Black & White

Monday started like any other.
The only difference was that I wore one of my favorite tee-shirts.
One that I normally only wear in the house.

In fact, as I made my way through the day, I honestly forgot that I had the shirt on.

From my neighborhood coffee stop to the drug store to the Post Office to the dry cleaner to the barber shop to the supermarket - my path was riddled with looks, both approving and disapproving.

I found the reactions mostly curious until one woman approached me and said, "I think the President went too far with his remarks about Trayvon Martin."

My first thought was to ask this older White woman what she knew about being Black in America, but that would only encourage a conversation that I was neither in the mood or had the energy for.

True, in his recent remarks about the Martin/Zimmerman case, President Obama shared some little known Black History Facts.
Little known to people who are not Black...

A story from NPR, Polls Show Wide Racial Gap on Trayvon Martin Case highlights the simple fact that Black and White people in America just see things differently.

Inner City Blues - "Food Insecurity"

My colleague, Tony Martinez, shared this GALLUP article, "In U.S., Single-Parent Households Struggle More to Buy Food" with me.

Sobering statistics that underscore the fact that what was once mainly prevalent in only African-American households, is now a far-reaching urban reality.

Gems In New Orleans

When one thinks of New Orleans, things like the French Quarter, Cajun Food, Jazz and Mardi Gras typically come to mind.

On a recent visit, I had some down time and decided to check out the New Orleans Museum of Art, NOMA.

To my surprise and delight, NOMA is filled with wonderful little gems including works by artists as renowned as Picasso, Renoir, Chagall and Warhol.

However, my favorite works were by Frank Paulin, an American Photographer, who captured a series of powerful images featuring African-Americans in New Orleans, circa 1952.

(From top to bottom - "Peaches," Manet, 1886, ""Portrait of a Young Woman," Modigliani, 1918, "Diamond Dust Shoes," Warhol, 1981 & "Boys in White Shirts on Steps," Paulin, 1952)

When Diversity Meets the Great White Way

The legendary Great White Way is getting more diverse...at least this past season.
A Landmark Tony Awards Season for Black Actors.

Ash Away!

The fact that African-Americans spend more money on hand and body lotion than any other consumer group will not come as a surprise to African-Americans.

Feeling good and feeling good about oneself isn't just internal.

The NIELSEN article, "Feeling Good: Appealing to Ethnic Consumers in the Beauty Aisle," sheds light on a little known ethnic insight and speaks volumes about ethnic spending power.

The Only Black Person In The Room

Because I have been there. 

And because I have done that.

I applaud Adrienne Simpson's courage to not only speak up - (click here to see) - but to point out something that is prevalent not only in publishing, but also in practically every industry - outside of professional sports and entertainment -

"...hiring practices have made it abundantly clear that black people and their opinions have no place in its discussions."

This is not just about Race, Philadelphia or Philadelphia Magazine.

If the two fastest growing minorities in this country are not allowed to have a voice, an opinion, and a seat at the table guiding and adding to the conversation, we will still be the lone voice in the corner of the room.

To acknowledge a problem is the first step.  No diversity representation.
To do something about it is going the distance.  Change.

The Thing About Fitzgerald Grant and Black Women

After resisting insurmountable peer pressure, I gave in.

I just ordered Season One of the wildly popular television series, Scandal.

My friend Jenn, arguably one of the show's most enthusiastic fans, tipped me over the edge by not only sharing the Diahann Carroll (I adore Diahann Carroll)/Kerry Washington connection, (click here), but also by providing insight as to why a great number of my Facebook sisters are posting and watching Thursday evenings - 10p est (click here.)

I can't say much more about Scandal...yet, but Diahann Carroll's career represents another little know Black history fact.
A legend.
Tony and Golden Globe Winner.
Emmy, Oscar and Grammy Awards Nominee.
In 1968, she became the first Black actress to star in her own television series, Julia.