IS SOLANGE CUT SEXY ???

Technorati Tags: black celebrites,black gossip,beyonce,solange,hip hop

 

Many of my besties in the blogosphere clown on the Knowles sisters. Not because of their talent, Lord knows both of these beautiful Houston women can entertain like nobody's biz. It's because of their hair.

My amiga Fresh of Crunk and Disorderly coined the term "wig crypt" for the Knowles family, and my other amiga Luvvie, well she'd just refer to Beyonce's typical hairstyle as a flammable hairhat.

We try not to bring that kind of judgment over here at BV Hair Talk.

So I'll just say, I was so pleasantly surprised at Solange's new 'do. She is workin' the TWA like nobody's business!

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Protect Your Hair Color

Posted by Patrice Grell Yursik

You finally found the perfect shade, went to a professional, and shelled out major bucks for your fancy new hair color. Now what? Are you just gonna sit back and let it grow out and fade?

I don't think so!

Finding ways to preserve your hair color is essential. Anything less would mean just wasting your money. So if you've got yourself a gorgeous new hair color, you might want to investigate investing in the following five products.

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Black Celebrity Gossip: Vivica Fox is Now doing Psychic Friends Commercials

Technorati Tags: vivica a. fox,black celebrities,african american celebrities,black celebrity gossip,black gossip

Does This Girl Look like Sasha Obama?

Ariel Binns is cute, smart, outgoing and looks remarkably like first daughter Sasha Obama.

Young model Ariel Binns, right, resembles Sasha Obama.

The similarity has not gone unnoticed by the fashion industry. Harper's Bazaar magazine cast the 6-year-old Brooklyn, New York, first-grader with model Tyra Banks in a photo spread showing an African-American family in the White House.

Binns, a child model, was peering out from under a big wooden desk in an image reminiscent of John F. Kennedy's time in office.

When it comes to fashion there's nothing like a powerful brand to boost sales, especially if that brand is a dynamic first family.

"Marketers are finally waking up to it -- you know -- black is beautiful," says global branding expert David Rogers who predicts African-American models will play a more prominent role in fashion photography as a direct result of the Obamas. "It's just going to become part of the fabric of the fashion imagery of pop culture, which is a great thing," says Rogers. Watch young first daughter look-alike model »

At Wilhelmina Kids, a modeling agency in New York for kids and teens, agents say there is increased demand for first daughter look-alikes.

"It's a trend because, what little girl doesn't want to emulate the first kids?" said Marlene Wallach, president of Wilhelmina, which represents Binns.

Unlike the Bush twins or Chelsea Clinton, global branding experts say the appeal of the Obama girls is unique -- and infinitely marketable. After the first kids appeared in their J.Crew outfits on Inauguration Day, the company's Web site got so many hits, it crashed.

Click to read.

Technorati Tags: barack obama,obama family,sasha obama,black news headlines,african american news,black news

Your Black Beauty: Make Up Apps for Black Women

Technorati Tags: black beauty tips,african american women,black women,black beauty,black hair,african american hair

Black Female Soldier Lavena Johnson: Rape/murder or suicide?

Black female soldier Lavena Johnson was found dead under highly questionable circumstances. She was shot in the head and had acid on her genitals. She also had a broken nose. The military has ruled her death a suicide and refuses to reopen the investigation. However, her family is stating that this is a cover-up. Video is below.

Black Women's Hair: Who Controls the Market?

Black women do not have much say in the black haircare market. According to this documentary by Aaron Black Hair documentary by Aron Ranen, black women and black men have almost no ownership in the massive market for African American hair care products. This is shocking in light of the fact that Koreans and others have come to know the black community to be loyal and powerful consumers in this market, spending black money in the billions. So, the notion that we do not own any of this market falls solely on our shoulders.

How do we learn how to gain a stake in the black hair care market? Perhaps it starts with education. Either way, black hair is always going to be an issue for our community and perhaps black women can take the lead.

The Black Hair Documentary is below.

Future Black Love In The White House

The cost of an unlimited calling plan to stay in touch with the one that you love - $100.

The cost of enjoying a five-course meal with the one that you love - $300.

The cost of this picture and the love expressed in it by our next President Barack Obama and future First Lady Michelle Obama - PRICELESS.

Vera Richardson is the author of “A Case of Racial Discrimination and Retaliation Real or Imagined.” http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?ISBN=9780615177014

The Men We Choose. The Women They Want

Woman To Woman
The Men We Choose. The Women They Want.

By: Delores Jones, MSW

For $2,500 dollars a woman living in New York has the option to join The Harlem Club, a private business and social club where college educated, successful African American and Latino men, pay between $5,000 (advisory board member) to $3,500 (general yearly member) to gather to network and talk business. The men have two primary business goals – to marry and have children with a woman who is between the ages of “21 to 39 years of age, college educated, single with no kids and beautiful,” according to the club’s founder Thomas Lopez-Pierre. Lopez-Pierre says members of The Harlem Club believe belonging to the club is the best way for them to avoid “hoodrats rolling up on them talking about “yo yo yo baby, what’s up, what’s up,” and pulling on their arm, as if they are a side of beef.”

For a woman, getting into The Harlem Club is like applying for a job with a modeling agency. After a woman completes an application and submits a full body photo of herself in a swimsuit, the men decide if she is in or out. If she has skills but still has a few extra pounds to work on (overweight women are not welcome) she might be given the option to pay $2,500 to join. Women who are accepted into The Harlem Club receive “respect for their intellect and have a higher appreciation for their beauty,” Lopez-Pierre told one writer.

As unbelievable as the story may sound, it is true and has been the case since 2004, when The Harlem Club was organized by investment bankers, accountants, lawyers and other professional Black and Latino men living in New York. Is this unfortunate? Maybe. Is it insulting? Perhaps. The reality is this is just one group of men who have decided to honestly share their method for choosing a woman rather we like it or not.

Now before you decide to challenge a man with this sort of mindset, consider this. This is “his truth” as he sees it and it becomes “truth” to those who also believe this and accept it. Instead of using your mental and emotional energy to convince someone with this kind of perceptive to change, redirect your focus and become clear about what you value about yourself most and who is intellectually, mentally, spiritually and emotionally equipped to identify, appreciate and co-exist with the true essence of a “substantial (significantly great) woman.”

In order to do this you must know your self worth. “Who can find a virtuous (of noble character) woman? For her price is far above rubies….Strength and dignity are her clothing…...She speaks with wisdom; and her tongue is the law of kindness…..” (Proverbs 31:10, 25 & 26 KJV, NIV). She also realizes that “charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised” (Proverbs 31: 30).

It’s not unrealistic for a man to share his preferences as in the case with the male members of The Harlem Club. However, it is unfortunate when we underestimate our self worth and are not willing to stand firmly upon standards and principles that affirm our true value which can only be defined from within ourselves and not by others personal opinions, advertisements and preferences. If we miss this, chances are we might sell ourselves short. If you have ever made a trip to a museum full of fine art work and statues, you’ve probably noticed that these items are usually not for sale, they are to be admired. Those interested in buying the items may purchase the prints or the look-a-likes but not the original. The original is priceless.

Having an understanding of your priceless originality (“I am fearfully and wonderfully made,” Psalms 139:14) and your role in the process of choosing a man and not necessarily being chosen by one will help you operate from a point of consideration and not desperation. Desperation is about grabbing hold of whatever is available and going through unnecessary changes for fear of not having what you really want and deserve. Consideration is seeking real truth and the supporting evidence before taking action.

Choosing and pursuing are not to be used interchangeably. They are not the same thing. To pursue means to follow in hopes of capturing. A man’s role is to pursue you and a woman’s role is to carefully consider the man in pursuit of her. Let’s not get it twisted.

No matter what his occupation is, what clubs or organizations he belongs to or what clothing designer’s name is written inside his suit or printed on his tee-shirt, know your role and act it out. For help with writing or re-writing your personal script for choosing a suitable man, check out the book, Choosing God’s Best by Dr. Don Raunikar. Don’t forget, the choice is yours. Choose wisely.

DELORES M. JONES, MSW, LMSW is a social worker, radio host, producer and adjunct college professor in Kansas City. Rising out of a childhood of homelessness and candlelit homework, she emerged as an award-winning journalist. She has shared her story on the Oprah Winfrey show and included in the book *Come on People: On the Path from Victims to Victors by Dr. Bill Cosby and Dr. Alvin Poussaint*. Visit her website http://www.deloresinspiresme.com/ for more information and highlights of her radio show Woman To Woman Talk. Email comments or questions to deloresinspiresme@yahoo.com.

Congratulation To My Daughter Banke

One of the reasons that I am excited about Senator Obama’s candidacy for the Oval Office is his vision for our children. All of this nation's children should have the same educational opportunities to be all that they can be regardless of race and/or economic class.

Through God’s grace and great mercy my daughter Banke will receive a Masters in Education on May 17, 2008. Please rejoice, celebrate, and help me congratulate my youngest daughter as she reaches this wonderful achievement in her life.

Banke is 24 years young, gifted, and black. She is a 2005 graduate of the University of VA and has been employed as a teacher for three years.

It is my belief that as race of people African-Americans should rejoice, encourage, celebrate, comfort, and love each other. I hope that you enjoy reading the following post written by Banke on her facebook blog as much as I did.

May 13, 2008
"hip-Hop saved my life

Lupe said hip-hop saved his life and I am inclined to agree with him. When I think about all of the major events and phases and my life, hip-hop is the backdrop. I remember when my sister came home from Syracuse University so excited to play “Mo Money, Mo Problems”. Her enthusiasm was infectious. I laid on the living room floor and let the music wash over me. Perhaps this was my baptism into hip-hop. I remember my other sister telling me how everybody at Penn State went crazy whenever they heard, “f--- the state pen, f--- hoes at Penn State.”

I remember being a suburban kid who loved to visit her cousin on the weekend because she lived in the hood. We walked to the corner store, heard the cars blasting music, and thought this is what it’s like to be alive.
When that same suburban kid moved to the hood herself she wasn’t scared or sad because she was moving where the music came from.
I remember house parties and dancing on the wall and doing the cry baby.

My image of love was shaped by hip-hop. I remember hearing Mary and Meth thinking I hope to one day find a love like that. I haven’t, but that song still sets the standard for how I want to feel. I remember hearing Tupac and getting goose bumps. I felt how Elaine Brown felt when she met Huey P. Newton. What a genius what a maniac, I wanted a man like that.

I remember moving down south and hearing Timbaland constantly on the radio. My sister and I went crazy every time we heard “Love to Love Ya. I wanted “big lips and handle bars.” I remember bugging out over how crazy Missy was. I remember the WU album.

I learned about sexuality from hip-hop. LL taught me that if you’re going to do it, do it well. Lil’ Kim taught me the power that a woman holds in between her legs; Foxy Brown taught me how to use it.

I remember listening to We Are the Streets and Back for the First time non-stop in high school. I remember being rebellious, only putting my head up when I had headphones on.

I remember college and my southern boyfriend putting me on to the merits of Outkast. I remember my afrocentric soul sista putting me on the Jean Grae. I remember The Roots concert being sold out, madlib being bumped by the real hip-hop kids. I remember Lil’ Jon got the parties going crazy. I remember when Kayne first came out. He fed the soul of that suburban/hood/conscious/afrocentric bohemian I was becoming.

I remember just wanting to be a part of it. I read everything hip-hop. XXL was read cover to cover the first day it hit the newsstands. S---, it was college you know I didn’t have a subscription. I remember listening to everything they referenced as classic. I wanted to live, breathe, and sh-- hip-hop. I remember the rush I felt when my words and my name were in the newspaper—people reading MY reviews on the net.

I remember graduation and the panicky feeling I had. No job lined up, back to the Roc. I remember teaching kids from the same hood and wanting to shield them from every bad decision that could be made.

Now I am a seasoned teacher I’m out of love with hip-hop. I hate the fake thugs it creates, I hate the materialism it promotes, I hate seeing my female students sing along with songs that “let them lick the wrapper.”
But I could never hate hip-hop.

I use it to teach my students to think critically. Why do you like this? Why is this hot? What does it make YOU feel? So slowly hip-hop is putting me back under its spell. When I teach my students about a four count, and how to critique a beat and they get it, I get that feeling back.

Hip-hop raised me, and I haven’t grown up yet."

Vera Richardson is the author of “A Case of Racial Discrimination and Retaliation Real or Imagined." http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?r=1&EAN=9780615177014

Congratulation To My Daughter Banke

I am so proud and excited as I write this post. One of the reasons that I am also excited about Senator Obama’s candidacy for the Oval Office is his vision for our children. All of our children should have the opportunity to be all that they can be regardless of race and/or economic class.

Through God’s grace and great mercy my daughter Banke will receive a Masters in Education on May 17, 2008. Please rejoice, celebrate, and help me congratulate my youngest daughter Banke as she reaches this wonderful achievement in her life.

Banke is 24 years young, gifted, and black. She is a 2005 graduate of the University of VA and has been employed as a teacher for three years.

It is my belief that as race of people African-Americans should rejoice, encourage, celebrate, comfort, and love each other. Additionally, I hope that you enjoy reading the following post written by Banke on her facebook blog as much as I did.

May 13, 2008
"hip-Hop saved my life

Lupe said hip-hop saved his life and I am inclined to agree with him. When I think about all of the major events and phases and my life, hip-hop is the backdrop. I remember when my sister came home from Syracuse University so excited to play “Mo Money, Mo Problems”. Her enthusiasm was infectious. I laid on the living room floor and let the music wash over me. Perhaps this was my baptism into hip-hop.

I remember my other sister telling me how everybody at Penn State went crazy whenever they heard, “f--- the state pen, f--- hoes at Penn State.”

I remember being a suburban kid who loved to visit her cousin on the weekend because she lived in the hood. We walked to the corner store, heard the cars blasting music, and thought this is what it’s like to be alive.

When that same suburban kid moved to the hood herself she wasn’t scared or sad because she was moving where the music came from.

I remember house parties and dancing on the wall and doing the cry baby.

My image of love was shaped by hip-hop. I remember hearing Mary and Meth thinking I hope to one day find a love like that. I haven’t, but that song still sets the standard for how I want to feel. I remember hearing Tupac and getting goose bumps. I felt how Elaine Brown felt when she met Huey P. Newton. What a genius what a maniac, I wanted a man like that.

I remember moving down south and hearing Timbaland constantly on the radio. My sister and I went crazy every time we heard “Love to Love Ya. I wanted “big lips and handle bars.” I remember bugging out over how crazy Missy was. I remember the WU album.

I learned about sexuality from hip-hop. LL taught me that if you’re going to do it, do it well. Lil’ Kim taught me the power that a woman holds in between her legs; Foxy Brown taught me how to use it.

I remember listening to We Are the Streets and Back for the First time non-stop in high school. I remember being rebellious, only putting my head up when I had headphones on.

I remember college and my southern boyfriend putting me on to the merits of Outkast. I remember my afrocentric soul sista putting me on the Jean Grae. I remember The Roots concert being sold out, madlib being bumped by the real hip-hop kids. I remember Lil’ Jon got the parties going crazy. I remember when Kayne first came out. He fed the soul of that suburban/hood/conscious/afrocentric bohemian I was becoming.

I remember just wanting to be a part of it. I read everything hip-hop. XXL was read cover to cover the first day it hit the newsstands. S---, it was college you know I didn’t have a subscription. I remember listening to everything they referenced as classic. I wanted to live, breathe, and sh-- hip-hop. I remember the rush I felt when my words and my name were in the newspaper—people reading MY reviews on the net.

I remember graduation and the panicky feeling I had. No job lined up, back to the Roc. I remember teaching kids from the same hood and wanting to shield them from every bad decision that could be made.

Now I am a seasoned teacher I’m out of love with hip-hop. I hate the fake thugs it creates, I hate the materialism it promotes, I hate seeing my female students sing along with songs that “let them lick the wrapper.”

But I could never hate hip-hop.

I use it to teach my students to think critically. Why do you like this? Why is this hot? What does it make YOU feel? So slowly hip-hop is putting me back under its spell. When I teach my students about a four count, and how to critique a beat and they get it, I get that feeling back.

Hip-hop raised me, and I haven’t grown up yet."

Vera Richardson is the author of “A Case of Racial Discrimination and Retaliation Real or Imagined." http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?r=1&EAN=9780615177014

Senator Obama is Seeking The Oval Office Not Rev. Wright

Come on people you are some of the same people who Bush and Karl Rove tricked to win and/or steal two Presidential elections. Americans are smarter than this. So what if Obama has "black pride" and knows that as a nation we have a long way to go to heal racial inequality and racial problems both past and present in this country. How does that disqualify him for the Presidency?

The rest of the world has already deserted us in all our foreign affair efforts around the world. We don't need to be attack by a terrorist group China can destroy our economy by calling in all the loans that we owe that country. Our military is not capable of even defending us without ending the world as we know it.

We currently have an administration that lied about weapons of mass destruction, the cost of the war in Iraq, and joked behind closed doors about pardoned Scooter Libby is hiding from the prosecutor. Cheney response to a reporters question that asked if the America people wants us to leave Iraq was “So what?”

Hillary and Bill appear to have entered into an unholy alliance with the very same people Limbaugh and company who hates their guts. This is all in an effort to destroy Obama and the Democratic chances to win in 2008.

Evident of the fact that Hillary is willing to destroy this country and that it’s either Hillary or McCain is found in the Limbaugh and Clinton connection. After Limbaugh ran into Bill Clinton in a NYC restaurant in May 2007 he had to explain his civil behavior to his outraged audience.

Fast-forward to February 2008, and the two political archrivals may have formed an alliance. Hillary Clinton current actions (scheduled appearance of the Factor) and words demonstrate that the next President of the United States will be either her or John McCain. Her behavior and actions says the hell with African-Americans, the middle class, gas prices, the withdrawing from the Iraq war, and the recession etc…

Lastly, Voters please don’t fall for the smoke and mirrors of “bitterness” and “Rev. Wright.” Obama can and will win if we as a united Democratic Party work our collective butts off and go to the polls and vote in November.

OH YES WE CAN!!! AND FOR HILLARY SUPPORTERS OH YES WE WILL !!! UNITIED WE STAND DIVIDED WE FALL.

Vera Richardson is the author of “A Case of Racial Discrimination and Retaliation Real or Imagined." http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?ISBN=9780615177014

Michelle Obama's Response to Tavis Smiley

In this audio, Michelle Obama describes what happened when she offered herself to come to The State of the Black Union.

Mayor Kilpatrick SEX SCANDAL (II)

His wife should accept his apology, forgive him, love herself, and move on with her life.

Vera Richardson is the author of “A Case of Racial Discrimination and Retaliation Real or Imagined."
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/customer-images/0615177018/ref+=cm

The video of Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's apology. He is very sorry that the text messages exchanged with his mistress and chief of staff Christine Beatty were made public.



He should not only resign but his wife should accept his apology, forgive him, love herself, and move on with her life.



Vera Richardson is the author of “A Case of Racial Discrimination and Retaliation Real or Imagined."

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/customer-images/0615177018/ref+=cm

Carlita Kilpatrick Should Divorce Mayor Kilpatrick

On Wednesday Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick pleaded for forgiveness from his wife and constituents. The televised apology was made from their family’s church the Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ.

His plea for forgiveness included: “Finally, and most important, I want to make a public apology to my wife, Carlita, who I fell in love with when I was 19 years old. We decided to build a family together and we did that. Our marriage has not been perfect, but it has been great."

Mayor Kilpatrick has a law degree from the Michigan State University College of Law. Kilpatrick, who is 37 years old and his wife met at Florida A&M University. The couple have three children.

The picture in this blog is the city owned mansion that the mayor shares with his family. The family own a vacation home in a golf course community in Tallahassee, Florida. They bought the house in June 2007 for $430,000.

His wife statement included: "Like all marriages, ours is not perfect, but through our commitment to God and each other, my husband and I will get through this. Yes, I am angry, I am hurt, and I am disappointed. But there is no question that I love my husband."

I don’t doubt that she loves her husband. I don’t question her decision to “forgive” him. What I do have an issue with is the fact that he and his mistress have work together for 10 years. In fact Beatty resigned on Monday from her position as his chief of staff.

Therefore, I question her decision to stay married to him. How does a husband justify to his wife that he has been involved with a woman for at least six years? An involvement that included a sexual and more importantly an emotional involvement. An involvement with Beatty a woman that he has known since they were both in 9th grade. Why would a wife stay with a man who has destroyed their lives financially, emotionally, and spiritually?

Both Kilpatrick and his mistress Christine Beatty lied under oath about their affair last summer in a whistleblowers suit filed against the city by two former cops. Their testimony was part of a lawsuit by the officers who claimed they lost their jobs because they investigated whether Kilpatrick used his security officers to cover up extramarital affairs.

Text messages proved that the pair had an intimate relationship. In hundreds of text messages from 2002 to 2003, Kilpatrick and Christine Beatty who were both married declared their love for each other.

They also sent text messages in order to meet in motels in Detroit and on out of town business trips. One message from Kilpatrick to Beatty “I‘ve been dreaming all day about having you all to myself for 3 days…relaxing, laughing, talking, sleeping, and making love.”

Keith Naughton of Newsweek magazine online reported that during a visit to Washington DC in 2002 for the Congressional Black Caucus's legislative conference, the mayor and his chief of staff shared a bedroom at his D.C. hotel while his bodyguards stood watch.

During the trial both denied a romantic or intimate relationship. It has been reported that Beatty lied about the affair 10 times on the witness stand in August 2007. A jury ruled against the City of Detroit and the officers were paid 8.4 million dollars. The lawsuit cost the city more than 9 million dollars.

The Detroit News and its reporting partner, WXYS reported recently that Mayor Kilpatrick was in a luxury resort hot tub and got a massage with a woman who was not his wife. The incident was reported to have occurred at a luxury resort in Asheville, NC during the 2008 Martin Luther King Day holiday weekend. Beatty legal representative is denying allegations that she was the woman with Kilpatrick.

Kym Worthy, a Wayne County prosecutor has launched a criminal investigation into whether Beatty and Kilpatrick committed perjury or other crimes. If convicted of perjury they could face up to 15 years in prison.

In his apology Kilpatrick stated, "I am the mayor. I made the mistake, I am accountable." Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick should resign immediately if he truly is accountable and has any regards for is wife, family, and the people of Detroit.

Vera Richardson is the author of “A Case of Racial Discrimination and Retaliation Real or Imagined."
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?EAN=9780615177014&rv=1

Read excerpts from the text messages http://freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080123/NEWS05/301230008

Toni Morrison Endorses Senator Barack Obama

I have been urging people to endorse Obama since his historic victory in Iowa. I am so excited about the Kennedy’s endorsement of Senator Obama on Monday, January 28, 2008.

Listening to the speeches of Obama and all of the Kennedy clan gave me great joy and hope. Hope that we will seek God’s face and that he will heal our land. Hope that we will come together as a one nation under God. Hope that Obama will win the nomination of the Democratic Party and hope that he will become the next President of the United States of America.

In addition to getting Senator Kennedy’s endorsement Senator Barack Obama was also endorsed on Monday by Toni Morrison. Ms. Morrison is 76 years old and this is the first time that she had issued a public endorsement of a presidential candidate. The Nobel Prize winner for literature letter to Senator Obama made me proud to be called woman.

Toni Morrison’s Endorsement Letter

Dear Senator Obama,

This letter represents a first for me—a public endorsement of a Presidential candidate. I feel driven to let you know why I am writing it. One reason is it may help gather other supporters; another is that this is one of those singular moments that nations ignore at their peril. I will not rehearse the multiple crises facing us, but of one thing I am certain: this opportunity for a national evolution (even revolution) will not come again soon, and I am convinced you are the person to capture it.

May I describe to you my thoughts?

I have admired Senator Clinton for years. Her knowledge always seemed to me exhaustive; her negotiation of politics expert. However I am more compelled by the quality of mind (as far as I can measure it) of a candidate. I cared little of her gender as a source of my admiration, and the little I did care was based on the fact that no liberal woman has ever ruled in America. Only conservative or “new-centrist” ones are allowed into that realm. Nor do I care very much for your race(s). I would not support you if that was all you had to offer or because it might makes me “proud.”

In thinking carefully about the strengths of the candidates, I stunned myself when I came to the following conclusion: that in addition to keen intelligence, integrity and a rare authenticity, you exhibit something that has nothing to do with age, experience, race or gender and something that has nothing to do with age, experience, race or gender and something I don’t see in other candidates. That something is a creative imagination which coupled which coupled with brilliance equals wisdom. It is too bad if we associate it only with gray hair and old age. Or if we call searing vision naivete. Or if we believe cunning is insight. Or if we settle for finessing cures tailored for each ravaged tree in the forest while ignoring the poisonous landscape that feeds and surrounds it. Wisdom is a gift; you can’t train for it, inherit it, learn it in a class, or earn it in the workplace- that access can foster the acquisition of knowledge, but not wisdom.

When, I wondered, was the last time this country was guided by such a leader? Someone whose moral center was un-embargoed? Someone with courage instead of mere ambition? Someone who truly thinks of his country’s citizens as “we”, not “they?” Someone who understands what it will take to help America realize the virtues it fancies about itself, what it desperately needs to become in the world?

Our future is ripe, outrageously rich in its possibilities. Yet unleashing the glory of that future will require a difficult labor, and some may be so frighten of its birth they will refuse to abandon their nostalgia for the womb.

There have been a few prescient leaders in our past, but you are the man for this time.

Good luck to you and to us.

Toni Morrison

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?EAN=9780615177014&rv=1

LET GO!

I am one of those people who constantly worry about things that they can't control. I can't help it. This problem has plagued me all of me life. Maybe it stems from the burden of being the oldest child--the one with all of the responsibility.

For example, I remember going to a house party and worrying about people spilling things on the carpet and IT WASN'T EVEN MY HOUSE. I can laugh about it now, but as my friend would say "Girl, you are always ON." I knew exactly what she meant.

I needed to calm down and live in the moment, but that was easier said than done for a girl who loved planning out everything.

One restless night, I sat in bed contemplating what I was going to do with my future. I had many of those nights.

Suddenly, I heard this song on the radio and it touched my heart. It gave me the peace of mind that I was searching for over the years.

I want to share this song with everyone. Listen to the words and embrace the message. Here it is....


LET GO
by Dewayne Woods

Black Love Recovery - Company Gives Sick Days for Lost Relationships

by The Love Doctor

Is there any feeling worse than the one you have after ending a long-term relationship? It seems that if anything is deserving of a sick day, this would be it.

Well, a Japanese Marketing firm agrees with you. The firm offers its employees "heartache leave" to help them get over the pain of a lost relationship.

Hime & Company says that the time off allows its workers to cry off their pain and move forward with their lives.

"Not everyone needs to take maternity leave but with heartbreak, everyone needs time off, just like when you get sick," CEO Miki Hiradate said.

If you are 24 or younger, you get one day off per year. If you are between 35 and 29 you get two days off. If you are older than that, you get 3 days.

"Women in their 20s can find their next love quickly, but it's tougher for women in their 30s, and their break-ups tend to be more serious," Hiradate said.

The company also offers women two mornings off twice a year for "sales shopping leave".

"Before, women could take half-days off to go to sales, but you'd have to hide your shopping bags in lockers by the train station," Hiradate said.

"But with paid leave, we don't have to feel guilty about bringing our shopping bags to work, and we can enjoy the best part about sales shopping -- talking about our purchases afterwards."

Taking time off for love makes sense, since there is scientific research stating that losing a relationship can be as painful as drug withdrawal. Perhaps firms in the U.S. will consider a similar policy.

Fired Up and ready to go with Oprah Winfrey in Manchester S

"Get fired up and ready to go”

This is a historic time for our people and nation. Record numbers of Americans are participating in the 2008 election. Quoting one of Obama’s campaign slogans it is time for black voters to "get fired up and ready to go.” We can do this by actively engaging in the entire 2008 election process. If you aren't register to vote please register ASAP.

All registered Black Americans should make a conscious effort to vote in the primary election in your state.

While working at my polling place in Newport News, VA during the 2004 presidential election I discovered that many minority voters were not allowed to vote. To my dismay and surprise the poll workers required a state issued identification card from voters attempting to vote. Some of the voters returned with the necessary identification while others did not come back to cast their ballots.

I would encourage everyone to call your local Division of Motor Vehicle Department to inquire about getting a driver's license or a state identification card. Therefore, you will be prepared if you are required to present an identification card in order to exercise your right to vote.