Four Women that Rocked it

Why wait until February to celebrate "Black." The Black Girls Rock Foundation most certainly didn't.  Kudos to them for partnering with BET for a powerful awards show acknowledging Black women and girls and just how special we are and not waiting until February.  If you missed the awards show this year- you missed this powerful performance. These four contemporary artists put on a mind numbing performance of Nina Simones "Four Women".  I couldn't keep it to myself, so check it out below and then check out the original sung by Nina herself.

A Book Took My Child's Innocence

Frankly the idea of a book stealing ones innocence seems quite silly!  Yet, some (over protective parents) believe this to be possible.  Enraged by the content of the material in a few of the books selected for reading in school- parents have complained.  All the complaints have led to a list of banned books.  But contrary to what you might think, the books on the list are actually celebrated during an annual Banned Books Week hosted by the American Library Association.  This year it runs September 25- October 2nd, 2010.  The goal of this is to celebrate the first amendment and our freedom to read and have access to such materials that may expand our knowledge, creativity, awareness, etc.

Intellectual freedom—the freedom to access information and express ideas, even if the information and ideas might be considered unorthodox or unpopular—provides the foundation for Banned Books Week.  BBW stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints for all who wish to read and access them. -ALA

This year 20 out 87 challenged books were banned.  Some of those on the list include "Snitch" Allison Van Diepen, "Eye Candy" by RL Stine, and "Forever" by Judy Blume.  "To Kill A Mockingbird" by Harper Lee continuously makes the list despite its permanent status as an American classic. In fact there are several classics that have constantly been challenged including, "A Catcher in the Rye" by JD Salinger and "The Color Purple" by Alice Walker and the "The Sun Also Rises" by Ernest Hemingway.  These books were a huge part of my childhood and adolescence.  Aside from learning valuable lessons, reading these books allowed me to make connections not only with my peers from other schools but also with my older siblings, my parents and even grandparents... because we had all read the same book.  Books become classics not because they paint a rosy picture but more importantly because they present a unique perspective in history that perhaps is left out of the history books, or maybe is complimentary to history books. Books become part of our history and serve to enrich future generations, by offering the context.   

Earlier in the week Obama appeared on morning news to be apart of NBC's weeklong focus on education in the United States.  Our education system is in crisis. It was reported that American children are slowly and progressively falling behind in education.  NBC cites that the U.S. currently ranks 21st in science and 25th in math among advanced nations.  While the focus should be on boosting learning in these subjects, we should still continue to cultivate well rounded individuals.  Thus instead of banning books and shielding our children, perhaps we should strive to educate them more.  Give them the gift of awareness and knowledge because ignorance is not bliss.

Mario Empanya- A Black man with a global mission

In 2008 Vogue made headlines across the world when the Italian edition created the Black issue which featured Black models. It was a big move for Vogue, who is considered a longtime leader in the fashion world but with that one great step forward, they have now taken great steps back. The pictures that accompany this posting were all shot by Mario Epanya for what he had hoped would be Vogue Africa, an African edition of the magazine. His vision for the magazine came from his belief that it was lacking in African influence.

“I read my first Vogue in 1979 and have been buying it regularly ever since. I always felt that African creativity was not represented.” -Epanya

“I also realized that black women in Western magazines didn’t correspond to African beauty. Women in Western magazines frequently had light skin, fine features, and long hair. Today I think black women want to re-appropriate their image and don’t want others to dictate what is beautiful and what isn’t. Beauty is diverse and today we aspire to more diversity of choice. So when I got the idea to create the covers, I said, why not?” -Epanya

Epanya, created several sample covers for the envisioned Vogue Africa and presented them to Vogue publisher Conde Nast. Nevertheless he was met with rejection. Afterwards Epanya posted on his Facebook page:

“DEAR ALL. The Wait is over. Condé Nast said NO to an African license of VOGUE. So this is the last cover. Enjoy, but it’s a beginning of something”

This is only the beginning. Epanya plans to start his own high fashion magazine, which will feature a non-white & non-Western standard of beauty. He may even opt to purchase the license that will allow him to create Vogue Africa. While Empanya has many supporters, he has been met with challengers. Some have made the argument that Africa is and always will be a player in the fashion game. Magazines such as Arise and Canoe are examples, yet, Vogue magazines in Africa are still more popular. Sadly, African designers still need validation from the West. Yes, Colonialism is still a nasty bitch! For this reason Epanya feels that it is necessary to join forces with the great force that is Vogue and branch out.

His response to his critiques:

“Bullshit, bullshit, bullshit. Africa is behind in a number of sectors, including politics, chemistry, research, I could go on. I’m sorry, but we can’t enter into war with the people who created the internet, cell phones, and airplanes. No, I didn’t create the Ipad, life saving vaccines, or Google but I’m happy for the things that contribute to our lives so that the world advances. I’m not at war with the West…and I think that instead of living in the rancor of a difficult past between the races, we should look at how we can exchange between people.”

SO now the question is: Should the Africans nations move to sit at the big global table or should they continue to build their own table? Epanya clearly believes that it is time not only for Africans to take their place at the table but to bring along their own dishes for the rest of the world to experience.

The Arabic edition was also rejected, but Vogue India was launched.  Perhaps there wasn't enough room at the table for Africa...it is a continent after all.

NEW LOOK

Insight has a new look! Check back for the latest insightful updates on everything from world news, fashion, politics, sex and more!

When to Shut up

One thing that really bothers me at work are the endless and ineffective meetings. Is it necessary to meet constantly to discuss each and every step of an action plan? There can't be any progress made if you are constantly interrupted by a meetings where you must update folks on your inevitable lack of progress. I think this is something that everyone deals with... which lead me to believe that its not just my boss who likes to hear himself talk. People are just obsessed with talking.

I came across this article on Huffington Post discussing this obsession with communication. If you find yourself wondering if you are guilty of obsessive talking here is a simple guide:

1. When someone starts a sentence with "We need to talk about..." run for the hills.

2. If you think you have a great idea for an invention, book, product or song, wait until it is ready to come out. Don't wrench it from its womb while it is incubating.

3. If you feel you are not having sex often enough or as you want it, think again about talking about it. You may make your partner feel even less like having sex.

4. Obviously, when your partner asks for advice, shut up.

5. When talking replaces action, lose the talking in favor of the action. The next time you are inspired by someone telling you to live your best life now, sketch out an action plan immediately after. If not it will live in soap bubbles of inspiration and will serve the sole purpose of temporarily making you feel inspired without any follow-up impact.

Talking is a balm for the lonely and afraid, but a poison for those who use it to replace the art of living.

Scheiße, oder Sie steigen den Topf!

Rude Boy

Does anyone feel like this is the vibe that Bey was going for in "Video Phone" but didn't quite achieve?

Bring Change 2 Mind

"1 in 6 adults and almost 1 in 10 children suffer from a diagnosable mental illness. Yet, for many, the stigma associated with the illness, can be as great a challenge as the disease itself. This is where the misconceptions stop. This is where bias comes to an end. This is where we change lives. Because this is where we Bring Change 2 Mind."

Bring Change 2 Mind is an excellent campaign to fight against the stigma attached to having a mental illness. Ron Howard partnered with actress Glenn Close and the array of national mental health organizations to put together a 1 min commercial. If you have a moment please visit the site or pass the information along to someone else- you never know what people are dealing with.

Yuck!

I know you've been sprayed at least once or twice by the water that sometimes springs up out the toilet after powerful flush. Now think about this.... if your ass wasn't in the way, just how far would that stray droplets get?
YUP.... that far!!!

According to Women's Health mag "There are more than 3million bacteria per square inch inside the average toilet bowl. When you flush, those bad boys are ejected into the air and land on EVERYTHING IN THE ROOM, INCLUDING THAT INNOCENT BYSTANDER KNOWN AS YOUR TOOTHBRUSH." Close the lid before you flush and get a toothbrush cover!

The Naked Body Issue

All praises to ESPN for putting a real woman on the cover of their magazine. I never thought I would see the day when the naked body of a woman over a size 3/4 with brown skin would grace the covers of a mainstream magazine. A magazine that isn't catered specifically to Black and Latinos or on the cover of a porno. Kudos to Serena for having the courage to break the mold and for showing mainstream (white) America what a beautiful chocolate body is all about

Thoughtful Thursday

"Perspective is like an invisible lens how do you clean it if it gets dirty?"

-thoughts gone wild

Mama I Wanna Sing

What you think of this remake featuring Ciara?

Thoughtful thursday

"Sometimes you've got to keep steppin' to catch the beat"
-thoughts gone wild

Make your own interpretation- it works for many situations in a positive way.

Tardy for the party

Here's a lil sumthin special for those fans of Desperate Housewives of Atlanta...oops I mean The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Shout out to Kandi, the producer for trying to get a dollar out of fifteen cent with this one!

Caster: Woman....and Man?

If you have a mere interest in sports or in world news, then you would know about the South African track star Caster Semenya who recently became the World Champion in the womens 800 meter race. If you take a look at the photo of her you will note right away what the controversy is...yes don't be afraid to say it- She does look like a man! That seems to be what everyone thought- and so the International Association of Athletics Associations ordered a gender test.

Yesterday the Daily News reported that : The 18-year-old South African champ has no womb or ovaries and her testosterone levels are more than three times higher than those of a normal female, according to reports. The tests, ordered by The International Association of Athletics Federations after Semenya's 800-meter victory in the World Championships, determined she's a hermaphrodite - having both male and female organs. Semenya could be stripped of the gold medal she won in Berlin last month and her competitive future is in limbo, according to Australia's Daily Telegraph

Today the Daily News reported: an Australian newspaper reports indicated that those tests had revealed that Semenya had no ovaries, but did have male sexual organs inside her body, producing large amounts of testosterone (and giving her an advantage in competition). The IAAF has refused to confirm or deny the reports, and has said it does not expect to make another comment on Semenya before the next meeting of its top executives Nov. 20-21.

So they are calling her a hermaphrodite but for those of you who read the previous post on Lady Gaga you know intersex is the proper name for these individuals and you probably suspected Semenya was an intersex all along. What I didn't expect was for Semenya not to have any ovaries! I think that our reproductive organs are among the most basic elements of biological gender classification not necessarily gender roles- but at the very least biological classification. This in combination with testosterone levels triple that of the average female does not make Semenya's argument for womanhood look any better. There is a condition called androgen insensitivity syndrome, in which the body is programmed to develop into a male, but something happens to prevent that from happening properly - maybe this is Semenya?

Perhaps you think this is unjust/unfair and that if she was raised as a woman- she should compete as a woman. Those of you who are athletes, especially female athletes understand the unfair advanatge that Semenya has- especially in track and field. Your gender puts you on an equal playing field- your strength, perserverance and talent are what help you get ahead.... not your testosterone levels. However, Semenya already has the gold medal. Do we take it away from her? -She is a hero to her people, how can we snatch that away? She did not intentionally compete against women so as to have an advantage...as far as we know. It's kinda like she had natural steroids. Going forward what is the best move? Who are her peers? Should she be allowed to continue to compete with women? Her times are good enough to compete professionally with men- so do we move her to the mens division? -Guess we'll wait and see what is decided.

Happy Birthday Michael

HAPPY 51st BIRTHDAY

Michael Joseph Jackson
(August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009)

Here are a few of the reasons why Michael was so great....

This undated photo provided by the Vered Gallery in East Hampton, N.Y., shows Andy Warhol's "Michael Jackson 1984," a 30-by-26-inch painting of the pop star in a red jacket from his 1980s "Thriller" days. The Vered Gallery in East Hampton, has sold the Andy Warhol portrait. Gallery co-owner Janet Lehr did not reveal the final bid price, but did say it was above a million dollars. (AP Photo/Vered Gallery, File)


On March 25, 1983, he performed live on the Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever television special, both with The Jackson 5 and on his own singing "Billie Jean". Wearing a distinctive sequined glove, he debuted his signature dance move, the moonwalk, which former Soul Train dancer and Shalamar member, Jeffrey Daniel had taught him 3 years before.

Unlike later albums, Thriller did not have an official tour to promote it, but the 1984 Victory Tour, headlined by The Jacksons, showcased much of Jackson's new solo material to more than two million Americans. He donated his $5 million share from the Victory Tour to charity.

He also co-wrote the charity single "We are the World"in 1985 with Lionel Richie, which was released worldwide to aid the poor in the U.S. and Africa. It became one of the best-selling singles of all time, with nearly 20 million copies sold and millions of dollars donated to famine relief.



Jackson starred in the 3-D film Captain EO, directed by Francis Ford Coppola. It was the most expensive film produced on a per-minute basis at the time, and was later hosted in Disney theme parks. Disneyland featured the film in its Tomorrowland area for nearly 11 years, while Walt Disney World screened the film in its Epcot theme park from 1986 to 1994

The Bad World Tour began on September 12 1989. He broke a Guinness World Record when 504,000 people attended seven sold-out shows. He performed a total of 123 concerts to an audience of 4.4 million people, and gained a further Guinness World Record when the tour grossed him $125 million. During the trip he invited underprivileged children to watch for free, and gave donations to hospitals, orphanages, and other charities.


One of Jackson's most acclaimed performances came during the halftime show at Super Bowl XXVII. As the performances began, Jackson was catapulted onto the stage as fireworks went off behind him. As he landed on the canvas, he maintained a motionless "clenched fist, standing statue stance", dressed in a gold and black military outfit and sunglasses; he remained completely motionless for several minutes while the crowd cheered. He then slowly removed his sunglasses, threw them away and began to sing and dance.


Jackson gave a 90-minute interview to Oprah in February 1993, his second television interview since 1979. He denied tabloid rumors that he bleached his skin, stating for the first time that he had vitiligo. The interview was watched by an American audience of 90 million, becoming the fourth most-viewed non-sport program in U.S. history. It also increased awareness of vitiligo, a relatively unknown condition. Dangerous re-entered the album chart in the top 10, more than a year after its original release.


History, released in 1995 is the best-selling multiple-disc album of all-time, with 20 million copies (40 million units) sold worldwide. "You are not alone" was the second single released from History; it holds the Guinness World Record for the first song ever to debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The memorial was held on July 7, 2009, in Los Angeles. Some unofficial reports claimed a worldwide audience as high as one billion people. The U.S. audience was estimated to be 31.1 million, an amount comparable to the estimated 35.1 million that watched the 2004 burial of President Ronald Reagan, and the estimated 33.1 million Americans who watched the 1997 funeral for Princess Diana

*info courtesy of Wikipedia

MJ's Free Birthday Bash

Director Spike Lee's Brooklyn public celebration of Michael Jackson's birthday has been moved amid predictions of a big crowd. The free bash will be held in the Nethermead meadow in Prospect Park on Saturday afternoon, rain or shine. It originally was planned for Fort Greene Park. The New York Times reported Friday that the initial crowd estimate of 2,000 swelled to more than 10,000. The paper says the Rev. Al Sharpton will say a prayer at the party. President Marty Markowitz will present a proclamation declaring Aug. 29 Michael Jackson Day in Brooklyn. DJ Spinna will play all things Michael Jackson. Jackson would have turned 51. Lee collaborated on Jackson's video for "They Don't Care About Us." Jackson died on June 25.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/28/spike-leesponsored-michae_n_271049.html

Are you gonna eat that?

Ever wondering if that week old pasta is still good? Still Tasty is a great website for figuring out the shelf life of virtually anything edible.

Do I have to store ketchup and mustard in the fridge once they’re opened?

Answer: Technically speaking, you don’t have to store opened bottles of ketchup and mustard in the refrigerator. But it’s a good idea all the same, since you’ll get a lot more mileage out of them if you do.Due to their high acid content, both mustard and ketchup will keep fine for about a month in the pantry. But after that, their flavor, appearance and texture will begin to break down and deteriorate much more quickly at normal room temperatures than in the cooler 40° F storage conditions of the refrigerator. An opened bottle of ketchup should stay at peak quality for about 6 months in the fridge mustard for at least a year. And both will remain safe to consume for much longer than that, as long as they've been continuously refrigerated.

What Lady Gaga and earthworms may have in common

Lady GaGa .... a "hermaphrodite"?! Apparently rumors started when a slight bugle in front of her panties made obsessed viewers curious. - Lady Gaga has a penis! Pretty soon after this the pictures zoomed in on her crotch area surfaced and everyone was over analyzing her videos. Then there is an un-cited statement floating around by Lady Gaga in which she states:

"It's not something that I'm ashamed of, just isn't something that I go around telling everyone. Yes. I have both male and female genitalia..." "But I consider myself a female. It's just a little bit of a penis and really doesn't interfere much with my life. The reason I haven't talked about it is that its not a big deal to me. Like, come on. It's not like we all go around talking about our [genitalia]. I think this is a great opportunity to make other multiple-gendered people feel more comfortable with their bodies. I'm sexy, I'm hot. I have both. Big fucking deal."

I don't know if this is a true statement or not but its pretty gutsy- as we know Lady Gaga to be. but it's still unfortunate to have your personal biz put on blast. Yes I am adding to the hype but I would also like to offer some insight of course and make some sense of the matter.

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary a hermaphrodite is 1. an animal or plant having both male and female reproductive organs 2. something that is a combination of diverse elements. An earthworm is a known hermaphrodite carrying both ovaries and testes. Humans are not hermaphrodites. What Lady Gaga might be is intersex. Intersex is a variety of conditions in which a person is born with a reproductive or sexual anatomy that doesn’t seem to fit the typical definitions of female or male. Now if Lady Gaga is in fact an intersex individual and considering herself to be female then she probably has female reproductive organs. The bulge in her panties could possibly be an enlarged clitoris making it seem like a baby penis.

This is unfortunate for Lady Gaga but this does bring to light some greater social concerns about Intersex individuals. When an intersex child is born with one of the various birth defects that would make them intersex should corrective surgery be done shortly after birth or should the child be allowed to grow and develop a few more years? Sometimes the birth defects are deadly and thus surgery is necessary but what about when it is a matter or making things look more normal? The Intersex Society of North America recommends that Surgery to change genitals or make them look more like a “normal” penis & scrotum or vulva should not be performed until the child is mature enough to make an informed decision for himself or herself. Do you agree with them? Your answer might depend on how you categorize gender.

"nature doesn’t decide where the category of “male” ends and the category of “intersex” begins, or where the category of “intersex” ends and the category of “female” begins."

~Intersex Society North America

Poor Lady Gaga- I guess when you are constantly wearing leotards, body suits and thongs over tights people can't help but stare.

Subway Series of Unfortunate Events- JERK

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS GUY?

Hopefully you haven't. Unfortunately he was busted on the 3 train jerking and I don't mean dancing.

A woman riding the uptown 3 train captured this picture of him on her cellphone. He got on the train at 42nd Street/Times Square at 3:45 p.m. and then got out at the 96th Street stop. This woman happened to be an FBI officer so she reported her findings to the nearby 32nd precinct where she was told to dial 311 because it wasn't a police matter. The media has had a fields day with this story- flashing this mans picture everywhere and coming up with funny headlines. I have a couple questions- this photo doesn't reveal much. What if he wasn't actually masturbating? Shouldn't e be smiling or having some type of euphoric grin. This man looks confused. Actually he looks like he was looking at someone else doing something outlandish. If he actually was masturbating isn't that illegal? If so - that cops who told her to call 311 is gonna be in some ish. The sad thing is that this does happen quite often an unless the perp is caught in the act- how can it be regulated?

Ginuwine in Trouble

New Ginuwine featuring Bun B- Trouble

*Disclaimer* Bun B does not appear in the music video however he is featured on the album version...wonder why. Insight anyone?