IssueBlack-A commentary on society

Demi Moore Says No More!

noreply@blogger.com (Tamu Harper) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 23:09:00 +0000

The day of reckoning has finally come for Ashton Kutcher. His flirtatious ways & cheating style have led to the demise of his marriage to Demi Moore.She has filed for divorce.

Good decision made by Ms. Moore
To just not take any damn more!
From Mr. Kutcher who is a whore
Right down to his very core!

Written by Tamu Harper

Read more here.

Rick Perry As President Would Be Quite Scary!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Tamu Harper) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 19:14:00 +0000

Oh my, I have a new expression
Rick Perry is the epitome of digression

Written by Tamu Harper

Sometimes I feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone after I listen to most of the Republicans that hope to conquer Barack Obama in the battle for the White House. The only one that should be taken seriously is Jon Huntsman. He speaks Mandarin & is more than knowledgeable about the country that holds a large part of our debt. Herman Cain,after all, didn't know that China already has nuclear capabilities. Mitt Romney does not seem like a steady, consistent man when it comes to his convictions. He seems like a cold-hearted politician who says things like "corporations are people" & " let the foreclosure process happen." Does that sound like a man of the people? Not unless those people are corporations or "job creators." Because it sure seems like the hard-working & the unemployed are not being represented by any of these politicians.

But, like Rick Perry, I digressed. Back to the man that for me is quite scary & that would be Gov. Rick Perry. Not only does he ramble like the town drunk whenever he utters a word, he has some extremely regressive views as well. Here's more on what Gov. Rick Perry has done for minorities in the great state of Texas from BET News:

"An alliance of civil rights organizations plan to file a complaint with the Department of Justice on Wednesday alleging that a voter ID law signed by Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who is currently the Republican presidential frontrunner, intentionally discriminates against African-American and Latino voters. The law requires voters to show driver’s licenses, passports or other government-issued identification. Under the old law, voters could present documents like utility bills.

In a 31-page letter sent to DOJ, the Advancement Project, the American Civil Liberties Union, the Asian American Justice Center and the Southwest Workers Union say the state of Texas has failed to prove that the law was enacted for a non-discriminatory purpose and that it won’t have a discriminatory effect on minority voting strength. They also are asking the department to deny the state the preclearance that states with a history of discrimination must seek before implementing new voting laws.

“This law is a part of the largest legislative effort to turn back the clock on voting rights in our nation in over a century,” Advancement Project co-director Judith Browne Dianis said in a statement, Talking Points Memoreports. “If this bill is allowed to stand it will undermine the basic fabric of our nation’s democracy.

When Perry signed the bill in May he claimed it was an “emergency item” so that the state’s legislature could pass the bill swiftly. But according to the civil rights groups opposing the bill, there is no documented evidence of anyone being accused of in-person voter fraud.(Read more here.)

And remember the "Niggerhead" sign that was posted at his hunting camp:

Here's more on that from Forbes:

"Perry is insisting that the sign was painted over when his family took over the lease of the camp. At this point it’s largely a matter of whose opinion you trust. In Perry’s defense, there is little to suggest that he is a racist and no reason to believe otherwise. The accounts of eyewitnesses from twenty or thirty years ago hardly prove anything.

Either way, this is hardly damning evidence that Rick Perry had anything to do with or in any way supported the racist name of the camp which was named years before he or his family had anything to do with it. Like Doug Mataconis, I’m no Perry fan but “this story strikes me as much ado about nothing.”

It should, however, raise the specter of past segregation in the United States and in Texas. That specter should haunt us as a nation, and this is a good opportunity to delve into that horror, especially given the virulent racism that’s been flung at the current president over the past couple years. The history of segregation, slavery, lynchings and other violence toward black people in this country is bloody and terrifying.

In 1860 Texas saw the bloodiest lynching in that state’s history during a slave insurrection referred to as the “Texas Troubles.” A series of unexplained fires led to widespread fear that slaves were forming an uprising. Some Texas lawmakers worried that the Wide Awakes, a group of paramilitary abolitionists, were behind the fire. White Texans formed so-called ‘vigilance committees’ that acted as a sort of inquisition throughout Texas, procuring false testimony from slaves and sympathetic whites often through force and torture. Southerners responded to the threat posed by rumors of the Wide Awakes by forming their own militias called Minute Men (groups with the same name now range the borders looking for Mexicans crossing illegally into the United States.)

The 1860 slave insurrection culminated in the lynching of dozens of black slaves and upwards of twenty whites, making it the deadliest pre-Civil War lynching in Texas state history. After the civil war the vigilance committees and Minute Men were largely replaced by the Ku Klux Klan.

Rick Perry may indeed be innocent of the “Niggerhead” sign at his family’s hunting camp, but that sign has deeper implications about where we are and where we’ve been as a nation. That we have a black president finally in the White House is a historical achievement that is nothing short of astonishing. Whether or not you take Herman Cain seriously as a candidate, it’s similarly remarkable that one of the conservative front-runners in the GOP race is also black." (END OF EXCERPT) Read the article in its entirety here.

Like I said, a President Rick Perry would be more than scary.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

For Those Who Don't Know Why We Occupy

noreply@blogger.com (Tamu Harper) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 20:32:00 +0000

Why We Occupy

I know why the protesters continue to occupy
We have grown weary of a system gone awry
Where no matter how hard you strive to try & get by
You may work continuously until the day you die
That's if you have a job which is not the case for I
And I that refuse to sit at home trying to stifle a cry

Wall Street hear our cry, your thoughts we will occupy
Some voice concern over the convoluted reasons why
We occupy, inequality is a reality that we no longer deny
Far too many cannot get even a morsel of that American Pie
That is why across the nation their has been a collective sigh
Too ourselves we can no longer lie, that is why we occupy

Written by Tamu Harper

I wrote this poem today because I wanted to make some sort of contribution to a cause that I totally agree with. Because I have two African-American kids who are in school, I have not been able to be at the protests in person. Their education is one of the responsibilities I have undertaken as a stay-at-home mom. Especially since the narrative is that Black & Hispanic kids are failing school. Both of my children are refuting that narrative by excelling in school. It is important that they attend every day in order to keep up the momentum. As a parent, I have to put my kids first by finding a different way to express my activism.

I can't afford to go to jail since my husband is the only one who is employed in our family. I empathize deeply with the protesters since they share some of the same concerns that I do. I also reject the idea that I should continue to accept the fact that I live in a unfair society. Like so many out there, it has been proven to me time & time again that working hard to achieve your dreams doesn't always equal success.I have worked hard in the food & customer service industry. Oftentimes, I have taken the very jobs that the media claim only illegal immigrants will do.

In fact, I was paid less than the illegal immigrants that were paid cash to do less work than I had to do as an apprentice butcher. All they did was wash dishes & clean the butcher shop for a few hours. I had to do those very same tasks plus the job I was hired to do. I was paid $10 per hour to perform the duties of a butcher,dishwasher & janitor. The dishwasher,who was an illegal immigrant, got paid $11 per hour to wash dishes & clean up the butcher shop at closing.On top of that, I was ordered to start using a meat slicing machine that could have taken off one of my fingers if the slightest mistake was made. Did I mention that I was never properly trained to use this dangerous machine? If I would have gotten hurt, there were no medical benefits for me to utilize.

I was berated on a daily basis by the owner/manager who I had to work alongside. For some reason, it never occurred to me that I might face racism as the only black person at this establishment. Lo & behold, that is precisely what happened. It soon became apparent to me that I was a token black. The real reason this small business owner hired me was because he needed to diversify his staff. I was never properly trained to do anything there. He stuck me on the cash register & had me wait on customers. You see, these were the two tasks the rest of his staff had trouble with. He hired me under the premise that I would be a butcher-in-training. Instead of showing me how to cut meat, he humiliated me in front of both his staff & customers for not already knowing how to do so. It was a horrid experience. But since I am a hard-working American, I was willing to do pay my dues in order to excel in the job.Sadly,it wasn't about paying dues.

Every day I went to work, I faced more animosity from my co-workers than the illegal immigrants did. The staff was condescending towards them, but it went over the illegal workers heads because they barely understood the language. When the staff mocked their English,the condescension didn't register with them. But, when the entire staff made the assumption that I couldn't read a recipe & execute it properly before ever giving me the chance to prove them wrong, I realized what was really going on. It was searingly obvious. All of these assumptions were being made simply because I was black. They didn't believe I could do the job because of a stereotype that they held about the capability of African-Americans.

Years after the civil rights movement, the same issues still persist in our society.

For me, the Occupy movement is about unfairness in general. It is unfair that a 21st century black woman still has to endure blatant racism and sexism in the workplace. Why is this still the case for me? When will I get a chance to just be an American without having my race & gender shoved down my throat? Will my children ever get the opportunity to live in a fair society? Or will they have to face condescension simply because they have dark skin? People like me are no longer willing to tolerate intolerance. The poor will be silent no more. As a person with deep roots in America, why would I accept the fact that I may never get a slice of the American dream. I must speak out in some fashion.

As a rapper, I became very adept at writing lyrics that pertained to relevant issues. Unfortunately, the sexist music industry didn't see how a politically conscious female rapper would generate revenue. Simply put, they wanted me to represent sex on wax. As a result, I tried to release my own music. That didn't work because I spent all of my budget on studio time & production costs. You need money to make money. I just didn't have enough of it. Sometimes I have regrets about not compromising my integrity in order to get a record deal. Especially after the aforementioned jobs that I had.

Even though I never achieved fame & fortune, I still have the initial gift that propelled my brief foray into the rap industry. My ability to compose a rhyme. Maybe I haven't been gainfully employed for a reason. Although I can't find a job, I can find the words to express the general feeling that people have across the world. For 99%, Life has become too unfair to bear because 1% have taken more than their share.

I Can't Believe That Rapper Heavy D Is Dead!

noreply@blogger.com (Tamu Harper) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 01:09:00 +0000

(May 24, 1967 – November 8, 2011) R.I.P.

Rapper Heavy D is dead at the young age of 44. I used to really love the The Overweight Lover In The House, even though he had slimmed down considerably since the release of that single. It's interesting that his last tweet was to "be inspired." He was an inspiration for everyone that didn't fit society's idea of a sex symbol. He was a big & sexy man. The confidence that oozed from Heavy D was very attractive indeed. Not to mention his lyrical styling. He was more than a rapper with notable skills. Dwight Arrington Myers was truly an iconic figure in the world of hip-hop.

Here's more from TMZ:

" Law enforcement tell TMZ ... Heavy D had just returned from shopping and walked up some stairs when he began having trouble breathing. Adam Mills, a designer who was in the building and knew Heavy D, found him leaning against a railing and clearly in distress. Adam tells us he cradled Heavy D in his lap as others called 911. Adam says Heavy D was conscious and said to him, "I can't breathe, I can't breathe." When paramedics took Heavy D to the hospital he had a pulse. People in the building are saying he died of a heart attack, but we have not been able to confirm that. Law enforcement sources tell us ... no foul play was involved and so far they only know the cause of death was "medical."(END OF EXCERPT) Read the rest here.

Dr. Conrad Murray Isn't The Only One That Should Have Been Found Guilty!!

noreply@blogger.com (Tamu Harper) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:43:00 +0000

Dr. Conrad Murray has been brought to justice. He has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in connection with Michael Jackson's death. Now, I feel that we need to assemble more resolute juries to convict the other doctors that were connected with Michael Jackson's premature demise. Whether he was a drug addict or not, the doctors that helped him nurture his addiction should be prosecuted as well.

And that goes for any doctor that contributes to prescription drug abuse. A doctor without ethics is akin to a drug dealer. They both could care less about the person they are dealing drugs to. It's all about the financial gain. No doctor should want to become the equivalent of a drug peddler. If they do,they deserve to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Here's more from Reuters:

" Michael Jackson's doctor, accused of killing the pop star with a powerful anesthetic, has joined a small but growing number of U.S. physicians facing criminal charges over their handling of prescription drugs.

Medical negligence cases in the United States are typically handled in civil court, with the victim or victim's family seeking money damages from the doctor.

In the case of Jackson's doctor, Conrad Murray, prosecutors allege his negligence was so extreme that he should be charged with involuntary manslaughter and punished with prison time.

Fatal overdoses from prescription painkillers more than tripled to 13,800 in the United States in 1999 through 2006, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."(End of Excerpt) Read the rest here.

Japan Took The Women's World Cup Home!

noreply@blogger.com (Tamu Harper) — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 07:22:00 +0000

I'm not a soccer fan by any means. But, the excitement over the world cup caught my attention. Strangely,I found myself rooting for the USA women's soccer team. But,alas, it was not to be! Japan took the Women's World Cup home! They beat them 3-1 in a penalty shootout.

Casey Anthony Is Free To Eek Out A Living!

noreply@blogger.com (Tamu Harper) — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 07:13:00 +0000

I'm sure that there is someone out there that is willing to capitalize off Casey Anthony by offering her a book deal. Maybe after all of the furor dies down, something will emerge.But,like Amy Fisher, I'm almost sure that Casey Anthony will profit from being a horrible person. I hope that the death of Caylee Anthony won't be equivalent to a lottery win for Casey Anthony.

Stop Comparing The Casey Anthony Verdict To The O.J. Simpson Verdict!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Tamu Harper) — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 20:02:00 +0000

As soon as Casey Anthony's verdict was read,the comparisons between Casey Anthony & O.J. Simpson started to roll off of the talking head's tongues.Please stop acting like O.J. Simpson is the only one that may have gotten away with murder.For some, it is debatable whether O.J Simpson was guilty or not.

And Nicole Simpson may have been involved with drugs and the unsavory characters that go along with it. Caylee Marie Anthony was an innocent 2 yr. old who was last seen with her mother. These are two totally different cases & scenarios. I understand the comparison between Robert Blake(the white actor who got away with murder) & O.J. Simpson. But,for some reason,there has been no mention of Robert Blake. Most people believe that Robert Blake is a murderer.

How come no one in the media is using Robert Blake as an example of someone who got away with a horrible crime? It just seems like it's more sensational to mention O.J. Simpson. I just think that Casey Anthony is another person who got away with murder. At least she served more time than Johannes Mehserle,the Bart Transit cop who was captured on video shooting an unarmed black man in the back.

Since those in the media are making false comparisons, I thought I would offer up one as well. Because there are many who feel that Mr. Mehserle got away with murder as well. Justice has not been served in a plethora of cases. Let's start citing more cases than the O.J. Simpson case when we are searching for examples of those who have escaped the hammer of justice.

Aretha Franklin Makes No Mention Of Halle Berry Starring In Her Biopic!

noreply@blogger.com (Tamu Harper) — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 17:44:00 +0000

LISTEN TO WHAT WENDY SAYS ABOUT WHO SHOULD PLAY ARETHA:

Somebody must have finally told Aretha Franklin how ridiculous it was for her to suggest that Halle Berry portray her in a biopic. First of all, Aretha Franklin is not biracial. And to my knowledge, Halle Berry is no singer. So, the folks that she mentioned on "The View" today made sense. Aretha Franklin said that the casting directors are looking at Fantasia & Jennifer Hudson to play the Queen of Soul on film. But, the really interesting news was that Ms. Franklin is considering Patina Miller for the role at Whoopi Goldberg's behest.

Here's more on Patina Miller(pictured above) from The Philadelphia Tribune :

"Miller has stepped into the shoes of Whoopi Goldberg, who originated the role of nightclub-singer-turned-nun Deloris Van Cartier in the hit 1992 film. She’s the only cast member from the London production to make the switch and so has had to welcome all new actors, a new director, a tweaked script and new songs.

“I’m doing an entirely new show,” she says. “I know this character in and out, so no matter what changes in the show, I know my character’s journey. I know who she is because I’ve lived with her for three years now.”

Goldberg, a producer of the musical, draws on heaven-and-hell imagery to describe her star, who was nominated for an Olivier Award for the role in London: “Patina sings like an angel and works like a devil. She’s fantastic.”

Miller took roundabout path to Broadway and might even have gotten there faster without “Sister Act.” She had been part of workshops for “The Book of Mormon” and “American Idiot” before she left for London, and had to leave the juicy role of Dionne — who sings the opening lines of “Aquarius” — in the Public Theater’s production of “Hair” before it transferred to Broadway.

Even so, Miller has no regrets. Unlike those other roles, her part in “Sister Act” is a star-maker. “If I’m going to do it, I want to do it big,” she says. “What I get to do with this character is really everything. It’s a fleshed-out character. I get to be funny. I get to be serious. I get to lead a show.”

Miller, who graduated with a musical theatre degree from Carnegie Mellon University, says she and her siblings memorized both “Sister Act” movies — the 1992 original and the 1993 sequel with Lauryn Hill — while growing up in Pageland, S.C.

“We would play it and rewind it until we knew all the words — one and two,” Miller says, laughing. She even sang Hill’s version of “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” from the sequel as her solo in a seventh-grade talent show.

“From then I was known as the girl with the big voice,” she says.

Years later, she got Goldberg’s personal approval to play the lead in the “Sister Act” musical. Miller says she was nervous when she met her childhood idol — but equally scared about trying to replace her.

“It was the only thing I was nervous about when I first started. I told Whoopi. I was like, ‘My biggest fear is that people come expecting you and I’m not you.’ She told me, ‘You’re not me. You have an opportunity to create a role for a new stage. Do it your way. It’s your moment. Own it.’”

The critics in London mostly agreed that Miller had owned it, with The Telegraph hailing her “funky, spunky stage presence and great comic timing” and The Times calling her “the show’s great plus.” (END OF EXCERPT) Read the article in its entirety here.

Where Is The Black Community In My Children's School?

noreply@blogger.com (Tamu Harper) — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 17:18:00 +0000

I live in Alameda,Ca. My African-American son & daughter attend a "multi-cultural" school in a suburban area.There are more Asians & Whites at his elementary than any other racial group. The parents of these children are building relationships with one another. The Latinos have built their own community & there is a strong Russian community as well. Each ethnicity has their own clique.

But, those of African descent really don't communicate well with each other. There seems to be no desire on the parent's part to forge relationships with one another. When I have tried to have a conversation with another black parent, it seems forced. I get the succinct feeling that they don't want to be bothered with me. It's really disheartening.

My socio-economic situation is not good. I am a stay-at-home mom with a husband who provides the family's income. But, I am not on welfare or any other type of government assistance. And I am not "ghetto." Unfortunately, I have found out that people assume that all black folks are ghetto leeches. I even heard one Black Muslim kid tell some other black children that he wasn't going to fight with them because they were "ghetto kids." He said that he was just there to get his education. Where's the sense of community in that assertion?

This boy could not have been more than 7 or 8 yrs. old. Obviously, his Black Muslim father put those thoughts in his head. He is telling his son to view other black kids as "ghetto kids." This was very revealing to me. It confirmed my suspicions.The reason why some blacks move to Alameda is to get away from Oakland or other places that they deem as being "ghetto." And these particular black parents view every black parent that they see in a negative light. Even if they are the ones who are really acting "ghetto."

The national narrative regarding the education of African-American kids is contributing to this disassociation. As soon as my son entered school, I was asked by a group of African-American & Hispanic parents to attend a meeting. What was this meeting about,you ask? Well, they wanted to discuss the fact that Blacks & Latinos are falling behind Asians & Whites in school. As a result of this ongoing national discussion, too many African-American parents make the assumption that you(a black parent) have children who aren't succeeding in school.

So,they go out of their way to ingratiate themselves into the Asian & White parental alliances that have formed at my children's school. They feel like these are the successful folks that they want to emulate. For example, one high yellow black woman that wears heavy make-up & a wig everyday told me that the whites in Alameda don't like anything that is "Afro-centric." Since I wear both natural hairstyles & weaves, I felt that she was referring to me when she made that ridiculous comment.

I converse with her daily because our kids are best friends.But,she acts distant.This woman told me that she doesn't do play-dates or socialize with other parents outside of the school. Okay,that's her prerogative. Then, I found out that she was going out of her way to facilitate a play-date with a little white girl that her daughter was really fond of. And this woman stresses the fact that she is a mixed-race woman from Louisiana. I knew that she was snubbing my daughter because she is black.That hurt my feelings because this woman truly believes that playing with white children is the best thing for her daughter.

Especially since I have an extremely gifted daughter & son.Our children's friendship has been more beneficial for her daughter than it has been for mine.This woman's daughter is falling behind while my daughter has excelled tremendously.My daughter helps her child with her classwork because it is difficult for her. Why is she shunning me? It's not because I am a bad mother. It's because I am a black mother.

My African-American fifth-grader is advanced in science & his math is not far behind. Where's the press on that?!! You hear all the time that African-American kids are lagging behind in these areas. My kids are not! But,that is not the case for a lot of black children at this particular school.And because the parents of these kids don't want to associate with each other,it's hard to figure out why that is so we can help these children out.

I don't want to shun those parents who have less successful kids than mine. I actually want to help in any way that I can. But, instead of coming together on this issue, these parents have chosen to put up a barrier between themselves & other blacks.

I have tried to build a relationship with an African parent who also happens to be my neighbor. Her first-grader is doing miserably in school. The school has suggested that he be retained & assessed by a psychiatrist. She blames the school solely. Even though the curriculum is better than a lot of other schools, she says that the school is racist & terrible. Keep in mind the fact that both of my children are continuously excelling at this same school.

But,according to her, I tortured my son by keeping him in that school when he had problems in the first grade. If I would have blamed the school instead of stepping up to the plate, I don't think that he would be successful today. The school is not there to raise your kids. You must instill values in them & educate them yourself. You send them to school to complement the work that you are doing at home. And if you are working with them diligently at home, their school work will reflect that.

If your child is not doing well because you aren't putting forth the extra effort to help them, how is moving to another school going to solve that problem? It's not.Your child's school record will follow them wherever they go. That is what they will initially be judged by.But, instead of accepting that fact, this woman doesn't want to admit that she may be the reason why her son is failing. Whenever I offer her pointers, she ignores what I am saying. And she blames everyone but herself!

I want to share my success story with other black parents. Especially those who have kids that are failing. But, the few women that I offered advice to have taken it the wrong way. They are so competitive that they look at advice as bragging. I want to help other black parents, but I don't want to be attacked by them for doing so. Black people need to learn how to look out for each other. Until we do that, we will continue to have individual success stories instead of communal ones. I want to uplift more black kids than just my own. But I can't be the only black parent looking out for the best interest of our black kids. We are in a community of failure, whether you like it or not. What do I mean by that?

Well, it has been accepted as fact that a whole community of Blacks & Hispanics are failing miserably in school. Why are you fighting so hard to disassociate yourselves from the community of children who are failing? A lot of Hispanics have formed their own communities. What about the African-Americans? When will we come together as a whole? I'm sure that we all share a common goal. We want to change that narrative about our kids. But, if you aren't sharing both stories of success & failure with one another while looking for solutions,the narrative will never change. First, it starts with you taking responsibility for the mistakes that you may be making as a parent.

Do you fit the negative stereotype of a black parent? Are you working with your kids at home & giving them the tools that they need to survive in a racist society? You better be. Because it has already been decided that your child is at risk simply because he is African-American. All of the news reports that cite these racist surveys are setting your children up for failure.

It is up to you as a parent to do everything in your power to prove that narrative to be inaccurate. All African-American children are not failing. Only some are.But,unfortunately,blacks are considered to be a monolithic race. We are not being judged individually.We must tear down this community of failure & replace it with communal success.

But for starters,you can't say a school is terrible if you aren't doing the best job as a parent.The aforementioned African parent who blames the school system gets her child to school late almost daily. Even though we live right down the street from the school, this lady always claims that she overslept. No matter what school she transfers her son to, she still has to be punctual.

And she doesn't know how to approach her son's white teacher. Whenever she has an issue with her son's teacher, she yells at the lady while class is in session. And then she calls the lady racist because the teacher told her that her behavior was unacceptable.In reality, the way that she dealt with her son's teacher took me aback,whether she was being racist or not. Even if you feel disrespected, you must behave in a respectable manner at all times.

My African neighbor may be rude, but it is true that racism rears its ugly head in Alameda. Sometimes it is overt,but more often than not it is subliminal.Our school needs their welcoming committee to be more diverse because right now it is mostly white & Asian. A couple of the white parents have reached out to African-Americans about joining this committee. One of them was very diplomatic about it & the other one was brutally direct about why she felt that I in particular should join this committee.

This white lady,who is a Texan, told me that I was "intelligent & African-American." She said that the welcoming committee could use an African-American parent like me.This conversation took place while I was talking with my African neighbor outside of the school. The Texan parent totally ignored the African parent,as if to insinuate that she was unintelligent. It was obvious to me that the lady was trying to insult the African parent who is late every day because she told me that I represent a parent who is "on the ball." And she never invited my neighbor to join the welcoming committee.

After the lady left, my African neighbor turned on me. She told me that I should have stood up to the Texan because she had insulted me by saying that I was an intelligent African-American. I know that this lady is harboring racist feelings by some of the things that she has said to me in the past. But, why would I feel insulted by what she said when it was really directed at the African woman. Shouldn't she have spoken up for herself by saying that she was intelligent as well? We are all grown folks.

This African woman makes snide remarks about both my kids & I. That's one of the reasons that I have decided to keep my distance from her. Whenever I try to have an in-depth conversation with her, I come away from it feeling insulted. There are many times that I should have stood up to her. So, her attack on me pissed me off. Especially since I understand the real reason behind her vehement anger towards this white woman.

I have been neighbors with this Eritrean woman for almost six years. She has snubbed me for the majority of that time. When we did start to socialize with each other,one of the first things that she told me is that our apartment building is sticking all the blacks together in one unit. That is not true because I was surrounded by whites when I first moved here. And even if that were the case, I love being around black people so I never would have noticed that. Obviously, this bothers her because she has commented on living around blacks numerous times.That can be perceived as being racist as well.

The real reason she was mad at that white woman is because she was excluded from the conversation. After trying her damnedest to fit in with the whites in Alameda, they are approaching me instead of her. And it is simply because I validate myself by being there for my children. I'm not spending my time trying to impress the suburban folks in Alameda by putting my son on a soccer team. My life is designed around the education of my kids,which is why I barely update this blog. This is something that I feel passionate about & I needed to vent.

Stop seeking the approval of the master. Leave that slave/colonial mentality behind once & for all. Because it's a form of mental slavery. Too many of us are seeking validation from whites instead of seeking validation from ourselves.The only person who needs to approve of you is yourself. Basically, know your own self-worth.

I didn't need this white woman to tell me that I am an involved African -American parent who is intelligent to boot.In fact, I pulled her to the side & let her know that she offended my neighbor when she said that. And she assured me that she was not being racist. This lady told me that I was more knowledgeable about issues of the day because I keep myself informed. She told me that she just watches NPR from time to time.According to her, that is why she's pushing for me to be on this committee.

Then she proceeded to tell me that she knows that there is white trash,too. And she also told me that too many rich white folks hire nannies instead of raising their kids themselves. Then, she said that as a Christian she believes that you should love your neighbor, but only from a distance if they are of bad character. I think that she was insinuating that my neighbor is low-class. And from the way that she has presented herself at school, I could not argue with that.

There are a lot of stupid white parents who aren't involved in their kid's education as well. That is not an exclusively black issue. And when their kids screw up, they want to blame the teacher instead of looking inwards. A lot of people don't want to admit that their kids have any flaws because they know that your children are a reflection of you.

I validate myself by giving up a career to raise two,black academically & socially successful kids. I know that any thing that I take on will be achieved. But, I had to look at how I could improve my parenting skills in order to make that happen. And my husband is contributing to their scholastic achievements by allowing me to focus on their schooling instead of trying to juggle both a career and motherhood. It's extremely hard to be a black parent because everyone perceives you as being a failure. So,by default,your kids will be failures,too. It's not about pleasing whites & gaining acceptance from them. What is it about? Making a world where being black affords you the same opportunities & advantages that being white does.

Blacks need to learn how to help & accept each other. No more judging one another & putting each other down. We need to band together as a community here in Alameda. You can't move away from being a person of African descent. The stereotypes about blacks exist here in Alameda. Not just in the South.

If you have grown weary of being viewed negatively just because you're black, uplift every black person as a whole. Help us dispel these stereotypes instead of purporting them.It's okay to want to diversify as long as you know how to unify. Let's rally around our black youth. But,building a black community is so hard when every black person you meet is trying their best to identify with whites.As a black parent who as been successful thus far, how can I pass tips on to other parents who seem to dismiss what I have to say because I am not a suburban, white soccer mom? How do you build a community with those who have no desire to do so?

Hispanics & Blacks Are Literally Killing Each Other For A Piece Of The American Dream!

noreply@blogger.com (Tamu Harper) — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 17:00:00 +0000

God, I wish I didn't have to write about racial issues in the 21st century. But,alas,these problems still persist. It is the 150th anniversary of The Civil War & the focus is on how relations are between blacks & whites. Instead, we should be talking about how blacks(and Hispanics,for that matter) are still regarded as less than. In Los Angeles,killing a black person is actually a status symbol amongst many who are in Latino gangs.

And this racial animosity between Blacks & Latinos is widespread. In New York, racial issues have bubbled up to the surface. Reports of African-Americans attacking Mexicans have become more prevalent there. What is going on? Both Hispanics & Blacks are still at the bottom of the ladder in America.

Shouldn't we be focused on changing that horrible reality instead of attacking each other for the crumbs that are being thrown our way? Why are we not collaborating with each other, Blacks & Browns?! We should be lifting our communities up,not dragging them down!

The respect for those of African or Hispanic descent is still sorely lacking in today's world. Just take the brutal murder of James Shamp as an example if you don't believe me.

No one should be attacked because of their skin color. The tensions between races must cease. Let the violence decrease & the peace increase.

Here's more from The Los Angeles Times:

"A little more than a year after the racially motivated killing ofJames Shamp, a 48-year-old black man, the prosecution of his killers appears to be drawing to a close.

Last week, Richard Bordelon, 22, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, one count each of attempted robbery and conspiracy to commit murder, as well as admitting to special-circumstance allegations of drive-by murder, racial killing and that he was an active gang member at the time of the offense, according to Deputy Dist. Atty. Daniel Akemon of the Hardcore Gang Division.

The defendant confessed that the victim was killed because he was African American, officials with the district attorney's office said. Los Angeles police sources said the case was part of a larger series of incidents in which Latino gang members in the West Valley threatened blacks and sprayed racist graffiti.

At Bordelon’s March 24 appearance, Van Nuys Superior Court Judge Martin Herscovitz sentenced him to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus 47 years to life. The judge also ordered Bordelon to pay $14,386 in restitution for burial expenses and mental-health costs incurred by the victim’s family.

According to police, Shamp, a husband and father of two, was taking out the trash at his job in Winnetka on Dec. 22, 2008, when a car carrying Latino gang members pulled up. A group of men approached him and shot him in the chest. Friends heard the shots and ran outside, where they found Shamp lying face down. He was taken to the hospital, where he later died from his injuries."(END OF EXCERPT) Read the rest here.

Vybz Kartel Isn't The Only One With A Skin Bleaching Issue!

noreply@blogger.com (Tamu Harper) — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 16:55:00 +0000

Vybz Kartel is a hardcore gangster style Jamaican DJ. So, I was surprised to learn that he wants to be lighter. He defended the use of skin bleach by pointing out that no one makes a fuss when a person seeks darker skin by getting a tan. Mr. Kartel says that he has the right to alter the color of his skin.

Unfortunately, this is a world-wide epidemic. Jamaica is in the spotlight as of late. But, the desire to have the fairest skin of all has been happening in Asia, Africa, Europe,etc... I wish that were not the case in the 21st century. I love my dark,velvety skin. You couldn't pay me to lighten my skin.

Here's more on this topic from The New Black Magazine:

"Skin-whitening or skin-bleaching is a practice whereby women - and some men - use various forms of skin-whitening products in order to make their skin appear as white as possible.

As an anti-aging therapy, skin-whitening promises to "restore" as well as to"transform" the aging skins of women and make them smooth, wrinkle-free-younger-looking. In this context, the natural aging process is systematically framed as a pathological condition which must be interrupted through measures such as "elective surgery" and or by bleaching out the signs of aging such as "age spots."

In this way, in the case of white women, skin-whitening is presented as a legitimate intervention designed to 'cure' and mitigate the disease of aging. Skin-whitening as a biomedical intervention is predicated on the pathologization of the natural aging processes in all women, white women in particular.

At least in the United States, racially white eastern and southern European women have used skin-whitening in order to appear as 'white' as their 'Anglo-Saxon' "native" white sisters. In the United States, women of colour also have practiced skin-whitening.

Many of the early skin-bleaching commodities such as Nodinalina skin bleaching cream, a product which has been in the US market since 1889, contained 10 per cent ammoniated mercury. Mercury is a highly toxic agent with serious health implications. According to Kathy Peiss , in 1930, a single survey found advertising for 232 different brand names of skin-bleaching creams promoted in mainstream magazines to mainly white women consumers in the United States.

If dark-skinned eastern and southern Europeans can "pass" for white with a little help from skin-bleaching creams, those with sufficiently light skin tones but who are legally categorized as racially black by their invisible " one drop" of "black blood", could also "pass" for white as well. The "appearance of whiteness" is the key to accessing the exclusive cultural and economic privileges whiteness accrues.

The fear of the infiltration of "invisible' blackness has fuelled both the marketing strategies of industry and the anxieties of white women that they may not appear "white enough". (END OF EXCERPT) Read the rest here.

Rest In Peace Nate Dogg!

noreply@blogger.com (Tamu Harper) — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 20:43:00 +0000

Man, I cannot believe that Nate Dogg has died. I know that he had some health issues,but I didn't think that he would die anytime soon. Now,the gangster with the suave singing voice will be collaborating with Tupac in the here after. Even though he's gone, Nate Dogg's voice will continue to "Regulate" for ever more. Rest in peace, Nate Dogg.

Here's more from The BoomBox:

"While news of Nate Dogg's death continues to sink in, the hip-hop and R&B world have turned to social networking sites to send their condolences. From Nate's musical acquaintances to those touched by his legacy, the likes of Snoop Dogg, Game, 50 Cent, Drake, Trey Songz, Monica and Erykah Badu all used Twitter as a way to express kind words about the 41-year-old crooner.

"We lost a true legend n hip hop n rnb. One of my best friends n a brother to me since 1986 when I was a sophomore at poly high where we met," tweeted Snoop, who grew up with Nate in Long Beach, Calif. "I love u buddy luv. U will always b wit me 4ever n a day u put the g n g funk u put the 1 n 213 n u put yo stamp on evrybdy u ever didit wit. I miss u cuzz I am so sad but so happy I got to grow up wit u and I will c u again n heaven cuz u know d slogan all doggs go to heaven yo homie n baby brotha bigg snoopdogg [sic]!!"

Besides posting Twitter sentiments, rapper Game released a statement regarding the untimely passing of Nate Dogg, who joined the Compton native on the track 'Where I'm From.' "We lost a great peer in the business," Game told The BoomBox. "I will always remember the time I spent in the studio with him. He was very encouraging and professional. I will miss his voice, presence and advice. He's a part of Hip Hop's rich history. My heart & condolences goes out to his family."(END OF EXCERPT) Read more here.

Buju Banton Is Facing 15 Years In Prison!!

noreply@blogger.com (Tamu Harper) — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 00:37:00 +0000

I haven't been updating this blog for quite some time. Since I am a avid reggae fan,I couldn't leave my two cents out when it comes to Buju Banton. I can't believe that he got himself in such a precarious situation. And I hate that another black man is going to prison because of drugs.

Buju Banton has tried to maintain his innocence, but it was all to no avail. He was found guilty on almost all of the cocaine charges that he was facing. I agree with all of the reggae artists who have expressed the following sentiment. This is truly"the saddest day for reggae and dance-hall". Here's more on this story from The Huffington Post:

"Prosecutors acknowledge that Banton did not put any money into the drug deal, nor did he ever profit from it. Markus said his client is "a big talker" who admitted to trying to impress the confidential informant but wasn't involved in any drug deal.

Much of the case hinged on meetings and phone calls that were video- and audiotaped by the informant, who was working with the Drug Enforcement Administration – and who made $50,000 in commission after the bust.

In one video, Banton could be seen tasting cocaine in a Sarasota warehouse on Dec. 8, 2009 – but he was not present during the actual drug deal on Dec. 10 that led two others to be arrested. Those two men later pleaded guilty.

Banton testified that that the informant badgered him after they met on a trans-Atlantic flight in July 2009 and insisted that they meet to set up a cocaine purchase. He said he was so uninterested in the informant's proposals that after they met twice, Banton didn't return the man's phone calls for months.

In Banton's native Jamaica, radio stations played his songs nonstop Tuesday, especially "Untold Stories" and "Not an Easy Road."

Rapper Tony Rebel, a close friend who recorded with Banton, called it a sad day for young people who looked up to him.

The verdict marks "the saddest day for reggae and dancehall," rapper Michael "Power Man" Davy said, adding he was "sad as a Rastaman and a Jamaican."

Singer Junior Reid called it a conspiracy against reggae artists.

"With Buju gone, a big piece of reggae get chop off," he said."(END OF EXCERPT) Read more here.

Aretha Franklin,"I Say A Little Prayer For You."

noreply@blogger.com (Tamu Harper) — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 00:43:00 +0000

Even though there has been a lot to comment on, I have not been moved to post anything. When you are broke & unemployed,its really quite hard to keep your focus. I came out of my shell today because I heard that Aretha Franklin has pancreatic cancer. That is what drove me to write something on my blog.

The legendary soul singer was rumored to have undergone gastric bypass surgery & her fans were praying for her success.Remember that vigil?

Her cancelled concerts drummed up a lot of speculation regarding her "mystery illness." Unfortunately,the mystery has been solved.

Aretha Franklin,"I Say A Little Prayer For You." As a cancer survivor, I pray you will be known as a singer whose soul cancer couldn't even take.

Did Tony Parker Cheat On Eva Longoria?

noreply@blogger.com (Tamu Harper) — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 20:16:00 +0000

According to the Huffington Post, Eva Longoria's marrigage is shortgoria because Tony Parker cheated.
Ya see, ladies! This is just more proof that some men will be men no matter how beautiful you look. I just don't get how any man could cheat on ravishing beauties like Halle Berry & Eva Longoria.

Some dogs just can't be trained,though.

Bobby Tillman's Killers Represent The Black Brute Theory

noreply@blogger.com (Tamu Harper) — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 20:16:00 +0000

Some black folks take pride in the brutish image that society has of them. Take the case of Bobby Tillman into consideration. After my last post,I would be remiss if I didn't call out the black cowardly brutes who killed a good,18 year old black man. Because it's not just cops that are brutalizing & murdering innocent black men.

You see,there are some evil black people who assault,maim,& kill their own kind out of jealousy. It's no different than any other race. Jealousy & envy is a human trait. As the saying goes,there is more than one rotten apple on every tree.

Bad cops that kill innocent human beings are bad apples. And the black men who killed Bobby Tillman represent apples that are badly spoiled as well. It is unequivocally wrong to equate every black man with these evil beings. Contrary to popular belief,black does not represent evil.

Since blacks were described as being less than human by 19th century scientists,we are held to a different standard. Here's more on that from ScienceBlog:

"Crude historical depictions of African Americans as ape-like may have disappeared from mainstream U.S. culture, but research presented in a new paper by psychologists at Stanford, Pennsylvania State University and the University of California-Berkeley reveals that many Americans subconsciously associate blacks with apes.

In addition, the findings show that society is more likely to condone violence against black criminal suspects as a result of its broader inability to accept African Americans as fully human, according to the researchers.

Co-author Jennifer Eberhardt, a Stanford associate professor of psychology who is black, said she was shocked by the results, particularly since they involved subjects born after Jim Crow and the civil rights movement. “This was actually some of the most depressing work I have done,” she said. “This shook me up. You have suspicions when you do the work—intuitions—you have a hunch. But it was hard to prepare for how strong [the black-ape association] was—how we were able to pick it up every time.” (END OF EXCERPT) Read the whole article here.

Being black seems to be synonymous with being evil & inhuman. For instance,why is evil magic called black magic & good magic called white magic? I could go on & on,but I know that you get the point.

So,the monsters who killed Bobby Tillman support the black brute theory. But,good guys like Bobby Tillman refute that way of thinking. It's up to our young black youth to decide how they want to be portrayed. Will you substantiate the black brute image or will you tear that image down? Only you can decide.

Here's more on what happened to Bobby Tillman from CNN:

"Sheriff Phil Miller told CNN the attack happened after girls got into a fight, and one of the girls hit a boy. One of the suspects, according to Miller, said he wasn't going to "hit a girl," but the next guy who came by was going to get "beat down."

Tillman was the unfortunate victim, and he was a "little guy, 18 years old, 5-foot-6, weighed 125 pounds," said Miller, who added that he didn't think the boys even knew each other.

The suspect went to Douglas County High School, while Tillman went to Chapel Hill, the sheriff said.

"As a parent who is about to bury her child, you wonder why. Why didn't anyone help?" asked Rivarde.

A judge ordered no bail for the suspects until they can speak with an attorney. All but Franklin, whose mother told the judge she had already hired a lawyer for her son, asked for court-appointed counsel.

"I don't even want to think about those cowards," said Tillman's mother. "Hopefully they get life in prison for what they did."

Police arrived on the scene early Sunday. They were called by the mother of the girl who had hosted the party after it had gotten out of control. Miller said there were 60 to 80 people at the party. Fifty-seven witnesses were taken in for questioning.

After the initial hearing, the sheriff responded to criticism from parents who complained about partygoers being bused in from the party to the police station, and held without their permission.

"This is not about the sheriff's office or the inconveniences about solving a murder case," Miller said. "And that's what we did, and that's what we're proud of."

The Douglas County district attorney stood next to the victim's mother, calling the attack "an absolutely unprovoked senseless killing" of a "completely innocent victim."(END OF EXCERPT) Read the article in its entirety here.

Oakland Police Kill Another Unarmed Black Man!!

noreply@blogger.com (Tamu Harper) — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 19:06:00 +0000

Another unarmed black man was shot to death by Oakland cops. This time a call to resolve a domestic dispute ended when the cops chased their weaponless suspect & killed him. Why did they feel the need to shoot the owner of the laundromat that they were called out to? I don't know. The 37 year old man was a business owner,not a thug on the corner.

As the mother of a 10 year old black boy,I often have to share these types of horrific stories with him. You see,I don't ever want him to become the victim of a cop's panic & rage. He knows about Oscar Grant being killed by a Bart cop who only got 2 years for the crime that he committed.

My son won't go out into the world with blinders on. The societal view of blacks won't be a jolting revelation for him because I have already revealed the awful truth to him. When you go into a store, you are suspicious simply because you are black. As a black man living in America,you will,in all probability,become a suspect at some point in your life. So,you must act accordingly.

Comply with the police. Don't try to escape. If you are being manhandled by them,get their badge number. Complain to their superiors in writing. It's better for you to wind up in jail instead of the morgue.

As long as the image of a black man is that of a brute, you must follow those rules. Having a black president hasn't erased that stereotype. The stereotypical brutish,violent black man who makes white women clutch their purses when they see him approaching is still out there.

That is what the cops expect to encounter whenever they have a male suspect that is black. And that is the reason black men will continue to be manhandled & killed by the police as if they were rabid animals that need to be euthanized immediately.

Here's more on the latest killing of an unarmed black man from ABC 7 News:

"Oakland police shot and killed an escaping domestic violence suspect. No weapons were found at the scene.

Police were called out to a laundry mat on the 1500 block of Bancroft Avenue at about 9:30 Monday night. A man had reportedly been violent with a woman. When officers pulled up the man ran away.

A short time later a couple of other offices spotted him two blocks away from the laundry mat.

Police said there was a confrontation. Two officers opened fire killing the man.

The man was 37-years-old." (END OF ARTICLE) Read more here.

Johannes Mehserle Only Got 2 Yrs. For Killing Oscar Grant!

noreply@blogger.com (Tamu Harper) — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 21:18:00 +0000

Oscar Grant's killer didn't get any real time for taking his life! Johannes Mehserle was sentenced to just 2 yrs. with credit for time already served. What a joke! They took Michael Vick through the ringer for killing dogs. I guess the loss of a dog's life is more important than the loss of a black man's life. Some people want to excuse what Mehserle did. Michael Vick was vilified for what he did.

Those dogs got justice for what happened to them.Where is the justice for Oscar Grant? This sentence was the minimum instead of the maximum. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Robert Perry has left many people with the impression that he cares more about upholding those who enforce the law rather than upholding the law itself.

This is absolutely shameful that the attitude towards black men has barely changed in the 21st century. The representation of blacks in "The Birth of A Nation" still holds true for far too many to this day. The image of a black man as something to fear is still here.

During & after slavery,black men were thought of as vicious brutes. It seems to me that's how both Mehserle & the judge in this case felt about Oscar Grant. Because the judge seems to agree with Mehserle's assertion that Grant was resisting arrest. Even if that were true,which I do not believe it was,that still does not justify shooting an unarmed man. Johannes Mehserle was a much more imposing figure than Oscar Grant was. Why did Mehserle feel that a weaponless Oscar Grant was a threat? Simply put,it is because he is a black man.

If you have been taught that all black men are brutish threats to society,you probably think that this sentence was unfair for a different reason than I do.Like the folks who participated in the pro-Mehserle rally in Walnut Creek,you are of the opinion that the prosecutors should have never prosecuted this case. I mean,c'mon, everyone knows that blacks pose a threat just by existing. For those who share that viewpoint,Mehserle is a heroic cop whose life was on the line.

Race definitely played a part in what transpired on that fateful night. A lot of blacks feel like life is unfair while others try to downplay that reality.This sentence only highlights the injustice that blacks have to deal with on a daily basis. It proves their point.

But some say if you just try to conform to a European standard of living,everything will be fair for you. That's really the way that too many blacks feel.This attitude stems from slavery to the present.Looking & acting black is a no-no for some.One black woman told me that whites feel uncomfortable around those who are Afrocentric. I'm guessing that's the reason that she's worn a European styled wig every single day of the two years that I've known her. She wants to make white people feel proud that others are doing their best to emulate them.

I will never be white. Quite frankly,I don't want to be white. I am black. Why do I feel like I have to spend every day of my life making up for that fact?Do we have to bleach our skins & destroy our hair in order to be accepted by society? That seems to be the case.

Oscar Grant's blackness got him killed. So much for a post-racial society.

Here's what the Grant family's attorney had to say about the sentence,courtesy of SF Gate :

"John Burris, attorney for the Grant family, said at a news conference outside the Los Angeles courtroom after the sentencing that he viewed the two-year term as confirmation of a racially unfair justice system.

Burris said he hoped there were no violent reactions, "but I can understand the pain and frustration that many will feel here. ... There is no place to go."

Grant's grandfather, Oscar Grant Sr. of Hayward, was in front of City Hall shortly after the sentencing, and said he hoped unrest did not break out.

"Responding to this situation - do it peacefully," he said. "Violence is not going to solve anything. Violence is what killed my grandson.

"Knowing how the judicial system in this country works, I was not surprised," he added of the sentence. "Two years is just a slap in the face."(END OF EXCERPT)Read more here.

One Of "The Bad Girl's Club's" Members Got Arrested For Drug & Firearm Possession!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Tamu Harper) — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 22:43:00 +0000

So,the chick that left "The Bad Girl's Club" because she felt she was superior to the other girls just got arrested! According to TMZ, Catya Washington was booked in a Philadelphia jail for possessing coke,ecstasy, & mushrooms! And she was carrying a firearm!

Damn,girl! Is this the real reason you were acting bipolar on that show? That ecstasy had her so in love with herself that she went bonkers when another roommate's date didn't buy her a drink. She kept saying how fine she was on that show. Now we know why this chick was so delusional. Because she looks like a bootleg Nicki Minaj to me. I'm just saying!

ABC Was Crazy To Want Andrew Breitbart Associated With Their Election Coverage!

noreply@blogger.com (Tamu Harper) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 21:06:00 +0000

Good news! Andrew Breitbart won't be involved in the election coverage that ABC is doing.Why the hell did ABC want Andrew Breitbart to comment on the elections in the first place? Was it for the ratings? He is so not credible that it is not even funny! Aren't they supposed to be a legitimate network that offers up real news?

So, I can't fathom why ABC thought people wanted to hear from this far,far-right propagandist! We live in a world where credibility is no longer a factor. It really is about being controversial these days because controversy sells. ABC ought to be ashamed of itself for wanting to employ a court jester like Andrew Brietbart.

Here's more from The Huffington Post:

"ABC News announced Tuesday that it is dropping controversial blogger Andrew Breitbart from its Election Night coverage.

The network announced late last week that Breitbart, who became notorious for his role in disseminating the out-of-context footage of Shirley Sherrod that resulted in her firing, would be a guest during its coverage of the midterm election results. After howls of protest from outside commentators and reports of dissension from within ABC's own newsroom, the network sought to make it clear that Breitbart would only appear in an online forum and would never be seen on any television broadcast.

In response, Breitbart posted internal emails sent to him by ABC producers on his website. He claimed that the emails showed that he would, in fact, be appearing on the air during the network's Election Night broadcast." (END OF EXCERPT) Read more here.

School Official That Hates Gays Resigns On Anderson Cooper's Show!

noreply@blogger.com (Tamu Harper) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 16:01:00 +0000

An Arkansas school board member that made some very hateful remarks about gay folks resigned on Anderson Cooper's show last night. It seems kind of ironic that the extremely anti-gay Clint McCance would go on a gay man's show to make his announcement. He must have been clueless to the fact that Anderson Cooper is a gay man himself.

Even though Anderson Cooper isn't exactly out of the closet,it's good to see that he cares about gay issues. And he effected change when he got a homophobic man who sits on a school board to resign.We have too many bigots wielding some measure of power already. Good riddance,Clint McCance!

Here's more from The Huffington Post:

"The Arkansas school board member whose homophobic rants on Facebook drew widespread condemnation announced he was resigning on Thursday's "AC360."

Anderson Cooper told viewers that Clint McCance, a member of the Midland School District board in Arkansas, contacted him to set up an interview after his anti-gay Facebook posts sparked a wave of outrage.

The posts, which emerged on Wednesday, were written in response to the "Wear Purple Day" that was launched to show solidarity with gay youth in the wake of a recent string of suicides. In one post, McCance protested the idea behind the initiative.

"They want me to wear purple because five queers committed suicide," he wrote. "The only way I'm wearing for them is if they all commit suicide. I can't believe the people of this world have gotten this stupid.

In another post, he wrote, "it pisses me off, though, that we make special purple fag day for them. I like that fags can't procreate. I also enjoy that they often give each other AIDS and die...I would disown my kids they were gay. They will not be welcome at my home or in my vicinity. I will absolutely run them off."

During McCance's appearance on his show, Cooper confronted him about the extreme anti-gay sentiments he expressed."(END OF EXCERPT) Read more here.

Mariah Carey Finally Reveals Her Pregnancy!

noreply@blogger.com (Tamu Harper) — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 17:47:00 +0000

A day after Thandie Newton spilled the beans about Mariah Carey,she broke her silence.On Access Hollywood today, Mariah Carey finally opened up about her pregnancy.Mariah even revealed that she suffered a miscarriage right after she married Nick Cannon. I'm sure that she is taking every precaution to prevent anything from happening this time. Here's to a healthy baby for Mariah & Nick! What a joyous time this must be for them.

A "Botox Bandit" Gets 5 Years For Stealing Beauty Treatments!

noreply@blogger.com (Tamu Harper) — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 16:31:00 +0000

When will these self-absorbed folks learn that beauty is truly skin deep.Once you have beautified your inner being,it will show on the surface.Hopefully,this idiotic "botox bandit" will come to that realization during her 5 year prison stint.

Gosh,I can't fathom why people are so shallow.Writing bad checks to get beauty treatments,clothes,etc... is insane.It seems that most people enjoy being very superficial.How did society become so depth-less? Triviality is the order of the day for far too many people.

Here's more on this botox bandit from The L.A. Times:

"A woman known as the "Botox Bandit" for stealing the anti-wrinkle drug in Orange County was sentenced this week to five years in prison, according to local prosecutors.

Melissa Chesney, 46, of Anaheim Hills pleaded guilty to 21 felony counts, including burglary, theft, forgery and grand theft.

Chesney was accused of numerous crimes, but she was most famous for her schemes involving Botox, which made national headlines last year.
"On 17 different occasions between February 2009 and May 2009, Chesney shopped at stores and spas using fake names, identifying information, and fraudulent checks" to obtain Botox, according to a statement from prosecutors. "Chesney used at least seven fraudulent identities at six different businesses." (END OF EXCERPT)Read more here.

Thandie Newton Says Mariah Carey Is Pregnant!

noreply@blogger.com (Tamu Harper) — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 17:51:00 +0000

Thandie Newton said on The View today that Mariah Carey had to drop out of "For Colored Girls" because she is "pregnant or something." She then went on to say that "something major is going on in her life." Wow!

That's when the role was offered to Ms. Newton.It seems like Mariah Carey & her husband Nick Cannon have been going to great lengths to conceal her pregnancy.Will she take this opportunity to confirm all of the speculation about her impending motherhood? Because this latest revelation has the internet buzzing right now.

Here's more from Dime Wars:

"Mariah Carey is reportedly pregnant with a baby boy. However, she has not confirmed publicly that she is pregnant.

According to reports, Mariah Carey is four months pregnant and the singer and husband Nick Cannon are overjoyed but have decided not to talk about the pregnancy publicly. Sources say that even though Nick was dodging questions of a pregnancy, he is very open about it with close friends." (END OF EXCERPT)Read more here.