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Lately, we’ve been reporting on similarities of race relations in this country today as opposed to that of old. But, now there are reports that interracial marriage between African Americans and whites are on the rise. Other minority groups aren’t seeing a significant difference in their rate of marriage to whites.
USA Today reports that the study, published in the October edition of the Journal of Marriage and Family, found that in 2008, that of all black marriages, 10.7% were, in the past year, married to whites. The measure they use to show a significant increase is that in 1980, there were only 3% of said marriages.
But, Roderick Harrison, a demographer at Howard University and the Joint Center for Political and Economical Studies pointed out that we are still the least “assimilated.” The numbers show that Asians in 2008, married whites at the rate of 34% and Hispanics to non-Hispanics at 28%.
But none of this so-called benchmark of integration has done anything to remedy the lack of opportunities for black America. As the director of the Cornell Population Center and the study’s co-author, Daniel Lichter, put it, “This doesn’t imply that we’ve moved into a post-racial society.” The number of black and white marriages still remain very low.
The lead author on the interracial marriage study, Zhenchao Qian, a sociology professor at Ohio State University, suggests that the more opportunities African Americans experience by way of “higher levels of education” and in the workplace, the more interaction they have with whites on those levels, thus suggesting that African Americans have made more economical and social progress since 1980.
But as Harrison stated in the report, it still suggests ”that the divide in this country remains between blacks and everybody else.” There has not been a major exodus into opportunity for African Americans. The majority of interracial marriages between blacks and whites, by Qian’s admission, in at least the last 10 years, can probably be found between the more wealthy of the two groups.
The insinuated element of the report is that integration shows more progress, but we’re still watching the first African American President be told on the Congressional floor during his speech that he lied, we watched Troy Davis be put to death based on speculation, and our children still lag behind in educational resources.
The interracial marriage shouldn’t be weighed against opportunity and/or integration, but the report’s significance in those areas is insinuated. We are happy for those who can find happiness with anyone. That’s the hot commodity of the day. Who cares who you’re married to as long as you’re happy.
Get ready for a remake of Sparkle. The 1976 hit movie with Irene Cara, Lonette McKee and Philip Michael Thomas is being remade. The new version will star season six American Idol Winner Jordin Sparks. She will play the title role made famous by Irene Cara. Whitney Houston will play her mother. Mike Epps will play the bad guy the role of “Satin,” who beat “Sister” and got her hooked on drugs. This will be Whitney Houston’s first movie role since the Preacher’s Wife in 1996.
Oscar Winner Jennifer Hudson recently celebrated her 30th birthday.She’s featured in the Best Dressed issue of People magazine.
Why did Rapper/Actor T.I. end up back in jail? T.I. was released from jail a month early. He had served 11 months behind bars on a parole violation. He was let out early for good behavior. When he left the Arkansas facility, it was amid a lot of fanfare…. as in a fancy tour bus equipped with cameras. He is doing a reality show for VH1 and producers were on hand for his release. Well prison officials had a fit despite the fact that the guards were taking pictures with T.I. in front of the bus. T.I. was out of jail for one day when he was sent back to serve out another 30 days. Officials claim he was supposed to leave in a van with his wife and manager not a fancy tour bus equipped with cameras. T.I. is expected to be out by the end of the month. I’m sure all the details will be in his new book and VH1 reality show.
Did Tea Party favorite and former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin have some “cooked rice” in her past? In a new tell all book by Joe McGinnis, The Rogue: Searching For The Real Sarah Palin, the author talks about Palin and drug use, extramarital affairs, and a college one night stand with NBA Superstar Glen Rice. The explosive book comes out September 20th.
Tyler Perry has been named Forbes magazine’s highest paid male entertainer.Perry, who just turned 42, has made over $500 million with his Madea franchise alone.
What’s going on with Singer Lionel Richie? Richie has delayed work on his latest music project and he had to cancel some concerts.
Producer/Composer Nile Rodgers of Chic fame is writing a book. The book, Le Freak, is coming out next year. It will detail his music career and his battle with cancer. Rodgers has worked with Diana Ross, David Bowie, Mick Jagger, Madonna and Sister Sledge.
Actress Meagan Goode is shooting shown reports that she is joining the VH1 show Single Ladies. Goode says she wants to concentrate on movies.
The dedication of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial is taking place on October 16th.
It’s going to be a boy for Fantasia. The former American Idol winner is on bed rest and
| Friends of the late Singer Teena Marie are worried about her 19-year old daughter Alia Rose.The popular singer passed away over the Christmas holiday in 2010, and many wondered about the future of her daughter. Rose was devastated when Marie died. Rose recently took suggestive pictures of herself that were posted online. She wasn’t naked, but taking provocative pictures can get you in trouble.
It was a good weekend for Comedian Kevin Hart. His movie documentary, Laugh At My Pain, took in over $2 million at the box office. The movie cost $750,000 to make. Can you get married and pay just $199? Yes, if you are Comedian and Actor Eddie Griffin. He got married last week, and that is how much he paid when he married longtime girlfriend Nia Rivers.
Is there a shakeup in the future for ABC’s Good Morning America? George Stephanopoulos may be out and Sports Anchor Josh Elliott may be his replacement. Elliott used to work at ESPN, ABC’s sister cable network. Stephanopoulos has been cited for being too short against the other hosts of the show Robin Roberts and Laura Spencer. I think his problem is he seems uninterested in the lighter segments. He may return to his old position on the show This Week also on ABC. |
Television personality Tavis Smiley and political pundit Sean Hannity exchanged jabs against president Obama Thursday on Hannity’s FOX News television program.
During the segment called is “President Obama Losing His Base?,” Hannity all but ignores Smiley’s real purpose of appearing on the show, to promote his new PBS special about the Black male achievement gap, and instead focused in on criticizing the president and the Congressional Black Caucus.
Smiley was evidently there with a goal of promoting his PBS special about the special problems facing Black boys in our education system. But Hannity covered up his lack of interest in the issue by playing a brief clip from the special and saying, “Before we get to that which I think we’re going to agree on, so let’s start with the point at which we disagree. I think Barack Obama’s failed as president.”
SIDEBAR: Uhmnnnnnn what goes around comes around…….
Well, it’s official! We are in a recession. People have been doing so bad financially, that they’ve taken Suze Orman’s advice and have started to cut corners and do what we would hire professionals to do, for ourselves. But, this woman may have taken that advice a little bit too far.
According to ABC, an Illinois woman, Janet Hardt, 63, obviously couldn’t afford to keep up her ”legitimate” cosmetic surgery and had turned to treating herself at home with “hot beef fat” injections. Yes…HOT BEEF FAT! She would boil the meat then drain it for the fat and inject it into her face! Yes…I said, HER FACE!
What in the fraggle nackle bull shizzle is this? Can anyone attest to knowing others out there that are performing at-home cosmetic procedures like this? Because if they are, run them down to the local hospital to get checked out. Doctors say that this woman didn’t die from the injections but from an infection in her abdominal wall called Peritonitis.
SIDEBAR: Learn to love yourself first!
Are you suffering from malnutrition? Are you receiving any public assistance or do not have access to emergency funds if you need them? Do you experience debilitating depression, so much so, that it has rendered you incapable of holding down a job or looking for one? What about XBox? Do you own one of those or have a computer to read this story on? What about DVD’s and a DVD player, do you have those too?
I ask these, seemingly, unreasonable questions because it appears that “poverty” has taken on a new face since the 60?s and 70?s. Back then, when someone was poor or living below the poverty line, THEY WERE REALLY FRIGGIN’ POOR! Nowadays, if you don’t own an XBox, don’t have a car or have less than 5 DVD’s in the house … you’re poor!
This is my rant regarding Tavis Smiley and Cornell West so called friends
You know as we wait for the conclusion to this so-called debt crisis, it has me wondering
how much do I believe in our system of goverment. First off this nation will never default
period! The ramifications behind it would be unprecedented. Secondly granted we where
all happy about President Obama’s election. But I think he really didn’t perceive the whole
picture of running this nation, and the Congress he would have to interact with. Example:
“ARE ALL FISHERMEN LIARS – OR DO ON LIARS FISH”? Take note President Obama
because this is the truth behind those smiling faces. You walked in the office as a Disciple of the
nation. But baby they where waiting with shotguns loading and looking directly at you!
I want to believe this is the best country in the world, born and raise American citizen. Yet as
I observe our legislatures, all I see is “MONEY TALKS AND BULLSHYT WALKS”!
Can someone help me out here to understand………………………. Maybe Bush has a stronger
hold on those still in office then we are aware of…………..
NEW YORK — The sexual-assault case against former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn is set to take a dramatic U-turn on Friday as prosecutors have come to question the credibility of the accuser. As a result, the bail and house arrest restrictions imposed on the French politician may be eased following a court hearing scheduled for Friday.
The alleged victim, a 32-year-old hotel maid from Guinea, was said to have lied repeatedly, according to a report in the New York Times on Thursday.
Benjamin Brafman, a lawyer for Dominique Strauss-Kahn, said: “There will be serious issues raised by the district attorney’s office and us concerning the credibility of the complaining witness”.
Prosecutors are reportedly expected to bring a number of revelations about the accusing maid’s past into light on Friday, including an alleged gang rape in her home country which she later admitted she made up, and an association with a man convicted of drug charges which has been recorded in a taped telephone call.
Brafman is likely to ask the judge during Friday’s hearing to end Strauss-Kahn’s house arrest and electronic monitoring in the light of the diminished credibility of the accuser.
Prosecutors, however, are not expected to ask for a dismissal of the charges against Strauss-Kahn, who faces a seven-count indictment at this stage.
Strauss-Kahn has been under armed guard in a Manhattan townhouse after posting a total of $6 million in cash bail and bond.
Former American Idol Winner Fantasia had to answer a lot of tough questions this week. Fantasia is scheduled to star as Gospel Great Mahalia Jackson in a big screen movie bio. Fantasia says no contracts have been signed. She was told the investors ran out of money, so she thinks the project is on hold. Reports came out last week producers of the Mahalia project and family members were upset with Fantasia because she is pregnant by a married man. They also claimed she lied about her pregnancy claiming she told them she was gaining weight for the role and not pregnant. Who is telling the truth here? Will this movie ever get made? Fantasia is due at the end of the year. She is not happy with the recent reports about the movie project and questions about her relationship with a married man (Antwaun Cook). This has been a difficult pregnancy for Fantasia.
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Who leaked Diddy’s personal info? The rapper and media mogul is working with authorities to find out who leaked his personal information from his Black American Express Card. His personal numbers and financial information were listed on a website. Whoever did it had to be close to him……. maybe a mad babymomma? Hmmmmmmmmmm!
The re-launch of the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) has been slow. Oprah has returned to TV along with a new addition: The Rosie O’Donnell Show. Both shows debuted to disappointing ratings.
Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton are teaming up for the movie Joyful Noise. The movie also stars KeKe Palmer and Courtney B. Vance and opens in theatres January 13th.
Alicia Keys will be doing the music for the new Broadway production Stick Fly, which debuts later this year.
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Ron Isley says he is looking forward to reteaming with R Kelly for Ron’s next project. Kelly is already working on his own project. Kelly’s CD Black Panties is coming out next year. Kelly says this CD will be very sexy and explicit.
Singer Roberta Flack is getting ready to release a new music project after eight years. The CD, featuring Beatles classics, comes out in February.
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Singer Kenny Lattimore recently opened up about his upcoming divorce from Singer Chante Moore. Lattimore says it is a private matter and that he is not gay, responding to rumors about his sexuality. He says he wishes it would have worked out, but they have a son and will always have a bond.
Mel B wants to lose the baby weight. The former Spice Girl and babymomma of Eddie Murphy recently had a baby girl with her husband Stephen Belafonte. Mel says she wants to lose some weight. She now weighs 165 and wants to get down to 132 with the help of Jenny Craig. Mel B is going to be the spokesperson for their overseas campaign.
Producer/Composer Nile Rodgers of Chic fame has finished his book, and the release date has been moved up. The book, Le Freak: An Upside Down Story Of Family, Disco And Destiny, is coming out October 18th. It will detail his music career and his battle with cancer. Rodgers has worked with Diana Ross, David Bowie, Mick Jagger, Madonna and Sister Sledge.
John Legend is now a television producer. Legend is producing a family comedy for NBC called Mixed Blessings.