking them
Friday, September 5, 2008
Throwing Shade - It Ain't Nothin' But A GOParty!
So a friend of mine posted this on Facebook, and because it discusses Palin and her qualifications (well, really the lack thereof) I decided to watch it. Much to my surprise *insert sarcasm here*, the video features a bunch of double talking, opinion changing, finger pointing Republican political "personalities," saying that people should back off of the issues of sexism, teenage pregnancy and inexperience that have surrounded Palin since she was first introduced to the majority of America (and probably John McCain) last Friday.
And surprise, surprise - it features my old buddy *continue inserting sarcasm* Bill O'Reilly. Pay special attention to how his views on teenage pregnancy, and who holds responsibility change. I'm gonna have to assume that in the cases of Jamie Lynn Spears and Bristol Palin, their pregnancies were not intentional. Having said that, I bet Bill O'Reilly's decision to sexually harass his co-worker was...hmmmmmm.
I just want to say that the double standard that has been demonstrated by members of the GOP on the issue of Palin's daughter's pregnancy doesn't surprise me at all. Let President Obama (yes, I'm claiming it) have had an older daughter who became pregnant - the GOP would have been ALL OVER it, going on and on about how he can't possibly take care of the country if he can't take care of his own household and family.
*Rev. Charles Emory lunges* OBAMA/BIDEN '08!
And surprise, surprise - it features my old buddy *continue inserting sarcasm* Bill O'Reilly. Pay special attention to how his views on teenage pregnancy, and who holds responsibility change. I'm gonna have to assume that in the cases of Jamie Lynn Spears and Bristol Palin, their pregnancies were not intentional. Having said that, I bet Bill O'Reilly's decision to sexually harass his co-worker was...hmmmmmm.
I just want to say that the double standard that has been demonstrated by members of the GOP on the issue of Palin's daughter's pregnancy doesn't surprise me at all. Let President Obama (yes, I'm claiming it) have had an older daughter who became pregnant - the GOP would have been ALL OVER it, going on and on about how he can't possibly take care of the country if he can't take care of his own household and family.
*Rev. Charles Emory lunges* OBAMA/BIDEN '08!
Monday, August 11, 2008
The Bradys Go Gospel
So I know this is random, but these guys can SANG! Take note Ashanti and Keyshia - when you can TRULY sing, you can rift and run all throughout the phone book and it'll still sound good.
Now is it just me, or does the second dude who sings look like "Junior Kyle" from "My Wife & Kids"? I'm just saying...
Now is it just me, or does the second dude who sings look like "Junior Kyle" from "My Wife & Kids"? I'm just saying...
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Throwback Video of the Week
Ok, I can't even front - I've been watching "Family Matters" on Nick At Nite. One of last week's episodes was the one when Steve promised Johnny Gill a valuable baseball card (don't ask me which one, I don't watch baseball like that) if he'd come over and sing to Laura. I'd forgotten all about that episode, but when I saw Johnny prancing around in that purple silk outfit, the memories came rushing back. So, this week's Throwback video is Johnny Gill's "My, My, My." Enjoy!
See, This Is Why The Babies Can't Read!
Photo used courtesy of Mediatakeout.comNow, I'm not a parent, so I'm not here to tell anyone how to raise their kids. I do know, however, that no newborn should EVER be dressed like this!
The blame for this f-ery (I'm trying not to cuss) lies solely on the shoulders of the parents...and BET! I guarantee in 5 years, Lil Man will know each and every word to the newest I-Pain* song (if he's lasted this long, the music industry is clearly on the decline, and it'll only get worse), but the jury is still out on whether or not he'll know his ABC's.
I couldn't make this stuff up, even if I tried.
* From this point on, "singer" T-Pain shall be referred to as I-Pain - tell me your eyes don't hurt after looking at him!
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Parkin' Lot Pimpin '08
Ok, I know the economy is pretty bad, and gas is like $40 a gallon but there is no, I repeat NO reason for this foolishness! Note to all couples - if you can't afford a nice ceremony, take your tails to the nearest courthouse, politician's office, Grandmama's living room, etc. and just have a small civil ceremony. What makes this so bad is the fact that, while the attire isn't runway chic, in the whole scheme of things, the wedding party doesn't look bad. I'm almost certain that they paid a visit to David to get these gowns, but they could be (trust me, I've seen) a lot worse! AND, what makes this really bad is the fact that this is happening in the great state of New Jersey! Somebody get Corzine on the line - we need a resolution (literally)! This level of foolishness is inexcusable, and today I CAN'T!
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Desperation and Lies Will Get You Nowhere, Hillary
I am overjoyed right now! Seriously, as I've said before, I always kind of thought that I'd see a black president during my lifetime, but never did I think it would be now. As a political staffer, I understand how nasty politics can get, especially during an election year, but the actions of Hillary Clinton have ranged from desperate and petty, to downright untruthful. It's refreshing that the American people were able to see through her delusions, and attitude of entitlement, and make the right choice. And I mean, I understand that she expected to clinch the Democratic nomination. She was a good first lady and she's a tough cookie, and for that I applaud her. But I think it goes deeper than that. I think she took one look at Barack Obama, and her true roots showed. She convinced herself that she was the best candidate. Well honey, today (and really, throughout this entire primary process) the voters showed otherwise. Make sure you all show up in November - YES WE CAN!
I also have a few choice words for the shady black politicians who opted to suck up to the Clintons and ride this out till the end. It was disgusting to hear these men and women go on and on about how Hillary was the best candidate. Why? Nobody could give a good reason. They were all so quick to point out that they wouldn't vote for Obama, simply because he's black. Why not? I guarantee if qualified Chinese-American candidate had been in the race, the Chinese community would have rallied around him or her. Why? Because that's what you're SUPPOSED to do! There's nothing wrong with wanting to support one of your own - as long as he or she is qualified. Indian-Americans would have supported a qualified Indian candidate, as would Korean-Americans and a number of other groups. This kind of self-hatred, that was demonstrated by a number of the black politicians (on all levels) who opted to support Hillary over Obama, is precisely what continues prevent us as a people from ever truly claiming the America we deserve. Y’all had better get over your jealous attitudes, and do it quickly! We have to empower OURSELVES!
So Honey, YES WE CAN! We can, we did, and we will CONTINUE to do so! It's way past time that the residents of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, were brown. So, here's to the Obama’s, for making sure that "chocolate" is in charge in Chocolate City, and around the United States!
So I'm watching what should be Hillary's concession speech, and she STILL doesn’t know how to let go! She doesn't have to make a decision tonight - America has made it for her!
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Out Of The Mouths Of Babes
I'm sorry, but this has been bothering my spirit since I first heard about it. I've searched high and low, and I have YET to find a reasonable definition of "Hoodrat stuff!"
Below, you will find my questions/observations.
#1 - He was mad at his mom, so he stole the keys to his grandmother's car??
#2 - His friend "smokes with cigarettes" - how old is this friend??
#3 - WHAT, pray tell, is "hoodrat stuff??"
#4 - Why is his grandma scared to beat his tail? That's what's wrong with him now! If I'd done something like this, my parents and all 4 of my grandparents would have spanked me!
#5 - How is he going to volunteer his mom to help his grandmother pay for the damage? Like that makes it better!
#6 - Who has a grandmother named Zikkita? I'm just asking...
Monday, March 31, 2008
HBCUs & PWIs
Recently, I visited one of my new favorite blogs - Stuff Educated Black People Like, and a question was posed asking which type of institution, a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) or a Predominantly White Institution (PWI) does a better job of educating black students. Let me just say that I think this is a dumb question - leave it to some idiot to try to sow discord between black college grads. However, I do get tired of graduates of PWIs always saying how HBCUs provide a "false sense of reality." As I stated in my response, HBCUs aren’t for everyone, but please don’t criticize those of us who chose to attend one. See my response below.
Let me begin by saying that I am a proud graduate of an HBCU, and I’d recommend it to any black student. I grew up attending PWIs, and I, in addition to my other black classmates chose to attend HBCUs upon graduation, because we wanted a different experience. I always find it amusing how some graduates of PWIs feel the need to "validate" themselves by stating that HBCUs provide a "false sense of reality." What’s even more amusing was that they’d break their necks to get to our campus for parties, step shows, probates, etc. Hmm, I thought we were living in a false sense of reality! Why don’t y’all stay on your campus and party with each other? Why are ya’ll pressed to show up at our Homecoming? HBCUs provide black students with the opportunity to be in the majority – a chance to live and socialize with other students who look like them and share some of the same interests and experiences. HBCUs aren’t for everyone, but don’t try to discourage students who may be considering attending one - that sounds like the "crabs in a barrel" mentality to me. I earned my degree just like you did!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
A More Perfect Union
Ok, let me start by saying that I'm a speechwriter. This is one of the best written and most eloquently delivered speeches I've ever heard. I especially like the way Sen. Obama likened Rev. Wright to an older, sometimes unpredictable uncle. The Senator did not disrespect Rev. Wright, nor did he try to defame his character OR Christianity. Instead, Obama basically explained that while Wright’s views may be a bit extreme, they are not totally unfounded. We as a people have been through a lot – that cannot be negated, but now is the time for us to work together with all Americans to get our country to where it needs to be. I've heard that Sen. Obama wrote the majority of this speech himself - if so, we NEED this man to be our president. Even though it could mean putting speechwriters like me out of work, lol, he NEEDS to be our president!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Indian In My Family? /The Black American
Every 30 years or so, it seems like the name that others call us changes - from colored, to negro, to black to African-American. Personally, I call myself black. I am also an American. Plain and simple - I don't feel the need to say the connection to Africa, simply b/c everyone can look at me and see it. My Daddy, my Granddaddy, and his Daddy were all born here, which is more than I can say for many of the other groups walking around calling themselves Americans.
Italians, the Irish, etc. often refer to themselves as such (even though they were born here) because they have a tangible connection to those countries. Being that our ancestors were stolen from Africa so long ago, few Blacks are able to make that connection. So yes, even though I'm Black, and clearly have some African blood in me - I am an American...it's just that simple.
Here's something I found amusing. A few weeks ago I was watching a show on PBS, where a few Black celebrities were given the chance to trace their family histories. They were also given a DNA test, which (apparently) was able to decipher their genetic make up, so they would know where in Africa their people came from. The amusing part was that, of those tested, very few of them had significant amounts nearly impossible for them to have gotten together with Blacks (free and enslaved) and had enough children for ALL of us to have "Indian in our family." What the tests found is that, the majority of what we perceive to be the "Indian" in us, is actually White blood.
With that said, here's Smokey Robinson's poem, "The Black American."
The Black American……
by Smokey Robinson
Source:Poetology.com
I love being Black. I love being called Black. I love being an American.
I love being a Black American, but as a Black man in this country I think it's a shame
That every few years we get a change of name.
Since those first ships arrived here from Africa that came across the sea
There were already Black men in this country who were free.
And as for those that came over here on those terrible boats,
They were called niggah and slave
And told what to do and how to behave.
And then master started trippin' and doing his midnight tippin',
Down to the slave shacks where he forced he and Great-Great Grandma to be together,
And if Great-Great Grandpa protested, he got tarred and feathered.
And at the same time, the Black men in the country who were free,
Were mating with the tribes like the Apache and the Cherokee.
And as a result of all that, we're a parade of every shade.
And as in this late day and age, you can be sure,
They ain't too many of us in this country whose bloodline is pure.
But, according to a geological, geographical, genealogy study published in Time Magazine,
The Black African people were the first on the scene,
So for what it's worth, the Black African people were the first on earth
And through migration, our characteristics started to change, and rearrange,
To adapt to whatever climate we migrated to.
And that's how I became me, and you became you.
So, if we gonna go back, let's go all the way back,
And if Adam was Black and Eve was Black,
Then that kind of makes it a natural fact that everybody in America is an African American.
Everybody in Europe is an African European; everybody in the Orient is an African Asian
And so on and so on,
That is, if the origin of man is what we're gonna go on.
And if one drop of Black blood makes you Black like they say,
Then everybody's Black anyway.
So quit trying to change my identity.
I'm already who I was meant to be
I'm a Black American, born and raised.
And brother James Brown wrote a wonderful phrase,
"Say it loud, I'm Black and I'm proud! Say it loud, I'm Black and I'm proud!"
Cause I'm proud to be Black and I ain't never lived in Africa,
And 'cause my Great-Great Granddaddy on my Daddy's side did, don't mean I want to go back.
Now I have nothing against Africa,
It's where some of the most beautiful places and people in the world are found.
But I've been blessed to go a lot of places in this world,
And if you ask me where I choose to live, I pick America, hands down.
Now, by and by, we were called Negroes, and after while, that name has vanished.
Anyway, Negro is just how you say "black" in Spanish.
Then, we were called colored, but shit, everybody's one color or another,
And I think it's a shame that we hold that against each other.
And it seems like we reverted back to a time when being called Black was an insult,
Even if it was another Black man who said it, a fight would result,
Cause we've been so brainwashed that Black was wrong,
So that even the yellow niggahs and black niggahs couldn't get along.
But then, came the 1960s when we struggled and died to be called equal and Black,
And we walked with pride with our heads held high and our shoulders pushed back,
And Black was beautiful.
But, I guess that wasn't good enough,
Cause now here they come with some other stuff.
Who comes up with this shit anyway?
Was it one, or a group of niggahs sitting around one day?
Feelin' a little insecure again about being called Black
And decided that African American sounded a little more exotic.
Well, I think you were being a little more neurotic.
It's that same mentality that got "Amos and Andy" put off the air,
Cause' they were embarrassed about the way the character's spoke.
And as a result of that action, a lot of wonderful Black actors ended up broke.
When we were just laughin' and have fun about ourselves.
So I say, "fuck you if you can't take a joke."
You didn't see the "Beverly Hillbilly's" being protested by white folks.
And if you think, that cause you think that being called African American set all Black people's mind at ease…..
Since we affectionately call each other "niggah",
I affectionately say to you, "niggah Please".
How come I didn't get the chance to vote on who I'd like to be?
Who gave you the right to make that decision for me?
I ain't under your rule or in your dominion
And I am entitled to my own opinion.
Now there are some African Americans here,
But they recently moved here from places like Kenya, Ethiopia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Zaire.
But, now the brother who's family has lived in the country for generations,
Occupying space in all the locations
New York, Miami, L.A., Detroit, Chicago-
Even if he's wearing a dashiki and sporting an afro.
And, if you go to Africa in search of your race,
You'll find out quick you're not an African American,
You're just a Black American in Africa takin' up space.
Why you keep trying to attach yourself to a continent,
Where if you got the chance and you went,
Most people there would even claim you as one of them; as a pure bread daughter or son of them.
Your heritage is right here now, no matter what you call yourself or what you say
And a lot of people died to make it that way.
And if you think America is a leader on inequality and suffering and grievin'
How come there so many people comin' and so few leavin'?
Rather than all this 'find fault with America' fuck you promotin',
If you want to change something, use your privilege, get to the polls!
Commence to votin'!
God knows we've earned the right to be called American Americans and be free at last.
And rather than you movin' forward progress, you dwelling in the past.
We've struggled too long; we've come too far.
Instead of focusing on who we were, let's be proud of who we are.
We are the only people whose name is always a trend.
When is this shit gonna end?
Look at all the different colors of our skin-
Black is not our color. It's our core.
It's what we been livin' and fightin' and dyin' for.
But if you choose to be called African American and that's your preference
Then I 'll give you that reference
But I know on this issue I don't stand alone on my own and if I do, then let me be me
And I'd appreciate it if when you see me, you'd say, "there goes a man who says it loud I'm Black. I'm Black. I'm a Black American, and I'm proud
Cause I love being an American. And I love being Black. I love being called Black.
Yeah, I said it, and I don't take it back.
Smokey Robinson
Def Poets, 3rd Season
May 16, 2003
Italians, the Irish, etc. often refer to themselves as such (even though they were born here) because they have a tangible connection to those countries. Being that our ancestors were stolen from Africa so long ago, few Blacks are able to make that connection. So yes, even though I'm Black, and clearly have some African blood in me - I am an American...it's just that simple.
Here's something I found amusing. A few weeks ago I was watching a show on PBS, where a few Black celebrities were given the chance to trace their family histories. They were also given a DNA test, which (apparently) was able to decipher their genetic make up, so they would know where in Africa their people came from. The amusing part was that, of those tested, very few of them had significant amounts nearly impossible for them to have gotten together with Blacks (free and enslaved) and had enough children for ALL of us to have "Indian in our family." What the tests found is that, the majority of what we perceive to be the "Indian" in us, is actually White blood.
With that said, here's Smokey Robinson's poem, "The Black American."
The Black American……
by Smokey Robinson
Source:Poetology.com
I love being Black. I love being called Black. I love being an American.
I love being a Black American, but as a Black man in this country I think it's a shame
That every few years we get a change of name.
Since those first ships arrived here from Africa that came across the sea
There were already Black men in this country who were free.
And as for those that came over here on those terrible boats,
They were called niggah and slave
And told what to do and how to behave.
And then master started trippin' and doing his midnight tippin',
Down to the slave shacks where he forced he and Great-Great Grandma to be together,
And if Great-Great Grandpa protested, he got tarred and feathered.
And at the same time, the Black men in the country who were free,
Were mating with the tribes like the Apache and the Cherokee.
And as a result of all that, we're a parade of every shade.
And as in this late day and age, you can be sure,
They ain't too many of us in this country whose bloodline is pure.
But, according to a geological, geographical, genealogy study published in Time Magazine,
The Black African people were the first on the scene,
So for what it's worth, the Black African people were the first on earth
And through migration, our characteristics started to change, and rearrange,
To adapt to whatever climate we migrated to.
And that's how I became me, and you became you.
So, if we gonna go back, let's go all the way back,
And if Adam was Black and Eve was Black,
Then that kind of makes it a natural fact that everybody in America is an African American.
Everybody in Europe is an African European; everybody in the Orient is an African Asian
And so on and so on,
That is, if the origin of man is what we're gonna go on.
And if one drop of Black blood makes you Black like they say,
Then everybody's Black anyway.
So quit trying to change my identity.
I'm already who I was meant to be
I'm a Black American, born and raised.
And brother James Brown wrote a wonderful phrase,
"Say it loud, I'm Black and I'm proud! Say it loud, I'm Black and I'm proud!"
Cause I'm proud to be Black and I ain't never lived in Africa,
And 'cause my Great-Great Granddaddy on my Daddy's side did, don't mean I want to go back.
Now I have nothing against Africa,
It's where some of the most beautiful places and people in the world are found.
But I've been blessed to go a lot of places in this world,
And if you ask me where I choose to live, I pick America, hands down.
Now, by and by, we were called Negroes, and after while, that name has vanished.
Anyway, Negro is just how you say "black" in Spanish.
Then, we were called colored, but shit, everybody's one color or another,
And I think it's a shame that we hold that against each other.
And it seems like we reverted back to a time when being called Black was an insult,
Even if it was another Black man who said it, a fight would result,
Cause we've been so brainwashed that Black was wrong,
So that even the yellow niggahs and black niggahs couldn't get along.
But then, came the 1960s when we struggled and died to be called equal and Black,
And we walked with pride with our heads held high and our shoulders pushed back,
And Black was beautiful.
But, I guess that wasn't good enough,
Cause now here they come with some other stuff.
Who comes up with this shit anyway?
Was it one, or a group of niggahs sitting around one day?
Feelin' a little insecure again about being called Black
And decided that African American sounded a little more exotic.
Well, I think you were being a little more neurotic.
It's that same mentality that got "Amos and Andy" put off the air,
Cause' they were embarrassed about the way the character's spoke.
And as a result of that action, a lot of wonderful Black actors ended up broke.
When we were just laughin' and have fun about ourselves.
So I say, "fuck you if you can't take a joke."
You didn't see the "Beverly Hillbilly's" being protested by white folks.
And if you think, that cause you think that being called African American set all Black people's mind at ease…..
Since we affectionately call each other "niggah",
I affectionately say to you, "niggah Please".
How come I didn't get the chance to vote on who I'd like to be?
Who gave you the right to make that decision for me?
I ain't under your rule or in your dominion
And I am entitled to my own opinion.
Now there are some African Americans here,
But they recently moved here from places like Kenya, Ethiopia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Zaire.
But, now the brother who's family has lived in the country for generations,
Occupying space in all the locations
New York, Miami, L.A., Detroit, Chicago-
Even if he's wearing a dashiki and sporting an afro.
And, if you go to Africa in search of your race,
You'll find out quick you're not an African American,
You're just a Black American in Africa takin' up space.
Why you keep trying to attach yourself to a continent,
Where if you got the chance and you went,
Most people there would even claim you as one of them; as a pure bread daughter or son of them.
Your heritage is right here now, no matter what you call yourself or what you say
And a lot of people died to make it that way.
And if you think America is a leader on inequality and suffering and grievin'
How come there so many people comin' and so few leavin'?
Rather than all this 'find fault with America' fuck you promotin',
If you want to change something, use your privilege, get to the polls!
Commence to votin'!
God knows we've earned the right to be called American Americans and be free at last.
And rather than you movin' forward progress, you dwelling in the past.
We've struggled too long; we've come too far.
Instead of focusing on who we were, let's be proud of who we are.
We are the only people whose name is always a trend.
When is this shit gonna end?
Look at all the different colors of our skin-
Black is not our color. It's our core.
It's what we been livin' and fightin' and dyin' for.
But if you choose to be called African American and that's your preference
Then I 'll give you that reference
But I know on this issue I don't stand alone on my own and if I do, then let me be me
And I'd appreciate it if when you see me, you'd say, "there goes a man who says it loud I'm Black. I'm Black. I'm a Black American, and I'm proud
Cause I love being an American. And I love being Black. I love being called Black.
Yeah, I said it, and I don't take it back.
Smokey Robinson
Def Poets, 3rd Season
May 16, 2003
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Hi Mr. O'Reilly! Hope All is Well, Kiss the Plaintiff and the Wifey...
Photo used courtesy of WireImage.comI am not a fan of Star Jones Reynolds (SJR), but the fact that she wrote this letter makes me respect her a little more. Bill O'Reilly has been getting away with making statements about "us" for years, and it's an outrage that he's never called to task for his offensive comments. It's amazing that he has such negative comments to make about others when just a few years ago, he was being sued for sexual harassment.
Star was pretty vocal on recent comments Fox News Host and full-time jerk Bill O'Reilly made about possible first Lady Michelle Obama.
This is what he said:
'And I don't want to go on a lynching party against Michelle Obama unless there's evidence, hard facts, that say this is how the woman really feels. If that's how she really feels -- that is a bad country or a flawed nation, whatever -- then that's legit. We'll track it down.'
This is what she (SJR) said:
"I'm sick to death of people like Fox News host, Bill O'Reilly, and his ilk thinking that he can use a racial slur against a black woman who could be the next First Lady of the United States, give a half-assed apology and not be taken to task and called on his crap.
This week O'Reilly gave the following response to a caller on his radio show who was making unsubstantiated negative charges against presidential candidate Barack Obama's wife, Michelle Obama:
'And I don't want to go on a lynching party against Michelle Obama unless there's evidence, hard facts, that say this is how the woman really feels. If that's how she really feels -- that is a bad country or a flawed nation, whatever -- then that's legit. We'll track it down.'
What the hell? If it's 'legit,' you're going to 'track it down?' And then what do you plan to do?
How dare this white man with a microphone and the trust of the public think that in 2008, he can still put the words 'lynch and party' together in the same sentence with reference to a black woman; in this case, Michelle Obama? I don't care how you 'spin it' in the 'no spin zone,' that statement in and of itself is racist, unacceptable and inappropriate on every level.
O'Reilly claims his comments were taken out of context. Please don't insult my intelligence while you're insulting me. I've read the comments and heard them delivered in O'Reilly's own voice; and there is no right context that exists. So, his insincere apology and "out-of-context" excuse is not going to cut it with me.
Star was pretty vocal on recent comments Fox News Host and full-time jerk Bill O'Reilly made about possible first Lady Michelle Obama.
This is what he said:
'And I don't want to go on a lynching party against Michelle Obama unless there's evidence, hard facts, that say this is how the woman really feels. If that's how she really feels -- that is a bad country or a flawed nation, whatever -- then that's legit. We'll track it down.'
This is what she (SJR) said:
"I'm sick to death of people like Fox News host, Bill O'Reilly, and his ilk thinking that he can use a racial slur against a black woman who could be the next First Lady of the United States, give a half-assed apology and not be taken to task and called on his crap.
This week O'Reilly gave the following response to a caller on his radio show who was making unsubstantiated negative charges against presidential candidate Barack Obama's wife, Michelle Obama:
'And I don't want to go on a lynching party against Michelle Obama unless there's evidence, hard facts, that say this is how the woman really feels. If that's how she really feels -- that is a bad country or a flawed nation, whatever -- then that's legit. We'll track it down.'
What the hell? If it's 'legit,' you're going to 'track it down?' And then what do you plan to do?
How dare this white man with a microphone and the trust of the public think that in 2008, he can still put the words 'lynch and party' together in the same sentence with reference to a black woman; in this case, Michelle Obama? I don't care how you 'spin it' in the 'no spin zone,' that statement in and of itself is racist, unacceptable and inappropriate on every level.
O'Reilly claims his comments were taken out of context. Please don't insult my intelligence while you're insulting me. I've read the comments and heard them delivered in O'Reilly's own voice; and there is no right context that exists. So, his insincere apology and "out-of-context" excuse is not going to cut it with me.
Click the link below for SJR's letter in its entirety.
http://www.blackvoices.com/blogs/2008/02/26/open-letter-star-jones-checks-bill-o-reilly-s-racist-remark/
Monday, February 25, 2008
Rants and Raves - Oscars 2008
So I rushed home last night to watch the Oscars' Red Carpet, and for the most part, I was disappointed. There were a few dresses that I loved (and I'll stress a FEW), but for the most part, people looked dry and boring.
- To me, this year's best dressed starlets were:
Marion Cotillard
and
Heidi Klum
Normally I think playing it safe is better, but I love the risk that Marion took - it really worked for her. And Heidi's gown is classic and timeless. I love them both.
Jennifer Garner looked pretty, although I wasn't feeling that one big ruffle down at the bottom.
And I would have liked Cameron Diaz's dress in another color, but the pale pink worked for her.
Looking at the back now though, it looks a bit homemade.
- Access Hollywood's Shaun Robinson looked pretty fab too. Although, I'm sick of seeing her in those full wigs.
- Will someone PLEASE explain to me the rage with Renee Zellweger? She always looks a dry hot mess! Last night was no exception! Her gown was ok, but it looked like something the Dreams should have worn during that finale scene ("And it's hard to say goodbye my love, hard to see you cry my loooove...").
- As much as I love KLS, she needs to sit down. I love her show, I think her kids are adorable and she cracks me up - HOWEVER, just b/c you were once a model and you now have your own clothing line does NOT a stylish person make! Let's be real, what woman over age 18 is checking for ANYTHING made by Baby Phat?
- Ms. Ruby Dee should have won - she's been acting forever, and for her to never have won an Oscar is simply unfair. In fact, what was even more unfair is the fact that she was the only black person even NOMINATED for an Oscar this year. Racist much?
- This was just awkward. Looks like somebody else may need to head to rehab... The way Ryan Seacrest played it off though had me cracking up!
- To me, this year's best dressed starlets were:
Marion Cotillard
and
Heidi Klum
Normally I think playing it safe is better, but I love the risk that Marion took - it really worked for her. And Heidi's gown is classic and timeless. I love them both.
Jennifer Garner looked pretty, although I wasn't feeling that one big ruffle down at the bottom.
And I would have liked Cameron Diaz's dress in another color, but the pale pink worked for her.
Looking at the back now though, it looks a bit homemade.
- Access Hollywood's Shaun Robinson looked pretty fab too. Although, I'm sick of seeing her in those full wigs.
- Will someone PLEASE explain to me the rage with Renee Zellweger? She always looks a dry hot mess! Last night was no exception! Her gown was ok, but it looked like something the Dreams should have worn during that finale scene ("And it's hard to say goodbye my love, hard to see you cry my loooove...").
- As much as I love KLS, she needs to sit down. I love her show, I think her kids are adorable and she cracks me up - HOWEVER, just b/c you were once a model and you now have your own clothing line does NOT a stylish person make! Let's be real, what woman over age 18 is checking for ANYTHING made by Baby Phat?
- Ms. Ruby Dee should have won - she's been acting forever, and for her to never have won an Oscar is simply unfair. In fact, what was even more unfair is the fact that she was the only black person even NOMINATED for an Oscar this year. Racist much?
- This was just awkward. Looks like somebody else may need to head to rehab... The way Ryan Seacrest played it off though had me cracking up!
Friday, February 22, 2008
I Put My Teeth In When I Say So!
All I can do is shake my head - Classic Frankie! I don't ever want to see my mother "drop it like it's hot" like that - never ever.
Monday, February 11, 2008
TELL ME YOU DON'T SEE IT!
We all know that the hot mess that is Flavor Flav seems to have more children than he can count on two hands. I came across a pic of someone else who can definitely pass for his long-lost son. I give you "Like Father, Like Son."
Like Father
Like Father
LIKE........
SON!
Now, tell me you don't see it! Flav and "Teddy Penderass" look a lot alike in these pics. And they're alike in other ways too - seems like both of them will do anything for a buck, which has been made apparent by "Flavor of Love" Seasons 1-4, and ALL of T-Pain's music. It's Black History Month People...look how far we've come! *smh*
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Yes We Can!
The First FamilyIf you don't already know, today is Super Tuesday, meaning that 24 states have their primary elections today. New Jersey, my home state is included in this number, so I will most definitely be heading to vote this evening after work. It really annoys me when people (young black men and women, more often that not) rant and rave about how their votes don't count, and use that as an excuse for not voting. Um, people fought, bled and DIED so that you would have that right, and for you to just throw it away is definitely an insult to their legacies, and to those of us who appreciate their sacrifices. Don't use "the system" and "the man" as an excuse for your laziness. Think about it, when have we as a people actually had a candidate who stands a REAL chance at becoming president? Don't get me wrong, other brothers and sisters have run in the past, but none have come this close. Today is the day to make our voices heard, and to let our presence be known. I feel sorry for anyone who can't see and appreciate that. With that said....GO OBAMA!
Saturday, February 2, 2008
The First Family of FAB
The first lady of "Fabulosity," Ms. Kimora Lee Simmons (KLS) hosted a Baby Phat Fashion show last night. Of course, KLS' boo Djimon,BFF Tyra and the adorable little princesses (and fellow NJ B.A.P.s) were in attendance. Ming and Aoki are so cute - and Ming is the spitting image of her mama! *sniffle sniffle* They're growing up!
Monday, January 14, 2008
SHUT UP!
I am so sick and tired of idiots like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton complaining about Barack Obama! Obama's electability has nothing to do with him being "half-white." It has everything to do with the fact that he actually knows what he's talking about, and isn't always just spouting foolishness. I find it amazing that Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson don't support him, but then again, why should they? They're haters! Those two sorry jokers (Jesse and Al) are jealous that a brotha actually has a real shot at becoming president, so they choose to berate him. Both of them ran, and we have YET to have a black president - why because they're so FOOLISH! Jesse Jackson is off somewhere mispronouncing words and Al Sharpton is busy trying not to get burned with a hot comb! If they were really concerned with helping black America, they'd get in line and support Obama, but instead they criticize him for not being "black enough," simply because he's not always out pumping his fist for "black issues." I don't want a president who is only concerned with what's going on with black America - the president must be concerned with what's going on with America as a whole. So when Obama becomes the first black president, Jesse and Al will still be running around, fathering children out of wedlock and running late for hair appointments, and just generally making fools of themselves. I've said it once and I'll say it again, WHO DIED and made Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton the spokesmen for black America? Obama in '08 - seriously!
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