It's a Thin Line...

Satirical video of the "Real Housewives of Civil Rights" raises eyebrows in the midst of black history month.

What do you think? Funny, or gone too far?

Leave your thoughts....

Laugh of the Day: Behind the Scenes of "35 & Ticking"

Today's laugh comes to you via necolebitchie.com in the form of some behind the scenes footage of the new movie 35 & Ticking.

According to her blog...

35 and Ticking, directed by Russ Parr, is about four friends that are approaching the age of 35 and are looking to figure out their futures and straighten out their relationships: Zenobia (Nicole Ari Parker) is looking for a man; Victoria (Tamala Jones) is married to a man that doesn’t want children; Cleavon (Kevin Hart) is too much of a nerd to get a woman; and Phil(Keith Robinson), is married with kids, but his wife isn’t too interested in family life.

Check out the HILARIOUS Kevin Hart behind the scenes footage below:

Video footage provided by HartProductions.

K. Hart always cracks me up. Hope the movie does the same.

Will you watch?

The Trendsetters: African-Americans on Twitter being heard, but not saying much

If you've been a user of Twitter for any extended period of time than you know that trending topics are the "what's happening and when" of the popular social network. Trends include hot topics about what everyone is watching (Grammys) to the major news of the moment (Egypt). But more and more, certain topics are sounding like something picked from a round-table discussion at the family reunion. For example, #blackparentquotes or #ifsantawasblack. Subjects that appear to be created by and targeted toward African-Americans have become so frequent that they were given a nickname, "black tags". But why are #blacktags so popular you may ask?
Well, a recent article on rollingout.com cited a study from Edison Research's Annual Report saying...

Although black people comprise about 12 percent of the general population, they account for 25 percent of the population of users on Twitter. As a consequence, they tend to follow celebrities and post more trending topics. On Twitter, for example, young blacks follow more people, retweet more often, and reply to posts more frequently causing certain topics to rise in popularity that have nothing to do with breaking news or information.

Since this report, many articles have sprouted up online condemning Twitter's black culture for their lack of "consciousness" with regard to trending topics, and suggest that users are in need of a wake-up call. Indeed there are many opportunities made available through the use of social media and there is something powerful to be said about the influence of black culture on Twitter. However, though 25% might start a topic, its not enough to keep it going if no one else catches on. Nonetheless, many are saying African-American users are not taking advantage of their wide influence.

Trending topics like #ghettobabynames have become the norm, but what many don't realize is that social media can often provide a safe space for hate, where bigomists, racists and the like can promote their values without reprimand. And they do. Many of these individuals use racially aimed TT's, that were perhaps intended for comedy, as ammunition for their corrupt values. Discussing the differences between black and white parents might be of normal comedic conversation between friends, but when broadcast to millions of users without understanding of the context, the conversation and the message becomes diluted and can get lost fairly quickly. I had to learn this the hard way.

But while the topics on twitter largely consist of subjects representing an unfavorable depiction of black culture, I have to disagree that African-Americans aren't at all using their voice on twitter for ANY good. Afterall, it was their voice that led the social media campaign to bring back yet another wrongfully canceled black sitcom "The Game" after two years off the air. Other more positive topics that have trended include #mlkday to commemorate Martin Luther King's birthday and #unsung a TV show honoring black superstars who's stories were never told. Ultimately, they are using their influence to raise awareness about subjects that otherwise would not reach beyond the consciousness of African-Americans. However, I believe that this is only scratching the surface. The more positively skewed topics that do become trends lack the depth of other trending topics related to socio-political issues, and trend far less often. There is so much more good that can done and my hope is that black users begin to utilize their influence to bring about positive changes.

The issue with this mission, is that for one, how does Twitter determine the ethnicity of their users? It isn't requested when signing up for account. I only assume by the nature of the content that the trending topics are started by a black person, but how can this be proven? Furthermore, users would need to be on one accord to spread knowledge about what's going on in black communities across the US and worldwide. But the truth of the matter is that social media has different uses and gratifications for different people. Some use Twitter to get news and information about the world around them, while others use it to spread information. And then are those who have less strategic uses for Twitter and simply view it as a leisure activity. And any user can employ a variety of motives for Twitter use at any time. So, I guess my question is how does this change occur?

Yes, the foolishness needs to stop, but will it? Who knows.

What are your thoughts?

"They should've burned it" TV One's Cathy Hughes on Precious and other things

While visiting one of my fav blogs Necole Bitchie, I ran across an interview with TV One's Cathy Hughes from Miss Drama TV.

The station's front woman spoke very candidly and honestly about her thoughts on positive vs. negative portrayals of black women.

I'll let you watch the video before I say my peace.

Check it out here:


Ok, hopefully you watched it.

Now...

Half the time I was nodding my head in concurrence with Mrs. Hughes and shaking it in disagreement the other half. I too was displeased with the fact that the highest honor given to any entertainer (Academy Award) was awarded to Monique and Halle for two of the most negative portrayals of black women we've seen. I might not have felt this way when Hattie McDaniel received her award because, at that time, it was one of the only roles available for black women. But times have truly changed, and despite the difficulty I do believe black women have more options. I agree that we should be telling more positive tales of black women, a la the story of Michelle Obama. (Seriously, where's the script on that?) And while it's great to see black women being recognized for their achievements, its unfortunate to have one of the highest achievements stained with the black ink blot of knowledge that your role is one that perpetuates negative and villanous stereotypes of women you claim to represent.

The ironic thing about Mrs. Hughes' comments though, was that she failed to see how Tyler Perry has also fallen victim to this pattern of betrayal and how her own network is neither exempt nor blameless. More recently, many have come out to declare their disdain for Tyler Perry's works (*ahem* Spike Lee) and amid the criticism, he still remains thee top selling creator of black films. But while his films introduce topics of spirituality and moral consciousness rarely visible in today's media, they are also inter-laden with characteristics of stereotypical black life. His alter-ego portrayal of Madea is the epitome of a modern day mash-up of the historically derogative "Mammy" and "Sapphire". Yet, Hughes suggests that his ability to deliver a positive message through humor offsets the depiction of the "Angry black woman."

Do you agree?

Furthermore, Hughes expresses her feelings on BET's role as being #1 in black entertainment saying that she felt BET missed a lot of opportunities to showcase new talent, which she says is to her benefit as TV One is able to learn from the mistakes BET is making, thus delivering better programming and more positive portrayals of African-Americans, particularly black women. Again, Mrs. Hughes I disagree...in part. Has anyone seen "Love that Girl?" I know I have ranted on this show once before, and don't want to get into that again but it honestly is one of the most disappointing shows I've seen in a long time. The stereotypes extend beyond black women to homosexuals and I fail to see the point of it all.

Anyway...

I have been watching BET since I was young and since Bob Johnson's exit stage left, I have seen improvement in the network's quality of programming. Granted, they still have far to go, but they have eliminated disparaging shows like "UnCut" and have successfully introduced a positive spin on reality television with shows like "The Family Crews." Again, there were errors along the way. (I think we were all mad at Frankie and Neffe, but some see the positive in any situation.) At any rate, the network has indeed showcased new talent by joining the race to revive the black sitcom.

I don't want to come off like I'm taking sides because I definitely am not getting a check from BET nor TV One. But rather, I want to highlight the senselessness in the competitive spirit that often resurrects itself between two black entities at the top of their game. This "crab in a barrel" nature is what I believe is tripping us up. I am NOT accusing Mrs. Hughes of this, but her comments did leave me feeling this way. If ABC, CBS, and NBC can coexist for over 50 years than I have to believe the same is possible for BET and TV One. Has it not been established that our competition is not each other? The threat is the alternative powers that be that are trying to choke off our voices entirely or worse, speak for us.

Both networks have done a GREAT job of providing alternate programming geared toward African-Americans. TV One's "Unsung" is truly in a class of its own and BET has scored a major hit with the "The Game." Moreover, that both of these networks have women as the HBICs is esteeming in itself. (B stands for Boss, don't get it twisted) Debra Lee and Cathy Hughes are remarkable women for fearlessly taking on such as task. I hope both networks can continue to excel.

So now the spotlight is on you. What do you think about Mrs. Hughes' comments? Monique and Halle's Oscars? Tyler Perry? And BET vs. TV One?

For Valentines Day: All Time Fav TV Couples

In the spirit of love, I decided to post my all time favorite TV couples! Whether you've got a love connection of your own this Valentine's Day or you're flying solo (again) you can at least find solace in the love of these dynamic duos.

1. Lucy and Desi (I Love Lucy)
I was a big 'I Love Lucy' fan. Not only were they the funniest pair on television, they were also one of the first onscreen interracial couples. Although their relationship seemed more like one between parent and child than husband and wife due to Lucy's antics getting her in trouble, you couldn't deny the love between these two. Onscreen they slept in separate beds, but the arrival of "Little Ricky" during the second season suggested there were other arrangements at home. (wink)

2. The Huxtables (The Cosby Show)
There was no better example of black love than Mr. and Mrs. Clair Huxtable during their TV era. Both at top positions in their fields, Cliff and Claire's respect for each other as equals and parental partners made them arguably the most beloved couple on TV. They were the perfect balance for one another, always in harmony. Well, accept when a visibly upset Mrs. Huxtable would burst into a Spanish rant. But even while speaking another language, you knew Cliff completely understood the nature of the conversation.

3. Martin and Gina (Martin)
Martin and Gina's romance was sizzling! They always knew how to keep things fresh and interesting. It must have been tough maintaining their relationship within a larger circle of friends, but they sure made it look easy. You've gotta love a couple that can make fun of each other and know its all love at the end of the day. Who can forget Gina's visit to the dentist where she returned looking like she just got it in with Mike Tyson and lost, right before Martin's award at his high school reunion. He may not have wanted her there, but Gina showed up to support her man with her famous line, "You Go Boy!"

4. Florida and James (Good Times)
Raising a family in a Chicago housing project may not sound like fun to you and I, but the Evans household was full of good times. Despite raising 3 kids under financial hardship, Florida and James always found a way to survive. Their love was resilient and indestructible, which is why we truly felt Mrs. Evans' pain when she lost her husband in a fatal car accident in Jackson, Mississippi. "DAMN, DAMN, DAMN!"






5. George and Weezie (The Jeffersons)
It takes a patient woman to love George Jefferson. He was quite chauvinistic and arrogant, but only one woman could see through his facade. None other than Weezie Jefferson. We first fell in love with the couple as the Bunkers' neighbors on CBS' All in the Family, but it wasn't long before the Jeffersons moved on up to their very own deluxe apartment in the sky. For 11 seasons fans enjoyed wise-cracking George and lovable Weezie on the hit sitcom that still today stands as the longest-running sitcom featuring a predominantly black cast in the history of American television.






6. Laura and Steve (Family Matters)
Steve was probably the most obnoxious human being on television, but you couldn't help but admire his unconditional love for Laura Winslow. So what it took him YEARS to win her heart. After 8 seasons and a beautiful distraction (Myra), the final season finally brought these two together. Laura who received two proposals, had found love on a two-way street and was forced to choose between Steve Urkel and his more attractive, less-annoying alter-ego Stefan Urquelle. In the end, she followed her heart and she and Steve eventually became engaged. I still would've picked Stefan, but hey...spilled milk right?


7. Corey and Topanga (Boy Meets World)
Raise your hand if you wanted their relationship? ...ME TOO! It was a love at first sight that went the distance...literally. Cory and Topanga survived high school, college and Topanga's move to Philadelphia. And though the young couple struggled through their first year of marriage due to financial hardship they always managed to find their love. They were so fun to watch and really made us TGIF!









8. Vince and Jess (Friday Night Lights)
I understand you may not be familiar with these two, because honestly, I've just gotten hip to this show myself. But it has very quickly become one of my favorite shows! Sadly, it ended its 5 year run last Wednesday just as things were getting good :-(. But don't fret, you can catch up this spring when the last season airs on NBC. Jess and Vince, though teenagers, have one of the strongest relationships I've seen portrayed by characters their age. These two had an ambiguous history that led to a promising future. Of-course with a few bumps along the road. Vince was a prison-bound knuckle head when Jess reentered his life. He wanted her back, but she was in another relationship. But as fate would have it, a traumatic loss would land Vince in Jess's comforting arms and B-O-O-M...fireworks! Jess stood by Vince through the loss of his best friend, his mother's drug habit, and his incarcerated father's dramatic return. Their shared passion for football and love for one another made them one of the steamiest duos on the small screen. If you think you have them figured out, you don't know the half! Be sure to check them out!

9.Rochelle and Julius (Everybody Hates Chris)
These two can go down in history as one of the funniest couples on television. Raising 3 children in Brooklyn, NY in the 80s sure made for some great laughs in the Rock household. When Julius wasn't counting pennies and Rochelle wasn't knocking her children into their next lifetime, they were perfecting their roles as solid parents to a young future comedian, Chris Rock and his younger siblings. Their tough love for their children enabled them to remain a strong family unit that was able to escape poverty in a crime and drug-infested neighborhood. I hate that the show was canceled.


10. Derwin and Melanie (The Game)
Now you knew this list would not be complete without the most talked about couple on TV. Ding-dong and MedSkoo! We have seen these two through some serious highs and lows and have been along for the whole roller-coaster ride. And what a ride it has been. Despite infidelity, injuries, a turkey baster, and baby mama drama Derwin and Melanie just can't seem to let each other go. Relationships don't get any more real than theirs. We thought we'd seen the last of the drama now that Derwin put a ring on it, but we should've known better. We know who we're dealing with and the new season is serving up all the drama we know and love them for. We ain't seen nothing yet!


Ok, what do you think of my list? Who did I miss? Any surprises? Snubs?

Leave your thoughts!!!

This Just In...

Lipstick sales are down 5% while nail polish sales are up 15% since last year grossing $173 million dollars. As you know, I have a thing for nail lacquer...ok call it an obsession. Before I was old enough to wear nail polish, I would put stickers on my nails (LOL). But that embarrassing nugget is beyond the point.

These stats got me thinking what is the recent fascination with our fingertips? An ABC special calls it "a sign of the times." Makes sense. Celebrities have just about endorsed every other beauty product from fragrances, to makeup, to hair dye. Nails were all that's left.

I must say that my nail hobby has saved me quite a few bucks at the nail salon. I believe in becoming more self-sufficient for all beauty needs including hair. In times like these should we really be shelling out $50-$100 bucks every 2 weeks at the salon and an extra $20-$40 on nails, eyebrows, lashes, etc? Probably not.

I personally never spend more than $3 on a nail polish. I don't care how much you pay the polish probably won't last past 5 days so why spend a fortune? Unless you're a monochromatic girl, which clearly I am not.

At any rate, now might be a good time to invest in O.P.I. stock #wordtothewise ;-)

Sorbet Assortment!

Don't ask me how often I change my nail polish lol. What can I say, I love doing creative nail art.

I've recently been inspired by designs seen on Wah Nails

They feature hundreds of fabulous designs that I often use for inspiration.

Here are a couple from the site that inspired my sorbet assortment look!

The art is fresh and funky!

The colors are so fun and perfect for spring!

Here's my spin on the two looks!

What do you think?

Coming to the Screen: Red Tails

For those unfamiliar, Red Tails is the story of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first African-American pilots to fly in a combat squadron during World War II.

During the war, African-American pilots of the experimental Tuskegee training program were engaged in two wars -- one against enemies overseas, and the other against discrimination within the military and back home. Racial prejudices have long held ace airman Martin "Easy" Julian (Nate Parker) and his black pilots back at base -- leaving them with little to do but further hone their flying skills -- while their white counterparts were shipped out to combat after only three months of training. Mistakenly deemed inferior and assigned only second-rate planes and missions, the pilots of Tuskegee mastered the skies with ease but have not been granted the opportunity to truly spread their wings. Until now.

As the war in Europe continues to take its toll on Allied forces, Pentagon brass has no recourse but to reconsider these under-utilized pilots for combat duty. Just as the young Tuskegee men are on the brink of being shut down and shipped back home, Col. A.J. Bullard (Terrence Howard) awards them the ultimate chance to prove their mettle high above. Undaunted by the prospect of providing safe escort to bombers in broad daylight -- a mission so dangerous that the RAF has refused it and the white fighter groups have sustained substantial losses -- Easy's pilots join the fiery aerial fray. Against all the odds, with something to prove and everything to lose, these intrepid young airmen take to the skies in a heroic endeavor to combat the enemy -- and the discrimination that has kept them down for so long. (Wikipedia)

When the pilots of the 332nd Fighter Group painted the tails of their P-47's red, the nickname "Red Tails" was coined.

The film adaptation was written by George Lucas (Star Wars) and directed by Anthony Hemingway (Ali, Manchurian Candidate, The Wire).

The cast includes a host of new faces who are well on their way to becoming household names.

Terrence Howard as Col. A.J. Bullard

Cuba Gooding Jr. as Major Emanuelle Stance

Gooding also starred in the HBO special on the Tuskegee Airmen years ago.

Michael B. Jordan as Maurice 'Bumps' Wilson

You may recognize Jordan, who is oober-talented, as Wallace from 'The Wire'.

Tristan Wilds as Ray 'Ray Gun' Gannon

Wilds was also featured on the hit HBO series 'The Wire' and currently plays Dixon on '90210'.

Andre Royo as Chief 'Coffee' Coleman

And it seems the director Anthony Hemingway hooked up all his former employees from the Wire with new jobs. (Must be nice) Royo played "Bubbles" on 'The Wire'.

Method Man as Sticks

It will be interesting to see what he brings to the film.

Neyo as Andrew 'Smoky' Salem

Neyo seems like the wild card of the cast, but this may be a good look for him.

Nate Parker as Marty 'Easy' Julian

Nate knows he's fine! Ok, sorry *ahem* I mean very talented (tehe). Nate has appeared in 'The Great Debaters' and 'The Secret Life of Bees'.

Marcus Paulk as David 'Deke' Watkins

Last we saw Marcus, he was still Moesha's lil brother. Oh, and Natalie's BFF on Bad Girls Club -__-

Jazmine Sullivan as Deborah 'Love Bunny' Gannett

She plays a jazz singer in a relationship with one of the airmen.

I love that she'll be showing off her singing chops!

Stacie Davis as Mae

Stacie also appeared on 'The Wire' and most recently 'Lottery Ticket'.

The film is slated for an early 2011 to mid year release. February would have been a opportune month, but hey...i'm excited nonetheless.

Will you be watching?!

Black Tie Affair

I've seen this design a couple of times and thought I'd try it.

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Minnie Mouse

check out these Minnie mouse inspired nails I did.
Love them!

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