Fashion Week's Message-Driven Kickoff
The ribbon cutting that signaled the official start of New York's Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Wednesday was exciting for those who are still basking in the glow of the Giants' big Super Bowl win. Giants receiver Victor Cruz (the now-infamous salsa dancer) did the honors. By nightfall, the fashion world was treated to even more flavor. A healthy dose of social consciousness infused the first day of the event.
London-based fashion designer Duro Olowu, a favorite of Michelle Obama, hosted a pop-up shop in lower Manhattan at Salon 94's Freeman Alley Gallery that proved to be a feast for the senses, mixing the designer's clothing with art. Olowu's impeccable aesthetic, no doubt supported by his powerhouse wife Thelma Golden's curatorial eye, brought together his own fantastic printed dresses and handmade necklaces, along with other fine artists and photographers.
Black History Month Tough on Black Folks
Once a year, Black History Month rolls around and debate ensues about whether we still need to observe it. In my mind, this debate is frivolous because the reasons that historian Carter G. Woodson, a graduate of Harvard College and the University of Chicago, worked diligently to establish Negro History Month in 1926 still exist today.
How to Be the Black Friend
In this excerpt from his memoir How to Be Black, comedian and The Root 100 honoree Baratunde Thurston offers rules for those who find themselves being the only black friend in a group. Read and learn.
Cultural Authenticity
No Playing It Safe for Denzel Washington
On the heels of the 10th anniversary of his historic Oscar win for best actor in Training Day, in which he played a criminal cop, Denzel Washington reminds us with his newest film, Safe House, why he's such a brilliant bad guy.
"Sometimes when you're the good guy, you're sort of trapped," Washington said at a press conference. "Bad guys do have more fun."
Washington, who also executive-produced the film, plays the flagrant Tobin Frost, a mastermind former CIA operative who traded in loyalty for cash, selling U.S. intelligence to the highest-bidding nations. Frost is on the run for some time before he's forced to turn himself in to the U.S. Embassy in Cape Town, South Africa. He's then taken to the local agency safe house, where the eager CIA rookie Matt Weston (Ryan Reynolds) is charged with not letting Frost out of his sight. Of course the drama, action and suspense ensue from there.
Watch This: First Lady Shouts Out Black Women
Read more at the White House Blog.
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Film Takes a New Look at the Motor City
Director Daniel Falconer unravels the complex story of Detroit's downfall in the new documentary Deforce. Falconer delves into the Motor City's corrupt political system and its impact on the city's fall from grace. Of the many struggles the once-glamorous Motown faces, Falconer examines how race and racism have left a seemingly indelible mark on Michigan's largest city. Detroit's most recent history is rife with struggle, and Deforce attempts to make sense of it all.
Deforce is scheduled to play at select theaters nationwide. The documentary can also be purchased online.
Obama to Gay Donors: More Work to Be Done
President Obama told gay supporters and donors at a fundraiser yesterday that there is still more work to do in relation to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues, according to the Associated Press.
Obama said that he's proud of his track record with the LGBT community, citing having lifted the ban on gays serving openly in the military as one of his accomplishments. He also mentioned hospital visiting-rights legislation and equality in federal hiring.
"The perception was somehow that this would be this huge, ugly issue," said Obama. "Since it happened -- nothing's happened."
Obama's Day, Feb. 10: Signing Act Sponsored by Giffords
THE WHITE HOUSEOffice of the Press SecretaryDAILY GUIDANCE AND PRESS SCHEDULE FOR FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2012
In the morning, the President and the Vice President will receive the Presidential Daily Briefing in the Oval Office. This meeting is closed press.
Later in the morning, the President will sign H.R. 3801, the Ultralight Aircraft Smuggling Prevention Act of 2012. This bill is the last piece of legislation that former Representative Gabrielle Giffords sponsored and voted on in the U.S. House of Representatives. The President will be joined in the Oval Office by the Vice President, former Representative Giffords and her husband, Mark Kelly. There will be a stills only pool spray of the bill signing.
In the afternoon, the President will attend a campaign event in Washington, DC. This event is closed press.
Education Gap Growing Between Rich and Poor
A new study suggests that the achievement gap between rich and poor students continues to grow wider, according to the New York Times.
Differences in achievements of rich and poor students have taken a backseat to the gap between black and white children in education in the last 60 years. But during that time period, the gap between the former groups has increased, while the gap between the latter has narrowed.
"We have moved from a society in the 1950s and 1960s, in which race was more consequential than family income, to one today in which family income appears more determinative of educational success than race," said Sean F. Reardon, a Stanford University sociologist, to the New York Times.
Michelle Obama Needs Another 4 Years, Too
In a blog entry at BlackAmericaWeb, author Michael H. Cottman says that Michelle Obama has earned a second term as first lady because she has served as an awesome role model for children and adults alike through her healthy-eating campaign.
President Obama Illustrated as an Ape
Jamilah Lemieux, the news and lifestyle editor for Ebony.com, addresses New York magazine's abhorrent depiction of President Barack Obama as a knuckle-dragging primate. She says not only is it racially insensitive, but it is also emblematic of white privilege.
Jay-Z and Beyoncé Release Photos of Baby Blue Ivy
The wait is over. Proud parents Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter and Beyoncé Knowles released pictures of their newborn daughter, Blue Ivy Carter.
Accompanying the photos was a short but sweet message to their fans: "We welcome you to share in our joy. Thank you for respecting our privacy during this beautiful time in our lives. The Carter Family."
It's not surprising that Jay and Bey took an alternative route -- via a Tumblr page -- to introduce bundle Blue to the world. It's surprising that the über-private couple is already sharing such intimate pictures of their child. But the world has been patiently waiting for images of this year's most famous newborn, and despite speculation and discussion about what -- or who -- she would look like, the verdict is in: Blue Ivy Carter is beautiful!
Congrats again to the Carter family!
Adding Color to the Education-Reform Debate
In a blog entry at the Seattle Times, columnist Lynne K. Varner urges people of color to get involved in the education-reform debate because it is their children who are most likely to be affected by state education-budget cuts.
My latest column encourages people of color to engage in the education reform debate. While I use charter schools as an example, reform-inspired changes to federal, state and local education laws go beyond autonomy in some public schools.
Billboards: Hard for Whites to See Racism
"Hard to See Racism When You're White" billboards controversial in Duluth: It's no huge surprise that this unusually blunt ad campaign caused a stir in Minnesota. The goal was to "foster a community dialogue." Mission accomplished?
How long can Syria's first family cling to power? Slate provides an illustrated guide to the Assad clan as the family spirals toward civil war.
Living While Obama: 'Let's Move' Tour
First lady Michelle Obama greets a chef while visiting the dining facility at Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas as part of a tour celebrating the second anniversary of the "Let's Move!" initiative on Feb. 9.
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Paper Is Sorry for Michelle O. Lingerie Piece
Remember that story in the Telegraph about Michelle Obama spending $50,000 at an Agent Provocateur store on a shopping spree with the queen of Qatar? The White House denied the account right away, and now the paper seems to be admitting that it was totally made up. Here's the paper's apology:
Further to our article “First Lady’s luxury buys boost Agent Provocateur” (Jan 30), we would like to make clear that the “shopping spree” involving Her Highness Sheikha Moza and Michelle Obama that we referred to in fact never occurred, and that Her Highness has never been shopping with Mrs Obama, at Agent Provocateur or otherwise, and has never sought to have any part of New York closed off to enable her to shop undisturbed. We apologise for the distress and embarrassment this article caused.
Oops.
FAMU Submits Anti-Hazing Plan
After a sequence of alleged hazing incidents that have left one student dead, others injured and some expelled from school and arrested, Florida A&M University is doubling down on its efforts to protect students.
This week the institution submitted an anti-hazing plan and other documents to the Florida Board of Governors, BlackAmericaWeb reports. It has also launched a $50,000 research initiative designed to uncover the nature and extent of campus hazing. A seven-member independent committee will study the results and make recommendations.
Robert Champion Jr., one of six drum majors in the college's Marching 100 Band, died in November 2011 after an alleged hazing in the hours after the Florida Classic football game. His death has been ruled a homicide, but no charges have yet been filed.
Loose Ball: Black Coach Heads Navy Lacrosse
The U.S. Naval Academy has played men's lacrosse since 1908 and won 17 national championships -- including eight in a row at one point. When the Midshipmen open their 104th season on Saturday, they'll be led by Rick Sowell, who in June became the program's eighth coach.
If Sowell gets double takes, it's something that's both understandable and not uncommon. He's an African American in a sport that's overwhelmingly made up of white players and coaches. But he's exceptional at his job and has been so for a long time; he wouldn't be Navy's head coach otherwise.
