politics

Links of the Week

Today’s post is similar to “This Week in the News” but slightly different.  This may not necessarily be “news” moreso than just interesting information that I wanted to share.

First, Michelle in Training, a non-profit started by my friend kat calvin and where yours truly serves as the Public Relations and Marketing Chair, was featured in the Washington Post after we participated in Defining Young Black Philanthropy.  I plan on writing a post in the near future on how we (young professionals) can give back, even if we don’t have 6 zeros in the bank.

I’ve alluded to the fact that I’m a natural girl on this blog a time or two (for those of you that do not know me IRL).  I came across this article on Curly Nikki and thought it was worthy of sharing with my readers.  I’m glad Stephanie received the support from her job to transition to being natural; this story can assist women that are struggling with making the decision to stop getting relaxers rest a little easier and feel comfortable making that decision.  I think I inspired a few of my cousins to go natural after I made the transition as a number of them stopped getting perms.  (I could be totally wrong, but I think I may be right. :))

To ensure that you know what’s going in your backyard, you should be well aware of the fact that the Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments on Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.  You should also know the facts surrounding the impending sequester.  As someone that knows people that will be affected, I hope there is a resolution SOON!  Never fret-not all news from DC is bad news.  Yesterday, the statue of civil rights icon Rosa Parks was unveiled at the U.S. Capitol.

Some new websites/apps that you should check out include “Around the Way“, an app that will assist you in locating a local black business.  You should also check out Blerdology, a site made especially for the black tech community filled with news, events, and feature stories.

That’s all I’ve got for today.  Feel free to share a story that I missed.  Until next time, I’m just a Southern girl…in the city!

Today’s Black History Month Fact: In 1879, Southern Blacks left economic and political exploitation in what is known as the Exodus of 1879.  This was the first migration of Blacks following the Civil War, and Exodusters settled in Kansas, Colorado, and Oklahoma.

Related articles

0 CommentsLeave a comment

Do Better

I want to cry.  Literally. Like a puffy, red-eye, snot nose, can’t catch my breath cry.  No, no one died.  No, no man broke my heart.  It’s the aftermath of the 2012 election.  I’m honestly tired of seeing my friends on Facebook post stuff about Gov. Romney AND President Obama.  (I’m tempted to hit un-friend for classmates, friends, and family alike…maybe I’ll just take them out of my timeline.) I’m tired of reading news articles related to people being mad their candidate didn’t win and exasperated at seeing people cheer because their candidate did win.

In 2012, we have someone that basically made a death threat against Obama because he won.  A woman ran over her husband because he didn’t vote (for Romney).   People are actually signing petitions to have their state secede from the union. -_- I have to admit, I was one of the disillusioned people in 2008 who thought race relations might be becoming a thing of the past with the election of the nation’s first Black president.  Two months later I would see just how wrong I was.  And four years later, it seems as if things have gotten worse.  Honestly, do people dislike the POTUS because of his policies and his political party?  Or is it all about race?

A lot of news pundits have stated that in order to unite America, the President has his work cut out for him and has to find a way to get people on his side.  I wholeheartedly disagree.  When it comes to relationships (because the President has a relationship with every single American-regardless if he received their vote), you can’t change the other person.  It’s not Obama’s job to change the mind of millions of people that do not “like” him to get them to work with him .  It’s his job to run the country.  It’s our job as Americans to hold him, and especially our other elected officials, accountable for doing things for the greater good of this country.  How much sense does it make to constantly battle someone?  None, because nothing gets accomplished (which we’ve witnessed for the past 2 years).  We-the POTUS, state and local officials, and the American people-need to come up with a compromise.  That’s the only way this relationship is going to work.  If we can’t make this relationship work, speak up during the next election with your vote and end the relationship.

When I first moved to DC, I stopped watching the news because it seemed everyday someone was getting killed.  Now I stopped watching because of the elections.  I would like to think some of this would die down, but it doesn’t seem like it has.  I honestly wonder sometime if my Facebook “friends” have issues with people that are different from them.  I get tired of seeing posts and pictures related to people’s political thoughts.  What are you doing with your life?  How’s the new job?  The new baby?  The new house?  Let’s focus on the present and the future because the past is behind us.  How we can move forward.  Talk about how to you visited your representative and you agreed to work on ways to improve the schools in your district.  Or how you’re coming up with a plan to work with your neighbors to combat crime.

Alas, I doubt this white noise that is Election 2012 is going to die down anytime soon.  Which saddens me.  And makes me want to cry.  Not the pretty cry with one tear going down my cheek.  But the puffy, red eye, snot nose, can’t catch my breath cry.  Until the next time, I’m just a Southern girl…in the city.

0 CommentsLeave a comment

Does Anything Surprise You Anymore?

When you put your life on display, don’t be surprised when people comment on it.  The girl we all love to hate, Kim Kardashian, has decided after 72 days of marriage, that she no longer wants to be married to Kris Humphries.  (Might I add it was a little tacky…or maybe just weird…that E! showed their wedding special not once but TWICE yesterday. *SMH*)  I think America, quite possibly the world, was stunned to hear this news.  I’m sure that people thought they would last at least a year.  But less than 3 months…that’s harsh.  Can I also add that E! Entertainment Television has plans to premier “Kim and Kourtney take New York” later this month, which will focus on the newlyweds.  I really feel bad for the Hump, who apparently wants to stay married and make his marriage work.  He really seems like someone who got caught up in the Kardashian web.  And from watching the special (heck, watching the entire Kardashian series), it seemed as if Kim was more caught up with the idea of having a wedding than having a husband.   Long story short, I wish them all the best. 

Leading GOP Presidential candidate Herman Cain seems to continue to surprise Americans…or maybe just me.  I can say a few people were surprised to find out Herman Cain is a graduate of Morehouse College, a premier collegiate institution for African-American men.  People were shocked that Cain has done as well as he had in various national polls.  But what surprises people are the allegations of sexual harassment.  (This is very reminiscent of another Black conservative who came to national attention a few years back.)  But what is MOST surprising is that these allegations have not seem to hurt or hinder Cain’s momentum.  Time will tell just want is in store for this man.

Some more surprising news (which did not overshadow the Kardashian-Humphries news) was the announcement by Jessica Simpson is that she is in fact pregnant!  In the past, Simpson has always addressed weight gain allegations; this time she let it ride and for good reason.  She announced on Monday that is expecting with fiancee’ Eric Johnson. 

What recent news has come out that has surprised you or caused your mouth to drop open in awe?  What do you think the future holds for Kim and Herman?  Until next time, I’m just a Southern girl…in the city!

Related articles
0 CommentsLeave a comment

Don’t Disrespect My President

I haven’t done a post on a Friday in far too long.  I was going to highlight some things that have happened in recent weeks that I haven’t really talked about, like Arnold cheating on Maria, the News of the World scandal, and the traumatic death of “Jackass” star Ryan Dunn; I’m not even touching the Casey Anthony trial.  What I will comment on is the blatant disrespect of President Barack Obama. 

Now, we’re family, so we can be honest with each other.  We may not and will not like EVERYTHING our leader does, but he’s still our leader.  You may not like his politics or his policy, but you will at least show him the respect he deserves.  In my short life on this Earth, I have never seen or heard such apathy and flippancy towards the President of the United States…until our 44th President took office.  It all started when South Carolina Republican Senator Joe Wilson (darn you from being from the home state) yelled, “You lie” to President Obama while the POTUS was addressing the House.  The ramifications?  None.  Next, you have GOP Presidential nominee and Minnesota Representative Michele Bachmann claiming she’ll “help him find a job” when she wins the Presidency in 2012.  Maybe not disrespectful as much as it was just poor taste.  And lastly, lest we not forget how Mark Halperin, co-author of Game Change and Editor-at-Large for Time magazine, used an unflatteringly slur just last week to describe the President while on the show “Morning Joe”.  He has been suspended and did make apologies, but what would make him think this was appropriate in the first place? 

When Dixie Chicks frontwoman Natalie Maines told a London audience that she was “ashamed the President of the United States is from Texas” (referencing 43rd President George W. Bush), there was such a backlash for the band.  Until that point they were sucessful and touring the world and performing in front of sold-out arenas.  All of that changed after Maines’ remark.  The band received death threats, shows were cancelled, and there were bonfires of Dixie Chicks paraphanalia. 

So, why is it ok to disrespect Obama?  Your guess is as good as mine.  One of the awesome things I can say about the current POTUS is that he is graceful, humble, and has a forgiving spirit.  As the song goes, he “dusts his haters off” and keeps it moving.  He knows why he’s in the White House and realizes he has a job to do.  If everyone took responsibility for their actions and handled their business, this country, heck this world, would be a much better place.  Until next time, I’m just a Southern girl…in the city.

 

Related articles
3 CommentsLeave a comment