President Obama Is Asked By 4th Grade Youth: "Why Do People HATE You?"

Out of the mouth of babes. You have to respect the innocence of the youth and some of their non-pretentiousness. Sometimes I wonder if growing up and becoming acculturated with a lot of negative "bias disease" is worth it.

The Huffington Post
At a town hall meeting in New Orleans Thursday, fourth-grader Terrence Scott earnestly asked the question that has probably been on many people's minds as they witnessed the rage that has been directed at Obama these last few months: "why do people hate you?" The young man seemed genuinely concerned as he asked the question, and he went on to tell Obama that "They supposed to love you." Obama responded by giving the young man a hug while saying, "That's what I'm talking about." Then came the hard part of actually answering his question.

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SCARRED JUSTICE:The Orangeburg Massacre of 1968Screening at The Gatehouse (Aaron Davis Hall)Friday, October 16th, 2009 @ 7:30PM (NYC)

SCARRED JUSTICE: The Orangeburg Massacre of 1968
Post-screening CONVERSATION w/filmmaker Judy Richardson
Friday • October 16th, 2009 • 7:30 pm • The Gatehouse

Harlem Stage Tickets 212.281.9240 Ext. 19 or 20

Harlem Stage Gatehouse
150 Convent Avenue (at West 135th Street)
New York, NY 10031

Tickets are $5.00

This gut-wrenching documentary film explores the events of February 8, 1968, two nights after students from a predominately Black college attempted to bowl at the city’s only bowling alley, where the owner refused. Tensions rose and violence erupted as gunfire from white police officers left three African-American students dead and 27 wounded on the campus of South Carolina State College in Orangeburg, S.C.

Join filmmaker Judy Richardson after the presentation of SCARRED JUSTICE: The Orangeburg Massacre of 1968 for a discussion and reception.

Bestor Cram, director/producer/cinematographer, has dedicated his career to focusing on issues of social justice and history. As the founder of Northern Light Productions, Cram’s films have received numerous festival awards, and his work has been screened at Sundance Film Festival and broadcasted on PBS.

Judy Richardson is a notable documentary filmmaker and Civil Rights activist. She gained her notoriety as the educational director for the critically acclaimed PBS documentary film series “Eyes on the Prize,” which received the Peabody Award as well as several Emmys. Richardson continues to be one of the most influential forces behind documenting and commemorating the African-American experience.

Co-presented with Black Documentary Collective. A presentation of the Harlem Stage Partners Program.

Christopher Columbus: GENOCIDE CRIMINAL!!! A Real Illegal AlienColumbus Day??? In Amerikkka???

 

United States President Barack Obama Receives Nobel Peace Prize For 2009On Friday, October 9th, 2009

ROD --

This morning, Michelle and I awoke to some surprising and humbling news. At 6 a.m., we received word that I'd been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009.

To be honest, I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many of the transformative figures who've been honored by this prize -- men and women who've inspired me and inspired the entire world through their courageous pursuit of peace.

But I also know that throughout history the Nobel Peace Prize has not just been used to honor specific achievement; it's also been used as a means to give momentum to a set of causes.

That is why I've said that I will accept this award as a call to action, a call for all nations and all peoples to confront the common challenges of the 21st century. These challenges won't all be met during my presidency, or even my lifetime. But I know these challenges can be met so long as it's recognized that they will not be met by one person or one nation alone.

This award -- and the call to action that comes with it -- does not belong simply to me or my administration; it belongs to all people around the world who have fought for justice and for peace. And most of all, it belongs to you, the men and women of America, who have dared to hope and have worked so hard to make our world a little better.

So today we humbly recommit to the important work that we've begun together. I'm grateful that you've stood with me thus far, and I'm honored to continue our vital work in the years to come.

Thank you,

President Barack Obama

5 Things You Can Do To Stay HealthyBy Dr. Elaina George

5 Things You Can Do To Stay Healthy
By Dr. Elaina George

Instead of waiting for the outcome of the healthcare debate to decide your fate, use some simple common sense strategies to take back the power to control your own health.

1. Start exercising

An increase in activity of as little as 20 minutes 3 times a week can make a difference in your risk of heart disease, diabetes and obesity. You don’t have to get fancy with a gym membership. Try taking the stairs at work instead of the elevator, or park further from the entrance when you go to the market or mall.

2. Eat Smaller portions

You may not want to give up your junk food or fried food, but try to limit your portions. Instead of buying a six pack of soda, buy a two liter bottle. You can better control the portions along with your intake of calories.

3. Drink more water

The average person should be drinking 1 ounce per kilogram of his/her weight in water per day. (1 lb = 2.2kg).

Studies have shown that people eat more when they are dehydrated because the signals in the body can confuse hunger with thirst. If you are hungry, try drinking an 8-12 oz glass of water before you decide to eat that snack.

4. Avoid salt

The average American diet consists too much salt. Salt is found in everything from canned foods to frozen foods. Not only does salt make your body retain water, it also dulls your sense of taste when it comes to sugar. As a challenge, decrease the amount of salt you eat for about 1 week, then drink a non-diet soft drink. Not only will you lose about 3-5 lbs. of water weight, but you will see that the soda is incredibly sweet. In addition, try to use sea salt.

5. Avoid high fructose corn syrup

Studies have shown that most products in this country are made with high fructose corn syrup that is contaminated with mercury (a known neurotoxin). Instead try to choose foods made with cane sugar. When you drink soft drinks that are made with sugar you will be less likely to crave salt and be able to stop with one soda because there is no ‘sugar high’ that leads to the craving that makes you want to have more.

Dr. Elaina George is Board certified Otolaryngologist who started Peachtree ENT Center with a mission to practice state of the art medicine that is available to everyone. She graduated from Princeton University with a degree in Biology. She received her Masters degree in Medical Microbiology at Long Island University, and received her medical degree from Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. Dr George completed her residency at Manhattan, Eye Ear & Throat Hospital. Her training included general surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital, pediatric ENT at The NY-Presbyterian Hospital, and head and neck oncology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. She has published in several scientific journals and presented her research at national meetings.

To contact Dr. George for speaking engagements or media appearances, please call (901) 413-0203

Also, check out her health blog: Dr. Elaina George

2nd Annual Queer Black Cinema Intl Film Festival 2009 At The National Black Theatre and Maysles CinemaOctober 15th - 18th, 2009 (NYC)

QUEER BLACK CINEMA PRESENTS the 2nd Annual Queer Black Cinema International Film Festival 2009 sponsored by Gay Men of African Descent. The festival is from October 15th to 18th at the National Black Theatre and Maysles Cinema in the heart of Harlem. Details can be found at www.queerblackcinema.org.

Join QBC for a great line-up of award winning Black LGBT themed fi lms from around the world, including a candlelight vigil/rally in remembrance of fallen LGBT youth of color featuring performances by The Lavender Light Gospel Choir, activist/blogger Kenyon Farrow and others community leaders, followed by a special Queer Youth Cinema Series.

The film festival opens October 16 at 7pm with the award winning film Mississippi Damned written and directed by Tina Mabry, produced by Morgan Stiff and co-produced by Debra Wilson. Mississippi Damned received Best Narrative Feature at the American Black Film Festival 2009 and awards at several other film festivals. The cast includes Michael Hyatt (The Wire, The West Wing, Greys Anatomy & ER), Tonea Stewart (A Time To Kill, In The Heat of the Night), D.B. Woodside (The Temptations, Romeo Must Die & Buffy The Vampire Slayer) and Josse Harris Thacker (In Living Color, Brooklyn’s Bridge to Jordan). Co-producer Debra Wilson (Jumping The Broom, Butch Mystique) is expected to be in attendance along with cinematographer Bradford Young, best known for his award winning short Parah by Dee Rees.

The festival will also honor Stonewall activist/ singer and legendary male illusionist Storme Delaverie with a special performance of A Lady Within The Jewel Box Revue, a mini musical written by Angel L. Brown featuring Paris (Paris is Burning), Freddie Wright, ByancaRaye and introducing Stefon Royce as Storme. For a complete schedule of the films and events including the award ceremony featuring the E. Lynn Harris Living The Dream Literary Award please go to www.queerblackcinema.org . For the Black LGBT Film & Book Market in association with Queer Black Cinema, with a host of talk backs with authors and filmmakers including the cast of Finding Me Truth, please go to www.TheBlackLGBTFilmBookMarket.com.

Tickets for the fi lm festival go on sale on Saturday, September 26, 2009 at www.queerblackcinema.org. Vendors, sponsorship and advertising opportunities are available until October 1, 2009. Contact info@queerblackcinema.org. If you would like to become a volunteer for the fi lm festival please contact info@queerblackcinema.org, subject: Volunteer. The next meeting will be Saturday, October 3 from noon to 2pm, at GMAD’s Brooklyn office.

All press inquires contact press[at]queerblackcinema.org.

No FATS. No FEMS. [Beauty BIGOTS] A Social Video Commentary By XemVanAdams

This is video is an astute "reading" of Black homosexual & bisexual men for commonly held superficial standards of beauty; and widespread internalized homophobia & gender expression discrimination that manifest as effemiphobia. And best of all, it was made by a young brother. Check it out.