As a three year old Filipino girl was being prepared for her funeral, mourners noticed her head movement, discovering the toddler was still alive.

The girl, whose name has been concealed, was pronounced clinically deceased in Aurora, Zamboanga del Sar. The family reported the child was suffering from a severe fever over the span of days, taking her to a clinic where she was reported not breathing.

“During that time, the attending clinic personnel and physician confirmed that the young patient had no more pulse and was clinically dead last Saturday morning about 9 a.m.,” said Police Senior Inspector Heidil Teelan.

When the family went to church where the priest would perform the last sacrament, an on-looker noticed movement from inside the wooden casket. Mourners quickly removed her covering, detecting a pulse and giving the girl water. They took her to a nearby clinic where police report the toddler was in “a state of comatose” at the time of her funeral.

The current status of the child is unknown.

Photo credit: Shutterstock

Orlando is the small city in Florida where a kid’s big dreams can come true. It’s also every kids’ magic kingdom because it’s home to Walt Disney World, Sea World, and Universal Studios. According to a recent six-month CNN investigation, Orlando is also where many sex offenders’ dreams are realized.

At least 35 theme park employees from various locations in Orlando and its surrounding areas have been arrested on child pornography charges. In a place where children are usually present, there are always the creeps that want a little more than to just be friendly. The CNN report brought child porn and child sex offenders to light.

Now, 35 employees between all three parks may not sound like a lot, especially since the Disney parks alone have 70,000 employees, but one sex offender is too many. These pedophiles have been arrested on many different charges surrounding child pornography, including meeting with underage kids for sex, possessing child pornography, possessing child pornography at work, and engaging in explicit sexual chats online with a minor.

Some of the individual cases seem unreal …

[Image: Disney]

Cedric Cuthbert, who was arrested last year and sentenced to six years in prison, was also a pastor and the night shift custodial manager at Disney’s Port Orleans resort. He was caught downloading child porn to his work computer — WHILE writing a sermon for his church! Disgraceful.

All of the arrests did not occur in the six-month period that CNN was investigating. The report actually contained cases dating as far back as 2006. Thirty-two of the 35 arrested have been convicted, while the other cases are still pending. Police officials involved in the cases have spoken out, saying that the parks are great places to work for stable jobs and career growth — but they can also house adults with other motives.

All the theme parks involved require employees to complete an extensive background check prior to working, but perhaps after this investigation more will be done to ensure that the number of sex offenders doesn’t continue to rise.

A high-level female Yahoo Inc. executive is facing claims from a former coworker that alleges she was sexually harassed and wrongfully terminated. Nan Shi, former principal software engineer at Yahoo, filed suit in California against her former boss Maria Zhang, a senior director of engineering at Yahoo Mobile.

Shi claims in the suit that Zhang attempted to coerce her into having cyber-sex and oral sex on several occasions in return for a “bright future” at the company, and that she could “take everything away from her.” When Shi did not comply with her requests, she says she received poor performance reviews in the second and third quarter of 2013. She alleges Yahoo’s human resources department did not fully investigate reports of improper sexual conduct against Zhang. Instead, Shi was placed on unpaid leave and then terminated. Yahoo is named as a defendant in the suit also.

“There is absolutely no basis or truth to the allegations against Maria Zhang. Maria is an exemplary Yahoo executive and we intend to fight vigorously to clear her name,” a Yahoo representative said in an email to Reuters.

Zhang joined Yahoo in 2013 when her own mobile company Alike was bought by the internet giant. She previously held positions at Microsoft and Zillow before Yahoo, according to her LinkedIn profile. Zhang was staying in temporary housing in Sunnyvale, California, where these incidents are said to have occurred.

The Shi-Zhang case differs from the recent string of male-centric sexual suits in Silicon Valley, including a case against the co-founder of dating site Tinder. Female-female sexual harassment suits aren’t common, but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist. In January 2013, a former Armani female employee filed a suit against her female boss for sexual harassment.

RELATED: Google’s Forrest Hayes & Other White Collar Sex Scandals

Alice Coachman Davis, who made history as the first black woman to win an Olympic gold medal, died early Monday in south Georgia at the age of 90.  The cause of death has not yet been disclosed. Davis’ death was confirmed by her daughter, Evelyn Jones.

Davis scored big in the high jump at the 1948 London Olympic games with a 1.68 meter record, a first for both America and the Olympic games.

Davis was inducted to the USA Track and Field Hall of fame in 1975, and was inducted to the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 2004.

She spoke about receiving the honor, telling The Associated Press in a 2004 interview, “Going into the USOC Hall of Fame is as good as it gets.”

Davis, the only American woman who won gold in the 1948 Olympic games, was honored with a 175-mile motorcade in Georgia upon returning to the states from London. But due to segregation, her official audience was separated at her official ceremony in Albany. Davis retired after those games at the age of 25.

According to a secretary at Meadows Funeral Home in Albany, the funeral home will be handling Davis’ memorial proceedings, but plans have not yet been finalized.

“30 Rock” star Tracy Morgan spoke out for the first time about the car crash that left him in critical condition and killed friend and comedian James “Uncle Jimmy Mack” McNair last month. “I’m OK,” Morgan told reporters outside of his home in Cresskill, NJ. “I feel strong.” Photographers applauded him for remaining in high spirits, despite using a walker during his recovery. “Love you, thank you very much,” Morgan added.

Morgan suffered from a broken femur, a broken nose, and several broken ribs as the driver of a Wal-Mart truck crashed into the back of the limousine van he and Mcnair, 62, were riding in. McNair died at the scene of the crash. The other passengers, comedian Ardley Fuqua and Jeffrey Millea, received medical care for non-life-threatening injuries. This past week, Morgan was released from a rehabilitation center, his representative Lewis Kay said. Morgan will continue his recovery at home with an “aggressive outpatient program.”

Morgan didn’t offer up a comment about the lawsuit he and the family of the other passengers slapped against Wal-Mart Stores Inc. last week. The suit claims that the major retailer is at fault for allowing truck driver Kevin Roper, 35, to operate a vehicle despite being awake for 24 hours. The suit also claims that Roper fell asleep at the wheel during his 700-mile commute, which could have contributed to the accident. Wal-Mart issued a statement that they are cooperating fully in the ongoing investigation. “We know it will take some time to resolve all of the remaining issues as a result of the accident, but we’re committed to doing the right thing for all involved,” Wal-Mart said in a statement.

Roper pleaded not guilty to charges of death by auto and assault by auto charges. He will also face criminal charges for not sleeping for more than 24 hours, a violation of New Jersey law. Morgan’s representative did not comment on the pending case against Roper. They are focusing on Morgan’s recovery so that he can get back to telling jokes.

Brooklyn metal band Unlocking the Truth recently scored a million dollar record deal with Sony records. According to the New York Post, the group, comprised of guitarist Malcolm Brickhouse (13), bassist Alec Atkins (13), and drummer Jarad Dawkins (12), have signed a deal with Sony for around $1.7 million!

The group blew up after footage of one of their performances went viral and racked up 1.5 million views. Unlocking the Truth then had the opportunity to open for other acts, before performing at Coachella and the Warped Tour.

According to the terms of the contract, the band will only receive a $60,000 upfront advance. If the first album sells 250,000 copies, the band could receive a $350,000 advance for their second album. Sony has committed to a two album deal.

Since the musicians are not of legal age to sign a contact, they had to be signed in a Manhattan Supreme Court. But the stipulations didn’t put a damper on the moment. “I’m so excited!” exclaimed Dawkins. “We’ve made it!”

Lifetime has released the first photo of actors Yaya DaCosta Alafia and Arlen Escarpeta as Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown, respectively. The upcoming Lifetime Original Movie biopic is based on Houston and Brown’s rocky marriage.

“America’s Next Top Model” alumni Alafia transformed effortlessly into the superstar singer to recreate the iconic Whitney album cover, released last week. Now, with the debut photo of the famous duo, viewers can rest assured that the film is in good hands — Angela Bassett’s to be exact. Director Bassett shared photos from the set saying, “Life on the ‘other side’ is grand!”

Like the scrapped Aaliyah biopic, the family of the late singer has voiced opinions that Houston’s story deserves the big screen treatment. Houston and Brown’s daughter, Bobbi Kristina, has been the movie’s biggest opponent. She went as far as calling Bassett a bitch. But now she seems to be singing a different tune …

The wild child apologized for her public display of bad behavior on Twitter in response to the perceived shade from the Emmy-nominated actress about not casting her in the starring role. Maybe Bobbi Kristina realized that she hasn’t been taking her acting craft seriously and is spending too much time arguing with family over her marriage to Nick Gordon, who was like an adopted son to Houston.

I’m a young women that can admit her wrongs. 4who was offended I apologize BUT understand me before your quick to judge though. ThankU

In case you missed it, there is now a commercial for Moët Nectar Impérial Rosé. The digital spot, known as L’ascenseur (The Elevator),  is the brand’s first ever global campaign for the popular bubbly. The spot was directed by Samuel Bayer, who has lensed videos for Justin Timberlake and Nirvana. Though it isn’t particularly hip-hop/urban-edged, Moët Nectar Impérial Rosé, which was introduced in 2004, has been buzzing in those very circles.

In June, Floyd Mayweather turned a few heads by reportedly buying 70 bottles while partying at LIV in Miami on Sunday. But the brand has also been active on the scene, showing up at events with Carmelo Anthony, Trey Songz, NFL player DeSean Jackson and Spike Lee with its ultra expensive Leopard Luxury edition which sells for a whopping $20,000 per bottle.

Dubbed “To Stepping It Up,” the campaign uses an elevator to represent its philosophy in “elevating experiences” as well as its motto that “success is a matter of style.” Since 1743, Moët & Chandon has fashioned itself as “the champagne of success and glamour” and, with a new commercial and more surprises on the horizon, shows no signs of backing away from the centuries-old branding.

Gays and bisexuals were represented in record numbers in a recently conducted survey, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. According to U.S. government data released on Tuesday, 2.3 percent of American adults identify as either gay or bisexual and report having anxiety and more self-destructive habits than their straight peers.

The CDC survey,  titled Sexual Orientation and Health Among U.S. Adults: National Health Interview Survey, 2013, included information from over 34,500 Americans, age 18 and up, with 1.6 reporting that they were bisexual and 0.7 percent reporting that they were bisexual. Results showed 96.6 percent as straight and 1.1 percent as either “something else,” unsure, or giving no response at all.

The data showed that bisexual women were two times more likely to experience serious anxiety. Bisexual men were more likely to indulge in binge drinking than others

On the positive side, gays and bisexuals were equally or more health conscious as it pertained to exercising, HIV testing and receiving vaccines for the flu.

Celebs take to social media to champion for causes and express their positions on trending topics.  But sometimes, like in the case of #FreePalestine, it appears that some celebs tweet too soon about causes that they know nothing about. The conflict between Israel and Palestine has recently been heavily presented in U.S. media. The violence has reached a fever pitch, with posts receiving thousands of reblogs on Tumblr and thousands of tweets per minute. Cue the celebs–wanting to garner attention for appearing socially conscious, despite knowing nothing about the reason for the hashtag.  Basketballer Dwight Howard tweeted #FreePalestine, but not before the deleted tweet got some sharp backlash.

I apologize if I offended anyone with my previous tweet, it was a mistake!

— Dwight Howard (@DwightHoward) July 12, 2014

previous tweet was a mistake. I have never commented on international politics and never will.

— Dwight Howard (@DwightHoward) July 12, 2014

Rihanna, wanting in on the action, tweeted #FreePalestine as well, before deleting it. She has since published the following politically-correct message:

Let’s pray for peace and a swift end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict! Is there any hope?…. pic.twitter.com/jHD56KXkcu — Rihanna (@rihanna) July 15, 2014

Word to the wise: Google before tweeting.  If you don’t want to step on toes or express an opinion, think before tweeting the message you’re about to send!

Like the ratchetness that it is, there are now four opposing sides to the spasmodic debate over whether or not to impeach President Barack Obama. One side wants him out, the other hangs in there with him.  Another side claims a recent lawsuit filed by House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) can actually save the president, the other side not so confident Boehner can actually keep his caucus from pushing the impeachment pendulum further.

Each side is interwoven into the side beside it, the following argument outmaneuvering or outplaying the other.  It’s not just one faction of severely reddened right-wing fanatics who can’t wait the next two years before the president’s last term is up, but it’s now an overwhelming majority of Republicans who want him forced out.  Opposed to that option are the nearly three-quarters of Americans who are willing to hang in there with them.  The details or the reasons behind these bellicose calls for Obama’s impeachment don’t really matter as much as the politics surrounding it.

As soon as Sarah Palin yelled it, impeachment polls – predictably – are sprouting up like weeds (speaking volumes to the repugnant, carnival-like value her media brand still holds).  YouGov shows a solid 32% of Americans wants to impeach Obama, just shy of the 34% that wanted to do the same to President Bush in a 2007 American Research Group poll:

Also expected is the exceedingly high number of Republicans – nearly 70% – that believe future impeachment of Obama is justified:

While it’s easy to dismiss Palin with teeth-sucking precision, the impeachment question is very real for the Obama White House, as well as Congressional Democrats bracing for this (courtesy of the University of Virginia Center for Politics):

It’s been a consistent image since early 2013, a scary scenario where Republicans capture enough seats to retain control of the Senate.  With the GOP in full control of the House and Senate, pro-impeachment forces may sense enough of an upper-hand to move forward.

What should be worrisome for Democrats is that an impeachment in 2015 could be much harsher than Bill Clinton’s impeachment in 1998.  Unlike 1998, Congressional Republicans won’t be pushed against any immediate midterm or presidential election calendar thereby offering them plenty of space to pursue Articles of Impeachment and a Senate conviction in just enough time to recover before 2016.

As worrisome as the partisan divide on the impeachment question are the spreads between those who say Congress wouldn’t be justified and those who don’t: 44% to 35% – with 21% saying they weren’t so sure.  Democrats, curiously, aren’t sweating this enough, perhaps out of fear that talking too much about impeachment – even in opposition to it – will lead to its eventual materialization.

The spin-off from the main debate is one theory that Boehner’s lawsuit is an effective impeachment substitute pitched against an opposing theory that it really serves as a direct (or indirect) run-up to impeachment.  Roll Call’s David Hawking suggests “one of the easier things to understand is what the litigation might accomplish inside the House Republican Conference: a cooling of the intensifying and politically problematic talk about how nothing short of impeachment will do.” The Washington Post’s Jonathan Capehart, however, won’t leave anything to chance “because the speaker has no control over his caucus.”  And Salon’s Heather Barton suspects there’s a grand Supreme Court strategy at play whereby Boehner’s law snakes its way to the high court in a sophisticated and bloodless coup d’etat that eventually evicts the First Family and helps conservatives circumvent standard democratic process.

The tension between the logic and insanity of Boehner’s litigation scheme is probably the most intriguing clash of ideas. There’s an almost comedic racial dynamic, as well, boiling down to this: one side, represented by the easy-going White guy, has faith that other White guys will do the right thing; but, the cynical Black guy – instincts finally kicking in from the DNA of a four hundred year ass kicking – probably sees some writing on the wall.

Few will admit it, but race could be the big differentiator in an impeachment proceeding against President Obama compared to Clinton’s impeachment.  Should impeachment happen, Obama may find little luxury in his Blackness, cursed to the remainder of a presidency plagued by a heavy cloud of rejections fueled by old fashion racial skullduggery.  Going back to the YouGov poll, a majority of Whites, 57%, believe Obama has exceeded his Constitutional powers just like a majority of Whites, 40%, believe there is justification for impeachment – along with near 30% who believe his “actions” warrant impeachment.

Politically, however, Democrats could flip that equation by simply tapping into clear Black opposition to impeachment – 64% don’t believe there is any justification – the same way they tapped Black voter anger over voter ID and voter suppression laws in the 2012 elections.  By turning present impeachment fervor into an existential threat against Obama, Democrats could potentially mobilize an otherwise fading African American midterm electorate.

CHARLES D. ELLISON is a veteran strategist and Chief Political Correspondent for UPTOWN Magazine.  He is also host of #Uptownhall and Washington Correspondent for the Philadelphia Tribune. He can be reached via Twitter @charlesdellison.

Thanks to the forerunners who have broken down barriers decades ago, we’re now in the midst of a new wave of Black excellence in which African Americans are making stellar achievements in their fields. We thought we’d take a step back and celebrate these eight talented brown brothers and sisters for making their marks in a major way.

Geraldine S. Hines was just appointed to fill a Supreme Judicial Court vacancy in Massachusetts and will be the first Black woman to serve on the state’s highest court. Hines, who grew up in the Mississippi Delta South during the Jim Crow era, will serve about four years before hitting the court’s mandatory retirement age of 70.

[Image: BET]

Michelle J. Howard was recently promoted to her new rank at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. She’ll take over as the vice chief of naval operations, the No. 2 officer in the service. Howard is not only the first woman to hold the job, but the first African American.

It wasn’t until Mario Balotelli scored Italy’s 2-1 victory over England, in Brazil during the World Cup, that the European media finally claimed their first Italian-born and bred Black soccer hero. Balotelli, whose birth parents hail from Ghana, was adopted by an Italian family. He’s received scrutiny and even threats from soccer fans, hurling racial slurs from the stands. Those same naysayers were cheering him on during soccer’s most coveted tournament.

[Image: The Guardian]

Political forecasters have predicted that Mia Love, a former Saratoga Springs, UT mayor, will “easily win” the seat she lost in 2012 to retiring Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, by less than 800 votes. If the predictions are correct, Love would be the first Black female Republican to serve in Congress. Equally as impressive, Love, who will turn 39 shortly before she would take office if elected, would also be the youngest Republican in Congress.

[Image: Deseret News]

Late last year, Keija Minor, who was an UPTOWN editor-in-chief, was appointed editor-in-chief of Brides magazine. This was monumental not only because Minor became the first Black editor at Brides, but the first leading editor at any Conde Nast publication. “It’s exciting to be the first in any sort of category, and it’s an honor,” explained Minor, “But I don’t wake up every day thinking, ‘Okay, you’re the first Black woman to hold this title.’ I think about, ‘What are you going to do to move the magazine forward?’”

[Image: adweek]

Dean Baquet, a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter and former editor of the Los Angeles Times, became The New York Times‘ first African-American executive editor. Baquet took over for Jill Abramson, who previously lead the paper while Dean served as managing editor. “It is an honor to be asked to lead the only newsroom in the country that is actually better than it was a generation ago, one that approaches the world with wonder and ambition every day,” Baquet said in a statement.

Shanelle Davis was announced the 2014 class valedictorian out of the 845 students in the graduating class at Benjamin Cardozo High School in Queens, New York. Davis made history as the first African-American to do so at the Bayside school and has accepted a full ride four-year scholarship to Harvard University.

[Image: Huffington Post]

The LGBT Community Center of Charlotte has elected Ranzeno Frazier as its youngest and first African-American chair of its board of trustees. The 26-year-old executive is an unpaid board member, but is said to be committed not only to establishing new partnerships with other organizations—such as Power House, Time Out Youth, the Charlotte Lesbian and Gay Fund, and the Foundation of the Carolinas—but also to repairing damaged relationships.

[Image: Rolling Out]

Every summer children are left in hot cars and these stories take up plenty of news time. Unfortunately, the cases occur more often than they should across the country. Some child left in hot car stories are ruled as accidents, while others are premeditated and downright cruel. Here is a list of some of the most bizarre “I forgot my child was in the car and its 95-degrees outside” stories of the summer.

[Image: Shutterstock]

A Georgia father was charged with murder and child-cruelty after he left his 2-year-old son in the hot car to die. Justin Ross Harris, 33, made matters worst when he repeatedly mentioned collecting the toddler’s life insurance policy just days after the baby’s death.

Monique Williams, a foster mother from central Florida was arrested after leaving her 15-month old foster son in a hot car. The 53 year old told police that she just ran into the Publix to buy milk. She was arrested for child abuse and faces having her license revoked.

A Maryland father claims he didn’t realize he left his two-year-old daughter in a locked car while shopping in Long Island. Melvin Marroquin was surprised when he returned to his car and saw police. Marroquin claimed that someone placed his daughter in the car other than himself. He was placed in jail on a $100,000 bail.

A Tennessee couple knowingly left their 15-month-old daughter in the car while they went shopping in the local Kroger supermarket. The mother, Brittany Zanetti, 25, and father, Matthew Brown, 28, were arrested in child abuse charges. They claimed they wouldn’t be in the supermarket for long.

Here’s a more positive child in car scenario, I guess? A Texas mom accidentally locked her keys in the car while strapping her kids in their seat belts. She ran into the nearby store to ask for help after her insurance company told her it would be hours before anyone could come and unlock her door. A store customer came out with a hammer and the mother broke and climbed through her own car window to save her children … which is contrary to original eye-witness testimony which said the mother had left the kids in the car for hours while getting her hair done.

It was not a pretty sight on Tuesday in NYC as the cast of “Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta” recorded their reunion special. Star, Stevie J wrote on Twitter that the “The reunion for @VH1 #LHHATL will be epic!!” before even knowing what the night would bring. He was absolutely right — as the LHHATL reunion taping ended with cast members suffering multiple injuries, and the cops had to be called after a fight erupted.

It was a bigggg fight, that included Benzino, Althea, Stevie J, Joseline, Debra, Tammy, and Mimi Faust. Sources say the fight broke out after Benzino joked about Stevie J and Joseline doing drugs. Apparently, he crossed the line there and the taping got out of hand.

Stevie J approached Benzino, and Joseline approached Althea. Security guards were called in to break it all up, but it was too late and the chaos had already begun. When security focused on one feuding couple, another fight broke out between another two people.

Drama!

When security realized that the fighting was out of their league, NYPD was called in to respond. Paramedics also showed up and treated at least three people on set.

Here is what the cast reported online last night, about the incident:

At the end of the day, @hitmansteviej lost a great, loyal, caring friend, and I gained piece if mind and an incredible woman…

It’s very easy to view rape in a vacuum. It’s easy to view it as a controlling, overaggressive man who chose to invade a woman’s most private and intimate space, label him an evil asshole, and decide that he is an unusually heinous individual. But viewing rape in a vacuum is extremely ignorant because of the overarching rape culture that unfortunately defines our communities and shapes our collective minds. To view rape as a singular act of aggression is to overlook the many ways our society puts girls and women into harm’s way by instilling dangerous ideologies into the minds of young men everywhere. So when a young woman like Jada (pictured left) steps forward to address being allegedly raped, how in hell can we be surprised at the venomous, visceral bullshit she’s been put through?

Jada is a 16-year-old African American girl from Houston who alleges she was given a spiked drink that caused her to pass out, leading someone, or several people, to strip her naked and sexually assault her. What we know as fact is that photos were taken of her unconscious and bottomless body, were passed around social media, and went viral. A hashtag called #jadapose was even created to mock how she was positioned in the photo. Young men AND women gleefully participated in the mocking.

Now I’m not going to unequivocally state that I know exactly what happened to Jada and exactly who did it because I wasn’t there (call it the “Central Park 5″ in me). But I do know that I definitely want the alleged perpetrators to stand trial. More than that, I want young people to stop being so goddamn ignorant about rape and sexual assault that they believe that this could actually be a laughing matter. But that will only happen when PARENTS decide that rape education is an absolute must for our youth.

Personally, I think rape is the most disgusting crime in the world. It irreparably damages victims emotionally and mentally LONG after the physical scars and tears have healed. Rape isn’t just sexual misappropriation, it’s an all out attack on one’s spiritual health. But when the conversation around rape becomes mired with erroneous assumptions and misperceptions, it becomes a lot easier to sympathize with alleged accusers and far too easy to dismiss real victims. Because of what young people learn from their elders, far too many people are taught that rape prevention amounts to:

• Never leave your cup unattended at a bar/party/social gathering
• Never walk home late alone (call a cab)
• Don’t get drunk around men you don’t know
• Don’t wear slutty clothes

And the list goes on.

These are the “rules” that are told to women, and when a woman alleges she was raped, we immediately run down this checklist not only to identify how the assault took place, but also to find out how we can collectively blame that woman for putting herself at risk. It has now become our reflexive nature to view women as “idiots” for “getting raped,” as if they casually strolled past some house party warning sign that hung on the wall like a speed limit notification on the highway, firmly stating that if she passes out her body will become the temporary property of the males in attendance. But what’s truly scary about these rules and our reactions to rape victims is the fact that it’s mostly been passed down to us by people without the knowledge to provide any sort of substantive rape education.

Experts have already stated that quality sex-education would help combat rape culture, yet when most parents think about the importance of sex education, they want our school systems to spend a disproportionate amount of time on abstinence advocacy. While parents stand in the way of a more expansive sex education curriculum, more young men and women are growing up to believe that false accusations of rape are the real epidemic in America, when the incidence of false rape reports falls in the 2 to 8 percent range.

I am not here to argue that we are experiencing a rape epidemic in our society, because that is one of the most ridiculous and pointless debates currently surrounding this topic. I don’t give a DAMN whether you believe enough rapes have occurred to constitute an epidemic, because ONE rape is too many. What I am here to argue is that we need to stop treating this topic with such callousness and ignorance, and that won’t start to take effect until parents start teaching young boys and girls about the serious nature of this offense. That doesn’t mean that all boys need to adopt a self-blaming ideology, but it does mean they need to have enough respect instilled within them to NOT start some stupid hashtag at an alleged victim’s expense.

LAB

Lincoln Anthony Blades blogs daily on his site ThisIsYourConscience.com, he’s an author of the book “You’re Not A Victim, You’re A Volunteer” and a weekly contributor for UPTOWN Magazine. He can be reached via Twitter @lincolnablades and on Facebook at This Is Your Conscience.

Anthony Anderson is having the best laugh of his career and tons of success. Years ago, when starting his career in comedy, he was booed off the stage during his first stand-up gig. Now, Anderson is on the top of everyone’s list! This month, he kicks off his hosting gig for Food Network’s series “Food Fest Nation,” where he will tour food festivals nationwide. Come fall, we will be able to get some serious laughter going when we see him in the upcoming weekly sitcom, “Black-ish” with co-stars Tracee Ellis Ross and Laurence Fishburne on ABC.

But one thing that’s for sure is that we will always see Anderson wearing some pretty impressive outfits. His looks are always on point and a great inspiration for medium-build men looking to update their closets. If this sounds like you, or someone you know then check out the inspirational looks of this week’s Star Style, Anthony Anderson.

Making an impression during the warmer months can be done in a clean-cut way sans the blazer. Here, Anderson coordinates this navy blue pant and vest look with a light blue shirt, keeping the look monochromatic and very cool. The gray bow-tie happens to be the item that gives the look a sense of business appeal.

This look is pure southern gentleman — from the gingham shirt to the light blue suit. But the two main pieces that really ties this look together are the shoes and boater hat. Anderson really nailed a great look.

Men who are medium- to muscular-build should be mindful of the fit of their tux or suit. Like Anderson, go for a look that is cut not too slim and not too wide, but instead something that is perfectly tailored for your shape.

If you have a desire to wear prints like Anderson, make sure to do so on the smaller part of your body for a more balanced and slimming effect.

There are two reasons why this tone-on-tone look works on Anderson. The flat-front pants are ideal for men with full stomachs. Also, the V-neck elongates and slims his face and neck, whereas a scoop-neck would make his neck appear shorter.

A light brown suit is the perfect slate for your summer wardrobe and suitable for any direction you want to take your business look. From pastels to other neutral tones, mostly anything will work with a brown suit.

Anderson has broad shoulder, yet it’s still fine for men with his body type to wear a light jacket and dark pant combo. The look is perfectly balanced.

Women aren’t the only ones who can have fun with print mixing when they get dressed. Anderson proves that he has a knack for mixing prints, based on his tie, vest, and pant coordination.

One way to add height to your appearance is by wearing pointed shoes, like Anderson.

Real men really do wear pink.

For those who have a bit more girth yet still want to wear white, keep the line lean with a single-breasted jacket.

During the colder seasons, consider enhancing your swag with a textured suit blazer in a luxe and lush fabric like velvet.

Families have historically gone to amusement parks for a day riding thrilling rollercoasters.  The worst part of the day used to be just the long lines.  But in the past year, there has been no shortage of incidents involving amusement park accidents, both domestically and internationally.

Just yesterday in Orlando, 12 guests were rescued from the Transformers ride at Universal Studios Orlando. One rider reported being stuck in mid-air for an hour. She told journalists that the group was taken off of the ride by fire officials who strapped the passengers with safety harnesses and pulled them up by ropes.
Lately, not a day seems to go by without some mention of another amusement park accident.  Here are more recent shocking circumstances when gravity strikes back.

A tourist from the UK was maimed while on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom in Bay Lake, Fla last Thursday.

The man lost the tips of his right ring and pinky fingers while on the ride.

Six Flag Magic Mountain’s Ninja Ride left passengers suspended 30 feet in the air after lightning stopped power in early July, leaving 22 people suspended 40 feet above ground.  Two of the victims filed a lawsuit against Six Flags on July 9.

Only July 13, Disney World’s monorail car broke down in Lake Buena Vista, Fl. during a storm. Approximately 120 panicked stricken people were trapped for roughly two hours. The 911 call showed how frustrations were boiling over because of the delayed rescue.  No one was injured.


A woman died on the New Texas Giant coaster after flying off the ride in late 2013.


Across the pond in the UK, The Smiler, after having its riders hit by the ride’s guard wheels in November 2013, frightened many more than expected. Thankfully, no one was injured.


Universal Studio’s Rip Ride Rockit stopped at a 90-degree vertical lift 150 feet in the air in late 2013.  Rescuers got passengers down three hours later.
Photo credits:  ktla.com; Click Orlando; click2houston; Universal Orlando; mynews13; wiki

Actress and singer Vanessa Williams made the shocking revelation that she was molested some time ago. However, the star recently opened up, describing her female perpetrator’s impact on her at just 10 years old.

Williams, who came under fire for racy girl-on-girl shots after being crowned Miss America, discussed the childhood vacation in which she was exposed to sexual acts first in her 2012 memoir You Have No Idea.

“We ended up staying with a family friend of theirs. They had an older daughter,” she said, in an interview on “Oprah’s Master Class” that aired Tuesday on OWN.

“[She] was one of the cool girls … She made you want to feel like you were a grown-up.”

“I had no idea what it was, but I knew it felt good,” she continued. “I knew it felt good, but also something that was not supposed to be happening.”

Williams said that she wanted to tell her parents about it, but never got the chance when she came home from the vacation to news of a death in the family.

The 22nd Annual ESPY Awards aired Wednesday night, honoring the biggest names in sports. Hosted by Drake, the show celebrated the moments that took our breath away, and the athletes that made them possible, as voted on by the fans.

Kevin Durant unseated Lebron James as both Best Male Athlete and Best NBA player, while his teammate, Russell Westbrook, took home the award for Best Comeback Athlete. Chris Davis‘ game-winning 109-yard return against Alabama was named Best Play, and this year’s Iron Bowl won Best Game.

Other winners included Kawhi Leonard for his performance against the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals; Peyton Manning, after his record-breaking season with the Denver Broncos; the U.S. Men’s Soccer team for their FIFA World Cup victory over Ghana; and everyone’s favorite trash talker, Richard Sherman of the Seattle Seahawks (who also won Best Team).

Read on to replay just a few of the night’s most show-stopping moments. 

During his opening monologue, Drake poked fun at a few of the night’s honorees, including the Richard Sherman and Russell Westbrook, as well as some folks who weren’t in attendance, like buddies Johnny Manziel and Lebron James. But the funniest bit came when he gave Lance Stephenson a taste of his own medicine.

Drake and Blake Griffin (or maybe Blake and Drake) engaged in an epic prank war during one of the show’s skits, which featured an especially comical appearances by “America’s sweetheart,” Chris Brown, and finished with Blake taking over as the show’s host.

The show took an emotional turn when Michael Sam was awarded the Arthur Ashe Courage Award, after becoming the NFL’s first openly gay draft pick when he was chosen 249th by the St. Louis Rams. He delivered a tearful speech during which he quoted Arthur Ashe himself, saying, “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.”

SportsCenter staple Stuart Scott also brought the audience to tears when he was honored with the Jimmy V Award. Prefaced by a video that detailed his long, hard battle with cancer, Scott delivered a prolific speech about never giving up and coping with his illness, and even invited his daughter on stage to “give Dad a hug because I need one.” (There wasn’t a dry eye in the Nokia Theater.)

Dressed in all-white, cookout-chic attire, Drake proceeded to serenade the night’s “Honorable Mentions,” taking shots at everyone from Colin Kaepernick to LoLo Jones to Macklemore. He followed that up by bringing out Brian McKnight for a side-splitting ode to “the real glue that holds the sports world together” called “Sidepieces.” (At the 4:00 mark)

The Texas actress accused of sending ricin-laced letters to President Obama, former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the head of his gun-control group was sentenced to 18 years in prison. She will also have to pay $367,000 in restitution for her actions.

Shannon Guess Richardson, 36, pleaded guilty as a part of a plea deal in December 2013 to one count of developing, producing, possessing and transferring a biological agent for use as a weapon. Richardson bought the products to make the chemical online.

Richardson was indicted in June 2013 after a jury convicted her of the crimes. In May 2013, Richardson mailed the three letters from her home near Texarkana. She then drove to the police station in Shreveport, La. and attempted to frame her husband, who had filed for divorce, for the crime. She later told the FBI she did not think any of the poisonous letters would be opened because of security measures.

“What’s in this letter is nothing compared to what ive got in store for you mr president,” read the letter to Obama. “You will have to kill me and my family before you get my guns. Anyone wants to come to my house will get shot in the face.”

Richardson appeared remorseful as she stood in front of the judge to receive her sentencing.

“I never intended for anybody to be hurt,” she said to the court. “I’m not a bad person. I don’t have it in me to hurt anyone.”

Richardson had bit parts in The Walking Dead (2010), The Vampire Diaries (2009) and The Blind Side (2011).

Photo credits: AP; imdb