So I posted my prayer for Jennifer Hudson yesterday before officials identified her nephews body........I realize that there is a lot of evil going on in the world today, when we have so many positive things to be looking forward to. I am really hurt by this horrible ordeal that Jennifer and her family are going through. I hope that the person or persons who did this are found and brought to justice.
As for these dumb ass skin heads that we learned about yesterday, I have a few words........As the time is coming very close for America to gain our first Black President, haters are going to do everything in their power to deter honest and hardworking Americans who believe in change from voting for Obama. They will try to put fear in our hearts. Beware of these haters but do not allow yourself to be persuaded by them. Do not live in fear! And as always, continue to pray for Obama, his family, and our country! Prayer changes things!
So I went to see The Secret Life of Bees last night, it was amazing! With an all-star cast of Queen Latifah, Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, and Sophie Okonedo I already had high expectations for the movie. But apparently I had no idea of the incredible strength each these women possessed. It was the kind of convincing strength that made my heart cry every time they cried on screen, not too many actors or movies for that matter have this type of affect on me.
Without previous knowledge of the book, unfortunately I have not yet read it, I fell in love with story. It's full of drama, a little mystery, and a lot of love.
The story is set in the South in 1964, a hard yet progressive time for Black people. In the story Lilly (Dakota Fanning), a 14 year-old white girl runs away from home escaping the cruelty of her father with her Black nanny Rosealeen (Jennifer Hudson). The two run off in search of a mysterious place where Lilly has a feeling her deceased mother may have lived many years ago.
Lilly and Rosaleen reach their destination, the Boatwright farm, a honeybee farm owned and operated by three educated and entrepreneurial Black sisters August (Queen Latifah), June (Alicia Keys), and May Sophie Okonedo. The sisters take Lilly and Rosaleen in and allow the two to live and work with them on the farm. Throughout the story Lilly learns more about her deceased mother and why the Boatwright farm was such a mystery.
Containing several historical references to the Civil Rights Act, The Secret Life of Bees, really hit home for me. With the history we are making today and record numbers of Black people registering to vote, I was once again inspired and excited about the possibility of Obama being our first black President.
Director and writer Gina Prince-Bythewood and Executive Producer Jada Pinkett-Smith along with Producer Will Smith get two thumbs up for this film. I urge you to support this one. Don't wait for the bootleg, just give up ten dollars and contribute to the box office for The Secret Life of Bees. I promise you won't regret it. And after you see the movie join me in reading the novel by Sue Monk Kidd. Enjoy!
Always in Support of Black Films~ Peaches
I found this clip of J Hudson singing on the set. Damn, she can blow!
I came across this article from the AP, and of course the journalist in me was too excited! Had to share with you all.
Stay Tuned Cause We're Juicy~ Peaches
WASHINGTON (Oct. 17) - Democrat Barack Obama on Friday won endorsements from two unlikely newspapers -- the Chicago Tribune and the Los Angeles Times.
While the Tribune is the largest daily in Obama's hometown, the publication hasn't backed a Democrat in its 161-year history. And the Times hasn't endorsed a presidential candidate since 1972, when it backed President Richard M. Nixon's re-election. This is also the first time it's endorsing a Democrat for president.
In an editorial posted on its Web site, The Tribune said the country needs a president who can lead it through a "perilous time" and restore "a common sense of national purpose." Obama is the best candidate to do that, the editorial board said.
"We have tremendous confidence in his intellectual rigor, his moral compass and his ability to make sound, thoughtful, careful decisions," the Tribune said. "He is ready." The Tribune said it liked Republican presidential nominee John McCain, but added that it's "hard to figure John McCain these days."
The Times, the country's fourth-largest newspaper, said McCain's campaign had left the candidate "nearly unrecognizable." His selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin for running mate was "irresponsible," it said.
"Palin is the most unqualified vice presidential nominee of a major party in living memory," the Times said. "The decision calls into question just what kind of thinking — if that's the appropriate word — would drive the White House in a McCain presidency."
The Times said the U.S. needs a president who displays grace under pressure, is not prone to volatile gestures and understands the legal foundations of American freedom.
"Obama is educated and eloquent, sober and exciting, steady and mature. He represents the nation as it is, and as it aspires to be," the Times said.
Its about time we get an award show honoring all the Black movies that never get their proper recognition. So I created this quiz for us to give out our own awards. Click here to go to the link and take the quiz
With September 2008 bringing an explosion of highly anticipated albums from some of the biggest Hip Hop and R&B artist: The Game, Ne-yo, T.I., Jennifer Hudson, Robin Thicke, Raphael Saadiq, and the list goes on, I must bow down and give much praise and accolades to a new artist in the game who debuted with her album Fearless this September as well. Jazmine Sullivan mixes her strong vocal chords and witty charm to create a sultry sound of music for all to endure.
We were first introduced to her voice with this summers’ hit love cry, “I Need You Bad”. Great song Jazmine, I love hearing it on my ringtone whenever my man calls. “I Need You Bad” seems like it came straight from the heart and is easily relatable. We love music that we can feel and apply to our everyday lives. We love songs with words that we can see ourselves saying. We love when we can visualize our own situations as parallel to the artists’ situation in the song, and we can imagine taking that exact same actions as the artist does. With all that said, and giving praise to Miss Jazmine……… Can we see ourselves busting windows out of cars??????
Jazmine’s second single “Bust Your Windows” has been flooding the airwaves for the last few weeks. Haven’t heard it?? Take a second and watch the video real quick. Yeah the song is a bit out there, wouldn’t you say?? Or is the song just so real we can’t stand it. I mean obviously this dude did something dead wrong to poor Jazmine, and she had no choice but to retaliate in the most disturbed way.
Question: Why do men drive women to take such harsh actions?? I mean as a female, I know firsthand the extraordinary ability I have to love hard. I know how it is to give a man my all just to have it thrown back in my face because they decided to lie, cheat, or be selfish. It is the worst feeling in the world. And I also know firsthand how it is to try and take matters into my own hands and retaliate.
I’ve never busted widows, but I can recall egging an ex’s car once after I caught him cheating. I can also recall getting close enough to almost completely running over another ex with my car when I saw him kissing another girl in a parking lot. And although I did these things in my past when I was a few years younger, and a tad bit immature (I was like a freshman and sophomore in college), to this day I can still look at my actions as heartfelt and completely justifiable. Love pushed me to that point!!
Jazmine, I feel you girl. I’m not condoning busting car windows (well maybe I am), but I gotta give her much props for this record. I know I’m not the only chic out there who has taken similar actions as Jazmine and I, so I’m curious to hear how many windows you’ve busted. And if you are a male, please share any stories of your car getting abused and exactly what you did to deserve it!
Oh yeah and while you were watching the video, weren’t you anxiously waiting for a car to be vandalized? What happened Jazmine?? It’s OK keep your video classy, we all know from our memory exactly what the picture looks like!
Now you all know that I am not the biggest Tyler Perry fan (I find some of his work stereotypical and Christian bias) but nevertheless he has completed another African American first. On October 4, 2008, Mr. Perry opened the FIRST African American owned studio in America. Tyler Perry Studios is located in southwest Atlanta, the studio occupies two former airline affiliated buildings and includes 200,000 square feet of sets and office space.
Check out the A-List party attendees below.
***Thanks Monique Barrett*** Without the Sauce ~ Applelonia
Never forget the price paid for where you stand today.
None of us has had to experience the pain of separation or live with the disgrace and humiliation that comes with not being free. When you cast your vote for who will run our country, never forget your history and keep this bill of sale in mind. When we allow ourselves to forget our not so distant past, then we are destined to repeat these actions in our future. Stand for those who came before us and those who could not stand up for themselves. VOTE!
I encourage you to share this with everyone you know.
Who was Joan’s sex addict boyfriend? Which Family Matters actress was Darnell’s mistress? Take the Ultimate Girlfriends Quiz to test your Girlfriends knowledge.
1. Who was Joan engaged to?
Aaron
Brock
Jalen
Ellis
2. Who was Maya’s next door neighbor?
Jalen
Lynn
Brandon
Ali
3. Who had a purely sexual relationship with William?
Joan
Toni
Mya
Lynn
4. Who was Toni first love?
Jon
Robert
Todd
Greg
5. Who was Lynn’s label mate?
Big Boi
Mary Mary
Chrisette Michele
Mary J. Blige
6. Which guest star was HIV positive?
Kimberly Elise as Reesie Jackson
Shar Jackson as Niecy
Jill Scott as Donna Williams
Beverly Johnson as Herself
7. Who was William’s fiancée?
Joan
Monica
Yvonne
Michelle
8. What were Toni’s wedding color(s)?
Ivory and Sky Blue
Sea Green
Coral
Purple
9. What color dress did Joan wear when walking down the aisle at Toni’s wedding?
Red
White
Green
Pink
10. What does Mya always call Joan?
Ho
Classiest and Agreegist
Fat
Skinny Rich Bitch
11. Why did Joan break up with Brock?
He cheated on her
She didn’t, he did
He didn’t want to get married
He didn’t want children
12. Who is Joan’s cousin?
Ronnie
Peaches
Melanie
Toni
13. What movie did Darnell (played by Khalil Kain) star in?
Sometimes I feel like I’m in my own version of Groundhog Day because I keep having the same conversation with all of my male friends. Let me clarify, all of my college educated African American male friends. And what conversation you may ask….interracial dating. Now before we get started into this “hot topic” let me just say I am not a racist….
HOWEVER I do believe that America was and still is a racist country and we [African Americans] would be fools if we didn’t realize that we must do more to protect our future and remember our past.
Now back to the conversation, almost all of my friends have no preference on what race their future wives will be. And this “love has no color” revelation comes after either attending a predominantly white college or entering the workforce because before these incidents they were all about their black queens. They state that the African American ladies who attend their school don’t take pride in their appearance. Or they work in an all white office, so why not? Well, there were plenty of black men on my college campus who I wouldn’t have given a second look and I’m ALWAYS the only black girl in the office, but not once have I ever thought about spending my life with anyone who didn’t look like me…as do most of my female African American friends.
I guess my hurt and sometimes anger comes from the lack of loyalty frequently coming out of the male African American community. It is a common tale that when a black man “makes it”, he needs a white (or other) woman to complete it. Or what’s even worst is they want a white (or other) woman with African features (big butt, big lips..oh I’m sorry pouty lips) as their better half. My blood pressure rises just a little everytime an entertainment news show comments on Kim Kardashian’s ASSets or Angelina Jolie’s mouthpiece. HELLO…NEWSFLASH that shit ain’t new we’ve had (without surgical help) those things for years.
It seems that most black women were raised to stand by their black man (no matter what) so it stings when we are so easily cast aside for something new and seemingly different. I'm not saying that you can't fall in love with someone outside of your race or background but why purposely look outside of your race or background? This is a form of self-hate. How can a person be good enough to raise you but not enough to marry you?
I’m sure this blog entry will cause a wide array of comments so let yourself be heard.
OK what shall I call this.....What I am about to say is either a sign of today’s failing economy or simply a sign of my butt wising up about wasting money. With gas at $4 a gallon and damn near impossible to get in GA this week, with the price of produce sky rocketing, and with the small amount of 401K I've accumulated in my short years of working quickly diminishing......I, Kai Osiapem, did the unthinkable today. I just came home from work, took out my manicure supplies and cut off my acrylic nails. Yes, me, the girl who must get her nails and toes done every two weeks!!!! This may not sound like a big thing to you but for anyone who truly knows me, going to the nail shop is just about the only personal pampering I require twice a month. It’s been my thing since high school. I will venture to make a rough estimate and say from 2001 until today, I have consistently spent $60 a month on my nails. And that is a cheap estimation because minus the fill-ins and pedicures, I also go get a color change from time to time.
But somehow today I had a change of heart. Yes I am broke, but that is nothing new- I'm often broke but I still get my nails done. So being broke had nothing to do with the major cut back I endured today. I realize that the money I have been paying to my sweet Vietnamese friends at US Nails on Covington Hwy. is a total and complete waste. Yes my nails look nice but come on I can do them myself. Of course I won't be applying acrylic, but I can file and buff and paint my own nails. I can even do the unthinkable and spend $20 at Wal-Mart for one of those home pedicure spas. I mean I won't get the relaxing 2 minute foot and leg massage anymore from Kim, but I can buy the sea scrub she charges me $3 extra for at Wal-Mart too!
Hmmm, an extra $60 a month will do my pockets well these days. I could add $30 to my savings and $30 to fill up my tank every month. Or even better I could put all $60 towards my $100 t-mobile bill every month. I can even donate some money to charity. I can find one of the thousands of people that got laid off from their corporate company this week, with no warning, and give them $60 to buy gas so they can go out and find a blue collar job- how’s that for charity Mr. President.
There is so much I can do with an extra $60 a month. So bye-bye perfect acrylic nails, see you again in maybe 2 years--- that's how long it’s going to take Obama to replenish the wealth back into my poor and abused countries’ economy. Yes I'm already speaking the truth into existence! Yes We Can!!!!
We are Kai (Peaches) and Genese (Applelonia). Kai lives and works in Atlanta and Genese lives and works in New York. We are both young alumnus from Savannah State University and of course line sisters from the Gamma Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. . As African American females in our twenty somethings, we strive everyday to excel in the professional world and in our personal lives which both revolve around whatever is going on in the cities in which we live.
Welcome to our blog. Enjoy reading our thoughts, viewing our pics and videos, and of course leaving your comments. Peaches and Appleonia are here to share our views on world news, politics, entertainment, fashion, race and gender, and relationships with all you AT Aliens and everyone Up Top. Enjoy, Share, and Stay Tuned!
