SerenityLife’s blog

Soul legend Isaac Hayes dies - CNN.com

nobody@vox.com(SerenityLife) — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 16:17:08 -0400

http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Music...

(CNN) -- Soul singer and arranger Isaac Hayes, who won Grammy awards and an Oscar for the theme from the 1971 action film "Shaft," has died, sheriff's officials in Memphis, Tennessee, reported Sunday.

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Report: Black U.S. AIDS rates rival some African nations - CNN.com

nobody@vox.com(SerenityLife) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:59:45 -0400

Report: Black U.S. AIDS rates rival some African nations - CNN.com

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/condit...

Story Highlights Report: AIDS epidemic in black America as severe as in parts of Africa CDC: About half of the just over 1 million Americans living with HIV or AIDS are black AIDS leading cause of death among black women between ages 25 and 34 In Washington, more than 80 percent of HIV cases are among black peopleNext Article in Health »

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House poised to apologize for slavery, Jim Crow - CNN.com

nobody@vox.com(SerenityLife) — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 13:00:04 -0400

House poised to apologize for slavery, Jim Crow - CNN.com

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/07/2...

Story Highlights Measure will be the first time federal government has apologized for slavery House will acknowledge "injustice, cruelty, brutality and inhumanity" of slavery Resolution states that effects of slavery and Jim Crow are still present today Measure does not address the issue of reparations

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Black soldiers receive apology for wrongful convictions - CNN.com

nobody@vox.com(SerenityLife) — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 03:07:22 -0400

Black soldiers receive apology for wrongful convictions - CNN.com

http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/07/27/s...

Story Highlights Black soldiers receive apology from Army for wrongful convictions during World War II Soldiers were accused of rioting, lynching an Italian prisoner of war All but two of the soldiers involved in the incident have died...

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Being a part of the solution

nobody@vox.com(SerenityLife) — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 22:15:52 -0400

After I wrote up my complaints on the CNN's Black in America , I have realized that to be a part of the solution is the way to get my voice heard. Though I may not appreciate the content that CNN had on their Black in America series, for me to be a part of their ireport community is a way for me to share stories which may never be told if someone does not share them.

I'm up for the challenge.

Here is my newest report:

African American with an Irish Name

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4 Hours of my Life Lost Watching CNN's Black in America - my choice

nobody@vox.com(SerenityLife) — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:52:23 -0400

Though I was not going to watch the second part of CNN's Black in America, I had hope. Same old same old perpetuation of racial stereotypes.

Universal dislike.

See here -- Reactions on Twitter to CNN's Black in America

Reading my friend's comments from Israel reminded me NOT to put value in CNN and I am not.

Read comments from TGT here CNN's Black in America

I will be tuning in to PBS more as I usually do for The Tavis Smiley Show

CNN - you owe me 4 hours of reading time!!! But it was my decision to tune in to your network.

Everyone who is disappointed should at least write a blog or ireport about it. So many of us GAVE CNN free publicity in support of the show.

If you enjoyed the show, say it and if not do so too. I am not trying to bias everyone on the series for some people who have NO clue of Black American life may benefit. I don't know if they will but know the black American stories are very diverse. That is with any story. Shoot white Americans would be upset if the show highlighted all the stereotypes of white America and not share the stories of the diverse range of them (I have white blood too so could I identify with white American story - to a certain extent, YES).

I think I am trying to move on from always saying *black black* but then I am in a minority for that is what makes me different. I know you have those angry white people who come on blogs and always say it is racist for me to say black America but then the reason why is that I was raised to identify as being black. I think black is wonderful. Such as with any culture. White people are beautiful too to me even though I may have issues with some insensitive people but that is not indicative of the entire race. In the end we are all human. I am honestly trying to think beyond color but it can be so hard at times. I have learned so much from the white American perspective but I want to continue sharing diverse stories too. We all have stories. I would never try to silence anyone only those who are disrespectful to me then that is when I cannot listen anymore.

Look at the range of black bloggers, writers, scientists, Black Americans in a variety of industries outside of entertainment. To be brutally honest there are black people in every industry but most are overlooked because people do not know they exist or they do not want the attention brought to them only because they shy away from the media. This goes for all cultures and not just black people in but people not knowing if someone like them exists in the world.

In reclaiming the 4 hours of my time I am now going to make it a point to figure out what books I can read or get halfway through in a 4 hour period.

My mother wants me to read, The Alchemist, which I will! Let me find it and get started!

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oh well - I suck at trying to TRY to be a part of the solution

nobody@vox.com(SerenityLife) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:22:56 -0400

http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-49728

Some dude decided to give it to me on CNN.

I took it up until he was talking about the father of my kids? Dummy, I don't have kids!

The person below is what you call an internet TROLL! Idiot..
I am just laughing at him. I kinda said something flippant to him and he went off. Well, READ what I said YOU big
ole POOT butt!

http://www.ireport.com/people/CreepingDth

I'm not to sure if I will use that service again only because I prefer how I can control the craziness over here! 8) Don't even sniff on me you mean internet trolls. Dang, your Mommy should have given you a bigger hug for you to be so angry.

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Lawsuits against Slavery & being Black in America CNN Series

nobody@vox.com(SerenityLife) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:40:41 -0400

Thank you to My Black America for sharing this news story with me:

Jamaica Gleaner News - Jamaica files slavery lawsuit against bank

It reminds me of what Deadira Farmer Paelleman's life mission which she has said on her myspace blurb here:

"When I learned that trillion dollar corporations built their wealth off slavery, I had to do something about it. I initiated the Corporate Restitution Movement in 2000 demanding that the companies give back some of what they stole from enslaved people. Some companies have given back a total of $20 million. But they owe much more, and far more is needed. My goal is to create a trust fund to finance affordable housing, educational opportunities, economic development opportunities, and improved health care for slave descendants. Since 2000, I have been working full time without any pay doing this advocacy -- God has blessed me making this possible, so I'm just passing on the blessings." - from Deadria Farmer Paelleman's myspace page

Tonight please tune in to view the CNN Series, Black in America which examines what is life like for some people of African descent to live in America. I attempt to share what I can through this blog (and my others too) but I am curious to see how CNN will examine this complex issue.

Washingtonpost.com article today from July 23, 2008 by Tom Shales

CNN's 'Black In America' Is An Expressive Portrait

Ordinary Stories Make An Extraordinary Series

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Special Reports - Black in America

nobody@vox.com(SerenityLife) — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 20:13:57 -0400

Special Reports - Black in America

http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2008/blac...

• Angela Burt-Murray: Black women consider interracial relationships • Tatsha Robertson: Education is No. 1 issue for black America • Jury: Black community denied water for decades • Woman beats poverty, aims for her Ph.D. • I AM: Author Bliss Broyard's father kept his race a secret • I AM: Barbara Hillary is the first black woman to reach the North Pole at age 75 • Aggressive, drug-resistant breast cancer affects black women • Teens from single-parent, female-headed households defy the odds • Essence Music Festival: A festival of empowerment • Interactive: Vanessa Williams, Whoopi Goldberg talk about what it means to black • Essence: Extreme Lockup: Why are so many children being treated like criminals? • Lynya Floyd: Why are so many black women single? • Essence: Women of war share their courageous stories from combat • Obama calls absent black fathers to task • Essence: Black women whose roles shape the 2008 presidential campaign • Commentary: Why Americans can't get over race • CNN HBCU Tour: Students share what it means to be black in America • Young People Who Rock: Rissi Palmer is changing the face of country music • Celebrities talk about what it means to be black in America • HBCUs, business leaders help groom future entrepreneurs • Essence: Experts discuss greatest challenges for black Americans in 2008 • Wounds still linger for children of civil rights activists • 'Call My Name' adds color to AIDS quilt • iReport.com: Morehouse student wins HBCU student contest

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Venus WON!! Serena was gracious!

nobody@vox.com(SerenityLife) — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 11:20:43 -0400

Read Article from Reuters: Venus Williams Wins the Wimbledon Title

Love my Williams sisters!

Serena thanked Jehovah! Love to know she is spiritual.

I am glowing just observing their excitement.

Venus was graceful in her comments to her sister.

Venus thanked her sisters, her sparing partner and she said I love you MOM! She said her first job is big sister. (Serena STOP pouting!) Venus said that her father was home watching and his job was done watching. Venus did share that it is hard for all of them when they compete against each other. Venus even said that her sister, Serena, deserves a WIN.

Interesting TIP: Serena may have lost but she is higher ranked than Venus. This was said during the NBC commentary.

Serena's Rank Current Rank - #6

Venus Williams - Tennis - Yahoo! Sports - #7

Ahh..I love them!

Other Articles/Info that may be of interest:

Serena Williams on Larry King (Video)

Venus Defeats Serena in Wimbledon Final - NYTimes.com

Venus wins 5th Wimbledon, defeating sister Serena - washingtonpost.com

BBC SPORT | Tennis | Venus beats Serena to take title

The Championships, Wimbledon 2008 - Grand Slam Tennis - Official Site by IBM

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