“If there were balance in the industry, if we didn’t have a history of being ignored and disrespected…if more mainstream fashion media included people of color before the ONE magazine dedicated to black women “diversified” it would feel different.” - Michaela Angela Davis
I stopped subscribing to Essence magazine when long-time editor-in-chief, Susan L. Taylor left in 2000. I stopped buying Essence from the newsstand on a occasional basis when Time Inc. purchased the magazine and began filling issues with more advertisements than stories, particularly advertisements that had little to due with improving, enhancing, or enriching the lives of African American women. The slow death of Essence Magazine had begun then, the essential magazine for African American women from 18 to 80 was beginning it's transformation into a high gloss version of Vogue magazine in blackface.
In the last ten years, Essence has become a shadow of it's former self. Slow to report on cutting edge issues in the African American community, way to fast to become a lightweight Hollywood promotional tool, clueless and tentative on issues where black women needed a fearless advocate. Current editor, Angela Burt-Murray continues to fail to impress, remember her tone-deaf words of wisdom during CNN's Black in America series? What About Our Daughters offers a blistering take-down of Burt-Murray's seriously stupid response to the latest controversy over Essence recently hiring it's first non-African American fashion editor. 
What I really can't stand is all the pointless anger and inaction that the slow, sad, death of Essence Magazine has generated. Keep it simple folks. Don't get angry, get even. Stop buying Essence, period. I did it, you can do it too. There is no rule that says black women need to keep buying it. If you don't like the direction of the magazine, put it down! Keep it moving. Start reading Clutch Magazine or many of the numerous blogs written by black women for black women. 
It's been a bad few weeks for black male athletes, from the horrible news of the murder of former NBA player Lorenzen Wright, to the undeserved second chances of Jeremiah Masoli and Maurice Clarett, the reckless stupidity of Tyreke Evans, and the great flame-out of Delonte West.
You plan a "Uni-Tea" diversity function for the Tea Party Movement which has a little bitty problem with racist signs and slurs at it's previous events and you invite confirmed racist Andrew "I Ain't Never Apologizing To Shirley Sherrod" Breitbart to speak. How does that event turn out?
The dude above with the uber-thin lips, squirrelly eyes, receding hairline, and road map wrinkled face wrote some pointless piece of junk calling some of his fellow journalists ugly. This dude must not have any mirrors in his crib.
Could you see this dumb bunny meeting with various Heads of State with random stuff written on her hand? Their names or their countries? Folks are serious about this idiot being the next President of the United States. Our country would become a laughingstock.
Highly recommended, mindless entertainment. Worth every penny. Get your popcorn, your soda, and your milkduds and just sit back and enjoy the ass-kicking and gunplay. The story makes no damn sense and Angelina Jolie's skinny ass running around and punching folks is completely unbelievable, but who gives a damn. A good action thriller is a good action thriller.
The old saying is true...you can't teach old dogs new tricks. GOP great grand momma Phyllis Schlafly on the run from the old folks home and spewing insane, deranged, and completely wrong ravings.
Who is craziest negro running for office here?
Cleveland should have known he was leaving. LeBron has always been about LeBron. Who proclaims themselves the "King" and the "Chosen One" when they hadn't played even one NBA game at the time? His pre-game rituals are stupid, his post game press comments even dumber, and his big announcement TV special with go down in sports history as one of most brainless moments in the history of free agency.
I'm damn glad he's changing his number because he's made a complete mockery out of wearing the #23. He's not a closer and he had to join another team to find a teammate with the killer instinct needed to win NBA titles. The Miami Heat better win the NBA championship next season because LeBron James will be the laughing stock of the league if they don't. And I'll be laughing right along with the entire city of Cleveland. 
Mel Gibson's shit is all out on the street. He is a certified lunatic, caught on tape spewing racist and sexist slurs and threatening to kill folks. Yet, pro-women and feminist groups have been mighty quiet. Are they waiting until Mad Mel's next film premiere to pounce?
This is a show I believed I would absolutely hate. Hillbilly, greasy, redneck bikers, killing folks and spewing borderline sexist and racist slurs every thirty seconds? Not for me dude, right? WRONG!!!! I love this show! A pure and complete guilty pleasure. White trash life on full parade. Katey Sagal of Married With Children infamy positively steals nearly every single scene she is in on this show. The twists and turns on this show keep you guessing and the acting is top notch.
This program also has a wicked sense of humor, the dialogue and antics of some of the characters has you giggling to yourself, just like when watching the folks on Madmen, True Blood, and Big Love. I love quirky, well-written, and character driven shows, it makes the time spent in front of the boob tube seem justified.
To me, it is rare to have a great book turned into a great movie. For example, To Kill A Mockingbird is great book as well as a great movie. I had the recent pleasure of reading Jim Thompson's The Killer Inside Me and then catching the 2010 film adaptation starting Casey Affleck. It was an awesome double-dip of literature and cinema.
I was even inspired to track down a copy of the 1976 film adaptation starting Stacy Keach of Mike Hammer fame. I have to say I enjoyed that version as well, even though it is heavily flawed, but Keach does a nice job as the seemingly mild mannered policeman with a deadly secret or two or three. Fair warning, both the book and the film are extremely violent, so be prepared. You won't be bored or disappointed.
I'm looking forward to this one!
Just wondering, but do black folks shop at Whole Foods in big numbers to pull this dumbass prank there? I've only been in one of their over-priced stores just once, I'm a Fresh Market type sista myself.
Tiger Woods has no shame! This commercial is an openly crass and classless attempt to curry favor with the public. Tiger Woods NEVER would have cut this ad in this manner if he had not so dramatically and quickly fell from grace within his sport and with the public.
What in the hell EXACTLY is a "half-hooker"?
This seems to be a pretty cool gizmo, but Professor Tracey is going to wait. I don't need sticker shock like folks that got smacked in the early days of the I-Phone. Anybody out there buy one? Anyone thinking of getting one? Let me know, I'm interested.
I think folks need to fill out their own damn census forms and not worry about what the President checked on his own form. There are reports that Black and Latino folks are not getting the census forms in like they should. Get to WORK colored folks, turn in the damn census! The forms were due April 1, but you still have time!
I'm a huge fan of this sista. She is one of the most underrated actresses on television and underused on the big screen. She made Law and Order come alive every time she came on the screen. She was absolutely believable as the big city female cop, subjected to both racism and sexism. She could say a hell of a lot with just a look and was a great foil for the attorneys on the show as well. I wish her well and look forward to her next role.
I soooooo love my birthday. A complete slacker day today, no work, no drama, and no crap. Straight chillin' and relaxing. A few drinks and some yummy tapas. Hanging with my dog and watching all the horror flicks I can stand. Complete and total pamper day for me. Will hang with friends and fam on the weekend. I really needed a "me day" this year and I'm taking it!
It's very cool to share a b-day with Mad Magazine's Alfred E. Neuman and The Weasley Twins from Harry Potter. LMAO!
I spent a glorious long weekend last year, watching the first two seasons of In Plain Sight on DVD. I became a huge fan overnight. The series returns on Wednesday night. I'll either be watching or DVRing for later.
