Keeping up with the Huxtables

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A 1960 Interview With Malcolm X

Posted by The Socialite Labels: Keeping up Daily

Malcolm X was assassinated 45 years ago this weekend. Earlier this year, WNYC Radio released a 1960s interview between the civil rights leader and a reporter named Eleanor Fischer.

Please take time to listen to this interview. Malcolm X speaks a lot of truth about the 60s, but it also remains relative in 2010 in relation to the state of the African American community.

"America is trying to pass laws to force whites to pretend that they want Negros in their schools..."

"The fact that he is the last hired and the first fired is an economical separation"

"The black man should learn how to develop himself..."

The Takeaway is a national morning drive new program, co-produced by WNYC and PRI, in collaboration with the BBC, The New York Times and WGBH Boston. It airs on over 55 stations nationally. www.thetakeaway.org.

Keeping Up Daily..Top News Stories to Help You Keep Up

Posted by The Socialite Labels: Keeping up Daily

The fastest way to read the morning news...

Headline

Pope Benedict XVI approved sainthood for Mother Mary MacKillop on Friday, making the woman known for her work among the needy Australia's first saint. I never really understand everything that goes on with the Catholic Church, but congrats are in order I think!

Thousands of black farmers who were discriminated against by the U.S. Agriculture Department will be eligible to receive $1.25 billion in a settlement. Yes! I am so glad that justice was served. Discrimination should not be tolerated in any form, or pay up!

A car crashed into the NAACP building and the driver then fled the scene. The police say it looks like an accident. Why didn't they call this a terrorist attack? I am sure it was not, but they are calling everything else one.

A New Jersey man pleaded not guilty Thursday after police say he told them he threw his 3-month-old daughter off a bridge. Shamsid-Din Abdur-Raheem, 21, of Galloway Township, is charged with attempted murder on accusations that he assaulted the baby's maternal grandmother after showing up at her home and snatching the girl, Zara Malani-lin Abdur, from her arms Tuesday afternoon. He is also charged with kidnapping, two assault counts and child endangerment. I always wonder what can drive you so much to the edge that you could hurt a child? It always seems like people hurt children to get back at someone else. You have to be mental to do something like this.

According to a new study released today by the Commerce Department, which includes the Census Bureau the survey will add up to 635,000 temporary jobs by May to the nation's employment reports. Everyone keeps reporting that something will create jobs; I will believe it when I see it. I just want it to happen already.

Entertainment

Lil Wayne is scheduled to shoot 20 to 30 videos before he goes to jail so they can have enough to release while he is away. Looks like when you are a celebrity you win even when you go to jail. You have people on the outside that will keep your money flowing. Not really a punishment to me.

Latrell Peeks, 23, the boyfriend of Reverend Al Sharpton's daughter, Dominique Sharpton, 23, was charged yesterday in New York with punching her in the face and shoving her out of car. I hate hearing about abuse. I never understood how you could watch someone you claim to love hurt at the expense of your own fist.

Beyonce has been making her rounds in South America in support of her sold out 'I AM...' world tour. And to cap off the recent stint, the international superstar is gave back to 300 lucky fans. On Feb. 18, Bey was to give away 300 tickets for her South American tour stop in Trinidad. I thought she might give some money to the people in Trinidad, but I guess tickets will do.

A new film "Blood Done Sign My Name" is based on a true story about a battle against segregation in Oxford, North Carolina in 1970. I love movies that tell the history of the black struggle. I can't wait to see it.

-The Socialite

Tiger Woods Statement Should Become A Marathon for Haiti

Posted by The Socialite Labels: Let's talk about it

Does the nation care what Tiger Woods has to say on Friday? If they do, why? It is clearly something that he has to do. It is the protocol for every major figure to address the public when he or she does something that society sees as wrong, but what does it actually do? Why is it necessary for Tiger Woods to apologize to the public when the people he actually hurt was his family? He did mess up the perfect image we had of him, and put the brands he represented in jeopardy, but that is already said and done. He cannot take back what he did, and his words won't change much.

It is sad because I believe that people were waiting for him to mess up. That is what our country thrives off of...building people up as gods, and bringing them back down to look lower than dirt. Now you want to watch him stumble over words, maybe shed a tear, and tell us he never meant to hurt his wife? Please!!!!

Stop the Hype! Let this man get his punishment from his wife and let him get back to his job...which is to play golf if anyone forgot. In terms of the image he tarnished, let him serve the punishment of his endorsements being gone, that may or may not come back to him.

We still have people dying and suffering in Haiti; why are they taking up air time to hear this man say a bunch of nothing? Better yet while they televise Woods statement, at the bottom they should ask everybody watching to donate $10 to Haiti.

Do you care what Tiger Woods has to say?

Keeping Up Daily..Top News Stories to Help You Keep Up

Posted by The Socialite Labels: Keeping up Daily

The fastest way to read the morning news...

Headlines

Tiger Woods has scheduled an appearance Friday morning at PGA Tour headquarters in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., to speak about his future. Early reports indicate Woods will not take questions, only make a statement. I know Woods has to make this statement and apologize to his family and fans, but I think it is a bunch of bs. You are not sorry...you did it multiple times. You need to be working on your family right now. Maybe you need a break from work.

The Transportation Department plans to open a formal investigation into the 2009-2010 Toyota Corolla over potential problems with the car's power steering. Someone needs to, because what is really going on? All these problems with these cars; are you rushing your work Toyota?

Health insurance premium increases of up to 39 percent are happening across the country due to the economy. What isn't increasing in this country?

The NAACP launched a new Web site Tuesday devoted to black history in honor of Black History Month. The interactive site, naacphistory.org, chronicles the civil rights movement and the history of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. This should be interesting. I am surprised it hasn't always been apart of the site. I encourage everyone to go now!

Livingston, Texas cemetery, a historic black cemetery, was vandalized in a hate-fuelled attack. When I hear about things like this I always have to pinch myself to see if it is really 2010, or am I in a dream about the 50s? This is crazy.

American Airlines has launched a new virtual museum, BlacksinAviation.com, exploring the history of African Americans in aviation. Looks like everybody is jumping on board and celebrating Black History Month. I love it!

Entertainment

The 'Harry Potter' author J.K Rowling has been added to the 2004 suit against her British publisher Bloomsbury, which claims Rowling stole the idea for the fourth book in the series -- 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire' -- from a 1987 children's novel, 'The Adventures of Willy the Wizard: No. 1 Livid Land,' by Adrian Jacobs. They won't win, but I really hope that they did not steal the idea. The reputation of Harry Potter is still great.

Michael Jordan is likely to become majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats. I was just asking when Jordan was going become involved in sports again. I am glad he is taking the owner route. Good for you MJ!

Big Brothers Big Sisters has partnered with popular nationally syndicated urban radio personality Michael Baisden for his One Million Mentors Campaign and Save Our Kids tour. The seven-month, 72-city national bus tour begins in Dallas this week where Baisden's show is headquartered. This a great idea. Great to see someone pushing service to our youth and community. Lord knows they need our help.

Brooklyn MC Shyne has reportedly inked a seven-figure deal with Def Jam Records. He deserves it.

Popular radio and television personality Bo Griffin has died in Greenville, South Carolina at the age of 51. Still so young, may you RIP.

News provided by The Socialite

-Keep Up!

If you would like to contribute news send me an email at bwomack@imkeepingup.com

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Sophie Womack "Reflecting On My Memories of You"

Posted by The Socialite Labels: The Black Thought

There is no way that I can let this day pass without remembering my mother who passed away Feb 17th, 2008. She is the inspiration behind this blog, for she is a lady who represented excellence in every way possible, and made it her duty to help everyone else become better than herself.

Today, I reflect on the memories that we had together, and the memories I wish she could be apart of. I think about my wedding day, the first time I have a baby, holidays to come, and the reality that she will not be there to share those moments with me. I think about my father and sister, and I pray for them to have strength to make it through each day without her. I think about the babies that she cured, and the families that remain thankful. I remember the many people that came to give me a hug at her funeral saying that you will never believe how much your mother changed my life. I can't forget the many organizations that honored her for her dedication to helping the community.

I begin to smile as I think about the parties her and my dad put on to help raise money for different causes. I can still hear her voice as she sings in the Gospel choir at church, the sound of cards slamming down on the table during her monthly card games, and her laughter as she plays a practical joke on the family for April Fools day.

The best memories are are seeing her smile the day I graduated from college, pinning her when she become a lovely lady of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., seeing her in the audience as I performed in my first Howard Step Show, but most importantly the final moment my mom walked out of my New York apartment and said you will be alright no matter what. That was the last time I saw her, and I cherish that moment everyday.

Today, I ask that everyone take time to tell someone you love them. Spend a few more minutes more on the phone with a love one. Visit someone you have not seen in awhile. Cherish the moments you have with your love ones, cause the next day is not promised for anyone. I love you mommy!!!!! You mean the world to me.