I hate to jump on the bandwagon of a church scandal. However, I have a different take on the situation. I will neither condemn or defend the Bishop. I know the situation is serious and appears grim. I look at it as an example of God's love and grace. The Lord chaseneth who He loves. When we are involved in sin the Lord convicts our hearts. Many times we ignore that gentle nudge that lets us know we are going down a wrong path. If ignored for too long, the Lord at times will "pull the cover off", so to speak. If this happens, it is not because He has turned His back on us or that He no longer loves us. The opposite is true. He loves us so much that He will do whatever it takes to get our attention and give us an opportunity to be back in good fellowship with Him. Once again, let me emphasize that I am not speaking of Bishop Long's guilt or innocence.
My heart goes out to all those involved in the scandal. This is the ultimate test of faith for everyone. Whether or not the Bishop is guilty, this scandal has altered his reputation. The scandal has the potential to rock his faith and the faith of everyone affected. I pray that for the Bishop, his family, church members and the alleged victims that their faith fail them not. This is a lesson for all of us not to glory in flesh. Any of us are subject to fall at any given moment. We are human and are going to make mistakes. We need to remember that before we point fingers and make disparaging remarks about the Bishop. A guest speaker at my church last week said that if the Lord were to materialize a huge video screen and play the film of our lives many of us would have to leave to avoid embarrassment or worse. As humorous as that visual is, it is thought provoking. All have sinned and fallen short of God's glory. Let me clarify, my previous point does not give us license to sin, but hope that if we do we are redeemable.
The scandal gives us all pause to evaluate where we stand spiritually and get anything right that needs to be corrected. Let's take an honest look at the man or woman in the mirror. Bishop Long is set to address his congregation this morning. Stand with me in prayer for all involved that the ultimate outcome be stronger walks with the Lord, and that wherever needed there be deliverance and healing.
J
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Immigration Debacle
I have been silent on the immigration debate because I wanted to take the time and do some research. Like any topic of interest, you should never solely rely on the media as your source of true information. Everything you see on your favorite news shows and even in print should be put through a filter of fact and truth. The immigration debate is riddled with myths and stereotypes. It's easy to fall back on your personal bias or to simply have no opinion at all.
Why should you care about immigration? Look at your family tree. Most Americans are just a few generations shy of being immigrants themselves. The only true natives to this country are the American Indians. The rest came here willingly and in the case of slavery, unwillingly. If you think you are too far removed from the immigrant classification, do you fall in either of these categories: Female, gay, have a disability (physical or mental), obese, working class, poor, etc. This is just a short list of categories that you may fall in that can lead to you experiencing some form of discrimination. Bigotry and discrimination go far beyond the color of a person's skin. When any group of people are singled out unfairly, we should all be alarmed.
I think all Americans, even Latinos, agree that we need immigration reform, but that reform needs to be fair. Take the time to learn more about immigration. I found an interesting article in the September issue of Latina Magazine. I will post some of the article below. The article debunks several myths about the immigrant community and I hate to admit I thought a few of these were true myself. Learning is fundamental! (LOL) Although I grew up in culturally diverse neighborhood and had many Latina friends, I even held to some of these myths simply out of ignorance of facts. Please read the article below and feel free to send me a comment.
J
Myth #1: Immigrants are mostly dishwashers, nannies and construction workers.
False! In America's 25 biggest metropolises, an immigrant is more likely to be your boss than deliver your dinner. In these cities, half of immigrants hold white collar jobs-and 11 percent of them are executives and managers, while just seven percent work in food service, a study from the Fiscal Policy Institute shows.
Myth #2: Undocumented immigrants get here by sneaking across the border via places like the deadly All American Canal in California.
Actually, nearly half of undocumented immigrants come to the United States on planes. They arrive with legit tourist or student visas and then overstay their allotted time here, becoming undocumented.
Myth #3: Undocumented immigrants are costing border states billions of dollars.
In reality, Arizona rakes in a $220 million profit from undocumented immigrants per year. Neighboring Texas does even better, with a $420 million profit per year. That's because the taxes these immigrants pay far outpace the services they use (mostly public schools and emergency rooms).
Myth #4: Immigrant-haters are mostly young 20-somethings competing for jobs with indocumentados.
Nope-it's actually the elderly who are riled up over immigration. Most young people support immigration, while Americans older than 45 are twice as likely to say the United States should cut back immigration, a recent New York Times poll shows. The generational divide is more pronounced in states such as Arizona and Florida, where retirees and new immigrants have settled.
Myth #5: Undocumented immigrants are criminals putting Americans in danger.
In truth, the opposite is true: Native-born Americans are five times more likely than immigrants to be incarcerated. Plus Mexicans and Salvadorans-the groups with the largest undocumented populations-actually had the lowest incarceration rates of any Latinos.
Please read this entire article, written by Franziska Castillo in the September issue of Latina Magazine.
Why should you care about immigration? Look at your family tree. Most Americans are just a few generations shy of being immigrants themselves. The only true natives to this country are the American Indians. The rest came here willingly and in the case of slavery, unwillingly. If you think you are too far removed from the immigrant classification, do you fall in either of these categories: Female, gay, have a disability (physical or mental), obese, working class, poor, etc. This is just a short list of categories that you may fall in that can lead to you experiencing some form of discrimination. Bigotry and discrimination go far beyond the color of a person's skin. When any group of people are singled out unfairly, we should all be alarmed.
I think all Americans, even Latinos, agree that we need immigration reform, but that reform needs to be fair. Take the time to learn more about immigration. I found an interesting article in the September issue of Latina Magazine. I will post some of the article below. The article debunks several myths about the immigrant community and I hate to admit I thought a few of these were true myself. Learning is fundamental! (LOL) Although I grew up in culturally diverse neighborhood and had many Latina friends, I even held to some of these myths simply out of ignorance of facts. Please read the article below and feel free to send me a comment.
J
Myth #1: Immigrants are mostly dishwashers, nannies and construction workers.
False! In America's 25 biggest metropolises, an immigrant is more likely to be your boss than deliver your dinner. In these cities, half of immigrants hold white collar jobs-and 11 percent of them are executives and managers, while just seven percent work in food service, a study from the Fiscal Policy Institute shows.
Myth #2: Undocumented immigrants get here by sneaking across the border via places like the deadly All American Canal in California.
Actually, nearly half of undocumented immigrants come to the United States on planes. They arrive with legit tourist or student visas and then overstay their allotted time here, becoming undocumented.
Myth #3: Undocumented immigrants are costing border states billions of dollars.
In reality, Arizona rakes in a $220 million profit from undocumented immigrants per year. Neighboring Texas does even better, with a $420 million profit per year. That's because the taxes these immigrants pay far outpace the services they use (mostly public schools and emergency rooms).
Myth #4: Immigrant-haters are mostly young 20-somethings competing for jobs with indocumentados.
Nope-it's actually the elderly who are riled up over immigration. Most young people support immigration, while Americans older than 45 are twice as likely to say the United States should cut back immigration, a recent New York Times poll shows. The generational divide is more pronounced in states such as Arizona and Florida, where retirees and new immigrants have settled.
Myth #5: Undocumented immigrants are criminals putting Americans in danger.
In truth, the opposite is true: Native-born Americans are five times more likely than immigrants to be incarcerated. Plus Mexicans and Salvadorans-the groups with the largest undocumented populations-actually had the lowest incarceration rates of any Latinos.
Please read this entire article, written by Franziska Castillo in the September issue of Latina Magazine.
R.I.P. Dr. MaLinda Sapp
The entire staff of WVEL would like to extend our condolences to Pastor Marvin Sapp and his family. I can not imagine the pain that they are suffering, but can only pray that they find peace knowing that their beloved is not in the arms of Jesus. Funeral arrangements have been set for Thursday, September 16, 2010. Please read below for further obituary information:
Wife of gospel singer Marvin Sapp dies at 43
Ursula Watson / The Detroit News
MaLinda Sapp, wife of gospel star Marvin Sapp, died Thursday from colon cancer. She was 43. The mother of three was co-pastor with her husband of the Lighthouse Full Life Center Church in Grand Rapids. On the church's website, www.lighthouseflc.com, MaLinda Sapp was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer in 2009 and was declared cancer-free early this year. However, the disease returned recently, and the church asked its members and the public to participate in a 24-hour prayer vigil.
She was an accomplished woman in and out of church. MaLinda Sapp, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., was a licensed counselor, psychologist and professor at Grand Rapids Community College. She also managed her husband's gospel career and was executive producer on many of his well-known recordings.
Marvin Sapp, also 43, is best known for his 2007 gospel-crossover hit, "Never Would Have Made It." In fact, it was MaLinda who encouraged him to write the song following the death of his father.
Prior to Marvin's successful solo career, he recorded with the 1990s gospel group, Commissioned. His current CD "Here I Am," was released in March. Recently the song "The Best In Me" was No. 1 on Billboard's gospel charts.
The Sapps, who knew each other since childhood, were married 18 years and have three children -- Marvin II, Mikaila and Madisson Sapp.
Wife of gospel singer Marvin Sapp dies at 43
Ursula Watson / The Detroit News
MaLinda Sapp, wife of gospel star Marvin Sapp, died Thursday from colon cancer. She was 43. The mother of three was co-pastor with her husband of the Lighthouse Full Life Center Church in Grand Rapids. On the church's website, www.lighthouseflc.com, MaLinda Sapp was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer in 2009 and was declared cancer-free early this year. However, the disease returned recently, and the church asked its members and the public to participate in a 24-hour prayer vigil.
She was an accomplished woman in and out of church. MaLinda Sapp, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., was a licensed counselor, psychologist and professor at Grand Rapids Community College. She also managed her husband's gospel career and was executive producer on many of his well-known recordings.
Marvin Sapp, also 43, is best known for his 2007 gospel-crossover hit, "Never Would Have Made It." In fact, it was MaLinda who encouraged him to write the song following the death of his father.
Prior to Marvin's successful solo career, he recorded with the 1990s gospel group, Commissioned. His current CD "Here I Am," was released in March. Recently the song "The Best In Me" was No. 1 on Billboard's gospel charts.
The Sapps, who knew each other since childhood, were married 18 years and have three children -- Marvin II, Mikaila and Madisson Sapp.
Monday, July 12, 2010
R.I.P. Bishop Walter Hawkins
I'm still in a state of shock at such a tremendous loss to the gospel music community and the body of Christ as a whole. Please read below for a snippet of information from the Washington Post:
Gospel great Walter Hawkins dies at 61
Walter Hawkins, an ordained bishop and one of gospel music's legendary figures, died July 11 at his home in Ripon, Calif. He had pancreatic cancer.
Bishop Hawkins began performing with his family, including cousin Shirley Miller and siblings Edwin Hawkins and Lynette Hawkins Stephens, when he was a teenager. In the late 1960s, the Hawkins' song "Oh Happy Day" rose to No. 4 on the pop charts in the U.S. and No. 2 in England, making it one of the first crossover gospel hits.
He also performed with his wife, from whom he was divorced, Grammy-award winning diva Tramaine Hawkins.
In the early 1970s, Walter Hawkins studied for a divinity degree at the University of California at Berkeley and founded the Love Center Church in Oakland, Calif., where he served as pastor and formed a choir.
He continued to sing and produce gospel songs, including the "Love Alive" series of albums, which repeatedly topped the Billboard gospel charts. His performance of "The Lord's Prayer" won a Grammy in 1980.
Bishop Hawkins last appeared in Washington in April. Though weakened by his illness, he sang at a performance at the Kennedy Center with a gospel choir and the National Symphony Orchestra.
A full obituary will follow.
By Emma Brown | July 12, 2010; 6:01 PM ET
Gospel great Walter Hawkins dies at 61
Walter Hawkins, an ordained bishop and one of gospel music's legendary figures, died July 11 at his home in Ripon, Calif. He had pancreatic cancer.
Bishop Hawkins began performing with his family, including cousin Shirley Miller and siblings Edwin Hawkins and Lynette Hawkins Stephens, when he was a teenager. In the late 1960s, the Hawkins' song "Oh Happy Day" rose to No. 4 on the pop charts in the U.S. and No. 2 in England, making it one of the first crossover gospel hits.
He also performed with his wife, from whom he was divorced, Grammy-award winning diva Tramaine Hawkins.
In the early 1970s, Walter Hawkins studied for a divinity degree at the University of California at Berkeley and founded the Love Center Church in Oakland, Calif., where he served as pastor and formed a choir.
He continued to sing and produce gospel songs, including the "Love Alive" series of albums, which repeatedly topped the Billboard gospel charts. His performance of "The Lord's Prayer" won a Grammy in 1980.
Bishop Hawkins last appeared in Washington in April. Though weakened by his illness, he sang at a performance at the Kennedy Center with a gospel choir and the National Symphony Orchestra.
A full obituary will follow.
By Emma Brown | July 12, 2010; 6:01 PM ET
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Supreme Court Nominee Elena Kagan
Like so many liberals I anxiously awaited President Obama's next Supreme Court nomination. What a phenomenal opportunity to shape this nation's higher court for the next several generations. I believe his selection of Justice Sotomayor was nothing short of brilliant. She was bar none the best choice, not just because she was a woman or that she would be the first Latina to be appointed.
Now initially I was equally excited about Elana Kagan. I wanted to learn more about who she is. I was pleased by her accomplishments and drive at still a young age. However, as more has been revealed about her history, especially her hiring practices at Harvard, my excitement has wained. Please read an excerpt of an article by Dr. Boyce Watkins with News One. I believe he brings out some important points of concern regarding Kagan. I will say that my opinion departs as I do not share his concern about her having old Chicago ties with President Obama.
Unfortunately our concerns are basically moot at this point because she is a safe enough choice that she will probably not get too much opposition from republicans.
Please read the store below by Dr. Watkins.
J
DR. BOYCE: Obama Got It Wrong With Supreme Court NomineeView Photos
By Dr. Boyce Watkins May 13, 2010 2:34 pm
I just did an appearance on MSNBC regarding Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan. After being peppered with emails all morning from a member of The White House staff, who seemed disappointed that black scholars are coming out against Kagan, I did a short inventory of all the reasons that I cannot, in good conscience, support this woman for the Supreme Court. How many reasons do black people have for NOT wanting Elena Kagan on the Supreme Court? Let me count the ways:
1) How do you hire 29 people, with 28 of them being white? While serving as dean at The Harvard Law School, Kagan did not hire a single African American tenured or tenure-track faculty member. This says, very clearly, that Elena Kagan doesn’t care about black people, at least when they are applying to be professors. It also says that with all the applications that poured in every year from top black attorneys, she didn’t feel that one single black, latino or native American scholar was qualified to teach at Harvard university. How can a school that claims to have such strong minds hold onto such an ignorant belief system?
2) Kagan didn’t hire any black people when she served as Solicitor General, either: Randall Kennedy, a black law professor at Harvard, came out in defense of Kagan, attempting to help us realize that she is Harriet Tubman in disguise – that she will whip off the mask and come through for black people in the end. He also argues that Kagan didn’t have enough power as dean at Harvard to make any minority hires. Alrighty then. In my 17 years in academia, I’ve never once seen a dean who didn’t know how to make things happened if they wanted to. But let’s assume that this is the case – that somehow Kagan, a woman with enough connections to be nominated for the Supreme Court, was somehow a powerless flunky at the Harvard Law School. What did she do when she actually had hiring power as Solicitor General? Nothing….nada….zippo. Once again, she hired three white women, one white man, an Indian man and an Asian man. Not one single Black, Native American or Latino person in the bunch. I’m starting to see a trend here, are you?
3) The same old Harvard/Chicago/Obama connection overrules actual credentials in the nomination process: Let’s be clear – Elena Kagan is not the best person for this job: ]Kagan was selected because she is the most qualified white liberal friend of Barack Obama who was willing to take the job. Her connections to The University of Chicago and Harvard University are the likely reasons she made it to Obama’s short list, for he has had no shame in showing his loyalty to other members of the Ivy League. Kagan’s appointment to the Supreme Court would be a Harvard/Yale sweep of the court, a tremendous insult to the other outstanding legal minds who didn’t go to Harvard or Yale.
I was very happy to see black law professors take a stand against the nomination of Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court. T’he reality is that she is nothing more than a clear reflection of the racist, elitist power structure, and does nothing to represent hope or change from a president who has trouble delivering either. I respect Barack Obama and appreciate political pragmatism, but black and brown people as a collective do not need to remain at the back of the bus. It’s time for real change and Kagan is certainly not it.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and the author of the book, “Black American Money.”
Now initially I was equally excited about Elana Kagan. I wanted to learn more about who she is. I was pleased by her accomplishments and drive at still a young age. However, as more has been revealed about her history, especially her hiring practices at Harvard, my excitement has wained. Please read an excerpt of an article by Dr. Boyce Watkins with News One. I believe he brings out some important points of concern regarding Kagan. I will say that my opinion departs as I do not share his concern about her having old Chicago ties with President Obama.
Unfortunately our concerns are basically moot at this point because she is a safe enough choice that she will probably not get too much opposition from republicans.
Please read the store below by Dr. Watkins.
J
DR. BOYCE: Obama Got It Wrong With Supreme Court NomineeView Photos
By Dr. Boyce Watkins May 13, 2010 2:34 pm
I just did an appearance on MSNBC regarding Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan. After being peppered with emails all morning from a member of The White House staff, who seemed disappointed that black scholars are coming out against Kagan, I did a short inventory of all the reasons that I cannot, in good conscience, support this woman for the Supreme Court. How many reasons do black people have for NOT wanting Elena Kagan on the Supreme Court? Let me count the ways:
1) How do you hire 29 people, with 28 of them being white? While serving as dean at The Harvard Law School, Kagan did not hire a single African American tenured or tenure-track faculty member. This says, very clearly, that Elena Kagan doesn’t care about black people, at least when they are applying to be professors. It also says that with all the applications that poured in every year from top black attorneys, she didn’t feel that one single black, latino or native American scholar was qualified to teach at Harvard university. How can a school that claims to have such strong minds hold onto such an ignorant belief system?
2) Kagan didn’t hire any black people when she served as Solicitor General, either: Randall Kennedy, a black law professor at Harvard, came out in defense of Kagan, attempting to help us realize that she is Harriet Tubman in disguise – that she will whip off the mask and come through for black people in the end. He also argues that Kagan didn’t have enough power as dean at Harvard to make any minority hires. Alrighty then. In my 17 years in academia, I’ve never once seen a dean who didn’t know how to make things happened if they wanted to. But let’s assume that this is the case – that somehow Kagan, a woman with enough connections to be nominated for the Supreme Court, was somehow a powerless flunky at the Harvard Law School. What did she do when she actually had hiring power as Solicitor General? Nothing….nada….zippo. Once again, she hired three white women, one white man, an Indian man and an Asian man. Not one single Black, Native American or Latino person in the bunch. I’m starting to see a trend here, are you?
3) The same old Harvard/Chicago/Obama connection overrules actual credentials in the nomination process: Let’s be clear – Elena Kagan is not the best person for this job: ]Kagan was selected because she is the most qualified white liberal friend of Barack Obama who was willing to take the job. Her connections to The University of Chicago and Harvard University are the likely reasons she made it to Obama’s short list, for he has had no shame in showing his loyalty to other members of the Ivy League. Kagan’s appointment to the Supreme Court would be a Harvard/Yale sweep of the court, a tremendous insult to the other outstanding legal minds who didn’t go to Harvard or Yale.
I was very happy to see black law professors take a stand against the nomination of Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court. T’he reality is that she is nothing more than a clear reflection of the racist, elitist power structure, and does nothing to represent hope or change from a president who has trouble delivering either. I respect Barack Obama and appreciate political pragmatism, but black and brown people as a collective do not need to remain at the back of the bus. It’s time for real change and Kagan is certainly not it.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and the author of the book, “Black American Money.”
Venus & Serena
As of Monday's new rankings, Serena and Venus Williams will once again be number one and number two in the world. This is a feat matched by no other siblings in the history of tennis, and is especially magnificent after their 15 year professional career. Here's to many more achievements and records to be broken! Below is the story posted at yahoo sports. Enjoy!
J
15 years on, Serena, Venus still at hurricane force
by Scott Williams
May 13, 9:19 pm EDT
MADRID (AFP) - Serena and Venus Williams are back on top of the world. More than 15 years after the history-making sisters blew into the women's game with hurricane force, they are still putting their rivals, many of them 10 years younger, to shame.
When the new WTA rankings are released on Monday, Serena will remain number one while Venus climbs back to second.
The Florida pair last stood together at the summit from May 5-11, 2003, with Venus dropping to third on May 12 to end that brief duopoly.
In between, Serena and Venus, who turned pro in 1995 and 1994 respectively, have watched the generations come and go, with the rise of the Russians, Serbs and Belgians.
But despite fluctuations in their rankings - Serena won the 2007 Australian Open after finishing the previous season standing 95th and having played only four events in 2006 - their staying power has been phenomenal.
Venus assured her rise from fourth to second behind her sibling by reaching the third round of this week's Madrid Masters, a tournament which saw Serena exit at the same stage.
"In the rankings, you keep going until you get to that number one spot," said Venus, who will be 30 in June and is the second oldest player in the top 50.
"Serena and I being number one and number two in the world is what we dreamed of growing up. But we each dreamed of being number one - neither of us dreamed of number two.
"I congratulate Serena on her ranking but I'm aiming to get there myself."
The pair have spent a total of 45 weeks in the leading positions.
The first four came between June 10-July 7, 2002 (Venus one, Serena two); the next 40 came between July 8, 2002-April 13, 2003 (Serena one, Venus two) and the last was May seven years ago.
"We can definitely celebrate," said Serena, whose Madrid run was ended in the third round by Nadia Petrova. "It's a great feat to be back at one and two.
"It's so amazing and it's a moment that we can always hold no matter what. We can always have this moment again."
Both sisters will be building focus for the May 23 start at Roland Garros, which 12-time Grand Slam champion Serena won in 2002 over her sister.
Recent Paris outings have been less successful, with Venus stalling in the third round for the last three editions and Serena a quarter-finalist in two of the last three years in the French capital.
For Serena, at least a few days this week will be spent at her flat in Paris, with Venus surely a welcome guest if required.
Serena said that she hopes to rid herself of accumulated stress, despite playing only her fourth event of 2010 after dealing with various knee problems in the three months since winning a fifth Australian Open.
"When you play matches, it's totally different than practise," she said. "Getting that match play, you put your body under different levels of stress.
"I feel like I've been under different levels of stress, and hopefully within the next week and a half I'll be better."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
J
15 years on, Serena, Venus still at hurricane force
by Scott Williams
May 13, 9:19 pm EDT
MADRID (AFP) - Serena and Venus Williams are back on top of the world. More than 15 years after the history-making sisters blew into the women's game with hurricane force, they are still putting their rivals, many of them 10 years younger, to shame.
When the new WTA rankings are released on Monday, Serena will remain number one while Venus climbs back to second.
The Florida pair last stood together at the summit from May 5-11, 2003, with Venus dropping to third on May 12 to end that brief duopoly.
In between, Serena and Venus, who turned pro in 1995 and 1994 respectively, have watched the generations come and go, with the rise of the Russians, Serbs and Belgians.
But despite fluctuations in their rankings - Serena won the 2007 Australian Open after finishing the previous season standing 95th and having played only four events in 2006 - their staying power has been phenomenal.
Venus assured her rise from fourth to second behind her sibling by reaching the third round of this week's Madrid Masters, a tournament which saw Serena exit at the same stage.
"In the rankings, you keep going until you get to that number one spot," said Venus, who will be 30 in June and is the second oldest player in the top 50.
"Serena and I being number one and number two in the world is what we dreamed of growing up. But we each dreamed of being number one - neither of us dreamed of number two.
"I congratulate Serena on her ranking but I'm aiming to get there myself."
The pair have spent a total of 45 weeks in the leading positions.
The first four came between June 10-July 7, 2002 (Venus one, Serena two); the next 40 came between July 8, 2002-April 13, 2003 (Serena one, Venus two) and the last was May seven years ago.
"We can definitely celebrate," said Serena, whose Madrid run was ended in the third round by Nadia Petrova. "It's a great feat to be back at one and two.
"It's so amazing and it's a moment that we can always hold no matter what. We can always have this moment again."
Both sisters will be building focus for the May 23 start at Roland Garros, which 12-time Grand Slam champion Serena won in 2002 over her sister.
Recent Paris outings have been less successful, with Venus stalling in the third round for the last three editions and Serena a quarter-finalist in two of the last three years in the French capital.
For Serena, at least a few days this week will be spent at her flat in Paris, with Venus surely a welcome guest if required.
Serena said that she hopes to rid herself of accumulated stress, despite playing only her fourth event of 2010 after dealing with various knee problems in the three months since winning a fifth Australian Open.
"When you play matches, it's totally different than practise," she said. "Getting that match play, you put your body under different levels of stress.
"I feel like I've been under different levels of stress, and hopefully within the next week and a half I'll be better."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday, April 26, 2010
I am a Black Woman and I am Just Fine
The media seems to be inundating us with stories of the horrible plight of black women. Here are just a few of the negative statistics from so-called scientific studies:
One report says that by 2034, 100% of Black women will be overweight.
Another report says that a single Black woman’s median wealth amounts to a total of $5.
A third report says that 48% of Black women have the virus which causes herpes.
Other studies indicate that black women are the current number one group of people being infected with the HIV virus. Further still, several "investigative" news stories reveal that black women can not get men, for various reasons. One such recent show aired on ABC's "Nightline".
Is this a conspiracy theory to destroy the image of black women? I know that as a black woman I face enough challenges without having the results of these questionable studies heaped on the pile. Where are the studies showing the growing numbers of black women graduating from college and succeeding more than ever before in corporate America? Where are the studies showcasing the success, despite the recession, of black female entrepreneurs?
I am here to say for those of you who may have fallen victim to such stories and feel the need to worry about the sisters, first of all thank you for your concern, and second of all, please do not believe all you read or see. I am just fine, as are the vast majority of us black women. We are surviving and thriving. We are not broken, diseased and neglected as you may have been told. I am college educated, married, spiritually grounded and reasonably financially stable.
Please read this interesting article to get some clear understanding about some of these myths. http://bit.ly/aOkNdb
Also some stats from this opinion piece were found in an article posted on www.blackplanet.com by writer RK Byers.
J
One report says that by 2034, 100% of Black women will be overweight.
Another report says that a single Black woman’s median wealth amounts to a total of $5.
A third report says that 48% of Black women have the virus which causes herpes.
Other studies indicate that black women are the current number one group of people being infected with the HIV virus. Further still, several "investigative" news stories reveal that black women can not get men, for various reasons. One such recent show aired on ABC's "Nightline".
Is this a conspiracy theory to destroy the image of black women? I know that as a black woman I face enough challenges without having the results of these questionable studies heaped on the pile. Where are the studies showing the growing numbers of black women graduating from college and succeeding more than ever before in corporate America? Where are the studies showcasing the success, despite the recession, of black female entrepreneurs?
I am here to say for those of you who may have fallen victim to such stories and feel the need to worry about the sisters, first of all thank you for your concern, and second of all, please do not believe all you read or see. I am just fine, as are the vast majority of us black women. We are surviving and thriving. We are not broken, diseased and neglected as you may have been told. I am college educated, married, spiritually grounded and reasonably financially stable.
Please read this interesting article to get some clear understanding about some of these myths. http://bit.ly/aOkNdb
Also some stats from this opinion piece were found in an article posted on www.blackplanet.com by writer RK Byers.
J