Missy & Timbaland WON"T Be INVOLVED In New Aaliyah Project
Though fans were buzzing about the announcement that Timbaland and Missy would be involved in the upcoming Aaliyah project, based on what the production company said, a rep for Missy has dispelled those rumors.
Mona Scott-Young, reality show producer and Missy's longtime manager, said,
"Although Missy and Timbaland always strive to keep the memory of their close friend alive, we have not been contacted about the project nor are there any plans at this time to participate. We've seen the reports surfacing that they have been confirmed to participate but that is not the case. Both Missy and Timbaland are very sensitive to the loss still being felt by the family so we wanted to clear up any misinformation being circulated."
Missy added,
“Tim and I carry Aaliyah with us everyday, like so many of the people who love her. She will always live in our hearts. We have nothing but love and respect for her memory and for her loved ones left behind still grieving her loss. They are always in our prayers."
Kelly Rowland has been in Australia shooting new show ‘Everybody Dance Now‘, jetted into New York this week to launch TW Steel‘s latest line of watches
Unveiled as the luxury line’s spokesmodel last year, the 31 year old proved herself fitting for that billing after dazzling at The Standard Hotel. For now, peep more pics.
WERK MISS KELLY!
9 Year Old Boy Joshua Smith Sells Popcorn To Help Get Detroit Out Of Debt
I was on Facebook and saw this touching story that my cousin posted on her Facebook wall. She always tells me about how I need to post more news that really matter’s, so once I saw and read the story, I knew it was important to make sure we support people who do selfless act’s. Detroit is at least $100 million in debt yes people that’s right $100 Million, but that hasn’t discouraged 9-year-old Joshua Smith (pictured above with HOT 107.5′s Paigion) from setting up a lemonade and popcorn stand in front of his home to help the city out of its financial crisis, the Detroit Free Press reports. Just so yall know I told yall about Paigion a few months ago, she’s working hard to be picked by BET to be one of the new host for 106 N Park (I think she would do a great job). The boy–or perhaps, young philanthropist in the making–was on his way to piano lessons one day when he noticed that the grass at the parks near his home was as tall he is (Joshua stands nearly 5-feet). He also observed that water fountains were broken. After some thinking, Joshua told his parents that he wanted to open a lemonade stand to help Detroit take care of itself. Flynn and Rhonda Smith, his parents, were impressed with their son’s audacious plan.
“I’m really proud of him; he wasn’t asking how can he make money to buy himself something. My wife and I were talking about this earlier — neither of us ever thought to do anything like this when we were kids,” Flynn Smith, a high school math teacher and associate pastor told the Free Press. What he and his wife did not tell their young, ambitious son is that his efforts would have virtually no financial impact on the city’s debt.
WATCH Joshua Talk About His Plans To Help Detroit With Its Finances… And make sure yall support his movement…
With a nearly $100 investment in food, Joshua’s parents helped their son pop the popcorn, expand the menu and and pass out flyers advertising the stand. WOW I love parents that help their kids follow their dreams. The flyer says: “May you please help the City of Detroit. Please buy this popcorn and drinks. It’s not so expensive. I didn’t make it expensive so you would have to spend all your money. The money will help clean up trash on the ground and cut the grass in the parks.”
From 5-8 p.m. each day, Monday through Friday, Joshua can be seen selling fruit punch (which he says is organic), water and popcorn (which he says is seasoned with sea salt) in front of his home. Word of the boy’s efforts spread quickly and neighbors quickly dropped by to purchase popcorn and lemonade. How To Help! Joshua Smith’s Lemonade Stand is being held 5-8 p.m. daily through Friday. Find it at 4252 Leslie, Detroit 48238. PayPal donations accepted via www.musingsofastrongblack woman.com. For info, call 313-715-5510 or e-mail rhondajsmith@rhondajsmith.com
Spotted @ NewsOne.com. Interview by Paigion of HOT 107.5. Photos and Video by @ItsYaGirlAC of HotHipHopDetroit.com
will.i.am and Coca Cola launches new eco-friendly line... with a pair of $349 headphones Should headphones made out of recycled trash ever cost $349? It depends on how cool they are.
In hopes of giving products made from recycled materials a little more cachet, musician will.i.am and The Coca-Cola Co are partnering to make a line of clothing and gear called Ekocycle. The idea is to brand recycled products with a hipper image that resonates with young consumers. The cool factor: Musician will.i.am hopes to bring some cachet to recycled clothing and accessories with his new line Ekocycle 'If you think about [recycled] products now, none of them are cool,' said will.i.am, who is best known for his work with The Black-Eyed Peas. 'You have to bring some art and fashion sensibility into this technology that turns a bottle into something cool.' The first Ekocycle product will be a pair of headphones by Beats, a popular and pricey line created by rapper Dr. Dre and music producer Jimmy Iovine - both friends of will.i.am.
The Ekocycle version will cost $349, which is on the high end of the range of Beats headphones. An Ekocycle hat by New Era will cost $32. The plan is to partner with a variety of other big-name designers to sell items including bicycles, shoes, handbags, glasses or even high-end chairs and tables. That means the items won't be cheap, despite the unpolished image recycled products often have.
The first Ekocycle ad, with a voiceover and song by will.i.am, is set to air today during the Olympics, which Coca-Cola is sponsoring. Already, products made out of recycled waste tend to be more expensive because of the process required to incorporate the materials. But will.i.am and Coca-Cola are hoping celebrity power and impressive brand names like Beats can overcome price barriers.
All Ekocycle products will be marked with a logo that tells people how many recycled bottles or cans went into the product. The Beats headphones, for example, contain about 3 plastic bottles. The volume of recycled materials used in the products won't make a dent in reducing waste at first, notes Bea Perez, chief sustainability officer for Coca-Cola. But she said the idea is to get younger consumers thinking about waste and recycled products in a new light. Coca-Cola declined to give details of its business agreement with will.i.am, but said it will donate its portion of the licensing profits to recycling and community improvement groups. Will.i.am is reviewing ways to contribute his royalties to educational charities.
New Play Inspired By Natalie Cole’s Life
Josiah Theatre Works is pleased to announce the world premiere drama musical Sangin’ The Tears Away, inspired by Natalie Cole. The musical will officially kick off Josiah Theatre Works’ 4th Anniversary Season in New York City on August 19th. Sangin’ The Tears Away was written and directed by Nickolas Long III. A Pre-Reception Honors Ceremony will be held at 6PM, before the 7:30 performance. A nationwide tour of Sangin’ The Tears Away is planned for December 2012. For more information visit www.smarttix.com. For group sales or to place an ad in the programs email josiahtheatre@gmail.com.
Is Macaulay Culkin a hardcore heroin and oxycontin addict?, Well the Enquirer says so.
In February of this year, a paparazzo caught an exclusive photo of Macaulay Culkin looking emaciated and clutching a Red Bull. Culkin eyes look glassed over, and he’s incredibly frail looking. A lot of people wondered if he was on drugs, which his rep of course denied. In more photos that came out that month (above), Culkin looked about the same – very thin and blitzed out of his mind.
The Daily Beast had a profile of Culkin last month, in which their journalist went to one of the monthly DJ parties the former child actor holds in Manhattan. His parties have child themes usually, like dinosaurs or prom, and the author described Culkin as friendly but detached. He also said that Culkin kept going in the back of the bar with a group of people who came back smelling like pot. So it sounded like Culkin was just toking up, and that he was still making appearances occasionally. I found that story reassuring because I was honestly worried about him after those photos came out. All of that is preface to this sad story that Culkin is a hardcore drug addict who is abusing Oxycontin, heroin, and a cocktail of prescription drugs. Oh no.
From The Enquirer: Is former child star Macaulay Culkin hopelessly hooked on heroin? The 31-year-old actor has allegedly been seen by several eyewitnesses using a deadly mix of potent prescription drugs and unless he gets help, they say his secret addiction will kill him! According to a blockbuster new report in the National Enquirer, the Home Alone star regularly shoots up heroin and the powerful prescription painkiller oxycodone and nearly overdosed once. Macaulay’s legal team strenuously denied the claims that the actor nearly overdosed and bought thousands of dollars of prescription drugs. According to the Enquirer, Culkin spends up to $6,000 a month on other dangerous painkillers, and has turned his Manhattan apartment into his own private drug den where he gets high during hours alone or with his close circle of whacked-out pals. The once golden boy’s drug use intensified about 18 months ago, say the insiders, when he fell into a downward spiral over his dead-end career and a shattered romance with Hollywood hottie Mila Kunis, who’s now dating Ashton Kutcher.
“Macaulay Culkin is hooked on drugs and it’s killing him!” said a source close to the star told the Enquirer. “He’s been hooked for a year and a half, and his drug of choice is either heroin or oxycodone. Mac is surrounding himself with junkies and lowlifes. It’s a real tragedy.” Another close friend claims to have witnessed Culkin’s increasing drug use and said his friends are afraid for his life. “Macaulay Culkin is surely dying. He’s addicted to heroin, oxyco done, Percocet and Vicodin. I have witnessed his drug taking, which has escalated over the past year and a half to the point where he needs serious help. “His closest friends fear that he’ll overdose or his heart will explode. If he doesn’t get help and enter rehab now, he could be dead in six months.” The friend told the National Enquirer that they hoped he would get help before something tragic happens. “It should have been a wake-up call, but it didn’t seem to have any effect on him. Mac is still partying hard. I pray that he finds the courage and strength to clean up before it’s too late.”
[From Radar] The Enquirer does run BS stories occasionally, but they wouldn’t run something like this without solid sources. I believe this, I just hope it isn’t as bad as their sources claim. I also hope that if this is true Culkin gets the help he needs soon. He had a tough childhood to say the least, his father was abusive and he was pushed to work at a young age. His sister Dakota died in 2008 after being hit by a car, and that probably affected him more than his breakup with Mila Kunis, although that’s pure speculation. Maybe now that the news is out he’ll start to realize that he needs help.
Beanie Sigel Prepping “Pre-Prison” Tour
Beanie Sigel has a lot of things to take care of before he heads to prison to serve a two-year sentence, for skipping out on his tax bill. In promotion of his forthcoming pre-prison album, The Time, the 38-year-old will embark on an accompanying tour, reports All HipHop. Starting in mid-August, Beans will hit the likes of New York City, before heading to the Left Coast with stops at the Key Club in West Hollywood, Calif., and The New Parish, in Oakland. In addition to the shows, he will also make spot appearances on programs like 106 & Park, and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, to publicize his new single “The Reunion.”
Back in March, the Philly native signed a distribution deal with EMI which was put in place by his current label home, Ruffhouse Records. “If you've been through what I've been through in my career, you wouldn't trust no one. You'll fourth guess everything,” he explained. “What made me do the deal with Chris Schwartz was actually to get the deal together for State Property.”
The “pre-prison” tour (which is hopefully a working title) begins Aug. 16 at New York City's SOB's.
“Tamar And Vince Show” To Premiere In Sept
We TV has renewed several of its original series, and will launch its first spinoff series, Tamar & Vince. The series follows Braxton Family Values star Tamar Braxton as she pursues a pop music career with the help of her husband, Vince Herbert, and will premiere September 20th. Braxton Family Values, which has also been renewed, will premiere its third season in the first quarter 2013. However, if you can’t wait that long — a special season of Braxton Family Values will begin August 16th. Additionally, the network has also set a December 13th premiere date for the second season of Mary Mary.
Brandy Featuring Chris Brown- ‘Put It Down’ Photos and Video
R&B Songstress Brandy released exclusive pictures by the singer, the pics arrive before the launch of her new LP ’2/11′. In the video, Brandy shows off her choreography, always strong vocals, and killer shoe game. Looks like Brandy is claiming her throne and headed straight for the top. Check out pics from her video shoot.
“Put It Down” features Chris Brown and will appear on Brandy’s forthcoming album ‘Two Eleven,’ due this fall. Brandy and Chris Brown got hugged up on the set of her Hype Williams-directed video for the single. In the video, Brandy will be featured in front of two Ferraris and perform a dance routine choreographed by Frank Gatson Jr. In the meantime, Brandy has been releasing teaser shots to build up anticipation for the video which should drop later this week.
Meanwhile, her album, ’2/11′, hits stores October 2. Check out ‘Put it Down’ here:
I must admit Brandy’s promotion game TOPS Monica’s by leaps and bounds!
Stripping Isn’t Enough: Octo-Mom Is Beggin’ For $150,000 For Her Foreclosed Home!
If it ain’t one thing, it’s another! Octomom Nadya Suleman Is Begging Fans For $150,000 To Save Her Foreclosed House Octomom may have stripped her way off welfare, but she couldn’t strip her way out of foreclosure … and now the mother of 14 is begging her fans for $150,000 so she can put a down payment on a new pad.
In case you forgot … despite Octo’s recent XXX endeavors, she still couldn’t make the mortgage payments on her La Habra house and it was foreclosed on last month.
Sources close to Octo tell TMZ she’s been given two weeks to move out, but the problem is she doesn’t have enough cash to buy a house of her own … especially one that can fit her giant brood. Octo’s solution … set up a page on a website called GoFundMe.com, where her fans can send her money through the internet! All she’s asking for is a cool $150k to get started. In the meantime, we’re told Octo is trying to book as many jobs as possible, just in case her fans don’t come through.
Its a shame
Dennis Rodman’s New Talent Is Writing Children Books Hopefully this won’t be the book cover…
Dennis Rodman Writes A Children’s Book Don’t expect Dennis Rodman to look to prepaid cards or payday loans to help pay his massive child support debt…..cause he’ll be writing children’s books and selling them to your kids. Would you let NBA Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman teach life lessons to your kids? The question may soon be answered when the former basketball star releases his own children’s book entitled: Dennis The Wild Bull. Reportedly, Rodman wants to inspire kids by writing about he overcame some of the challenges he faced as a young person.
The Huffington Post reports: Dennis Rodman has staked his claim in the literary world before, penning four autobiographical titles, including 2005′s “I Should Be Dead By Now.”
But the Hall of Famer’s newest work, “Dennis The Wild Bull,” isn’t the latest account of his raucous life, it may actually be a prequel — written for children, TMZ reports. Details on the children’s book, which is slated to be released later this year, are minimal, but according to a website dedicated to the work, it will “convey good lessons to children based on Dennis’ own experiences as a world class athlete while overcoming obstacles as a child.” Rodman teamed up with author/screenwriter Dustin Warburton and illustrator Dan Monroe to create the book.
Would you buy his book for your children?
Meagan Good Gets HOT For UPSCALE's August 2012 Cover, Gushes On
Being Typecast & Why Her Husband's Love For God Is So Sexy!
Sexy newlywed Meagan Good is making the most of her good publicity from her wedding, hit movie Think Like A Man and the upcoming sequel, and her new NBC show she's set to star in. Check out the fab chick covering the August 2012 issue of UPSCALE, and what she had to say about her equally sexy God-fearing hubby and being typecast.... She's set to star in a new network tv mystery series, and she just got laced with a wedding and beautiful ring from a great guy. What else could a girl want?
Meagan Good, star of the upcoming NBC series "Infamous", opened up to UPSCALE Magazine about what true power is in her eyes, and how her husband, DeVon Franklin, brought love and healing into her life. And the gorgeous 30-year-old is determined to show people she hasn't been typecast as the sexy girl every man wants.
On being typecast: "There were a couple times where the director said 'We really like you, but you're a little bit too sexy.' And I'm like, 'Well, what do I need to do? Wear a turtleneck? You know, loose-fitting clothes?' And they're like "Nah, it's just something that you give off." I don't know that I necessarily believe that. I believe that people, when they have a pre-conceived notion of who you are, and things you've done in the past, sometimes they forget that as an actor you're able to shut off whatever you need to shut off, and you're able to turn on whatever you need to turn on."
On her love for her husband: "To me there's nothing sexier than a man that loves the Lord. I can't imagine anything more attractive. And then, we just get each other, we don't judge each other. He understands me. His love has brought a lot of healing to a lot of areas that have been really painful for me. "
"Being with someone who is a preacher as well, people tend to try to sensationalize everything you do. So that's definitely been a different experience for me..."
On what true power is: My definition of power is being able to move, and live, and do the things that you aspire to do and that you believe are part of your purpose to do, without letting other people's opinions or judgements manipulate your direction, without getting discouraged when a door closes, and just kinda having a good sense of self, and knowing who you are, and being strong in your walk with God. All of that, to me, is what power is.
Loves her.
Is Usher Moving Forward with Custody Battle?
Insiders claim that despite reports to the contrary, Usher has every intention on moving forward with his custody battle against Tameka Raymond...
Shortly after Tameka's 11 year old son Kile was hospitalized, rumors surfaced that Usher was calling off the custody battle and had been standing by Tameka's side in her time of need. After Kile succumbed to his injuries condolences for Usher poured in from the media and his celebrity pals.
Sources are calling foul and tell Straight From the A that even though Usher showed up for Kile's funeral he didn't speak to anyone or offer condolences to the family. The insider tells SfTA,
We feel like the only reason he came at all is because the media kept portraying Kile as “Usher’s stepson.” He wasn’t supportive to the family at all and we feel he used the situation to draw sympathy from his fans. The sad thing about this entire situation is that Tameka swallowed her pride and actually reached out to Usher while Kile was hospitalized. She could never get him on the phone so she left a message begging him to help her with some of the expenses her insurance wouldn’t cover. He never returned her calls and when Kile passed away Tameka reached out to him again and he still hasn’t responded to this day. and despite reports,
Usher has no intention of dropping that custody dispute and his high powered PR team leaked that fake story about him wanting to settle, hoping fans would think that it was Tameka who is being uncooperative but that is so far from the truth.
Maybach Music Group Covers VIBE's 2012 Juice Issue
Were you expecting anyone else? With Self Made Vol. 2 and God Forgives, I Don't in stores and Dreamchasers 2 burning up the streets this summer, Maybach Music Group is the cover choice for VIBE's annual Juice Issue. Rick Ross, Wale, and Meek Mill hold the front cover while Omarion, Stalley and Gunplay hold down the gate fold.
“Our genre prides itself so much on finding new Isht that we don't appreciate nothing no more,” Wale says to John Kennedy of Vibe. “They're so busy telling niggas that they're not great or not future legends, that they anoint niggas that haven't done nothing! I'm not taking nothing away from Chief Keef, but they just jumped so fast! Y'all was just on A$AP hard! I sold 165,000 in the first week in the face of niggas that blatantly didn't want to see me win. But y'all concerned about who's next…”
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES ‘Rappin’ N Rhymin’
I see you have a headband to soak up all that sweat when your doing your hip hop cardio blast workouts. I’ll give everyone a minute or two to imagine that……..and you’re welcome.
FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER! Madonna being sued by The SalSoul Orchestra over the song ‘VOGUE’
It has been 22 years since Madonna’s hit Vogue swept the charts and reached the number one spot. And now a record company is reportedly trying to sue the singer for copyright infringement. VMG Salsoul has filed a lawsuit against the 53-year-old megastar, claiming she used samples from Salsoul Orchestra's 1977 dance song Chicago Bus Stop (Ooh, I Love It). In hot water: Madonna is reportedly being sued after not paying for samples used in her hit song Vogue According to TMZ, the company believes Madonna sampled horns and strings from the track – and never paid to do so.
VMG Salsoul has even explained why it has taken so long to file the offending lawsuit. The record company claims that the samples are not immediately obvious. The company claims they have only just discovered this due to new technology They allegedly have only been detected recently due to new technology which is able to isolate and identify sounds. However voguers can punish it to either song! Listen and you decide. Chicago Bus Stop (Ooh, I Love It): MADONNA Vogue: However I like this version BEST: LOVBREAK Ooh I Love it! VMG Salsoul is demanding unspecified damages in the copyright infringement lawsuit.
Making for quite the star-studded spectacle, the world premiere of "The Avengers" was held in Hollywood, CA Taking over the red carpet at El Capitan Theatre for the Marvel Studios production were castmates Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Jeremy Renner and Robert Downey Jr.
Also on hand for the Tinseltown festivities were Stellan and Alexander Skarsgard, Mark Ruffalo, Cobie Smulders, Samuel L Jackson, Audrina Patridge, Aisha Tyler, Tom Hiddleston, Hal Sparks and the motion picture's director, Joss Whedon.
Set to hit theaters on May 4th, "The Avengers" finds Nick Fury and the international agency S.H.I.E.L.D. bring together a team of super humans to form The Avengers to help save the Earth from Loki & his various membered army.
Meanwhile, a featurette and a just released clip debuted- with the teaser showing Downey Jr (Iron Man) having a conversation with Tom Hiddleston (Loki) about how he’ll be trounced by The Avengers if he keeps his antics up –
Mary Mary Speaks Out On Chris Brown & Rihanna (And Their Response May Surprise You)
Mary Mary, the gospel singing sister duo are weighing in on the Chris Brown and Rihanna fiasco. Never to be under spoken Tina Campbell, who comprises half of the gospel duo with her sister Erica Campbell, thinks people need to stay out of Chris and Rihanna relationship. “If people have gone that route and have learned from that mistake and have repented to each other and have repented to the world, I think that people deserve to have another chance,” Tina said in an interview with Sister 2 Sister magazine. While Tina seems to support the two moving on and becoming friends, she isn’t condoning abuse.
Video:
“I think both parties should respect each other. I don’t think hands should go on nobody. It’s not okay if it’s a man. It’s not okay if it’s a woman,” she said.
Mag Covers: Tyrese Poses For ‘Defy’ / Tiny & Zonnique Smile For ‘Hype Hair’
Tyrese is on the cover of ‘Defy’ magazine, a success and lifestyle quarterly men’s publication. In the newest Spring issue, the singer/actor talks about his latest album, Open Invitation, the sixth installment of the ‘Fast & Furious’ and he also reminisces on his childhood:
“I was one of them kids … I was the brokest—the brokest there is. The hungriest. Never had new clothes, ever. Every day I went to school just so I could eat, and I was hoping that I didn’t lose my lunch ticket. [Here, the crowd of underprivileged youth laughs knowingly, and Tyrese smiles back at them before continuing.] Hungry, that was me. The difference in me, and a lot of people around me—I actually had a problem with that. I had a problem with being hungry.”
You can read the full interview and more @ Defy Mag.com
Tiny & Zonnique Cover ‘Hype Hair’ Magazine
Tameka “Tiny” Harris and her 16-year old daughter Zonnique cover the current issue of Hype Hair Magazine. The mother/daughter duo are both known for their “Hype Hair” styles but each has their own signature style.
Tiny changes her hair colors as easily as most women switch lipsticks while Zonnique aka “Star,” sticks with her blue doo as part of the hot teen girl group, The OMG Girlz. This year has already jumped off for the superstar teen.
Cute!
Montell Jordan says: I’ve Paid My Taxes
Montell Jordan says he’s up to date on his taxes. The former R&B star tells TMZ that he’s paid the more than 600-thousand dollars he owes from 1999 to 2001. Last month, the IRS filed a Federal Tax Lien against the “This Is How We Do It” singer claiming they had yet to receive their money.
Montell, however, says he paid the debt years ago by selling his music catalog. He explains that the money is currently frozen in an account administered by the U.S. Trustee Program. Jordan filed for bankruptcy in 2004, and is currently fighting some of the IRS penalties that he’s incurred. Montell says he expects his money to be released to the IRS in the next few weeks when he’s done negotiating over the penalties.
Love & Hip Hop" Star Yandy Smith Finally showing her Baby Bump
The worst kept secret of VH1's "Love & Hip Hop" series is now out. Season 2 newcomer and Jim Jones' now ex manager, Yandy Smith, just showed the world her baby bump and confirmed she is indeed with child. Yandy was put on baby bump watch over a month ago. And despite her sub-tweet denials, she's revealing it all now....
When Yandy started to show a more rounded belly over a month ago, it sent folks into overdrive saying she was pregnant. And the rumors are indeed true.
The feisty "I'm about my checks" reality star & manager posted the above cute pic on Instagram (in the same Givenchy dress LaLa & Fergie rocked recently) saying,
“You wanted to know now you know!!!! #POW” She didn't confirm who the father is, but we do know she has a long time boyfriend who she has lived with for years. *We know our readers soooo well--now stop those whispers that we already know you're saying about her and Jimmy needing a paternity test*
Yandy's bestie, co-star & client, Kimbella Vanderhee, is also expecting. And the two have been hosting club parties for months..and likely will be doing so until they go into labor. Well isn't that cute. Two best friends pregnant at the same time. Good luck and congrats.
White Professor Addresses His ‘Brethren’ on White Privilege in Ebony Magazine
David J. Leonard is Associate Professor in the Department of Critical Culture, Gender and Race Studies at Washington State University, Pullman, composed an essay published in Ebony magazine to his own people to take an audit of themselves and their behavior.
Three years ago, we reported on an essay written by a righteous white brother by the name of Andrew M. Manis. At the time, he was a professor of history at Macon State College in Georgia, and his essay was addressing his very own community of the “disunited colonies” telling them that it was time that they “get over it.” And the “it” was race and the denial of its place in the political and “injustice” system of this country. He made his plea right after the election of President Obama and reminded his community that race was not a new issue.
Well, on the eve of the president’s possible re-election, race issues are surfacing again and even more representative of the period that Manis discussed coming up in “Bombingham” Alabama. But now a new message is being delivered in Ebony magazine by another white brother, David Leonard, a professor in the department of critical culture at Washington State University.
Leonard wants to remind his people that they cannot ever truly connect with the tragedy of Trayvon Martin because the loss of black children and black women go silently into the night as a societal norm. But, he points out the call of urgency in America when the tables are turned. The white family is always priority #1 and the privilege that comes along with their status should be used for good.
Dear White folks:
Between the racist comments, the constant use of the race denial card (this country's most frequently used "race card") and the absurd claims of White victimhood, you have really grated my last nerve.
Sure, we got teary during The Blind Side and Antoine Fisher; we maybe even gave money to KONY2012 and after Hurricane Katrina; we maybe even donned a hoodie to protest the murder of Trayvon Martin. I don’t even doubt there are individuals out there who are genuinely concerned about racism and injustice; I don’t doubt that there are many Whites that marched with Dr. King and whose “best friends” might be Black. None of this matters if African Americans continue to die at the hands of guns held by security guards and police officers all without justice
I have heard that “we are all Trayvon Martin” over the last few weeks, yet we are not Trayvon Martin – and we never could be. White America is never suspicious. White America can walk to the store without fear of being hunted down. White America can count on justice and a nation grieving at the loss of White life. We aren't Trayvon Martin, we are George Zimmerman: presumed innocent until proven innocent.
I want you to close your eyes for a second, and imagine that your son or daughter, sister or brother, granddaughter or grandson, ventured to the corner store for some Skittles and tea but never returned? Can you imagine if Peter or Jan were gunned down right around the corner from your house and the police didn’t notify you right away? Can you imagine if little Sydney or Bobby sat in the morgue for days as you searched to find out what happened them? Can you even imagine the police letting the perpetrator go or the news media remaining silent? Can you even fathom learning about background and drug tests on your child? Can you imagine the news media demonizing your child, blaming your child for his own death?
Can you imagine the outcry if seven White youths had been gunned down by police and security guards in a matter of months? Can you imagine the extensive political interest, the media stories that would saturate the airwaves? Can you imagine Fox News or any number of newspapers reporting about a school suspension for one of the victims or doctoring pictures in an attempt to make these victims less sympathetic? Can you imagine a person holding up a sign calling these victims “thugs” and “hoodlums.”Just think about the media frenzy, the concern from politicians, and the national horror every time a school shooting happens in Suburbia or every time a White woman goes missing...can you imagine if women routinely went missing from your community and the news and police department simply couldn't be bothered?
No, you can't. And you don't have to. Yet, from Florida to Los Angeles, from Atlanta to Wisconsin, from Chicago to Ohio, Black families are burying the innocent and the future. Doesn’t that make you sad; doesn’t that make your angry? Our silence is telling. We can barely say their names much less acknowledge the epidemic in our midst: Stephon Watts. Trayvon Martin. Ramarley Graham. Wendell Allen. Dante Price. Bo Morrison. Rekia Boyd. Kendrec McDade.
All have lost their lives; and we don’t even say their names. All have died under similarly disturbing circumstances. All should have prompted national outrage and action; or at the least for us to say their names.
I don’t care if you cried during The Help and if the 'feel good' movie of the year featuring chicken-frying maids and affluent White women made you feel all post-racial tingly on the inside. Did you cry at the report of yet another lost Black life? If so, what have those tears done – have they led you to join a rally, to demand justice? I don’t care if you voted for President Obama; have you demanded dramatic changes to our criminal (in)justice system? It is time for us to check ourselves, to listen and demand a better America starting with ourselves. It is time to stop denying racism and defending White privilege, distracting and deflecting with “what ifs” and excuses. It is time to demand justice for the Trayvons and the Rekias, not because it could have been one of our sons and daughters--it couldn't--but because it is simply the right thing to do.
David J. Leonard is Associate Professor in the Department of Critical Culture, Gender and Race Studies at Washington State University, Pullman. He is author of After Artest: Race and the War on Hoop (SUNY Press, spring 2012).
Sincerely A member of White America
WOW….Simply POWERFUL!!!!
G. Dep Says Prosecutors Have The Wrong Shooter
Former Bad Boy Records rapper G. Dep says the man he’s accused of killing isn’t the man he shot nearly two decades ago. Opening statements in the emcee’s case got under way on Tuesday, with G. Dep’s defense team arguing that their client didn’t kill John Henkel in October of 1993. G. Dep, whose real name is Trevell Coleman, made headlines in 2009 when he walked into a Harlem precinct and admitted to shooting a man nearly 20 years ago. Authorities eventually tied him to Henkel’s murder. According to the “New York Post,” G. Dep’s lawyers argued on Tuesday that Henkel wasn’t the man that G. Dep had shot.
During his confession, the rapper admitted to shooting a man who was blonde, clean-shaven, and wearing a green plaid jacket. G. Dep’s lawyers note that Henkel had brown hair and a beard, and was wearing a tan leather jacket when he was killed. Prosecutors insist, however, that Henkel is the only person who matches G. Dep’s confession. Testimony is scheduled to last just a few days, with G. Dep’s confession going into evidence on Wednesday. He’s facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years.
Lady Gaga Covers ELLE Indonesia
The first of Lady Gaga Indonesian ELLE magazine covers.
Remember Lady Gaga’s ‘Alejandro’ video? Well, the Pop superstar revived the short hairstyle that she sported in the visual as she graced the double covers for ELLE magazine Indonesia’s April anniversary issue.
See Gaga’s second ELLE cover below:
Cute
Christian Louboutin Python Boots
Christian Louboutin unveiled a new capsule collection last month, to celebrate his 20th anniversary in fashion. The range, inspired by his most famous and best-loved styles, features a mixture of flats (including mannish brogues and summer sandals), and his signature towering heels, from thigh-high boots and studded platforms to dainty stilettos adorned with pretty bows.
The ones that caught my eye are these fierce painted python boots are guaranteed to cause a stir. The Python Boots retail for $2,695, its Christian Louboutin, what can I say?
Rapper Twista Sued Over 2004 Death of a Bodyguard
*Twista has been hit with a lawsuit relating to his alleged involvement in the death of a bodyguard in 2004. Arthur “Butch” Dixon, 45, died of multiple injuries after Twista’s cousin, Otis Bankhead, fell asleep at the wheel of a tour bus and crashed in Pennsylvania.
Now, Dixon’s family members have launched a legal battle against Twista, his record labels and promotional team for failing to stop Bankhead, who had a suspended license at the time of the accident, from driving.
Dixon’s widow and three children filed a similar suit against Twista in 2006 but the case was dropped by lawyers last year, according to the Chicago Tribune. The bodyguard and accomplished jazz pianist was the son of legendary blues singer Willie Dixon
Lil Kim Appears On Bet’s ‘Lift Every Voice’ – Speaks Of Her Connection To God
Lil’ Kim appeared on BET’s Gospel Show ‘LIFT EVERY VOICE’ where she talks about her faith in God and more. Check out a video snippet below..
Snippet:
LIL KIM ON HER FAITH:
Always keep God for no matter what. I think in this industry people lose it. That’s because they probably never had a connection with God. And if they do have a connection with God, they forget to put him first.
Did you put him first when you went under the knife Kimmy Boo?
Gwyneth Paltrow Covers Harper’s Bazaar Australia May 2012 Issue
Actress Gwyneth Paltrow covers the May 2012 issue of Harper’s Bazaar Australia. In the issue:
At 39, she looks stronger than she did in her twenties, lean and toned, with the streamlined contours of an athlete. She is lightly tanned and smooth-skinned while avoiding the telltale waxy complexion of overdone Botox. “I’ll take my wrinkles,” she says. “I don’t like the Botox thing.” But she does enjoy sunshine for the vitamin D, despite “my dermatologist yelling at me”
Right now, the dedicated eater is also on a 12-week detox program. “I have a lot of inflammation in my system, so I’m not having anything I’m allergic to — no gluten, no dairy, no sugar.” The trigger for these seasonal detox sessions, she says, is recognizing her physical symptoms: “I’ll wake up exhausted; I can feel my adrenal cortex being really high. When I get into bed, my heart will pound, my skin won’t be good, I’ll feel cranky, and then I will just know it’s time.”
During the day, Paltrow’s attention turns to her rapidly expanding and soon-to-be-redesigned web site, Goop (which now has more than a million viewers a week and is relaunching this month). At the heart of all these projects is the woman herself — her recommendations on diet, exercise, skincare, where to eat, and what to consume. She is her own best advertisement for the brand that is Gwyneth Paltrow. “Everything I’ve done has been completely organic, and that’s why the brand is a strong brand, because there is no ulterior motive behind it,” she says.
PARTY GIRLS: Christina Milian, Naturi Naughton, Cynthia Bailey, Selita Ebanks & More Hit The Party Scene
Christina Milian, popped up at the Nylon Magazine 13th Anniversary party at Smashbox in West Hollywood. she rocked her strapless dress and Mark Lash earrings from the studio to the party.
Cute. She was also spotted at an afterparty at Sur Lounge in this Naven Cut Out Print Dress and pink YSL Tributes:
I want her friend to lay off those surgeries though.
Also at the Nylon party:
Actress Naturi Naughton, in a Bebe V-neck Pleat Detail Jumpsuit, now stars on Lifetime's new series "The Client List" alongside Jennifer Love Hewitt (and it's GOOD too), hit up the party in an aqua blue jumper.
And youngin' Camille Winbush was there as well in an interesting look.
"Bones" actress Tiffany Hines hit the carpet in a nude & white look.
And over in NYC, the models made their way to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel for the 9th Annual Spring Dinner Dance New Year's In April fete:
"ATL Housewife" Cynthia Bailey was spotted arriving...barefoot. Even her male escorts were barefoot. WTF is going on here?
And unfortunately didn't realize pasties would have done a body good in this very sheer dress. Guess she wanted everyone to see her chi chi's.
Maybelline model Jessica White made her way into the event in this Diane von Furstenberg sequin wrap gown with a Diane von Furstenberg ‘Tonda’ crystal clutch and cream peep-toes.
Pretty.
And model Selita Ebanks put on her most eye catching silver mirrored one-shoulder dress and red clutch for the occasion.
Not loving the extra dark lipstick with this look though. But the embellished gown, from African-American designer CD Greene, is simply stunning.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES “Picnic Time”
I see you are grabbing some coleslaw. Fortunately it looks like you don’t have to buy the cottage cheese you plan on bringing to this picnic!
