tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14385632022394408832024-03-05T04:37:22.079-06:00afrodisia speaksCulture. Commentary.afrodisiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084901950071393888noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1438563202239440883.post-24950742035610745582008-10-25T00:15:00.003-05:002008-10-25T00:19:11.688-05:00When was your first time?At voting, silly! Take a look at my future baby daddy, CNN's T.J. Holmes talk about his first time...ahem, voting:<br /><br /><script src="http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.element/js/2.0/video/evp/module.js?loc=dom&vid=/video/politics/2008/10/24/holmes.first.vote.cnn" type="text/javascript"></script><noscript>Embedded video from <a href="http://www.cnn.com/video">CNN Video</a></noscript><br /><br /><br />Swoon! I think it's funny that he uses the phrase "geeked up" to describe being excited. One of the many things he and I have in common.<br /><br />Like T.J., 2000 was my first election; however, it was the first time I was able to vote in a presidential election. I don't play with my voting.<br /><br />When was your first time?afrodisiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084901950071393888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1438563202239440883.post-54222310024472441042008-10-14T20:11:00.004-05:002008-10-14T20:24:05.072-05:00Damn this catchy beat!Check out Beyonce's new single from her forthcoming album <em>I Am, </em>"Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)"<br /><br /><object height="374" width="448"><param name="movie" value="http://videos.onsmash.com/e/sMccqAndPVHE1Qpv"><param name="allowFullscreen" value="true"><embed src="http://videos.onsmash.com/e/sMccqAndPVHE1Qpv" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="448" height="374"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />This is so not feminist, but what is? Sigh.<br /><br />If you like it...you know what to do. LOL.afrodisiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084901950071393888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1438563202239440883.post-63354207412647551632008-10-14T18:18:00.003-05:002008-10-14T19:58:44.777-05:00What the F***?!<p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqp3B2DUx10qMfDGwa2HhjD1yNm4c_f-Lwy94Ak3lu3Opd0bKe_4yJwesP41CAyJX1clWS-3jhNHSsMxHcfAy2nKfy0gh3Stc1YRiLB1fC3sWoPNpiQfGZak4yfhmPGAR-glAE2AjeEXg/s1600-h/crazy+tee.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257155051819741650" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqp3B2DUx10qMfDGwa2HhjD1yNm4c_f-Lwy94Ak3lu3Opd0bKe_4yJwesP41CAyJX1clWS-3jhNHSsMxHcfAy2nKfy0gh3Stc1YRiLB1fC3sWoPNpiQfGZak4yfhmPGAR-glAE2AjeEXg/s320/crazy+tee.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Do you see why voting is so crucial? </p><p> </p><p>Thanks to RJP for the pic.</p>afrodisiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084901950071393888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1438563202239440883.post-44943759537547513722008-10-13T23:29:00.004-05:002008-10-13T23:45:41.065-05:00Chain of FoolsSigh. I am so disappointed (though in no way surprised) at the current antics going on with the election. John McCain and Sarah Palin have been conducting a fear-mongering, hate-spewing, and generally inept campaign that insults anyone with an ounce of self-respect, morality, and human decency. Even their own conservative brethren have noted their sad, defensive, and demoralizing campaign of hate, nonsense, and shenanigans<br /><br />Every day I teach the conservative youth, those who think affirmative action is racist, would take away my right to choose, and want to stop me from marrying who I see fit. How is that for small government? I was raised to pray for folks who know not what they do, but the more I live in the deep South, the more I am convinced that this is a willful ignorance, a defiant spitting in God's face as she tells us to love one another.<br /><br />I was talking with my mother today, who is the closest thing to a evangelical progressive I know, about what we'll do if (God-dess forbid) McLame and Falin (yes, I went there) won/stole the election. Like <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/13/tina-fey-on-sarah-palin-i_n_134188.html">Tina Fey</a>, I've contemplated leaving the planet, but space travel is so expensive and I have these student loans. Then I got to thinking about how some of the conservatives have been likening Senator Obama to the Antichrist. Having proficient knowledge in the book of Revelations (I was raised with the fire and brimstone and can tell you all about the vials and the Four Horsemen, etc.), I think that the one good thing about McCain and Palin being elected would be that it would clearly initiate the Second Coming. Clearly, they constitute the False Prophet and the Antichrist if I ever saw it, although maybe I'm giving Palin too much credit in being the Antichrist. My point is, if those fools win only some sort of deus ex machina ending would help our asses.<br /><br />Start praying now.afrodisiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084901950071393888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1438563202239440883.post-41389356162170000542008-09-28T12:21:00.009-05:002008-09-28T21:58:43.534-05:00This Week at the Movies<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKDAAVzbhyphenhyphenGctRBM6qjRQ1P7kK-CCurUp9ya21BNURZjcJgMIDqgk7_rHQ0LekqO1msmzZCOgaIYBmM6PEQ2Qu2IsEdbfEyyt9h8Cg6Szx9qLc6gzIz2O9Kbbx-sNhsfQrq7lNQiFWqw/s1600-h/family-that-preys-poster.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251127762795509762" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKDAAVzbhyphenhyphenGctRBM6qjRQ1P7kK-CCurUp9ya21BNURZjcJgMIDqgk7_rHQ0LekqO1msmzZCOgaIYBmM6PEQ2Qu2IsEdbfEyyt9h8Cg6Szx9qLc6gzIz2O9Kbbx-sNhsfQrq7lNQiFWqw/s320/family-that-preys-poster.jpg" border="0" /></a> Living in a small town means that there are not many opportunities for extra-curricular activities. Put another way, that means a sister goes to the movies a lot. Last week, I saw Tyler Perry's <em>The Family That Preys Together.</em> Though certainly not an Oscar-worthy flick, it was a definite improvement from that drivel that wasted two hours of my life,<em> Meet the Browns</em>. How bad a writer/director can you be to have Angela Bassett act poorly? It was a hot mess.<br /><br /><div><em>Family that Preys</em> did not offer any profundity, but the lighting was good, the acting was decent (with especially strong performances by Alfre Woodard, Kathy Bates, and Robin Givens, of all people), and I was entertained the whole time. Not a bad way to spend a Friday evening. I give it 3 out of 5 stars.</div><div><br />But yesterday afternoon I saw a veritable cinematic tour-de-force, Spike Lee's <em>Miracle at St. Anna</em>. I'm all about supporting black film, but I often have my reservations. Tyler Perry is often technically inept and heavy handed in his religious myopia. Spike Lee often takes bold steps in his films that are technically savvy, sharp stylistically, and visually interesting. He also makes it his business to consistently call folks out on their racist complacency, whether it be in mainstream film, independent film, documentary, or what have you. However, Spike's sexism, heterosexism, and homophobia--see <em>She's Gotta Have It, Jungle Fever, </em>and <em>She Hate Me </em>(the latter I find interesting but problematic) to see what I mean. And yes, the specter of sexism does loom in this film. However, by and large, I was pleased with it and would recommend it to others--4 out of 5 starts. Beware! It's long (a little over 2.5 hours) and there are some moments of pedantic speech that'll have you rolling your eyes (not to mention the ending--I won't even go there). However, despite these critiques, it is a film worth watching and discussing, especially considering, among other things, the fact that we are at war and will be at war for a while. </div><div><br />I have read that some critics have cited the flashbacks about racism in the South as "superfluous" and "distracting" from the overall message of the movie. A movie that is about the racism and genocide at the heart of Nazi propaganda and their pogrom to exterminate all Jews. Were they watching the same movie? While I agree the film could have benefited from more judicious editing, I think this critique mostly underscores the discomfort that some so-called liberals have in discussing race. Please note, discussing race or racism is not dredging up the past, it's acknowledging the realities of the present. The sooner we realize that and stop dancing around our guilt/shame, the sooner we can begin to really do some positive, anti-racist (sexist, etc.) work. Assuaging our discomfort is just not going to cut it.</div><div><br />Bottom line: go see the movie and discuss it with some rational folk.</div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPZyyMurmytjOl-S0xXiL516DACCz3y_Jk3_D_bIgTLwhplL2bY7yPxHF2pdawa8r3V_taZGtqH0kvBc0kP96POgqTVctUdSbVMpw71M1T42X4S2-RIWpwr_eww4MaQK0bR35_Sbjghw/s1600-h/miracle_at_st_anna.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251133927892500754" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPZyyMurmytjOl-S0xXiL516DACCz3y_Jk3_D_bIgTLwhplL2bY7yPxHF2pdawa8r3V_taZGtqH0kvBc0kP96POgqTVctUdSbVMpw71M1T42X4S2-RIWpwr_eww4MaQK0bR35_Sbjghw/s320/miracle_at_st_anna.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div>P.S. On a considerably lighter note, there are some fine men in this movie--Derek Luke (<em>Antwon Fisher</em>), Laz Alonso (former <em>BET</em> vjay and <em>This Christmas</em>), and my personal favorite, Michael Ealy (<em>Sleeper Cell,</em> <em>Barbershop</em>). To quote one of my favorite bloggers, B. Scott, the film has some definite future baby daddies. Oh my!</div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div>afrodisiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084901950071393888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1438563202239440883.post-13414054188804860962008-09-28T12:11:00.002-05:002008-09-28T12:13:45.003-05:00I'll Get Back to YaTina Fey just keeps getting funnier and funnier. Check out last night's spoof of that sad sack interview between Gov. Palin and Katie Couric. What's extra hilarious is that much of Fey's dialogue is taken verbatim from Palin's simple behind. And yet there are still undecided voters. Keep me near the cross!<br /><br />Check out <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/27/tina-fey-as-sarah-palin-k_n_129956.html">Huffington Post's</a> discussion of the shenanigans.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><script src="http://widgets.nbc.com/o/4727a250e66f9723/48dfbac09296ba40/48df78560abb1669/6dfbcb8c/widget.js" type="text/javascript"></script>afrodisiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084901950071393888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1438563202239440883.post-49809480713531314312008-09-22T22:24:00.003-05:002008-09-22T22:34:40.533-05:00Vote or DieRemember when Diddy (Puffy, Puff Daddy, Sean John, or whoever) came up with this pithy slogan? I am not in the business of listening to him for political advice, however, if this society/economy/country isn't comatose and on its way out, I don't know what dying looks like.<br /><br />Please, please, please, register to vote! Go to <a href="http://www.voteforchange.com/">www.voteforchange.com</a> or <a href="http://www.rockthevote.com/">www.rockthevote.com</a> to set the whole thing up. It's easy peasy!<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_UttWpiMDw&feature=user"></a>afrodisiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084901950071393888noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1438563202239440883.post-26474118751224734422008-09-17T12:04:00.004-05:002008-09-17T18:53:06.073-05:00Spiraling Out of ControlLast week it was Lehman Brothers acting a mess and now it's insurance giant AIG. So far today, the Dow plummeted 300 points, which is an improvement from the 700 point drop it experienced on Friday. I guess. Talk about a lesser of two evils.<br /><br />All this laissez-faire economics is bull. We all know that corporate interests and ne'er do well lobbyists have a huge influence on our government and vice versa. This is a big problem and, as the saying goes, the chickens have come home to roost. As usual, look who gets left holding the bag.<br /><br />Neither Obama nor McCain are identifying really specific remedies for this economic meltdown also known as a recession. I think it's because neither one wants to get caught up in prescribing a solution that a year from now folks will be like "Well, he promised not to raise taxes and look at him now!"<br /><br />This is the thing. I'm as pained as the next person when I see the taxes taken out of my check, especially when I'm not sure what my hard earned money is being spent on. However, we need taxes to pay for things. And, perhaps most importantly, we need government officials who are wise and prudent (though not "prudent" like George H.W. Bush) who can ameliorate (some)things immediately and also have a clear and realistic picture for what to do in the future--instead of turning a surplus into a deficit and turning our economy into a hot monkey mess like some people have done. I won't name any names.afrodisiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084901950071393888noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1438563202239440883.post-11944789450639185282008-09-16T19:05:00.010-05:002008-09-16T19:58:53.072-05:00JHud Engaged to PunkChile...this just off the presses:<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpags-Lii4CzWZF04K9gIr_QxQs4Q1toX8UXljMadr3p0H7WXP50oxjOWKqxp7m8Ifld8szsm6oWRXbiXI9EfJiojohNMpsa7qibt0L070CwIh06gByNSAhaMvVeagxzI2hQdfRbnDP-g/s1600-h/hud_david.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246779695282192834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpags-Lii4CzWZF04K9gIr_QxQs4Q1toX8UXljMadr3p0H7WXP50oxjOWKqxp7m8Ifld8szsm6oWRXbiXI9EfJiojohNMpsa7qibt0L070CwIh06gByNSAhaMvVeagxzI2hQdfRbnDP-g/s320/hud_david.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>"Jennifer Hudson and boyfriend, David Otunga, have gotten engaged, her rep tells PEOPLE exclusively. 'I can confirm that Jennifer got engaged to her boyfriend David on Friday night in L.A.' says the rep. Otunga, who is known as 'Punk' from the reality show I Love New York 2, popped the question with a Neil Lane diamond ring on the Dreamgirls Oscar winner's 27th birthday. The couple, who have been dating less than a year, both hail from Chicago. Professionally, it is a busy time for Hudson as well. Her debut solo album, Jennifer Hudson, will be in stores Sept. 30, and her next film, The Secret Life of Bees opens on Oct. 17."<br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Okay, I'm going to refrain from citing Otunga's "suspect" sexuality, which implies that there is a non-suspect sexuality--and no, heterosexuality is not it! (Although I do agree with Katrina Renae from <a href="http://thickmisses.blogspot.com/">ThickMisses</a> that homie does look a bit like Terry McMillian’s ex. LOL. ) But I will say that I probably would not want to make out with anyone who has kissed New York (who has kissed Flavor Flav--ooh, the bile is rising in my throat). I mean, here's to hoping she has an ironclad pre-nup. I don't give a ding dang about no love. In related news, here's a clip from JHud's recent hoodfab appearance in Montgomery, AL that I was lucky enough to attend and have been meaning to put up. The child can blow. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><p align="center"><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxnqoRsCXC50mqJ_-1ZV0UgTniINB2crmendczaTxM8qyfUKmGwOJB686OMtvoMvYQa0iO2XolL501zeigtOg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><br /><p>Yes, I know that you are seeing other people's heads. Those mofos were in my way! But at least a sista got some good audio, right? I actually saw Punk at this performance. He stood looking longingly while JHud handled her biz in a particularly touching love song (something about giving all of herself, or something). I must say he is the most unphotogenic human on the planet because he was fairly handsome in person, something you do not get from the pics. Go figure.</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20225699,00.html?xid=rss-topheadlines">Source</a> </p>afrodisiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084901950071393888noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1438563202239440883.post-90024498141692743492008-09-14T21:40:00.005-05:002008-09-14T21:57:25.447-05:00Strange BedfellowsI rarely watch Saturday Night Live--it's on too late (I'm officially old) and generally it's not that funny. What I love about viral video is that you find them pretty easily and can watch them anytime. Thanks to RJP for turning me on to this hi-larious skit of Tiny Fey and Amy Poehler as Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnRUKIMegn8">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnRUKIMegn8</a><br /><br /><object id="'W4727a250e66f972348cd3b64ddb82bd0'" type="'application/x-shockwave-flash'" height="'283'" width="'384'" data="'http://widgets.nbc.com/o/4727a250e66f9723/48cd3b64ddb82bd0/48cd0cf97d529c95/be940ef3'"></object><br /><object id="'W4727a250e66f972348cd3b64ddb82bd0'" type="'application/x-shockwave-flash'" height="'283'" width="'384'" data="'http://widgets.nbc.com/o/4727a250e66f9723/48cd3b64ddb82bd0/48cd0cf97d529c95/be940ef3'"></object><br /><br />I mean, Tina Fey really looks the part. And that accent, "well, my gosh!"<br /><br />This would be funnier if it wasn't so tragic. Sigh.afrodisiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084901950071393888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1438563202239440883.post-24012560004529798672008-09-10T22:05:00.006-05:002008-09-10T22:30:54.172-05:00It's Like a Train WreckI know I shouldn't spend any more time on Gov. Palin (although she wracks my nightmares--every morning I wake up in a cold sweat with visions of her overturning Roe v. Wade as she chews on a mooseburger while shooting at wolves from a helicopter), but let me throw in two (more) cents.<br /><br />If progressives are going to really critique her (and there is <em>so</em> much to critique), we have to do so on valid grounds. The fact that she has five children, the youngest of whom has special needs, is NOT a legitimate critique. While McCain was going from port to port, the Lord only knows who he has spawned. Even our own dear Senator Obama has two young daughters that deserve active parenting from him and Michelle, and I haven't heard a thing about him being a bad dad. So let's not get all sexist and imply (or outright say) that Palin is incompetent because she's got a gaggle of children. And as tempting as it is to point out that abstinence-only education did not work in her family, that poor Bristol Palin has enough to deal with.<br /><br />The fact of the matter is that Palin is so wretchedly incompetent and such a reprehensible and shockingly immoral choice, we don't have to mention anything about her motherhood, pit bull in a skirt status (makes me wonder if she has paw prints tatted on her chest--sorry Eve), or religious extremism (okay, we probably should consider that). Let me cite the short list of concerns.<br /><br />1. Her level and caliber of "experience" makes Barack Obama look like he's been in the senate since Jesus was in high school.<br />2. She has a horrendous record on LGBT rights. Now, Obama is not a LGBT savior, but he ain't the devil either. She, quite possibly, however...<br />3. She shoots wolves from helicopters. That's just barbaric.<br />4. She describes herself as a pit bull and yet she is not a rapper from Philly<br />5. She doesn't know what a community organizer is. (Check out <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAc0OmQ1PpY">illdoctrine's</a> take on her janky RNC speech, aka the Republican Hater's Ball)<br />6. She doesn't believe in global warming. Like I tell my students, whether or not you believe in something or like something (for example, the mid-term that will occur) does not stop that thing from existing and happening frequently.<br /><br />Shall I continue? I feel like electing McCain is just asking for President Sarah Palin. I'm all for a woman in the White House, but not just any old body they pull in off the street. She is no Hillary Clinton.afrodisiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084901950071393888noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1438563202239440883.post-89299284343303005782008-09-05T23:05:00.004-05:002008-09-05T23:26:26.149-05:00Something for the SoulWith all this RNC hateration, I've been soothing my heart with good music like this:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FuVMH4ns5B4&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/FuVMH4ns5B4&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />I love Kindred, The Family Soul. I want them to hurry and come out with another album, but I think they are too busy making/having babies...soul music often has that effect.afrodisiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084901950071393888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1438563202239440883.post-84498648139068063422008-08-29T10:22:00.004-05:002008-08-29T11:22:23.626-05:00Really? C'mon now...really?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCnGejgqRAMo4aVCwzlaQOG5oecCMxOJC2H_TRkYi8eiBeAnC1iRe1lPoClrcdSSyfav9tcKMzkqvdcBfmgnPdCc-E5oYCVodwd0oquJHOJKI7wfVtkFQ6gmFNJlY55BKXc_MieEOXCoQ/s1600-h/palin082908.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239961875740187234" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCnGejgqRAMo4aVCwzlaQOG5oecCMxOJC2H_TRkYi8eiBeAnC1iRe1lPoClrcdSSyfav9tcKMzkqvdcBfmgnPdCc-E5oYCVodwd0oquJHOJKI7wfVtkFQ6gmFNJlY55BKXc_MieEOXCoQ/s320/palin082908.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>John McCain picks newbie governor from Alaska, Sarah Palin as his VP running mate. Palin has been governor since December of 2006. Before that she was the two-term mayor and city council member of small town Wasilla City. So, you pick a young (44 year old) state governor with no foreign policy credentials and you've been talking all that yang about a certain Democratic nominee's lack of a resume? I know that Palin is not going up for president but, let's be honest, while none of us know the day nor the hour of our demise, McCain-Bush is knocking on death's door. This Palin character has to be ready, to borrow from HRC, to start the job on day one. </div><div> </div><div></div><div>Palin is considered a bold choice for the McCain campaign. She is known as a reforming conservative who has been aggressively pushing for drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. (Um, that sounds like a smart choice).</div><div> </div><div></div><div>Of course this is what they'd come up with the night after Obama beat it out the frame with his acceptance speech. Haters. FYI, putting a woman in a position of power does not necessarily make you progressive. (Look at Condoleezza Rice). I bet you this is partially a ploy for those rabid HRC supporters who refuse to do the sane thing and throw their support around Obama. I hope those fools don't start complaining if (God forbid) McCain is elected and the so-called Grand Ole Party (aka the Good Old Boys) continue eroding our rights.</div><div></div>afrodisiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084901950071393888noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1438563202239440883.post-8177390817847712982008-08-28T16:38:00.006-05:002008-08-28T16:56:41.465-05:00When it Rains<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDV3rznnuXszf28m_siC2pwZsu2mGYoApZadEx2QpV_G-jrwJFSkdPtC80J2Hl2Qx4sRYLr7fGU14yr_uZGOG7G4JyfiXsqIs3etfpgCHH2ntlaay1u_hFp99nNCmFQ-tcyHUMvGcwAM/s1600-h/gustav+and+hanna.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239686388402422514" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDV3rznnuXszf28m_siC2pwZsu2mGYoApZadEx2QpV_G-jrwJFSkdPtC80J2Hl2Qx4sRYLr7fGU14yr_uZGOG7G4JyfiXsqIs3etfpgCHH2ntlaay1u_hFp99nNCmFQ-tcyHUMvGcwAM/s320/gustav+and+hanna.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>This hurricane season is not playing with us. Look at the projected paths of Gustav and Hanna. I pray that these suckers provide much needed rain, but that a Hurricane Katrina-type storm does not occur.</div><br /><p>Being from South Florida (and the Caribbean) I have seen my share of wild weather; however, the past five years have had such an increase in crazy storms, I don't know what to think. I mean, my evangelical upbringing leads my to question whether Jesus is indeed on his way. But seriously, are our crazy emissions and overall disrespect from Mother Nature increasing the weather shenanigans we are seeing? </p><p>While no one needs a hurricane, these most recent storms--such as Fay and Gustav--unfortunately seem to be wreaking damage in places already wracked by poverty and hard times. Several people have been killed in the Dominican Republic and Haiti the past week due to the weather and now Gustav is headed towards Jamaica (my people are battening down the hatches) and perhaps to New Orleans. Sigh.</p><p><a href="http://www.weather.com/maps/news/atlstorm7/floater9_large.html?from=hp_main_maps">Source</a></p>afrodisiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084901950071393888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1438563202239440883.post-57881431820775315842008-08-27T17:28:00.004-05:002008-08-27T17:37:29.694-05:00The Tears of a ClownI have been paying attention to the Democratic National Convention. It's all so very interesting. But, as is so often the case, what happens on the sidelines is sometimes just as interesting as what is on the mainstage. You may have already peeped the following, but take another gander:<br /><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tmdhhW-zSeU&color1=11645361&color2=13619151&fs=1"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tmdhhW-zSeU&color1=11645361&color2=13619151&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />This women is articulate and passionate about her politics, clearly. While I'm at a loss as to why CNN spent nearly four minutes on this (well, maybe not a complete loss), this just seems like more whiny HRC supporters who can't get their way and are now digging in their heels. She didn't win! Yes, misogyny played a part of it, let's not get that twised. But it is also very, very obvious that her campaign made several blunders that she never recovered from. So, do we want to sit up here and keep up crying and usher in a new era of conservative foolishness with John McCain or do we want to roll our sleeves up and fight for democratic values and put a (fairly) progressive in office? This seems like a friggin no-brainer to me.afrodisiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084901950071393888noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1438563202239440883.post-72541030358476386492008-08-22T10:57:00.003-05:002008-08-22T11:09:51.403-05:00Keep Him Lifted Up...Here is Terrance Howard's new video, "Sanctuary."<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZgRoruFC-mw&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZgRoruFC-mw&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Um, I'm not sure what to make of this. He always has this pimp quality that I find troubling, although he can be sexy when he wants to be. Discuss.afrodisiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084901950071393888noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1438563202239440883.post-70635240440501412008-08-22T10:37:00.002-05:002008-08-22T10:38:17.865-05:00MIAYes...I've been missing in action...doing a lot of writing for work and getting prepped for the school year. But I'm back!afrodisiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084901950071393888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1438563202239440883.post-47176983291262475332008-07-24T17:02:00.007-05:002008-07-24T18:06:36.330-05:00That thing you saidThanks to <a href="http://rootsinthecity.blogspot.com/">rootsinthecity</a> for passing this gem along. There's a <a href="http://www.illdoctrine.com/">video blog </a>sweeping the web entitled "How to Tell People They Sound Racist." I like the whole notion of holding people accountable for their actions, rather than zipping off into outer space so the racist fool can tell you how many black, latino, gay, etc. folks are their friends. (You know I had to throw sexuality up in there too!) This response makes me think of that old Pat Parker poem, "For The White Person Who Wants To Know How To Be My Friend."<br /><br />The first thing you do is to forget that I'm black.<br />Second, you must never forget that I'm black.<br /><br />You should be able to dig Aretha,<br />but don't play her every time I come over.<br />And if you decide to play Beethoven -- don't tell me<br />his life story. They make us take music appreciation, too.<br /><br />Eat soul food if you like it, but don't expect me<br />to locate your restaurants<br />or cook it for you.<br /><br />And if some Black person insults you,<br />mugs you, rapes your sister, rapes you,<br />rips your house or is just being an ass --<br />please, do not apologize to me<br />for wanting to do them bodily harm.<br />It makes me wonder if you're foolish.<br /><br />And even if you really believe Blacks are better lovers than<br />whites -- don't tell me. I start thinking of charging stud fees.<br /><br />In other words -- if you really want to be my friend -- don't<br />make a labor of it. I'm lazy. Remember.afrodisiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084901950071393888noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1438563202239440883.post-44175072227098454452008-07-23T22:38:00.003-05:002008-07-23T22:49:53.280-05:00Thank You for Being a FriendEstelle Getty, perhaps most famous for playing feisty senior citizen Sophia Petrillo on <em>The Golden Girls</em>, passed away yesterday.<br /><br /><object height="349" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/scmvfDGnf_A&hl=en&fs=1&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/scmvfDGnf_A&hl=en&fs=1&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="349"></embed></object><br /><br />As a kid I <em>loved</em> this show, and I still do. Although I must admit I did not get all the raunchy jokes back then. Who knew four single seniors in South Florida were dropping it like it's hot like that?afrodisiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084901950071393888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1438563202239440883.post-41938704493509779052008-07-18T11:26:00.004-05:002008-07-18T11:36:30.304-05:00Tatted UpThis is a bit of old news, but I just ran across this.<br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8k9C2r389-Ee9ZxPgbLUSEjJC6DSisClZlP5VP4DzUQX4vz2i5CVeeEs9hmJlLD5UFiUpkS4pSCiMJTwnse-bVaoCWPALhbKCDnqS_9P10XYmM_Jp_9zg07ZohlLAg8oMa9ZwFSKI990/s1600-h/jill-scotts-neck-tattoo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224391640964637714" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8k9C2r389-Ee9ZxPgbLUSEjJC6DSisClZlP5VP4DzUQX4vz2i5CVeeEs9hmJlLD5UFiUpkS4pSCiMJTwnse-bVaoCWPALhbKCDnqS_9P10XYmM_Jp_9zg07ZohlLAg8oMa9ZwFSKI990/s320/jill-scotts-neck-tattoo.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="left">Yep that's right. Jill Scott got a teeny, tiny tatt of her boo's name behind her ear. I'm generally against the name tattoos, but I'm a let her slide this once--especially since she made it small and tasteful. If she wants to express her love in ink, it's, in the words of Bobby Brown, her prerogative.</p><p align="left">Would you ever get tatted up in honor of your boo?</p>afrodisiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084901950071393888noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1438563202239440883.post-50112040239096271332008-07-17T16:48:00.007-05:002008-07-18T11:24:25.999-05:00The Only Bad Luck in the World<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224114080513041666" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkRPFzMiL1_JFE0QINYwJuPfQ38xiz2l4bLUUF6ygQhgjHTXDuA_Y8c2hoJI7JuFJ9Fr4eFZx3a9OELmUKjADCTxH9UksSR1VUB4WA2bz2BifgdG6V-Im4rowkDxPur75i0C8aFOXzRE/s320/obama+slave+tee.jpg" border="0" />Ran across this little gem, courtesy of Bossip. Apparently, fashion designer Braun, born Doron Braunshtein, has been crafting (I'm using the word very loosely) similar items (other "designs" include slogans such as, “Jews Against Obama,” “Obama = Hitler” and “Who Killed Obama?”) to reflect the opinion of "ordinary WASPs." Last time I checked, "WASP" stood for White Anglo-Saxon Protestant. I'm just saying. Braun also reveals:<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">“For a lot of people, when they see Obama, they see a slave. People think America is not ready for a black president,” the Israeli-born designer said.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">“I can’t stand Obama,” Braun says, but claims that it's not because the candidate is black. </span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">“That’s the only thing I like about him. He opens the door for other minorities.”<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">“He reminds me of Adolf Hitler,” Braun explained, adding he does not like the Illinois senator because “he is a Muslim” — a myth that Obama apparently cannot escape.</span><br /><br /><br />There's a lot going on here. Where do I begin? While in some ways this is an extreme situation, one need only consider the Obama Sock Puppet and the Obama/Curious George iconography out there as further evidence of the palpable discomfort some (very vocal) folks have with a black man running for president. At least have the decency to lambast him for his economic credentials or foreign policy. Oh, and the whole thing about him being a Muslim, which clearly in this day and age is akin to being a devil-worshipping child molester in some circles, boggles my mind. And how is Obama like Hitler, who, to my recollection, was neither Muslim nor black?!<br /><br />To add injury to insult, a woman wearing the Obama Slave tee was assaulted by four teenage girls who succeeded in "shoving her, pulling out her earphones, and spitting in her face." And now this woman is suing Braun. What a world!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.livesteez.com/news/news_detail/934">Source</a>afrodisiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084901950071393888noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1438563202239440883.post-63630146710974922008-07-16T21:01:00.003-05:002008-07-16T21:09:12.082-05:00PreyingI have my critiques of Tyler Perry's work (although I must admit that I enjoyed <em>Why Did I Get Married?</em> if only for Jill Scott going upside that fool's head), but I have to say that this preview looks intriguing.<br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HDXqBN3YtrA&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HDXqBN3YtrA&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>afrodisiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084901950071393888noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1438563202239440883.post-64677387824410470972008-07-16T20:15:00.009-05:002008-07-17T07:20:27.995-05:00No Magic BulletRecently, the <em>New York Times </em>published an article entitled "Poll Finds Obama Isn’t Closing Divide on Race." The title alone struck me as a piece of folly. Reading between the lines, it sort of implies that Obama has the power to close the divide on race. Or that, perhaps, his presence indicates racism is dead. (Yes, we've come far, but we still have a ways to go). I just find that so interesting. Now, not only is he an agent of change, but he's also imbued with superhuman powers of post-raciality! I wonder if he shoots beams out of his eyes or something. I mean, honestly.<br /><br />Beyond the title, the article does reveal some interesting findings. For example, blacks and whites differ (vastly) in their interpretations of the world and de facto segregation is rampant:<br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcccc;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Nearly 60 percent of black respondents said race relations were generally bad, compared with 34 percent of whites. Four in 10 blacks say that there has been no progress in recent years in eliminating racial discrimination; fewer than 2 in 10 whites say the same thing. And about one-quarter of white respondents said they thought that too much had been made of racial barriers facing black people, while one-half of black respondents said not enough had been made of racial impediments faced by blacks. </span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Indeed, the poll showed markedly little change in the racial components of people’s daily lives since 2000, when The Times examined race relations in an extensive series of articles called 'How Race Is Lived in America.'</span><br /><br /></span><span style="color:#ffcccc;"><span style="font-size:78%;">As it was eight years ago, few Americans have regular contact with people of other races, and few say their own workplaces or their own neighborhoods are integrated. In this latest poll, over 40 percent of blacks said they believed they had been stopped by the police because of their race, the same figure as eight years ago; 7 percent of whites said the same thing.<br /></span><br /></span><span style="color:#ffcccc;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Nearly 70 percent of blacks said they had encountered a specific instance of discrimination based on their race, compared with 62 percent in 2000; 26 percent of whites said they had been the victim of racial discrimination. (Over 50 percent of Hispanics said they had been the victim of racial discrimination.)<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><span style="font-size:78%;">And when asked whether blacks or whites had a better chance of getting ahead in today’s society, 64 percent of black respondents said that whites did. That figure was slightly higher even than the 57 percent of blacks who said so in a 2000 poll by The Times. And the number of blacks who described racial conditions as generally bad in this survey was almost identical to poll responses in 2000 and 1990.</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><br />I quote this article at length because the information is pretty revealing. In terms of the respondents' perspectives, it seems like folks are living in different worlds. Then again, considering how few of us really, truly intermingle, that makes a whole lot of sense. I remember when I went away to college (a tony, Seven Sisters, liberal arts school), it was the first time I was in close quarters with a large number of whites. It was eye opening, to say the least. I was certainly disabused of certain misconceptions, while also finding myself the object of scrutiny, exoticization, and all types of nonsense. Oh, my first year roommate! But, I digress. Quiet as it's kept, race still matters.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/16/us/politics/16poll.html?_r=2&partner=msnbcpolitics&emc=rss&oref=slogin&oref=slogin">Source</a>afrodisiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084901950071393888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1438563202239440883.post-39085367570150311432008-07-16T16:34:00.008-05:002008-07-16T17:20:13.040-05:00Good Enough to Eat<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_lGPbaEmi36mL-G6x4XZyrjo8hdwduI99ZIfaeBx24guzGeHMoHdDyD9UJ302QwW8eO1zRo3wa7-rYgc7yXdNaSLr-_GIJLHwieX-vELkap4PzwN3rg8g8pwL41G23_AylLFhkTXzTw/s1600-h/Almond-Cookies-Indulgence.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223730836245493938" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_lGPbaEmi36mL-G6x4XZyrjo8hdwduI99ZIfaeBx24guzGeHMoHdDyD9UJ302QwW8eO1zRo3wa7-rYgc7yXdNaSLr-_GIJLHwieX-vELkap4PzwN3rg8g8pwL41G23_AylLFhkTXzTw/s320/Almond-Cookies-Indulgence.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />I was lucky enough to win something pretty fabulous when I was in New Orleans the other week and, no, it wasn't at the slots at Harrah's (unfortunately). I won a gift pack from <a href="http://www.carolsdaughter.com/home.do">Carol's Daughter</a>!<br /><br /><p>Now I'm walking around smelling like almonds and sugary goodness. In some respects, I can be a pretty frugal woman (some, who shall remain nameless, have even called me cheap), but one thing I don't like to skimp on is lotion and bath products. But this gift pack (Almond Cookie Indulgence, to be exact) is worth $90. Let's keep in mind educators don't make enough for such indulgences. So, I was indeed blessed and highly favored to have won. I mean, I could've bought say, the lotion, and that would've been it. A sistah is on a serious budget. Can we say "student loans"? Yes, we can!</p><br />I am absolutely in love with Carol's Daughter's products (the <a href="http://www.carolsdaughter.com/product/hair/conditioning+hairdress/hair+milk.do?search=basic&keyword=hair+milk&sortby=newArrivals&page=1">Hair Milk </a>does wonders) since I began using them almost eight months ago. I even did away with my Paul Mitchell, after having a religious devotion to <a href="http://www.paulmitchell.com/Products/PaulMitchell/Original/Pages/TheConditioner.aspx">The Conditioner </a>for about five years. (It's not a real breakup though; we're just seeing other people). You know I like to support the black-owned businesses, especially when they keep my natural tresses looking great and healthy. Feel free to add "vain" to "frugal."afrodisiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084901950071393888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1438563202239440883.post-44727218290561767532008-07-14T16:58:00.005-05:002008-07-14T17:21:51.491-05:00Spotlight<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVtdSRJ3i8GXfipyBmEcbFJOT5LXw1Of63NLnRV9wfB4wZQdqAVwYE_qbXPpDqATICbiJ0T3zsIPZdUoXVhG42M6kHyoI-onv7ddpXLhnGESt-HnUyBWav3aw109Nn-frJ0je5FlTPo_M/s1600-h/judcdcover.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222992823611782802" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVtdSRJ3i8GXfipyBmEcbFJOT5LXw1Of63NLnRV9wfB4wZQdqAVwYE_qbXPpDqATICbiJ0T3zsIPZdUoXVhG42M6kHyoI-onv7ddpXLhnGESt-HnUyBWav3aw109Nn-frJ0je5FlTPo_M/s320/judcdcover.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><p>Jennifer Hudson's long awaited debut album seems like it's gonna drop soon. Her publicity team just released her album cover.</p><p>Is it me, or is this picture a little fishy?</p><p>One thing I like about Jennifer Hudson is that besides actually being able to sing the rafters off of any place she's in, she's "real-sized." That is, while not morbidly obese, she clearly eats sandwiches with full fat cheese on them. You know what I mean. Moreover, she also speaks in complete sentences without generally embarrassing herself. I think those are all good traits.</p><p>So, back to the picture. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">JHud</span> looks good. But bless them if they didn't <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">photoshop</span> the poor child within an inch of her life. They (drastically) cinched her waist, minimized the girls, and shaved off a little wobbly arm. </p><p>So much for real-sized. </p>afrodisiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084901950071393888noreply@blogger.com1