Because I said so

I just finished listening to Maxwell’s BLACKsummer’s night… I think I’m pregnant. Oh Lawd! Yes, he is back. I think a very high percentage of black women in America are half in love and in full lust for Maxwell. The first joint Bad Habits is classic vintage Maxwell a great way to open the CD. Of course Pretty Wings was a great way to whet the appetite for months as we eagerly awaited the release of Maxwell after an 8 year hiatus. The track Help Somebody had a smooth blues feel. Love You: I was not expecting the quick tempo with a song title as Love You but the lyrics worked helped along with Maxwell’s sensual sound. Not a single song needs to be skipped in fact the CD ended much too soon. I am anxiously awaiting part II of the forth coming trilogy. Welcome back Maxwell.


BTW, afro or no Maxwell can “GET IT”, whenever, wherever, whatever (for the Maxwell STANS).

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• Lawd have mercy
• Maxwell


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The Supreme Court has decided to reverse the decision made by the appeals court of whichSotomayor was apart. I have yet to read the entire ruling but I find myself wondering the ramifications the ruling will have on the New Haven community. It is to my understanding that New Haven is predominately a minority community and will now be served by few minorities in positions of authority. I know of many people who came from areas where authority figures did not look like them. I know first hand how feelings of mistrust will pervade the neighborhood and do very little to bridging a widening gulf.

After reading the original ruling I agreed with the ruling in which Judge Areterton arrived. I can say with all honesty I am happy the New Haven 20 will receive the promotions they deserve. I will also say I am very apprehensive about the future of affirmative action. It is my personal belief that though we have come along way affirmative action is very much needed to ensure a diverse environment,especially on college campuses. For many minorities affirmative action is our Legacy admission. It will be interseting to see how this affects Sotomayor's confirmation I am of the opinion that it will matter little. Judge Souter whom she would replace agreed with her ruling.

It is undeniable to me that Sotomayor is right in respects that the bench is were policy is made. The supreme court just elected a new policy that will have far reaching outcomes for the future. What those outcomes are remains to be seen.

• Labels:
• politics
• race
• race relations
• sotomayor


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• Michael Jackson


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We all remember our first, probably most memorable first is our…well this is a family blog so you get the point.

Some important first that I remember are:

Shirley Chisholm the first black female U.S. representative congresswoman.

Thurgood Marshall first black male U.S. Supreme Court Justice

Dr. Charles Drew the inventor of the blood bank (and a huge part of my chosen profession)

Mae Jemison the first black female astronaut.

Madame C.J. Walker first black female millionaire

Ursula Burns first black woman to become chief executive of Fortune 500 company.

Barack H. Obama first black president.

There are more notable firsts that I can recall but for me these are a few in which I feel tremendous pride. What many people fail to realize with Ms. Sotomayor’s nomination is the exact same thing they failed to realize during Obama’s nomination for the Presidency of the United States, Pride. Sure we all have pride in accomplishments from our fellow man but there is something undeniably special when it is someone who either looks like you or comes from a similar background. For those that believe minorities are indifferent to issues or a person’s record and that only their ethnicity or race matters I laugh at you and I reject your bigoted views. Nominations like Sotomayor’s and Obama’s will cease to be racially significant when they are no longer the first of their kind. However, for now Sotomayor’s nomination is another proud moment for me as a woman of color.

• Labels:
• Obama
• race relations


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Alberto Cutie is a cutie (couldn't help myself)and it is a shame that he can no longer practice the faith that he believes because of his vow of celibacy to the Catholic Church. He will now "pursue the priesthood in theEpiscopalian faith".

• Labels:
• Damn
• off topic
• relationships


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My husband usually likes to spend vacation on a beach somewhere relaxing to the sound of the waves. For my birthday he decided to accompany me on my yearly trip to Colorado for some light hiking and for the annual Bolder Boulder 10k. While the beach offers softly crashing waves it doesn’t compare to the majestic beauty of the Rocky Mountain range in Colorado. For my husband’s first visit the weather could not have been worse. It rained at some point every day and was cloudy the entire time. We did not bother going to Pike’s Peak because it would have been pointless, all that would have been visible would have been clouds. However, the beauty in the gently rolling hillside the quaint housing and the occasional glimpse of snow capped covered mountains has my husband eager for next year’s trip.





We traveled to Bear Lake (9475 elevation) in hopes of completing a four mile hike. Instead we were met with at least five inches of snow which impeded our trek because we did not have snow shoes. At one point we were actually walking in the lake without realizing we had ventured off the trail.

We got up close and personal with some Elk and later enjoyed Elk and Buffalo burgers in the town of Estes. Some other sights included a visit to red top hotel which, is where Stephen King’s Shining was filmed. Later we headed to Denver for a vendor festival they were having before a torrential downpour forced everyone inside for cover.



I participated in the Bolder Boulder 10k race this year and had set a goal for myself of 1:25 (to see if I met this goal stay tuned for Jason Johnson’s post to learn my results). The race was incredible 50,000 people show up each year for the race and for the culmination in the elite runner’s race at the end of the day. The men’s elite runner finished in a mere 27 minutes! The Memorial Day celebration at CU was great 6 parachuteers floated in and at the very end of the national anthem three fighter jets flew over just in time to beat the storms.



Our trip was great. I had a secret agenda in this year’s trip I wanted to introduce my husband to a different way of living in hopes that he will want to start a new life in Colorado. He enjoyed himself immensely but I don’t think it was enough to sway him, YET.

• Labels:
• family
• Mr. Man
• That New-New


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Is it just me or does the fact that Rashida Jones only takes roles in which you find yourself questioning is she supposed to be white, slightly bothersome. I liked "I Love You Man" it was a good laugh. What I found odd was the complete absence of anything remotely ethnic when Rashida was on screen. I find myself wondering if this is a real life remake of Imitation of Life. Does anyone else feel this way or am I reaching?

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• blackwoman
• stereotyping


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I debated sharing this information but then I thought what the hell. I will be running in a 10k on Memorial Day I am aiming to complete the race in an 1h25. Before I ask the over or under bet I feel I must disclose some information.
1. Until three weeks ago I thought this was a 5K
2. The race will be in Boulder, Co, which means I will be running at 5430feet.
3. My husband is taking over on this one (the scoundrel)

On the plus side I have never suffered from altitude sickness any of the times I have visited. I have camped and hiked with no problem or ill after affects. My friends are always surprised that I don't need an adjust period that we are able to hit the mountians the minute I land. However, I have yet to run there, so late Friday when we make it in my friend and I are going on a quick mile run to see how my lungs hold up. I will post an update on how I feel and the mile time late Friday or early Saturday.

My husband is actually going with me this year which, has its perks I have asked him to be at the finish line with bags of ice and glad cling wrap.

Update Finished a mile in 11:40 which is an 1:20 seconds longer than it usually takes for me to finish. Looks like I might make the goal I set for myself.

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• Geritol
• off topic


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I love me some Obama and I want to him to succeed with all my heart. However, his stance on torture and the release of the Bush administrations memos on waterboarding is wrong. There will come a time in Obama's administration when tactics that require harsh interrogation will be needed and he will use them. What I don't like is Obama's no tolerance stance on torture. I think it only sets his administration up for a horrible black eye when they have to take advantage of harsh interrogation practices.

Currently, Obama is trying to block the release of detainee photos because of safety concerns for military personnel. I don't think the same consideration was given to the image and safety of all Americans with the release of the Bush adminstration use of waterboarding.

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• Obama


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The President's 2010 budget eliminated $110 million per year in what is called “discretionary spending” and $50 million per year in mandatory spending otherwise known as Title V funding. There were vigorous arguments on both sides each equally passionate in their beliefs in what will protect America’s youth.

The National Abstinence Education Association had this to say regarding the abstinence only funding cut.

Obama's anti-abstinence budget “disregards the growing body of evidence supporting the effectiveness of abstinence education,” including research showing “a 50% decrease in sexual onset among teens that are enrolled in abstinence programs.”
“At a time when teens are subjected to an increasingly sexualized culture, it is essential that common-sense legislators from both sides of the aisle reject this extreme attempt to de-fund the only approach that removes all risk,” said NAEA Executive Director Valerie Huber.

I agree with the NAEA that there needs to be a counter balance for the increased sexualized content seen on television and print ads. I just happen to believe providing age appropriate content that covers abstinence and safe sex practices provides adolescent who are “curious” with knowledge and information about the possible consequences of engaging to soon in sexual activity.

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• Obama
• politics


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