Rock out....ITS FRIDAY!!!

Beyonce covers EBONY

LOVE IT! And look at her hair! Fabulousity! lol....I think I'm pullin the Diva out tonite..lol how bout you?

Life and Times of an Entry-Level Blogger: Part Deuce

Bloggers are slowly becoming modernday computer celebrities lol. Bloggers, twitterers, chronic aimers/facebookers/myspacers lol...all of these social outlets allow people to see into your realm of thinking for just a couple minutes. Most celebrities have blogs. And now most people have blogs.

It's good and bad, because it's nice to know you have "followers" who read up on your thoughts. I consider it a challenge on myself to 1. do it daily, 2. be comfortable enough with myself that I can put my thoughts out there, and 3. keep writing...i love it.

So who's your blogstar?

Freida Pinto

Frieda Pinto, co-star of Slumdog Millionaire, covers Vogue India....fabulous!

Just Because

“I know it seems hard sometimes but remember one thing.
Through every dark night, theres a bright day after that.
So no matter how hard it get, stick your chest out, keep ya head up.... and handle it.”

- Tupac

This is Not a Game.

This picture pisses me off. The shocking abuse renders me speechless. But on top of Rihanna's embarassment...on top of the he say, she say. What the hell is wrong with the LAPD for leaking this picture???

I'm sure TMZ was so damn proud for being the first to get the photo and stamp that big bold TMZ at the top right. They're probably just patting themselves on the back right now because they were the first to break the story. But this is not a picture of people walking in the park with their kids, or the the first interview after a movie premiere, this is a DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASE.

Someone in the LAPD and on TMZ needs to be smacked up for even thinking it was ok to do this!! This is not a celebrity event, this is horrible, unbelievable, unspeakable form of violence that was done to a human being AND a victim. And the poor child had to see this picture on the broadcasts, online, on headlines...just everywhere as she celebrated her 21st bday. SMH.

There are rumors that TMZ paid the LAPD to get this picture. If that's the case then all of them need to be fired. It's that serious. The TMZ is a screwed up set anyways and I can't stand them (or ANY paparazzi) because they just think it's ok to infringe on people's privacy.

WE NEED A CHANGE in our journalism, our thinking, and our moral standards. Get it together. This type of thing is not and will never be ok.

Oscars 2009

This was my first time sitting down and watching the Oscars in its entirety, so I can't really vouch for years past, but I thought it was really well done! Maybe it was the whole musical theme throughout, maybe it was Hugh Jackman, maybe it was when they had the former winners come out and give praises to this years nominees, or maybe it was because Slum Dog Millionaire took home 8 Oscars (An overwhelming victory for Mumbai, India, which up until now received little recognition.) Maybe it was the dresses! Ooooh! Fabulosa! See some below!

New York Post "Cartoon"

This was the cartoon by Sean Delonas in the New York Post yesterday. It reads "they'll have to find someone else to write the next stimulus bill".

The New York Post stands behind their belief that the cartoon chimp is not Obama.

The newspaper's editor-in-chief, Col Allan, said: "The cartoon is a clear parody of a current news event … It broadly mocks Washington's efforts to revive the economy."

I don't know how the NY Post could NOT have seen this as racist. Seriously, this one is NOT hard...Obama is the main initator of the stimulus bill, Obama is black, black people have been continously compared to monkeys since.....forever...and all throughout his campaign there has been heightened security because of the fear that he would be shot. So why even stir those emotions?

Because there are still people who don't care that Obama is President. Matter of fact, there are people who hate it. And there are still people who will not change their idealogies against African Americans. Ever.

Satirical cartoons are meant to make people laugh. This is not funny. Looking at this cartoon, you would have to stop, think twice, and think about what he was trying to portray. Cartoons should never be that mind consuming. Anybody who has enough brains SHOULD take to the streets like they have been doing.

SMH. Just another reason why we need to still be very aware of our surroundings and the minds of some. As much as we have progressed, these cartoons are still considered acceptable. Honestly, I can understand how the NY Post would say they are entitled to freedom of speech, or should I say freedom of drawing, but of course there is going to be backlash in society when African Americans have just made a gigantic step forward, and there are still people who thinks its ok to take giant leaps back.

I guess they forgot...

...Yes we did!

Brotha of the week: Boris Kodjoe

Whew! Been a minute since I've done one of these! But here you go....Boris Kodjoe.

I first got introduced to him on the Showtime series Soul Food, where he played Damon, the sexy mail-boy/entrepeneur/who cares... that I used to watch all the time. He's German, born in Vienna, Austria, and married his co-star Nicole Ari Parker who also played his girlfriend on the show. The couple has two children.

*takes long sigh*

Aubrey O'Day does Playboy

I don't really know how to feel about this one.

Aubrey O'Day, a booted member of Danity Kane, decided to do Playboy Magazine. Doesn't she look like Mariah Carey, when she did her Emancipation of Mimi Cd Cover??

Wow... Emancipation of Aubrey?

But anyways...I liked Aubrey, I thought she was definitely one of the better members of Danity Kane, before Puffy put her on blast for showing her ass, and kicked her out the group. So, when I heard she was doing Playboy, I was kind of surprised. mean she's known to have a few drunken nights and do a little partying, but which artist isn't? It's not like the girl can't at least get a gig or two somewhere. But I guess money makes the world go round, and today artists do anything to stay relevant.

But damn, at what cost? Discuss.

Valentine's Weekend!!!!!

Have a BOSSY weekend with your boo!!!

Gorgeous Gowns @ NAACP Awards

Pictures taken from Bossip.com

Zora Neale Hurston

"Sometimes, I feel discriminated against, but it does not make me angry. It merely astonishes me. How can any deny themselves the pleasure of my company? It's beyond me. "

- Zora Neale Hurston

Zora Neale Hurston is considered one of the pre-eminent writers of twentieth-century African-American literature. Hurston was closely associated with the Harlem Renaissance and has influenced such writers as Ralph Ellison, Toni Morrison, Gayle Jones, Alice Walker, and Toni Cade Bambara. She is also famous for her novel, Their Eyes were Watching God.

Lady's Laughables: Cheerleading Dad.. SOOO Cute

I saw this on someone's blog...lol. It made my day!!!! Shout out to all the daddy's out there!

Robin Thicke - "DreamWorld"

Whoo I am FEELIN this song....listen to the lyrics.

Michelle Obama covers Vogue

This is a nice cover...but I must admit, I think she's had better. But fantastic nevertheless.

The Story Gets Worse: Chris Brown & Rihanna

Usually I don't repost stories, but this is so bad...and everytime I hear something new about it, it's even worse. The fight started over a text that Chris Brown got from another female. She was pissed, got out the car, and they started arguing. To the point that he tried to kill her.

This from E! Online:

"A source close to the investigation tells E! News that Rihanna told police that Brown choked her while threatening to kill her and as a result, she lost consciousness.

It’s been reported that Rihanna and her R&B singer boyfriend were in a heated argument shortly after leaving Clive Davis’ pre-Grammy party in Beverly Hills early Sunday morning and that Brown, 19, stopped his rented silver Lambourghini on a quite street in Hollywood’s Hancock Park.

Brown put his hands around Rihanna’s neck and, according to the unidentified source, said, “I’m going to kill you!” The responding officers were so concerned about Rihanna’s injuries, they drove the 20-year-old to the hospital instead of waiting for an ambulance."

Is he crazy????? He threatened to kill her? And choked her until she was unconscious???? That's a whole other level of crazy.

All of Chris Brown's endorsements have been yanked, his songs taken off the radio, and he's apparently dipped out of town after throwing down 50,000 dollars bail.

Now, he got 99 problems and Jay-Z is one. According to US Weekly, when Jay-Z found out, he was pissed. A source tells Us Weekly magazine he had this say,

"Chris is a walking dead man. He messed with the wrong crew".

I hear that. I HEAR that. I mean violence doesn't beget violence. But...handle him. It's NOT A GAME.

Lady's Laughables: Khia

LMMFAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Really Khia?

BAD.

These shoes are BAD...I saw the pic on Mane and Chic's Blog!! Fierce!!!!

Charles Richard Drew

In the spirit of Black History Month...

Charles Richard Drew was the first African American physician to create what is known as the blood bank in 1940 by preserving blood plasma for transfusion. During World War II he headed the program that sent blood to Great Britain and was the director of the first American Red Cross Blood Bank. Charles Drew's system for the storing of blood plasma revolutionized the medical profession and he saved many lives especially during the war. He was also a surgeon and professor at Howard University.

(This is my father's profession so it's of particular interest to me...)

Foxy Brown VS. 50

This beef between Rick Ross and 50 cent is getting out of pocket. 50 has Foxy Brown upset after he mentions that Rick Ross was involved with Foxy Brown. She tells 50 cent to retract his statement that she and Rick Ross were involved "or else".

Here's what he said on his diss track entitled, "Try Me", when he went at Rick Ross: " a cop fucked a fox".

Here's what a representative from Foxy's camp said, "Foxy is giving that nigga 24 hours to retract that statement or she’s going handle him Brooklyn Style.”

LMAO. I guess. But we all know Hip Hop is not the same when you got 50 cent coming out with Youtube videos like these....

Seriously though, 50 cent is pretty disrespectful. First he got Rick Ross's babymother involved in this so called "hip hop" beef and now he's making these corny videos? My respect level has gone WAAAAAAAAY down for him. What is Hip Hop coming too?

Chris Brown Arrested for attacking Rihanna

SMH. Apparently both of them cancelled their grammy appearances last night and this is why. This according to USMagazine:

"Chris Brown is being investigated in an alleged domestic violence felony battery incident.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, the singer, 19, was in a vehicle with an unidentified woman in L.A.'s Hancock Park neighborhood around 12:30 a.m. Sunday when they began arguing. Police say Brown and the woman got out of the car and the argument escalated.
The woman, who had visible injuries, phoned 911 and alleged Brown attacked her.
When officers arrived they found the victim, but Brown had already left the scene, police say.
The LAPD is conducting an investigation into the incident. "

I don't really care what they were arguing about. If it got physical and he put his hands on her, lock his ass up. I don't have any sympathy for that bullshit.

Nikki Giovanni

This is Nikki Giovanni. One of the most established and diverse poets. I LOVE HER POETRY. Not to mention I just met her today and she is just one of the most educated, diverse, funniest people ever. I just love her soul. She's written over 26 books and can you believe she is 65! She does not look it, trust.

Her latest poetry book: Bicycles is in stores now!!! Go get it. I already got my autographed copy =)

And here's my favorite poem of hers:

EGO-TRIPPIN

I was born in the Congo.

I walked to the Fertile Crescent and built the sphinx.

I designed a pyramid so tough that a star that only glows every one hundred years falls

into the center giving divine perfect light.

I am bad.

I sat on the throne drinking nectar with Allah.

I got hot and sent an ice age to Europe to cool my thirst.

My oldest daughter is Nefertiti.

The tears from my birth pains created the Nile.

I am a beautiful woman.

I gazed on the forest and burned out the Sahara desert.

With a packet of goat's meat and a change of clothes, I crossed it in two hours.

I am a gazelle so swift, so swift you can't catch me.

For a birthday present when he was three,

I gave my son Hannibal an elephant.

He gave me Rome for mother's day.

My strength flows ever on.

My son Noah built an ark and I stood proudly at the helm as we sailed on a soft summer day.

I turned myself into myself and was Jesus.

Men intone my loving name.

All praises all praises, I am the one who would save.

I sowed diamonds in my back yard.

My bowels deliver uranium.

The filings from my fingernails are semi-precious jewels.

On a trip north, I caught a cold and blew my nose giving oil to the Arab world.

I am so hip even my errors are correct.

I sailed west to reach east and had to round off the earth as I went.

The hair from my head thinned and gold was laid across three continents.

I am so perfect so divine so ethereal so surreal.

I cannot be comprehended except by my permission.

I mean...I...can fly like a bird in the sky...

Barkley Hendricks Art

This is art from Barkeley Hendricks. This particular one is called, "Sweet Thang" from his Birth of the Cool Collection which is on exhibit at the Studio Museum in Harlem. To go see more exhibits....see here. They have a LOT of programs for Black History Month especially. Some which are free! (Check out their Targe Sundays) =)

Happy Black History Month!

"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”-- Harriet Tubman

LL Cool J/Kelly Price - You and ME

Throwback to the old days....a lot of people slept on this song, but I love it and it reminds me of my hubby. =) Happy Monday!

Me, Myself, and My Makeup

So I was on the train the other day and I overheard a conversation between two girls (ok so I was eavesdropping, whatever) and one of them just happened to say that she was "too pretty for makeup". I won't get into the conversation but I'm pretty sure she was comparing herself to another girl.

Now...in my head I'm thinking, what does that mean? That girls who wear makeup are insecure? That makeup is a bad thing? Now besides the fact that the chick definitely was NOT umm...should I say a model type... I realized that I hate people who say that!

Not only for that fact that I'm slowly getting into different makeup. But more so because the girls who say that they are too pretty for it, are generally the insecure ones trying to mask their shortcomings by putting other girls down.

I completely understand that you shouldn't look like you have a mask on your face, because ugh, I hate that. But, there's nothing wrong with putting a little powder on your face once in awhile, or highlighting the features that make you beautiful.

A true woman realizes that she doesn't NEED makeup, as her beauty will speak for itself. But personally I just happen to like it, and I like being a woman.

Erykah Badu gives birth to baby girl

One of my music greats gave birth to a beautiful baby girl today! Erykah Badu and boyfriend Jay Electronica had a baby girl today at 1:30pm.

And he twittered the whole thing! Crazy right? Technology is really going places. Congrats to both of them!