Remembering Katrina

Hurricane Katrina is one of those top-5 events of things that occur in your lifetime where you remember where you were, what you were doing, and what you were feeling when it happened.

I remember I had just retured to Howard for my sophomore year. I was living in this tiny single room in Meridian Hill hall. Classes had been in for a few weeks. I of course watched The Weather Channel every morning so I could dress accorindingly and that was when I first remember hearing of the tropical storm that was headed for the gulf. I remember watching the chaos and fear that was developing in the Gulf Coast and of course praying we wouldn't have rain in DC like there usually is when a tropical storm hit in the south.

The days following Katrina I saw things I never thought I would see in America and I honestly did cry a few times as I watched the people at the Convention Center begging for help. I watched CNN as Anderson Cooper walked the desolate streets, stopping to check dead bodies on the roads and talking with people that were just wandering, trying to find their way. I teared up seeing families on their roofs trying to flag down helicopters to save them from the oppressive heat, and hearing stories about all of the bodies floating around in the streets.

I am happy to see that we have come so far in 5 years from Katrina and I hope that I never have to see Americans suffering not only from a terrible natural disaster but from a government that has abandoned them.

For the 5 year anniversary I recommend watching Spike Lee's documentary When the Levees Broke. He interviews people from all walks of life and from every area even people who aren't from the Gulf Coast who went to volunteer. It was inspiring, touching, and just a excellent film. Check out a little clip below.

Now that the furor over Mrs. Obama's Spain trip is dying down a little, I want to give my quick two cents o the issue.

To America:
Don't get it twisted, the Obama's have money and I'm pretty sure they aren't hanging with Pookie and Ray-Ray from Sunshine Terrace housing projects. They people in their inner circles have money too. Why do people think it's impossible for Michelle and her daughter to take a trip that was paid for personally (well with the exception of the secret service and Air Force II)? Presidents don't make that much money, honestly.Oh yeah and where was all this noise when Bush was leaving Washington every 2 days to head back to his lil Texas ranch? And seriously, in August Washington is like a ghost town, everybody is on vacation and those people work hard, is there anything really wrong with that?

To The First Family:
Can we be a little sensitive to the plight of our country right now? We're in a recession and you know that people are pointing the fingers at Bush you for everything that has gone wrong. I know, understand, and love that family comes first and that you are a mother before you are First Lady, but this is not a job that you can take a vacation from.

Furthermore, I'm rather confused by how yall are doing things nowadays anyways. You can spend 2 weeks in Spain and another 2 weeks in Martha's Vineyard, but the Gulf Coast gets a whopping 27 hours of your time and a measley 5 minutes of you frolicking in its waters?

Have you forgotten that you are in BLACK and that you are living under a microscope or do you no longer care? Are you not feeling the job and not planning on getting re-elected in 2012?

If the one member of the Obama's who was doing pretty good in the public eye has this happen, it might be time to get that U-Haul ready.

Precious: My Commentary

I was one of those unfortunate people that didn't get to see Precious this weekend because everybody and they momma did. Even though I'm in the midst of a stressful week, I took the time this evening to go see it. And now I'm gonna took a little more time out to give my commentary on the movie.
First, I better see some Oscar, Golden Globe, and all that ish nominees come out for this movie. Everyone, and literally everyone was good. Mariah suprised me (she looked a lil rough without the makeup) and I didn't realize how sexy Lenny Kravitz was until I saw him stripped down to a regular looking man in this movie. Mo'Nique...DAMN! I mean I freaking hated her! I'm still trying to remind myself it wasn't real because she was that good. Gabourey Sidibe was spectacular...she made Precious come alive and seem so real.

The movie addresses an issue that is a serious problem for all but particularly in the Black community. Men raping and molesting young children and women allowing it to happen.

In the end when Mo'Nique's character confesses to the things she did she displays a hatred for Precious for "taking her man". It was disgusting and disturbing that a woman can look down on her own child and blame them when the man they are with is abusing their child.

It's not that uncommon actually. It happens all the time but nobody ever knows until it's too late if they ever find out at all. Kids are afraid to talk, mothers blame their children and choose a man over there own child because they are hungry for a love of their own.

I'm happy to see this issue being discussed more and brought to the forefront (I've seen it in two films now in 2 weeks) and I hope that people begin to wake up and stop this monster from continuing to ruin children.

Happy Birthday to Ya...

Sunny Day
Sweepin' the clouds away
On my way to where the air is sweet

Can you tell me how to get,
How to get to Sesame Street

Come and play
Everything's A-OK
Friendly neighbors there
That's where we meet

Can you tell me how to get
How to get to Sesame Street

It's a magic carpet ride
Every door will open wide
To Happy people like you--
Happy people like
What a beautiful

Sunny Day
Sweepin' the clouds away
On my way to where the air is sweet

Can you tell me how to get,
How to get to Sesame street...

How to get to Sesame Street  

I remember singing that theme song while chillin over my grandma's house enjoying my childhood (and waiting for Ghostwriter to come on). Happy birthday to the show that brings joy to the lives of so many!

Over-hyped

I'm by no means a Rihanna fan. I won't say she got what she deserved either. There's no excuse for a man hitting a woman regardless if some of them deserve it sometiimes. But this whole Rihanna-Chris Brown thing is being ridiculously overdone in my opinion and I was over 9 months ago (a.k.a. when it happened)

Rihanna is by no-means special, women are victims of domestic violence everyday. Because she a celebrity, however, the whole thing got blown up a lot more than it needed to be.

I thankfully caught the end of the interview Diane Sawyer did on 20/20 last night and I'd seen a few clips of her talking about the incident. From the little bit that I saw, I felt Rihanna didn't really want to break up with Chris Brown. I'm sure after the restraining order expires he'll be secretly smashing, and in my opinion she only did it because her publicist reminded her that she is a public figure, women look up to her and sticking with Brown would send the wrong message. Ooh and those corporate sponsors would have dropped her a$$ (and I'm sure that girl wants all the money she can get, I would).

This story represents that good ole news value of timeliness. She's got an album coming out (so does Brown) and after avoiding the press, jet setting everywhere, she knew she needed to gather a little more public sympathy and finally give it from her side. The workings of a publicist is stamped all over both of them. Chris Brown's bowtie and puppy dog eyes on Larry King Live, Rihanna's crisp look and statements about setting the right example for women and such on GMA, none of this seems real to me.

I try not to judge or jump to conclusions (am I contradicting myself? maybe) about what happened because I wasn't there and we'll never have the real full story unless we were.

In the end, however, I feel sorry for both her and Chris Brown. I'm a believer in love and they both admitted and made it clear that they really love each other. I'm sad that the circumstances forced them to lose that. 

In the end I wasn't feeling the interview at all and I'm really ready to move on from that topic...I think Chris and Rihanna have.

There's No Payback So There's No Lay Back...

In my opinion, for quite a few artist, the music industry is one that chews you up, savors the flavor and then spits you out. They gotta stay skinny and they only allow a few artists to pass through the esophogus and go through the digestive process (I'm doin the most right?)

I was watching MTV Cribs and the first dude up was T-Pain...SMH.

He's got a lovely crib, very pricey (several cars, elevator, classy stripper pole in the basement)...but he hasn't had a song out in a few months and if I've learned anything in this recession that pricey ish can really drain the bank. AND with Jay-Z calling for the Death of Autotune and everybody and they momma doing it...what's the man gonna do now?

The news has been filled with reports of "entertainers" and their current broke status. Does this mean the end of this ballin out of control, flashy trend? I sure hope so...

Check out this funny video from The Daily Show where Slim Thug discusses the impact of the recession on rap here.

"I have plenty of black friends"

This morning my Yahoo front page greeted me with this.


An interracial couple being denied a marriage license because the justice of the peace does believe in "mixing races like that"?

I mean first of all this story is just appalling...the things this man says!

"I'm not a racist. I just don't believe in mixing the races that way," Bardwell told the Associated Press on Thursday. "I have piles and piles of black friends. They come to my home, I marry them, they use my bathroom. I treat them just like everyone else."

Are you f*cking kidding? He must be talking about the help.

And on top of that this is probably not the first mixed couple he has denied since he asks couples if they are mixed race first!

I know people looked at the Age of Obama as the key to bringing this kind of thing to an end, but I'm hearing about it more since Obama. Do White people feel more comfortable now or something?

Just a little crush

Remember when people used to have crushes? Some people still do.

Unfortunately, I don't....and I kinda miss it.

I remember by first crush(es). I had 2 in the first grade (I was lil fast then I guess). The one was a little White kid named Robert. I actually crushed him from 1st through 8th grade...he was the cutest kid in class (we only had 1 Black guy and he was obviously gay). I remember one day in 1st grade he told me I looked like a movie star with my hair in a bun and I was in love. That boy had game!

My other crush was another Robert, a Black boy. He was older, I believe he was in like 5th grade when I was in 1st. He was the older brother of one of my friends and he also rode the same bus as me. I remember one day on the bus we had this evil sub driver. Keep in mind I was like 6 and the man asked me where my bus stop was. Umm...I had no freaking idea! I remember him screaming at me at the top of his lungs and my crush set him straight for me. I used to get nervous just looking at him.

I actually had A LOT of crushes in elementary school...boys from school, neighbors, celeb crushes (Justin Timberlake and Marques Houston from Immature were my future hubbies). When I looked back on it I'm amazed!

After elementary school, I stopped having crushes. I know a large part of that had to do with the fact that guys were not apart of my everyday life at school (I went to an all-girls high school) but I never even ended up crushing on the boys at mixers and football games. I started dating in high school and met my current boyfriend then so I guess I had no need for crushes.

College came and while I was surrounded by beautiful Black men, I never developed an actual crush on any of them. You know like when they come around your heart beats a little faster, palms get sweaty, mouth goes dry crush. Never fantasized what it would be like to be with any of them or anything.

Ok actually I'm pretty thankful those days are over....

Where did people think she came from?

I just saw this story from ABC.com and other places about Michelle Obama's linage being traced all the way back to slavery. What the video or read the story here

This is the story of so many Black Americans and yes this is a big deal. A direct descendant of slaves, the people that Whites stole from their homes and sold like a dime back of weed, is now living in the White House as The First Lady.

I think it's wonderful that somebody took the time to trace it back for her and I wish that all Black Americans had the opportunity to learn about their history. I'm one of the fortunate few whose family made sure our roots were known. My grandmother's grandfather (so that's like my great-great grandfather) was brought to American aboard a slave ship as a young boy and basically lived the majority of his life as a slave.

It always amazes me how I'm witnessing history as it's happening. But I do have to ask....where did folks think she came from in the first place?

Usher's new single 'Papers'

I finally got to hear this new Usher song everyone is talking about called "Papers". While I was NEVER a fan of him and Tameka and I have been wondering what the two of them were like/what really happened/how the whole thing worked in the first place, I'm not sure if this was the best idea or road for him and I kinda feel a lil bit sorta sorry Tameka's gotta deal with this in song.

This song will probably go on to be a big hit like Confessions, where everybody got a general idea of what happened between him and Chili (I wish they would get back together!). Check it out....

PS - This really had me thinking about breakups and dealing with all the physical things that come from a relationship (i.e. photos, pets, joint bank accounts lol). For me photos have always been a touchy area. I can almost always remember moments when pictures are taken and having to see them after you've broken up with someone is hard.

When I Googled them TONS of pics came from "happier" times and I was like 'damn that sucks'. They'll never be able to get away from those...

Mmmmm.....Fall!

Even though it's practically baking and rainy here in Washington I have been hit with excitement for Fall!

I'm beyond ready to break out my jackets, sweaters, Uggs, sip on something warm, curl up under the covers, and experience Fall in DC. For me that's Congressional Black Caucus Convention (although I won't be working this year), Howard Homecoming (which I will be missing this year as well!), Halloween in Adam's Morgan, hitting up new movies and free events, a weekend or 2 in NYC...and so much more!

More things I'm looking forward to:

Real caramel apples and shower gel that smells like it so much so that you almost want to taste it.

Cute fall boots like these HighKoo boots by Ugg (can you believe it). This amber brown color is hot!

Long, comfy sweaters.

Chai Lattes and really good coffee...

Rain please go away and weather please cool off! I'm ready for Fall!

He Almost Let the Black Slip Out

I wasn't planning on writing about the whole Joe Wilson "You Lie!" thing but I can't avoid it. Just look at Mr. O around the 1:24 mark...



The minute Wilson made that disrespectful statement you could see it flash right through him. He almost let the black slip out. Pelosi's reaction was pretty funny too.


I have to add first that NOBODY yelled out at Bush when he sat there and lied to EVERYONE about there being weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. During Clinton's hearings for the Lewinsky thing, nobody screamed at him, calling him a liar. What Joe Wilson did was disrespectful, wrong, racist, and stupid and I truly hope he will have to pay for what he did. I'm putting a call into my aunt who actually works for Pelosi on The Hill and I'm gonna tell her to tell Nancy to handle that fool....


So in the days after the incident I've read all sorts of things, heard all kinds of discussions, and thought a lot about it. I said it before in my post about President O's educational address: these folks have absolutely NO respect for Obama and I think Jimmy Carter summed it up best:

"I think an overwhelming portion of the intensely demonstrated animosity toward President Barack Obama is based on the fact that he is a black man."

Of course today everyone is jumping on Carter, even The White House, in saying it's untrue that these things are coming from racism. Kudos to Carter for standing up there and spitting the truth, especially considering that he is a southerner and some are saying this disrespect and treatment towards Obama is stemming from racist southerners (like Joe Wilson who comes from the state that left The Union first to protect slavery!). But whether people are ready or not, racial issues in America are coming to a head and it's becoming clear nobody wants to deal with it.

Neither does Obama it seems, especially not after the situation with Henry Louis Gates. But I have to wonder what he's really thinking, especially after watching that flash of "blackness" go through him when Wilson made the outburst.

Even more, I wonder what he says to Michelle and what she says to him at night, when it's just the two of them and no kids, advisors, or anybody else around. I would think Michelle keeps it's 100 with her man. Here's what I imagine....

Barry: Man these fools are getting me down.

Michelle: C'mon on boo, they're just mad cause they can't handle seeing a black man doin the thing! I can't believe the nerve of that redneck Joe Wilson.

Barry: I almost cussed him out, baby! For one sec I almost jumped off that podium and broke that fool.

Okay it's probably nothing like that but I can imagine, right?

Donda Aint Raise No Fool...Even though it seemed like it on the VMAs

I missed Kanye on Jay Leno's show premire last night but I've been hearing about this all day.

Leno asked the question that I think a lot of people asked and wondered....how would Kanye's mom feel about what he did?

As a Kanye fan I know that the man has passion; he has strong feelings and he doesn't hesitate to go on his emotions which is all part of why he is so good at what he does. But he knows his momma wouldn't approve of what he did to Taylor Swift. Just seeing him tear up and hearing his last line about trying to figure out how to "get through the rest of this life" it's very clear the influence his mother had on him and may be he is just lost without her.

Check the video...
Tough Times - 'The Jay Leno Show' Video | AOL Television

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Can't We All Just Get Along?

DISCLAIMER: My boyfriend is NOT a douche like Spencer and I'm nothing like Heidi but I just might understand how Heidi felt on The Hills....

When I first started "dating" in high school I remember hearing people say that your friend's and family's thoughts/impressions/opinions told you whether or not you really should be dating that person (or something along those lines). Basically, if your peoples don't approve, they probably see something you don't, and you should probably kick them to the curb.

I will be honest I have only had 2 boyfriends in my entire life. In high school I tended to just "talk" to a lot of guys but never anything serious outisde of my relationship with The Boo. I met my first boyfriend through a friend and I think that situation spoiled me. We were all close, we all hung out together, my boyfriend was friends with my friends and vice-versa. Yes, when we broke up I was kinda kicked out the clique for a while but when things got better we were all friends again and that's when I got together with my current.

Looking back on it now, I realized that almost nobody in my life really approved of my relationship with him and I let that affect our relationship. I broke up with him, treated him bad, etc. because I thought I needed to keep on searching for something better, something that my friends and family approved of.

When I got older I decided to trash that whole concept of my folks approving of the person I was dating because I found that I never met anyone or dealt with anyone that they actually approved of. I also stopped searching for the approval of others in my life but I have to say it's very hard to be in a relationship with a person that nobody wants to see you with.

I find myself doubting it, wondering if I am making the wrong choice, wondering how things will play out in the end because we are throwing around the capital M-word. I compartmentalize my life, never mixing The Boo with anything or anybody else. I'm incapable of talking to my friends about the relationship and now, I'm incapable of talking to him about my friends because they all seem to dislike each other for many different reasons.

I'm not looking for everyone to be best friends, I'm just looking for a comfortable situation with mutual respect. People on both sides claim to love me yet they can't respect my choice in friends or boyfriend.

I must add that there are 1, possibly 2 people in my life that are the exception to this.

So now I'm back to debating the same question I dealt with when I was 17. If your peoples don't approve does that mean it's really no good?

I hope Debbie was taking notes

Just finished watching the VMAs and I hope BET and its whack CEO were taking notes on how an awards show is supposed to be and how to properly give a tribute to the greatest entertainer that ever lived.

This years VMAs started off with a wonderful speech from Madonna on her personal relationship with the King of Pop which I thought was very touching and also reminded us in a not too harsh way what the media scrutiny did to him. I thought it was fitting that an icon like Madonna introduced the tribute for a fellow icon.

The dance tribute was HOT! It wasn't all depressing like BETs tribute. JANET FREAKIN KILLED IT! It takes a strong woman to get up and perform like she did after only burying her brother like a week before. She looked great, her dancing was great, and MTV did an excellent job paying tribute.

Sadly, thanks to Kanye, people will be talking about his rude interruption of Taylor Swift's acceptance. While I don't think she should have won, Kanye had NO right jumping up there like that. It wasn't even HIS video that lost! And the poor lil girl looked so sad/lost when he gave the mic back. The moment sure did have my Facebook page jumping with status updates which is always fun. 

Gotta give Bey props for letting Taylor Swift get her shine on though. I read a status that said she's got an amazing PR team and I totally have to agree; they steered her in the right direction

Other than those moments, I thought the performances were so so. Beyonce did her thing and I LOVED Jay-Z's performance with Alicia Keys...but umm who asked Lil' Mama to get on stage? Ugh I can't stand him her.  

And I can't leave out Lady Gaga. I'm sure most folks asked themselves what she was wearing/doing everytime they showed her. But her performance was good, deep, and the girl can sing so I can't hate. But that bird's nest. thorny thingy she was rocking at the end of the night really threw me. 

My memory of that fateful day

On September 11, 2001 I was sitting in the library of St. Ursula Academy, my second bell was coming to an end (we were on block schedules what you know bout that?). Our principle Frances Romweber came over the PA. Now you could almost always tell what kind of message we were about to get by the tone of her voice and the greet she began with.

"Ursula women listen up," she said.

She told us a plane had struck the first tower of the World Trade Center in NYC. It was about then I noted the librarian had her television on a few people were standing around it. I looked at the faces of my classmates, jaws were dropped, even my teacher was stopped. Everyone frantically went to CNN.com or their preferred news site and the image of the tower in flames popped on every screen.


I remember we only had about a 5 minute window between the announcement and the bell ringing so I had to tear myself away for 3rd bell. My teacher started class with a few tears and a prayer (I went to Catholic school so this was okay). By lunch, students were piled in the foryer of the school watching news converage and a few saw the second plane crash into the South tower . Some were crying, some were praying, the air was just thick with emotions.

And then I was hit with the realization that my sister lives in NYC. The tears came I just broke down. People that know me know I'm like obsessed with my sis I talk about her all the time. My Spanish teacher Mr. Fletcher walked over and said two words "your sister..."

That's all I really remember because I was a wreck the entire rest of the day worrying about her. Mind you she hardly ever goes down there except to hit up Century 21 an amazing discount store.

When I got home that night I discovered my sis was up for a temp job in the WTC that very day....she overslept and never made it. I praised and thanked God for his goodness and mercy that she never got up. But writing this blog made me think about all those who got up on time, went to work, and never made it home. I'm saying an extra prayer for them and their families tonight.

Song of the Day: Black Eyed Peas "Alive"

I've never really been into the Black Eyed Peas. Sure some of their songs are catchy and of course they usually can make you dance. But I've never listened to anything past what they play in the club/on the radio.

My friend conviced me to download their CD and I actually took the time to listen to it (well I popped it in on an 8-hour drive home and the dance/techno-like beats kept me awake). One song I really liked was "Alive". It's catchy and although it's a bit of a break-up song, it's also a get-back-together song plus it's fun!

Shut up already!

Now that the Obama speech is over and he has once again b*tch-slapped these fools that were crying out against him, people are going to pretend that racism and other issues didn't just pop up AGAIN here in America.

I totally agree with today's post on SMB. I don't know about anybody else but I remember having to edure watching Bush and his evil spawn son GW speak to me in elementary and high school. I also remember in social studies class or whatever class that was where we had to write letters to Clinton. Point is, the President is to be respected regardless because he's the President (duh!).

How could parents decide they don't want him to speak to their children? How could mostly ignorant fools conservatives think he would attempt to impose liberal and partisan ideas on the nation's kids? He was speaking to them all and honestly when I was 5, 12, even 15 I barely gave a damn about any of that, as long as taxes were low, I had healthcare, etc.

I think it's waaay past time for people to accept that Barack Obama is their President, YES he is a BLACK man, he said he was gonna do things and shake things up, and unfortunately for them more people wanted those shake ups and changes than you. So get over it already!

Check out the speech below:

The importance of family

Family is something that means something different to everyone and every family. It's a personal thing. Each person has their own idea on what role family has, what family is supposed to be or do, and really how important family is to them.

General these ideas are the same within families. You develop these notions because you were raised on them and you adopt them, they become apart of you. Occasionally, there are those that say "umm no" and they develop their own, new ideas or notions of family.

Now personally, I say family is the backbone. The people you will get down for no matter what and you know will get down for you (you have to admit even in extreme cases such as addictions, financial factors, etc.). The word unconditional love comes to mind. Family is the reason you have life and at the end of the day, your family is still your family. You have the same blood running through your veins, you are linked together in ways that really cannot be fully understood.

As I previously stated there are always those that don't seem to catch that same outlook in a family unit that predominantly feels the same way. It's a hard thing dealing with a family member that to me has no sense of family.

I have one such family member who has of late decided to show their true colors. At this point in my life I am dealing with some difficult situations and I will honestly say am my lowest. It's times such as these that you are to call on your family which for the most part has come through but this family member has made it clear they can't be called on. I struggle with this because I know that my father, would have moved mountains for her and practically did when he was alive and had the capabilities. Her father, the kindest man anyone had ever met (I heard this from everyone when I was child), would probably be disappointed in her actions.

I am not upset with her, I'm honestly not harboring any anger (even though I've devoted an entire blog post to the situation) I'm simply disappointed. As with most things I have learned from this. I have learned that if and when I have the means to help my family members I will do what I can for them. When my brother goes off to college I will break my neck to make sure that he is taken care of and when my future neices and nephews go to college or simply need something from me I will help them any way that I can. I promise myself that I will not let this rub off on me. I will continue to keep my ideals of family and it's purpose and importance.

Ok that's my rant for the day :-)...C

Not My Cup of Lipton's

So being that I am now an "old-head" on Howard's campus (I really don't belong there anymore but can't seem to get away!) I find myself looking at this new generation of Howard students and I have to shake my head. Yes, I admit I am getting old I realize it more and more when my little cousins ask me about the hot new group of cuties I am clueless to who they are and what that new dance is they're doing in the video.

But I've been taking a good glance at these young Howard men on campus and I notice an ongoing look amongst quite a few of them. Jeans are tight and skinny, yet they still manage to hang low on their butts. Colors are bright. Bright jeans, bright kicks, brights t-shirts, etc.

Is it bad if I hate it? This whole 80's punk nerd swag is not really my cup of tea. I could dig it at first when guys were bringing back the dookie chains, nylon, and bright high-top sneakers but I'm a little over it.

I'm not saying I miss the days of throwback jerseys, ultra saggy and baggy jeans with the boxers showing, Timberland's and plain white Air Forces, and men doing that I been out on the block all day/night thing.

Anyone that knows me, I mean really knows me knows I had lil thing for thuggish type of guy. But to the delight of my mother and friends I think I've grown out of this phase. I love a man that can tastefully do the urban thing but clean it up and rock a suit or other stylish get up and look nice as well. These are guys that can do just what I'm talking about...

Now if you get past the face (which I can, something about Jay is kind of sexy) he's got it!

T.I. is another great example...he cleans up so nicely!

Pharrell Williams...he's got this style I just love!