Voices In Color

Frye Boots & Handbags

Right now I'm loving the classic look of Frye's boots and bags.

Obama Courts Historically Black Colleges And Universities.

Singled out in Vibe magazine, dropped in some of hip-hop's hottest songs of the summer from the likes of Talib Kweli to Common, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination are focusing strongly on the student population, including those at historically black colleges and universities.

"The campaign's dedication to engaging historically black institutions isn't limited to the early (primary) states but also reaches to all HBCUs in states that have primaries on Feb. 5," Super Tuesday, said Candice Tolliver, senior communications adviser for African American press.
These schools include Howard, Florida A&M, Clark Atlanta and Hampton universities, and Morehouse and Spelman colleges.

Source: Black College Wire

Today's Black Fact

On this day in 1861, the Secretary of the Navy authorizes the enlistment of African Americans in the Union Navy. The enlistees could achieve no rank higher than "boys" and receive pay of one ration per day and $10 per month.

BET's Hip Hop Vs. America

Hip-hop culture and controversy have always made for familiar bedfellows. Yet, in the wake of the Imus controversy and in a year when the genre's sales have tumbled, hip-hop finds itself under an exceptional amount of scrutiny and pressure -- and the stakes have never been higher. BET NEWS takes a powerful and compelling look at the state of hip-hop today in a three-part series titled HIP HOP vs. AMERICA. Hosted by BET's own Toure and Jeff Johnson, this special showcases a candid, heated forum that will allow audiences to hear the opinions of prominent leaders in the hip-hop industry, the political realm, academia and the Black church. Part I of HIP HOP vs. AMERICA premieres today, Tuesday, September 25 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on BET, with the second hour airing on tomorrow, Wednesday, September 26 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT. The third episode with additional exclusive footage will be available on BET ON BLAST, the network's broadband channel (http://www.bet.com/ontv), immediately following Part II's airing.

Source: money.cnn.com

French Bull

As we embark on our huge kitchen remodel it’s gotten me thinking about kitchen related stuff. In my search for kitchen stuff I came across French Bull's cool melamine dishes. Melamine is shatterproof so they’re perfect for clumsy adults, like me, and kiddies.

I think a whole set would be a bit much but a few pieces here and there would be really fun. My son would love the Monster collection of plates so much that I almost think it could get him to eat his veggies. Almost.

Kidbits: Chanchitos

I came across these little piggies, called chanchitos, at an adorable site called Orange Lola. I think these little pigs would make really cute and unique shower/baby gifts.

In the small village of Pomaire, Chile, it is believed that Chanchitos, little pigs, bring good luck. These three-legged clay chanchitos are especially fortunate and are traditionally given to friends as a token of goodwill and love. Each chanchito comes in a colorfully woven cotton bag with a printed description of the meaning and origin.

Kai Perfume Oil

Several friends have raved to me about Kai Perfume Oil and I have to agree it is intoxicating. It’s made with essential oils in a convenient and easy to use roll-on vial. This perfume oil captures the scent of the tropics. Totally yummy!

Today's Black Fact

On this day in 1957, nine Black students started Little Rock high school. They would later be known as the Little Rock Nine.

Jena Six Struggle Continues

Last Friday a judge denied a request to release a teenager whose arrest in the beating of a white classmate sparked this week's civil rights protest in Louisiana. Mychal Bell's request to be freed while an appeal is being reviewed was rejected at a juvenile court hearing, effectively denying him any chance at immediate bail, a person familiar with the case told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because juvenile court proceedings are closed.

Source: The Associated Press

Melissa Bell, mother of Mychal Bell, right, cries and hugs her sister, Jennifer, after a hearing for her son at the LaSalle Parish Courthouse in Jena, La., Friday, Sept. 21, 2007. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)

Do Repubicans Really Hate Black People? Some Might Think That They Do

The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) is doing a two part series entitled Politics 101 that looks at the Democratic and Republican parties and how they relate to African Americans.

In 2004, Black people voted 89 percent for the Democratic presidential candidate and 10 percent for Bush. Some pundits argue that the Democratic Party is the best hope for African-Americans, given the chilling Right Wing bent of Republicans. But some of the nation's most respected civil rights leaders say the faithfulness of Black voters is not rewarded by Democrats and not desired by Republicans. This two part series - Politics 101 - seeks to explore both sides of both issues: Part I: Do Democrats Really Love Black People? and Part II: Do Republicans Really Hate Black People?

Source: BlackPressUSA.com