Black Entertainment, Money, Style and Beauty Blogs - Black Voices

Confronting the Staggering Toll of STDs in the African American Community

Dr. Kevin Fenton, CDC — 2009-11-20T16:16:00+00:00

African-Americans continue to bear a greater burden of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) than any other racial or ethnic group in the United States. A CDC report released this week shows that, just as is the case for the HIV epidemic, African-Americans are disproportionately impacted by other STDs. Both the number of STD cases reported in 2008, and rates of all three nationally reported STDs (chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis) are highest among African-Americans. One of the most staggering statistics revealed in the report is that gonorrhea rates among blacks are now 20 times that of whites. Additionally, while blacks make up about 12 percent of the U.S. population, almost half of all chlamydia and syphilis cases were among blacks.

While black men and women share the burden of STDs, black women continue to face the most severe health consequences. This is of great concern because of the potential impact on the future of our community. Untreated chlamydia and gonorrhea can rob a teenage girl or young woman of her ability to have children later in life, and untreated syphilis in pregnant women can result in infant death or cause severe physical or mental developmental disabilities.

It is vital that communities disproportionately affected by STDs, as well as their community leaders and health providers, are aware of the disparities. Testing, knowledge of infection, and treatment of those with an STD and their sex partners are critical to reducing the number of infections that occur each year. Many STDs have no symptoms, so one of the first steps for those at risk is to get tested and find out if they are infected. I encourage health care providers to routinely take a sexual health history from each of their adolescent and adult patients and follow up with appropriate counseling, vaccination, testing, and, if needed, treatment of both patients and sex partners.

There are also many actions that individuals within our community can take to prevent STD infection, including:

o. Abstinence and reduction of number of sex partners: The most reliable ways to avoid infection with an STD are to abstain from sex or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner.

o. Correct and consistent use of condoms: Consistent and correct use of the male latex condom reduces the risk of HIV and other STD transmission.

o. Screening: Testing and knowledge of infection are vital to reducing the continued consequences of STDs and HIV. Though most STDs can be easily diagnosed and treated, many cases go undetected because they have no noticeable symptoms. Those at risk need to ask their providers about the need for testing, so that if they are infected, they and their sex partners can receive appropriate treatment and care to protect their health and avoid complications.

o. Immunizations: Vaccines are available for the prevention of two common sexually transmitted viral infections: hepatitis B and several strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) that can cause genital warts and cervical cancer. Receiving recommended hepatitis B and HPV immunizations can almost completely prevent these infections.

It is important to confront the issues that contribute to higher infection rates for African-Americans, and take action to prevent the spread of STDs. As a community and as a nation interested in protecting and enhancing the health of all of our citizens, we cannot ignore these disparities and the toll these infections can take if they are not diagnosed, treated and - ultimately - prevented.

For more information about STD prevention, including CDC's STD screening recommendations and treatment guidelines, visit www.cdc.gov/std or call 1-800-CDC-INFO.

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S-E-X: Now that I've Got Your Attention, This Really Is About S-T-Ds

Madison J. Gray — 2009-11-20T15:59:00+00:00

Filed under: Sexual Health

There are two things human beings do very well, run their mouths and, ahem...procreate.

Trust me, right now someone in this world, actually probably many people, are getting their collective freaks on, in famliar and unfamiliar ways. There are people who should be having sex as well as people who shouldn't (at least not with each other). Through the 2 million-year history of our species, every generation got here through the act of coitus, and nobody asked, "Was it good for you, baby?" because we were boning before we had learned to talk.

But, oddly enough, in modern times, we put far more societal emphasis on people flapping their jaws than people slapping their loins. The result is a lot less sex education than we need and reports like the one from the CDC that says sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise -- particularly since the Bush administration did everything it could to eliminate sex ed from classrooms.

In fairness, the people offering the report say that better testing is revealing that more people are walking around burning, which is actually a good thing. Medical science isolating a disease and then treating it is how we eradicate it. But the fact that instances of diseases like chlamydia being the most ever reported last year (at 1.2 million cases) and syphillis making a comeback (despite being nearly annihilated a decade ago) points to lax attitudes about our sexual health. (Note: I don't believe in terms, like, "safe sex," because your sexual behavior should be a part of your overall outlook on health.)

Now the funniest thing about the chlamydia rate is that it is reported highest in teenaged girls and affecting African Americans worst of all. If we look back a few years to the previous administration, where President Goerge W. Bush insisted that the best sex ed was "abstinence only" instruction, technically, he was right. The only sure fire way to not get pregnant or go home with extra luggage is to keep your skivvies pulled up at all times.

With that said, how many teens actually did that? Remember as I said earlier, as a species, we've been doing it for a couple million years. There is nothing in the way we construct our societies that would suggest teaching teenagers -- who are just discovering their sexual virility -- that abstinence is something they can easily uphold despite their base instincts telling them otherwise.

Don't get me wrong, we'd all like to think our teenaged daughters are "saving it" and that our young sons are waiting for "the one." The truth is, though, times have changed and as a society we are just more liberal about sex. So why shouldn't the way we educate our youth about sex reflect that?

This isn't to say that we should be teaching 15-year-olds advanced whipped cream and honey methods or making the Kama Sutra a high school textbook (besides it probably wouldn't replace Juggs in any boy's locker anyway). But we should be teaching young people to be responsible with their bodies, to respect themselves, making them understand that sex isn't a toy or a weapon, and that like anything else, there is a consequence for their choices. Most importantly, we should teach that if they do choose sex, there are alternatives to "barebacking it" that would protect them in the short and long term.

Now, I know there are a lot of people who disagree with me wholeheartedly on this matter, primarily because of their political or religious views. But I've gotta challenge them with this: I've seen urban clinics passing out condoms, giving out birth control advice, and literature on sexual health that very, very significantly reduced the number of STDs and teen pregnancies in whole communities -- but they are constantly fighting for funds and resources to do their work.

On the other hand, every black community I know is full of preachers and politicians, and I have yet to hear any of them report that they actually prevented the spread of HIV, herpes, syphillis, gonnorhea, genital warts or any other disease, or reduced teen pregnancy. But there always seems to magically be funding and resources for them.

So yeah, this post was more parental discretion advised, but believe me, I can't even get as blunt as I'd like to. Still the message is that when it comes to our health, knowledge is to overall prevention what Viagra is to... well, you know.

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Men Cheat Down? Women Cheat Up?

Mason Jamal — 2009-11-20T15:16:00+00:00

Filed under: Relationships, Infidelity, E Male

The other day my attention was turned to the Black Voices Forums where the subject of cheating was getting heat. What lit the match was the suggestion that men cheat 'down' (with less attractive women) and women cheat' up' (with men who make more money and more moves than their current boyfriend/husband). Interesting.

As a married man for the past four years, I thought for a fleeting moment that perhaps I should just walk around this bed of hot coals. After all, I wouldn't want someone in my household to "misunderstand" my casual observations on the subject and turn them into a self-incriminating indictment. But as you can see, I defied the wifestyle and decided to do the barefoot fire walk over the hot coals anyway. I do suggest that my married male readers live vicariously through me and not get baited into this conversation with your wife. I'll take this one for the team.
On with it. The idea that men cheat down and women cheat up seemed too easy. I certainly recognize where the suggestion comes from -- married women. And it rings with a smidge of truth. But to believe it's that simple is to think you're sitting in a remedial basic math class when you're actually sitting in AP Calculus. It's complicated.

That said, most women who cheat probably do seek an upgrade, but there are plenty of exceptions. When cougars (and pumas) attack, for example, all bets are off. Men, on the other hand, are way more unpredictable. Let's keep in mind that plenty of men don't cheat. But for those who do, certainly, a lot of them indeed cheat down. However, others cheat up, cheat across, cheat diagonal, cheat standing still. They cheat. Connect Four. Name the game. Cheating men play it. Show me a room full of cheating men and I'll show you a chess board; different players moving different ways, some with more latitude than others.

Look, I understand the attraction to a good one liner like men cheat down and women cheat up. It's easy. It's kind of funny. It makes for good gab. But this idea that a man is simply looking for a jump-off to back that ass up, while a woman is on a mission for a man who can pack that ass up and fly her to exotic locales is exaggerated. When it comes to cheating, men and women are more similar than they are different. Where the contrast lies is how the two genders are viewed by society. Men who cheat, are seen as the next contestant on Maury Povich, while women who cheat usually get the "sit down and let's talk about it" Oprah treatment. Cheating is cheating, whether you're going up, going down, going in or going to Cabo. It is what it is.

Mason Jamal writes about issues pertaining to the style, substance and sensibilities of men (and sometimes women). For more of his musings, you can visit www.MasonSays.com. You can also follow him on Twitter @masonsays

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Film Review: Sandra Bullock Shines in 'The Blind Side'

Wilson Morales — 2009-11-20T15:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Reviews

With films like 'Precious' out in theaters, demonstrating that anyone can overcome the grittiness of poverty and a disturbing urban life, here's come another with a similar story. But the difference is that this film is based on a true story.

Based on the nonfiction best seller by Michael Lewis on football player Michael Oher and directed by John Lee Hancock, 'The Blind Side' is an emotionally uplifting tale in which Sandra Bullock excels in her best performance since 'Crash.'

While the trailer suggests that the film, about a poor kid taken in by a white family and begins to gain strength in pride, may seem cliché, it actually happened to Oher. From the start of the film, Michael, played admirably by Quinton Aaron, is admitted to a private Christian school through the help of a family friend.

Michael is big and strong, but he's also quiet has a low IQ, which doesn't help his situation in school until Leigh Anne Tuohy (Bullock) spots him walking in the cold without a jacket and invites him over to her house. Tuohy happens to be a socialite in the community with strong ties. Before long, with the support of her husband Sean (Tim McGraw) and her two children (Jae Head, Lily Collins), Michael improve his grades and his social skills.

Looking to get to the root of his existence and what led him to be cast astray by his family, Leigh Anne goes the extra mile in searching for answers, including taking a trip to the urban side of town, where Michael is ready to protect her from the hooligans lurking at her car and her beauty. When his grades are good enough to join the football team, he excels at the sport, and many top colleges are hungry for his talent, yet they are skeptical about whether he can make it to the next educational level. That's where Kathy Bates comes in the film as the tutor and things seem to brighten for the future NFL player.

From 'Great Expectations' to 'Oliver Twist' and countless other films that bear similarities, 'The Blind Side' doesn't offer anything new to the genre, but it's the performances that stand out. For newcomer Aaron, the actor doesn't have much dialogue, but for the most part, he acts with his expressions and actions. Head is quite charming as the kid that accepts Michael into the family and helps him with his athletic skills. Sporting a blond wig and a Southern accent, Bullock is the catalyst that keeps the film from being anything but boring.

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News Blast: Eminem's Follow-Up to Be Released Next Year, Oprah to End Show in 2011

Abena Agyeman-Fisher — 2009-11-20T10:22:00+00:00

Filed under: News, Politics, President Obama, Health Care Debate

Eminem's Follow-Up to Be Released Next Year
Eminem will release his next album, "Relapse 2," a follow-up to "Relapse 1" which debuted in May, in 2010. [RollingStone]

Oprah to End Show in 2011
Oprah's production company, Harpo, has announced that it will end the Oprah Show in September 2011, making it 25 seasons she has been on the air. [Black Voices]

Bishops and White House Relationship Strained
Catholic bishops have been supporting President Barack Obama's health care legislation, however, differing stances on abortion are threatening to break up their alliance. [CBS News]

Man Charged with Rape and Murder in Shaniya Davis Case
Mario McNeill has been charged with the raping and killing of 5-year-old Shaniya Davis. Authorities said yesterday that Shaniya was sexually assaulted and asphyxiated before she was discarded on a highway. [Black Voices]

More News Blasts

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They're Here!

TiffaniLW — 2009-11-20T10:08:00+00:00

Filed under: Updates, Message Boards

Your brand new Black Voices Community has arrived!

Before we send a formal invitation to the masses on Monday, get your sneak peek today and see all the new features we've created using your feedback.

Whether you are a new or existing member of the Black Voices community, you will be thrilled! Here are just a few things you will notice that make our community different from others.

- Follow other members and add friends to your roster
- Send or share discussions with others via email, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and more
- Reply directly to another poster using our quote feature
- New, enhanced profiles store all your comments and replies to you!
- And more great features!

Ready to get started? Visit the Community today. No login is necessary but when you create a free account you unlock all the great benefits of being a Black Voices member.

See you on the boards!

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Doctor Shortage in America: What's the Problem? Dr. Boyce Analyzes

Boyce Watkins, PhD — 2009-11-20T09:25:00+00:00

Filed under: Other

One of the obstacles being faced by President Obama as he works to overhaul the health care system is the shortage of doctors across America. Our country is woefully unprepared for the number of primary care physicians that we will need as the American population ages. The problem is that fewer doctors are interested in doing primary care, since the medicare payments to primary care physicians are lower than those made to specialists. As a result, there's been a 51.8% decline in the number of medical school students going into primary care since 1997.
The American Academy of Family Physicians predicts that by 2020, we will be short 40,000 family physicians relative to what our nation will need by that time. The American Medical Association is one of the primary culprits in the doctor shortage. A 1994 article, as well as many conferences during the 80s and 90s, predicted a 165,000 surplus in the number of doctors by the year 2000. As a result, medical schools agreed to voluntarily restrict the supply of medical students entering their programs. The only problem was that the predicted surplus never occurred. Instead, we got a shortage.

Dr. Elaina George, a prominent physician out of Atlanta, says that the doctor shortage is going to have lasting consequences on the American public.

"In the short term, there will likely be a decrease in access since we will be unable to accommodate the increase in patients," says Dr. George, one of the few black doctors willing to discuss health care reform in public. "In the long term a patient will have to wait even longer to see a specialist."

One great challenge with health care reform is that the previously warped system created a set of special interests who all feel entitled to whatever they were receiving from the broken system. Specialists were overpaid due to their scarcity, and they now refuse to take a reduction in medicare payments to compensate for the shortage in primary care physicians. President Obama has to be strong and force some of these special interests to make the same sacrifices as the American people.

Here are some things that the Obama Administration can do to deal with the doctor shortage in America:

1) Increase medicare and medicaid payments to primary care physicians, and pay for the increase with a reduction in payments to specialists.

2) Increase the number of students enrolled in medical school. It makes no sense that there are strong students who apply to medical school every year, but are then denied because schools have chosen to restrict the supply of doctors to their own benefit.

3) Increase the use of Nurse Practitioners and Physician's Assistants. These individuals are highly trained and can do much of the work of a doctor without unnecessary cost.

4) Do something about malpractice insurance. Keep the limits on malpractice suits high enough to make a difference, but low enough that insurance rates are lower. This will keep doctors from leaving the profession due to the cost of insurance.

By making everyone do their part in the cost of health care reform, we can avoid a situation in which the fat cats get fatter, while the rest of America starves. President Obama already understands that there are tough decisions that need to be made. Hopefully, he and his fellow Democrats will be able to make them.

Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Finance Professor at Syracuse University and founder of the Your Black World Coalition. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.

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Holy Hypocrisy: Christian Label Suspends Rapper for Extramarital Affair

Jawn Murray — 2009-11-20T09:09:00+00:00

Filed under: Exclusives, Music, Gospel

After the music site DaGospelTruth.com revealed that several gospel artists were having extramarital affairs, Christian record label Cross Movement Records (CMR) announced that it had suspended rapper Da T.R.U.T.H. (whose real name is Emanuel L. Lambert, Jr.).

(For details on the scandal, read 'Love Triangle Takes on a Whole New Meaning! The Story Unfolds About Tye Tribbett & Da T.R.U.T.H.')

The Philadelphia-bred rapper's alleged extramarital affair with the wife of his friend and fellow gospel singer had been the topic of discussion on the gospel rumor mill for several weeks before the Grammy nominee announced his hiatus from the industry.

Da T.R.U.T.H. essentially confirmed the speculation when he posted a statement on his personal Web site, www.DaTruth.net, announcing that he was taking "a sabbatical from music ministry and teaching" due to a "moral indiscretion" in his "personal life."

CMR has now released a statement announcing that the strict Bible-based music label will not permanently sever ties with Da T.R.UT.H. but would temporarily institute a "suspension of the promotion and forwarding of" of the two-time Stellar Award winner.

The statement continued: "While obedience to the Word of God is the high standard for all who name the name of Christ, for the Christian leader, the standards and the consequences are even greater. We at CMR plead for your prayers for our brother Da Truth whom we sincerely love. We also ask for your prayers for his wife, his family, his Pastor, his Elders and Church during this very hard time in their lives. In addition, we both thank and applaud Da Truth for his letter of confession found on his site, as well as ours. We declare that in Da Truth's case, in light of all the circumstances, in light of the authoritative stand by which he preached, and in the case of the Christian leader, this should be the commendable example of the responsible servant."

No word from CMR or Da T.R.U.T.H. on how long the "suspension" or "sabbatical" will be.

Da T.R.U.T.H., who has taken a very public stance against non-Christian music artists - unaffectionately called "secular artists" by churchgoers -- is not the first rapper to come under fire from CMR for alleged adultery.

The label dropped rapper The Ambassador back in May and then posted a statement explaining why to fans.

"It is with much grief, severe disappointment and an overwhelming fear of the Lord that Cross Movement Records is sad to announce that we will be discontinuing the forwarding and promotion of the Artist and Minister, The Ambassador AKA William "Duce" Branch, due to recent findings of moral failure in his marriage. It is CMR's past, current and prayerfully, future position that living in moral compromise is unacceptable and never allowable in the lives of any of the ministers that we co-labor with. We continue to hold up the teachings of Christ as the standard for all Christians and especially those in Christian leadership and public ministry. Although it is a rare find these days, discipline is still one of the true marks of the true Church."

*****

For other gospel related stories, read: 'BeBe Booted: Oprah Winfrey Removes Winans from Her Talk Show'

& 'Mary Mary: One Gives Birth, Other One Pregnant.'

Follow JAWN MURRAY on TWITTER

Black Music Notes Mar. 19

3/19/09: Rihanna / Chris Brown
Contrary to previous claims that Rihanna and Chris Brown reunited in the studio last month to record a new duet, record producer Polow Da Don recently confirmed that the couple recorded the newly surfaced track last year. "The reports are inaccurate," Polow's publicist, Laura Wright, told US magazine. "The duet was recorded long before the incident." According to People, the track, reportedly titled 'Bad Girl,' was intended to be on the soundtrack for 'Confessions of a Shopaholic,' but the song was eventually recorded by the Pussycat Dolls.

Frank Micelotta, Getty Images

3/19/09: Kanye West / The Dream
Seven years ago this month, music heavyweights R. Kelly and Jay-Z released their highly anticipated collaborative album 'The Best of Both Worlds.' Now it appears Kanye West and The Dream are vying to work on a similar project. "Everybody is trying to talk us into it," Dream told 'MTV News' of his and West's friends and business associates. "It was first thought of by me. I was in Miami at the time, and I gave Kanye a call and said, 'The best thing would be for me and you to do an album.'... Let's take the best of both worlds and put it on a CD and try to make something we can sell to the consumers. He says he's with it. We're gonna try to make it happen." For now, you can catch Kanye on Dream's potential third single 'Walking on the Moon,' which is featured on his newly released album 'Love vs. Money.'

Getty Images

3/19/09: The Miracles
Legendary Motown group The Miracles is the latest musical act to receive a Hollywood star on the world-renowned Walk of Fame. The 'Ooo Baby, Baby' singers were presented with the 2,381st star on March 20 by Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, President and CEO Leron Gubler. Motown founder Berry Gordy and Stevie Wonder were also on hand as guest speakers for the ceremony.

Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

3/19/09: Chester Gregory
After several years of blowing audiences away on the 'Great White Way,' Broadway Star and R&B soul recording artist Chester Gregory is preparing the release of his debut album 'In Search of High Love.' The March 31 release finds the multitalented singer introducing himself as a thoughtful and sensitive songwriter blessed with a voice that captivates and demands attention. "While I've thoroughly enjoyed performing on Broadway -- eight shows a week and telling other people's amazing stories -- now it's time for me to share my own," explained Gregory. Highlights of 'In Search of High Love' include the poetic 'Clouds to the Ground,' the crossover-bound 'Say it's Over' and Jackie Wilson's soaring 1967 chart-topper 'Higher and Higher.'

Jemal Countess, WireImage

3/19/09: Sammy Davis Jr.
Altovise Davis, the widow of Rat Pack member Sammy Davis Jr. , recently died at the age of 65. Two days prior to her death, she was admitted to Los Angeles'Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after suffering a stroke. The couple, who met in 1967 on the set of the musical 'Golden Boy,' married in 1970 and remained together until Davis' untimely death of throat cancer in 1990.

Evening Standard / Getty Images

3/19/09: Earth, Wind & Fire
Iconic Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group Earth, Wind & Fire is set to hit the road this summer for a 30-city tour beginning June 5 in Orange Beach, AL. In addition to Maurice White and company gracing the stage will be pop-rock band Chicago, which will perform a full show before joining for a final set together, according to Billboard. The tour will conclude on Aug. 1 in Lake Tahoe, NV.

Santiago Llanquin / AP

3/19/09: Kim Burrell
Gospel vocalist Kim Burrell is on deck to release her first new album in nine years titled 'No Ways Tired.' The project's title is inspired by gospel pioneer James Cleveland's classic of the same name. In addition to covering Cleveland's hit, Burrell also tapped other timeless classics including 'My Faith Looks Up to Thee,' 'What a Friend We Have in Jesus,' 'O Lamb of God,' and 'I Surrender All.' There are also a few originals. 'No Ways Tired' is set to hit stores April 7 via Shanachie Records.

Zomba

3/19/09: Mike Jones
Despite being on hiatus since the release of his debut album 'Who Is Mike Jones?' Houston's own Mike Jones is ready to make his mark on the charts once again with the release of 'The Voice.' Jones' sophomore effort is packed with some of the industry's most talented artist including, Lil' Wayne, T-Pain, Devin the Dude, Hurricane Chris and Twista. He's had recent success with his latest single 'Next To You,' which is currently number 16 on Radio and Records Rhythmic charts. "For the past four years, I have been doing a lot of restructuring, getting this record right, making sure my business is right and more," Jones said of his hiatus. "Now, I am ready to finish what I started. I'm hoping my fans will feel 'The Voice' was worth the wait." Mike Jones 'The Voice' is due in stores April 28.

Gilbert Carrasquillo, FilmMagic

3/19/09: Prince
With the recent announcement that Michael Jackson will return to the stage this summer, another influential artist is also planning to make his return. Beginning March 25, Prince will be performing on the 'Tonight Show with Jay Leno' for three consecutive nights. In addition, the 'Little Red Corvette' singer is also readying the Mar. 29 release of his two new albums 'LOtUSFLOW3R' and 'MPLSoUND.' Prince is the latest artist to promote a release through multiple late-night talk show performances. U2 also recently performed five nights in a row on the 'Late Show with David Letterman' in support of its new album 'No Line on the Horizon.'

Kevin Winter, NCLR / Getty Images

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Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2009: Feathers and Diamonds and Lace, Oh My!

Lauren Williams — 2009-11-20T09:08:00+00:00

Filed under: Photos, Fashion News

It's that time of the year again. Last night, in a flurry of feathers, hair extensions, glitter and uncomfortable underwire, the Angels once again strutted half-dressed down a diamond-crusted runway in the annual over-the-top Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.

Before a star-studded audience that included a tuxedo-clad Jay-Z, Dr. Dre and Keri Hilson, models Selita Ebanks, Chanel Iman and Sessilee Lopez, among others, worked the runway in lingerie outfits that weren't the sorts of things any woman in her right mind could or would wear under her clothes. But they were pretty to look at nonetheless!

Heidi Klum, who had a baby daughter just five weeks ago, opted for hosting the event in an elaborate dress-leaf corset costume instead of actually modeling the goods on the runway.

Dominican-American model Lopez had fun with a green velvet holiday-themed lingerie set paired with matching boots.

Chanel Iman donned this racy lace bodysuit during the show.

You can catch the full event, which took place at New York's Lincoln Armory and featured a performance by the Black Eyed Peas, Tuesday, Dec. 1 at 10 p.m. Until then, tide yourself over by clicking through the fashion show pics.

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10 Family Films

'Akeelah and the Bee'
Directed by Doug Atchison, this 2006 film stars Keke Palmer as a young girl from Los Angeles trying to make it to the National Spelling Bee. Reuniting again for third time are Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne, who play her mother and her mentor, respectively.

'Crooklyn'
Directed by Spike Lee in 1994, and starring Alfre Woodard and Delroy Lindo, is this vibrant semi-autobiographical portrait of a school teacher, her stubborn Jazz musician husband and their five kids living in Brooklyn during the '70s. Also starring in the film are Isaiah Washington, Vondie Curtis-Hall and RuPaul.

'Claudine'
Diahann Carroll received a best actress Oscar nomination for her role in this 1974 film about a black woman who tries to provide for her six children in Harlem while on welfare. Directed by John Berry, the film also starred James Earl Jones as her love interest, Roxie Roker and Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs. Curtis Mayfield wrote and produced the film's score and soundtrack, and the vocals were performed by Gladys Knight & the Pips.

'Lean on Me'
Morgan Freeman star in 1989's 'Lean on Me,' which was loosely based on the story of Joe Clark, a real-life inner-city high school principal in Paterson, NJ, whose school was at risk of being taken over by the state. This film's title refers to the 1972 Bill Withers song of the same name. Also starring in the film are Beverly Todd, Alan North, Robert Guillaume and the late Lynne Thigpen.

'Roots'
Probably the greatest African American miniseries aired on television, 'Roots' is a 1977 dramatization of author Alex Haley's family line, from ancestor Kunta Kinte's enslavement to his descendents' liberation. The series featured household names such John Amos, LeVar Burton, Ben Vereen, Louis Gossett Jr. , Edward Asner, Leslie Uggams and Cicely Tyson.

'School of Rock'
Jack Black scored a hit in this 2003 Richard Linklater film about a wannabe rock star in need of cash who poses as a substitute teacher at a prep school and tries to turn his class into a rock band. Also starring in the film are Mike White, Joan Cusack and Miranda Cosgrove of 'iCarly.'

'Sister Act'
Whoopi Goldberg starred in this 1992 comedy hit about a lounge singer who enters protective custody in a San Francisco convent after a mob boss puts her on his hit list. Also starring in the film are Maggie Smith, Kathy Najimy and young Lauryn Hill. The film was followed by a 1993 sequel, 'Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit.'

'The Lion King' & 'The Incredibles'
Two of Disney's blockbuster animation films were the 1994 chart topping 'Lion King,' which is the highest grossing 2-D animation film of all time in the United States, and the 2004 computer-animated superhero film 'The Incredibles.' In 'Lion King,' a guilt-ridden lion cub flees into exile and abandons his identity as the future king after being tricked into thinking he killed his father, while 'The Incredibles' features a family of undercover superheroes forced into action to save the world.

'The Pursuit of Happyness'
Will Smith and his son Jaden scored a monster hit in this 2006 film, in which a struggling salesman takes custody of his son as he's poised to begin a life-changing professional endeavor. Directed by Gabriele Muccino and also starring Thandie Newton, the film is based on the true story of Chris Gardner.

'The Wiz'
With an all-star cast that included Diana Ross, the late Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell, and Ted Ross, this 1978 adaption of 'The Wizard of Oz' captured the essence of the African American experience.

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Funeral Cost Management: How to Bury on a Budget

Boyce Watkins, PhD — 2009-11-20T08:25:00+00:00

Filed under: Personal Finance, Dr. Boyce Money

Funerals are never fun. They are emotionally draining and you are forced to endure the shock of knowing that your loved one will never be back in your life. In addition to the emotional devastation, you have to deal with the financial burdens of paying for someone to be buried. We all know that funerals are not free or cheap, and the last place you want to be cheap is when it comes to burying the person you love.

But there are ways you can keep the cost down. They say you can't take the money with you, but someone who doesn't plan for their death may be taking their relatives' money with them to the grave. Here are some ways that you can bury on a budget: giving relatives dignity without creating financial hardship.

There is a funeral cost calculator on FuneralswithLove.com that helps you to figure out how much your funeral might cost and whether or not you're going to be able to pay for it. Effectively, the cost estimator first determines your total resources from prepaid expenses, personal savings/investments, and death benefits. Once you know what is available to you, you have to determine how much you want to spend. Some of us want to go out in style and some of us figure that since we're dead, our relatives should be the ones having all the fun.

There are three categories of funeral costs: funeral expenses, burial expenses and miscellaneous expenses. Funeral expenses are the costs related to the casket and services provided by the funeral home. Burial expenses derive from the cost of the burial plot or tools for cremation. Cremation is typically cheaper than burial, since you save on the cost of the casket, embalming and burial plot. Miscellaneous expenses might involve flowers, performances or other things you do to spice up your funeral (if there ever were such a thing). You might also consider the cost of any events that occur after the funeral, such as catered food, etc.

In addition to the typical costs of holding a funeral, you may run into serious legal issues. Christopher Chestnut, a leading attorney specializing in mortuary law, states that, "Mortuary law issues typically arise when the funeral, the preparation of the deceased's body, or some form of financial dispute comes from a client's dealings with the funeral home or crematory."

So, in addition to the emotional stress of losing a loved one, you may run into problems with shady funeral homes. For example, there is a well-known case of Burr Oak Cemetery, where burial plots were being resold after bodies were dug up and dumped in an abandoned lot. If you run into problems during the funeral of a loved one, there are attorneys who specialize in making everything right. Unfortunately, death is one time when families are more likely to be involved in legal wrangling. It's actually kind of sad.

Here are some quick tips on saving on the cost of your funeral:

1) Shop around for options. The most popular funeral home in your community may not always be the best.
2) Consider a closed casket. Open casket funerals require embalming. This is an expense that you don't want to worry about.
3) Make sure you have life insurance. Don't let your loved one suffer financially in addition to the emotional pain they are already experiencing.
4) Consider cremation. This can save you money on the cost of a burial plot and casket.
5) Plan ahead. Make sure that your will specifies how you want to be buried, so that an overzealous relative doesn't blow all the insurance money "doing it big" at your service.

Remember that when you die, you are getting the easy way out. Your loved ones are the ones who will be given the job of living. Make it easy for them by planning ahead and being intelligent. It will be worthwhile.

Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Professor at Syracuse University and founder of the Your Black World Coalition. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.

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Army Corps 'Monumental Negligence' to Blame for Katrina Flooding: Judge

Carmen Dixon — 2009-11-20T07:15:00+00:00

Filed under: News

In a ruling that vindicates New Orleans residents long ignored complaints, and opens the door to lawsuits and settlements that could amount to billions of dollars, a federal judge has ruled that the Army Corps of engineers' failure to maintain the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO), a navigation channel, makes them liable for the worst flooding of Katrina.

Flooding caused by Hurricane Katrina killed 700 people in New Orleans alone and devastated the impoverished Lower Ninth Ward. The cost of property damage in the region was put at more than $100 billion.

"The corps' lassitude and failure to fulfil its duties resulted in a catastrophic loss of human life and property in unprecedented proportions," US District Judge Stanwood Duval wrote.

The ruling initially awards only $720,000 in damages to three individuals and a business. However, it opens the way for "billions of dollars of liability for the Government", according to Pierce O'Donnell, the Los Angeles-based lawyer for the four successful plaintiffs. Source: Flooding from Hurricane Katrina was man-made disaster, judge rules

Nearly half a million legal claims have already been filed against the Army Corps of Engineers since Katrina swept ashore on August 29, 2005. The Bush Administration refused to settle any of them in the absence of a legal ruling, despite the fact the risks of disaster were known to corps more than 20 years ago:

Furthermore, the corps not only knew, but admitted by 1988, that the MRGO threatened human life and yet it did not act in time to prevent the catastrophic disaster that ensued with the onslaught of Hurricane Katrina. Source: New Orleans-Area Residents 'Vindicated' by Katrina Ruling Against Army Corps of Engineers

I recall watching the post-Katrina wall-to-wall news coverage. Interview after interview featured residents saying that at least some of the worst of Katrina's destruction was the fault of engineering failures. Person after person voiced on camera that the Army Corps of Engineers had not been doing a good job.

Those comments were usually dismissed.

Now those voices have been heard. And we've discovered that they were right.

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Ask, Believe, Expect and Receive

Barry Johnson — 2009-11-20T06:06:00+00:00

Filed under: Spirituality and Religion

Your Daily Inspiration for Friday November 20, 2009:

An often repeated scripture from the Bible states, "You have not, because you ask not". The act of asking in clarity and with faith can be the difference between having and not having; experiencing and not. Today I heed this spiritual truth and make my request clearly and faithfully, knowing that in divine time, this-- or better--- will manifest.
Ask & Believe, Expect & Receive,

Barry J.

Previously: I Pray For The Others

Barry Johnson is a businessman, motivational speaker and writer. He holds a B.S. degree from Yale and an MBA degree from Harvard. You can follow him at twitter.com/thebarryjohnson and email him at bjohnson@risemovement.org.

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Heather Ellis Wal-Mart Case: Video is Released, No Smoking Gun

Boyce Watkins, PhD — 2009-11-19T19:25:00+00:00

Filed under: News

When I held the rally for Heather Ellis last week, the woman facing up to 15-years in prison after allegedly cutting line at a Wal-Mart, I was hoping that one day the rest of the world could see what I saw nearly two weeks ago. In spite of the prosecutor's contention that the video tape would prove his case beyond a reasonable doubt, the truth is that the video is highly inconclusive. Check the video out and see for yourself.

You can click here to watch the video.

I find it incredibly interesting that police say that Heather refused to leave the store, when in fact, she was leaving and the officers were following her out the door. Also, given that the alleged assault can't be proven and in the words of the prosecutor "There was no serious injury," why in the world is she facing 15-years in prison?

We await the verdict tomorrow. If justice is not served, then I plan to get on an airplane tomorrow. This kind of justice should not be acceptable to any of us.

Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Professor at Syracuse University and founder of the Your Black World Coalition. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.

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Oprah Winfrey Ending Talk Show in 2011

Karu F. Daniels — 2009-11-19T19:07:00+00:00

Filed under: Television, News

Oprah Winfrey is calling it quits.

The talk show queen's production company, Harpo Inc., announced that it will end her popular daily chat fest at the end of its 25th season in September 2011.

Harpo President Tim Bennett said in a statement posted on the Web sites of several TV stations that air the program that Winfrey would make the official announcement on 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' on Nov. 20, as well as disclose the reasons behind the decision.

Broadcast from Chicago on ABC stations across the United States, the hour-long daily talk show is the top-rated U.S. daytime program, averaging 7.1 million viewers this year.

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Dreamgirls 2009: Broadway Bound Revival Gets Apollo Theater Extension

Karu F. Daniels — 2009-11-19T18:33:00+00:00

Filed under: News, Theater

The best of The Great White Way has come to Harlem USA, and it's proving to be a perfect combination.

The new version of the legendary Broadway musical 'Dreamgirls,' which is premiering at the world's famous Apollo Theater, is being extended.

Producer John Breglio and the Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc. announced that audiences will get an additional week to see the brand-new production of the landmark musical - for seven additional performances through Dec. 12.

"From Ella Fitzgerald to the Jackson Five to Lauryn Hill, and beyond, the Apollo's legacy as a resource for artists, across genres and generations-and as a platform for the artistic heritage of American culture, continues to be unmatched," said Jonelle Procope, President and CEO, Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc. (right) "We are thrilled to host the premiere of the 'Dreamgirls' national tour, which is so emblematic of what the Apollo stands for and so magically captures the spirit of this Theater."

After its Harlem USA run - where it has become the hottest ticket in town - The 'Dreamgirls' national tour's engagement at Baltimore's Hippodrome at France-Merrick Performing Arts Center begins Dec. 16. Other cities include Pittsburgh, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Chicago, Boston, Columbus, Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland, Costa Mesa, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Dallas, Kansas City and more.

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Directed by and choreographed by Tony Award nominee Robert Longbottom with co-choreography by Shane Sparks, 'Dreamgirls' introduces Moya Angela as Effie White and features, as The Dreams, Syesha Mercado as Deena Jones, Adrienne Warren as Lorrell Robinson, and Margaret Hoffman as Michelle Morris with Chaz Lamar Shepherd as Curtis Taylor, Jr., Chester Gregory as James "Thunder" Early, Trevon Davis as C.C. White, Milton Craig Nealy as Marty Madison in a cast of 26 that also features Felicia Boswell, Tallia Brinson, Patrice Covington, Ronald Duncan, Talitha Farrow, Brittney Griffin, James Harkness, Robert Hartwell, Eric Jackson, Chauncey Jenkins, Jared Joseph, Nikki Kimbrough, Brittany Lewis, Douglas Lyons, Kimberly Marable, Jarran Muse, Amaker Smith and Marc Spaulding.

BV Newswire is proud to offer a sneak peek of the show, which is a melding of the landmark Michael Bennett-created production and the blockbuster motion picture, which starred Jennifer Hudson, Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy, Beyonce Knowles and Danny Glover.

Take a look below.

http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,entry&id=776852&pid=776851&uts=1258494668

http://cdn.channel.aol.com/cs_feed_v1_6/csfeedwrapper.swf

Dreamgirls'

Joan Marcus

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Univeral Blunder on 'Couples Retreat' Poster

Wilson Morales — 2009-11-19T17:20:00+00:00

Filed under: News

Universal Pictures had to do some damage control on the negative criticism it received after omitting the names and faces of two African Americans (Faison Love and Kali Hawk) from the 'Couples Retreat' poster it put up in England.

The comedy follows four Midwestern couples that embark on a journey to a tropical island resort. While one of the couples is there to work on their marriage, the other three Jet Ski, go to the spa and enjoy some fun in the sun. They soon discover, however, that participating in the resort's couples therapy is not optional. Suddenly, their group-rate vacation comes at a price. What follows is a hilarious look at real-world problems faced by all couples.

Love stars as a divorced man who takes along his new girlfriend (Hawk).

Revising posters for certain countries and markets is not new in the business. It's done all the time, but to deliberately leave out the names and faces of the movie's only African American characters is problematic.

According to a press release, it wasn't intentional.

"We apologize that our decision not to include the two African American stars of 'Couples Retreat' in our international poster offended anyone. It was a color-blind decision based on limiting the poster to those actors most recognizable in international markets, a common practice in developing marketing materials. In retrospect, we should've been more sensitive, and we've already re-issued the North American poster with all four couples in the 50 international territories the film had yet to open."

In the original poster, both Love and Hawk are placed in the back; in the revised UK posters, they are simply gone while all of the white actors have been moved up closer.

In the trailer released in the United States, Love and Hawk are clearly represented, so who thought about removing them in the first place?

In an article written by Moviefone's Jason Newman, he points out that, "It's more likely that the decision was made in an effort to increase grosses rather than out of a discriminatory maliciousness and inherent hatred of minorities. The studio's decision to cut out Love and Hawk seems mostly based on one color: green."

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Have a Happy, Healthy Holiday

Vanessa K. Bush — 2009-11-19T15:51:00+00:00

Filed under: Holiday Season

Oh, the temptations of the holidays. Great food in great abundance can easily persuade us to overindulge. Who can resist that sugary-sweet pecan pie? Or deep-fried turkey? It's that one time of the year when we give ourselves permission to eat to excess. But then, the guilt, and maybe a few extra pounds, kicks in.

So this year, why not resolve to approach the holiday feast with a game plan that allows you to both enjoy the foods you love, but also stay within your personal goals for eating more healthily? It's easier than you think. Here are a few tips:

*Fill up before you go
Instead of saving up your appetite for the main meal, which can lead to overindulging, eat a smaller meal before you go. Choose something healthy and filling such as a salad, some fruit or healthy crackers. By the time you arrive, you won't be so hungry that you overeat.

*Watch your portions
The larger the plate, the more tempted you'll be to pile it high with food. Instead choose a smaller plate and keep the portions small, about the size of a fist. You can always go back and get another (small) serving of this and that. But chances are, you won't really want to.

*Take it slow
Don't be in such a rush to grab your place in front of the big screen for the football game that you gobble down your food without taking time to chew it thoroughly. Not only does slow and methodical chewing help with digestion, it also makes you feel fuller faster.

*Offer to bring a healthy dish
This is a tricky one, but if handled delicately, it can make for a much more well-rounded meal. If you know that auntie's traditional Thanksgiving spread is typically high in calories, fats and carbs, offer to bring a vegetable side dish as your contribution. It can be your way of thanking her for all of her hard work over the years. She doesn't have to know that you're bringing something low in fat or calories. Let that be your little secret.

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Caster Semenya to Keep Medal

Paul Shepard — 2009-11-19T15:40:00+00:00

Poor Caster Semenya. Even when she wins, she loses.

Semenya will keep her gold medal, but questions about the gender of the South African middle-distance runner won't be answered publicly, even though a gender test has been administered.

Since easily winning the 800-meter IAAF World Championships in Germany earlier this year, Semenya has been subjected to intense scrutiny by world sports authorities, implying the heavily muscled runner is in fact a man competing against women.

As the controversy grew, Semenya became a symbol of equality for Africans who believe she has been unfairly targeted.

The South African Sports Ministry announced this week that the results of gender test given to Semenya will be kept confidential. The decision to keep the results private will likely do little to end the questions, even though she has been allowed to keep her medal.

I understand Semenya's right to privacy, but by not disclosing more information about her gender, the runner will still be subjected to scrutiny.

It's unfair, but until she is willing to disclose more about her gender, her gold medal will remain tarnished.

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Unemployment, Bailout Program & Foreclosures: Top News Trends

Alexis Stodghill — 2009-11-19T15:32:00+00:00

Filed under: Careers, The Economy, Housing, Mortgage, Banking, Credit Card

Activist Calls For Boycott Of Non-Black Owned Beauty Supply Stores
Although he has less notoriety and less fame, professor and black activist Devin Robinson has started a national boycott of non-black owned beauty supply stores to send a message. The message he hopes to send is one of equal treatment, one of fair distribution and one that can ultimately pump millions of dollars back into the black community. [Hip Hop Wired]

One Million Will Lose Unemployment Benefits In January
One million people will stop receiving unemployment benefits in January unless Congress makes a move before the Christmas recess, according to an analysis by the National Employment Law Project. [Huffington Post via BV Boards]

Negligence Ruling in Katrina Floods May Cost Feds
The federal government could be vulnerable to billions of dollars in claims after a judge ruled that the Army Corps of Engineers' failure to properly maintain a navigation channel led to massive flooding in Hurricane Katrina. [Google News]

Beyond Skills and Smarts: Thriving in the New Economy
It's been a tough and frustrating year for financial professionals. Watching other smart, motivated people lose their jobs is sobering. As the economy shifts and uncertainty prevails, what should women in finance do to ensure their own future? [The Glass Hammer]

Author Beth Kobliner Offers Advice for Using Credit Cards Wisely
Consumers are starting to see credit cards in a whole different light. Some are making the break from plastic because they're disgruntled with credit card companies that continue to push interest rates higher. Others are opting to pay with cash as part of a recession-made resolve to live within their means. [NJ.com]

Economists, Labor Leaders Accuse Fed of Massive Secret Bailouts
An unusual coalition of progressive economists, labor leaders, and bloggers has decided to fight back against a congressional amendment that would allow the Federal Reserve to continue operating in secrecy.

Bailout Program Could Be Extended
The Obama administration is poised to extend the life of the highly unpopular $700 billion financial bailout and, to display a commitment to fiscal responsibility, is planning to use much of the leftover funds to reduce the national debt, government sources said. [The Washington Post]

Another Credit Card Fee is About to be Unleashed
Another fee is coming in the new year for airline and hotel customers -- this time from your credit card company. The message: Pay your bill on time or forfeit the miles or points you thought you earned for making purchases on your card during that month. To get the rewards back, it's going to cost you. [Yahoo News]

Another Wave of Foreclosures Looms
A second wave of foreclosures is poised to hit the market, potentially undermining housing recovery efforts as more homes add to the glut of inventory and drive down prices. [USA Today]

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VIDEO: Mariah Carey Talks About Her Appearance in 'Precious'

Wilson Morales — 2009-11-19T15:30:00+00:00

Filed under: Interviews

With 'Precious' earning the fourth spot at the box office last week (in less than 200 theaters) and expanding to about 800 theaters this weekend, it should ease the minds of those who have been waiting patiently to see the Oscar-worthy film. For Mariah Carey, who plays social worker Ms. Weiss, the role has reinvigorated her film career. Some have even speculated that she's in line for a Golden Globe nomination and an Academy Award nod.

After her box office bomb 'Glitter,' which earned the singer a Razzie Award for worst actress of the year in 2002, Carey continued to do films such as 2002's indie pic 'Wisegirls,' which went straight to cable. Carey made a cameo appearance in Adam Sandler's 2008 film 'You Don't Mess With the Zohan.'

Earlier this year, she starred in 'Tennessee,' which was produced by Lee Daniels. In the film, Carey plays an aspiring singer who flees her controlling husband and joins two brothers on a journey to find their long-lost father.

Mariah Carey GlitterOscar winner Helen Mirren, who starred in Daniels' last film, 'Shadowboxer,' was the first choice to play Ms. Weiss, but she had to drop out due to previous commitments.

Carey spoke to Black Voices about working with Daniels and the physical changes required for the role.

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