Showing posts with label african american news. Show all posts
Showing posts with label african american news. Show all posts

Friday, September 10, 2010

No Black Athletes to Follow Venus, Serena and Tiger: What’s Going On?

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University 

Most of us can appreciate, on one level or another, the tremendous achievements of Tiger Woods, Venus Williams and her little sister, Serena. They have all been, in one way or another, a tremendous source of pride for the African American community. Much of the reason we are so proud of them is because they've dominated like no other in sports that are not typically played by "us." I am personally more impressed with the Williams sisters than with Tiger, in large part because they've made it into a family affair, and seem to more directly embrace the idea of making their success into a "black thing." Tiger, on the other hand, seems to want to make his success into a "Caublinasian thing." I admittedly can't get with that.

 

Click to read.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Actress Regina King Speaks Up on Racial Inequality in Hollywood

Since the Emmy ceremony, I have been going back and forth about whether or not I should compose this letter. I try hard in my daily life not to engage in uncomfortable situations regarding race. But sometimes it's very difficult to find other reasons that better explain why certain events play out the way they do. It is impossible for me to ignore the published statistics regarding the number of people of color mentioned, celebrated or honored in the history of the televised Emmys. Up to and including this year, there have been only 53 non-white actorsnominated for Emmys out of nearly 1,000 possible nominations in the top four acting categories for drama and comedy.

Click to read.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

African American Valedictorian Shocks the World with His Speech

by Lawrence Watkins – Great Black Speakers

When Justin Hudson gave his valedictorian speech at his Hunter College High School graduation, he made it one that people will remember for decades. In the speech, Hudson went beyond providing vague advice or encouragement for his classmates. Hudson instead chose to use his opportunity to push his high school school to end a flawed admissions policy that keeps Hunter College High School from developing adequate racial diversity.
"I feel guilt because I don't deserve any of this and neither do any of you," Hudson said in his speech, as reported by Diverseeducation.com. "We received an outstanding education at no charge based solely on our performance on a test we took when we were 11-year-olds or 4-year-olds."

Click to read.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Spelman Ranked as the #1 HBCU in America

Short note from Dr. Boyce Watkins 

Spelman College was chosen as the #1 HBCU in the country in a recent ranking by U.S. News and World Report.  The title is well-deserved, since I don’t know of a single Spelman grad who isn’t doing quite well.  But some complain that the self-confidence of Spelman grads can sometimes breed arrogance - you know, the woman who wants to be CEO of the company on the first day.  In fact, I know employers who refuse to hire Spelman grads at all.

Click to read.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Laurence Fishburne on Montana: “No one uses their Real Last Name in Porn”

 

 

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Apparently, Laurence Fishburne and his daughter Montana are not speaking.  He told his daughter that he embarrassed her and ridiculed her by saying that no one uses their real last name in porn.  According to TMZ, Laurence has said that he will not speak to Montana until she “turns her life around.”  This is sad.

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Dr. Boyce: Was Fantasia’s Suicide Attempt a Business Move?

 

When I heard that the singer Fantasia attempted suicide this week, I was saddened and alarmed.  Suicide is the last thing I’d expect from a woman who seemed to empower others with her seemingly endless supply of positive energy.  Fantasia is a star in more ways than one.

As I researched the details of her suicide, I couldn’t help but notice that one of the causes of her depression may have been the slowdown in her career.

Artists who stop selling records suddenly realize that they were addicted to the fame and money.  The declining artist is faced with massive economic problems, serious rejection issues and an intense sense of personal failure.  When this is compounded with some of the relationship problems that Fantasia has reportedly had with a married man, you have a recipe for disaster.

That made me want to ask the question that others may not want to ask: Is Fantasia’s management team looking to milk sympathy from her fans to boost record sales?  While I certainly empathize with what Fantasia is experiencing, I couldn’t help but notice the dramatic details of her personal problems being blasted throughout the media.  It’s not as if her team has asked that we allow her a private moment to be with her family.  They are bringing the entire world into her hospital room and sharing every detail of the experience.

 

Click to read.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Dr. Boyce Watkins: Naomi Campbell Reminds Me of Why I will Never Buy Another Diamond Again

by dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University 

Naomi Campbell, the supermodel known for attacking her personal assistants, is involved in a different kind of controversy this week. She has been asked to testify at the trial of former Liberian President Charles Taylor. Perhaps being beautiful comes with benefits, since Campbell is being asked about some "dirty looking stones" she received at a party in 1997, brought to her room in the middle of the night.
The stones were allegedly "blood diamonds," and the court is attempting to determine if these diamonds were given to her by Charles Taylor. Blood diamonds are those that are mined in the middle of war zones, often used to finance insurgencies, leading to loss of life and enslavement. In other words, we shouldn't be buying them.

 

Click to read.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Black Women’s News from Madame Noire – 8/3/10

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Black Women Angry Over Essence Magazine Hiring a White Fashion Editor?

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, TheLoop21.com

It seems that the world has grown irritated with Essence Magazine for hiring a new white fashion editor. Michaela Angela Davis, a former employee, has blasted the organization for effectively betraying its constituents with the non-traditional hire. She cites mass discrimination that has historically occurred within the fashion industry and seems disappointed that “our space” no longer belongs to us.

I certainly empathize with Davis’ point. Davis is a strong and direct black woman (I had her on my show), one who has very little tolerance for those who deviate from what she perceives as righteous ideology regarding women and minorities. Her passion for the issues that affect us seems to come from a genuine place, like a black woman who has seen enough and refuses to allow herself or anyone like her to be victimized by a clearly racist and sexist society. 

 

Click to read.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

News: Results of AOL Black Voices Poll about Black Women and Dating

This poll was taken in response to the article Does the black church keep women single and lonely? - The majority of black women believe that they should open their dating horizons in general and that in spite of what Deborah Cooper has to say, the church can be a good place to find a Godly man.  What do you think?

Black women need to open their dating horizons in general

50%
266

No -- It's a woman's right to seek a Godly man

22%
118

Yes -- It's a bad place to meet men

10%
51

No Comment / Not Sure

9%
49

Either way, I find her views judgemental

9%
47




Saturday, June 12, 2010

Brian McKnight Gets the Baby Daddy Blues

by Dr. Boyce Watkins

It appears that the singer Brian McKnight is now a not-so-proud father. Well, the child isn't exactly a baby either. According to TMZ, the child is a 14-year old that Brian hasn't exactly claimed to be his own. Well, whether McKnight chooses to address the child as his own or not, a Florida judge has ruled that Brian must now take financial responsibility for the child. The amount owed? $341,640, which comes out to just over $2,000 per month for every month since the child was born.


The mother of the child, Miriam Lee, took Brian McKnight to court to establish paternity last year. Why she waited so long to do so is not clear. From this point on, the singer is responsible for making child support payments in the amount of $11,388 per month. The ruling was a default judgment, since McKnight was not in court and didn't respond to the woman's claim of paternity.

Click to read




Thursday, June 10, 2010

Slim Thug Gets a Reply from Talib Kweli, Dr. Boyce Watkins breaks it down

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University

A note to Slim Thug: You probably just need to be quiet for a while. It's not to say thatyour comments about black women were outside your rights to freedom of speech, but if you keep dissing the audience most likely to go out and buy your records, you are probably going to end up in the same poorhouse as MC Hammer. Don't get me wrong, black men love your music (at least I do), but the bottom line is that brothers don't buy albums, books, or anything else put up for sale. But when black women turn on you, it's a wrap son. Settle down and go back to the studio; it's good for your financial health.
I wrote yesterday about the comments made by Slim Thug regarding how he perceives white women to be a better dating choice than black women, as well asColumbia Professor Marc Lamont Hill'sresponse to Slim Thug's words. It seems that the debate has taken a life of it's own, now that rapper Talib Kweli has joined the conversation. In a recent essay he wrote for Vibe Magazine, Talib Kweli was ever the diplomatic artist, as he showed respect for Slim Thug, but also expressed his own concerns for his colleague's remarks about black women:

Click to read.

To read more about the debate regarding Slim Thug’s comments about black women, click here.




Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Black News in Black America - 6/9/10

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22-Year Old Pretending to be HS Student Faces 6 Felonies

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Eminem's 'Recovery' Proves More Than Celebrity Rehab

  • During Eminem's personal journey to sobriety, his fans braced themselves for its effects on his ... Read More
  • By Amanda Bassa on Jun 9th 2010 12:00PM | Comments (0)

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Dee Dee Myers: Obama Can't Get Angry Because He's Black

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BLACK MUSIC MONTH: 7 Pop/Rap CDs You Must Revisit

  • We continue to salute Black Music Month by recognizing seven CDs in the pop, rap and rock genres by ... Read More
  • By Jawn Murray on Jun 9th 2010 11:30AM | Comments (1)

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Rihanna's Hair Stylist Explains Her New 'Matador Red' 'Do

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Rihanna Sparkles, Jada Shines, Revamps & The Ultimate Dress - Around the Web

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FBI Says Texas Man Called Al-Qaida His 'Brothers'

  • It appears that one of the biggest threats to U.S. security in the coming years may be homegrown ... Read More
  • By Jeff Mays on Jun 9th 2010 10:53AM | Comments (0)

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Rampage Jackson, UFC Fighter, Justifies 'Gay' Comments

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DA: No DNA Evidence Found on 7-Year-Old Who Was Gang Raped

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Marc Lamont Hill Responds to Slim Thug's Take on Black Women

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Peace, Confidence and Bliss

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BP Using Massive PR and Internet Strategies to Deal with Spill

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Eve: Lets Guard Down on VH1's 'Behind the Music'

 

 

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Monday, May 17, 2010

Dr. Julianne Malveaux: Obama Disappoints Black Women with the Kagan Nomination

I was among the many who were disappointed that President Barack Obama did not nominate an African American woman to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. After all, there are six white men, two women, one Latina and one white, and a nominal African American man on the Court.  Why not an African American woman?
The Black Women's Roundtable, led by Melanie Campbell, was so disappointed that they shared their concerns with the President in a letter that spoke both to the contributions African American women have made and the qualifications of a few good women that President Obama should have considered before nominating Ms. Kagan to the nation's highest court.


I won't even speak on what I perceive as some of the shortcomings of the Kagan nomination.  The Solicitor General has earned the support of some colleagues that I fully respect, such as Harvard Professor Charles Ogletree.  At the same time, we have to pause at the fact that her definition of diversity is ideological diversity, not racial and ethnic diversity, and that she seemed to make Harvard a more welcome place for conservatives, if not for African American faculty.

 

Click to read




Sunday, May 16, 2010

The Bodyguard Part 2: Matt Lauer and Whitney Houston's Sister?

Matt Lauer cheats on wife with whiney houston's half-sister alexis

from AOL Black Voices

Popular 'Today' show host Matt Lauer and his wife of 12 years, Annette, have split. Word on the street is that when Lauer was in Vancouver covering the Winter Olympics, he allegedly "bumped Uggs" with Whitney Houston's half-sister, Alexis Houston.

Houston, who also dabbles in music as a singer/songwriter/producer, met Lauer on the set of his show back in 2007. She accompanied Dionne Warwick, who had sung one of her hits for a segment on marriage. Reportedly, Warwick and the show's producers had some friction before the segment aired, and Houston squashed it. Lauer was apparently impressed with how Houston handled her cousin, sources toldHollyscoop.

Click to read




Monday, April 26, 2010

Lola Adesioye: Are Black Women Victims of a Bad Dating Situation?

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by Lola Adesioye, Huffington Post

Over the past few months, black women and their relationships - or should I say, lack thereof - have been getting a lot of attention. The Washington Posthas done a couple of features on it. Then ABC'sNightline did a show asking why there are so many single black women.

All of a sudden the mainstream media is taking a keen interest in our love lives. We are being told that there is a 'crisis' amongst black women, particularly educated professional women, who are apparently unable to find a 'decent' black man.

Last night, ABC continued once again, with the airing of "Why Can't a Successful Black Woman Find a Man?," a taped discussion featuring Hill Harper, Steve Harvey, The View's Sherri Shepherd and others.

There's no doubt that it's a topic that sparks heated debates and discussions amongst black women and men. It has for years. But is it really that bad? Or is the media - now that it has found a hot topic - exploiting this issue for all that it's worth? I'm an educated black woman and I personally have no problem with meeting eligible, educated, great black men. Whether or not I choose to date them is another thing, but they are out there.

I am somewhat perturbed by the slew of stories on this topic. They are negative, unhelpful and only serve to perpetuate negative ideas about black men and women which often become self-fullfiling. They basically say 'oh, poor black women. They try so hard yet can't find a decent man ... Boo hoo, black women are victims. Ooh, it's all the fault of those pathetic black men. You know, they have no education or are locked up in jail.' Sorry, but I do not subscribe to that view.

 

Click to read