Janea University

Dedication to the Independent Woman

2008-10-20T14:07:00.001-07:00

Ne-Yo featuring Jaime Foxx and Fabulous, "She Got Her Own (Miss Independent Remix) is dedicated to the beautiful independent women that do for themselves! I love when Ne-Yo sings, "She's independent Queen working for her throne. I love her, cuz she got her own."

I appreciate how this song uplifts a woman that works towards her own goals. Maybe other artists will be encouraged to create songs that don't objectify women. ...

What Do You Think The Media Will Say About This?

2008-08-08T15:49:00.001-07:00

I received this picture in my email account with the title, "A Picture You Won't See On Fox!" I wonder what they'd say if this did hit the "Masses." ...I, for one, admire a man that prays

Luda Says Obama Is Here!

2008-08-05T18:33:00.000-07:00

Listen to the controversial song Ludacris put out about Obama. Everytime someone tries to help the Obama campaign they end up hindering the process. We need to remember that Obama is about PROGRESS and any negative imagery attempting to represent him, will damage his campaign process.

Lyrics:

I'm back on it like I just signed my record deal
yeah the best is here, the Bentley Coup paint is dripping wet, it got sex appeal
never should have hated
you never should've doubted him
with a slot in the president's iPod Obama shattered 'em
Said I handled his biz and I'm one of his favorite rappers
Well give Luda a special pardon if I'm ever in the slammer
Better yet put him in office, make me your vice president
Hillary hated on you, so that b^$&%* is irrelevant
Jesse talking slick and apologizing for what?
if you said it then you meant it how you want it have a gut!
and all you other politicians trying to hate on my man,
watch us win a majority vote in every state on my man
you can't stop what's bout to happen, we bout to make history
the first black president is destined and it's meant to be
the threats ain't fazing us, the nooses or the jokes
so get off your ass, black people, it's time to get out and vote!
paint the White House black and I'm sure that's got 'em terrified
McCain don't belong in ANY chair unless he's paralyzed
Yeah I said it cause Bush is mentally handicapped
Ball up all of his speeches and I throw em like candy wrap
cause what you talking I hear nothing even relevant
and you the worst of all 43 presidents
get out and vote or the end will be near
the world is ready for change because Obama is here!
cause Obama is here
The world is ready for change because Obama is here!

MORE NEGATIVE IMAGERY BELOW:

NOW BEYONCE KNOWS HOW TO DISPLAY POSITIVE IMAGERY:

Jazmine Sullivan is Rated Next!

2008-07-19T01:00:00.000-07:00

When I heard this song on the radio I thought Jazmine Sullivan was actually Lauryn Hill singing. ...but after listening and watching this video she is officially my new favorite! Check out the video above with Missy, and visit her myspace link, http://www.myspace.com/jazminesullivan,to check out her other songs. The "In Love with Another Man" is seriously deep...

The video below is her performing at Apollo at age 11.

As you can tell, the girl is gifted!

More Harm Than Good?

2008-07-15T11:59:00.000-07:00

This caricature of Obama and his wife on the cover of The New Yorker was designed to shed light on the many misconceptions Americans have during this political campaign; but for some reason it seems to add to the misconceptions. It seems nowadays racism can disguise itself in comedic satire. Click on the link to read more about the situation.

http://allday.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/07/15/1199340.aspx

More From the United Kingdom

2008-07-13T04:24:00.000-07:00

I'm feeling this Adele so much I had to create a post for her! My favorite song right now is "Cold Shoulder," watch the video above and tell me what you think. Click on her myspace page http://www.myspace.com/adelelondon to learn more about her. Her song "Chasing Pavements" is another good one. I don't know what's going on in the U.K. but they're delivering some real soul nowadays. ... I'm sure you've heard of Duffy, Leona Lewis and Amy Winehouse too.

OBAMA TO THE RESCUE!!

2008-06-04T08:06:00.000-07:00

With Senator Barack Obama crossing the threshold of delegates he needed to claim the Democratic presidential nomination on Tuesday evening, party leaders began to move on Wednesday to bring their lengthy primary battle to a close and unite the party, even as questions swirled about Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton ’s next move.

3 NYPD Detectives Acquitted

2008-04-25T07:01:00.000-07:00

A judge acquitted three New York Police Department detectives of all charges Friday morning in the shooting death of an unarmed man in a 50-bullet barrage, hours before he was to be married.

"This system is a joke

You'd be smart to save your soul

And escape this mind control

You spend your life in sacrifice

To a system for the dead

Where's the passion in this living

Are you sure it's God you're serving

Obligated to a system

Getting less than you're deserving

Who made up these rules I say

Who made up these schools I say

Animal conditioning just to keep you as a slave!

Oh just get out of this social purgatory"

-Lauryn Hill

Email on Realism...

2008-04-25T00:02:00.000-07:00

We Will Never Say Bye, Bye!

2008-04-17T07:18:00.000-07:00

"Bye Bye"

This is for my peoples who just lost somebody
Your best friend, your baby, your man, or your lady
Put your hand way up high
We will never say bye (no, no, no)
Mamas, daddies, sisters, brothers, friends and cousins
This is for my peoples who lost their grandmothers
Lift your head to the sky 'cause we will never say bye

As a child there were them times
I didn't get it but you kept me alive
I didn't know why you didn't show up sometimes
It's something more than saying "I miss you"
But when we talked too
All them grown full things
Separation brings
You never let me know it
You never let it show because
You loved me and obviously
There's so much more left to say
If you were with me today face to face

[Chorus:]
I never knew I could hurt like this
And everyday life goes on like
"I wish I could talk to you for awhile"
"I wish I could find a way try not to cry"
As time goes by
And soon as you reach a better place
Still I'll give the whole world to see your face
And I'm right here next to you
It feels like you gone too soon
The hardest thing to do is say bye bye

(Bye Bye [3x])
Bye bye

And you never got the chance to see how good I've done
And you never got to see me back at number one
I wish that you were here to celebrate together
I wish that we could spend the holidays together

I remember when you used to tuck me in at night
With the Teddy Bear you gave to me that I held so tight
I thought you were so strong
That you can make it through whatever
It's so hard to accept the fact you're gone forever

[Chorus]

(bye bye bye bye bye bye [3x])
Bye bye

This is for my peoples who just lost somebody
Your best friend, your baby, your man, or your lady
Put your hand way up high
We will never say bye (no, no, no)
Mamas, daddies, sisters, brothers, friends and cousins
This is for my peoples who lost their grandfather
Lift your head to the sky 'cause we will never say bye
[Chorus]

NO MORE WAR!

2008-03-24T07:54:00.000-07:00

Watch this inspiring video of Eddie Vedder's "No More."
(View lyrics below)

I speak for a man who gave for this land
Took a bullet in the back for his pay
Spilled his blood in the dirt and the dust
He's back to say:

What he has seen is hard to believe
And it does no good to just pray
He asks of us to stand
And we must end this war today

With his mind, he's saying, "No more!"
With his heart, he's saying, "No more!"
With his life he's saying, "No more war!"

With his eyes, he's saying, "No more!"
With his body, he's saying, "No more!"
With his voice, he's saying, "No more war!"

Yeah, nothing's too good for a veteran
Yeah, this is what they say
So nothing is what they will get
And there's no American way

The lies we were told to get us to go
Were criminal (?)... let us be straight
Let's get to the point where our voices get heard
And I know what I'll say

With his mind, he's saying, "No more!"
With his heart, he's saying, "No more!"
With his life he's saying, "No more war!"

With his eyes, he's saying, "No more!"
With his voice, he's saying, "No more!"
With his body, he's saying, "No more war!"

No more innocents dying
No more terror rising
No more eulogizing
No more evangelizing
No more presidents lying
No more war

With our minds, we're saying, "No more!"
With our hearts, we're saying, "No more!"
With our lives, we're saying, "No more war!"

Bad Baby Names?

2008-03-22T19:25:00.000-07:00

Some people try to be creative and randomly name their child after something "special" and cause major damage. ...

In “Bad Baby Names,” Michael Sherrod and Matthew Rayback, of the genealogy Web site Ancestry.com, share thousands of shocking names given to real people, as recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau. Discover the funny names based around common themes, like diseases (Fever Bender, Cholera Peace), food (Bread White, Pomegranate Purple), pets (Good Dog), and if you thought Wednesday Addams was unfortunate—wait till you meet Monday Monday.

Other names parents are picking for their children: ...

Tiny Hooker
Fanny Large
Wanna Towell
Apple Blythe Alison Martin (Blythe Alison Martin would be pretty, minus the apple)
Mocha ?
Coco ?
Rumer Willis
Moon Unit
Lust Garten
Greed Sister Mancini
Sloth Washton
Wrath Gordon
Envy Burger
Pride Saint
Mary A. Jerk
Mary A. Fool
Mary A. Dogg
Ima Hooker
Comma Vowells
Subject Read
Rocker Ono
Curry Duck and the list goes on...and on...

WARNING:

Parents do not label your kids with crazy names and make them hate you when everyone makes fun of them; and for the entire duration of their life, they will constantly have to explain why their parents named them after a rock band, religious belief, actor, vegetable, etc...

North American Union?

2008-03-21T23:53:00.000-07:00

The clip above could be conspiracy theory or truth. Which do you believe? Click on the link to learn more and watch the movie http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/

"They must find it difficult...Those who have taken authority as truth, rather than truth as authority."
-Gerald Massey

Bill Richardson Endorses Obama

2008-03-21T23:49:00.000-07:00

The decision by Mr. Richardson, who ended his own presidential campaign on Jan. 10, to support Mr. Obama was a belt of bad news for Mrs. Clinton. It was a stinging rejection of her candidacy by a man who had served in two senior positions in President Bill Clinton’s administration, and who is one of the nation’s most prominent elected Hispanics. Mr. Richardson came back from vacation to announce his endorsement at a moment when Mrs. Clinton’s hopes of winning the Democratic nomination seem to be dimming.

But potentially more troublesome for Mrs. Clinton was what Mr. Richardson said in announcing his decision. He criticized the tenor of Mrs. Clinton’s campaign. He praised Mr. Obama for the speech he gave in response to the furor over racially incendiary remarks delivered by Mr. Obama’s former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr.

And he came close to doing what Mrs. Clinton’s advisers have increasingly feared some big-name Democrat would do as the battle for the nomination drags on: Urge Mrs. Clinton to step aside in the interest of party unity.

“I’m not going to advise any other candidate when to get in and out of the race,” Mr. Richardson said after appearing in Portland with Mr. Obama. “Senator Clinton has a right to stay in the race, but eventually we don’t want to go into the Democratic convention bloodied. This was another reason for my getting in and endorsing, the need to perhaps send a message that we need unity.”

The Complexity of Race

2008-03-19T12:14:00.000-07:00

I am so proud of Senator Obama!Watch his speech and be moved by his beautiful explanation of race in America. I'm glad that he said it. ...

"We the people, in order to form a more perfect union."

Two hundred and twenty one years ago, in a hall that still stands across the street, a group of men gathered and, with these simple words, launched America's improbable experiment in democracy. Farmers and scholars; statesmen and patriots who had traveled across an ocean to escape tyranny and persecution finally made real their declaration of independence at a Philadelphia convention that lasted through the spring of 1787.

The document they produced was eventually signed but ultimately unfinished. It was stained by this nation's original sin of slavery, a question that divided the colonies and brought the convention to a stalemate until the founders chose to allow the slave trade to continue for at least twenty more years, and to leave any final resolution to future generations.

Of course, the answer to the slavery question was already embedded within our Constitution - a Constitution that had at its very core the ideal of equal citizenship under the law; a Constitution that promised its people liberty, and justice, and a union that could be and should be perfected over time.

And yet words on a parchment would not be enough to deliver slaves from bondage, or provide men and women of every color and creed their full rights and obligations as citizens of the United States. What would be needed were Americans in successive generations who were willing to do their part - through protests and struggle, on the streets and in the courts, through a civil war and civil disobedience and always at great risk - to narrow that gap between the promise of our ideals and the reality of their time.

This was one of the tasks we set forth at the beginning of this campaign - to continue the long march of those who came before us, a march for a more just, more equal, more free, more caring and more prosperous America. I chose to run for the presidency at this moment in history because I believe deeply that we cannot solve the challenges of our time unless we solve them together - unless we perfect our union by understanding that we may have different stories, but we hold common hopes; that we may not look the same and we may not have come from the same place, but we all want to move in the same direction - towards a better future for our children and our grandchildren.

This belief comes from my unyielding faith in the decency and generosity of the American people. But it also comes from my own American story.

I am the son of a black man from Kenya and a white woman from Kansas. I was raised with the help of a white grandfather who survived a Depression to serve in Patton's Army during World War II and a white grandmother who worked on a bomber assembly line at Fort Leavenworth while he was overseas. I've gone to some of the best schools in America and lived in one of the world's poorest nations. I am married to a black American who carries within her the blood of slaves and slaveowners - an inheritance we pass on to our two precious daughters. I have brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, uncles and cousins, of every race and every hue, scattered across three continents, and for as long as I live, I will never forget that in no other country on Earth is my story even possible.

It's a story that hasn't made me the most conventional candidate. But it is a story that has seared into my genetic makeup the idea that this nation is more than the sum of its parts - that out of many, we are truly one.

Throughout the first year of this campaign, against all predictions to the contrary, we saw how hungry the American people were for this message of unity. Despite the temptation to view my candidacy through a purely racial lens, we won commanding victories in states with some of the whitest populations in the country. In South Carolina, where the Confederate Flag still flies, we built a powerful coalition of African Americans and white Americans.

This is not to say that race has not been an issue in the campaign. At various stages in the campaign, some commentators have deemed me either "too black" or "not black enough." We saw racial tensions bubble to the surface during the week before the South Carolina primary. The press has scoured every exit poll for the latest evidence of racial polarization, not just in terms of white and black, but black and brown as well.

And yet, it has only been in the last couple of weeks that the discussion of race in this campaign has taken a particularly divisive turn.

On one end of the spectrum, we've heard the implication that my candidacy is somehow an exercise in affirmative action; that it's based solely on the desire of wide-eyed liberals to purchase racial reconciliation on the cheap. On the other end, we've heard my former pastor, Reverend Jeremiah Wright, use incendiary language to express views that have the potential not only to widen the racial divide, but views that denigrate both the greatness and the goodness of our nation; that rightly offend white and black alike.

I have already condemned, in unequivocal terms, the statements of Reverend Wright that have caused such controversy. For some, nagging questions remain. Did I know him to be an occasionally fierce critic of American domestic and foreign policy? Of course. Did I ever hear him make remarks that could be considered controversial while I sat in church? Yes. Did I strongly disagree with many of his political views? Absolutely - just as I'm sure many of you have heard remarks from your pastors, priests, or rabbis with which you strongly disagreed.

But the remarks that have caused this recent firestorm weren't simply controversial. They weren't simply a religious leader's effort to speak out against perceived injustice. Instead, they expressed a profoundly distorted view of this country - a view that sees white racism as endemic, and that elevates what is wrong with America above all that we know is right with America; a view that sees the conflicts in the Middle East as rooted primarily in the actions of stalwart allies like Israel, instead of emanating from the perverse and hateful ideologies of radical Islam.

As such, Reverend Wright's comments were not only wrong but divisive, divisive at a time when we need unity; racially charged at a time when we need to come together to solve a set of monumental problems - two wars, a terrorist threat, a falling economy, a chronic health care crisis and potentially devastating climate change; problems that are neither black or white or Latino or Asian, but rather problems that confront us all.

Given my background, my politics, and my professed values and ideals, there will no doubt be those for whom my statements of condemnation are not enough. Why associate myself with Reverend Wright in the first place, they may ask? Why not join another church? And I confess that if all that I knew of Reverend Wright were the snippets of those sermons that have run in an endless loop on the television and You Tube, or if Trinity United Church of Christ conformed to the caricatures being peddled by some commentators, there is no doubt that I would react in much the same way

But the truth is, that isn't all that I know of the man. The man I met more than twenty years ago is a man who helped introduce me to my Christian faith, a man who spoke to me about our obligations to love one another; to care for the sick and lift up the poor. He is a man who served his country as a U.S. Marine; who has studied and lectured at some of the finest universities and seminaries in the country, and who for over thirty years led a church that serves the community by doing God's work here on Earth - by housing the homeless, ministering to the needy, providing day care services and scholarships and prison ministries, and reaching out to those suffering from HIV/AIDS.

In my first book, Dreams From My Father, I described the experience of my first service at Trinity:

"People began to shout, to rise from their seats and clap and cry out, a forceful wind carrying the reverend's voice up into the rafters....And in that single note - hope! - I heard something else; at the foot of that cross, inside the thousands of churches across the city, I imagined the stories of ordinary black people merging with the stories of David and Goliath, Moses and Pharaoh, the Christians in the lion's den, Ezekiel's field of dry bones. Those stories - of survival, and freedom, and hope - became our story, my story; the blood that had spilled was our blood, the tears our tears; until this black church, on this bright day, seemed once more a vessel carrying the story of a people into future generations and into a larger world. Our trials and triumphs became at once unique and universal, black and more than black; in chronicling our journey, the stories and songs gave us a means to reclaim memories that we didn't need to feel shame about...memories that all people might study and cherish - and with which we could start to rebuild."

That has been my experience at Trinity. Like other predominantly black churches across the country, Trinity embodies the black community in its entirety - the doctor and the welfare mom, the model student and the former gang-banger. Like other black churches, Trinity's services are full of raucous laughter and sometimes bawdy humor. They are full of dancing, clapping, screaming and shouting that may seem jarring to the untrained ear. The church contains in full the kindness and cruelty, the fierce intelligence and the shocking ignorance, the struggles and successes, the love and yes, the bitterness and bias that make up the black experience in America.

And this helps explain, perhaps, my relationship with Reverend Wright. As imperfect as he may be, he has been like family to me. He strengthened my faith, officiated my wedding, and baptized my children. Not once in my conversations with him have I heard him talk about any ethnic group in derogatory terms, or treat whites with whom he interacted with anything but courtesy and respect. He contains within him the contradictions - the good and the bad - of the community that he has served diligently for so many years.

I can no more disown him than I can disown the black community. I can no more disown him than I can my white grandmother - a woman who helped raise me, a woman who sacrificed again and again for me, a woman who loves me as much as she loves anything in this world, but a woman who once confessed her fear of black men who passed by her on the street, and who on more than one occasion has uttered racial or ethnic stereotypes that made me cringe.

These people are a part of me. And they are a part of America, this country that I love.

Some will see this as an attempt to justify or excuse comments that are simply inexcusable. I can assure you it is not. I suppose the politically safe thing would be to move on from this episode and just hope that it fades into the woodwork. We can dismiss Reverend Wright as a crank or a demagogue, just as some have dismissed Geraldine Ferraro, in the aftermath of her recent statements, as harboring some deep-seated racial bias.

But race is an issue that I believe this nation cannot afford to ignore right now. We would be making the same mistake that Reverend Wright made in his offending sermons about America - to simplify and stereotype and amplify the negative to the point that it distorts reality.

The fact is that the comments that have been made and the issues that have surfaced over the last few weeks reflect the complexities of race in this country that we've never really worked through - a part of our union that we have yet to perfect. And if we walk away now, if we simply retreat into our respective corners, we will never be able to come together and solve challenges like health care, or education, or the need to find good jobs for every American.

Understanding this reality requires a reminder of how we arrived at this point. As William Faulkner once wrote, "The past isn't dead and buried. In fact, it isn't even past." We do not need to recite here the history of racial injustice in this country. But we do need to remind ourselves that so many of the disparities that exist in the African-American community today can be directly traced to inequalities passed on from an earlier generation that suffered under the brutal legacy of slavery and Jim Crow.

Segregated schools were, and are, inferior schools; we still haven't fixed them, fifty years after Brown v. Board of Education, and the inferior education they provided, then and now, helps explain the pervasive achievement gap between today's black and white students.

Legalized discrimination - where blacks were prevented, often through violence, from owning property, or loans were not granted to African-American business owners, or black homeowners could not access FHA mortgages, or blacks were excluded from unions, or the police force, or fire departments - meant that black families could not amass any meaningful wealth to bequeath to future generations. That history helps explain the wealth and income gap between black and white, and the concentrated pockets of poverty that persists in so many of today's urban and rural communities.

A lack of economic opportunity among black men, and the shame and frustration that came from not being able to provide for one's family, contributed to the erosion of black families - a problem that welfare policies for many years may have worsened. And the lack of basic services in so many urban black neighborhoods - parks for kids to play in, police walking the beat, regular garbage pick-up and building code enforcement - all helped create a cycle of violence, blight and neglect that continue to haunt us.

This is the reality in which Reverend Wright and other African-Americans of his generation grew up. They came of age in the late fifties and early sixties, a time when segregation was still the law of the land and opportunity was systematically constricted. What's remarkable is not how many failed in the face of discrimination, but rather how many men and women overcame the odds; how many were able to make a way out of no way for those like me who would come after them.

But for all those who scratched and clawed their way to get a piece of the American Dream, there were many who didn't make it - those who were ultimately defeated, in one way or another, by discrimination. That legacy of defeat was passed on to future generations - those young men and increasingly young women who we see standing on street corners or languishing in our prisons, without hope or prospects for the future. Even for those blacks who did make it, questions of race, and racism, continue to define their worldview in fundamental ways. For the men and women of Reverend Wright's generation, the memories of humiliation and doubt and fear have not gone away; nor has the anger and the bitterness of those years. That anger may not get expressed in public, in front of white co-workers or white friends. But it does find voice in the barbershop or around the kitchen table. At times, that anger is exploited by politicians, to gin up votes along racial lines, or to make up for a politician's own failings.

And occasionally it finds voice in the church on Sunday morning, in the pulpit and in the pews. The fact that so many people are surprised to hear that anger in some of Reverend Wright's sermons simply reminds us of the old truism that the most segregated hour in American life occurs on Sunday morning. That anger is not always productive; indeed, all too often it distracts attention from solving real problems; it keeps us from squarely facing our own complicity in our condition, and prevents the African-American community from forging the alliances it needs to bring about real change. But the anger is real; it is powerful; and to simply wish it away, to condemn it without understanding its roots, only serves to widen the chasm of misunderstanding that exists between the races.

In fact, a similar anger exists within segments of the white community. Most working- and middle-class white Americans don't feel that they have been particularly privileged by their race. Their experience is the immigrant experience - as far as they're concerned, no one's handed them anything, they've built it from scratch. They've worked hard all their lives, many times only to see their jobs shipped overseas or their pension dumped after a lifetime of labor. They are anxious about their futures, and feel their dreams slipping away; in an era of stagnant wages and global competition, opportunity comes to be seen as a zero sum game, in which your dreams come at my expense. So when they are told to bus their children to a school across town; when they hear that an African American is getting an advantage in landing a good job or a spot in a good college because of an injustice that they themselves never committed; when they're told that their fears about crime in urban neighborhoods are somehow prejudiced, resentment builds over time.

Like the anger within the black community, these resentments aren't always expressed in polite company. But they have helped shape the political landscape for at least a generation. Anger over welfare and affirmative action helped forge the Reagan Coalition. Politicians routinely exploited fears of crime for their own electoral ends. Talk show hosts and conservative commentators built entire careers unmasking bogus claims of racism while dismissing legitimate discussions of racial injustice and inequality as mere political correctness or reverse racism.

Just as black anger often proved counterproductive, so have these white resentments distracted attention from the real culprits of the middle class squeeze - a corporate culture rife with inside dealing, questionable accounting practices, and short-term greed; a Washington dominated by lobbyists and special interests; economic policies that favor the few over the many. And yet, to wish away the resentments of white Americans, to label them as misguided or even racist, without recognizing they are grounded in legitimate concerns - this too widens the racial divide, and blocks the path to understanding.

This is where we are right now. It's a racial stalemate we've been stuck in for years. Contrary to the claims of some of my critics, black and white, I have never been so naÃ¯ve as to believe that we can get beyond our racial divisions in a single election cycle, or with a single candidacy - particularly a candidacy as imperfect as my own.

But I have asserted a firm conviction - a conviction rooted in my faith in God and my faith in the American people - that working together we can move beyond some of our old racial wounds, and that in fact we have no choice if we are to continue on the path of a more perfect union.

For the African-American community, that path means embracing the burdens of our past without becoming victims of our past. It means continuing to insist on a full measure of justice in every aspect of American life. But it also means binding our particular grievances - for better health care, and better schools, and better jobs - to the larger aspirations of all Americans -- the white woman struggling to break the glass ceiling, the white man whose been laid off, the immigrant trying to feed his family. And it means taking full responsibility for own lives - by demanding more from our fathers, and spending more time with our children, and reading to them, and teaching them that while they may face challenges and discrimination in their own lives, they must never succumb to despair or cynicism; they must always believe that they can write their own destiny.

Ironically, this quintessentially American - and yes, conservative - notion of self-help found frequent expression in Reverend Wright's sermons. But what my former pastor too often failed to understand is that embarking on a program of self-help also requires a belief that society can change.

The profound mistake of Reverend Wright's sermons is not that he spoke about racism in our society. It's that he spoke as if our society was static; as if no progress has been made; as if this country - a country that has made it possible for one of his own members to run for the highest office in the land and build a coalition of white and black; Latino and Asian, rich and poor, young and old -- is still irrevocably bound to a tragic past. But what we know -- what we have seen - is that America can change. That is the true genius of this nation. What we have already achieved gives us hope - the audacity to hope - for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.

In the white community, the path to a more perfect union means acknowledging that what ails the African-American community does not just exist in the minds of black people; that the legacy of discrimination - and current incidents of discrimination, while less overt than in the past - are real and must be addressed. Not just with words, but with deeds - by investing in our schools and our communities; by enforcing our civil rights laws and ensuring fairness in our criminal justice system; by providing this generation with ladders of opportunity that were unavailable for previous generations. It requires all Americans to realize that your dreams do not have to come at the expense of my dreams; that investing in the health, welfare, and education of black and brown and white children will ultimately help all of America prosper.

In the end, then, what is called for is nothing more, and nothing less, than what all the world's great religions demand - that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us. Let us be our brother's keeper, Scripture tells us. Let us be our sister's keeper. Let us find that common stake we all have in one another, and let our politics reflect that spirit as well.

For we have a choice in this country. We can accept a politics that breeds division, and conflict, and cynicism. We can tackle race only as spectacle - as we did in the OJ trial - or in the wake of tragedy, as we did in the aftermath of Katrina - or as fodder for the nightly news. We can play Reverend Wright's sermons on every channel, every day and talk about them from now until the election, and make the only question in this campaign whether or not the American people think that I somehow believe or sympathize with his most offensive words. We can pounce on some gaffe by a Hillary supporter as evidence that she's playing the race card, or we can speculate on whether white men will all flock to John McCain in the general election regardless of his policies.

We can do that.

But if we do, I can tell you that in the next election, we'll be talking about some other distraction. And then another one. And then another one. And nothing will change.

That is one option. Or, at this moment, in this election, we can come together and say, "Not this time." This time we want to talk about the crumbling schools that are stealing the future of black children and white children and Asian children and Hispanic children and Native American children. This time we want to reject the cynicism that tells us that these kids can't learn; that those kids who don't look like us are somebody else's problem. The children of America are not those kids, they are our kids, and we will not let them fall behind in a 21st century economy. Not this time.

This time we want to talk about how the lines in the Emergency Room are filled with whites and blacks and Hispanics who do not have health care; who don't have the power on their own to overcome the special interests in Washington, but who can take them on if we do it together.

This time we want to talk about the shuttered mills that once provided a decent life for men and women of every race, and the homes for sale that once belonged to Americans from every religion, every region, every walk of life. This time we want to talk about the fact that the real problem is not that someone who doesn't look like you might take your job; it's that the corporation you work for will ship it overseas for nothing more than a profit.

This time we want to talk about the men and women of every color and creed who serve together, and fight together, and bleed together under the same proud flag. We want to talk about how to bring them home from a war that never should've been authorized and never should've been waged, and we want to talk about how we'll show our patriotism by caring for them, and their families, and giving them the benefits they have earned.

I would not be running for President if I didn't believe with all my heart that this is what the vast majority of Americans want for this country. This union may never be perfect, but generation after generation has shown that it can always be perfected. And today, whenever I find myself feeling doubtful or cynical about this possibility, what gives me the most hope is the next generation - the young people whose attitudes and beliefs and openness to change have already made history in this election.

There is one story in particularly that I'd like to leave you with today - a story I told when I had the great honor of speaking on Dr. King's birthday at his home church, Ebenezer Baptist, in Atlanta.

There is a young, twenty-three year old white woman named Ashley Baia who organized for our campaign in Florence, South Carolina. She had been working to organize a mostly African-American community since the beginning of this campaign, and one day she was at a roundtable discussion where everyone went around telling their story and why they were there.

And Ashley said that when she was nine years old, her mother got cancer. And because she had to miss days of work, she was let go and lost her health care. They had to file for bankruptcy, and that's when Ashley decided that she had to do something to help her mom.

She knew that food was one of their most expensive costs, and so Ashley convinced her mother that what she really liked and really wanted to eat more than anything else was mustard and relish sandwiches. Because that was the cheapest way to eat.

She did this for a year until her mom got better, and she told everyone at the roundtable that the reason she joined our campaign was so that she could help the millions of other children in the country who want and need to help their parents too.

Now Ashley might have made a different choice. Perhaps somebody told her along the way that the source of her mother's problems were blacks who were on welfare and too lazy to work, or Hispanics who were coming into the country illegally. But she didn't. She sought out allies in her fight against injustice.

Anyway, Ashley finishes her story and then goes around the room and asks everyone else why they're supporting the campaign. They all have different stories and reasons. Many bring up a specific issue. And finally they come to this elderly black man who's been sitting there quietly the entire time. And Ashley asks him why he's there. And he does not bring up a specific issue. He does not say health care or the economy. He does not say education or the war. He does not say that he was there because of Barack Obama. He simply says to everyone in the room, "I am here because of Ashley."

"I'm here because of Ashley." By itself, that single moment of recognition between that young white girl and that old black man is not enough. It is not enough to give health care to the sick, or jobs to the jobless, or education to our children.

But it is where we start. It is where our union grows stronger. And as so many generations have come to realize over the course of the two-hundred and twenty one years since a band of patriots signed that document in Philadelphia, that is where the perfection begins. -----

The TRUTH CANNOT BE IGNORED!

Casualties of War

2008-03-19T11:59:00.000-07:00

There have been 4,297 coalition deaths -- 3,990 Americans, two Australians, 175 Britons, 13 Bulgarians, one Czech, seven Danes, two Dutch, two Estonians, one Fijian, one Hungarian, 33 Italians, one Kazakh, one Korean, three Latvian, 22 Poles, three Romanians, five Salvadoran, four Slovaks, 11 Spaniards, two Thai and 18 Ukrainians -- in the war in Iraq as of March 19, 2008, according to a CNN count. (Graphical breakdown of casualties). At least 29,395 U.S. troops have been wounded in action, according to the Pentagon. View casualties in the war in Afghanistan and examine U.S. war casualties dating back to the Revolutionary War.

View images here.

Prescription Drugs Found In Drinking Water Across the United States

2008-03-10T22:51:00.000-07:00

People take pills. Their bodies absorb some of the medication, but the rest of it passes through and is flushed down the toilet. The wastewater is treated before it is discharged into reservoirs, rivers or lakes. Then, some of the water is cleansed again at drinking water treatment plants and piped to consumers. But most treatments do not remove all drug residue.
And while researchers do not yet understand the exact risks from decades of persistent exposure to random combinations of low levels of pharmaceuticals, recent studies -- which have gone virtually unnoticed by the general public -- have found alarming effects on human cells and wildlife.

Click on the link above to read the story and learn more.

New York Governor Linked to Prostitution Ring!

2008-03-10T22:37:00.000-07:00

Spitzer was caught on a federal wiretap discussing payments and arranging to meet a prostitute in a Washington hotel room last month.

Click the link above to read about the Governor Eliot Spitzer and his actions. ...For some reason this feels a bit like deja vu.....

Obama's Response to Vice President Recommendation

2008-03-10T22:27:00.000-07:00

I think Senator Barack Obama might have "checked" Mrs. Clinton! Watch the clip above and tell me what you think.

Read the story at The Wall Street Journal.

Rolling Stone March 20th '08 Edition

2008-03-10T22:14:00.000-07:00

Barack Obama graces the cover of Rolling Stone magazine. Click on the quote below to read the story. ...

"The tides of history are rising higher and faster these days. Read them right and ride them, or be crushed. And then along comes Barack Obama, with the kinds of gifts that appear in politics but once every few generations. There is a sense of dignity, even majesty, about him, and underneath that ease lies a resolute discipline. It's not just that he is eloquent — with that ability to speak both to you and to speak for you — it's that he has a quality of thinking and intellectual and emotional honesty that is extraordinary. "

Forbes Top 10 of the World's Richest

2008-03-07T12:03:00.000-08:00

1. Warren Buffet: Age 77, $62 Billion, Berkshire Hathaway

2. Carlos Slim Helu and family: Age 68, $60 Billion, Telecom industry

3. Bill Gates: Age 52, $58 Billion, Microsoft

4. Lakshmi Mittal: Age 57, $45 Billion, Steel industry

5. Mukesh Ambani: Age 50, $43 Billion, Petrochemicals

6. Anil Ambani: Age 48, $42 Billion, Diversified investments

7. Ingvar Kamprad and family: Age 81, $31 Billion, IKEA

8. K.P. Singh: Age 76, $30 Billion, Real Estate

9. Oleg Deripaska: Age 40, $28 Billion, Aluminum industry

10. Karl Albrecht: Age 88, $27 Billion, Aldi supermarkets

See the full list here.

Remember Katrina....

2008-03-06T07:13:00.001-08:00

"George Bush Don't Like Black People"
'

This is an old subject, but the fact still remains...

Jordin Sparks ft. Chris Brown (No Air)

2008-03-06T07:03:00.000-08:00

I love this song and this video, "No Air." Check it out and tell me what you think.

We Are The Ones!... OBAMA!

2008-03-06T06:56:00.000-08:00

WE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD! Here is another William (aka Will.I.Am) video, supporting Senator Barack Obama.

A "Small" Bomb At New York's Time Square!

2008-03-06T06:40:00.001-08:00

New York police officers with the bomb squad unit inspect the damage done by an explosive device to the military recruitment center Thursday, March 6, 2008 in New York's Times Square. New York City police say some kind of explosive device was set off near a military recruiting station in Times Square. Police say there were no injuries in the blast early Thursday morning. The recruiting center at 43rd Street near Broadway had a large hole in the front window. (Mary Altaffer/AP Photo)

Read the story here.

Even This Little Girl Knows Something is Fishy About This Woman

2008-03-06T06:37:00.000-08:00

Read more about the Clinton and Obama race here.

John Lewis Endorses Obama

2008-02-28T07:05:00.000-08:00

Lewis, a Democratic congressman from Atlanta, is the most prominent black leader to defect from Clinton's campaign in the face of near-unanimous black support for Obama in recent voting. He also is a superdelegate who gets a vote at this summer's national convention in Denver.

In a written statement, Lewis said the Illinois senator's campaign "represents the beginning of a new movement in American political history" and that he wants "to be on the side of the people.""

After taking some time for serious reflection on this issue, I have decided that when I cast my vote as a superdelegate at the Democratic convention, it is my duty . . . to express the will of the people," the statement said.

Lewis' endorsement had been a coveted prize thanks to his standing as one of the most prominent civil rights leaders of the 1960s.

Ain't Nobody Worrying by Anthony Hamilton (The Wire Version)

2008-02-27T12:57:00.000-08:00

Aint nobody worryin, when the shots fly high and the sirens start to ring, aint nobody worryin,
when the kids die young and the mothers are suffering, aint nobody praying, when they kneal down low all
they doin is tyin their shoe strings, aint nobody worryin no more, no more, no more, no more,
The homeless have no where to turn when their stomachs start to burn cause they aint got food to eat,
and how the children gonna learn, when they gotta take turns cause they aint got books to read, then our
babies turn to crime, started gettin high cause the job trades kinda slow, cause aint nobody worryin no
more , no more, no more, no more

When the tears start to fall, and you can't see your way, the just will carry on come on judgement day,
you don't have to moan, helps on the way, cause aint nobody worryin no more no more no more

These are our precious times, diseases takin lives, medicaid ran out, showed me a weapon line, there's a
mother on her own, tryin to beat the drout, tell me when will this end, all the sufferin, my faith is
runnin low, aint nobody worryin no more, no more, no more, no more, no more
Aint nobody worryin no more no more no more no more no more

When the tears start to fall, and you can't see your way, the just will carry on come on judgement day,
you don't have to moan no more, helps on the way, cause aint nobody worryin no more no more no more

Aint nobody worryin, when the shots fly high and the sirens start to ring, aint nobody worryin, when the
kids die young and the mothers are suffering, the black man doin time and nobody cares for him, the
governments on the grind, and tryna fence him in, (our babies are gettin high) while drugs in the school
we need to pray again, when will it end will it end will it end, will it end

Cause Aint nobody worryin
shots fly high and the sirens start to ring
Aint nobody worryin
when the kids die young and the mothers are suffering
Aint nobody worryin (prayin)
when they kneal down low all they doin is tyin their shoe strings,
aint nobody worryin
no more no more no more no more no more no more

Barely Political

2008-02-27T12:30:00.000-08:00

Watch the funny clip of "Obama Girl," sing about her crush on Senator Barack Obama.

B to the A to the R
A,C,K,O,B,A,M,A

Missing Chapters in American History

2008-02-27T08:12:00.000-08:00

Growing up in America we all go through the school system learning the history that has made this country such a great place. Still the impact of the African American still remains the part of our history that is not being taught and which our kids know nothing about. This film takes a closer look at this issue and how we can begin to fill some of these historical gaps.

Public Service Announcement

2008-02-27T08:11:00.001-08:00

STOP KILLING EACH OTHER!

Civil Rights Activist Dies at 97

2008-02-23T19:06:00.000-08:00

Johnnie Carr died Friday night after having a stroke on February 11th. Carr played an active role in the civil rights movement, beginning with her assistance to Rosa Parks during the historic Montgomery boycott. Read more about the icon here.

Lesson Before Dying

2008-02-22T13:14:00.000-08:00

Watch the "Last Lecture" given by a dying professor, Dr. Randy Pausch. This has to be the best lecture I've ever received! Leave comments on how this video made you feel.

"Don't Sleep"

2008-02-22T09:11:00.000-08:00

Watch the video below of Derrick Ashong's (aka DNA) speech on why he is a supporter of Barack Obama.

If you're wondering what interview he's talking about. Watch the video below...

Learn more about the Obama Campaign here

My Black America Video

2008-02-20T22:30:00.000-08:00

Visit My Black America

Teamsters Union Endorses Obama!

2008-02-20T19:26:00.000-08:00

After winning his 10th primary (in a row), Senator Barack Obama now receives the endorsement of the Teamsters Union!

James P. Hoffa, the president of the Teamsters, which represents more than 1.2 million truck drivers, warehouse employees and other workers, announced the endorsement after meeting with Mr. Obama in Austin, Tex.

Read the story at the link below

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/21/us/politics/21teamsters.html?ref=politics

The Audacity of Hope

2008-02-11T09:25:00.000-08:00

Barack Obama won the 2008 "Best Spoken Album," Grammy for the book recording of "The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American dream." Other nominees included Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, Maya Angelou, and Alan Alda!

Obama also won the Louisiana primary and the caucuses of Nebraska and Washington on Saturday; AND (along with his Grammy) the Maine caucus on Sunday!

Go Obama!

Other Favorite Grammy Moments ...

2008-02-11T08:17:00.000-08:00

Tina & Beyonce

Amy Winehouse (looking much better)

Carrie Underwood

Kanye West

Alicia Keys & John Mayer

Alicia Keys & Frank Sinatra

CNN Projects A Win for Obama in NE & WA

2008-02-09T18:03:00.000-08:00

Read the story over at CNN, where they projected Obama to win Nebraska and Washington!

Pimp C?!

2008-02-09T17:48:00.000-08:00

Watch the MSNBC correspondent, David Shuster, put his foot in his mouth by disrespecting Chelsea Clinton. Now, because of his lack of maturity and ethics, Shuster has been suspended indefinetly. Read the story here. ...

STATE OF THE BLACK UNION 2008

2008-02-09T16:29:00.000-08:00

STATE OF THE BLACK UNION 2008

"Reclaiming Our Democracy, Deciding Our Future"

February 23rd, 2008

New Orleans, LA

Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

Conference Auditorium

7:00 AM

Click on the link to join Tavis Smiley and Others in New Orleans.

Some of the most influential thinkers, entertainers, and political leaders of our time gather each year to discuss the State of the Black Union during Black History Month. Presented annually in February by Tavis Smiley Presents, the symposium was created to educate, enlighten and empower America by bringing people together and engaging them in thoughtful dialogue, leading the way to constructive action.

http://tavistalks.com/events/

Forbes Top 10 Black Celebrities of 2007

2008-02-09T12:03:00.000-08:00

10. LeBron James, $27 million
9. Beyonce, $27 million
8. Will Smith, $31 million
7. Michael Jordan, $31 million
6. Shaquille O’Neal, $32 million
5. Kobe Bryant, $33 million
4. 50 Cent, $33 million
3. Jay-Z, $83 million
2. Tiger Woods, $100 million
1. Oprah Winfrey, $260 million

Yes We Can!

2008-02-04T21:23:00.000-08:00

Si Se Puede!

It was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation.
Yes we can.
It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail toward freedom.
Yes we can. Yes we can.
It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores
and pioneers who pushed westward against an unforgiving wilderness.
Yes we can. Yes we can.
It was the call of workers who organized;
women who reached for the ballots;
a President who chose the moon as our new frontier;
and a King who took us to the mountain-top and pointed the way to the Promised Land.
Yes we can to justice and equality.
(yes we can, yes we can, yes we can, yes we can...)

Yes we can to opportunity and prosperity.
Yes we can to opportunity and prosperity.
Yes we can heal this nation.
Yes we can repair this world.
Yes we can. Si Se Puede
(yes we can, yes we can, yes we can, yes we can...)

We know the battle ahead will be long,
but always remember that no matter what obstacles stand in our way,
nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices calling for change.
We want change!
(We want change! We want change! We want change...)

We have been told we cannot do this by a chorus of cynics who will only grow louder and more dissonant.
We've been asked to pause for a reality check.
We've been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope.
But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope. We want change!
(We want change! I want change! We want change! I want change...)

The hopes of the little girl who goes to a crumbling school in Dillon are the same as the dreams of the boy who learns on the streets of LA;
we will remember that there is something happening in America;
that we are not as divided as our politics suggests;
that we are one people;
we are one nation;
and together, we will begin the next great chapter in America's story with three words that will ring from coast to coast;
from sea to shining sea - Yes. We. Can.
(yes we can, yes we can, yes we can, yes we can, yes we can, yes we can, yes we can, yes we can...)

Hooray for Vick!

2008-02-04T12:52:00.000-08:00

According to news reports, Michael Vick, will only have to pay $3.75 million back to the Falcons; and he will be able to keep the rest of the $20 million bonus! Read the story here.

Guess Who?

2008-02-04T12:30:00.001-08:00

Here is a childhood photo of Barack Obama and his mother. YBF usually has a "Guess the Kid" section and I usually can figure them out, but I couldn't guess this one.

One Year Anniversary

2008-02-04T12:03:00.001-08:00

Today is the one year anniversary of Tony Dungy, the first black coach to win the Super Bowl!

PBS CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH

2008-02-04T10:10:00.000-08:00

PBS will air the following programs to document and examine the rich heritage and cultural contributions of African Americans:

PRINCE AMONG SLAVES
Monday, February 4, 2008, 10:00-11:00 p.m. ET
This special tells the forgotten true story of an African prince who was enslaved in Mississippi for 40 years before finally achieving freedom and becoming one of the most famous men in America. Mos Defnarrates. In HD where available.

AFRICAN AMERICAN LIVES 2
Wednesdays, February 6-13, 2008, 9:00-11:00 p.m. ET
AFRICAN AMERICAN LIVES again journeys deep into the African-American experience to unearth the triumphs and tragedies within the family histories of an all-new group of renowned participants including ChrisRock, Tina Turner and Don Cheadle. Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. returns as series host.

Online Videos by Veoh.com
INDEPENDENT LENS "Banished"
Tuesday, February 19, 2008, 10:00-11:30 p.m. ET
This is the story of three counties that forcefully banished African American families from their towns 100 years ago - and the descendents who return to learn a shocking history. Co-production of ITVS inassociation with NBPC. By Marco Williams. http://www.pbs.org/independentlens

AN EVENING WITH QUINCY JONES
February 2008 (check local listings)
A rare look into the life of music mogul Quincy Jones, this one-hour interview was taped in Washington, DC, in front of an audience. GwenIfill interviews and hosts the star-studded evening, which features live performances by Lesley Gore, BeBe Winans, James Ingram, BobbyMcFerrin and Herbie Hancock.

LEGACY: BEING BLACK IN AMERICA
February 2008 (check local listings)
In January 2007, a special tribute dinner was held in Washington, DC, to honor the Civil Rights generation. Attended by 18 celebrated African Americans from business, politics, academia, media and thearts, the dinner proved to be an intriguing discussion of race consciousness, integration and equity in the U.S. today.

RED TAIL REBORN
February 2008 (check local listings)
RED TAIL REBORN is the story of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first African-American fighter pilots of World War II, and of those who sacrificed to tell the Airmen's forgotten tale.

ENCORE PROGRAMMING
SLAVERY AND THE MAKING OF AMERICA
(Repeat) Fridays, January 11-February 1, 2008, 10:00-11:00 p.m. ET
This groundbreaking series chronicles the institution of American slavery from its origins in 1619 - when English settlers in Virginia purchased 20 Africans from Dutch traders - through the arrival of the first 11 slaves in the northern colonies (in Dutch New Amsterdam), the American Revolution, the Civil War, the adoption of the 13th Amendmentand Reconstruction. Morgan Freeman narrates. http://www.pbs.org/wnet/slavery/

AUSTIN CITY LIMITS "Etta James"
(Repeat) Saturday, February 9, 2008, 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET
The Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award winner continues to be one ofthe most respected R&B singers in America. Highlights include "All the Way Down" and "At Last." http://www.pbs.org/klru/austin/

AUSTIN CITY LIMITS "Tribute to Bluesman Jimmy Reed"
(Repeat) Saturday, February 23, 2008, 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET
Joined by blues luminaries James Cotton, Delbert McClinton, Lou AnnBarton and others, guitarist Jimmie Vaughan pays tribute to JimmyReed, composer of blues classics "Ain't That Lovin' You Baby," "BigBoss Man" and "Baby What You Want Me to Do." In HD where available.http://www.pbs.org/klru/austin/

AFRICAN AMERICAN LIVES
(Repeat)February 2008 (check local listings)
Renowned scholar Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. takes Alex Haley's Rootssaga to a whole new level. Using genealogy and DNA science, Dr. Gatestells the personal stories of eight accomplished African Americans.

AMERICAN EXPERIENCE: EYES ON THE PRIZE
(Repeat)February 2008 (check local listings)
The groundbreaking documentary series examining America's civil rights years returns to public television as part of AMERICAN EXPERIENCE. Covering the period from the murder of 14-year-old Emmett Till in Money, Mississippi, and the Montgomery, Alabama, bus boycott throughschool desegregation, the march from Selma to Montgomery and theVoting Rights Act, EYES ON THE PRIZE is considered the definitivehistory of this formative time in the nation's life.http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/eyesontheprize/

EYES ON THE PRIZE II, A SPECIAL PRESENTATION OF AMERICAN EXPERIENCE (Repeat)February 2008 (check local listings)
Nearly two decades after its 1990 premiere, the groundbreaking secondseason of EYES ON THE PRIZE returns to PBS as a special presentation of AMERICAN EXPERIENCE in February 2008 in honor of Black History Month. The series documents the journey of black Americans seeking justice, power and identity, from the mid-1960s to the mid-1980s, and shows the profound effect this movement had on all Americans. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/eyesontheprize/

FANNIE LOU HAMER: COURAGE AND FAITH
(Repeat)February 2008 (check local listings)
Using archival footage and interviews with those who knew her well andwere affected by her actions, this program chronicles the extraordinary life of Fannie Lou Hamer and introduces her to a new, younger generation. Mrs. Hamer attended the 1964 Democratic National Convention as a member of the Mississippi Democratic Freedom Party and challenged the all-white Mississippi delegation.

INDEPENDENT LENS "Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes"
(Repeat)February 2008 (check local listings)
This film takes an in-depth look at machismo in rap music and hip-hopculture - where creative genius, poetic beauty and mad beats collidewith misogyny, violence and homophobia. http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/hiphop/

SHARED HISTORY
(Repeat) February 2008 (check local listings)
SHARED HISTORY is the intimate story of the relationship between two families whose connection was forged in slavery and has endured to the present. The filmmaker, the great-great-granddaughter of a slaveowner, and Rhonda Kearse, a descendant of one of the enslaved families, seek to understand and reconcile the reality of slavery with the shared lives and affections between the families.

SISTERS OF SELMA: BEARING WITNESS FOR CHANGE
(Repeat)February 2008 (check local listings)
This program is an unabashedly spiritual take on the Selma, Alabama, voting rights marches of 1965 from some of its unsung foot soldiers -Catholic nuns. Following the violence of "Bloody Sunday," sisters from around the country answered Dr. Martin Luther King's call to join the protests in Selma.

THE STORY OF OSCAR BROWN JR.
(Repeat)February 2008 (check local listings)
This documentary focuses on Chicago native Oscar Brown Jr.'s work as awriter and performer for more than half a century.

CONTINUING SERIES TAVIS SMILEY
Monday-Friday, 11:00-11:30 p.m. ET (check local listings)
Tavis Smiley, the first African American to have his own signaturetalk show on NPR, hosts a late-night television talk show - a hybridof news, issues and entertainment, featuring interviews withnewsmakers, politicians, celebrities and everyday people. http://www.pbs.org/tavissmiley

TONY BROWN'S JOURNAL
Weekly (check local listings)
Tony Brown continues to delve into today's hottest headlines withcontemporary newsmakers. In its 29th season of providing commentary, discussion and timely documentaries, the series examines issues ofspecial interest to the African-American community.

Other series that regularly cover topics and profile guests and performers of interest to African Americans include FRONTLINE, GREATPERFORMANCES, THE NEWSHOUR WITH JIM LEHRER, NOW ON PBS, P.O.V. andWASHINGTON WEEK WITH GWEN IFILL among many others.

Black History Month

2008-02-01T10:58:00.000-08:00

Americans have recognized black history annually since 1926, first as "Negro History Week" and later as "Black History Month." What you might not know is that black history had barely begun to be studied-or even documented-when the tradition originated. Although blacks have been in America at least as far back as colonial times, it was not until the 20th century that they gained a respectable presence in the history books.

We owe the celebration of Black History Month, and more importantly, the study of black history, to Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Born to parents who were former slaves, he spent his childhood working in the Kentucky coal mines and enrolled in high school at age twenty. He graduated within two years and later went on to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard. The scholar was disturbed to find in his studies that history books largely ignored the black American population-and when blacks did figure into the picture, it was generally in ways that reflected the inferior social position they were assigned at the time.

Click on the quote above to learn more about Black History Month. I will try to post interesting Black History Facts for the month of February. Send me a message if you have something interesting to share.

Another President Quiz

2008-02-01T10:22:00.000-08:00

Go to www.votechooser.com and see which presidential candidate best matches your views. Of course, the one for me is Barack Obama! Take the quiz and tell me which candidate best suits you.

Perry At It Again!

2008-01-30T16:50:00.000-08:00

Tyler Perry has a new movie, "Meet The Brown's," and it looks like it's going to be another great one! Once again, he has a star-studded cast and the fabulous, Angela Bassett, plays the lead role. Check out the preview above and tell me what you think.

Shaq's Expenses Revealed in Divorce Court

2008-01-30T15:58:00.000-08:00

• $156,116 on mortgages.
• $110,505 on vacations.
• $60,417 on gifts.
• $26,560 on baby-sitters.
• $24,300 on gasoline.
• $22,190 on maids.
• $17,220 on clothes.
• $12,775 on food.

And the tax man gets about $500,000 a month in income taxes.

Must be nice to be Shaquille O'Neal! He is spending $1.3 million in monthly expenses. According to reports he is the second-highest paid NBA player; first being Kevin Garnett. ...

The look on his face after wife, Shaunie, takes more than half of his money. ... Priceless!

News Headlines

2008-01-29T14:31:00.000-08:00

Baby's Body, Car Seat Found In Galveston

Girls, Kidnapped, Gang Raped and Forced To Be Slaves

A New Burst of Killings in Kenya

Erykah Badu "Honey"

2008-01-29T14:00:00.000-08:00

I love this video! I'm glad Erykah is back. We need more original artists like her on the TV screen!

A BLACK WOMAN'S SMILE BY TY GRAY EL: SPOKEN WORD

2008-01-29T13:52:00.001-08:00

PAID FOR BY THE HILLARY CLINTON EXPLOITATION COMMITTEE

2008-01-29T13:25:00.000-08:00

Maya Angelou is endorsing Hillary Clinton because "she stood up as a woman, and said 'yes I'm a woman'." Yet, that "woman" is depending on a man and apparently every Negro up for sale, to help her win this election! I am really mad at Maya for this endorsement; she really took us back some 400 hundred years.

“Hey Johnny, why you want to leave this good ole plantation, massa been good to us, you better support them good ole clintons, we don’t need no freedom”

Obama Wins South Carolina Primary!

2008-01-26T16:58:00.000-08:00

Read the story here .

Make sure to vote on Super Tuesday; the day on which the largest-ever number of state U.S. presidential primary elections will be held. Twenty-four states are scheduled to hold caucus or primary elections for one or both parties on this date. The following states are schedule to participate on February 5th, 2008:

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Georgia
Idaho (Democratic Party Only)
Illinois
Kansas (Democratic Party Only)
Massachusetts
Minnesota
Missouri
New Jersey
New Mexico (Democratic Party Only)
New York
North Dakota
Oklahoma
Tennessee
Utah

Rock The Vote!

WAR IN KENYA

2008-01-26T00:52:00.000-08:00

This young Kenyan boy pictured above is really trying to kill someone with his bow and arrow! The thought seems extremely barbaric and ridiculous, but this is really happening in 2008!

“ It’s totally unsafe here,” Peter Geche, a taxi driver in Nakuru, said by telephone on Friday afternoon. “So many people have been killed by arrows.”
More than 650 people have been killed in Kenya since a disputed presidential election in December, and the latest clashes show how the violence has taken on a momentum of its own, which the authorities appear unable to stop.

Read more here .

Too Much Booty?

2008-01-26T00:46:00.000-08:00

I really don't know what to say about Venus in the clip above. I want to have her back (no pun intended) on this, but they do look a little too short. ....

Now Cornel West Disrespectin' ?

2008-01-26T00:23:00.000-08:00

Watch the clip above and see Cornel West "go off" about white supremacy and the political system "taking black people for granted." As always, West makes a good point, but I can't stand hearing him (or anybody) talk against Obama. The man can't be everywhere, at every event! Even if he is straddling the fence to keep his white voters happy, who's to say that won't change once he gains presidency? Obama might mess around and PAINT THE WHITE HOUSE BLACK! West must accept that he isn't the only "great one" and get over it. He sounds too much like a "hater" in this clip. What do you think?

I Have A Dream

2008-01-21T18:09:00.000-08:00

Watch Barack Hussein Obama above at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, where he spoke on the eve of MLK day. ...

I Have a Dream - Address at March on Washington
August 28, 1963. Washington, D.C.

I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation. [Applause]

Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of captivity.

But one hundred years later, we must face the tragic fact that the Negro is still not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languishing in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land. So we have come here today to dramatize an appalling condition.

In a sense we have come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men would be guaranteed the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check which has come back marked "insufficient funds." But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. So we have come to cash this check -- a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice. We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to open the doors of opportunity to all of God's children. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood.

It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment and to underestimate the determination of the Negro. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. Those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. There will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.

But there is something that I must say to my people who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice. In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.

We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force. The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny and their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom. We cannot walk alone.

And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall march ahead. We cannot turn back. There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, "When will you be satisfied?" We can never be satisfied as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as the Negro's basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.

I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow cells. Some of you have come from areas where your quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive.

Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed. Let us not wallow in the valley of despair.

I say to you today, my friends, that in spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a desert state, sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day the state of Alabama, whose governor's lips are presently dripping with the words of interposition and nullification, will be transformed into a situation where little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls and walk together as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.

This is our hope. This is the faith with which I return to the South. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

This will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with a new meaning, "My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring."

And if America is to be a great nation this must become true. So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania!

Let freedom ring from the snowcapped Rockies of Colorado!

Let freedom ring from the curvaceous peaks of California!

But not only that; let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia!

Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee!

Let freedom ring from every hill and every molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring.

When we let freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last! free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"

"Lawd Have Mercy!"

2008-01-18T16:26:00.000-08:00

This hilarious video has been circulating through the email circuit and I thought I should post it. I'm not sure if this is real, but everyone is calling the little boy, "Baby T.D. Jakes."

A Raisin In The Sun 2008

2008-01-16T10:45:00.001-08:00

I'm looking forward to viewing this remake on February 25th, but I'm skeptical of Diddy's acting...He is no, Sidney Poitier. I will make sure to remind you before it premieres. In the meantime, watch the preview and let me know what you think.

Disturbing Video

2008-01-16T10:14:00.000-08:00

Check out this video of a little boy smoking a cigarette. I'm not sure if this is real, but it looks like it. Hopefully this is a midget, because his mannerisms are that of a grown man. I believe this video was shot in a foreign country somewhere. ...

The Banjo Lesson, 1893

2008-01-15T13:36:00.000-08:00

In 1893 most American artists painted African-American subjects either as grotesque caricatures or sentimental figures of rural poverty. Henry Ossawa Tanner, who sought to represent black subjects with dignity, wrote: "Many of the artists who have represented Negro life have seen only the comic, the ludicrous side of it, and have lacked sympathy with and appreciation for the warm big heart that dwells within such a rough exterior." The banjo had become a symbol of derision, and caricatures of insipid, smiling African-Americans strumming the instrument were a cliche. In The Banjo Lesson, Tanner tackles this stereotype head on, portraying a man teaching his young protege to play the instrument - the large body of the older man lovingly envelops the boy as he patiently instructs him. If popular nineteenth-century imagery of the African-American male had divested him of authority and leadership, then Tanner in The Banjo Lesson recreated him in the role of father, mentor, and sage. The Banjo Lesson is about sharing knowledge and passing on wisdom.

Words of Wisdom

2008-01-15T13:30:00.000-08:00

10 THINGS YOUR MOTHER SHOULD HAVE TOLD YOU:A YOUNG BLACK WOMAN'S GUIDE TO SURVIVAL

Written by: Dana Orr, Esq.

10. BE SELECTIVE IN FRIENDSHIPS. Friendship is not charity, it's a give-and-take relationship. Your friends should be people you love, admire and respect. Don't be afraid to expand, or change your circle of friends. As you get older, you may head in a different direction than those you once considered your "best friends forever". As you evolve and mature, you may grow apart from friends who no longer fulfill you - it's ok! Hold this person in your heart, but be true to yourself when devoting time, energy and emotion to anyone you seriously consider a "friend".

9. RE-INVENT YOURSELF WHEN NECESSARY. Self-reinvention is a way to constantly reflect and assess your goals and priorities in your personal, academic and professional life. The concept of self-reinvention allows you to reconsider your lifestyle and, at any given moment, change a particular course of action. The beauty of this process is that you don't have to beat yourself up about behavior you consider undesirable. You should actually feel great that you have enough sense to realize the error of your ways (whatever they may be), and can spontaneously commit to change. Congratulations - you just solved a problem!

8. PROTECT YOURSELF. HIV/AIDS is the #1 killer of black women ages 19-27 in America. You are not corny or lame if you insist on an HIV test before having sex with someone. In fact, you're stupid to give up responsibility for your health and put your life in someone else's hands. Please DO NOT FALL FOR the age-old trick: "Look at me - what am I supposed to do now?!" All men masturbate. Politely tell your partner that he should focus on "self- love" until you're certain that he deserves to enter your temple.

7. JEALOUSY IS A WASTED EMOTION. People who love themselves and recognize their worth are unable to be jealous of others. Why? You should be so preoccupied with loving yourself and changing what you don't like, you have no time to worry about what others are doing. Being jealous of someone is a waste of energy. You cannot control other people and the choices they make, or the luck they have. Weak people let other's circumstances affect their self-love and/or self-worth. Resist the temptation to be envious, as it will get you nowhere. If anything, let other people motivate you to achieve certain goals for yourself.

6. CARRY YOURSELF LIKE A LADY. Embrace that which makes you a woman, and by all means, take advantage of the privileges that we have. Force men around you to treat you with the respect they would their mother, aunt or sister. Insist that your doors be opened for you, order your food first in a restaurant, and sit in the front seat if you are the only female in the car. There is nothing wrong with being "pleasantly demanding." Along with the privilege of womanhood comes a certain responsibility. Being a true "lady" means you exhibit manners that would make your grandmother proud, your clothes are tasteful and appropriate for your age, and your hair and nails are always clean. These little things make a big difference in how you are viewed by outsiders, and the quality of men that you attract.

5. KEEP UP WITH CURRENT EVENTS. Staying in touch with what's going on in the world is very important. Not only is it important to be aware of national and global issues, it makes you a lot more interesting to others because you always have something to talk about. It doesn't take much to watch the news, read the newspaper online, or buy an issue of TIME magazine or Newsweek. Don't forget - parents and teachers are a great source of information on current events, and would love to have a conversation with you about something "serious."

4. Travel. Do you have a passport? If not, get one. Before you are saddled with the responsibilities of a job and a family, take advantage of your freedom and travel. Instead of buying a new outfit, buy a plane ticket. See other parts of the world and observe other cultures. More importantly, have fun! Plan a trip with a friend to a social event in another city, a beach on an island, or a city in a foreign country. Capture your memories with photos or in a diary (or a blog). You will cherish them forever.

3. Be Proud To Be Black. Black culture and heritage is based on strength, perseverance, and rich talents. You should have an overwhelming sense of cultural pride - as black people, we are so very special. Don't EVER feel as if you aren't equal to another person simply because you're black. If you have any question as to the importance of black people to our society, or how smart, beautiful, talented, funny and fascinating we are, start reading. Watch old movies. Read plays. Go see plays. Buy tickets for dance and musical performances. Seek opportunities to study academic topics involving, or related to, black people. Talk to your relatives that lived through some of the historical events you've heard about. Get on the Internet and study people with whom you're familiar. Keep in mind, black pride doesn't mean exclusion of others. It is most impressive when you seek to educate other cultures about the beauty and greatness of being black.

2. Have a Cause. As long as you're here, it is your duty as a human being to help make the world a better place. Let your natural talents and passion lead you to an issue that keeps your attention, and to which you can commit your time and money. Get involved with groups that already exist. If your particular cause is new or unique, start your own group and make your friends join. Helping others is an easy way to feel good about yourself, and invest in the future of your community.

1. Love Yourself. This is #1 and most important, yet challenging, mission to accomplish. Self-love is critical to survival at any age, and may be quite a personal journey. Loving yourself means recognizing, developing and honoring a sense of self-worth. Loving yourself means you have zero tolerance for anyone or anything that doesn't love you and respect you. Loving yourself also means you must treat yourself well, simply because no one else will do it for you.

Bob Johnson Comment on Obama

2008-01-15T11:27:00.000-08:00

Much is to be said about this, but I'm going to stay quiet because I might offend some people. However, I would like to know what you all think about this? Read a great story on this campaign, at the New Yorker .

OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network

2008-01-15T11:08:00.000-08:00

Ms. Winfrey and Discovery Communications have joined forces, with a goal to help change lives. Winfrey will rename the Discovery Health Channel into her OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network). “In addition to providing her talent, and personal commitment, Winfrey will have full editorial control over the joint venture and will be responsible for OWN’s programming, branding and creative vision,” a press release stated. To learn more about OWN, read the story at the link below.

http://tvdecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/01/15/oprah-winfrey-to-form-television-network-with-discovery-communications/?hp

Movies I Want To See

2008-01-11T21:04:00.000-08:00

Mad Money

The Bucket List

First Sunday

(still haven't seen this one)...The Great Debaters

(or this one)...I Am Legend

Six Months!?

2008-01-11T09:49:00.000-08:00

Marion Jones is sentenced to serve 6 months in prison! I think it's terrible that none of our black folks can catch a break with the judicial system. I wonder why some some get probation or get sentenced to one day and others (i.e. black folk) must serve the maximum! They took her Olympic medals, stripped her name from the world records, tarnished her in the media, and now she has to serve 6 months! Let's not mention she has two young boys and is still nursing one. ... What's your take on this?

Dead Prez

2008-01-10T22:50:00.000-08:00

*******Parental Discretion Advised**********

Here is a poem on American "democracy" by Dead Prez from Def Poetry Jam. Enjoy!

A Girl Like Me

2008-01-10T21:53:00.000-08:00

I found the clip above on myspace at "Some of Us Are Brave Radio," http://www.myspace.com/souab , and I found it to be extremely insightful. I can relate 100% to what these women are talking about. I've always been told "You're a cute dark-skin girl." Every time, I hear someone say it, I want to respond with "And you're pretty ignorant for saying that." Who decided that all "dark-skin" women are naturally ugly? Can someone please answer that question?! I think Spike Lee tried to cover the issue a long time ago in School Daze with the song "Good & Bad Hair" (below). Watch the clips and let me know what you think about this issue.

Poor Hillary

2008-01-07T22:14:00.000-08:00

Everyone is talking about Hillary Clinton tearing up during a campaign event Monday. She has dropped in the polls and it doesn't look very good for her. There are even rumors of her dropping out. What do you think about this sad display?

Another Random Email

2008-01-07T10:11:00.000-08:00

Here's a bit of inspiration for all the women out there. I've received this email several times, so I thought I'd go ahead and post it.

> IF A MAN WANTS YOU
>
> If a man wants you, nothing can keep him away.
> If he doesn't want you, nothing can make him stay.
> Stop making excuses for a man and his behavior.
> Allow your intuition (or spirit) to save you from heartache.
> Stop trying to change yourselves for a relationship that's not meant to be.
> Slower is better.
> Never live your life for a man before you find what makes you truly happy.
> If a relationship ends because the man was not treating you as you deserve
> then heck no, you can't "be friends." A friend wouldn't mistreat a friend.
> Don't settle. If you feel like he is stringing you along, then he probably
> is.
> Don't stay because you think "it will get better." You'll be mad at yourself
> a year later for staying when things are not better.
> The only person you can control in a relationship is you.
> Avoid men who've got a bunch of children by a bunch of different women.
> He didn't marry them when he got them pregnant,
> Why would he treat you any differently?
> Always have your own set of friends separate from his.
> Maintain boundaries in how a guy treats you.
> If something bothers you, speak up.
> Never let a man know everything. He will use it against you later.
> You cannot change a man's behavior. Change comes from within.
> Don't EVER make him feel he is more important than you are...even if he has
> more education or in a better job. Do not make him into a quasi-god.
> He is a man, nothing more nothing less.
> Never let a man define who you are.
> Never borrow someone else's man.
> Oh Lord! If he cheated with you, he'll cheat on you.
> A man will only treat you the way you ALLOW him to treat you.
> All men are NOT dogs.
> You should not be the one doing all the bending...compromise is a two-way
> street.
> You need time to heal between relationships...there is nothing cute about
> baggage... deal with your issues before pursuing a new relationship
> You should never look for someone to COMPLETE you...a relationship consists
> of two WHOLE individuals...look for someone complimentary...not
> supplementary.
> Dating is fun...even if he doesn't turn out to be Mr.. Right.
> Make him miss you sometimes...when a man always know where you are, and your
> always readily available to him- he takes it for granted.
> Don't fully commit to a man who doesn't give you everything that you need.
> Keep him in your radar but get to know others.
> Share this with other ladies..... You'll make someone SMILE, another
> RETHINK her choices, and another woman PREPARE.
> They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate
> them, a day to love them and an entire lifetime to forget them.
> BY THE WAY, THIS WAS WRITTEN BY A MAN, SO TAKE A HINT...

Give It Up For Michelle Obama!

2008-01-06T19:28:00.000-08:00

I'm trying not to get my hopes up, but Obama could possibly be America's First Black President! The clip above is his victory speech, where he tells the audience to "give it up for Michelle Obama," like he's a DJ at a club. For a moment I thought I was watching Arsenio Hall! All that excitement certainly brought his "blackness" out (joking)!

The bottom clip is his speech,"Our Moment is Now," where he challenges politics and unjust systems. He talks a good game and appeals to Americans who are seeking change in this world.

I know it will be a challenging journey to clean up the mess Bush made; but I am curious if Obama can fulfill his promise and revamp "The System." Could the next President of the United States of America be Barack Obama? ....

"The system is a joke[...], you'd be smart to save your soul[...], and escape this mind control. You spent your life in sacrifice. To a system for the dead..." -Lauryn Hill

Ain't That A B*tch!

2008-01-02T12:56:00.000-08:00

A new study shows that minorities are less likely to receive painkillers, than whites, during emergency visits. Dr. Mark Pletcher tries to explain why, with this...

"There could well be an element of pure racial bias," he said. "But it's probably more subtle and insidious than that. The interaction that occurs between a patient and a physician is complex in terms of interpersonal communications, and minority patients may be less empowered to complain and to demand good pain control. They may be less willing to show weakness by asking for a pain medication."

....I suppose he's saying that Negroes are still having difficulties speaking clear enough for white folks to understand! ....

Negro: "Well suh, Ima sho in a lotta pain. Cain I please hav sum uh dat good ol' pain madison?"
Doctor: "I'm sorry boy, we don't have anything here called Madison, maybe you can find it at the liquor store."

Read the story here and tell me what do you think?

"I Am The One In The Sex Video"

2008-01-02T12:50:00.000-08:00

Malaysian, Minister of Health, was found with his pants down (literally). Watch the clip above and tell me your thoughts.

Violence Erupts in Kenya over Election

2008-01-02T12:21:00.000-08:00

"The tribal violence that erupted across the country in the wake of a disputed general election has now killed more than 300 people in four days, according to Kenya Human Rights Commission and the International Federation for Human Rights. Tens of thousands have left their homes, with many others pouring over the border into Uganda. On Tuesday, a mob set fire to a church where hundreds of Kikuyu were sheltering in the town of Eldoret, burning 50 alive. The fear is that the last four days may be a taste of worse to come."

Read more here

Happy New Year!!!

2008-01-01T22:54:00.000-08:00

It's going to be great in 2008! ...Or at least I hope. I know I promised to post daily, but my plate is going to be extremely full during these first months; so my posts will be more sporadic. Please continue to stay tuned in and expect to hear more about my new business venture, Janea's Design in March!

I wish all of you a wonderful and prosperous year!

Love,

Janea

Accidents Happen ...

2007-12-27T12:40:00.000-08:00

I received these pictures in my email, the title was "Don't Text and Drive." I'm not sure if texting was the cause of this accident, but it definitely made me want to drive more cautiously...

Party Smart

2007-12-27T11:58:00.000-08:00

Rape Crisis Centers are urging for women to party smart this New Year. One of the major issues is the date-rape drug because it is tasteless, odorless, and can easily be slipped it into your drink without one noticing. Here are three helpful tips to keep you safe this New Year:

1. Never put your drink down and leave it unattended
2. Know your limits, when it comes to alcohol
3. Use the "Buddy System"

Watch the video below about rape...

I Would Go Crazy Too!

2007-12-27T11:18:00.000-08:00

Authorities are still trying to determine how "Tatianna," got out of her cage and killed a man, Tuesday. ...I think maybe it's because she was a subject of animal cruelty! She's out of her natural habitat, forced to deal with random humans probing and calling her Tatianna!

"I Can Tell You My Ass Hurt"

2007-12-27T10:30:00.000-08:00

***Parental Discretion Advised***

The above clip is of "Ricky Romance" the brother of "Raz B," former member of B2K; and his explanation of how his cousin, Chris Stokes, is a homosexual child molester that took advantage of his little brother. The clip below is of "Raz B" explaining the turmoil he experienced while being a member of B2K; and also shows him having phone conversations about Marques Houston being one of Stokes' victims.

What do you all think about this? ...I've always thought Chris Stokes was suspicious, but "Raz B" has already retracted his statements. I'm seriously confused now! The video below says the tapes were leaked without his authority and the allegations are untrue. ...This is sounding like some Michael Jackson stuff now..

Machete Attack

2007-12-27T10:00:00.000-08:00

A mad man took a 4' machete, killed a woman, severed her son's arm, and sliced her daughter's head open. Watch the video at the link http://www.ktnv.com/Global/category.asp?C=81457&nav=menu498_1 and click on all videos regarding "Machete attack."

Christmas Resistance Movement

2007-12-25T01:30:00.000-08:00

Learn more here

Merry Consumerism!

2007-12-24T10:04:00.000-08:00

I hope you all have a wonderful Consumerism Day and you receive all the gifts you wished for. Here are a few recipes you might like to try for your Consumerism dinner...

Pumpkin Fudge

Pumpkin Ice Cream Pie & Vanilla Whipped Cream

Ginger Snaps

Sherry and Mushroom Soup

Mocha Almond Fudge Pie

Shrimp & Curry-Mustard Rice Salad w/ Avocado Sauce

Shrimp Gumbo

Almond Crusted Cranberry Apple Bread

Banana Crunch Cake

Butter Cookie Wreaths

Butterfinger Banana Cake

Classic Onion Soup

Cute Calvin Christmas Cartoons

2007-12-24T10:02:00.001-08:00

New Orlean Protest

2007-12-20T20:30:00.001-08:00

A protest erupted after New Orleans City Council gave the federal government right to destroy their four biggest housing projects. This decision is made during the same time the government evacuates more than 30,000 people out of their trailers. ... What will New Orleans be without the projects? Cleaner... safer.... white-er....?

Read the story here

Schwarzenegger Wants Clean Ear (get it?)

2007-12-20T20:02:00.000-08:00

Arnold Schwarzenegger announced again, Thursday, his plans to sue the federal government for denying California the right to impose greenhouse laws. According to CNN reports, President Douche asked, "Is it more effective to let each state make a decision as to how to proceed in curbing greenhouse gases? Or is it more effective to have a national strategy?"...What are your thoughts on this predicament? Read the story at the link http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/12/20/california.emissions/

marie claire January 2008

2007-12-20T19:51:00.000-08:00

marie claire is starting the new year off right and letting us know "The 15 Tests Every Woman Needs!"

Blood Pressure
Cholesterol
Chlamydia
HIV
HPV-DNA
PAP
Pelvic Exam
Clinical Breast Exam
Mammogram
Skin-Cancer Check
Check For Other Cancers
Eye exam
Teeth
Blood Glucose Test
Thyroid Function

Check out this edition with pregnant, Christina Aguilera "REVEALED" on the cover.

Great Cartoons I Found on MSN

2007-12-20T09:19:00.000-08:00

"They Got Money For War, But Can't Feed the Poor"

2007-12-18T22:06:00.000-08:00

Click on the link to learn more on how to help save the victims of Darfur, Sudan http://www.savedarfur.org/content . What is your take on this situation?

SAVE DARFUR!!

Update...

2007-12-18T21:58:00.000-08:00

7-year-old, Alexis Goggins, remains in critical condition two weeks after being shot by her mother's boyfriend. She has undergone three operations and is now blind in one eye. Read more about this tragedy at the link http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/12/18/hero.kid.ap/index.html

You can help Alexis by sending her a donation to the address below:

Alexis Goggins Hero Fund

Campbell Elementary School

2301 E. Alexandrine Sreet

Detroit, MI 48207

Random Picture

2007-12-18T21:37:00.000-08:00

I saw this picture over at bossip.com and I had to post it. Aren't they cute?

Senate Passes War Funding Bill

2007-12-18T21:29:00.000-08:00

After several months, President Bush gets his request to spend more of our money on the unexplained war. Senate passed a bill, Tuesday, that will provide billions to the war in Iraq. Read the "developing story" at the link and I will keep you posted on more government errors.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/12/18/budget.battle/index.html

In Case You Missed It...

2007-12-18T21:23:00.000-08:00

The winner of "I Love New York" is Tailor Made! I wonder what will become of Ms. New York now. Was this show the end of her 15 minutes of fame? We shall see... Watch old episodes at the link http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/i_love_new_york_2/126024/episode.jhtml

Drama

2007-12-18T21:11:00.000-08:00

The new "Bad Girls Club" will be one filled with drama and violence! (Just like the rest of the booze-filled reality shows) Pictured above from left to right is: Darlen, Cordelia, Lyric, Jennavecia, Hanna, Neveen, Tanisha. Click on the link below to catch up on the latest episodes and watch it Tuesday night at 9 pm. http://www.badgirlsclubonoxygen.com/show.html

Holiday Drink!

2007-12-17T13:48:00.000-08:00

Here are a few Christmas beverages to try....

Frostini

Holiday Punch

The Carolling Cup

Amazingly Good Egg Nog

Could You Imagine This Woman Hitting A Police Officer?

2007-12-17T13:35:00.000-08:00

I couldn't believe it either, but this Philadelphia anchorwoman, Alycia Lane, was arrested for hitting a police officer! No news yet, on what took place, but I will keep you posted. She has made headlines before, after sending photos of herself in a bikini to Rich Eisen, an NFL network affiliate. Read more at the link below....
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/Alycia_Lane_takes_early_vacation.html

20K Die Each Day

2007-12-17T13:24:00.000-08:00

American Cancer Society recently reported 7.6 million deaths, related to cancer, in the year 2007.

In developing nations, lung, stomach and liver cancer are most common among men. Women have the greatest risk from breast, cervical and stomach cancer.

Click here to view the report

Riches to Rags

2007-12-17T13:12:00.000-08:00

Millionaires Mahender Sabhnani (right) and his wife, Varsha (left), were found guilty on all 12 counts against them; for enslaving and abusing two of their workers. Read the story and check out more pictures at the link below. http://www.newsday.com/business/ny-bzslav1218,0,6927041.story?coll=ny-health-headlines