Big Sean has been going hard for his second album entitled Hall of Fame, which is due out some time this year. His new single “Switch Up” featuring Common is already getting major airplay and has fans early awaiting more new material. Big Sean is working with some of the best Detroit has to offer, like Eminem (who has been in hiding since forever), Royce Da 5’9″ and Kon Artis of D12. If you follow Sean of instagram then you already have a taste of what to expect. On working with Eminem, who Sean said invited him into the studio, he wrote: Today was historical. The finally famous rapper always goes hard for Detroit so we can only imagine what other surprises he may have in store for us. For more info on what Big Sean is up to check out http://uknowbigsean.com/ for pictures, videos, and music.
In this day and time we must know the importance of social media etiquette, knowing how to conduct yourself when using sites like Twitter and Facebook are so important today because you never know who is watching you. Many employers are dissecting our tweets and our Facebook profiles when trying to narrow down their lists of applicants. Fellow naturalista and meteorologist for KTBS-TV in Shrevesport, LA, Rhonda Lee, found herself to be the target of an insulting Facebook post from a viewer and apparently her employer didn’t like the way she handled the situation.
I know your probably thinking why is a student who refused counseling based on sexual orientation getting paid for not doing her job? Julea Ward, a student of Eastern Michigan University was expelled from a counseling program because she denied counseling to gays and lesbians about their lifestyles. Ward refused to counsel gays and lesbians because of her religious beliefs and in doign so she was dismissed from the master’s degree counseling program. Because of her rebuff a lawsuit was filed by the Alliance Defense Fund in April 2009 on behalf of Julea Ward. Ward, who was in training to become a K-12 counselor said she referred the student to another counselor. However, the Universities policy prohibits discrimination and requires counseling students to use the code of ethics of the American Counseling Association. The Alliance Defense Fund asked the court to order Eastern Michigan University to change its counseling curriculum to allow counseling students to refer clients elsewhere on issues related to same sex relationships, abortion, and per-marital sex. Eastern Michigan had the decision to not waste anymore money and just pay the student with the money coming from the schools insurance company, Ward was rewarded $75,000 in the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. I almost want to say that Ms. Ward is in the wrong profession, especially with being a K-12 counselor. Most teens in high school are exploring their sexuality and are trying to find themselves, how is it fair not to counsel a student because they are doing something you don’t believe in? A counselor is there to be open minded and to help those who are seeking advice. School is already a harsh and uncertain environment as it is, counselors are there to help with decisions beyond secondary education and to help prepare students; how can you do that if you’re dismissing them or passing them to someone else? There are teens who are being bullied for their sexual orientation and even worse committing suicide because they live in fear and/or have mental health issues, like depressions or anxiety. I understand that we should not compromise our beliefs for the sake of employment, however counselors should be unbiased and encouraging regardless of whatever lifestyle a person may lead. (292)
Thursday was a great day for Michigan minorities in pursuit of higher education because a federal appeals court trashed a voter-approved ban on affirmative action in college admissions and public hiring. In November, 2006, Michigan voters approved Proposal 2, 58-42 percent which forced schools like Michigan State, University of Michigan, and others to to change their admission policies to satisfy the affirmative action removal. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati ruled 8-7 that Proposal 2 is unconstitutional because it presented a burden to opponents. Even though we are in the year 2012 and have come a long way in terms of discrimination, racism is still alive and well, which is why affirmative action is necessary. It would be different if a college application was blind and based solely on how well you have performed, but that is not always the case. Since 2007, admissions of minority students have declined since University of Michigan stopped considering race in its admission policies. Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette says that admissions to universities should be based upon merit and that Proposal 2 embodies what America is all about, equal opportunity under the law. That sounds great, but I’m sure not even he believed that statement coming from his own mouth, we are not all seen as equals and as minorities we have a disadvantage when it comes to school and jobs because of our heritage. Affirmative action has allowed so many to accomplish what they probably never thought they would accomplish, which is why its necessary until we are all treated as equals. (191)
It is very sad that in this day and time we are still reporting stories about racism. An African-American woman by the name of Sharmeka Moffitt was allegedly attacked and burned Sunday evening in Winnsboro, Louisiana by three men that she said were wearing white hoodies. According to KNOE 8 News, police have confirmed that racial slurs and the letters “KKK” were found on Moffitt’s vehicle. This horrific attack is being considered a hate crime by local NAACP leaders, however authorities have yet to confirm this consideration. Sharmeka was walking on a trail in a city park when the attack happened and as of now the Winnsboro police are tightening security in the park, the state fire Marshall’s office and FBI are investigating this crime. Sharmeka’s family says she is in stable condition, but 90% of her body has been burned. It’s so tragic that people don’t know how to turn their hate and/or anger into positive energy, I don’t understand how people think they have a right to take someone’s life or inflict pain on someone because they are not happy with themselves. Racism is a result of being misguided and ignorant to the fact we were all created to be equal and we need to accept one another for the differences we have. Sharmeka’s family has set up a Facebook page for those who want to show support, you can visit the page here. (342)
Seventy-six year- old Hong Kong billionaire Cecil Chao is offering one lucky, soon to be very wealthy man $65 billion if he can get his daughter to fall in love with him. There is one catch though she is allegedly already married to a woman. Thirty-three year- old Gigi Chao, the daughter of Cecil Chao is not upset with her father for trying to putting a price on her love, she was moved by his offer because she thinks that’s his way of saying she deserves more. As you can imagine Chao has already been bombarded with offers from all over from men believing they persuade her to love a man, one interesting offer she received came by the way of the United States, he wrote: “I’m interested in your offer to wed your daughter, who also happens to be gay. I am a male person, who also happens to be gay.” Cecil Chao seems to love to flaunt his money as he drives a Rolls Royce, is always seen in pricey clothes and ironically he has never married and claims to have slept with over 10,000 women, how he kept count after the first 100 I don’t know. Hong Kong seems to have accepted homosexuality, however it doesn’t seem as though Chao didn’t receive that memo because paying for someone to marry your daughter is (in the words of Kourtney Kardashian) ridic. I don’t know if I would be so flattered if my father offered money to a random stranger to marry me, I mean you aren’t going to find anyone serious it would seem that they are only taking part because they become an instant millionaire. It also almost seems controlling in a way because her father is obviously not approving of the way she chooses to live her life so he thinks that any amount of money can change who she loves. I wonder what her new wife thinks? (402)
Aw Hell Madonna! Less than six months to election and Madonna already adding confusion to the unwise about President Barack Obama’s identity! This not the time to twist the facts!
During her concert in Washington, DC (in all the places), Madonna decided to express her political views in the mix of her performance. Luckily for us and not for her, a guest from the audience captured her statement in regards to our former President.
According to Reuters.com she stated “Now, it’s so amazing and incredible to think that we have an African-American in the White House … we have a black Muslim in the White House … it means there is hope in this country, and Obama is fighting for gay rights, so support the man,”.
Addressing the President as a “black Muslim” amused and confused the audience. Now, I don’t know our former president’s life history; however, through the years of his presidency I am sure most are aware of his religion by now. I am not sure if Madonna was a bit intoxicated or tired from all the entertaining she was providing for her fans but a huge SMH towards that comment. We hear you Madonna but let’s get the facts straight! (380)
My natural hair journey officially started September 9, 2011, but I wasn’t totally prepared for what would lye ahead with being natural. I know a lot of naturals end up doing multiple big chops whether it’s due to improper care, going back to relaxers, damage from color,etc., but I thought I would be different. Well, I was wrong and this is the story of why I had to do my second and hopefully final big chop. Continue reading “Starting From Scratch: My Second Big Chop” » (976)
Every year on August 19, people across the world take time out to participate in good deeds, hoping to close the gap between love and hate. Coincidentally, this past Sunday marked the ninth anniversary of the bombing in Baghdad, Iraq that killed 22 people. In honor of the victims of this tragic incident as well as numerous others that have taken place around the world, the United Nations began the “I Was Here” campaign in representation of World Humanitarian Day. Earlier this month at the General Assembly Hall of United Nations in New York City, international superstar, Beyonce shot the video for her song “I Was Here” to spearhead the campaign. The video began with a thought:
“One day, one message, one goal. To inspire people all over the world to do something good, no matter how big or small, for someone else.”
Wearing a gorgeous white pre-fall Mark Bouwer gown, Beyonce took the stage and emotionally belted out the intense lyrics of the song while images of recent disasters and footage of humanitarian workers who have made a difference played in the background. This video was released yesterday, August 19, 2012, World Humanitarian Day.
“I feel like we all want to know that our life meant something and that we did something for someone else,”Beyonce said in a statement prior to World Humanitarian Day. “That we spread positivity no matter how big or how small.”
Using Twitter and Facebook affirmations and declarations of good deeds, the United Nations was able to track and pin the various acts of kindness around the world. In response to the UN’s World Humanitarian Day campaign, over a billion people internationally were inspired to leave their mark on the world. To learn more about World Humanitarian Day, visit http://www.whd-iwashere.org/.
Gospel celebrities such as Mary Mary and Marvin Sapps have taken interest into presenting their livelihood through cameras. Willing to expose their life differences and similarity as a human being is grabbing attention for all viewers to see.
Marvin Sapp agreed to present his life to the public on his new reality television show called “Single Dad” as a single parent of three children (Madisson, Makaila and Marvin ML Sapp II). After, the lost of his wife Melinda Sapp (from Colon Cancer) his role as a parent has become a role that many men and women can relate. Including his career being a famous Gospel singer and ministering the mega church Lifehouse as the head Pastor, he is willing to revile the hardship and extraordinary position as a full time father.
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