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Keyshia Cole Responds To Leaked Photo

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Courtesy Vibe Vixen

While Keyshia Cole has been gracing mag covers, promoting her latest LP and new TV show Family First, a not-so-savvy Internet geek leaked a lewd photo of the Woman to Woman songbird. Yesterday (Nov. 28), the pic of what looks like the 31-year-old artist performing a sexual act had the internet buzzing and bashing the star.

Continue at Vibe Vixen…

Keyshia Cole

The 5 Star Treatment With Adrienne Bailon: ‘Cassie … She’s My Lust’

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UPTOWN_adrienne_bailon_cassieCourtesy of Hello Beautiful

I’ve never met someone who fit a cliche in such a positive way until I met Adrienne Bailon. Big things come in small packages couldn’t be more true if Jesus himself had spoken it of the fiery, energetic, insightful singing, songwriting, dancing TV personality. See. Big things. Petite package. And that’s not all on the long list of talents this impressive 29-year-old mini-mogul-in-the-making has.

Bailon is also the social media correspondent on “The X-Factor,” working on an album with Ne-Yo and Compound, launching her Fingertip Fetish nail line in 2013 and she may even have time left over for another season of “Empire Girls.” Adrienne is such a role model for women out there who believe in their talents and have the guts to go for them without fear. I ran into Adrienne during a rare moment of unwinding with a manicure and she was more than happy to accept #TeamBeautiful’s invite to an exclusive 5-Star Treatment.

Continue reading at Hello Beautiful

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Music Tidbits: Dr. Dre Tops Forbes, Amel Larrieux Returns, Swizz ‘Stans’ For Alicia & More

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Check out the latest happenings around the music world…

  • Forbes counted up the millions and crowned Dr. Dre the “Highest-Paid Musician of 2012″ after pocketing a cool $110 million from May 2011 to May 2012. From cashing in on booming headphone sales and headlining the Coachella fest with Snoop Dogg, the 47-year-old rapper/producer/entrepreneur beat out No. 2 Roger Waters ($88 million) by more than $20 million. Rihanna ($53 million), Diddy ($45 million), Beyonce ($40 million), Jay-Z ($38 million), Kanye West ($35 million), Sade ($33 million) and others round out the annual list of filthy rich artists. Cha-ching!
  • Don’t call it a comeback. Soul singer Amel Larrieux is preparing her return to the music scene with her fifth studio album, Ice Cream Everyday. The “For Real” singer recently told the Huffington Post that while she doesn’t have a release date for fans, she is in the process of editing and re-working the album. “Well, we almost regret when we give a release date, because one of the nice things about being independent is having the luxury of not really having deadlines,” Larrieux said. “We make our own deadlines and then we break them all the time, because in the end, the finished product has to be something that we can really get behind. This time around, it’s just been a lot of editing and changing our minds and things like that. We didn’t want to have a disjointed product. So I won’t give a date anymore. I won’t ever do that again.” Larrieux added that a Groove Theory album might not be too far off, if she and Bryce Wilson are presented with the right offer.
  • Swizz Beatz proved to be Alicia Keys’ biggest fan this week by purchasing 150 copies of her fifth studio album Girl On Fire to pass out to fans. “I swear I love this man with all of me!” Keys tweeted to fans after her husband’s good deed. The album is on track to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, if Rod Stewart‘s Merry Christmas, Baby doesn’t creep in to take the top spot.
  • And finally, Aerosmith frontman and former American Idol judge Steven Tyler has apologized for his “racist” comments toward Nicki Minaj earlier this week. After upsetting the “Freedom” rapper, Tyler took to Canada’s eTalk to say, “It was a moment, I’m sorry if it was taken wrong. But I’m the furthest from a racist. I’m not sure how she got that from me saying ‘I’m not sure she would have judged Bob Dylan’,” he explained. “I was just saying if Bob Dylan came on the show he would have been thrown off. Maybe I spoke out of turn but a racist I’m not.” Nicki, if you could explain to us what exactly offended you…

The post Music Tidbits: Dr. Dre Tops Forbes, Amel Larrieux Returns, Swizz ‘Stans’ For Alicia & More appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Brad Pitt Appears On ‘Don’t Sleep!’ With T.J. Holmes

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UPTOWN_brad_pittHost T. J. Holmes conducted a special one-on-one interview with critically-acclaimed actor Brad Pitt last night on BET’s “Don’t Sleep!” T.J. spoke with Brad about his latest film, Killing Them Softly, his career, raising a multicultural family, and how he has used his celebrity and wealth to give back to others.

When asked about raising his and Angelina Jolie‘s six multicultural children, Pitt declared:

“It’s our view of the world; it’s the world we want to live in. One of my favorite things in this job of mine is we get to travel and we get travel to different cultures. [There are] so many interesting approaches to life, and when you see it in context, it’s something we learn and what we understand more than ever is that we are one big global community.”

See the video on BET.com

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Is George Zimmerman Selling His Autographs For Defense Fund?

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It seems tough times have hit George Zimmerman and his legal defense team as they await trial for the shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. The former neighborhood watchman’s attorney recently announced their plans to launch the New George Zimmerman Defense Fund next month, reports the Associated Press.

Donors will be sent “thank you” cards individually signed by Zimmerman for their contributions.

Attorney Mark O’Mara said an existing fund has raised $140,000 since last May, but is running low.

“Currently, the balance of the George Zimmerman Defense Fund is at its lowest, and new funds must be raised to support George’s living expenses and legal costs through the end of the Self Defense Immunity Hearing and/or trial,” states the official website.

Related: White Man Invokes ‘Stand Your Ground’ Law After Shooting Unarmed Black Teen Over Loud Music

After receiving criticism from the Miami Herald and other media outlets, Zimmerman’s public relations team sent out the following statement:

“The Miami Herald used the headline “George Zimmerman to sell autographs to  pay expenses,” to describe the policy of the New George Zimmerman Defense Fund  of sending signed Thank You Cards to individuals who donate.

For those who look for opportunities to criticize George, we understand that  the idea of sending Thank You Cards might be seen as an attempt to sell  signatures to gain donations. To those who wish to criticize and ridicule, go  right ahead. However, that is not George’s intent. It is presumptuous to assume  that George’s signature is a valuable enough commodity to be an effective  motivator for people to donate. Rather, what we hope motivates people is the  ever increasingly undeniable conclusion that George is simply not guilty. He  only did what he had to do to protect himself from an attack by an unknown  assailant; a young man who broke George’s nose, bloodying it, and then got him  on the ground and smashed his head into concrete, causing more injury.”

The full statement can be read here.

Zimmerman will head to trial on June 10, but a “stand your ground hearing” could be held by April. He has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and claims the shooting was self-defense.

 

 

George Zimmerman cards

Instant Hit? Kevin Hart Compares BET’s ‘The Real Husbands Of Hollywood’ To…

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Funnyman Kevin Hart has put his full confidence into BET’s highly anticipated new comedy The Real Husbands of Hollywood, launched from the hilarious spoofs at the 2011 BET Awards. And with Nick Cannon, Boris Kodjoe, Robin Thicke, Duane Martin and J.B. Smoove as co-stars, why wouldn’t he?

Related: First Look: BET’s “The Real Husbands of Hollywood” [VIDEO]

In a recent interview with the network, Hart revealed the breakdown of the show inspired by the Real Housewives of (fill-in-the-blank) franchise that has become America’s guilty pleasure. The Think Like a Man star also discusses the catfights dogfights between the cast members and makes a bold comparison between the new series and a certain beloved sketch comedy.

On what viewers can expect…
“I can honestly go on record saying this show will be what Chappelle’s Show was for Comedy Central. Comedy Central was a great network but Chappelle’s Show took it to a completely different level. Other shows got bigger because so many viewers were watching the Chappelle reruns. For BET, the Real Husbands of Hollywood has that same potential.”

On the plot of the show and guest appearances…
“There’s nothing like it on television. It’s a mock reality show with a Curb Your Enthusiasm-feel — with me being that Larry David type. Every actor in it is not afraid to make fun of themselves. It stars Nick Cannon, Duane Martin, Boris Kodjoe, Robin Thicke and myself. Then Nelly, Trey Songz, Faison Love and Cedric the Entertainer are part of the many people who come by to do [guest star] favors. Mariah Carey is doing one, so is Shane Mosley. It’s mock reality but we’re treating it like it’s real.”

On cast “beef”…
“Nick and I don’t like each other, but it stems from the movie Drumline. There’s a flashback of Nick and I playing the drums for the final part of the film and I drop the stick and he held on. Then it cuts back to me and I’m like, “I haven’t liked you since. I don’t like you.” I’m jealous of Boris because he models and I don’t think he’s that attractive. Robin, I think that his singing career is a fluke and Paula Patton really wants me. It’s so much nonsense that we’ve made it appear to be real. I think it’s really going to be something to see. We have a special thing and I’m really excited to be apart of it.”

The Real Husband of Hollywood premieres Tuesday, Jan. 15 at 10 p.m. ET on BET. Check out the full interview here!

The post Instant Hit? Kevin Hart Compares BET’s ‘The Real Husbands Of Hollywood’ To… appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

NYPD Cop’s Generous Act Captured, Becomes Viral Sensation

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The holiday season is a time for giving and what better way to be reminded of this than a touching moment on the streets of New York City.

While visiting Times Square, tourist Jennifer Foster says she approached a homeless man without socks or shoes who was begging for change on a particularly chilly night. As she continued, Foster noticed police Officer Larry DePrimo kneeling down to put a brand new pair of thermal socks and all-weather boots on the man.

DePrimo made the $75 purchase at a nearby Skechers store.

Related: Gift Guide: For the Charitable

The photo, snapped by Foster, was posted Tuesday night to the New York Police Department’s official Facebook page and has received more than 500,000 “likes,” nearly 200,000 shares and tons of beautiful comments.

On Thursday, DePrimo spoke out about the kind act that he says he didn’t even think about. The 25-year-old officer recalls having on two pairs of socks himself– and his feet were freezing.

“[The man] didn’t even have a pair of socks on and I could only imagine how cold that pavement was.” he explained. DePrimo said the man smiled from ear to ear upon receiving the boots, as if he had been given a million dollars.

Police Commissioner Ray Kelly honored DePrimo on Thursday, presenting him with a special set of cuff links.

 

Larry DePrimo

Gabby Douglas Wants Apology From Absent Father

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Courtesy of ESSENCE.com

The road to success for Gabby Douglas hasn’t been easy. Thankfully, the young gymnast relied on her mother, Natalie Hawkins and three siblings, Arielle, John and Joyelle. But one person’s been noticeably absent from her life, Gabby’s father Timothy Douglas, an Air National guardsman.

According to an interview with People, the Olympic gold medalist says she didn’t see him much growing up—especially after her parents divorced in 2007. And things haven’t changed much since then. “I haven’t heard from him,” said Gabby. “He’s doing his own thing. What can you do? Everyone has hiccups in their families.”

Continue at ESSENCE.com…

Gabby Douglas

First Look: TLC Turns Cameras On Preacher’s Wives For ‘The Sisterhood’ [TRAILER]

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Earlier this year brought the news of TLC’s next reality television venture with a more “spiritual” spin. The then-titled Preacher’s Wives would follow the poised personas of Atlanta area First Ladies, inside and outside of the church.

After months of filming, the network has finally worked out the kinks and rounded up five God-fearing women for The Sisterhood. But don’t let the name fool you– the drama is sure to come.

“The only thing we agree on is we all love God,” said one cast member in the preview for the upcoming show. From standing by their men in the pulpit to discussing their hush-hush sex lives and not-so-godly pasts, The Sisterhood will give an eye-opening account of life outside of Sunday Service.

The series premieres Tuesday, Jan. 1 at 9 p.m. ET on TLC.

Source

The post First Look: TLC Turns Cameras On Preacher’s Wives For ‘The Sisterhood’ [TRAILER] appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’: 30 Cool Facts

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Courtesy of The Root

Three decades since its release, Thriller remains the biggest selling album not only of Michael Jackson’s own illustrious career, but on all of planet Earth. Between sales, awards and sentimental loyalty, the album’s achievements continue to dazzle in the outer stratosphere of what was once and may never again be possible in the music business from an artist who shattered color lines. To celebrate the 30th anniversary (which is on Nov. 30) of one of the greatest full-length recordings of all time, The Root presents 30 facts you may have overlooked about Thriller.

Continue at The Root…

The post Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’: 30 Cool Facts appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Arizona Teens Forced To Hold Hands At School As Punishment For Fighting

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uptown_westwoodteensA principal at Westwood High School in Mesa, Arizona, is under scrutiny for punishing two male students for fighting in what proved a controversial, yet effective, manner.

After a freshmen and sophomore got into a physical altercation during class, Principal Tim Richards gave the students their choice of punishment: suspension or public humiliation–by making the students hold hands while sitting next to each other in the school courtyard.

The teens chose humiliation. Clasping hands, they hung their heads as students looking on jeered and taunted because they, reportedly, found the display funny.

Britteny Smyers, a student, told ABC 15 news: “Kids were laughing at them and calling them names asking, ‘Are you gay?’”

Photos of the students holding hands began circulating the Internet, with some calling the punishment effective. According to KPHO news, Charles Crockett, 14, one of the boys involved, said he wouldn’t fight again anytime soon.  However, after the hour-long punishment, Crockett admits he skipped school the next day due to incessant teasing.

Others argue the punishment promotes bullying, by allowing students to publicly taunt the teens. Meanwhile, some say it sends a negative message about being gay by insinuating that two men holding hands is an embarrassment.

KPHO news reports, the neighborhood stands behind Principal Richard’s actions. A sign spotted near the school read: “Westwood neighborhood supports Principal Richard.” But school district officials feel otherwise.

District officials released the following statement:

The district does not condone the choice of in-school discipline given these students, regardless of their acceptance or willingness to participate. District leadership will address this matter with the school principal, and review district protocol regarding student discipline with all administrators.

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Jessica Linscott And Boyfriend Charged In Beating and Burning of Son

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uptown_dowlinscottFugitive couple, Jessica Linscott, 23, and her boyfriend Roland Dow, 27,  were arrested at a Florida theme park after turning themselves over to New Hampshire authorities to face charges in the beating and burning of Linscott’s 3-year-old son.

After being on the run for two weeks, Linscott and Dow were arrested by federal marshals at Universal Studios on Wednesday evening. According to U.S. Deputy Marshal Jeffrey White, the couple also made stops in New York and New Jersey while making their way south.

District Attorney Jim Reams of Rockingham County, New Hampshire, says he expected Linscott and Dow to appear in court next week.

According to the Huffington Post, “Dow is charged with first- and second-degree assault. He and Linscott face multiple charges of child endangerment for failing to protect and get medical attention for [the child], who remains hospitalized at Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth in Lebanon.”

Police reports state, Linscott’s boyfriend hit the child in the head with enough force to cause traumatic brain injury and seizures. There are also claims that Dow allegedly burnt the boy’s wrist and fingers.

Local tips helped authorities track Dow and Linscott to a Florida hotel and Universal Studios. During a telephone conversation with police, Dow and Linscott said the boy’s injuries were self-inflicted and they would go to the police station. But the couple never arrived.

The boy’s condition is improving, but it will be a long and difficult recovery, according to reports. No further details were released–a spokeswoman for the state Division of Children, Youth and Families, which has legal custody of the boy, cited confidentiality laws.

Dow’s grandmother, Helen Fram, defends his innocence saying, she is sure the couple would never harm the child. She also said the boy occasionally banged his own head on the bathtub or threw himself off the toilet. She lives next door to Dow and Linscott.

“I can hear anything, if anything is going on,” she said. “They would never, ever hurt a baby. Never.”

Fram also claims Dow and Linscott went to the hospital with the child but got scared when they found out police wanted to talk to them. So they ran.

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Kansas City Chiefs’ Jovan Belcher Fatally Shoots Girlfriend, Self (Report)

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Kansas City Chiefs’ Jovan Belcher fatally shot his girlfriend early Saturday morning before turning the gun on himself, according to the Bleacher Report.

Initial reports state the 25-year-old linebacker shot his girlfriend at a local residence and then traveled approximately five miles to the Arrowhead practice facility to take his own life.

Police say two team officials tried to talk to Belcher before the shot went off around 8 a.m.

The Chiefs issued a statement shortly after that said, We can confirm that there was an incident at Arrowhead earlier this morning. We are cooperating with authorities in their investigation.”

 Kansas City is scheduled to host the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.

The post Kansas City Chiefs’ Jovan Belcher Fatally Shoots Girlfriend, Self (Report) appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Katt Williams Punches Target Employee

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uptown_williamstargetKatt Williams is famous for his tell-it-like-it-is brand of comedy, but nothing the 39-year-old comedian does these days is a laughing matter.

In late November, Williams led cops on a bizarre three-wheeled motorcycle chase through Sacramento, California. Now video footage has surfaced showing Williams stopping at Target on the same day, where he hits an employee in the face, according to TMZ.

The video lacks audio, but the employee and Williams exchange words. Shortly after, Williams punches the employee. The man responds by promptly reaching for his cellphone to call the police.

Another TMZ video also shows Williams attempting to flee the scene on an electric cart before police respond to the call. Williams later left the cart behind and got back on his three-wheeled motorcycle from earlier that day. Williams was not arrested and charges have not been filed.

Target representatives also have not released a statement.

Last month, Williams was accused of battery by his personal assistant, and is being sued for 5 million dollars.

We don’t know what is going on with Kat Williams. But judging from the antics of the past few months, it’s not good.

Watch the video here.

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Kim Kardashian Brings Riot To Bahrain

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uptown_kardashianmilkshakeKim Kardashian’s excursions in the Middle East have been bittersweet.

A few weeks ago, the 32-year-old reality TV star caused an uproar on Twitter after commenting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Yesterday, her appearance in the Gulf Kingdom of Bahrain to open a branch of a milkshake franchise spawned a riot.

Many fans paid up to $1,200 to witness her appearance at a mall, but 100 Islamist protesters weren’t too happy to see Kim. According to GulfNews.com, the protests got so heated police used stun grenades to disperse the crowd.

One protestor waved a banner that read: “Syria receives martyrs while Bahrain receives whores.

A group of conservative Bahraini officials presented a proposal to ban Kim from visiting Bahrain. They cited her “bad reputation” as the cause for protest, but the motion was not considered.

In true Kardashian style, Kim didn’t give the protesters a second glance. Instead, she focused on her fans and tweeted multiple photos of herself posing with camels in the desert and holding a glass of camel milk.

Despite the drama, during the opening of Millions of Milkshakes, she told a local newspaper that she loved everything about Bahrain:

“I love the girls here; their make up and hair are beautiful … People from the States should come here because the country and the people are so amazing and welcoming that I am planning to be back here on my vacation.”

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Belcher Murder-Suicide: ‘Short Term Memory Loss’, Drugs, Alcohol Alleged

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Courtesy of The Grio

Jovan Belcher and girlfriend, Kasandra Perkins, had been separated for over two weeks before the murder-suicide that occurred last Saturday, according to Deadspin.

An unidentified friend of Belcher wrote in to the sports blog Deadspin in order to get some facts straight and give Belcher’s side of the story.

In the email, the friend says that Belcher suffered from problems related to a “combination of alcohol, concussions, and prescription drugs” mixed with domestic issues. The friend reveals that Belcher drank heavily and on a nightly basis.

Belcher and Perkins were just beginning to reconcile over their split that stemmed from the care of their three-month-old daughter, Zoe.

Continue at The Grio…

The post Belcher Murder-Suicide: ‘Short Term Memory Loss’, Drugs, Alcohol Alleged appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Marvin Gaye’s Son Shocked Lenny Kravitz Will Play His Father, Calls Project ‘Shameful’

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Much like Zoe Saldana as Nina Simone, singer Lenny Kravitz is receiving his share of criticism for being cast as Marvin Gaye in an upcoming biopic.

According to TMZ, Marvin Gaye III was reportedly shocked to hear the news of Kravitz being chosen to play the late Motown legend in the Julian Temple-directed project. He and other family members are meeting with lawyers to stop production on the film that they believe doesn’t accurately portray the singer.

“The producers and directors of this film are very wrong and shameful … [They're] trying to do a film about a low period in his life. They don’t even know the whole story.”

Marvin Jr. says he and Kravitz were schoolmates and remain friends to this day, so he would like to “talk to him about why he would do this.”

The film, tentatively titled Sexual Healing, will focus on Gaye’s later years as the singer struggled with addiction and career troubles before he was shot and killed by his father in 1984.

The post Marvin Gaye’s Son Shocked Lenny Kravitz Will Play His Father, Calls Project ‘Shameful’ appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

LeBron James Chosen As SI’s Sportsman Of The Year

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Courtesy of the Associated Press

When LeBron James learned he was Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year, the Miami Heat star was surprised.

Not because he thought his achievements in 2012 weren’t worthy, but because he figured what happened in 2010 was still holding him back.

Apparently, that’s no longer the case. The magazine announced its annual choice Monday, with James becoming the first NBA player to win the award since Heat teammate Dwyane Wade in 2006.

“I remember just like yesterday when I signed here and basically, like the roof caved in,” James told The Associated Press, referring to the fallout from his infamous “Decision” to leave Cleveland for Miami in 2010. “To see that I and my team and everyone around me was able to patch that roof up, to come to this point, to come to this point and receive such a prestigious award, it’s huge.”

Continue here…

LeBron James

Jesse Jackson, Jr. and the End of Black Dynasty Politics

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By Charles D. Ellison

 

Let’s hope that the final act, fall and last episode of (newly) former Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. also means the end of Black dynasty politics. So far, though, it’s not looking all that good in Illinois’ 2 nd Congressional district. Windy City’s whistling, frigid winds have not managed to blow the trash out as a band of political misfits and usual shady suspects are lining up to take his place.

It’s a shame since it’s the last thing the 2 nd District needs at the moment. As one of the most tightly held and exclusively Democratic seats in the country, the district is nearly three-quarters African American and rife with poverty. Residents were already dropping to their bedroom floors like soldiers on the Western front, dodging gang-banging bullets late at night while putting their kids to sleep. Recession, like any other American urban metropolis, never stopped in certain parts of Chicago, especially places like Ford Heights – for example – where the median household income is less than the national average. In its demographic brief, The Almanac of American Politics claims the district has the highest rate of single mothers per capita in the country. While attempting numerous public displays of affection as a way to dispel looming federal probe rumors, even Jackson went so far as to openly solicit job resumes from constituents to place in the Congressional record. He ended up getting 10,000.

Not wanting to get too much into Jackson’s personal turmoil (blind can’t lead the blind and no sense in beat downs while dude is half dead on the ground), it does stand to point out the shenanigans that took place during his brief re-elected moment. Constituents felt outright played; perhaps that’s justified as Jackson scalped more than a duffel bag of wolf tickets throughout.

First it was the disappearance, as if he was the fictitious Congressman Brody in Showtime’s Homeland. In that psychoanalytic hot soup terrorism mind job, we watch with amazement as the Brody character goes dark for days at a time – while still in Congress. Jackson seemed to play this out, leaving one to wonder what federal facility and interrogation room he spent time in. But, lo and behold it was in a clinic while immersed in bipolar disorder. Translated: what happens when the feds are on your ass for ethics and campaign finance violations or when the wrath of a scorned wife is in the form of relentless open-handed slaps on the jaw.

That’s all up for speculation and the despicable reality TV show rumor mill. But, what was just as fascinating was the resolve and downright stubborn pride of 2 nd district constituents who stood by Jackson through not just days or weeks … but, months – up until the moment he resigned mere days after getting re-elected … after not even campaigning for the seat. In terms of pure hardball politics, that was an amazing feat of campaign acrobatics.

What’s more interesting is how the district pretty much stood by and re-elected him with over 60% of the vote.

It says a lot about this majority Black district and where its head might be. Not unlike other majority Black districts and urban political jurisdictions where many voters seem to have a high amount of tolerance for dynasty poli-tricks. In the case of Jackson, his family presumes a Jackson will reign supreme atop the 2 nd District political machine till apocalypse. Wife Sandi Jackson, an always D.C.-bound city Alderwoman who is rarely seen in her ward, is mulling a bid (which the husband should oblige). Brother Jonathan Jackson, a Chicago State University professor, is also mulling a bid. Some whispers include Deals are already being cut – see that warehouse second season scene from Boss in which a moderate Republican upstart must pay political street “shadow bosses” to get out the vote.

Much of that resolve was not so much Jackson as it was the threat of his Democratic primary rival and former Rep. Debbie Halvorson potentially taking the seat. The Chicago Black political establishment frets loudly about the prospect of multiple Black challengers canceling each other out and leaving the spoils to Halverson, who is White. Halvorson, in very typical White-politician-plays-dumb fashion counters that they should all get past “this racial stuff.”

But, it’s a legitimate concern given, ohhh … we don’t know anything … but, that long and very raw history of disenfranchisement Black people have had to experience for about 400 years. Still, the problem here is that the focus seems to stay on an outdated Black vs. White political power model rather than a conversation on whether or not there are some truly qualified Black candidates in District 2 who can take Jackson’s place.

Instead, we’re seeing this beginning to play out the same way it always does: the machine is stepping in, perhaps with some input from the Jackson family since their names keep popping up as contenders. That’s very problematic – and indicative of many Black political strongholds over the years in which familial name brands seem to hold sway over common sense. Not so long ago in Detroit, it was Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, obviously living off the Congressional mother’s political coattails. While everything seems cool in Indianapolis, Andre Carson stepped in as heir apparent to take over the late Aunt Julia Carson’s seat upon her untimely passing. There’s Kendrick Meek in Florida, who simply walked right into his mother Carrie Meek’s seat. And, the Harold Fords – Sr. and Jr. – in Memphis who failed to any memo of their political sunset until Jr. lost an ambitious Senate bid. For a time, we had John and Milton Street in Philly; there are also the Goodes, from daddy the first Black Mayor of Philly to son who is a city councilman. The list is long with many, like Jackson, being groomed for seats kept warm by current elected officials or parents with iconic political clout in their respective jurisdictions.

It would take a book to examine this a bit more, but much of the high profile modern Black political class is not your homespun community activist with grass root street cred. It’s a trend of political offspring, of primarily Black Democratic parents who are thinking legacy, some recently catapulted into the upper middle-class by political fortunes. Not certain if it’s intended, but it definitely shows. It’s as if the message is if you’re Black and you want to run for office, you have to be of a certain stock – and, let’s not forget that one must also be wearing a certain Greek letter or be a member of someone’s Pan-Hellenic council.

What happened to the authentic candidates? We talk about how much we hate the Tea Party, but you have to give it to them: they dig authentics. We can question the credentials of those candidates all day, but maybe some Black Democratic primaries could use a heavy dose of that. A process where candidates are picked on some substance and not the shiny rims of an illustrious family name or connections to a colorful step-showy organization.

Interestingly enough, and speaking of Chicago, the current President Obama appears to have defied this trend. In fact, he pretty much strapped dynamite to it. But, on a more local level, there’s quite a bit of high tolerance in places like District 2 for some of the same “old boy” and “country club” style, Tammany Hall machine politicking that one thought we spent quite a few centuries fighting against. Sadly, a former convicted pedophile and former member of Congress, Mel Reynolds, thinks so little of the intelligence of folks in this urban southeast Chicago suburb that he’s feeling the bug.

That says a lot about voters there – perhaps Reynolds thinking that “hey – they voted for Jackson and he wasn’t even showing up for work. This should be easy.” It’s unfortunate, but it’s politics. And, ultimately, it’s a question of whether or not voters are holding these folks up to a higher standard. Judging from the nonsense in Illinois’ 2 nd Congressional District, doesn’t appear so. Thus, quality candidates need not apply.

CHARLES D. ELLISON is Washington Correspondent for The Philadelphia Tribune and host of Showdown on SiriusXM 124, Thursdays 7-9pm ET. He can be reached via Twitter @charlesdellison

Jesse Jackson Jr.

UNCF’s 33rd Annual ‘Evening Of Stars’ Brings Out Big Names [PHOTOS]

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Some of Hollywood’s biggest names made their way out to the UNCF’S 33rd annual “An Evening of Stars” at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in California to honor outstanding student achievement.

Singer/radio host Yolanda Adams (above) was given the opportunity to meet a few of  this year’s Buick Achievers scholarship winners that include (l to r): Donovan Colquitt, Kenya Ansah, Shaylyn Braingman and Tyquish Keyes.

Keyshia Cole, Eric Benet, Terrence Jenkins, Keke Palmer and others were also in attendance on Saturday for the uplifting event.

UNCF’s “Evening of Stars”  hosted by Anthony Anderson will air Sunday, Jan. 27 at 10/9c on BET. Check out all the red carpet arrivals after the jump!

Photos courtesy of Monica Morgan for Buick/Getty Images


TRACEE ELLIS ROSS

TATYANA ALI

KEKE PALMER

ERIC BENET

KEYSHIA COLE

ANTHONY ANDERSON

KIM COLES

MELANIE FIONA

TERRENCE JENKINS

KEENEN IVORY WAYANS

ANTHONY HAMILTON

AMBER RILEY

DEREK LUKE

DR. MICHAEL LOMAX & LAYSHA WARD

The post UNCF’s 33rd Annual ‘Evening Of Stars’ Brings Out Big Names [PHOTOS] appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

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