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When I told some of my friends I was attending a pre-screening of the Little Fockers movie, many automatically dismissed it because sometimes the third film in a trilogy usually never measures up to the first two.
Despite that assumption, the Little Fockers movie is hilarious, close to exceptional and the must-see movie of the Christmas season.
The movie takes place several years after Meet the Fockers ends, and Greg (Ben Stiller) and Pam (Teri Polo) are now the...
•Andre Johnson Fight Blown Out of Proportion
I’m tired of it. Every time a public figure behaves in a non-perfect manner, adults are quick to criticize that person as being a poor role model to the younger generation. Sunday’s Andre Johnson fight, between the Texans star wide receiver and Pro Bowl Titans cornerback Cortland Finnegan is the latest example of the stupidity of some adults.
We are constantly looking for others to raise our children and criticize them when we do not approve of their “child-rearing” techniques. In addition,...
•Play Review: Je'Caryous Johnson's Marriage Material
What makes someone marriage material? Is it their bank account? Is it their age? Or is it the willingness to work past someone’s faults and their past in an effort to become one?
“Marriage Material,” the new stage play by Houston playwrights Je’Caryous Johnson and ShaWanna Renee Rivon tackles a familiar topic on the urban theater circuit, but one that needs to be discussed in great detail, considering the sad state of marriages in the 21st century.
The play centers on three couples,...
•Conviction Movie Review
Academy Award winner Hilary Swank (Million Dollar Baby) has done it again. The new Conviction movie is set in the town Ayers, Mass. and shows the unconditional love of a brother Kenny Waters (Sam Rockwell) and his sister Betty Anne Waters (Swank).
When Betty Anne believes Kenny is wrongly accused of a brutal murder she dedicates her life to proving his innocence, even at the expense of losing her own family and livelihood.
The unique bond that the Waters children share in the Conviction movie...
•Bishop Eddie Long Controversy Should Not Destroy Faith in Church
Allegations that Bishop Eddie Long, pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in suburban Atlanta, coerced four males into sexual relationships are riveting the nation. Some have even said if the allegations facing Bishop Eddie Long are true it will rock the entire Black church with catastrophic consequences.
For years, many critics of the church have said that the imperfections of church leaders are what keep them out of the church completely. Many believe if the person delivering the...
•Patience as a Virtue Missing in Younger Generation
In the song “Patience” from the hit film Dreamgirls, Keith Robinson, Eddie Murphy and Anika Noni Rose sing: “I know you have questions, same ones as me. How long has it been? How long will it be?
“When will come the morning to drive the night away? When will come the morning of a brighter day?”
The lyrics of the song preached patience as virtue, despite the hardships and obstacles that plague us on a daily basis. Older generations knew that the finer things in life and time takes patience,...
•Catfish Movie Review
I was always told if you do not have something positive to say about someone or something you should not say it at all. However, that rule does not apply to journalists, as we are paid to say things, no matter how positive or negative they may sound.
Since I cannot just talk about the positive and ignore the negative, I will talk about the positive first. The new Catfish movie, by filmmakers Ariel Schulman and Henry Joost can brag about masterful marketing that will surely get people to the...
•Remembering Forgotten Civil Rights Heroes
The history books that we read as schoolchildren would have had us to believe that icons like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks were the only civil rights heroes of any consequence.
However, there were countless names and faces that gave their life or sense of security so that later generations of Americans could truly live free and equal lives.
The Little Rock Nine, who integrated Central High School in 1957, were true civil rights heroes who put their lives on the line on a daily...
•Not Allowing Ground Zero Mosque Shows Religious Intolerance
Many Americans can vividly recall where they were when they first saw or heard of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11. Until that time, many naively believed that America was too strong and powerful a country to be attacked on its own homeland.
When the country found out the terrorists committed their crimes under a false sense of religious duty, a religious intolerance towards Islam emerged. While extremism exists within all beliefs (sacred or secular), many Americans falsely began blaming all...
•T.I. Talks Takers Movie, Upcoming Projects
Anyone who meets superstar rapper-actor T.I. will probably walk away with two conclusions. This young brother is dedicated to his craft and dedicated to not forgetting where he comes from.
His star is destined to shine even brighter with the Aug. 27 release of the Takers movie, in which he shines on-camera as the character Ghost and behind the scenes as well as a producer with his newly-christened company Grand Hustle Films.
“The opportunity was presented to me to be involved as an actor,”...
•N.Y. Jet Wins Weight Loss Challenge With Siegal Cookie Diet
When one thinks of cookies, losing weight usually is not the next thought that comes to mind. But that is exactly what is happening to patients of Dr. Stanford Siegal (creator of the Siegal cookie diet) such as charismatic defensive tackle Kris Jenkins of the New York Jets.
In May, vocal Jets head coach Rex Ryan challenged Jenkins and teammate Damien Woody to a weight loss competition to see who could lose the most weight before training camp. Jenkins was recently announced the winner and he...
•Takers Film Review Starring T.I., Idris Elba
Very seldom are we blessed to see the blossoming of a true icon before our very eyes. Tip “T.I.” Harris has long been known as one of the best emcees in hip-hop history, but like most rap greats he is not content to just be a hit in the eyes of Billboard magazine but wants to also be a blockbuster hit on the big screen as well.
In the new Takers film featuring the all-star cast of T.I., Idris Elba, Chris Brown, Zoe Saldana, Matt Dillon and many more, audiences will be treated to a true...
•Conflict Resolution Programs Making Difference in US Schools
America is constantly inundated with negative news concerning inner-city schools. From excessive violence, to teen pregnancy and a dropout problem, mainstream media would have one believe that all urban educational institutions are a battleground in which our soldiers cannot prevail.
However, conflict resolution programs such as Lead for America (LFA), located in the Baltimore/Washington, D.C. area and led by community leader Marlon Terrell, are proving their skeptics wrong by exposing youth...
•Cyrus Film Shows Evolution of Comedic Giants
Over the past few years, John C. Reilly (Step Brothers) and Jonah Hill (Get Him to the Greek) have immortalized themselves as comedic giants. Nevertheless, what was once missing from their stellar careers has now been found as the pair combine their great comedic timing with a vulnerable and seriousness not seen in their other films.
The new Cyrus film, which also stars Academy Award winner Marisa Tomei (My Cousin Vinny) as Molly, shows the evolution of their careers and proves that they are...
•Honoring Off-Court Legacy of Manute Bol
Often the public is inundated with negative stories surrounding American athletes. The brawl at the club many times overshadows the service to the community in many mainstream media stories of professional athletes.
Nevertheless, many athletes such as the late Manute Bol used their fortune and fame to give back to causes bigger than themselves, usually to very little fanfare. Bol died on June 19 at the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville, Va. from severe kidney trouble and a...
•Film Review: Gangster's Paradise: Jerusalema
Since the early days of the film industry, moviegoers have been captivated by tales of organized crimes and the “glamorous” lives of gangsters. However, very few films tell the story of how life’s desperation can lead to a life of crime, not just the desire to live that glamorous life. Gangster’s Paradise: Jerusalema is a movie that seeks to explore the psyche of people entering the life of crime, and does a decent job succeeding in its efforts.
The film directed by Ralph Ziman, and based on...
•Review: Get Him to the Greek Starring Sean Combs
After a string of successful comedies, the producers behind Superbad and Knocked Up offer a new film, Get Him to the Greek that follows the same mold as their past hits. The film starring Jonah Hill, Russell Brand and Sean Combs, however, simply does not live up to the genius of their previous movies.
The movie gets off to a slow and almost offensive start as it chronicles the stumbling career of former rock star Aldous Snow (Brand) as he deals with the disappointment of losing his fame and...
•Black History Eliminated From U.S. History?
Imagine being kidnapped from your native land; taken away from your family permanently and sold into a life of servitude.
Such was the fortune of millions of Africans sold in the slave trade as a cheap labor force, which actually fueled the early economy in the American colonies, becoming the origin of Black history in this country.
Since 1619, when the first African slaves arrived in the Jamestown colony, the African slave trade has been the foundation of not only Black history, but American...
•Corporal Punishment Needed in American Schools
If you talk to any school teacher, the stress that comes from educating our nation’s youth can often lead to one’s breaking point. On top of that, the fact that teachers cannot adequately discipline students or even defend themselves makes reaching them and encouraging educational growth virtually impossible.
It is no coincidence that with the abolishment of corporal punishment in many areas comes a rise in unruly behavior by students. Unfortunately, massacres like Columbine have become as...
•Film Review: Just Wright Starring Queen Latifah
At first glance, “Just Wright” can be seen through advertisements as something of a mixture between a sports flick and a “chick” flick. Rapper-turned-actress Queen Latifah stars as Leslie Wright, a struggling physical therapist, who after a chance meeting at a New Jersey gas station meets NBA star Scott McKnight played by rapper Common.
Invited to a house party to celebrate McKnight’s birthday, Leslie’s quest for a man (specifically McKnight) is upended by her clever godsister Morgan (Paula...
•Lena Horne, The Lady and Legend: 1917-2010
Before moviegoers became mesmerized by the stunning beauty of Halle Berry, Laura London and Paula Patton, the legendary Lena Horne graced the silver screen despite facing racism of epidemic proportions.
Although she never achieved the critical and commercial acclaim that she deserved, Lena Horne is the pioneer of all African American female performers, without whom Academy Award winners Whoopi Goldberg, Berry, Jennifer Hudson and Mo’Nique would have been forever absent from Black history.
On...
•New Laws on Immigration Will Lead to Profiling
On April 23, Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer reignited a fire that had slowed to a simmer over the last couple of years, signing perhaps one of the strictest laws on immigration this country has seen.
According to CNN.com, the law would require all immigrants to carry their alien registration forms at all times and gives police the power to question those they believe are in the country illegally.
While most will agree that this country needs newer and updated laws on immigration, the new Arizona law...
•The Influence of Music: Real or Fabricated?
Most young adults can remember their parents criticizing their taste in music during their childhood. If you grew up during the hip-hop explosion of the 1980s and 1990s, rappers and some sexually provocative R&B singers were blamed for the “lack of morals” amongst the younger generation.
The influence of music was blamed for everything from teenage pregnancy, inner-city violence and the rise of promiscuity amongst youth, which led to an explosion of sexually transmitted diseases.
The...
•Tiger Finds Forgiveness at the Masters Golf Tournament
The tragic fall from grace of Tiger Woods can be summed up in one word, arrogance. The iconic golfer admitted this long before the Masters golf tournament this week. However, after arriving in Augusta, Ga., the response that the iconic golfer has received from fans, foes, and journalists has proven that humility can help him rise from the depths of disgrace back to the top of the leader board at the Masters golf tournament, the pinnacle of the sport.
At a press conference to kick off the 2010...
•Black Vs. White: The Double Standard Amongst Celebrities
In the summer of 2003, Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant was America’s public enemy number one. He had been accused of a raping a 19-year-old hotel worker in Eagle, Colo. and before any details of the case had emerged; people had already taken sides, usually along racial lines.
Bryant encountered jeers from crowds in opposing arenas throughout the 2003-04 season, although the accuser later dropped the criminal charges, while reaching a financial settlement in the civil case against...
•Black History Month Spotlight: The Jackson Five
The Jackson Five epitomized Black History. Their meteoric rise from humble beginnings to the top of the pop charts inspired countless Black youth to dream and to put in the work to make those dreams of reality.
After the tragic passing of Michael Jackson eight months ago, Jackson-mania, not seen since the glory days of the 1970s and 1980s, swept the world, with fans snatching up everything from the “King of Pop’s” solo recordings to the classic material he released with the Jackson...
•New Orleans Election Shows Black Politics Can be Colorblind
From the historic 1965 election of Carl Stokes as mayor of Cleveland to the momentous joy felt throughout Black America after President Barack Obama’s election in 2008, the history of Black politics has been filled with highs that still cause many in the community to be filled with jubilation years later.
However, during President Obama’s historic rise to the highest office in the land, critics of Black politics have argued that Black America seemed content with just electing a person of...
•New Year's Resolutions Should Change World Not Just Self
As we begin a New Year and a new decade, people across the world have begun or unfortunately already ended their New Year’s resolution. Whether it is losing weight, saving money or finishing up that degree that you postponed, many enter each New Year with aspirations of improving their personal lives.
The past decade was one of the most difficult in recent memory, from terrorist attacks and an economic recession to multiple wars and hot-button social issues. However, what would really make our...
•Black Empowerment Comes From Within
Since the first African slaves arrived on the shores of America, Black empowerment has always depended on the strength of Black Americans to succeed despite the obstacles they were forced to overcome.
When many Black politicians gained political power during Reconstruction, organizations such as the Ku Klux Klan emerged to thwart any dreams of Black empowerment that the recently freed slaves envisioned. And when towns such as a Tulsa, Oklahoma developed a strong Black economy through their own...
•Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Seeks to Get Men in Grad School
The numbers are staggering. According to Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., two-thirds of all African American men who begin pursuing an undergraduate degree, fail to complete that degree.
For those who do complete their undergraduate degree, even fewer go on to complete a post-baccalaureate degree. In 2000, African American men comprised only 2.4% of Master’s degrees, 2.6% of professional degrees and 1.9% of doctorates, according to the official website of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity,...
•Tiger Woods' Marital Infidelity Proves Arrogance Can be Downfall
Tiger Woods once had it all. He was a transcendent pioneer in the sport of golf and his endorsement deals made him a billionaire at the age of 33.
However, when news broke of his marital infidelity, the image that he perfected over the years was forever tainted. Almost immediately, many critics began blaming his marital infidelity on his hubris. They began referring to the golf icon as rude to fans and aloof.
Regardless of the reason that led to numerous instances of marital infidelity in...
•Politicians Should Not Solve BCS Controversy
Any diehard college football fan knows that the season does not get started until late October or early November, when the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) controversy takes center stage, and fans throughout the country debate who the best teams are in the NCAA.
Fans of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) will argue that they have the best conference and therefore should almost be guaranteed a representative in the BCS championship game. Fans of teams on the West Coast will argue that there is an...
•Show the Military Appreciation 365 Days a Year
They put their lives in harm’s way everyday to protect our freedom. They show bravery in the midst of battle overseas, that we cannot even possibly imagine. And recently, they were forced to display that same bravery while facing an onslaught from one of their own, as Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan opened fire on his military brethren at Fort Hood, Texas, killing 13 and injuring another 29.
As we celebrate Veterans Day 2009, the sacrifices that these brave men and women make on our behalf should...
•Review: Documentary Shows Reconciliation After Rwandan Genocide
Imagine if you witnessed someone you knew murder your entire family. The tragedy of witnessing something this horrific was beginning to subside, until the murderer is released early and sent back to the same community in which you lived. Would you be able to forgive someone who completely destroyed your life permanently?
That is a question that many survivors of the Rwandan genocide in 1994 had to answer when Rwandan President Paul Kagame released 50,000 Hutu inmates, convicted of killing one...
•Independent Film Actor on Verge of Greatness
What’s important in life? Is it the material things, like the fancy house and swimming pools that makes one happy? Or is it finding fulfillment and purpose in one’s life?
For independent film actor Lodric D. Collins, it was finding happiness and fulfillment in something he is passionate about and the ability to turn that passion into a successful career.
“I wanted to be fulfilled,” the independent film actor told Regal Magazine. “I wanted to enjoy what I’m [doing].” That epiphany that Collins...
•Is Church on Wrong Side of Same Sex Marriage Debate?
Over the last few years, and especially in the last few months, I have read countless editorials that have asked the question “Is the church on the wrong side of the same sex marriage debate?”
Many critics of the Christian church have used history to state that the stance of many congregations on the same sex marriage debate is wrong, comparing it to the stance of many churches of previous generations that used “biblical teachings” to uphold the institutions of slavery and segregation. Some...
•Review: Spike Lee Tackles African American Stereotypes in Film
What does it mean to be Black? This question has been asked throughout the African American community for generations.
Does it mean that we should all share commonalities such as the music we love or the food we love to eat? Or are all of these simply African American stereotypes that have been given to us by others and sometimes our own people?
Spike Lee’s new documentary Passing Strange, based on the musical that earned seven Tony Award nominations is an interesting look at African American...
•Obama's Presidency Not Given Same Respect as Predecessors
The date November 4, 2008 will live in the history books forever. Somewhere in this great nation, a young boy or girl is sitting in a classroom dreaming that they can achieve greatness in their life because of Barack Obama’s presidency and what it represents for our country.
President Obama’s rise to the highest office in the land is the reason many risk their lives to come to our beloved country. Obama’s presidency represents that America is a country where all things are possible and all...
•Students Say African American Achievement Equals Expectations
The numbers are sometimes dismal. The African American achievement gap that almost disappeared in the 1970s and 1980s has widened again between White students and people of color.
Many theories have been attributed to the declining levels of African American achievement from apathetic parents, to violent communities, to negative images seen in the media. However, if you talk to many students they will say the low expectation levels that educators have toward economically-disadvantaged students...
•Obama Weathering the Storm of the Presidency
It was inevitable. The honeymoon that President Barack Obama, and all other presidents, experienced has officially given way to criticism of his policies on the economy and health care to false rumors that he may not be a natural-born U.S. citizen and therefore ineligible to hold the office of president. The criticism reached a fevered pitch when Obama spoke out against the arrest of his friend, Henry Louis Gates, who accused Cambridge, Mass. police of racial profiling.
President Obama entered...
•100th Anniversary Celebrated at NAACP Convention
On March 9, 1892 in Memphis, Tenn. three successful African American businessmen were brutally lynched and accused of raping White women, when their actual “crime” was the competition they represented to their White counterparts.
Outraged by the brutal lynching of her friends, columnist and co-owner of the newspaper Memphis Free Speech, Ida B. Wells went on an anti-lynching crusade by publishing stories of the barbaric murders in her publication, as well as those throughout the north. As a...
•Athletes as Role Models: Is it a Good Idea?
The recent deaths of former NFL co-MVP Steve McNair and pop icon Michael Jackson has been overshadowed in mainstream media by the apparent flaws and mistakes the two made throughout their lives.
Instead of celebrating the lives of these two great men and the contributions they made to society, media outlets such as CNN and ESPN have ridiculed their mistakes and criticized their lifestyles as if the wrong they did outweighs the good. Viewers of these networks have gone so far as to say we...
•Can Singer be Advocate For Domestic Violence Prevention?
Chris Brown had it all. The award-winning singer and blossoming actor seemed to be on top of the world. In addition to his successful career, Brown seemed like the type of teenage role model that parents wanted their children to emulate.
The image and the burgeoning career were jeopardized after a domestic assault on pop star Rihanna the day of an awards show in February. On June 22, Brown entered a guilty plea in the domestic violence case and was sentenced to five years of probation and six...
•Kobe's Perseverance Pays Off With Fourth Title
He was once one of the most reviled athletes in the entire country. Accused of rape and severely criticized by former teammates, especially Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant faced obstacles and challenges that would have forced many to give in and give up.
However, the perseverance that Bryant has shown by rebuilding his image and his team, the Los Angeles Lakers, has transformed him into a champion on the court and in life as well. The Lakers recently captured their 15th NBA championship and...
•Are Tyler Perry Films Demeaning to Blacks?
Tyler Perry films and television shows have revolutionized Black entertainment. Characters like the gun-toting granny Madea, played by Perry, and the fun-loving Mr. Brown, played by David Mann, have combined comic relief and a conscience that has translated into box office gold. However, many Black thespians, such as Terrence Howard and most recently Spike Lee, have criticized Tyler Perry films as being demeaning to Blacks in ways not seen since the days of blackface makeup.
“Each artist...
•Is There Really a Decline in Christianity?
Occasionally, I come across great leaders in the African American community that have dedicated their existence to improving the lives of everyone, not just our community, but all underrepresented groups that have struggled to have their voice heard within mainstream media and society.
Miami Herald columnist Leonard Pitts is one of those stalwarts who deserves all the accolades that have come his way during his illustrious career. However, as an African American who considers himself a...
•Obama Approval Rating in First 100 Days
Whether you voted for him or not, few Americans can honestly say that on January 20th, they were not anxious to see how the first Black President of the United States would perform as leader of the free the world. After recently completing his first 100 days in the Oval Office, the Barack Obama approval rating is extremely high for a leader faced with so much adversity from a devastating recession to two wars in the Middle East.
The Obama approval rating notwithstanding, how has the...
•Is There Interest in Michael Vick Returning to NFL?
Michael Vick was once one of the most electrifying athletes ever to play the game of football. His speed and agility made him almost impossible for pass rushers to sack and he remained a constant figure on sports highlight shows every Monday morning during the National Football League season.
Then suddenly Vick was gone. His career was placed in jeopardy after being convicted of dog fighting in 2007. With his release from federal prison imminent, will there be any interest in Michael Vick from...
•Hoops HOF Class Succeeded by Overcoming Adversity
Every year at the Final Four, the Basketball Hall of Fame inducts new members into their illustrious club. In any avenue of life, reaching the pinnacle of one’s profession is a dream come true, but for the Hall of Fame class of 2009, the honor is even more rewarding as many of the inductees faced the challenge of overcoming adversity to make it to the top of their profession, which should serve as inspiration for those everywhere trying to realize their dreams.
When one thinks of Michael...
•Critics Say NASCAR Diversity Not a Priority
It was always Joe Henderson III’s dream to become a successful NASCAR driver. He entered NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity (D4D) program with hopes of cracking a barrier that remains in place for most African American drivers. According to New York Times article published in 2006, Henderson was under contract from 2005 to 2006 and was used for publicity for NASCAR diversity efforts but was given poor equipment in 2005 and not even provided a racecar in 2006.
As a result of mixed results from the...
•Corporate Sponsorships Aid NASCAR Diversity
Despite the popularity of the sport, NASCAR has often been described by critics as a White man’s sport. With the exception of a few trailblazers, such as ESPN NASCAR analyst and former NBA All-Star Brad Daugherty, most coverage of racing includes very few faces of color or women.
However, NASCAR diversity has been at the top of the sports agenda for the past six seasons as a result of its Drive for Diversity initiative. The program seeks to develop minority and female drivers and crew members...
•Remember the Time
Do you remember the time when seemingly every music fan loved Michael Jackson? The self-proclaimed King of Pop, who first captured the world’s attention as the 11 year-old lead singer of the Jackson 5 in 1969, went on to sell 750 million albums and capture 13 Grammy awards. His 1982 masterpiece, “Thriller,” is still the best selling album of all-time.
For over two decades the hits were endless. Songs like ‘I Want You Back,” “Rock With You,” “Billie Jean,” and “Remember the Time,” became...
•What to Do Before Saying I Do
A couple’s wedding is arguably the most important day in their life. Two people joining together in holy matrimony is a dream come true for many people, especially for women. But planning a wedding on a budget, specifically in an economic recession, can actually turn that dream into a nightmare.
After Hurricane Ike devastated the Texas Gulf Coast in 2008, many wedding venues were forced to close due to the storm, in addition to poor financial management by the owners. Brides and grooms who...
•Parenting From Prison
Most people can understand how prison can destroy one’s life. One mistake can put an end to one’s dreams and alter their remaining years forever. However, very little emphasis is placed on what effect prison has on the children of incarcerated parents.
The Sentencing Project, a national non-profit agency dedicated to research an advocacy on criminal justice policy issues, recently released a study that emphasizes the destruction of stability for children of incarcerated parents and what can be...
•President Obama Proves America Can Overcome Trying Times
Barack Obama’s presidential inauguration represents the best and worst of times for American people. In a time filled with hope and optimism, after a country with a turbulent racial past inaugurated its first African American president, the mood became more somber immediately following President Obama taking the oath of office.
The new president took the podium and spoke frankly about the dark days the country is experiencing, but also spoke about the hope that inspired many Americans to go to...
•“Rolle” Model
Every now and then an individual comes along that makes one proud of the kind of role models that still exist in today’s society. For too many American youth, the only role models one sees, which they can relate to, are only able to excel in the field of athletics and entertainment. As a result, many disadvantaged children see the only means to status and influence is with a ball or a microphone in their hand.
However, former Florida State University safety Myron Rolle always saw athletics as...
•Lift and Climb
For those who attended Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), the sense of community that existed on their respective campuses is what usually stands out when they remember their school days. Whether one is a Southernite, Gramblingnite or a Morehouse man, HBCU graduates have consistently relied on those who have shared a common experience when it came to obtaining a job or seeking to further their education.
Relying on each other has not changed during this economic...
•Turning a Godly Idea Into a Successful Business
As an intellectual property lawyer and practicing theologian, Darcell Walker meets many clients that believe that God has blessed them with the creativity to start a new business venture that will surely be profitable in more ways than one. However, due to a lack of knowledge, confidence or even faith, many of these ideas never become more than ideas because some people fail to develop their ideas into a full business plan.
“I get more people that come to me with ideas, especially African...
•Sagging Pants=Easy Access?
In Eazy E’s 1988 classic song, “We Want Eazy,” former R&B sensation Michel’le asks the late rapper, “Hey Eazy, why you wear your pants like that?” His reply was, “I wear my pants like this for easy access, baby.” Twenty years later with sagging pants becoming a huge fashion trend nationwide, the follow up question should be easy access for whom?
The fashion trend that has become so popular in communities of color, probably as a result of the popularity and influence of the hip-hop culture,...
•Never Would Have Made It
When Africans first arrived in this country on slave ships, no one would have ever dreamed of this day. During the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s when African Americans struggled to simply obtain the right to vote in this country, no one would have ever dreamed that this day would come during their lifetime.
The triumphs and tribulations of African Americans have always been a result of the struggles of our ancestors and our faith in God. When our ancestors were struck viciously...
•Where Do the Candidates Stand on Religious Faith?
In 2004, religious faith and values may have very well decided the election between President George W. Bush and his Democratic rival John Kerry. Controversial issues such as abortion, same sex marriage and stem cell research are the reasons, many political pundits believe, that states such as Ohio and Florida voted red.
However, in 2008 abortion is still a hot-button issue, as is the definition of marriage and stem cell research. How do the candidates stand on the issues of life and how will...
•Where Do the Candidates Stand on Energy Alternatives?
Over recent years, the sad reality that the planet is getting warmer and several world treasures have become endangered has made the search for energy alternatives an international priority. Domestically, excessively expensive gas prices have further fueled the need for alternative energy solutions in order to lighten the load on Americans’ pocketbooks.
Barack Obama and his Republican rival, John McCain, both agree that the time is now to solve America’s energy dependency and need for energy...
•Where Do the Candidates Stand on Immigration Laws?
Throughout the historic 2008 presidential campaign, Barack Obama and John McCain have disagreed and debated over issues such as the war in Iraq, the economy, and faith and values, rarely agreeing on a problem or solution. However, when it comes to the need to reform United States immigration laws, both candidates seem to be on the same wavelength and both are determined to secure U.S. borders and provide a path to citizenship for law-abiding undocumented immigrants and their...
•Where Do the Candidates Stand on Crime Prevention?
It is the American dream. To buy a beautiful house with the white picket fence, and raise a family in a safe neighborhood, where crime is almost nonexistent was reality for many families of generations past but unfortunately has become wishful thinking in the 21st century.
With the recent murders of singer/actress Jennifer Hudson’s mother and brother in their Chicago home, Americans have once again come to the sad realization that no one is above tragedy and anyone could become the next victim...
•Where Do the Candidates Stand on U.S. Homeland Security?
The mere mention of 9/11 brings back vivid memories for most Americans. Many can tell you exactly where they were and what they were doing when terrorists slammed airplanes into three American landmarks, killing thousands of innocent and unsuspecting people. With that act of terrorism, America’s innocence was lost forever and U.S. homeland security became an issue that will remain relevant for generations to come.
Barack Obama and John McCain will both agree that the safety of Americans is an...
•Where Do the Candidates Stand on Education Reform?
Education was once the foundation of American society. To advance in life, one saw receiving a quality education as the ticket to the middle-class and a comfortable life. However, over time Americans began placing less emphasis on education. The public school system began to suffer and the achievement gap between American children and their foreign counterparts widened.
Both Barack Obama and John McCain emphasize education reform in their platform, but whose plan benefits you and your children...
•Where Do the Candidates Stand on the United States Economy?
It has been called Issue #1. It is on the front page of major newspapers across the country, as President Bush seeks passage of a $700 billion bailout plan for financial firms. It is the struggling United States economy.
As countless Americans struggle to make ends meet as a result of rising gas prices, rising health care costs and stagnant wages, the United States economy has once again become the focal point of the 2008 presidential election. But how do John McCain and Barack Obama plan to...
•Snoop Dogg Steers Kids Away From Prison
It is no secret that high incarceration rates are an epidemic in the Black community. Many of today’s biggest celebrities, from sports to music, are survivors of this epidemic. Some of today’s biggest hip-hop stars often rap about their struggles growing up in the Black community, but few return to their old neighborhoods and mentor children about avoiding the temptation of street life.
Few rappers have been criticized as much as Long Beach legend Snoop Dogg, whose early success led to the...
•Where Do the Candidates Stand on Health Care?
Throughout the historic 2008 presidential campaign, much attention has been given to the personalities of the candidates. Many know that John McCain survived a horrific ordeal as a POW in Vietnam. Many know that Obama was raised by a single mother in Hawaii, who sometimes had to go on welfare to support her children. And many are now aware of Sarah Palin’s pregnant teenage daughter and the death of Joe Biden’s wife in an automobile crash over 30 years ago.
However, if you ask many supporters...
•Where Do the Candidates Stand on the Iraq War?
During the 2004 presidential campaign, the Iraq War was the hot-button issue separating John Kerry supporters and George W. Bush supporters. The insurgency was raging, and people on the left and the right were adamant about their candidate’s position on the issue.
Fast forward to 2008, and the Iraq War has taken a back seat because of the success of the troop surge, which has quelled the sectarian violence. Nevertheless, the war is still a crucial element of this campaign because the next...
•Election Coverage is Must-See TV
Whether Barack Obama becomes the next president of the United States, he and his Republican counterpart, John McCain, have turned the 2008 showdown into must-see television.
The suspense leading up to the selection of Joe Biden as Obama’s running mate created the kind of debate usually reserved for March Madness, with fans arguing why certain candidates would survive to the next round and others would fall by the wayside.
Obama’s acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention on...
•Do We Still Need Affirmative Action?
With the success of Barack Obama’s presidential bid, many critics of preferential programs for minorities and women have argued that it is time to dismantle all affirmative action policies in the workplace and institutions of higher learning. Recently, John McCain brought attention to the issue by stating that he supports a constitutional amendment in Arizona that would outlaw all affirmative action programs in his home state.
Nebraska and Colorado, along with Arizona, are pushing...
•Straight Outta Compton
If you were a hip-hop head in the late 1980s, chances are you grew up listening to the music of pioneering “gangsta” rap group N.W.A. as well as their solo efforts. From the group’s controversial song “F-The Police,” to the G-funk sound of Dr. Dre’s pivotal album, The Chronic, the members of this Compton, Calif.-based group are still influencing the rap-game over 20 years later.
However, it was the late Eric “Eazy-E” Wright who laid the foundation for the group and its label, Ruthless Records,...
•What's Going On: The Hip-Hop Era
When hip-hop legend, Nas, began promoting the title of his latest CD, I was one of the many that thought that hip-hop had finally taken it too far. I believed Nas was using the N-word as the CD title as a mere publicity stunt to gain more attention for the project. After months of political pressure and protest by civil rights leaders such as Rev. Al Sharpton, The Island Def Jam Music Group and Columbia Records forced their artist to release the project as a self-titled CD after many retail...
•A Dream Denied
“What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun,” asked Langston Hughes in his classic poem “A Dream Deferred.”
For many African Americans in sports before the Civil Rights Movement, the dream of competing in the largest arena was permanently deferred by America’s version of apartheid. Athletes like Josh Gibson and James “Cool Papa” Bell and countless other African Americans in sports were outlawed from playing against the best competition simply because of the color...
•Who Should Have Barack's Back?
Now that the dust has settled on Barack Obama's historic nomination as the Democratic candidate for the presidency, an equally important challenge presents itself. Who should Obama choose as his running mate for the November election?
Hillary Clinton proved herself to be a formidable foe during the Democratic primary, inspiring approximately 18 million voters, especially women, to support her with frenzy-like enthusiasm. Many of her supporters even went so far to say that they would vote for...
•California Court Approves Same Sex Marriage
Unfortunately, as time passes society seems to move farther away from the word of God. First, we outlawed prayer in the classroom. And now we are threatening to destroy our Heavenly Father’s purpose for marriage and sexual relationships.
California recently became the second state to allow same sex marriage, after the California Supreme Court ruled 4-3 in its favor. Massachusetts became the first state to approve same sex marriage in 2004, and a few more states offer some benefits similar to...
•Education in the Black Community
When Bill Cosby spoke out against the parenting of inner-city youth a few years ago, a firestorm erupted in the Black community. Cosby argued that inner-city parents did not spend adequate time enforcing the importance of education in the Black community.
Some called him elitist and out of touch, but in all honesty he was correct in his assessment of the Black community.
Unfortunately, African Americans trail practically every other ethnic group across the country when it comes to...
•Houston Pastor Pens First Book
We have all been at a crossroad at some time in our life. Whether it is the death of loved one, losing a job, or a natural disaster, we have all come to a point in our life when we feel that we cannot go on, and the struggles of life are simply too much to bear.
Over the last five years, this great nation has survived the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 and devastating hurricanes such as Katrina in the summer of 2005. However, throughout every tragedy we have endured, it seems that...
•Should Obama Start Drama?
Throughout the Democratic primaries, Senator Barack Obama has dedicated his entire campaign to change. Change from the usual divisive politics and mudslinging that have characterized many presidential elections by putting more emphasis on the issues that are important to voters such as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the economy.
However, as Hillary Clinton continued to attack Obama’s elect-ability, the Obama camp began airing negative ads in Pennsylvania with hopes of halting some of her...
•The Forgotten Barrier In The NFL
During Super Bowl Weekend, the media gave much attention to two African Americans making coaching history. Unfortunately, many barriers, such as the lack of graduates from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in the National Football League, are still present as African Americans fight for a level playing field in the front office of professional sports.
Regal Magazine sat down with Tony Wyllie, Vice President of Communications for the Houston Texans, and Langston Adair, Sales...
•Dexter Clay And The Katy Nation
What defines a successful man? Is it financial status and prestige? On the other hand, is it using your God-given talents to make a difference in the lives of others? For former professional football player and actor Dexter Clay, it is leaving the world a better place than he found it.
Many people dream of one day having their names in the bright lights, but few realize those dreams. Clay is one of the few individuals who experienced the pros and cons of both Hollywood and professional sports,...
•Loss Of A Legend
The day after Thanksgiving is a tradition like no other in New Orleans. Automobiles are backed up for miles along Interstate 10, as college football fans make their way to the French Quarter to enjoy the annual Bayou Classic showdown between Grambling State and Southern.
The lobby of the Hyatt Hotel is chaotic as Gramblingnites and Southernites stand in line to claim their hotel reservations, paying hundreds of dollars to be in the center of all the excitement.
Frat brothers and sorority...
•Is Pacman Jones A Victim Or Another Spoiled Athlete?
Just when critics of professional athletes had all of them, such as Pacman Jones, stereotyped as thugs and hoodlums, police in Las Vegas and Seattle dropped a bombshell on haters of the future Dallas Cowboys cornerback.
According to the Associated Press, Adam “Pacman” Jones paid extortion money to Arvin Kenti Edwards, 29, of Renton, Wash. who allegedly opened fire at a strip club and paralyzed an employee during NBA All-Star Weekend on February 19, 2007 in Las Vegas.
Las Vegas police said the...
•Crabs In A Bucket
Where did it all wrong? An art form created in the Bronx in the 1970s initially united an entire generation. Gangs who had been bitter rivals in the early 1970s united because of hip-hip culture and music.
The hip-hop phenomenon began on the mean streets of New York, and quickly spread throughout the country in the 1980s. People who had once settled their differences in the streets began squashing their beef on the dance floor or on the microphone. Emcee and break dance battles quickly...
•How Does America Really Feel About Black Celebrities
It is amazing how quickly America can build up its latest celebrity. We shower them with praise and adulation as if they are the second coming of the messiah.
High profile athletes have the ability to bring all colors and creeds together in unity at any professional sporting event across the world. For those few hours that we are at a stadium or arena, we seem to forget about our differences and problems because of the exploits of some superbly talented athlete.
After earning an excessive...
•Will The Next Generation Of Leaders Please Stand Up?
When an assassin’s bullet ended the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1968, the Civil Rights Movement was at a crossroad. Many people in the movement did not have supreme confidence, including Rev. Jesse Jackson, in King’s successor and confidant, Rev. Ralph Abernathy and consequently many of his protests ended in embarrassment.
Abernathy had been instrumental in the Montgomery bus boycott and the formation of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference but often clashed with the more...
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