Trayvon Martin
The elephant in the room
Trayvon Martin
The issue of race has reared it’s head once again in the aftermath of the Trayvon Martin case. Regardless where you stand on this issue, we can’t ignore the fact that race is still a delicate and highly charged issue in American society.
Many feel that now that a black man is in the white house we are post-racial; NOT! If you believe that, you need to step away from the crack pipe. The Trayvon Martin case is proof that race still dominates much of the American experience.
Regardless of where you stand on the raging debate on the Trayvon Martin killing, one thing’s for certain, the homicide investigation was bungled and flawed from the outset. Just last evening (March 27th) a startling revelation has come to light. The investigator who was first on the scene of the killing of Mr. Martin recommended that Zimmerman be arrested and charged with manslaughter. The state’s attorney told the investigator to “stand down” and not arrest Zimmerman citing that there was not enough “evidence” for a conviction. Really?
Categories: Culture Tags: intolerance, racism, trayvon martin, white privilege
Biggest Loser
Biggest Loser John Rhode is Winner!
Biggest Loser is Winner!
John Rhode, the biggest losers most recent winner did what most of us consider the impossible. He lost a total of 220 lbs! You have to respect anyone with that kind of determination and drive to will themselves to lose that kind of weight.
When I first noticed the “Biggest Loser,” I thought how gross! It’s hard not to be moved by some of the touching stories of the contestants, many must lose weight or die – literally! In an age where it’s predicted that many of our children will die younger than us due to lifestyle, it’s especially sobering.
Categories: Culture Tags: african-americans, Biggest Loser, black women obesity, health care, thick new fat
Steve Jobs Legacy
Steve Jobs Legacy
Steve Jobs lived an incredible life. Much will be written about his legacy and the indelible imprint he left on this life. He is arguably one of the most visionary men of our century. He did for technology what Henry Ford and Thomas Edison had done in the previous century with industry.
Steve Jobs redefined “cross-over” appeal. People of all races, languages and cultures embraced him as the change agent he was. There has been much written about his mercurial temper and his pursuit of the next big thing.
His ability to bring disparate groups of people together via technology and his inventions far surpasses any other human being on the planet. Wouldn’t it be nice if the Democrats and Republicans could do the same? Better yet; the Republicans and President Obama?
Categories: Culture Tags: Democrats, liberal republican, progressive, Steve Jobs
Categories: Culture Tags: judge mathis, liberal republican, prosecution, racism, right wing extremism, troy davis execution
Heritage or Hate?
Heritage or Hate?
There is no other icon in America that evokes as much emotion and controversy as the Confederate flag. We fought a civil war over it, we fight a cultural war over it to this day. To some, it’s a symbol of heritage, to others it’s a symbol of hate.
To this day, several Southern states conspicuously show the stars and bars in their state flag. What’s puzzling is, why would you want to celebrate a war that you lost? most politicians from the south and the north as well are very reluctant to offer their opinion publicly about the Confederate flag. If this was just an innocent symbol of heritage, then why would you go mum and not discuss it publicly?
Categories: Culture Tags: civil war, hate groups, intolerance, ku klux klan, lunatic fringe, slavery, southern poverty law center, white privilege
Summers Eve Racist Commercial
Commercials in American culture are wildly popular and very creative. However, when the commercial goes south, as they often do, the results can be disastrous. Case in point, the recent commercial by Summer’s Eve the maker of feminine hygiene products.
Recently, Summers Eve took a stab at marketing to African-American and Latina women. Needless to say, this advertising campaign went south, no pun intended. It was bad enough that they were hands which posed as talking vaginas. Then sprinkle a little blatant stereotype to the mix, and it was a recipe for disaster. The Latina vagina talked about giving birth to many children and losing the tacky leopard thong.
Categories: Culture Tags: african-americans, diversity consultants, down in flames, feminine hygiene products, Latino, leopard thong
Black and Latino in the Americas
Dr. Henry Louis Gates-Black in Latin American
Black in Latin America – Most Americans can’t conceive of black and Latino being the same thing. Most African-Americans can’t conceive of slavery existing anywhere else other than the United States. In both cases, were all wrong. The slave trade worldwide was a massive undertaking. When most Americans think of slavery, we think of the obvious and long-lasting effects of slavery in the United States and relationships between the races. The truth is that the majority of slaves during the transatlantic slave trade ended up south of America’s borders, the Caribbean and all throughout South America.
Between 1502 in 1866 12.5 million African slaves were brought to the Americas. Of that number, only 450,000 were brought to the United States. The rest were scattered throughout the Caribbean and other parts of Latin America and the diaspora that has become the legacy of that tragic commerce. The remaining slaves were brought to other parts of Latin America;4.8 million were brought to Brazil alone. In fact, Brazil is home to the largest black population in the entire world, second only to the African continent. Today 120 million people of African descent live in Latin America.
Dr. Henry Louis Gates, the Harvard professor who became famous for his confrontation with a local policeman when trying to break into his own home has conducted extensive research on being black in Latin America. Dr. Gates travels have taken him to Brazil, Peru, Cuba and the Dominican Republic; conducting his research and writing his book, Black in Latin America.
Casey Anthony Verdict
Casey Anthony never wanted to be a mom
By now you’re probably reeling from the Casey Anthony verdict. The jury may have found her not-guilty, however in the court of public opinion, she’s guilty as sin. She has received numerous death threats and when released, she will be under constant guard. In fact, a security detail is being organized as this post is being written.
You can’t help but feel emotion as images of sweet angelic Caylee Anthony are flashed on screen. It humanizes that poor little girl and the terrible suffering she must have endured. How can you not feel for that little girl? It’s painfully obvious that Casey Anthony didn’t want to be a mother. Even more obvious, that their family is dysfunctional, particularly the relationship with her father. Did she get away with murder? Probably not. Was she at least negligent in her daughters death? Most definitely! According to CNN she will be released by next Wednesday. She is being released for good behavior and time served.
Fathers Day and African Americans
Fathers Day - Involved fathers matter
Fathers Day is here! All across America, fathers are celebrating with their families. Fathers Day is a day of reflection and recognizing that the family structure and our country is better off with fathers who are involved with their children.
The American family has changed over the last couple of generations. Notice the word used was “involved” not in the home? With over half of all marriages ending in divorce, this has changed the family dynamic. Fathers Day is still just as important as always. There are many divorced fathers in America. Many of them will celebrate Fathers Day with their children in an alternative setting. The important issue, is that they are involved with their children!
Categories: Culture Tags: african-americans, barack obama, black fathers day joke, family values, fathers day, obama fathers day
Thick is the new Fat
Thick the way it was meant to be!
The following article was written by guest blogger, Imani Sassy.
Thick is the new fat; and it’s not really healthy. I get compliments all the time by men who say “you look good and thick.” Thanks but it’s not really good for my heart to be “thick.” I totally understand the visual aspect of having curves BUT enough is enough with this euphemism.
I plan to loose the body fat, gain muscle and maintain healthier eating habits. I now cook mustard/collard greens with olive oil and smoked turkey. The fat from the meat is trimmed and thrown away and guess what? Family and friends enjoy the taste of this Southern American inspired side dish.
Categories: Culture Tags: black women obesity, health care reform, obesity, thick new fat, thick or obese