Do I Have A Right To Criticize?

As you guys know, once in a while on this blog, I get things off my chest. As I've done with gym etiquette, today is about a church I just started visiting last week.

Well today I chose to check out the Bible Study for the first time but I didn't care for the personal question they started off with. Well, the Bible Study teacher did say if you don't feel comfortable you could say "pass." But one guy had the gall to say "that would be lame."

Anybody who knows me know I could give a you know what of what anyone thinks of me. But I thought being the new girl in class is definitely going to raise eyebrows if I said (what I was thinking) "My name is . . ., I choose to be lame and say pass." So I went for a humorous take on the question but I felt I wasn't being authentic because I'm still thinking about the class three hours later.

Anyway, I spoke to the teacher afterwards about being uncomfortable with such line of question because if I was outside the four walls of the church (even in the church in past times) a look on my face before the words come out of my mouth will be "none of your damn (ok not damn but a cool equivalent) business!"

The teacher was very nice and apologetic and said they normally keep the question on the surface but today was different (gee, why me God!). But I've thought during the past few hours if I should have made any comment (as a visitor) or go for the gusto and draw a line in the sand with my original thought . . .

Tags: Church Issues

Questions Surrounding Edwards Affair

I don't know why this always happens when I deserve some break, a scandal literally breaks. Such is the case with the latest John Edwards admission to an affair.

Unless you're living under a rock, you sure have heard what happened to Pretty Boy Edwards during the past twelve hours. This has been one weird week that makes me think the apocalypse is near when Paris Hilton makes sense with her campaign spoof and the National Enquirer spoke the truth. Seriously!

Where was the Mainstream Media (MSM)? Check that out for a minute. The National Enquirer has to be the one to break a major story on a former Presidential Candidate. And after a couple of them in the MSM asked Edwards on the campaign trail on the said tabloid story, they just let it go. It was when Edwards was backed up in a corner by the tabloid stories, he decided to give an interview to ABC's Nightline.

And let me talk to Edwards one minute: What were you thinking? How many times have you seen a person's political career rocked by a sex scandal? Then you took a rule from Bubba's playbook when caught which was deny, deny, deny. And what did you mean by being "99 percent honest" - huh? You either lie or you don't. It's like saying you have a clean glass of water but a drop of poison. Guess what? The whole water gets contaminated!

One more thing: How in the world would you give a half-baked apology? Yes it was! You talked about being "egotistical, narcissistic" - your words not mine but then you showed you still are by trying to play victim. How? In your statement for people to "have at it, because they cannot be hard to you as you've been to yourself." WTH! You are a public official! Yes you asked for your family's forgiveness, as you should. What about the public's forgiveness who passionately supported you? In no where in your sorry excuse of a statement was that mentioned.

I'm not finished yet: No one thinks you're unique in this latest scandal. This writer has told friends and families she will buy a stock (if there was one) on a politician cheating because she could at least see a 25 percent (on a conservative front) return on her investment. So you're not UNIQUE. But it is unique to say you didn't want the affair to be public - are you kidding me! In what world? It is unique that running on a "moral" front you will commit this faux pas. And it is unique when your wife has become a courageous figure in the face of cancer, you chose to make a "serious error in judgment."

Tags: John Edwards Affair, National Enquirer, Rielle Hunter, Elizabeth Edwards

Bernie Mac Dies at 50

I'm getting sick and tired of people dying in their prime. The death of a comedic genius in Bernie Mac confirms another quality person gone too soon.

Tags: Bernie Mac, Bernie Mac's Death

Busy With Studying

Hey Guys:

You may have noticed I posted very little this week. That's because I'm studying for a major exam next week. So I'm putting blinders on and yes, I've got a lot to say about the state of our country and different issues. I may do that when I have a headache or need a break from the books. But till the tail end of next week . . .tootles :-)

How To Look Good Naked

Got your attention huh? But actually I'm talking about a TV show, which created a lot of buzz last season. I've been thinking about the premise of the show, which is getting women to get comfortable in their own skin and literally, get naked.

I was intrigued before the show started and I was also apprehensive at the same time. The latter state was thinking the show was going to change a regular woman to a far-fetched concept. But I found out my doubts to be further from the truth.

The show’s host, Carson Kressley of the “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” fame is out to debunk the theory. He isn’t trying to change the American woman to some supermodel type but to appreciate the body she has now, period. I busted out laughing on last night’s episode when he told a volunteer who was a wife and mother of four that she had better things in life to do than walk a runway looking angry and hungry.

At first, when the show started I wondered why it always have to be the women with the body issues, self-image screws, etc. that need to be fixed. But over the past year, I’ve seen women really need help. We are bombarded with images on every side of having the best body, best accessories and who made the definition for the best body anyway?

As I stood at a store’s checkout lines a few days ago, I had to put back a magazine which was rating each female “star’s” body as “winner” or “loser.” Oh the pressure! It reminded me why in my late teens into my mid-twenties, I made a critical decision not to subscribe to any of such magazines. In fact, I chose not to read any of them for some years. I subscribed to Fitness and Self, and later "O" -The Oprah Magazine the past few years.

Though I had issue with Fitness in the 90s with having little to no black models on its cover, I appreciated its focus on health and less on a “perfect” body type. People (especially women) are shocked when I tell them I’ve never dieted a day in my life. I’ve always thought of the first three letters that precede the word “diet” as a way to stay away from such action.

Now I believe in eating healthy and I struggle with my sweet tooth. But that’s okay; I do it in moderation. For example, a couple of days ago, I succumbed to the temptation of the “hot now” sign from Krispy Kreme. But guess what? I only went through the drive-thru to buy two individual hot glazed doughnuts not a dozen. And yesterday, I spent some time in the gym.

That’s why the show “how to look good naked” is resonating with many viewers. Even Oprah dedicated a whole show to the new show. It doesn’t make sense for women to cheat themselves out of having a life just because of the shape of their stomach, butt, hips and thighs. Newsflash: That’s what makes you a WOMAN.

The volunteer of yesterday’s show couldn’t go into her family’s swimming pool to play with her kids because she didn’t like how she looked. You know what was going on in my mind? If she was spending time in that pool, not only will she feel and look better, she would have spent some quality time with her kids. Duh!

I’m glad the show is trying to start a revolution like Dove has been doing for a few years. But my gripe is what if there is NO team of experts in make-up, wardrobe and photography to tell you your best features? Why do we have to wait for someone on the outside to affirm us before we feel we are enough and make the best of what we’ve got?

Tags: How To Look Good Naked, Lifetime TV, Oprah, Carson Kressley, Body Image

Africa Rising

I've said it before, I'm not all "America" or black issues all the time, I'm diverse as is my background. Africa holds a special place in my heart and is my roots (literally). As one family member told me a few months ago, "you are an african-american; embrace both sides." I never thought I didn't embrace both sides; gee my name and/or look always has someone questioning where I'm from.

Anyhoo, I digressed. The image of Africa in the Mainstream Media (MSM) is normally that of abject poverty or chaos but there is a vibrant market of 900 million consumers that isn't being tapped. Also, it is a great place for fashion, music, and all things arts. Not to talk of a growing business world.

This has led to the creation of Africa Rising! It was founded by Nigerian Journalist Nduka Obaigbena, who stopped by one of my favorite shows on NPR last Thursday. He along with Nigerian fashion designer Fati Mohammed Asibelua aka "Momo" spoke about bringing the show which started last month in Abuja, Nigeria (featuring Rihanna) to the Kennedy Center in DC last Friday.

Well it was a picture of who's who of Black America, Africans, etc. For more info, check out Africa Rising's website!

Tags: Africa Rising, NPR, Rihanna, Jay-Z, Momo, Nigeria

Too Fit To Be President?

Here we go again with the "dumb it down" era for Americans. This time it's coming from a respectable (at least up till now) journal, which has confirmed my worst fears about the former family-owned Wall Street Journal sold to conservative mogul, Rupert Mudoch. Imagine my surprise when I read this missive "too fit for President" on Friday's WSJ.

The WSJ report is to highlight why some Americans might not vote for Sen. Barack Obama; he's too skinny and worse, athletic. Seriously! Do these folks know much about history? Arguably, one of our greatest Presidents, Abraham Lincoln was skinny to the point of being gaunt. According to WSJ, that is too far back since in comparison to Dubya (who's also known to be fit), Obama is taller and weighs less. And don't get me started on our nicknamed "fast food President" Bubba who's an inch taller than Obama but 50 pounds heavier.

Note to WSJ: Bubba had a triple heart by-pass surgery due to his penchant for Sylvia's and all things fried. And just because two-thirds of Americans are overweight doesn't mean they have to stay in such plight. But not so according to WSJ: Americans would rather have company in their overweight misery. So why not elect somebody who is fat or struggling with his weight?

My skin is crawling as I type these words because I can't believe a journal I was mandated to subscribe to in college as a business student has resort stooped this low in lazy reporting. It never mentioned anything about Gerald Ford - that wasn't far back as Lincoln who lived into his 90s and was considered our most athletic since he was a star athlete and captain of his then high school football team and led his college team to two national titles.

Gosh! What is this election season coming to? So now folks want Obama to pander to the people and eat corndogs on the campaign trails - just makes me wanna holla!

Tags: Wall Street Journal, Too Fit To be President, Amy Chozick, Overweight, Skinny