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Study: Former NFL Players Abuse Pain Killers Far More Than General Public

January 28, 2011, 10:07 am
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According to a new study, retired NFL players misuse opioid pain medication at a rate four times greater than the general public. The study goes on to connect the abuse to the number of painkillers athletes take during their playing days in the NFL. The results were published in 'Drug and Alcohol Dependence,' a peer-reviewed academic journal.

The study was conducted by scholars at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. It is also the first study conducted on painkiller misuse by former players. Linda Cottler, a professor of epidemiology in the school's Department of Psychiatry, led the study, which was commissioned by ESPN.

"This is important because of the public health implications for players of sports all over the world," Cottler said.

Among the key findings of the study are:

- More than half (52 percent) of former NFL players say they used prescription painkillers during their careers. Out of that group, 71 percent said that they abused the drugs, with 15 percent of them admitting to misusing the drugs over the last 30 days.

- 63 percent of former players who misused the drugs during their playing days got their medication from a nonmedical source (a teammate, coach or friend).

Dr. Lawrence Brown, the medical adviser for substance abuse in the NFL, argues that the results are flawed, namely because NFL players can't be compared with the general population. But investigative work over the last few months by ESPN has revealed that even though NFL players are subjected to a greater degree of injury and need for painkillers, they are consequently more vulnerable to addiction to these drugs as well.

"In the NFL and all sports, part of employment includes relief of pain because of the prevalence of injury," Brown said. "If you don't have the exposure, you're less likely to misuse."

The NFL doesn't have the best reputation when it comes to dealing with it's retired players. There's been an ongoing battle between the current league administration and players who were in the league when revenue was not what it is today. One former player, Brent Boyd, has helped launch a Website called Dignityafterfootball.org, which advocates for former players who've suffered disabilities and had their benefits denied. Boyd cites one legal battle after another where players have had to work hard to get the league to acknowledge the long-term effects that the NFL has had on their bodies. According to Boyd, the battle cry of retired players is "Delay, deny and hope we die!"

There's an old song with the lyrics, "Mama, don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys." Perhaps the person who wrote that song was referring to the Dallas Cowboys. Many children in black and brown communities across America are led into well-organized athletics systems before they even learn to read, leading to a lasting attachment to an NFL dream that typically turns into a nightmare.

I've seen many retired NFL players up close, and in quite a few cases, their bodies are so worn down that they can barely walk, run or jump. Also, many African American athletes have traded in their educational futures for a chance at NFL glory, only to end up out of the league in a couple of years. Most of us know what happens in the United States to a 24-year-old black man with a fifth-grade reading level, so it's not uncommon for former athletes to be broke, on drugs or incarcerated.

There's nothing wrong with steering our boys away from football. Although I loved football as a kid, I found out that there are far more productive and profitable uses of our talents. For example, DeMaurice Smith, the head of the NFL Players Association, is an attorney who will earn several million dollars per year for the rest of his life. He didn't earn that money by being an athlete; he earned it by being educated. We must make sure our boys do better.


Dr. Boyce Watkins is founder of the Your Black World Coalition and the Athlete Liberation and Academic Reform Movement (ALARM). To have Dr. Boyce's commentary delivered to your e-mail, please click here.

 

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Steve Harvey's Radio Show Co-Host Writes Debut Book

January 28, 2011, 11:20 am
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It looks like Steve Harvey's rubbing off on his radio show co-host, Shirley Strawberry.

For the past ten years, she has delivered her advice to eight million listeners in thirty markets as the King of Comedy's co-host on the nationally syndicated 'Steve Harvey Morning Show.'

The single mother has finally following in the footsteps of her New York Times-Best Selling Author boss and decided to share her tidbits of advice on parenting, relationships and career decisions in her first book, 'The Strawberry Letter: Real Talk, Real Advice, Because Bitterness Isn't Sexy.'

Ultimately, I hope that 'The Strawberry Letter' will encourage you to make better choices and decisions in relationships-whether they be with your family, your lover, or in the workplace," Shirley said. "Let's take this journey together. Be inspired. Be motivated. Be healed, reinvigorated, and challenged to love yourself and to love your life!"

Several big-name celebrities are fans of the how-to book already.

Tyler Perry wrote, "Only a woman who lives life with purpose and divine revelation can inspire people through her advice, and that is Shirley."

While, Academy Award-winner and BET talk show host Monique gushed, "Shirley Strawberry is a sistah who has been there and conquered that. Her insightful advice on life, love, and relationships makes her book a must read for anyone struggling with past hurts."

The booked is divided into four sections including "Taking Inventory: Woman to Woman" and "Love and Relationships" to "Family Matters" and "Self-Love."

'The Strawberry Letter,' which will be published by Random House, will be released in April.

 

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Michael Vick is Back to Endorsing Products: Signs His First Deal

January 28, 2011, 12:04 pm
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Michael Vick

Embattled Philadelphia Eagles star Michael Vick has finally signed his first endorsement deal. The player signed a two-year contract with Unequal Technologies, a company that provides the football pads Vick wore throughout the season. Terms of the deal are not disclosed, but both parties are excited.

"We're real excited about it," said Unequal's chief executive officer Rob Vito. "Michael is good people. He paid his dues. President Obama reached out to him. He deserves an opportunity. This is what makes America so great. He's moved forward. He's a whole other person."


The contract has been defined as "sizable" by the company's executives. Vick wore a vest designed by Unequal when he came back from an injury earlier this season. He also wore shoulder and thigh pads designed by the company.


"The Unequal technology is a part of my game now and I won't play without my Unequal," Vick said in a statement. "Unequal's protective power gives me a whole new level of confidence in my game. It makes me feel invincible."

It appears that Vick is back in the business of making money and selling products again. He is similar to Magic Johnson in that both were able to reinvent themselves in such a way that their biggest news-making experience didn't serve to define them. To this day, most people barely remember that Magic Johnson was diagnosed with HIV nearly 20 years ago, and in a few years, Michael Vick's prison sentence may simply be an afterthought.

Watching Vick reclaim his stake of greatness also serves to inspire millions of formerly incarcerated Americans who deserve a second chance. President Barack Obama was wise to point out that Vick's success serves as an example of what all of us can become if given an opportunity. One can only hope that solid economic opportunities can also be provided for those who can't throw a football down the field.

The product that Vick is pitching is as perfect for him as the city in which he plays. Selling a product that relates to football means that potential customers won't likely care very much about Michael Vick's off-the-field behavior. Also, Philadelphia is the kind of town that would cheer for an ax murderer if he could win football games. The hard-nosed city with loyal fans has been incredibly gracious when it comes to giving Michael Vick another chance to shine.

It'll be interesting to see where things go from here. While it might be a while before Michael Vick reappears on the cover of another PlayStation video game, it's great to see him regain control of his life. Way to go, Mike. I'm proud of you. Please keep up the good work.

Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and the Athlete Liberation and Academic Reform Movement (ALARM). To have Dr. Boyce's commentary delivered to your e-mail, please click here.

 

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Terry McMillan Needs to Slow Her Roll When Attacking Will Smith's Kids

January 28, 2011, 1:46 pm
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I was surprised to see the esteemed author Terry McMillan slip to an all-time low by attacking the children of Hollywood power couple Will and Jada Smith. Using Twitter as her forum of choice, McMillan expressed her concern that the Smith kids were being "exploited" by their parents in their acting and singing careers. "It feels like the Smith children are being pimped and exploited. Or, they're already hungry for fame. What about 4th grade?" wrote McMillan

She then went on to write the following:

"The Smith children already act like child stars. There's an arrogance in their demeanor and behavior. I find it incredibly sad."


Of course the entire world spread McMillan's words quicker than wildfire. That then led to an apology from McMillan:

"I apologize for using the word pimp and exploit in referring to the Smith children. It was insensitive of me and wrong."

Oddly enough, McMillan then took her back apology and went on a diatribe about Twitter culture and why people were so fixated on her words in the first place.

"So, I'm on blast? Too bad when I talk about what's happening in the government, the GOP, racism, love, etc., doesn't go viral."

"These are probably the same folks who live for reality TV and don't care about an SAT score. Or college."

"I think of followers as friends I'm letting into my living room. We differ in opinion but aren't rude. Others: I wouldn't let in my front yard"


To use a phrase that we might be more likely to hear in the hood, Terry McMillan needs to just sit down. Her words are way off the mark, and unless she understands the workings of the Smith household, she needs to be careful about insulting someone else's children in public. Her comments remind me of when Fox News host Glenn Beck attacked Malia Obama just a few months ago.

McMillan has no idea why the Smith children decided to pursue acting careers. I can't imagine Will and Jada having to "pimp" their kids to make ends meet. Will Smith is not Gary Coleman's father, so I hardly expect that he's living off of the money being earned by his kids or that he's somehow living vicariously through their fame.

Given that the Smiths have a son who doesn't do very much in the public eye, it is quite likely that they are allowing their children to decide what they want to do. Using the power of their platform, they are also opening windows of opportunity for their children, no differently from the Kennedy family, the Jacksons or anyone else who has paved a way for their kids. Personally, I would have loved to have had a father who could help me become a respected actor or singer at an early age; it would have been fun.

With regard to McMillan's comments about the children's arrogance, only time will tell. I too grow concerned with anyone who gets that much attention and power at such an early age. I hope the family is keeping the children grounded and not creating little monsters. Teaching your kids to have confidence and "Hollywood swag" is very different from allowing them to turn into jerks.

The bottom line is that Terry McMillan has no business publicly attacking another couple's children. Whatever issues she has with Will and Jada should stay among adults. Attacking the children in a family is a no-no, and Terry McMillan should be ashamed.

Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and a Scholarship in Action resident of the Institute for Black Public Policy. To have Dr. Boyce's commentary delivered to your e-mail, please click here.

 

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Tichina Arnold to Play Fran Drescher's Best Friend In TV Land's 'Happily Divorced'

January 29, 2011, 4:05 am
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Tichina Arnold will join Rita Moreno and Robert Walden in TV Land's comedy pilot 'Happily Divorced,' starring Fran Drescher, states Deadline.com.

Based on her real life, Drescher plays a woman who re-enters the dating world after finding out that her husband is gay. It focuses on how she juggles her relationship with her current boyfriend and ex-husband post-divorce. Moreno and Walden will play her parents, while Arnold stars as Drescher's best friend.

Arnold, a native of Queens, N.Y., is known for her roles as Pamela James on the Fox sitcom 'Martin' and the family matriarch Rochelle on the UPN/CW sitcom 'Everybody Hates Chris,' which ended its run in 2009 after four seasons.

Recently released on home video is Arnold's latest film, 'The Lena Baker Story,' which is based on the true story of an impoverished and uneducated African American woman's struggles in rural 1940s Georgia.

Convicted and sentenced for the accidental killing of Elliot Arthur, the tyrannical, pistol-packing white man she was hired to care for - in a trial and deliberation that together lasted less than four hours - Baker was only 44 years old when she died in 1945, the only woman to be sentenced to death by electric chair in the state of Georgia.

'Happily' Divorced' is being co-written and executive produced by Drescher and her ex-husband, 'The Nanny's co-creator Peter Marc Jacobson.

In late 2010, Arnold appeared on 'The Fran Drescher Show,' where she talked about life after 'Everybody Hates Chris' and being a single parent.

 

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48-Year-Old Herschel Walker Dominates in MMA Fighting Bout

January 30, 2011, 2:20 am
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He came, he saw, and he conquered. Herschel Walker, the man who was once known for being a jack of all trades, dominated his opponent in the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) competition.

The fight was against Scott Carson, the poor guy that Walker obliterated with a left hook in the first minute of fighting. After knocking Carson to the ground, Walker continued to pound away on him until the referee stopped the fight.

Walker's return to public competition at the age of 48 is nothing short of inspirational. The man who once said "My body is like an army" has proven it to the public by doing what many thought would be impossible. In addition to MMA fighting, Herschel has excelled in quite a few other sports as well: Walker is the only college football player in NCAA history to be listed in the top three in Heisman voting for all three years he was in college. He finished 7th in the 1992 Winter Olympics in the two-man bobsled. He nearly made the Olympic team as a sprinter. He is a fifth-degree black belt. He even did ballet.

The NFL grew frustrated with Walker's multiple interests, and so did I. It always seemed that Walker insisted upon being engaged in far too many sports, as if he was in possession of multiple athletic personalities. It turns out that this is not far from the truth.

Walker recently admitted publicly that he suffers from Multiple Personality Disorder. He says that the condition is so serious that he can't remember winning the Heisman Trophy. He also said that he put a gun to his own head and doesn't remember doing it. So in addition to his amazing athletic feats, Walker has certainly overcome a great deal during his life.

Walker says that every day, he does 3,500 sit-ups and 1,000 push-ups, which has been his routine since high school. Given that those who defy father time in such a blatant way sometimes disappoint us by using performance-enhancing drugs, I sincerely hope that Walker has been able to achieve his remarkable feat without the use of Human Growth Hormone or some other banned substance. At the end of the day, he is impressive, and I fully suspect that we'll be hearing his name a lot more often. Way to go Herschel, your feat is truly awesome.

Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and a Scholarship in Action Resident of the Institute for Black Public Policy. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.

 

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Shooting of Black Athlete DJ Henry Draws $120M Lawsuit Against Police

January 30, 2011, 11:39 am
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The shooting of Pace University football player DJ Henry has set off a great deal of controversy in the town of Pleasantville, New York, where Henry was shot outside a nightclub. According to police, Henry drove his car toward one of the officers, who claims that he had to fire on the athlete in order to save his own life. Accounts of what happened that night are varying, and DJ's family has filed a $120 million lawsuit against the Pleasantville Police Department over the incident. Attorney Charles Oglegree from Harvard University is representing the family of Brandon Cox, a friend of Henry's who was also shot that night.

The incident began on the night of October 17, when police were called to investigate a disturbance outside a bar in the suburb of Thornwood, which is located right near the Pace University campus.

Officer Aaron Hess and some of the witnesses on the scene say that Hess shot at Henry's windshield because he was struck by the car as Henry drove away from the scene. But other witnesses are saying that Hess' use of force was unjustified and the family is seeking a murder indictment against him. Hess' lawyer claims that his client was thrown on the hood of the car by the impact and had no choice but to shoot. It has also been reported that the 20-year old Henry had a blood alcohol level above the legal limit for driving.

There are others on the scene who argue that Hess did not have to shoot Henry. Also, Attorney Charles Ogletree and others are seeking an independent investigation into the matter. They claim that Henry was following police instructions when he pulled away from the scene and that Hess did not tell him to stop the car.

The shooting of DJ Henry saddened me when I first heard about it. It reminds me of the shooting of Daniel Covington, another football player shot in Louisville, Kentucky under questionable circumstances. There are countless other instances where athletes have been killed, and many of these situations have one common denominator: Alcohol and bars.

I am in complete agreement that there should be an independent investigation into the shooting of DJ Henry. As the son of a police officer, I know that officers will, in many cases, work hard to protect their own. This is especially true when serious charges are on the line. Additionally, one has to openly question why a black male is shot and killed in an alcohol-related incident, while we almost never hear of police shooting white students on campuses who consume just as much liquor.

There is also a simultaneous and very serious reality in this case that we all must confront: Why a young man who is not even the legal age for alcohol consumption was behind the wheel with a blood alcohol level above the legal limit. While I fully support the search for truth and justice in the case of DJ Henry, I remain perpetually frustrated with the culture of alcohol abuse and running back and forth to the club that consumes the existence of so many young black athletes. I've witnessed this culture while teaching at the college level for the past 17 years anad to be honest, it really makes me sick.

When I formed ALARM, the Athlete Liberation Academic Reform Movement, one of the things I let the young men in the organization know is that a) there is nothing illegal about young black male athletes pursuing academic excellence (in fact, it should be a personal mandate, but many athletes throw their educations away along with the help of a corrupt organization called the NCAA), and b) there is no rule stating that you have to spend your weekends engaging in binge drinking and running back and forth to one night club after another. Most of us can't count on both hands and feet how many stories we've read over the past year about one athlete after another being involved in a shooting, stabbing, arrest, rape, DUI or some other unfortunate incident at a night club after consuming far too much alcohol.

One cannot solely blame Henry's use of alcohol on what happened in this unfortunate incident. A broader and more thorough investigation will hopefully bring out the truth. Also, white kids get drunk on the weekends without being shot, so drinking should not lead to a death sentence. But if black athletes and young black males are to learn anything from the death of DJ Henry, they should learn these two undeniable truths: Try to avoid alcohol if you can (or at least excessive consumption) and stay away from the police. Almost nothing good comes out of the destructive culture of alcohol abuse on college campuses, and we should teach our kids to avoid volatile situations that might put their life or their freedom in jeopardy.

Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and the Athlete Liberation and Academic Reform Movement (ALARM). To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.

 

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School Defends Experiment to Separate Black Students for Academic Results

January 31, 2011, 2:32 am
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McCaskey East High School, School Defends Experiment to Separate Black Students for Academic Results


I can't count how many times I have heard educators say without a bit of irony that black students were better off during segregation.

Not that separate and unequal part of that equation, but the cultural part, when black students were taught by black teachers and usually with an equal emphasis on historical black achievement and white achievement.

A high school, McCaskey East High School, in Lancaster, Penn., has decided to take that sentiment to heart, segregating students by gender and race.

The separation is only for a short period - six minutes each day and 20 minutes twice a month - but it has drawn criticism for raising the spectre of racial segregation.



Administrators said the school noticed that black students were not performing as well as other students and that research had shown that same-race classes with strong same-race role models led to better academic results.

Research showed that grouping black students by gender with a strong role model could boost both academic achievement and self-esteem.

Some students, staff and parents were against the segregation, saying that it ran against everything the school stood for - with so many students being from diverse backgrounds.

But administrators thought it was something worth trying.

In all segregated classes, mentors track their students' grades, test scores and attendance.
One such mentor is Michael Mitchell, who hopes to inspire his black male students during their short daily meetings, according to an article in the UK's Daily Mail.

Mitchell says he often quotes the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., who said:

"Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity."

Mitchell recently used the quote when he found that some of his students were failing gym.

Mitchell adds:

"They're all young. They're all strong. They're all athletic. But they're failing because they chose not to participate."

On the one hand, it's not a unique idea. There are religious schools, Jewish and Catholic, where students learn about their religious heritage daily and it complements their standard lessons.

There are also Jewish and Arabic colleges that offer the same thing, and while there are hundreds of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, there are very few secondary schools that overtly claim that they segregate their schools to focus on black culture.

My daughter goes to a public school in a predominantly black school district and has had only one black teacher in her six years in public school. Has she done well in school? Of course, but the year she had a black teacher, she was happier and she stayed after school to be with her teacher.

The teacher encouraged her outside of academics with things like keeping her room clean (which I was thankful for) and was interested in her outside of the classroom. In return, in the classroom, my daughter went above and beyond the call of duty and was excited every day about school.

One of the main issues with segregated schools was the aforementioned unequal issue (which is still a problem today): Students at black segregated schools received second-hand books and worked in crumbling buildings, with teachers who had been to schools with the same conditions.

I doubt, though, that parents complained about teachers who demanded excellence AND taught in a culturally relevant environment. That's the ideal for most parents, even today. Does that fix the problem that black students may not be able to intermingle with other cultures?

No.

But it may alleviate the crisis of low black student achievement.

 

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Amber, Naya, And Rosario Go Glam For The 2011 SAG Awards

January 31, 2011, 4:34 am
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Last night's Screen Actors Guild awards was heavy on glam, but light on color, if you know what we mean. However, everyone represented in the hottest gowns! See how Amber Riley, Naya Rivera, and Rosario Dawson owned the SAGs.


FOX's 'Glee' was not short on hot! Cast members Amber Riley (above) and Naya Rivera (below) went for opposite ends in terms of fabric, but still looked amazing. Amber shines in a black, fitted, one-shoulder Anne Barge dress and Chopard jewelry, while Naya goes barely there in an Aurelio Costarella sheath and Neil Lane jewels.

Perpetually lovely Rosario Dawson skipped a ton of frill and went for a lovely lemon J. Mendel dress and side-swept hair. Cute!

Who was your favorite SAG award attendee?

 

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Watch Taraji P. Henson In 'Taken from Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story'

January 31, 2011, 4:47 am
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Airing tonight, January 31st, on Lifetime TV is 'Taken from Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story,' starring Oscar nominated actress Taraji P. Henson.

Sean Baek, Drew Davis, Terry O' Quinn and Beverly Todd co-star in the film.

The film follows Rubin's 2008 rescue of her 7-year-old son Kobe. Kobe had been the subject of a custody dispute between Rubin and her ex-husband, a South Korea native. In the summer of 2007, after a visit to his father's Brooklyn apartment, Kobe was whisked away to South Korea.


With little help from the authorities and no money to hire a private investigator, Rubin, a public school teacher in Queens, turned to Mark Miller, founder of the American Association for Lost Children, a nonprofit. He located Kobe in a town near Seoul, and he and Rubin traveled there to launch a surveillance operation to chart Kobe's daily schedule. After a careful planning, one day Rubin went into her son's school and was able to snatch him. The two, along with Miller, ran to the U.S. Embassy before being able to return home safely.

'Taken from Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story' premieres Monday, Jan. 31 at 9 p.m.

Afterwards, the actual Tiffany Rubin and her son take part in the supplemental special 'Behind the Headlines: The Tiffany Rubin Story.'

 

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Diddy Sued for $1 Trillion

January 31, 2011, 5:45 am
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Diddy Sued for $1 Trillion



Straight from the Crazy Cat Lady File is the story that has captured the nation's attention. It's the story of one nutty lady battling one powerful man in show business, and her quest for justice. No, not Mary Harvey, but Valerie Joyce Wilson Turks.

Who is that, you may ask? And why does she have four names?

Well, Turks is a 31-year-old woman who has recently filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court against Diddy for ... (wait for it) ... one trillion dollars! That's a lot!

In her lawsuit, Turks accuses Diddy, his baby-mama Kim Porter and beat-down icon Rodney King, of ... well, everything: She claims Diddy assaulted her son, caused the 9/11 World Trade Center bombing and swindled her out of "zillions of dollars."

According to court papers seen by Radaronline.com, Turks is asking for $900 billion in child support and $100 billion in lost income.

One hundred billion in lost income? She must have invented the Internet!

In papers she has submitted to the court, Turks wrote:

"[Diddy] went through Kim Porter and Rodney King and knocked down the World Trade Center and then they all came and knocked my children down. Set me up to be on disability and disabled my baby. He put my baby in a wheelchair."

She states that she was abused by Diddy from 2001 through 2010 adding that, "He date raped me 24 years ago and knocked me down, him and Kim Porter and Wallace Wright, then Sean Combs and Kim and Wallace Wright came back 18 years later and raped and sexually abused my children and knocked my children down and crushed me and my children daily."

She also claims that Diddy ripped her off, because he needs the money!

She says:

"I won a lot of money at the casino in Mississippi and Sean P. Diddy Combs has my chip to my money. I want my chip, please help me. It's well worth over 100 zillions of dollars."

One-hundred zillions? That's also a lot!

Turks says that she dated Diddy, and that the two have a son together, Cornelius Wilson, 23 years old.

Now perhaps my math is wrong, but if she has a 23-year-old son and she's 31 ... oh, just forget it.

She also asked for a temporary restraining order, which the judge denied.

Although the case will likely be laughed out of court, the judge has set a court date of January 31st for the case to be heard.

Just for comedy.

Valerie Joyce Wilson Turks is either seriously mentally ill or she is prepping for a new reality show.

Either way, let's hope justice prevails, Valerie gets the help he needs, and Diddy does not sign her to Bad Boy.

 

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Dr. Boyce Watkins Spotlight: Underground Girls of Hip-Hop: Shylise Simpson Honors Women in the Industry

January 31, 2011, 5:55 am
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While most of the folks in our community are familiar with hip-hop as a form of entertainment, many of us are not aware that the strongest opportunities actually lie on the business side. We also know that on both sides of the mic, women are usually missing. Sure, there are great female artists like Nicki Minaj and spoken-word artist Madam Prezident. Those who establish the platforms, obtain financing and run the business operations that lie behind your favorite artist have access to both the power and financial benefits that come with the hip-hop music industry. So, hanging out in the booth may not be as valuable as going to business school when it comes to having real power in hip-hop. It is for that reason that Shylise "Shay Nutt" Simpson is today's Dr. Boyce Watkins Spotlight on AOL Black Voices:

1) What is your name and what do you do?

Shylise "Shay-Nutt" Simpson, Owner and operator of Undergroundgirlsofhiphop.com, 2010-2011 Female Hip Hop Honors Awards and Founder of the Power In Pink Mentoring Program.

2) What is your site all about?

Undergroundgirlsofhiphop.com is about the empowerment and the support of females in hip-hop. The site offers a platform to expose and promote females in entertainment that would normally go unnoticed.

3) Tell us about your business model and the goals of your company?

Under Ground Girls of Hip-Hop is committed to the women of hip-hop who are contributing with their hearts minds, souls and bodies to the craft. We feature exclusive music, videos, new releases, articles and opinions of all on the underground scene.

Our goal here at UGG is to give every female an opportunity to show her talent with out the stigma of "SEX" hanging over her head. To just have a fair shot to allow the people to say what they want to hear.

4) Do you think that enough African Americans pursue the business side of entertainment or do we over emphasize the performer side?

In hip-hop I believe that we definitely pursue the business side hence Def Jam Records and BET founded by two African American men. However, I believe that us as African America women need to take on the business of entertainment in order to see more of us in the performer side along with the business. We need to understand that we need each other to build a business that is morally sound. Meaning that we can use our smarts and not our assets to be successful in the business.






5) Some might say that snearly every rapper focuses on materialism. In a world where black people are among the poorest in our country, is it good for us to encourage black people to measure their success by their ownership of material possessions?

I would say that some rappers have focused on the material aspect of life however I do not necessarily feel that their success is measured by these things. Their success to me is how much they do for the community when the cameras turn off.

Rappers are like athletes where there are endorsement deals made everyday so a lot of these material things being mentioned are being paid for by the companies. So the success of any one man or woman for that matter is by their philanthropic works in the communities and which they grew up and beyond.

6) Why are there not enough women in hip hop?

There is a great deal of women in hip-hop; these women just do not receive the necessary exposure to gain notoriety. I put on the Female Hip-Hop Honors to show that there are females in hip-hop.

But unless a woman wants to expose her breast her words go unnoticed. This is why you have Undergroundgirlsofhiphop.com and the mix tapes and shows we produce just to show you the female voice in hip-hop is louder and stronger than ever.

7) Is there anything else you'd like to share with our AOL Black Voices audience?

Yes I would like to thank AOL Black Voices and our other supporters, and ask them to continue to support females in this business. Undergroundgirlsofhiphop.com is dedicated to ensuring the voice of females in the industry is heard. We also believe in maintaining unity amongst females in the genre. That's why The Power in Pink Program, run by undergroundgirlsofhiphop.com is very important to teach girls at a young age how to support each other and be successful. Make sure you log-on and support Undergroundgirlsofhiphop.com and come out to the 2nd Annual Female Hip-Hop Honors in Los Angeles on May 21st, 2011.

Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and the author of the bookBlack American Money To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here. To suggest a subject for a Dr. Boyce Watkins Spotlight, please click here.

 

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Clinton Meets Haitian Presidential Candidates

January 31, 2011, 6:02 am
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Clinton Meets Haitian Presidential Candidates


The election of a new leader in earthquake-torn Haiti has been marked by chaos, bogus ballots and rioting, so why not turn to America's most popular television show for a solution to the mess?

In a scene that looked a little like an episode of "American Idol," U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton traveled to Haiti, where each of the Top-3 candidates in line for the presidency "auditioned" for the U.S. policymaker in private meetings.

It isn't certain whether any of the three candidates, Jude Celestin of the ruling Unity Party, populist candidate and musical performer Michel "Sweet Micky" Martelly and former First Lady Mirlande Manigat, will move to Hollywood due to their performance during their meetings with Clinton Sunday.

But the fact that America's top diplomat has to get so personally involved in Haiti's election process shows how bad the political crisis is and how much the United States has at stake in bringing some semblance of order to the broken political process.




Several hundred thousand people in Haiti are still without permanent homes. Thousands face death and illness from a cholera outbreak, and major pillars of the public infrastructure, such as providing clean water, still don't operate for most.

But of the ongoing problems fouling Haiti, none is more critical than the current political crisis. The island will not see the bulk of critical international rebuilding funds until a new leader can gain the trust of foreign donors.

That won't happen unless the political situation turns for the better.

Manigat won, Celestin finished second and Martelly finished third in the balloting, which has been questioned for its fairness and accuracy by neutral observers.

Two candidates of the Top 3 are expected to move on to the final round of voting March 20th.

Independent election observers have said that Celestin finished third among the three and should not appear on the March 20th ballot.

Celestin, however, is the candidate favored by incumbent President Rene Preval, and Celestin said he will remain on the ballot even though the Organization of American States and the U.S. government believe he should be tossed off the ballot.

Clinton said that, at this point, U.S. aid to Haiti isn't in jeopardy because of the political mess.

But just wait and see if the March 20th run-off election brings more political tricks from Haitian political power brokers.

If so, the United States will have to make the tough choice of continuing to give financial support to a corrupt leader or cutting aid to the island and watching everyday people suffer even more.

Either way, the real losers will be the people of Haiti.

　

 

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Martin Luther King III Wants to Buy a Piece of the NY Mets

January 31, 2011, 6:09 am
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Martin Lither King III Wants to Buy a Piece of the NY Mets


Although there are a good percentage of black players throughout Major League Baseball, the teams have no African-American owners.

Martin Luther King III is hoping to change that.

The son of civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. is currently in discussions to become a minority owner of the New York Mets:


"I believe in the merit and American value of creating an example," King said in a statement to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "and if I personally, or as part of a collective, can advance the vision of a more diverse ownership group in professional sports, domestically or internationally, then, like my father, I am prepared to act in that spirit.

"There has been a lot of discussion and speculation about my participation in the acquisition of the New York Mets. The public release of those discussions was premature."

King wouldn't discuss any specifics about the talks, which is rumored to involve participation from Mets legend Ed Kranepool; entrepreneur Donn Clendenon Jr., son of the 1969 Mets World Series MVP; and TV executive Larry Meli, according to the New York Post.

King and the other participants are scheduled to visit New York this week to meet with the Mets, who are looking to sell 25 percent of the team. Apparently, the group wants 50 percent.


"It's fitting with the legacy of Jackie Robinson essentially transferring to the Mets - what better place to have African-American ownership than with the Mets," Meli told the Post. "Martin Luther King Jr. died for the common man to do better in his life. That sort of legacy is going to take hold here."

 

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Why They Are Rioting: An Outline of Egypt's Economic Decline

January 31, 2011, 7:07 am
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As we have watched the images of people in Egypt rioting and enduring all kinds of police abuses in the name of freedom, I am sure many of us have been wondering -- what exactly is the trouble in Egypt? Yes, they are living under a de facto dictatorship and that is bad. It's against the principles of freedom that we, as Americans, adhere to, yet the same is true in Cuba, and folks have not taken to the streets there.

What's the underlying issue? It's the same issue that has sent Americans into a similar state of constant protest, although not to the same intense degree: Jobs.

Tea Partiers and other Americans angry at our lack of recent economic progress might be shocked to learn that the average Egyptian lives on less than $2 a day. And this level of financial desperation is the result of decades of government neglect. Yahoo News reports that, "the unprecedented anger on Arab streets is at its core a long-brewing rage against decades of economic imbalances that have rewarded the political elite and left many others on the margins." So while we in the African American community might be struggling with double digit unemployment, in Egypt (and similarly in Tunisia) most citizens have been struggling with poverty for decades. Decades. Eventually, something had to give.

I would bomb something, too.

The Business Insider has unearthed a series of charts that outline Egypt's economic issues in terms of massive agricultural inflation (which makes food prices soar), painfully stagnant income growth, tremendous public anxiety over individual earnings and other shockingly weak financial benchmarks -- shocking because Egypt is America's most powerful middle eastern ally. To top it all off, wages in Egypt are on a steady decline. On a decline from an average of $2 a day? No wonder people have seized this moment to take to the streets and oust the government forcefully that has done them so wrong for so long.

The people of Egypt are fighting their own army for the same things that people in America are lucky enough to be able to battle for at the ballot box. We take it for granted that in a properly functioning democracy we can vote in or out the officials that help us in our lives, or do nothing to make it better. So while on the surface the unrest in Egypt is about the lack of real democracy, the underlying motivation is the dollars and sense survival. Fighting the police in mortal combat is unfortunately the only means the people of Egypt have to make their case.

As Americans concerned about jobs on a wholly different level, I hope we can still understand their need and sympathize with Egypt as they try to transition from a false democracy into a truly democratic system that reflects what Egypt needs on an economic level. As President Obama begins to weigh in on the situation, I hope he keeps in mind the financial motivations the people of Egypt have. Just as it is here, in Egypt it is also about jobs. Any new government that replaces that of Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak needs to be both democratically sound and ready to provide real economic solutions for the people.

 

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Mayor Bloomberg Takes Teacher-Slashing Message to Black Church

January 31, 2011, 7:11 am
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Mayor Bloomberg ratcheted up his campaign against teacher seniority rules on Sunday, taking his case to a prominent black church in Brooklyn.

"Albany rules say when it comes to teaching, talent doesn't matter, results don't matter," Bloomberg told hundreds of parishioners at the Christian Cultural Center in Canarsie. "I say enough with Albany rules!"

As he anticipates laying off as many as 21,000 teachers if Albany makes deep cuts to education, Bloomberg is pressing for changes to rules requiring that junior teachers get the ax first.

"That would mean laying off some of our best teachers, while keeping some that just aren't the people we want in front of our kids," Bloomberg told congregants at the influential 22,000-member mega-church.

Churchgoers greeted the mayor with warm applause. The church's influential pastor, the Rev. A.R. Bernard, endorsed Bloomberg three times and sits on the board of the city's Economic Development Corp.

Still, the issue remains controversial.

The teachers union, which has great power in Albany, has warned that tearing up seniority rules would let schools protect younger teachers because they're paid less - not because they're better.

"The mayor's propaganda campaign isn't fooling anyone," teachers union President Michael Mulgrew said Sunday in a statement. "Everyone knows that laying off teachers sends class sizes skyrocketing and hurts kids. The mayor should be working with us to prevent layoffs."

Source: NY Daily News


Kevin Eason is a freelance editorial cartoonist and illustrator from New Jersey. His brand of satire covers news events in politics, entertainment, sports and much more. Follow him on Facebook.

 

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Holly Robinson Peete: Celebrating Renewal of Daytime Talk Show

January 31, 2011, 8:15 am
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Holly Robinson Peete: Celebrating Renewal of Daytime Talk Show

Actress Holly Robinson Peete is excited that 'The Talk,' the mommy-oriented chat show she hosts alongside Julie Chen, Sara Gilbert, Sharon Osbourne and Leah Remini, has been renewed for a second season.

"I am beyond thrilled that CBS has delivered such a tremendous vote of confidence to 'The Talk' with a renewal pick up order for 2011-2012," Peete told BlackVoices.com.

The 46-year-old talent, who had a career resurgence since becoming the runner-up on season three of Donald Trump's 'Celebrity Apprentice,' desires to maintain quality programming for their core demographic.

"I hope we will continue to resonate as authentic mommy-friends weighing in on topical issues with both humor and heart," she expressed.

Having starred on television shows like '21 Jump Street,' 'For Your Love,' 'Hangin' with Mr. Cooper' and 'Love, Inc.,' working on 'The Talk' was Peete's first foray into the talk show realm.

Sara Gilbert, Leah Remini, Julie Chen, Sharon Osbourne and Holly Robinson Peete

"I'm still just a rookie in this daytime game but I am loving the daily live connection with our viewers," she said.

The Philadelphia-bred talent is married to retired NFL star Rodney Peete and the couple has four children.

Their son, Rodney Jr., was diagnosed with autism at age three and Peete has since been on the frontlines of raising awareness for the condition.

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Check Out Tyler Perry's New Madea Poster As 'The Real Black Swan'

January 31, 2011, 8:19 am
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A new Madea poster has surfaced online, courtesy of Hitfix.com, for 'Tyler Perry's Madea's Big Family.'

Labeled as 'The Real Black Swan,' the poster is lampooning Darren Aronofsky's thriller, 'Black Swan,' which is up for several Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress.

Written and directed by Perry, 'Big Family' stars Shad "Bow Wow" Moss, Loretta Devine, Cassi Davis, Lauren London, David Mann, Tamela Brown Mann, Isaiah Mustafa, Rodney Perry, Shannon Kane, Natalie Desselle Reid, Teyana Taylor, and Perry (as Madea and her brother Joe).


Madea, everyone's favorite wise-cracking, take-no-prisoners grandma, jumps into action when her niece, Shirley, receives distressing news about her health. All Shirley wants is to gather her three adult children around her and share the news as a family. But Tammy, Kimberly and Byron are too distracted by their own problems: Tammy can't manage her unruly children or her broken marriage; Kimberly is gripped with anger and takes it out on her husband; and Byron, after spending two years in jail, is under pressure to deal drugs again. It's up to Madea, with the help of the equally rambunctious Aunt Bam, to gather the clan together and make things right the only way she knows how: with a lot of tough love, laughter...and the revelation of a long-buried family secret.

The film will be in theaters April 22, 2011.

 

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Tiffany "New York" Pollard Goes Natural

January 31, 2011, 8:36 am
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Who'dve thought they'd seen the day when VH1 reality star Tiffany "New York" Pollard would rock anything but her signature long-weave-and-ample-cleavage combo?
The 'Flavor of Love' and 'I Love New York' star is "so excited" to rock her natural look during an unspecified photo shoot, and she assures us that there is a website coming soon. Perhaps we'll be seeing more of Miss New York in the coming months after all?

Watch her rock her new look for the cameras in the video below. What do you think of her new hairdo?

 

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Maryland Bank Robber Slips on Ice, Gets Fatally Shot: Video

January 31, 2011, 8:56 am
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Maryland Bank Robber

From The Washington Post:

A man was fatally shot by police Friday morning after he attempted to rob a bank in Takoma Park, authorities said. Three people were also injured.

The incident began at 9:25 a.m. when police officers were called to the Capital One bank at New Hampshire Avenue and University Boulevard for a report of a suspicious package. When officers from Takoma Park and Prince George's County police departments arrived on the scene, they discovered that a suspect was holding a weapon to the head of a woman.

Six people were in the bank at the time of the robbery.


Video shown on a number of local television stations shows the suspect and a female hostage leaving the bank and walking toward a parking lot. The two are surrounded by armed police officers nearby.

Shortly after a red dye pack explodes, the video shows, the suspect slips and the hostage breaks free. The suspect chases the hostage as police stand feet away.

Read more on the Maryland Bank Robber on The Washington Post.

 

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