Showing posts with label Black. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Black. Show all posts

Saturday, August 27, 2011

What Has Happened To The New Black Generation?



When you look back at what African Americans have been fighting for throughout the decades, you feel nothing but happiness. The bravery that each individual has shown cannot be matched. The fight for equal rights along with the acceptance of multiculturalism is quite remarkable. People like Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Reverend Al Sharpton, and many more activists fought for our rights as US citizens.

You can look back at those times and still get the same reaction. You are amazed on how our culture came together. We didn't just want equal rights. We also wanted acceptance from others cultures.

Now here we are in the 21st century. The new generation of African American males and females are given the power to make a change in the world. To live the lives that the older generation have been for fighting for them to have. It's time for them to continue the legacy and show that we are everyday people just like any other person. Instead, the fighting resulted in something that was never expected.

Crime rates have gone out of control in certain cities. Every time you look at the television screen, you will be sad and disappointed seeing someone that has the color of skin either murdered, arrested, or incarcerated. Back then, men and women were taught to fight with their fists. Nowadays, it has resulted to guns and heavy items like crowbars. Most of it is because of unnecessary things.

Divorce rates are incredibly high. Back in 1966, more than 84% of children were raised in two parent households. Now it's fewer than 33%. Teenagers are not taking life seriously and are just fooling around, letting life go by. Some of these actions resulted in things like underage drinking and teenage pregnancies. The baddest thing is that there are certain parents who support these actions. Instead of trying to stop these things and telling their children that this is not the right way to run your life, they instead are defending them and contributing to their actions.

Another thing that is going on is something that is being called "Cultural Self-Injury". Instead of supporting those who look just like them, trying to make a change in the world, they are attacking them with negative comments and a visual lack of support. Most of it stems from fear. Fear of wanting to change their lives. They want to remain the way it is.

The final straw was when President Barack Obama was elected president. When the results came in, it was discovered that the lowest amount of people that voted for him were African Americans. According to some, they think blacks didn't vote for him because the president is quote "Not black enough."

Of course, there are people who are trying to make a change. There are some who were the first in their family to go to college. There are some who were the first to manage a stable job. Sadly, they are being overshadowed by the dark side of the African American community. It's as if all of those people that marched for our rights did it for nothing. People within the community feel so disappointed, they wished if they were born in another culture. Some have taken it to the maximum by bleaching their skin, so they could be inches away from not looking black at all.

Based on actions like this it makes you wonder. What has happened to the new black generation?

Friday, July 15, 2011

Black and Gay in Corporate America--Black Enterprise

By Sharon J. Lettman-Hicks, Executive Director of National Black Justice Coalition

This week, Black Enterprise (BE) magazine, the most respected business journal for Black America, released an eight-page article on being Black, Gay and in Corporate America that is sending shockwaves through Black communities. The teaser article started with:

“We’re not going to pretend this was an easy topic for Black Enterprise to consider. Let’s face it—the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community is one of which our society whispers, mocks, ignores, and, in extreme cases, vehemently rejects. For Black members of this community, the emotional backlash can be even more intense.”
- Sonia Alleyne, Editorial Director, Careers/Lifestyle, BE

CALL TO ACTION…We need our members and supporters to:

· Purchase a Black Enterprise magazine today (it will be a piece of history)

· Post the Black Enterprise cover story on your Facebook page to share with your network:
www.blackenterprise.com/2011/07/13/black-and-gay-in-corporate-america/

· Facebook “Like” the BE special features at:
www.blackenterprise.com/blacklgbt/

· Add your voice to the many comments (positive and negative) regarding BE’s coverage about our community on the BE website: www.blackenterprise.com

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

KWANZAA ANYONE?

Reflect for the Seven Days with Love

Each year, the African-American community pays homage to its families, friends, and spirit during the seven days of Kwanzaa, a holiday for people of any religion. But what about you and your sweetie—or that cutie you have your eye on? How can the two of you get in the holiday spirit? We have the answer with these fun, Kwanzaa-flavored dates. Now, you may not be able to pack them all in during the week of December 26th, when the holiday occurs this year, but keep these ideas on hand and let them add richness and an element of surprise to your dating life in the year ahead.

1. Make it a group get-together

The first day of Kwanzaa celebrates Umoja (ooh-MOE-jah), the unity among families and communities. Are we sending you out on a date with your parents? Absolutely not! A friendly outing with another couple or two is what we have in mind. It’s sure to bring you and your date closer while emphasizing the bonds you’re all building. This plan can take the pressure off if you’re inviting someone special out for the first time. And if you’re a twosome that’s been stuck in the “let’s rent a DVD” rut, it can add a nice change-up, too. Challenge the other duo to a bowling match, go ice skating en masse, or play a game of Scrabble. (Just remember to play nicely—there’s only one “m” in “Umoja.”)

Friday, November 13, 2009

She is BACK... Omarosa!!!

Real estate and entertainment mogul Donald J. Trump has partnered with TV One on a groundbreaking new reality series to debut in the Spring of 2010.


Entitled, "Omarosa's Ultimate Merger," the show will put a cadre of 12 successful bachelors through a gauntlet of tests. These challenges are designed to play upon their weaknesses, test their business acumen, measure their seductive strengths, and draw out their true intentions. Will she marry for love or for money? And can this bevy of bachelors tame this shrew?

"Omarosa was a great personality on the 'Apprentice' that was watched by over 40 million people as it became the #1 show on TV. Omarosa is smart, witty, and difficult, but all of these qualities will make for some very interesting entertainment," says Trump.

Donald J. Trump went on to say, "I am very excited to partner with the great Comcast Corporation and TV One. They really stepped up to the plate to do this deal. TV One is making a huge impression on the cable landscape with this tremendous new show."

Donald J. Trump and Trump Productions President Andy Litinsky created the eight episode reality series that will be produced by Trump Productions LLC and Juma Entertainment. The Executive Producers from Trump Productions LLC are Donald J. Trump and Andy Litinsky. The Executive Producers from Juma Entertainment are Bob Horowitz and Lewis Fenton. The show will be filmed on location at the world renowned 5-star Trump International Hotel and Tower: Las Vegas.

The executives in charge of production for TV One are Jubba Seyyid and Craig Henry.

"TV One is all about bringing our viewers an entertaining and compelling take on universal aspects of the black experience -- and creating successful, loving relationships is serious business. There is no question about it: Omarosa's Ultimate Merger will be unpredictable, full of drama, and a guilty pleasure to watch," says TV One Senior Vice President of Original Programming Toni Judkins. "We know people like to watch dating shows and the drama within is always a draw, so we expect this series where successful singles match wits in the game of love to be highly fascinating, and entertaining. We look forward to working with Donald J. Trump, Trump Productions, and Juma Entertainment to bring this new series to our viewers."

"Reality fans can't get enough of Omarosa, and this partnership between Trump Productions and Juma Entertainment is going to result in an addictive, engaging show that will entertain and surprise those who have enjoyed her exploits," said Robert Horowitz, Executive Producer for Juma Entertainment. "Omarosa is known for her drive to succeed and her take-no-prisoners attitude, and watching her use these qualities in her love life will make for great TV."

Launched in January 2004, TV One (
www.tvoneonline.com) serves more than 48.4 million households, offering a broad range of entertainment, reality and lifestyle -oriented original programming, classic series, movies, and music designed to entertain, inform and inspire a diverse audience of adult African American viewers. TV One's investors include Radio One (Nasdaq: ROIA and ROIAK; www.radio-one.com), the largest radio company that primarily targets African American and urban listeners; Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA and CMCSK; www.comcast.com), the leading cable television company in the country; The DirecTV Group; Constellation Ventures; Syndicated Communications; and Opportunity Capital Partners.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Arts.Advocacy+Wellness: "National Public Radio (NPR) features FlagBoy"




NPR - Life on The Fringes: Performers In The First Person

featuring Cornelius Jones Jr. and FlagBoy


Last month I performed FlagBoy at DC's Capital Fringe Festival, not knowing who would show up I had an awesome turnout. Self-producing any show can be a bit of a challenge, especially when your producing efforts are over 200 miles away from the actual venue. However, the power of the internet and word of mouth can go a long way.

DC's Fringe Festival producers were truly amazing to me. I was offered numerous press opportunities with Washington City Paper, On Tap Magazine, The Washington Blade, DC Theater Scene, and National Public Radio (NPR). Yes NPR!!!! FlagBoy made NPR. A lil black gay boy from the south sharing his story with NPR. Truly a huge milestone in my career...heck, my life!


Nervous? Of course! When I received the phone call from Trey Graham of NPR, a cyclone of perspiration flooded the white t-shirt I had on at that
moment. Trey told me that he was doing a story on how solo-peformers manage to make a living by working the Fringe Festival circuit across the US. Taken aback by this, because FlagBoy is a little over a year old in the touring market. For a second, I thought...you want FlagBoy??? Then as we sat and discussed FlagBoy's journey over the past year, I realized that FlagBoy has had quite a run and quite a fringe journey. Although, technically, Capital Fringe was FlagBoy's first official Fringe Festival, it has played numerous Fringe-like Festivals such as The Midtown International Theater Festival, The Left Out Festival, and one-night ventures at small venues in NYC, Delaware, and Connecticut, which makes it all a fringe!

Thank you Trey and NPR for including my story.
I invite you guys over to NPR's website to watch the audio/visual slideshow:










http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111812501&sc=emaf



Life on The Fringes: Performers In The First Person

Life On The Fringes: Performers In The First Person


featuring
Kevin Thornton - Sex, Dreams, and Self-Control
Cornelius Jones Jr. - FlagBoy
Ed Hammel - The Terrorism of Everday Life

Some solo performers manage to make a living by working a Fringe Festival circuit that spans North America, from Orlando, Fla., to Vancouver, British Columbia. NPR stopped by the Capital Fringe Festival and asked three artists to introduce themselves.

THEFUTUREFORWARD.NET HEADLINES

The FUTURE

LinkWithin

Blog Widget by LinkWithin