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Apr 28, 2012
Paula Deen and Me: Obesity Causes Pain
Minorities and the GOP: Time to "Pivot"
Historically, Republican attacks on "the welfare state" after the civil rights protests of the 60s and 70s were propagated by their leadership from Barry Goldwater to Richard Nixon to Ronald Regan. The white majority's perception of expanding social welfare programs is mirrored in today's undercurrent of racist dialogue led by Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum and Ron Paul.
Apr 26, 2012
Age is Just A Number-Be Forever Young
At the end of this year, if I'm lucky, I'll celebrate my 70th birthday. Learning to handle the challenges that come with advancing years, worrying over wrinkles and weight loss, and working on aging gracefully are the tasks that I face everyday. Growing older brings a variety of internal responses, including the joy of getting older vs. the alternative, the fear of an uncertain future, the uncertainty of coping with new health challenges, and the loss of control over various aspects of your life. When I share my thoughts with my husband, I can count on his understanding. He's walking in the same shoes.
Apr 25, 2012
Women Voters Matter
If you think men decide elections, you’re mistaken. Historical
data shows us that since 1980 women turn out to vote in greater numbers than
men. In 2008, 65.7 percent of eligible women voted compared to 61.5 percent of
men. Accordingly, female voters across the political spectrum expect to
influence the next presidential election and they expect genuine attention to
their concerns. Politicians should not take female voters for granted.
Apr 22, 2012
Forty Year of Solitary Confinement For Angola 3
It’s been 40 years since that day on April 17, 1972, or 14,600 days ago, when Herman Wallace and Albert Woodfox were placed in solitary confinement in a 6ft x 9ft x12ft cell for 23 hours every day, in America.
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| Albert Woodfox and Herman Wallace |
The state says Woodfox and Wallace were guilty of murdering a 23 year old guard at Angola Prison. Wallace, Woodfox, and their network of supporters say they were framed for their political activism as members of the Black Panthers. Woodfox and Wallace founded the Angola chapter of the Black Panther Party in 1971. A third prisoner, Robert King, joined them a year later. The three campaigned for better working conditions and racial solidarity between inmates, as well as an end to rape and sexual slavery.
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| Robert King |
Robert (Wilkerson) King is the only freed member of the Angola 3. He spent 29 years in solitary confinement for a murder he did not commit. He was released in 2001 after his conviction was overturned.
Today, to mark the 40th anniversary of their placement in solitary confinement, Amnesty USA says it will deliver a petition to Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal that bears the signatures of tens of thousands of people from 125 countries. "We want the state of Louisiana and we want the world to know that we are still focusing on this case. This is a total violation of human rights and civil rights," King says. "And it is ongoing."
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| LA Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) |
Amnesty International is calling on the Louisiana authorities to end the cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment of Woodfox and Wallace, and to remove them immediately from solitary confinement. The Angola 3 has a pending civil suit 'Wilkerson, Wallace and Woodfox' vs. the State of Louisiana which the United States Supreme Court ruled has merit to proceed to trial based on the fact that their 30+ years in solitary confinement is "inhumane and unconstitutional". The outcome of this landmark civil case could eliminate long term solitary confinement in U.S. prisons.
In America, in 2012...God have mercy on us.
Living With Diabetes – Handling Low Blood Sugars
Apr 18, 2012
The Invisible Supreme Court
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| The Roberts Court |
Apr 15, 2012
Obesity, Lifestyles, and African Americans
Eating is one of life’s greatest pleasures, a great source of satisfaction for us all. We can enjoy food but we need to remember that the primary job for food is to nourish our bodies. When we don’t have the right balance of foods and don’t have adequate exercise we end up with “obesity”. Obesity is more common in African Americans than other ethnic groups.
According to the CDC of Vital Health Statistics, 60.1% of African-American males are overweight and 78% of Black women lead the population in obesity and being moderately overweight. In order to get to a solution, we must identify the problems.
According to the CDC of Vital Health Statistics, 60.1% of African-American males are overweight and 78% of Black women lead the population in obesity and being moderately overweight. In order to get to a solution, we must identify the problems.
Tips for Allergy Sufferers
More than 40 million Americans suffer from nasal allergies, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA).
The AAFA says your nose knows when spring is near, because that's when pollen counts are highest and symptoms begin for many Americans."Springtime allergy triggers - primarily tree pollen - cause symptoms including itchy runny nose, nasal and sinus congestion, repeated sneezing, watery eyes, inflamed sinuses and, in severe cases, difficulty breathing due to all of these symptoms," the AAFA explained. "Nasal allergy symptoms can be even more problematic if you also have asthma."
Apr 14, 2012
Promenient Entertainers Share Pride in Jewish Heritage
While many people immediately perceive African Americans as Christians, our culture is diverse and some prominent members of our community identify with and take pride in their Jewish roots. Tracee Ellis Ross, Rapper Drake, Lisa Bonet, Maya Rudolph and Boris Kodjoe-all have their Jewish heritage in common.
Boris Kodjoe
Born in Vienna, Austria, Boris Kodjoe, also known as Boris Frederic Cecil Tay-Natey Ofuatey-Kodjoe, originally pursued a career in tennis, attending Virginia Commonwealth University on a tennis scholarship and winning a record 75 career singles matches. A back injury forced him out of the sport, but he quickly gained the attention of modeling and acting agents, and made a smooth transition to a performance career.
Born in Vienna, Austria, Boris Kodjoe, also known as Boris Frederic Cecil Tay-Natey Ofuatey-Kodjoe, originally pursued a career in tennis, attending Virginia Commonwealth University on a tennis scholarship and winning a record 75 career singles matches. A back injury forced him out of the sport, but he quickly gained the attention of modeling and acting agents, and made a smooth transition to a performance career.
Grover Norquist: A Power Behind the Throne
Meet Grover Norquist:
He's a Washington legend who single-handedly defined the GOP's brand as the "No Tax Party". His idea for the "No Tax Pledge" began when he was in high school. He successfully garnered signatures for this pledge from Republicans in the House of Representatives and in the U. S. Senate. At the present time 336 members of the House of Representatives, 41 Senators, 13 Governors and 1,247 State Legislatures have signed the Taxpayer Protection Plan. Thanks to his far reaching influence, no congressional Republican has voted for a major tax increase since 1991. He represents the oligarchy of the super rich. Accordingly, economic conservative Grover Norquist is one of the most powerful non-elected leaders in American political history.
Apr 13, 2012
Jada Denies Break-Up with Will
Jada spoke to the French magazine Gala about the rumors that said that her marriage to Will Smith was on the rocks. She said the stories are "ridiculous" and that she and Will were waiting for the "storm to blow over."
Morgan Freeman Speaks Out on "Pending Marriage"
The rumor mill has been churning with this one for quite a while.
Back in 2009, the National Enquirer ran a report that he'd been seeing his step-granddaughter, a then 27-year-old E'Dena Hines, for 10 years, and the rumor continued this week with the claim that Freeman intended to marry Hines.
Legendary actor Morgan Freeman, 74, and his 27 year old step-granddaughter speak out on their "pending marriage":
From E! Online:
Morgan Freeman and his step-granddaughter E'Dena Hines spoke up today in response to reports that they're engaged to be married.
You read that correctly. So...what do the 74-year-old Oscar winner and the 29-year-old granddaughter of Freeman's first wife, Jeanette Adair Bradshaw, have to say?
"The recent reports of any pending marriage or romantic relationship of me to anyone are defamatory fabrications from the tabloid media design to sell papers," Freeman said in a statement obtained by E! News. "What is even more alarming is that these fabrications are now being [picked up] by the legitimate press as well."
Added Hines: "These stories about me and my grandfather are not only untrue, they are also very hurtful to me and my family."The power of the press often determines public opinion. The story was planted in my mind as fact years ago. I really like Morgan Freeman and want to believe him. What do you believe?
Apr 12, 2012
Birth Order and Finances
A few tricks of the trade can help keep your birth order from dragging down your credit score and keep you from piling up a mountain of debt. Here's a look at what you need to know to stay out of the financial middle seat.
Apr 11, 2012
The 42nd Wedding Anniversary of The Senior Greens!
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| 42 Years of Greatness |
On this day in 1970, My Parents, Henry and Celestine Green, were wed in holy matrimony. During those 42 years, they've managed to design a blueprint of love, happiness and romance that has inspired their children, their family and their friends.
Anyone who has spent at least 5 minutes in the presence of my parents can testify to the passion they share for each other. They are living proof that you can be successful in life, have a successful marriage and raise successful children.
I am thankful to have these two wonderful role models in my life. They have been a positive impact on my life and I am proud to call them my parents.
Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!
Apr 10, 2012
Love, Lies, and Infidelity: Signs of an Affair
You may not think that your husband would ever cheat, but you catch yourself looking for signs of an affair. Perhaps you really are just being paranoid over nothing, or perhaps your heart is trying to tell you something. Either way, you may not catch a cheating spouse unless you know just what to look for.
Looking for signs of an affair is complicated, but here are a few things to watch for and things to keep in mind:
Apr 8, 2012
White Version of "The Talk"
The National Review fired longtime contributor John Derbyshire after the conservative columnist posted a blog calling blacks genetically less intelligent and more violent than whites, and urging white and Asian parents to avoid them.
Here's the story. The murder of Trayvon Martin got folks talking about a Black Family's "talk" with their sons. People wrote about what they told young black men so that they could survive in certain situation, particularly when police/law enforcement officers are involved. An example of that advice can be heard in Trayvon's conversation with his girlfriend as he was being stalked by George Zimmerman. He said he would not run as his girlfriend advised, but would walk faster.
Apr 6, 2012
Is Trouble Lurking in Your Bed?
If you put your sheets under a microscope, you'd probably be "freaked" out by what you'd see. Almost every bed has dust mites, which are microscopic bugs that feed off of dead skin cells. These little things live, die and reproduce in the same bed sheets that you sleep in. The only way to keep these creatures under control is to wash your bed sheets on a regular basis. If you don't stay vigilant, you may develop an allergy, or even suffer a lowered immune system.
As disgusting as dust mites may be, here are some other things you could be hiding in your bed:
Marissa Ramiccio, SymptomFind, stresses the importance of regularly washing your sheets. She says washing your sheets only once a month isn't going to cut it. Your sheets need to be washed at least every other week, but weekly is ideal. Wash your pillow at least twice a year. Pillows can harbor mold, yeast and bacteria, which can cause diarrhea, asthma or bronchitis. If you have never washed your pillow, you may want to consider throwing it away and getting a new one.
For tips on caring for your bedding, check out Bedding Care.com .
Apr 1, 2012
I Said "Don't Touch My Hair": My Family Viewpoints
I just read an interesting article posted on Clutch Magazine Online, "No You May Not Touch My Hair...". The author Themlu Ford didn't like folks asking to touch her hair and she didn't feel guilty about telling them "no". She noted that often people would not even wait for her to answer, indicating that asking her permission was just a gesture and that her answer didn't really matter.
This is a topic that I've discussed with my family and with acquaintances at the beauty shop. Here's the family's take on "touching my hair":
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| Kreighton, Celestine, Henry, and Krystal Green |
