The Savvy Sista

Louisiana: The Prison Industrial Complex on Steroids

noreply@blogger.com (TheSavvySista) — Tue, 29 May 2012 20:23:00 +0000

One of the most thought provoking and intense pieces on the Prison Industrial Complex I've ever seen is an 8 part series that was recently put together by by The Times-Picayune of New Orleans.

The piece is a most read that delves into how Louisiana became the chief of all prison states within the United States.

Some of the most interesting facts from the series are as follows:

Louisiana is one of six states where all life sentences come without parole.
Nearly two-thirds of Louisiana’s prisoners are nonviolent offenders. The national average is less than half.
Louisiana is tougher than Texas (I know, right) when it comes to sentencing.
Nearly a third of Louisiana inmates test below a fifth grade level
Since 1977, Louisiana's prison population has increased sixfold
Rural parishes economies hinges on keeping their prisons fulled. (Who do you think are the people that is used to fill the prisons?)

Most of us should be outraged by this story, but of course we are not because we feel as though it doesn't have a direct affect on us so why should we care. But you should care. Those who overwhelmingly affected by the Prison Industrial Complex are African Americans, Hispanics, and poor Whites.

Click here to read the entire story.

The Story Behind the Photo: "I Want to Know If My Hair Is Just Like Yours"

noreply@blogger.com (TheSavvySista) — Fri, 25 May 2012 19:15:00 +0000

The above photo has easily become one of the most iconic images from the Obama presidency. The picture, taken in 2009, features then 5 year old Jacob Philadelphia touching the head of President Obama.

Jacob was visiting the White House with his father, a former Marine who was leaving his 2-year stint working for the National Security Council as part of the White House staff. As departing staff members often do, Mr. Philadelphia asked for a family photograph with Mr. Obama.

It was during that visit that Jacob asked the President a question.

“I want to know if my hair is just like yours,” he told President Obama, so quietly that the president asked him to speak again.

Here's how the New York Times reported the story:

In the photo, Mr. Obama looks to be bowing to a sharply dressed 5-year-old black boy, who stands erect beside the Oval Office desk, his arm raised to touch the president’s hair — to see if it feels like his. The image has struck so many White House aides and visitors that by popular demand it stays put while others come and go.

As a candidate and as president, Mr. Obama has avoided discussing race except in rare instances when he seemed to have little choice — responding to the racially incendiary words of his former pastor, for example, or to the fatal shooting of an unarmed black teenager in Florida. Some black leaders criticize Mr. Obama for not directly addressing young blacks or proposing policies specifically for them.

Yet the photo is tangible evidence of what polls also show: Mr. Obama remains a potent symbol for blacks, with a deep reservoir of support. As skittish as White House aides often are in discussing race, they also clearly revel in the power of their boss’s example.

The boy in the picture is Jacob Philadelphia of Columbia, Md. Three years ago this month, his father, Carlton, a former Marine, was leaving the White House staff after a two-year stint on the National Security Council that began in the Bush administration. As departing staff members often do, Mr. Philadelphia asked for a family photograph with Mr. Obama.

When the pictures were taken and the family was about to leave, Mr. Philadelphia told Mr. Obama that his sons each had a question. In interviews, he and his wife, Roseane, said they did not know what the boys would ask. The White House photographer, Pete Souza, was surprised, too, as the photo’s awkward composition attests: The parents’ heads are cut off; Jacob’s arm obscures his face; and his older brother, Isaac, is blurry.

Jacob spoke first.

“I want to know if my hair is just like yours,” he told Mr. Obama, so quietly that the president asked him to speak again.

Jacob did, and Mr. Obama replied, “Why don’t you touch it and see for yourself?” He lowered his head, level with Jacob, who hesitated.

“Touch it, dude!” Mr. Obama said.

As Jacob patted the presidential crown, Mr. Souza snapped.

“So, what do you think?” Mr. Obama asked.

“Yes, it does feel the same,” Jacob said.

Pic of the Day

noreply@blogger.com (TheSavvySista) — Fri, 25 May 2012 18:09:00 +0000

President Obama and Archie Hackney

President Obama was in Iowa laying out his Energy policy when he met World War II veteran, Archie Hackney. Hackney is 90 years old and has to use a wheelchiar to get around, but yet he insisted on standing in order to properly greet the Commander-in-Chief. Now that's respect!

I'm pretty sure the Prez insisted he sit back down though.

Child Please: Wendy Williams Says Black Women Are Jealous of Her Body

noreply@blogger.com (LovelyLocks) — Thu, 24 May 2012 19:07:00 +0000

Wendy Williams swimsuit says Black women jealous of her body

Seriously, I try to avoid anything having to do with Wendy Williams. My grandmother always said that if you cannot find anything nice to say to or about someone then just avoid talking to them altogether. So I try my best to avoid her and her show.

Honestly, I was ticked after she made the comment that Viola Davis should not have worn her natural hair to the Oscar's because natural hair is not "formal" but I let it go because I really chalked it up to her ignorance. Now comes the latest where in an interview with XO Jane magazine Wendy Williams stated that Black women are jealous of her plastic surgery enhanced body.

I wanted to ignore this one too because personally, I think the fact that the idea that anyone could be jealous of the body she bought is so stupid that it is actually funny. Darling, you're not that special, they'll perform plastic surgery on anyone who pays for it. So why would anyone be jealous when they could just go to the doctor and buy it?

The problem, for me at least, is the fact that Wendy Williams is given a national platform to spew this ignorance and once again the media gets to take a stab at Black women. Now Wendy Williams always swears that when she says these asinine things she is not trying to be hurtful, she's just being honest.

Me post workout

So in that same spirit of honesty, Wendy, I am normally annoyed when my colleagues want me to suddenly be the spokesperson for all Black women everywhere, but today I will make an exception and hereby appoint myself as the voice of Black women everywhere. WE ARE NOT JEALOUS OF YOUR BODY. Never have been and never will be. You paid for it. If we wanted it, we'd buy it. Black women, according to economic studies, have the highest disposable income of any minority group so unlike your implication in the article, we have the money for plastic surgery if we want it. It's just that most of us don't want a torpedo strapped to our back.

It never ceases to amaze me how anytime Black women have a differing opinion about anything, we are immediately labeled as "jealous". You clearly didn't like yourself and so you went out and bought what you feel is the right body. So you were unhappy with yourself but we're the ones that are jealous? You don't like your hair and so you admittedly hide behind wigs but Viola Davis felt hers was so fabulous she rocked it to the red carpet where she was celebrated for it and you had to make disparaging comments. So really Wendy, who's jealous?? I think your insecurities are showing.

The other thing that really bothers me is the unhealthy message you are sending to Black women and adolescent girls. Shouldn't the message be exercise, eat right, and live a healthy life as opposed to buy it, nip it and tuck it?

I'm so mad about this because I know some little girl somewhere read that stupid article and now thinks she needs to buy breasts or get liposuction or have a nose job. So I am going to do something I thought I would never do, post a picture of my body online. So I have posted a picture of the purchased body she thinks we should be jealous of and one of mine, all natural. Now I am no supermodel but I am secure with who I am and have accepted that this is the body I was given by God and all I can do is maintain it and keep it healthy.
For all the teenage girls who read this site. Be the best you that you can be. Exercise and eat healthy so that you can feel good about yourself and live a long healthy life. Every woman is designed differently and you don't need to buy breasts to feel good about yourself. You are more than just your cup size.

SMH @ you Wendy

Details Of Robert Champion's final night paints horrific picture

noreply@blogger.com (TheSavvySista) — Thu, 24 May 2012 17:02:00 +0000

Johnathan Boyce

(AJC) --- Just months away from becoming Florida A&M University’s head drum major, Robert Champion still had one more test he felt he had to pass: earning true respect from the rest of the Marching 100.

That, at least, was the story police got from some band members who are now charged with beating Champion to death during a hazing ritual on Nov. 19. They said the 26-year-old Decatur resident begged repeatedly to go through the ordeal he thought would finally give him gravitas.

“He was wanting to do it all all season," head drum major Jonathan Boyce told investigators, according to hundreds of pages of documents released Wednesday by Florida prosecutors.

In a press conference Wednesday afternoon at their attorney's offices in Peachtree Center, Champion's parents assailed the suggestion that their son wanted to be hazed.

“My son was not the kind of person to go along to get along,” said Robert Champion Sr. “He was brought up to do what was right.”

As for Boyce’s account, Robert Champion's mother, Pam Champion, said: "Consider the source. They're trying to save themselves."

The medical examiner ruled that Champion died of hemorrhagic shock caused by blunt-force trauma.

Eleven of Champion’s band mates -- including four from metro Atlanta -- are charged with third-degree felony hazing. The Atlantans are Boyce, 24, Shawn Turner, 26, Aaron Golson, 19, and Lasherry Codner, 20. Two other students face misdemeanor charges.

FAMU officials have suspended all band activities at least through the 2012-2013 academic year. Longtime band director Julian White, who had been trying to get his job back after a suspension, retired earlier this month.

The more than 1,500 pages of transcripts and 49 audio recordings released Wednesday present a dark picture of a night that saw at least three band members run through a gauntlet of fists, feet, drumsticks and straps on the notorious “Bus C.”

One of the three, Lissette Sanchez, 19, told investigators she was placed in the “hot seat,” as part of her experience. She had to sit in the last seat on the bus, where she was covered with a blanket and beaten with drumsticks for several minutes.

Other band members also described to investigators undergoing the "hot seat" treatment at various times during their Marching 100 careers.

As described by several band members, Champion endured a different ritual called "crossing" Bus C. It involved walking from the front to the back of the bus while other students punched, kicked and struck him with various objects.

In Boyce's account, he said he had refused Champion's requests to undergo the ritual earlier in the season because he didn’t want Champion distracted.

“As being his head drum major, they don’t do anything unless I give them the go ahead,” Boyce told investigators.

But the Nov. 19 game against ancient rival Bethune-Cookman was the last game of the season, so, Boyce said, he allowed the hazing to proceed.

Now, he said, "I feel like I shoulda been a stronger person and kept telling him no."

Both Boyce and Turner told investigators that they arrived at the bus only after Sanchez and Champion's roommate, Keon Hollis, had been hazed and the beating of Champion was almost over.

“The way the procedure goes, you have to make from the front of bus to the back and touch the back wall and it is over,” Boyce said. “By the time I got there, he was a foot or two away from the back.”

Boyce said he made his way through the crowd, climbing over seats, to try to shield Champion.

“I see him reaching (to touch the back of the bus), so I grab him to try to keep everybody off him,” Boyce said. “I am pulling him and I see people kicking him. I put my body around his body and I am pulling him. Me and Shawn.”

After Champion touched the back wall and the blows stopped, Boyce said, “We sat him up on the floor of the bus. He asked for some water. We gave him some Gaterade. Me and Shawn figured, it would be okay. I did it in 2007.”

Asked why he would submit to being beaten, Boyce said: “The purpose? ... it's like a respect thing ... it's sad to say.”

Golson, who was also charged and has pleaded no contest in a second hazing incident, told investigators that he did not get on the bus at all the night Champion was killed. Interviewed 10 days after the death, he said that he was "probably in the hotel," during the hazing.

Investigators asked him several times if he was absolutely certain he was not on Bus C when the hazing occurred.

“Don’t make the mistake of anticipating what we are going to ask," one of the detectives told him. "Don’t get in trouble by telling us something that isn’t true. If you lie to me, that is gonna make it difficult, because we know certain things.”

"I don't know anything that happened with Robert," Golson told detectives, punctuating his comments with nervous laughter.

At Wednesday's news conference, Champion's parents were asked about their reactions to some of the more violent details in the documents. Their attorney, Chris Chestnut, said he had shielded the couple from reading many of those accounts.

As for whether Champion willingly underwent the hazing, Chestnut said that's ultimately immaterial. “He was murdered,” the lawyer said. “No one signed up for that.”

Hide Yo Babies: The Tea Party produces another coloring book for kids

noreply@blogger.com (TheSavvySista) — Thu, 24 May 2012 12:23:00 +0000

If you were thinking about buying a birthday present for child and you didn't have a clue as to what to get then don't worry, the people at Really Big Coloring Books got you covered. They've come out with a sequel to their 2010 Tea Party Coloring Book for Kids just in time for the election season. Yes. You heard me correctly. There really was a previous Tea Party coloring book for kids. You know because you can never be too young to be indoctrinated.

Entitled The Tea Party II: Why America Loves You! The Social-Activist Coloring Book For Kids, the 48-page coloring book costs $5.99.

You have to admire the Tea Party because they know how to get'em early instead of waiting until they are say 18 like some of these other organizations.

Here's how the creators describe the Tea Party:

The Genius of America is how The Tea Party truly reflects, represents and respects its homeland. The Tea Party is widely considered the “Real American Party.” Grassroots based and inclusive in its ideals, this diverse group of humanity, known as the “Tea Party”, is accepting of any individual. It is considered a post-racial organization, meaning: The Tea Party welcomes, embraces and represents all races of people. Red, Yellow, Black or White – The Tea Party does not discriminate based on race, sex, religion, political party, opinion, credo or any other factor. Reflective of true American exceptional-ism, The Tea Party is the classical America and will keep America safe.

Here is a sample page from the coloring book:

source

Oprah partners up with the Huffington Post

noreply@blogger.com (TheSavvySista) — Wed, 23 May 2012 19:42:00 +0000

LOS ANGELES, May 23 (Reuters) - Media mogul Oprah Winfrey is expanding her online empire by teaming up with the Huffington Post for a section dedicated to the chat show host that will
engage her audience, the Oprah Winfrey Network said on Wednesday.

The Huffington Post Oprah section will launch in August, and will curate content from Oprah.com, which features the motto "Live Your Best Life" and accompanies Winfrey's OWN TV programming with videos, articles and advice on health, fashion and culture.

The section also will develop original content with Oprah.com, OWN and Huffington Post editors, and interactively engage with readers.

"Oprah was about engagement and authenticity long before engagement and authenticity ruled the web. And since those qualities are deeply embedded in the DNA of both OWN and HuffPost, I'm delighted that we'll be working together to enlarge the conversation on living our best lives," Arianna Huffington said in a statement.

Notable Quotable: Judy McIntyre on Women's Reproductive Rights

noreply@blogger.com (TheSavvySista) — Wed, 23 May 2012 19:00:00 +0000

I swear I try my best to refrain from using profane language on this site, but every now and then there comes a point when even I have to give in. This would be one of those points...LOL! So if you're sensitive like my mother is to this type of language, well this may not be the post for you.

Judy McIntyre, who's a state senator for Oklahoma, caused quite a stir when she held up a sign at a Pro-Choice rally that read: "If I Wanted The Government In My Womb I'd F%&K a Senator".

Such a notable quotable was her sign that people decided to make it into a t-shirt. It was this very t-shirt that got a passenger kicked off an American Airlines flight.

Here's how the incident is being report:

[O]n the plane of the first leg of my flight home, I spent the majority of [time] sleeping, using my shawl as a blanket. Right before we were set to land the flight attendant from first class approaches me and asks if I had a connecting flight? We were running a bit behind schedule, so I figured I was being asked this to be sure I would make my connecting flight. She then proceeded to tell me that I needed to speak with the captain before disembarking the plane and that the shirt I was wearing was offensive.

The shirt was gray with the wording, "If I wanted the government in my womb, I'd fuck a senator." I must also mention that when I boarded the plane, I was one of the first groups to board (did not pass by many folks). I was wearing my shawl just loosely around my neck and upon sitting down in my seat the lady next to me, who was already seated, praised me for wearing the shirt.

When I was leaving the plane the captain stepped off with me and told me I should not have been allowed to board the plane in DC and needed to change before boarding my next flight. This conversation led to me missing my connecting flight. I assumed that because I was held up by the captain, they would have called ahead to let the connecting flight know I was in route. Well, upon my hastened arrival at the gate of the connecting flight, it was discovered that they did indeed call ahead but not to hold the flight, only to tell them I needed to change my shirt. I was given a seat on the next flight and told to change shirts.

Due to the fact that my luggage was checked, changing shirts without spending money wasn't an option. I consulted a friend with a law background who told me covering with my shawl would suffice. Upon boarding the now rescheduled flight with shawl covering my shirt, my ticket dinged invalid. I was pulled to the side while the gentleman entered some codes into the computer and then told, "it was all good." I did finally arrive home to pick up my daughter an hour and a half later than scheduled.

I would definitely love to hear from my lawyer friends about this one.

The Double Edged Sword

noreply@blogger.com (LovelyLocks) — Wed, 23 May 2012 15:36:00 +0000

I don't think that anyone can deny that the intense media reporting and ensuing public pressure are directly responsible for the state and federal investigations into the death of Trayvon Martin. Quite frankly, if his parents had never gone to the media with their story, the Sanford police department was fully prepared to allow Trayvon's death to simply become a closed case, a feather in the cap of George Zimmerman. I applaud the family for their dedication to Trayvon and their pursuit of justice and I know that without the media interest that they generated there never would have been an arrest in this case.

The problem is, now that the media has been invited in, they certainly don't intend to leave and their reporting has the power to thwart justice. I cringed when I saw the interview with Sybrina Fulton after Zimmerman's arrest when she described the shooting as an "accident that got out of control", a statement she later retracted. But her written retraction won't have nearly the same effect as a live interview on a national television show. Now, I know some of you are thinking that the media cannot be blamed for her word choice, and I am not saying that they should be. I'm saying that once the arrest was made, everyone associated with the prosecution of this case should have stopped talking to the media.

The only person with anything to gain by speaking to the media at this point, is George Zimmerman. The defense needs to put a fresh spin on things and they need to sway public support for a self defense claim. The release of the pictures of the bruises and the medical report from his doctor (which I'm sorry seems really suspect to me...two black eyes but they're not visible in pictures?) are all good defense strategies and it means Zimmerman's lawyers are doing their job. But what I don't understand is why anyone in Trayvon's family or otherwise associated with this case is still talking to the media.

From a legal standpoint, it appears to be an active effort to torpedo the case against George Zimmerman. Some of the reports contain information that would not be admissible in court and only serve to taint the potential jury pool. I heard someone say the other day that the problem was that the left leaning media has tried to portray Trayvon as some angel and that it causes conservatives to be defensive. That statement confuses me. First of all the right leaning media actively set out to portray Trayvon as a thug who somehow had it coming. They went so far as to post pictures of a young Black man shirtless and with his pants hanging off his butt and claimed that they were pics of Trayvon when they were not. But more importantly, since when do you have to be an angel to deserve to live???

And with all of this media coverage, we still don't have an answer to the most important question, Why did George Zimmerman get out of his vehicle that day?? See, if he doesn't exit his vehicle to confront Trayvon, we never have a fight. If we never have a fight then there is no need to pull out a gun and shoot right? So if the purpose of the media coverage is to find the truth, then someone please answer that question for me, why did you get out of the car??

At this point, I would think that even the defense would want a gag order since the latest reports are from a witness saying that Zimmerman's demeanor was "casual" after the shooting, as if it was no big deal. But even if they don't want one, I implore the Martin family to stop talking to the media. Stop letting anyone close to you talk to the media. I don't believe that you are seeking fame or even money because you could have filed a civil suit without ever pushing for a criminal investigation but you clearly wanted justice and accountability and the media just can't give you that. I suppose at this point asking you to put your faith in the justice system is akin to asking you to let the man who burglarized you, house sit while you go on vacation but it is the only way to see vindication for the murder of your son.

A tale of two hoodies: Mark Zuckerberg vs. Trayvon Martin

noreply@blogger.com (TheSavvySista) — Wed, 23 May 2012 13:05:00 +0000

By: Cheryl Contee --

Why not invoke Charles Dickens given the dramatic times in which we are living? Two young men -- one still a minor. Two hoodies. One dies in his hoodie and the other becomes an overnight billionaire.

Trayvon Martin and Mark Zuckerberg both sported the hooded sweatshirts, known as hoodies, that are near-universal gear for those under 30, and beyond. Hey, even I've got a couple and maybe you do, too. People who support George Zimmerman claim that leftists want to make Trayvon Martin's death into a race issue when it is not -- even to the degree of blaming the victim for being killed by Zimmerman because he was wearing an ubiquitous hoodie, as did Geraldo Rivera.

Geraldo Rivera's own son said that he was ashamed of his father's position after Geraldo stated that Trayvon had somehow been to blame for his own murder because Martin chose clothing that made him look suspicious. Despite the public outcry and personal confrontations, Geraldo recently doubled-down on his position on Bill O'Reilly's Fox News show saying:

I think what's far more significant is what Trayvon Martin looked like on that night, Bill. Aside from the fact that he's dressed in that thug wear -- look at the size of him, he's not a little kid.

Never mind that George Zimmerman outweighed his teenage victim Trayvon by about 100 lbs, reportedly. The hoodie made Trayvon look like a hood justifying an attack by a neighborhood vigilante. Yet when Mark Zuckerberg appeared on Wall Street during the roadshow run-up to Facebook's IPO, his choice of a hoodie instead of a stiff suit was lauded as culturally cool.

Sure, Zuck caught some static from Wall Street haters who wear ties, but most saw his casual attire represented via hoodie as a nod to Silicon Valley style where what's in your brain is more important than what you're wearing. Indeed, Zuckerberg's hoodie is standard issue at Facebook's Palo Alto headquarters and bears a special mandala design inside that expresses FB's design construct and flow.

Star Jones recently pointed out the double standard inherent in how two young men wearing hoodies were treated in the public eye by the media. She was dismissed as just another angry black woman by others on the show, and right-leaning bloggers on the 'net.

But does Star have a point? Trayvon committed no crime -- he was merely walking home one fateful night after a trip to 7-11 for Skittles -- yet was accosted by a stranger as suspicious in part, it's claimed, because of his hoodie. When Mark Zukerberg wore a hoodie to launch Facebook's public stock offering, he was praised as an icon of a new generation representing the best of American values.

We can see this mirror in law enforcement practices. Study after study shows that young whites are more likely to use marijuana than blacks or Latinos, yet blacks are at least seven times more likely to get arrested for the same offense. Mark Zuckerberg was probably not a victim of New York City's terrible "Stop and Frisk" policy during his recent trip to Wall Street's halls of power. But who's the real gangsta here?

Some Wall Street analysts are questioning possible unethical behavior by Facebook's executives and its partner Morgan Stanley in "selective dissemination of information" that gave insider knowledge to some large investors but not others. FB's stock is being called "muppet bait for the masses" who didn't know that Facebook's quarter one earnings estimates had been cut mid-launch. The stock is now sinking like a stone in the NASDAQ stock echange. It's not clear how much Zuckerberg himself knew about the alleged financial shenanigans and shakedowns. But we all must be left wondering -- who would Geraldo name as the hood wearing "thug wear" now?

It's a tale of two hoodies where guilt and innocence are turned upside down, where one young man ends up rich and another ends up dead -- depending on whether you're white or you're black.

Cheryl Contee writes as Jill Tubman for the award-winning & top-ranked black political blog JackAndJillPolitics.com, which she co-founded in 2006. She is also the co-founder of Fission Strategy, which provides innovative social media & mobile services to nonprofits and foundations. Cheryl specializes in online advocacy, engagement, and communications. Follow Cheryl Contee on Twitter at @ch3ryl.

Louisiana School Psychologists defends allegedly racists Tweets

noreply@blogger.com (TheSavvySista) — Wed, 23 May 2012 12:49:00 +0000

(MSNBC) -- A school psychologist in suburban New Orleans blames "the liberal media" for a complaint filed by the federal government accusing him of having made numerous racist online comments.

The psychologist, Mark Traina of Slidell, La., is a psychologist with the Jefferson Parish Public Schools in the suburbs of New Orleans. He works with students in the district's so-called alternative schools, where elementary and middle school pupils "with difficulties in learning and, in some cases, in adapting to the rules of school or community" are sent, according to the school district.

Traina is the subject of a complaint filed with the U.S. Department of Education by the Southern Poverty Law Center, a liberal-leaning civil rights advocacy group, which said it had found "a number of very, very hostile racial comments" on his Twitter account.

Traina, who in his Times-Picayune user profile describes himself as a "civil rights activist," called the complaint "unfair" in an interview with NBC station WDSU of New Orleans.

"Whenever someone speaks out, the liberal media just wants to demonize you," he said.
Traina expanded on those remarks in a long comment posted to the Times-Picayune website last week:

The Southern Poverty Center knows that these allegations are ABSOLUTELY NOT TRUE! This is just another way to harass the Jefferson Parish Public School System. One only needs to read the Times Picayune to see who the real trouble makers are. Sadly, it is disproportionately young black males. Everyone knows that our jails throughout the United States are disproportionately filled with black people. Why would the rate be any different in an educational environment?

Click here to read the entire article.

Louisiana School Psychologist: ‘Young Black Thugs Who Won’t Follow the Law Need to Be Put Down’

noreply@blogger.com (TheSavvySista) — Tue, 22 May 2012 20:09:00 +0000

(Colorlines) -- The Southern Poverty Law Center has filed two federal civil rights complaints against the Jefferson Parish school system for allegedly discriminating against black and disabled students and sending them to alternative schools, where they often languish for months or even years before returning to school. Now the civil rights organization is highlighting racially charged comments made by one of the district’s psychologists as evidence of potential racial biases.

“Young Black Thugs who won’t follow the law need to be put down not incarcerated. Put down like the Dogs they are!” read one tweet made by Mark Traina, the Jefferson Parish school psychologist, who has worked with alternative schools and in central administration.
On Monday, the Times-Picayune reported Traina worked in central administration with the process of referring children to alternative campuses.

In another tweet about the Republican presidential primaries in March, Traina wrote, “I grew up in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana - I am a Wallace Man at Heart!”

“It’s particularly alarming to have someone who works for the school system in a position of authority be pro-segregation,” Eden Heilman, a lawyer with the Southern Poverty Law Center told NOLA.com, referring to Traina’s remark about George Wallace, segregationist governor of Alabama.

Click here to read the rest of the article.

Cory Booker Goes on 'Rachel Maddow' to clarify MTP statements

noreply@blogger.com (TheSavvySista) — Tue, 22 May 2012 13:32:00 +0000

After botching his role as campaign surrogate for the Obama campaign, Mayor Cory Booker stopped at 'The Rachel Maddow Show' for his first interview since his 'Meet the Press' debacle.

Booker wanted to remain silent on the issue, but eventually it must have gotten too hot in the kitchen because he felt the need to speak out.

He used the interview to lash out at the Republicans for using his words against Obama. He was very upset at the fact that the Romney campaign used his words to raise money.

He took the time to re-emphasize his support for the President and his re-election. He also admitted to his mistake of conflating the use of Rev. Jeremiah Wright to attack President Obama versus the Obama campaign going after Mitt Romney on his stint at Bain Capital.

The criticism of the popular mayor from the left still remains. ThinkProgress has done some investigating into the campaign finance records of the mayor and have discovered that he received over half a million dollars from the financial industry and this also includes Bain Capital. Many are saying that Booker was thinking more of his own self interests whether than that of the President and that is the reason why he went off message.

At the end of the day, Cory Booker is still my favorite mayor. I think what he did on Sunday definitely hurt the President, but fortunately it was very early in the campaign season.

Booker has definitely learned a lesson from this. I think the next, if there is a next time, he is given an opportunity to work as a surrogate for the Obama Campaign he will stay on message because unlike Jazz, improvisation is not welcome in politics.

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

Rumor Control: Pat Houston denies Ray J. feud at the Billboard Awards

noreply@blogger.com (TheSavvySista) — Tue, 22 May 2012 12:16:00 +0000

Rumors hit the internet yesterday that Pat Houston was not feeling Ray J. sitting next to her family during the Billboard Awards and forcefully tried to have him removed. Well, HipHollywood.com's Kevin Frazier caught up with Pat and she completely denied the rumors.

Here is how the story is being reported:

HipHollywood.com’s Kevin Frazier spoke to Pat to tell her side of the story, and how the events transpired; since she was the one with the tickets to the seats surrounding this controversy.

Pat explained that she had possession of six tickets for seats near the front of the stage at the Billboard Music Awards Show. Sitting in those seats were, Bobbi Kristina, her boyfriend Nick, a friend and two seat-fillers. At some point, Ray J moved from his original location to an open seat near Bobbi Kristina.

The production staff saw Ray J move and asked him to please return to his original seat. We’re told Ray J refused. Hotel staff/security witnessed Ray J’s refusal and stepped-in to ask him to return to his seat. Ray J again reportedly refused. After multiple attempts to get Ray J to return to his seat with no success, the Las Vegas Police were called by production staff to remove Ray J. Upon their arrival, Pat Houston was made aware of the situation, and told her security to inform the Police to “Stand-down” and that as the ticket holder, she would allow Ray J to remain in the seat.

Pat did not want Ray J removed and says all claims are completely FALSE, telling us, “I’m a woman of order and dignity, I would have not had anything to do with that.”

We reached out to Ray J’s camp for comment. They stand by initial reports.

I don't know who to believe on this rumor. Both parties are shady in my opinion, but if I had to choose a side I think I'm going to ride with Pat on this one. I just find it hard to believe that production security and the police would have gotten involved if Ray J. had a ticket for his seat. And honestly what has Ray J. done that would warrant him being up front at an award's show anyway? It's normally the people who have some involvement in the show that gets to sit up front. I'm just saying...

So as much as it pains me, I'm going to side with Pat Houston. I think she's telling the truth in this instance.

And So It Begins: Notre Dame sues over birth control mandate

noreply@blogger.com (TheSavvySista) — Mon, 21 May 2012 19:23:00 +0000

NEW YORK — Dozens of Roman Catholic dioceses, schools and other institutions sued the Obama administration Monday over a government mandate requiring most employers to provide birth control coverage as part of their employee health plans.

The lawsuits filed in federal courts around the country represent the largest push against the mandate since President Barack Obama announced the policy in January. Among those suing are the University of Notre Dame, the Archdioceses of Washington, New York and Michigan, and the Catholic University of America.
"We have tried negotiation with the administration and legislation with the Congress, and we'll keep at it, but there's still no fix," said New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. "Time is running out, and our valuable ministries and fundamental rights hang in the balance, so we have to resort to the courts now."

The U.S. Health and Human Services Department adopted the rule to improve health care for women. Last year, an advisory panel from the Institute of Medicine, which advises the federal government, recommended including birth control on the list of covered services, partly because it promotes maternal and child health by allowing women to space their pregnancies.

However, faith leaders from across religious traditions protested, saying the mandate violates religious freedom. The original rule includes a religious exemption that allows houses of worship to opt-out of the mandate, but keeps the requirement in place for religiously affiliated charities.

In response to the political furor, Obama offered to soften the rule so that insurers would pay for birth control instead of religious groups. However, the bishops and others have said that the accommodation doesn't go far enough.

Health and Human Services spokeswoman Erin Shields said Monday that the department does not comment on pending litigation.

Notre Dame's president, the Rev. John Jenkins, said in a statement that the school decided to sue "after much deliberation, discussion and efforts to find a solution acceptable to the various parties." The university argued that the mandate violates religious freedom by requiring many religiously affiliated hospitals, schools and charities to comply.

"We do not seek to impose our religious beliefs on others," Jenkins said. "We simply ask that the government not impose its values on the university when those values conflict with our religious teachings."

Other religious colleges and institutions have already filed federal suit over the mandate, but observers had been closely watching for Notre Dame's next step.

The university, among the best-known Catholic schools in the country, has indicated past willingness to work with President Barack Obama, despite their differences with him on abortion and other issues. Notre Dame came under unprecedented criticism from U.S. bishops and others in 2009 for inviting Obama, who supports abortion rights, as commencement speaker and presenting him with an honorary law degree.

Obama Takes A Swipe At Romney’s Job Record In New Ad

noreply@blogger.com (TheSavvySista) — Mon, 21 May 2012 18:53:00 +0000

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama‘s re-election campaign is keeping up its effort to paint Mitt Romney as a job-destroying corporate raider at Bain Capital.

In a video being released Monday, Obama’s campaign zeroes in on a Marion, Ind., company, American Pad & Paper, also known as Ampad. The ad charges that Ampad bought and closed the SCM office products plant, immediately costing 250 workers their jobs.

The aim is to challenge Romney’s arguments that he’s more qualified than Obama to handle the country’s shaky economy.

The ad says Romney and his partners multiplied their investment in the office products plant by 20 times while the company went on to lose some 1,500 jobs and went bankrupt by 2,000.

Former Ampad worker Randy Johnson calls Romney’s performance “just the opposite of Robin Hood.”

Former CNN hosts calls Obama sexist in NY Times Piece

noreply@blogger.com (TheSavvySista) — Mon, 21 May 2012 15:23:00 +0000

Former CNN host Campbell Brown takes it to the President in her New York Times op-ed called, "Obama: Stop Condescending to Women".

So basically, Ms. Brown has taken upon herself to call the President out on his sexist ways. Now nevermind that her husband works for Mitt Romney (she put forth a disclaimer ensuring that had nothing to do with her article because she's an independent journalist), but she basically want you to believe that women can't walk and chew gum at the same time.

Brown states how women she know aren't concerned with women's reproductive rights' but rather they are more focused on the economy when it comes to this election cycle.

Here is what she wrote:

The struggling women in my life all laughed when I asked them if contraception or abortion rights would be a major factor in their decision about this election. For them, and for most other women, the economy overwhelms everything else.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm pretty sure the Economy for Most Americans is a major factor, but let's not pretend that it's the only factor. Women are smart enough to realize there is a lot more at stake this election than just the economy. Women's reproductive rights as well as initiatives such as the Lilly Ledbetter Act are important things that are being considered by many women.

Ms. Brown finds Obama's talk to women to be very paternalistic. She uses his speech at Barnard College as an example of how the President talks down to women:

When I listen to President Obama speak to and about women, he sometimes sounds too paternalistic for my taste. In numerous appearances over the years — most recently at the Barnard graduation — he has made reference to how women are smarter than men. It’s all so tired, the kind of fake praise showered upon those one views as easy to impress. As I listen, I am always bracing for the old go-to cliché: “Behind every great man is a great woman.”

My bigger concern is that in courting women, Mr. Obama’s campaign so far has seemed maddeningly off point. His message to the Barnard graduates was that they should fight for a “seat at the table” — the head seat, he made sure to add. He conceded that it’s a tough economy, but he told the grads, “I am convinced you are tougher” and “things will get better — they always do.”

I guess I'm one of those people that like to judge a person off of his/her actions more so than his/her words. Campbell Brown takes it upon herself to take on President Obama for his perceived sexism instead of addressing the actions of the President. To pretend that the President is somehow anti-woman goes against everything he has done.

Campbell Brown of all people should know this.

Billboard Drama: Whitney Houston family Gets into it with Ray J. during Award Show

noreply@blogger.com (TheSavvySista) — Mon, 21 May 2012 15:13:00 +0000

So it wasn't bad enough that the tribute to Whitney Houston was horrible, but evidently there was a semi-scuffle between Whitney's family and Ray J. Now understand when I say Whitney's family I'm just talking about Pat. Don't ask me why I don't like that woman. She just rubs me the wrong way.

Here's how TMZ is reporting the story:

Ray J was almost physically removed from the Billboard Music Awards last night after angry members of Whitney Houston's family ordered their security to get him away from them ... TMZ has learned.

Pat Houston's blood was boiling because she, Bobbi Kristina and other family members were seated next to Ray J, the person Pat believes was a very bad influence on Whitney. Minutes before the tribute to Whitney, Pat asked her security to remove Ray J from his seat, but he refused to budge.

Our sources say ... Pat's security summoned hotel security, along with several uniformed officers to physically remove Ray J.

Just before push was about to come to shove, security warned Pat that things would likely get physical and it would almost certainly be caught on video, just as Whitney was about to be honored. Sources say Pat then grudgingly recanted and Ray J kept his seat.

For his part, Ray J groused to friends, "Pat ruined what was a great opportunity to honor the woman who I loved."

Trayvon Martin: Benjamin Crump calls Geraldo Rivera out on his foolishness (Video)

noreply@blogger.com (TheSavvySista) — Mon, 21 May 2012 04:50:00 +0000

See it's stuff like this why I've decided not to post on the weekends. My weekends are supposed to be a time of relaxation and not having my blood pressure go up. But alas, that is not to be the case for me this time. No peace for me as long as there are people like Geraldo Rivera on TV and the Billboard Music Awards deciding to give such a lame ass tribute to a legend such as Whitney Houston. Nope. No peace. Just high blood pressure and a nagging as headache...LOL!

After the convenience store, where Trayvon Martin bought his Skittles and Iced Tea, released their surveillance video showing the 17th year prior to his death, Geraldo Rivera decided to go on the Bill O'Reilly show and double down on controversial remarks he made about Trayvon wearing 'thug wear' and how it was a contributing factor to his death.

Well, the Martin family attorney, Benjamin Crump, must've had enough because he went on Geraldo's show and called him out on his foolishness. He equated Geraldo's statement on Trayvon's clothing to that someone saying a woman's short skirt contributed to her rape. He also pointed out the fact that Facebook's founder, Mark Zuckerberg, is well known to wear hoodies but yet no one has ever ascribe it to being 'thug wear' when he wore it.

Here's some more of what he said:

“You can’t profile people and act on it. It would be one thing if you profile and call the police and let the police deal with it, but you can’t act on it. Because then, you give a license to everybody to say if a black man is walking in his neighborhood, going to the store with his hoodie up, you can shoot him. And you cant do that. It’s wrong anywhere. There’s no justification for that, and the last thing I will say is this, Geraldo. You’re going to –- you’re embarrassing your son again with these statements.”

I doubt that this would happen, but hopefully this will redeem Crump in some of y'all eyes because y'all have been giving this brother a very hard time every since he came on the scene.

Flip Flop: Cory Booker criticizes Obama Campaign then tries to walk back comments

noreply@blogger.com (TheSavvySista) — Mon, 21 May 2012 04:23:00 +0000

Why Cory, Why????

Newark mayor, Cory Booker, was a panel member on NBC's 'Meet the Press'. During the show, he made some very controversial remarks in which he criticized the Obama campaign for attacking Mitt Romney's record while he worked at Bain Capital.

Here's what he had to say:

“This kind of stuff is nauseating to me on both sides. It’s nauseating to the American public. Enough is enough. Stop attacking private equity, stop attacking Jeremiah Wright. This stuff has got to stop, because what it does is it undermines, to me, what this country should be focused on. It’s a distraction from the real issues. It’s either going to be a small campaign about this crap, or it’s going to be a big campaign, in my opinion, that the American public cares about.”

So, it's okay for Mitt Romney to tout his work at Bain Capital as proof that he's a job creator, but it's not okay for the Obama campaign to criticize him on this? Are you serious right now, Cory? I can't believe he went on national television and said the President's ad against Mitt Romney was basically attacking private equity. That sounds like something a Republican would say, but damn to here it come out the mouth of a Democrat is so disconcerting.

To say I'm mildly disappointed with the mayor would be an understatement. I don't understand why is it so damn hard for Democrats to follow marching orders.

Well, there must have been a whole lot of people on Twitter that felt the exact way I did about the mayor's statements because he immediately took toYoutube to explain his comments.

Here's what he said:

“When I see people in my city struggling with real issues and still feeling the challenges of this economy and still looking for hope and opportunity and real specific plans, I get very upset when I see such a level of dialogue that… calls to our lowest common denominators and not the kind of things that are going to unify us as a nation and move us forward.”

As for his dissatisfaction with the attacks on Romney from the Obama campaign, Booker clarified that he believes Romney’s private sector past is certainly fair game in the campaign, and he said he would heavily encourage the president’s reelection team to pursue it. He didn’t really apologize for his comment nor did he retract it, but his video comes on the heels of overwhelmingly negative feedback on Twitter about his earlier remarks. (source)

Mr. Mayor, I suggest the next time you want to air your frustrations please do it in private. Now is not the time to be making rookie-type mistakes. It is words like yours that can be used to harm the President no matter your intentions.

h/t Mediate

Chaka Khan to perform Whitney Houston tribute at the Apollo

noreply@blogger.com (TheSavvySista) — Fri, 18 May 2012 16:40:00 +0000

NEW YORK — Grammy award-winning singer Chaka Khan will perform a tribute to the late Whitney Houston at the Apollo Theater's gala and awards ceremony.

The historic Harlem theater confirmed Friday that the "I Feel for You" singer will perform in her friend's memory.

Lionel Richie and the late Etta James will be inducted into the theater's hall of fame during the June 4 gala. Soul Train creator Don Cornelius and songwriter Nick Ashford will also be honored posthumously.
Richie's first Apollo appearance was in the early 1970s. The "Hello" singer says he's thrilled to be chosen for the hall of fame.

James was known for ballads like "At Last." She performed at the Apollo in 1957 and again in the 1960s.
Past inductees include Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and Aretha Franklin.

Must Be Nice: Facebook IPO Makes Bono a Billionaire

noreply@blogger.com (TheSavvySista) — Fri, 18 May 2012 15:11:00 +0000

(NME) -- U2 frontman Bono is about to make $1 billion (£611 million), thanks to his 2009 investment in Facebook.

Bono’s investment company Elevation Partners bought $210 million (£128 million) worth of shares in the social networking site almost two years ago. This week the site has been valued at $65 billion (£40 billion), meaning that Bono and his company’s share of the business is now valued at a whopping $975m (£595 million).

Elevation Partners was valued at $50 billion (£30.5 billion) last December, before Facebook was re-valued at $65 billion (£40 billion), reports the Guardian.

U2 were recently named the world’s highest-earning musicians by Forbes over Bon Jovi, Elton John and Lady Gaga, making $195 million (£120 million) over the previous 12 months. They have just finished their 360 world tour in Canada, grossing over $736 million (£447 million) in the process.

Bono will surpass Sir Paul McCartney as the world's richest rock star.

Photographic Evidence of George Zimmerman after Death of Trayvon Martin Released

noreply@blogger.com (TheSavvySista) — Fri, 18 May 2012 12:21:00 +0000

Three photographs of George Zimmerman, the man on trial for the death of Trayvon Martin, was released. The pictures were taken after Zimmerman killed Martin in what he claimed to be self defense.

There does appear to be injuries on Zimmerman, but not to the extent in which his family described on their various television rounds.

Zimmerman has a scrap across his nose as well as some cuts on the back of his head, but for someone who allegededly had his head beaten into the ground the pictures don't appear to substantiate that claim.

Tell me what you think.

Yippee!!!: The Boondocks to return for fourth season

noreply@blogger.com (TheSavvySista) — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:07:00 +0000

With just one image on their website, Adult Swim has created a frenzy.

The above image was recently posted to the Adult Swim website announcing the return of popular series, The Boondocks.

Now many of us who have been avid followers of the show can vividly remember Aaron McGruder, the creator of the series, saying that the third season would be the final season of the show. I'm just happy he changed his mind.

Two years was a very long time to go without my fix of Huey and Riley. I even missed Uncle Ruckus. I'm sure he had a lot to say about Uncle Herman Cain.

No premiere date has been announced yet, but the simple fact that the show is returning is enough for me...at the moment anyway.

Disco Queen: Donna Summer Dead at Age 63

noreply@blogger.com (TheSavvySista) — Thu, 17 May 2012 15:55:00 +0000

Reports are surfacing that disco legend, Donna Summer, has passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer. Summer was 63.

Summer was a 5-time Grammy winner who shot to superstardom in the 70's with hits such as "Last Dance' and 'Hot Stuff'.

Summer married Bruce Sudano back in 1980 and they had two daughters.