As a young Black man with an acute interest in Black history, I cannot learn and hear enough about great men and women like Malcolm X, Medgar Evers, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Coretta Scott-King, Rosa Parks, Mary McLeod Bethune, and Dr. Dorothy Height. But I have a problem with the ancientness with which we address their struggles and the societies that they lived in. When we talk about Martin and Malcolm, to some younger (ignorant) folk we must be talking about Jesus and Moses because they believe those men and the people and ideologies they fought were so long ago that their struggle has no relevancy in our presumed “post-racial” society. And it’s that thinking that can lead our modern day Black artists to disrespect the legacies of older artists and activists who lived and protested in those times.

Last year, Harry Belafonte accused Jay-Z and Beyoncé of “turning their back on social responsibility,” which led Jay-Z to pen this verse on the song “Nickels and Dimes” from his latest album, Magna Carta Holy Grail:

“I’m just trying to find common ground/
‘fore Mr. Belafonte come and chop a nigga down/
Mr. Day O, major fail/
Respect these youngins boy, it’s my time now/
Hublot homie, two door homie/
You don’t know all the shit I do for the homies”

Another noteworthy incident of young artist to legendary artist disrespect occurred when Stevie Wonder announced that he would no longer perform at any concerts in Florida, until the state repealed its stand your ground law in the wake of a six-person jury acquitting George Zimmerman of all charges after he killed Trayvon Martin. Upon hearing Stevie’s declaration, Lil’ Mo, who has way less hits than Floyd Mayweather, tweeted:

“If the coin was right, would HIS staff accept or deny the gig? And if so how would he know? They could say it’s sumpter, sc or nah?”

The offending tweet clearly alludes to Stevie’s unscrupulous behavior, which is unfounded, and wraps a blind joke all in one ignorant statement. Amongst people with actual insight into Stevie’s long-lasting legacy of supporting civil rights, her joke elicited as much LOLs as her shows sell tickets – which is not very much. It’s surprising that she couldn’t see how much of a significant statement Stevie Wonder was making with his actions, especially when she knows he can still fill arenas, while she would struggle to sell out a DUI classroom (in the great words of Corey Holcomb). But, I digress.

And who can forget when Lil Wayne rapped: “beat that p*ssy like Emmett Till,” whose lynching sparked the modern Civil Rights Movement much like Trayvon Martin’s murder is mobilizing people to fight injustice today.

The real problem here is that people like Lil’ Mo, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, and most of their fans either don’t know, don’t understand, and/or don’t realize how relevant the fight for civil rights still is to this day, and how RECENTLY Black Americans were treated as sub-human. For young Black folks (OK, Jay isn’t that young, but he acts immature) to disrespect great men like Stevie Wonder and Harry Belafonte is abject IGNORANCE because they truly don’t know who they are talking about.

In the 1950s, Belafonte was not only Dr. King’s confidant, but he actually financially supported the King household since Dr. King only earned $8,000 a year as a preacher. He also bailed Dr. King out of Birmingham City Jail after he was arrested, while also raising thousands of dollars to release other civil rights protesters. Belafonte financed the Freedom Rides, supported voter registration drives, helped organize the March on Washington, and bankrolled the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee by flying to Mississippi with Sidney Poitier and handed over $60,000 in cash. And he was far from having anywhere close to the money, power, and “respect” that Jay and Beyoncé have, even by relative standards.

Wonder has been using his music to influence change and create awareness for over 40 years, including his support for issues such as racial harmony, AIDS awareness, supporting Dr. King’s birthday in being recognized as a holiday, and humanitarian aid in Africa. He frequently has used the profits of his records as contributions to charities to help these causes.

The problem with these men is that they lived in a time where many Black artists explicitly understood that “to whom much is given, much is expected.” Our current ideology of individual exceptionalism has dudes bragging about their cars, money, and hos in different area codes, while simultaneously reminding the listener how much better off they are than them. That’s the new normal. It’s no wonder Lil’ Mo could easily deride Stevie Wonder’s intentions, because she lives in an era in which money is more important than integrity. And I could see how Jay-Z would blow off Belafonte’s comments because (in all fairness) Harry does not truly know how much Jay does for his community, and also because Jay comes from a world where stuntin’ on hos supersedes fighting for the less advantaged amongst us.

And it all boils down to one scary truism: These artists believe that we truly are living in an age EXTREMELY far removed from the time Black artists were actively involved in civil rights. By acting as if the 1960s were the 1870s, it helps current artists (to whom much was given) relish their role of being apolitical and just “gettin’ this money!” It helps current artists forget that the only reason they can tour any city they want and stay in the same hotels as their white tour-mates is because of the many great men and women who paved their way, not that long ago.

It’s disgusting that Jay-Z could even think of publicly addressing Harry Belafonte as “boy” and equally pathetic that Lil’ Mo could denigrate Stevie Wonder’s 40 years of civil rights activism in one inarticulate tweet. Our legends deserve a lot more than that – especially from the men and women profiting off of the fights they fought to make life better for ALL of us.

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.

Courtesy of Cocoa Fab

When you’ve got to put your feet in the stirrups, you might not be feeling too chatty. Understood—but since you must see your gynecologist yearly, asking the right questions can help you avoid or detect illness. According to WomensHealth.gov, black women have a greater incidence of conditions as breast cancer, cervical cancer and STDs than women of other races, so be armed with these six essential Qs.

Keep reading …

[Image: Shutterstock]

By Colby Carrington

American Idol is being sued by ten former black male contestants for alleged discriminatory practices.

The lawyer for Corey Clark (Season 2), Jaered Andrews (Season 2), Jacob John Smalley (Season 2), Donnie Williams (Season 3), Terrell Brittenum (Season 5), Derrell Brittenum (Season 5), Thomas Daniels (Season 6), Akron Watson (Season 6), Ju’Not Joyner (Season 8), and Chris Golightly (Season 9) makes some incendiary claims against American Idol producers.

According to TMZ:

“The contestants have accused producers of conducting a “cruel and inhumane” scheme to exploit them for ratings by illegally digging up their arrest histories and using the records to humiliate them on national TV.

The contestants’ lawyer claims the show used the arrest info to make his clients appear to be “violent criminals, liars and sexual deviants” … when they weren’t. In fact, none had ever even been convicted of the charges stemming from their arrests.

Worse, the lawyer claims ONLY black people were ever probed about their alleged criminal pasts … never white people.”

The lawyer also claims that the show “never once publicly disqualified a white or non-black American Idol contestant in the history of the eleven season production.”

The former contests are seeking damages of $25 million each. The popular singing competition wrapped Season 12 in May.

A minute or two into the hour-long WeTV series and we were hooked. From dealing with all the endorsement deals as a result of her superb finish at the 2012 Olympics to pressure to have a baby to trying to protect a $100,000-investment into her sister’s hair salon, Sanya has a lot on her plate. But as an obvious control freak, she can hold her own. Backing her up on “Sanya’s Glam & Gold” is Team SRR, which includes mom and agent Sharon, dad and manager Archie, sister and business partner Shari, cousin and publicist Yollie, and of course her “Papa” Aaron.

“Sanya’s Glam & Gold” premieres on WeTV today, July 25, at 10 p.m. Will you watch?

Courtesy of BlackEnterprise.com

A new report by MSN’s Money Now blog says that National Action Network (NAN) is still mired in a potentially devastating financial predicament despite two contrasting phenomenons: its quest for justice for Trayvon Martin and the emergence of its leader — the Rev. Al Sharpton — as a media figure with a growing national profile.

RELATED: Cornel West: MSNBC Is ‘Rent-A-Negro’ Phenomenon

NAN in 2012 expressed confidence its tax issues and debt were going to be resolved.

Keep reading …

Courtesy of Sister 2 Sister

Tamar Braxton is too amazed by her new son to be terribly concerned with how much people think she loves him.

Tamar got people talking last month when she said that she didn’t immediately fall in love with her baby boy Logan Vincent Herbert. The backlash didn’t come as much of surprise to Tamar, who told S2S, “It was completely taken out of context, but isn’t everything I say?”

Keep reading …

By Colby Carrington

Now this is how you do a trailer. VH1′s original movie about Left Eye, Chili and T-Boz  – CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story premieres in October, 2013.  The network has just released a teaser for the movie and just for the video reincarnations alone, I’m in.

Watch for yourself:

By Jasmine Browley

Lord knows Hollyweird is full of morally-corrupt individuals who will sell most of anything for fame and fortune. This statement is especially true when it comes to entertainers who made big money performing for corrupt leaders. Take a look at some of the most notoriously infamous incidents in which an entertainer found themselves smack dab in the middle of a stage performing for some of the world’s most hated leaders.

1. Jennifer Lopez: By now we have become privy to the predicament Jenny from the block has found herself in, as of late. Jennifer recently came under fire when she performed for Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, a well known  dictator who is routinely accused of leading one of most brutal oppressive regimes. Since the performance on June 29th, Jenny’s camp released an official statement of apology on July 2, saying that J.Lo was hired by China National Petroleum Corporation to perform for local executives in Turkmenistan and “(It) was not a government-sponsored​ event or political in nature.” Of course, Jennifer made sure to wish Pres. Berdimuhamedow a happy birthday.

This is not the first time the curvaceous star has found herself on the receiving end of backlash for performing for a controversial world leader.

2. Beyoncé: Mrs. Carter left $1 million richer after reportedly being paid to sing at a New Year’s Eve party in 2010. The host? One of Muammar Gaddafi’s sons, Muttassim Gadaffi. After being inundated with unfavorable press and complaints, Beyoncé’s camp finally released a statement over a year later claiming that the proceeds were donated to Haiti earthquake relief efforts, after the singer’s affiliates learned of the performance promoter having ties to the corrupt leader.

3. Mariah Carey: A year before Queen Bey performed at a Gaddafi extravaganza, Mariah received a similar payment for another New Year’s party for the Libyan dictator’s kin. The singer, however, immediately came out with a statement, and very humbly expressed her regret:

“I was naive and unaware of who I was booked to perform for. I feel horrible and embarrassed to have participated in this mess. Going forward, this is a lesson for all artists to learn from. We need to be more aware and take more responsibility regardless of who books our shows. Ultimately we as artists are to be held accountable.”

4. Nelly Furtado: The Canadian beauty took to Twitter to voice her displeasure and ignorance of her gig for the Gaddafis. Nelly was hired for $1 million to sing a 45-minute set for Gaddafi family members at a hotel in Italy back in 2007. In a brief statement via her Twitter account, she stated that she was going to give away the payment to an undisclosed charity.

5. Sting: In 2009, The Police star held a concert for Gulnara Karimova, daughter of Uzbekistan’s brutal leader of the Islam Regime, Islam Karimov – the same man who has reportedly boiled his enemies alive and has had innocent citizens shot at point-blank range in the streets of his home country.

The concert made many scratch their heads in confusion, since the rocker has long been an activist for equal rights, what with his tireless efforts with Amnesty International for over 30 years.

6. Michael Jackson: Michael spent six months in Bahrain after he was acquitted of child abuse in 2005, when he became friends with Sheikh Abdullah.

During the stay, the Sheikh built Jackson a recording studio, paid him a $4.7 million advance for two albums, a stage show, and an autobiography, and gave him a $180,000 Rolls Royce. Michael ended up infringing on the agreement, resulting in a lawsuit that settled out of court with the Sheikh. This was during the time that turmoil was broiling between Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Iraq, all under the watchful eye of the leader’s family.

Courtesy of Loop 21

Mental health is a difficult issue to address, especially if you’re constantly in the limelight.

Celebs in the public’s cross hairs are subject to scrutiny, criticism and hate so it’s only a matter of time until they break down.

Child star, Amanda Bynes is the latest celeb to be admitted for mental evaluation, but definitely not the last. Let’s take a look at past celebs who have had their brush with mental disorders.

Keep reading …

Courtesy of The Root

The book Is Marriage for White People? says that black women have the power to alter the “relationship market” by marrying interracially. If so, these celebs are agents of change.

Iman

The Somali supermodel and businesswoman was set up with British rock royalty David Bowie by their shared hairdresser. “It was nerve-racking at the beginning, the first five minutes, but we got along very famously, and we have been together since then,” she said in an interview. The power couple walked down the aisle in 1992 and have a daughter, Alexandria Zahra Jones.

Keep reading …

Give celebrities a platform or shove a mic into their faces, and they’ll say anything. This week in celebrity quotes, Rae Dawn Chong  likens Oprah to a field slave, Dwyane Wade responds to his ex-wife homeless stunt, and Erykah Badu needs a lesson in Geography 101! Plus, Lil’ Mo shades Stevie Wonder over his Florida boycott. And Holly Robinson Peete said what?! AND I QUOTE …

“Detroit filed for bankruptcy today. The whole state.”

Erykah Badu  letting the world know that the STATE not city of Detroit has officially filed for bankruptcy protection, via Twitter.

“If you looked at the way she looks, she looks like if it was 60 years ago she would’ve been a housekeeper, luckily. She would’ve not been a house n*gger, she would’ve been a field n*gger…so I give her props.”

Rae Dawn Chong ripping former Color Purple co-star Oprah Winfrey, claiming the billionaire is jealous of her, on Matty P.’s Radio Happy Hour.

Continue reading more at UPTOWN.

“I popped something but it wasn’t no damn Molly!”

Ginuwine clearing up the rumors that  he was on drugs while performing live with his TGT group members Tyrese and Tank, on WLNY’s morning show “The Couch”.

Source

“If the coin was right, would HIS staff accept or deny the gig? And if so how would he know? They could say it’s sumpter, sc or nah?”

Lil’ Mo, who is currently on TV One’s “R&B Divas: LA”, trying to discourage artists, especially Stevie Wonder, from boycotting Florida due to the Zimmerman-Martin trial, via Twitter.

Continue reading more at UPTOWN.

“Took POTUS almost a week to show up and express mild outrage. And still, it was as weak as pre-sweetened Kool-Aid.”

Tavis Smiley criticizing President Barack Obama’s delayed remarks on race and the George Zimmerman-Trayvon Martin verdict, via Twitter.

“I had my headphones..Did ya’ll hear something????.. #stopit #dontbefooled #storiessellpapers #movingon “

Dwyane Wade finally addressing his ex-wife’s homeless allegations, though she receives $25,000 a month in spousal support, via Instagram.

Continue reading more at UPTOWN.

“We had like a lesbian lacrosse team, that’s all we had.”

Holly Robinson Peete assuming that every female on the Sarah Lawrence College lacrosse team was gay, during an interview with ESPN’s “First Take”

Source

Courtesy of The Frisky

When you grow up in a relatively small town in suburban New Jersey, being the only person of color in your class, you’d understand why I had no idea that other members of my race consider me “light-skinned.” Where I grew up, there was no such thing. You were either black, white, Spanish or Indian. No one paid much attention to the shade of your skin or where your blackness/whiteness originated –at least not in my circle. You only cared about what you saw. Sure, some racism and stereotyping existed, but there was no in-depth analysis or scrutiny about the shade of your skin.

In some ways that method was great. It erased the turmoil experienced by many other African-Americans and allowed everyone to just be accepted for who they were. On the other hand, my peers and I were ill-prepared for the real world. We grew up a bunch of colorblind individuals who believed in treating everyone equally regardless of historical implications and racial indifferences. We were ignorant.

Keep reading …

[Shutterstock]

By Colby Carrington

This week, there’s been a flurry of good news for black Hollywood, with new projects announced for Nicole Ari Parker, Ving Rhames, and Shonda Rhimes.

There will be a new face joining the Season 2 cast of NBC drama Revolution. Nicole Ari Parker nabbed a recurring guest star role as Secretary Justine Allenford according to Deadline. Most recently, Parker was seen on the Broadway stage in Streetcar Named Desire.  Besides that, she’s been flexing her entrepreneurial know how with her Save Your Do line of head wraps.

The TV adaptation of Terry McMillian’s book A Day Late and a Dollar Short just added a new cast member.  Whoopi Goldberg, already cast as Viola Price, will be joined by Ving Rhames who will play her husband Cecil.  The story focuses on a grim diagnosis that inspired Viola to mend her broken family before time runs out.  Production begins in the spring of 2014 reports The Hollywood Reporter.

ABC just put into development Lawless, a new legal drama to be executive produced by Shonda Rhimes’ Shondaland and written by KJ Steinberg.  The project is based on the real life story of Wynona Ward, a former sexual abuse victim who went to college and law school at the age of 41 and started an organization that provides free representation to victims of domestic violence in rural America.

[Sources: Deadline, THR, Deadline]

In anticipation of the new TLC biopic (set to premiere on VH1 in October), we decided to take a walk down memory lane and look back on some of the R&B girl groups that we grew up with.

1. SWV

These New York natives started their careers strong with early 90′s New Jack Swing hits such as “Weak”, “I’m So Into You”, and “Right Here/Human Nature”. The Grammy winning trio has worked with the likes of Teddy Riley and Missy Elliott while also releasing three albums throughout the 90′s. The group disbanded in 1998 but came back together in 2005. Their comeback album, I Miss Us, was released in 2012.

2. Xscape

Before Kandi became apart of the Real Housewives of Atlanta, she part of the 90′s Atlanta-based girl group along with sisters Tamika and LaTocha Scott and Tiny Harris. The group were known for their hit “Just Kickin’ It”, “Understanding”, and “Who Do I Run To”. The group had great success in the 90′s but in 1999 Kandi left the group and went on become a successful songwriter  and business woman, having written songs for TLC, Destiny’s Child, Mariah Carey. Tiny Cottle is happily married to rapper T.I and stars on T.I and Tiny: The Family Hustle. LaTocha is a cast member of R&B Divas Atlanta where Tamika makes some guest appearances. Tamika has worked with Tyler Perry on the stage version of Meet the Browns.

3. Jade

If you were a girl in the 90′s, you probably turned your brother’s into a crop top when you this group came out with their 1992 hit “Don’t Walk Away”. The group’s career was brief yet successful. So far, Di Reed is currently is a back up singer for Rod Stewart. Joi Marshall went after a gospel career in 2007. Tonya Kelly is now an interior designer and has her own company.

4. En Vogue

While groups like TLC, Xscape and SWV were influenced by the streets and the 90′s mentality of Girl Power, En Vogue kept that mentality but mixed it up with the style and musical approach influenced by the Supremes and the Motown era. The Oakland song birds released their first single “Hold On” and it became a crossover hit automatically. En Vogue went on to have many more hits which include “My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gunna Get It,” “Giving Him Something He Can Feel,” and “Free Your Mind”, which was a response to the L.A Riots. The group has had multiple member changes throughout the years but you can catch Dawn Robinson on R&B Divas Los Angeles.

5. 702

Discovered by the comedian Sinbad, these Las Vegas natives, released their debut, No Doubt, in 1996 and it shot to number one thank to the single “Steelo”, which later became the theme song to the Nickelodeon show Cousin Skeeter. While many remember them for their hits like “Get It Together” and “Where My Girls At?”, they also toured with Brandy, New Edition and Keith Sweat. Even though the group fizzled out over the years, in 2010 Kameelah Williams confirmed she is a solo artist via twitter and has a child with Musiq Soulchild.

6. Blaque

Discovered by TLC’s Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, Blaque took notice by critics and music fans alike with their single “808″ and their most well known hit “Bring It All To Me”. The group found mass exposure when they starred in the 2000 blockbuster movie Bring It On, along with Kristen Dunst and Gabrielle Union, along with a song featured on the soundtrack “As If”. Sadly in 2012, Natina Reed passed away after being hit by a car. Shamari Devoe announced a tribute album to Natina is in the works via Facebook.

7. 3LW

In the early 2000′s, you couldn’t get away from hearing “No More (Baby I’ma Do It Right)”. The teen group originated from New Jersey had some moderate success with the teen crowd, perform and collaborating with the likes of Nick Cannon and Lil’ Romeo and touring with Nelly and Jessica Simpson. After the release of A Girl Can Mack, Naturi Naughton left the group due to conflicts with the group and management, but has had a budding acting career, starring as Lil Kim in the Notorious B.I.G biopic, Notorious. Adrienne Bailon and Kiely Williams went on to join the Disney Channel cast of The Cheetah Girls. Bailon is currently one of the host on the show The Real and Williams has also made her acting debut in The House Bunny and Stomp the Yard 2: Homecoming.

8. Destiny’s Child

Beyonce has become one of the top female artist, winning multiple Grammys and VMAs , but before she was the mega star she is now, she had humble beginning with the group Destiny’s Child. The Houston natives were managed by Beyonce’s father, Matthew, and styled by her mother, Tina. The group received massive attention with the release of “No, No, No Part 2″ featuring Wyclef Jean, “Bills Bills Bills” and “Bug A Boo”. Fans noticed a “sudden change” when people saw Michelle Williams and Farrah Franklin in the “Say My Name” video. LeToya Luckett and LaTavia Roberson left the group shortly after the group started to rise, mainly due to conflicts with their management. Farrah Franklin was fired after being in the group for only 6 month, due to missing major appearances and showing lack of interest. Through it all Destiny’s Child continued to show strength; releasing Survivor and Destiny Fulfilled  and giving us a string of hit singles. Kelly Rowland went to have some success as a solo singer and an actress. Michelle Williams showed us she has what it takes to be a stage play star and has had a pretty successful gospel career.

By Colby Carrington

Kim Fields announced a new co-production with her husband Christopher on Wednesday’s episode of new talk show, The Real.  The new project, Quincy Xavier, is baby number two for the couple.

The 44 year old thought she was pre-menopausal or possibly dehydrated from a stomach virus but a doctor’s visit indicated otherwise.

Fields, flaunting a spiky platnium pixie, shook her head at the notion of being “the poster child for over 40 and pregnant,” but recognizes the blessing, especially since she’d miscarried twice before.

Watch the announcement here:

(AP) CLEVELAND — The Cleveland man accused of holding three women captive in his home for about a decade agreed to plead guilty Friday in a deal to avoid the death penalty.

In exchange, Ariel Castro would be sentenced to life without parole plus 1,000 years, prosecutors said.

Castro was in court Friday morning to enter the guilty plea. When asked if he understood he would never be released from prison, Castro said: “I do understand that, your honor.”

He added, “I knew I was pretty much going to get the book thrown at me.”

The deal comes more than a month after a statement issued on behalf of the women said they were “hopeful for a just and prompt resolution” and had “great faith in the prosecutor’s office and the court.”

Castro, 53, had been scheduled for trial Aug. 5 on a 977-count indictment. The indictment included two counts of aggravated murder related to accusations that he punched and starved one woman until she miscarried. The former school bus driver also was charged with hundreds of counts of kidnapping and rape, plus assault and other counts.

He was accused of repeatedly restraining the women, sometimes chaining them to a pole in a basement, to a bedroom heater or inside a van. The charges alleged Castro assaulted one woman with a vacuum cord around her neck when she tried to escape.

The sticking point on a plea deal had been whether the prosecutor would rule out the death penalty. The Cuyahoga County prosecutor had kept that issue under review.

The three women disappeared separately between 2002 and 2004, when they were 14, 16 and 20 years old. Each said they had accepted a ride from Castro, who remained friends with the family of one of the women and even attended vigils over the years marking her disappearance.

The women escaped Castro’s house May 6 when one of them kicked out part of a door and called to neighbors for help. Castro was arrested within hours and has remained behind bars.

News that Amanda Berry, Gina Dejesus and Michelle Knight had been found alive electrified the Cleveland area, where two of them were household names after years of searches, publicity and vigils. But elation soon turned to shock as allegations about their treatment began to emerge.

Castro fathered a 6-year-old daughter with Berry, authorities said. They allege that on the day the child was born, Christmas 2006, Castro raped one of the other women, who had helped deliver the baby.

Berry told authorities that she, her child and the other women never saw a doctor during their captivity.

Knight said her five pregnancies ended after Castro starved and repeatedly punched her.

The Associated Press does not usually identify people who may be victims of sexual assault, but the names of the three women were widely circulated after they disappeared, and they appeared in an online video thanking the public for its support. They otherwise have sought to stay out of sight and have appealed for privacy.

Courtesy of Ebony.com

It has now been two weeks since George Zimmerman was acquitted of all charges in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. Do you find yourself needing to read every post about the case and it’s aftermath on Facebook or Twitter? Are you obsessively watching the ongoing coverage on MSNBC or Fox? Engaging in emotional debates about the stories surrounding the tragedy and the implications surrounding Martin’s death and Zimmerman’s acquittal? If so, it’s likely that you may be feeling stressed, frustrated, overwhelmed, and angry—moreso than normal.  You also may be experiencing a form of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

While coverage of post-trial reactions has slowed down, many of us find it difficult to escape the constant conversation surrounding all aspects of the case, which range from the realities of racism and violence to the various forms of inequities in this country. The frustration around race and violence is heightened for many of us who have seen Fruitvale Station, the timely and moving adaptation of the life of 22 year-old Oscar Grant—who was shot and killed by a BART Police Officer in Oakland in 2009. It’s very easy to feel down at a time like this.

Media consumption during a time like this can be possibly traumatic. The killing of Trayvon Marion, the delayed arrest, and the ‘not guilty’  verdict have affected many of us deeply. Even though not officially a part of DSM-5— American Psychiatric Association’s process for diagnosing and treating mental illness)—some mental health experts are now calling it “media-induced PTSD” from too much exposure to news and media following a traumatic incident(s). The US Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD reports that children and adults who watched the most post 9/11 coverage had more stress symptoms than those who watched less.

(Photo credit: Shutterstock)

Keep reading for ways to survive a devastating news cycle...

It looks like NeNe Leakes’ extravagant wedding may cost more than she expected. The “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star remarried her ex-husband, Gregg Leakes, in a lavish ceremony last month. But now, she is being sued by wedding planner Tiffany Cook, who claims NeNe has an outstanding bill, totaling over $1 million for work put in on the wedding day.

Cook says NeNe hired Dream Design Weddings to plan the party following the couples nuptials on June 22, 2013.

According to TMZ:

In her suit, filed in Georgia, Cook claims Leakes promised to pay her 15% of the entire wedding budget, plus fees design and execution of the wedding, plus travel expenses to the event.

In total, Cook claims NeNe’s budget for the wedding was $1.8 million! And Cook claims she was due $270k (the 15%), plus another $889,900 (design fees), plus $1,750 (4 coach tickets from Florida to Georgia).

Cook admits NeNe made an initial payment of $18,750. However, she is still waiting for NeNe to make good on the remaining balance. As a result, she is suing for $1,142,900, plus damages–bringing the total to $2.5 million.

However, a representative for NeNe says Cook was not the wedding planner. Instead, Tony Conway is sited as the wedding event organizer. “This lawsuit has no merit and it appears to be a baseless attempt to grab 15 minutes of fame,” NeNe’s representative assured.

Courtesy of Huffington Post Black Voices

Singer and entertainer Harry Belafonte on Friday called on Florida Gov. Rick Scott to listen to protesters who are asking for a special legislative session to examine the state’s self-defense laws after the acquittal of George Zimmerman.

Protesters have occupied the Capitol since July 15 – or three days after a jury cleared Zimmerman of charges in the killing of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. The group wants Scott to call a special session so legislators can change the state’s contentious “stand your ground” law but Scott has steadfastly refused.

Belafonte – who had never been to Tallahassee previously – joined the protest on Friday afternoon. The 86-year-old celebrity said the sight of the protesters “makes my autumn heart dance like it was spring.”

Belafonte said Scott still has a chance to act before the protests intensify and the situation becomes “ungovernable.”

“At the moment all of this is governable, all of this is in a place where it can be debated and analyzed and discussed in a very peaceful, calm, productive way,” said Belafonte, who first rose to fame during the 1950s.

Belafonte – who has had a history of civic activism for several decades – said he was not predicting violence but said the amount of protests of the state could mount and make the state come to a “grinding halt.”

Continue reading here.