Councilman Slams Stop And Frisk, Says Bloomberg's…
Defendant Says Robert Champion Wanted To Be Hazed
Now that Usher is gracing magazine covers again (the latest edition of Uptown magazine recently hit stands), his estranged wife (and babies' mother), Tameka J. Foster-Raymond, is taking her story to the airwaves, too. And not on Twitter, either. Earlier this week, the mother of five published a candid essay on the Huffington Post about complexion prejudices that plague the black community. "No matter what strides we make as a people, these issues continue to plague and rot our souls, causing significant decay to a portion of our population and truly hindering our progress," she wrote, quite eloquently. Not sure if the politically edged HuffPo was the most sensible outlet to tackle the subject of light skin versus dark skin (did Essence pass?), but the Oakland native should be commended for having the wherewithal to spark debate about it. Read the full essay here.
Nia Long – who made international headlines last month when she lashed out at singers getting plum Hollywood roles – is now taking her clothes off for the camera. I wouldn't say that she's the most "bootylicious" of the bunch, but the Brooklyn-born star of movies such as 'Love Jones' and 'The Best Man' has surely turned heads with her new PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) campaign. Lauren Williams at Black Voices has the story here.*****
Move over Juanita Bynum, the one and only Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth is headed to the church. And not to just put her hard-earned money in the offering plate. The reality TV queen tells Sister 2 Sister magazine that she feels "like God is calling."
A new chapter in the Donald Trump protégé's life will entail enrolling in the United Theological Seminary, where she will train to become a minister. According to the Jamie Foster Brown-founded publication, Omarosa (as she is singularly known as) is looking to start classes later this year. "[God]'s been calling me for two years, and I can't ignore it," she said. Kim Margolis at the Dayton Daily News has more of the story here. *****
Music legend Lionel Richie will have another honor bestowed upon him when the United Negro College Fund honors him at its 31st annual Evening of Stars event on Sept. 12 at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. The two-hour musical tribute, to be televised nationwide in January, will feature an array of artists performing the songs Richie made famous. Recent honorees have included Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, Smokey Robinson and Stevie Wonder.*****
Anna Deavere Smith, arguably one of the finest (and most underrated actresses in the business), is making a return to the stage with a new one-woman show. According to Playbill, 'Let Me Down Easy' will open at the Second Stage Theatre this fall. Directed by Leonard Foglia, the play will explore the world of health care from both the patient and the practitioner's perspective in this timely and absorbing new play. More of that story here. 
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By: Evelyn on 8/18/2009 7:43PM
I am a brown skin black women, first light or dark skinned a person male or female needs to be comfortable in their own skin - yes light and dark has been an issue in our community since slavery and will continue to be - we need to get over this ignorance, we have to realize some people well never change again love yourself dark or light.
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By: summerbaby2 on 8/25/2009 7:46PM
I am of french and indian descent. i am yellow, long straight hair and ashamed to say to my dark skinned husband to keep our daughter "out of the sun." because she would look dark. Her sistrs and brothers from his first marriage resents her because she is "light" yellow face, arms and legs. Our eyes turn light brown in the summer and our skin is yellow in the winter. I have two set of make up for season changing. I look like a white girl next to my husband. We love each other deeply and that had nothing to do with color. It was funny when I was in college of the surveys that we had to fill out. It would ask the ethnic color. I would put "other." when the University knew there were 4 AA girls and get an answer of "other." I can be any race I want to be. This is America. Sometime I would say that I am Hispanic. On other days, I am Chinese. A few years ago, my cousin bought over a dark skinned woman with short hair. She looked at me and said no wonder he left his wife for you. I wasn't sure what she meant at the time but it hurt my feelings. I didn't "choose" my color or my hair. I married this man and his kids from his first marriage are dark. One is so dark when he takes a picture, his teeth lets you know he is there. So what! Our daughter looks like a light bulb next to them and I love them all dearly. Because of the hue of my complexion, I was offered modeling,singing and commercial opportunities. I will be 51 this year and guys still hit on me. I would love to think, with all my soul, that they really see my heart and I hope they see that before telling me I am pretty. My husband has a beautiful wife, a beautiful girl, we live in one of the most affluent gated area of town but that did not stop any one from cheating. He has power and eye candy on his arm. I have a well respected last name and things I dreamed of. You get what you ask for but it comes with a price.
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By: summerbaby2 on 8/25/2009 7:31PM
This is a follow up. I don't have to wear make up and I can twist my hair into a bun. If I can't find a comb, I can "comb" my hair with my fingers or a dinner fork. I heard, a long time go, that pure african will not date an american black because we are "homoginized." Mixed with some many cultures that we don't know what we are ourselves. I have heard the word "red-boned" "malaysia" and so on. My maiden last name is french. I am a creole, my man and dad were born and raised in Louisiana. All of my aunts, uncles, cousins etc..are there. I know who I am and feel no need to explain my orgin to any one. My daughter dates black, whites and whomever she chooses and as long as she is happy, I am thrilled.
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