Jena 6 *UPDATED* September 15, 2007

So, I went to YBF and read that the Lawyers for Mychal Bell have received word that the judge has OVERTURNED  his conviction!

If you weren’t aware, Mychal Bell was facing 22 years in Federal Prison. 

Attorney Louis Scott, the Head Defense Lawyer for Mychal Bell, 16 yr, relayed the official word to YBF, that the case has been sent to Juvenile Court.

So that means there will be no sentencing on Sept 20th.  But there still will be a rally, because there are 5 other kids  who are awaiting trial.

Read the full post here

And read about Jena 6 on these sites:

While Seated

Democracy Now!

Color of Change 

It still amazes me that there are folks out there that do not know about this Jim Crow shit.  But I happy that I was able to do my part in offering a glimpse of knowledge to those of you who have Googled Jena 6 or who stroll by this site to get a good read.

PLEASE PASS ALONG THE KNOWLEDGE!!!!  We are no good if we keep things like this to ourselves.  Even if you don’t know much.  The fact that you know something is enough to mention in any casual conversation.  The person who is listening to you can always get online and Google Jena 6 and learn about it.

~f@ke

A Quik Snack Fix September 13, 2007

You ever wanted something sweet to eat and you don’t wanna go outside or you don’t feel like baking a cake or some extravagant shit???

Well, here’s a quik fix receipe that my lil’ sisters taught me.

For those of you who love zeppos, you’ll like this great substitution.

Quik-Fix Zeppos

Pilsbury Biscuits (Regular, don’t get fancy and buy Grands)

Cooking Oil

A Pot - preferably a non-stick pot, or sauce pot

Confectioners Sugar

Strainer

Directions:

1.  Pour about 2 cups of cooking oil, or pour until oil is 1/3 the way full in pot.  It really depends on the size of the pot.  I use a medium size sauce pot.  Heat the oil on high, until the oil gets hot.

2.  While the oil is heating, open the biscuit packaging and you can either put them into the oil whole or cut them in half.  There are 10 biscuits in the packaging.

3.  Before you put the biscuit into the oil, turn the fire down to a medium heat.  Then place your desired size biscuit into the oil.  Let them cook for about 3-4 minutes or until they are golden brown.  Be sure to constantly turn them, so that both sides get cooked.  *You have to make sure they are cooked or else you will be eating sugary dough.*

4.  When you remove the fried biscuit out of the oil.  Place some confectioners sugar in the strainer or just shake some sugar on top of the Zeppos.

Makes 10 - 20 pieces

Enjoy these sweet treats.  Anyone can make them.  You can know only how to boil water to make these.

~f@ke

I’m Just Saying September 13, 2007

With all the tributes and memorials that occurred yesterday in remembrance of 9/11.   I found it quite ironic that a week before 9/11 the news media were speaking of a videotape from bin Laden that was set to be aired on 9/11.  I was suspect when I heard it, but when I saw the actually video it just confirmed my  hope ya’ll know where I’m going with this.  Here’s where I play 20 Questions (I won’t literally write 20 questions)

1.  Why would the news media have wind of such a video?

2.  If you know about a video, why has it been 6 yrs and ya’ll still can’t find him!?

3.  Who should believe that that was bin Laden?

4.  The US Gov’t must believe that the American people are really naive and unintelligent, because of such suspect measures?

5.  You should find it even more suspect that there was not even an actual person on the video.  It was a picture.

6.  Who are these voice analysis that always confirm it’s bin Laden’s voice??

7.  Now who still believes the Taliban blew up the Twin Towers?

If you challenge my questions give me FACTS!  I never believed it was them, and after 6 years I am still not convinced that this tirad American has been on is correct.  And history has proven to me that American is a firm believer in the ‘By Any Means Necessary’ motto

~f@ke

Music Debate - 50 vs. Kanye *UPDATED* September 13, 2007

Seems like everyone is getting in on the hype between two of Hip Hop’s biggest rappers. From MTV, BET, Rolling Stone, The LA Times, and even Amazon.com are all contributing to the hype & debate over who will out sell the other.

Yesterday, on 106 & Park, 50 & Kanye both performed. Both giving great performances, but clearly Kanye shut it down while performing ‘Big Brother’, song tributing his relationship with Jay Z, and then Jay Z comes out singing ‘Encore’. Great moment. It made me feel like the fan that I am of both Kanye & Jay. The Roc was definitely in the building. Peep performance below

Kanye West Big Brother & Encore Jay-Z live
Uploaded by geronimos87

When asked why you should go out and get their albums each one had 10 sec to sell their album. From what the first day of sales show Kanye is in the lead with more than 850K, leading by more than 200K albums than 50. Hear their answers below

50 Cent and Kanye West interview live @ 106&Park
Uploaded by geronimos87

Yesterday, Amazon went ahead and even put up a bar graph to show the difference in sales percentage. See below

Today the top selling album is Graduation and in 3rd place is, Curtis.

I haven’t heard the full Curtis album yet, but I heard Graduation and it is a GREAT album.  Lyrically and with musically, Kanye definitely showed us that he is not going anywhere any time soon and that he takes this music shit very seriously.

I would love to quote him on Champion, which is a hit song.  Saying “Lauryn Hill said her heart was in Zion.  I wish her heart still was in Rhyming” matching it with a sultry voice that I swore was Lauryn’s until you hear the woman sing the hook.

Then you have I Wonder, a jazz sound paired with a sick beat.

Good Life, I didn’t think this was a possiblity.  T-Pain is my guilty pleasure artist.  As much as I don’t want to like his music, I end up lovin all his songs from I’m Sprung to Bartender.  And even Plies shit.  Of course, you know I’m having this in Top Played List

Flashing Lights, 1 of the HOTTEST songs on the album.  And definitely for the Chick getting ready for the club!  Keepin’ your head boppin’ and your foot tappin

The Glory, sounds like a Jackson 5 track mixed with some gospel inspiration

I am not discriminating on the Curtis Album when i hear it I will give my mini reviews on certain songs.  So don’t think I am bias… YET!

 

 

Bill Maher Talks w/ Mos Def & Cornel West September 8, 2007

Philosopher Cornel West & Rapper/ Actor Mos Def were both on HBO show Real Talk with Bill Maher last nite (Friday Sept 7, 2007).
Speaking on various topics starting with:

• The war in Iraq; which led into American History, Louisiana and why it was really sold,

• The whole videotape conspiracy i.e Osama Bin Laden - I’m going to say something about that

• The 9/11 Theory - Did Osama knock down the Towers? Mos Def doesn’t believe he did nor does he believe that we landed on the moon. Cornel West believes Bin Laden had something to do with it

• Secular Religion, Terrorism - why are they upset with colonial presence or imperial presence, Muslim origin and how they supposibly conquered believers; Islam is not a threat nor the problem,

• The warped voting system, the Electoral College

• Cornel explains what the naked truth really is

• Jena 6 (sign the petition!!!). How it is not a nationally publicized topic My mother said cut the FUCKIN TREE DOWN!!! (Here! Here!) Mos voiced his anger about the issue, and how the country is locating members of the Black Panther Party 30 yrs later and trying to send them to trial for their roles in the Black Panthers

• Barack Obama - How he is the ideal candidate to take office b/c of the current state of the country and partially b/c of his friendly look. How Barack has an essence of revival for the country and his genuine drive to be a good president vs the Dynasty effect (”the presidency goes from The Bushes to The Clintons” - Mos Def),

• The Presidential Campaign; How the Black people are split between Hiliary and Obama

Hopefully they come home, like they did for OJ - Bill Maher

Bill Maher takes a jab at OJ, LOL & Mos doesn’t believe OJ did it, but he does believe in Big Foot LOL

Mos Def is skeptic about Obama, though.  As far as not hearing Obama speak about Katrina, or possibly exonerating Mumia Abu Jamal

Great topics. More than I expected to get a ray of light.

Two powerful people in the African American Community; a profound philosopher and activist, and a modern day activist, rapper and actor. And Bill Maher, a comedian, outspoken satirical views on politics and current events, who was engaged to SupaHead ( let’s you know a lil more than we see on the telle, eh?), and whose show was cancelled off of ABC because of his statement on the level of bravery the plane hi-jackers had on 9/11.

Try to catch a recap on Youtube or HBO. Real Talk airs Friday nites @ 11p

~ f@ke

Answer This… September 7, 2007

Why is it that Halle Berry has just confirmed her pregnancy and is showing her lil’ baby tummy @ 3 months

Monica said that she was pregnant no more than 3-4 months ago and is showing

But this Tameka chick has announced to the world that she is preggers, but we haven’t seen nair one belly shot. And she should be poppin that lil’ person out any day now, right?

You be the judge. I wasn’t spilling over with Belly until 6 months+, but she has to be at least 7 months. I’m just sayin’

~f@ke

Music Debate - 50 vs. Kanye September 5, 2007

It’s less than a week to the debut of each man’s new albums. I’m going to listen to the albums and give my 2¢, but in the mean time…

• How do you think each man will do on the 11th?

• Do you think 50 will suffer b/c his video was leaked?

• Or do you think Kanye will suffer because his album was leaked?

• How do you think will do better?

• Do you even fu¢kin’ care?!?

TO BE CONTINUED…

~f@ke

Modern Day School House Rocks - Gets Properly Addressed September 5, 2007

So, there are more people who felt appalled by BET’s “Read A Book” satire cartoon.

CNN interviewed the creators of the insulting cartoon. And also asked parents how they felt about their children being exposed to this ‘cartoon’.

What I want everyone to keep in mind is the time that this cartoon is being aired and also what kind of message is being sent and also the delivery of that message. Notice how the parents and everyone else properly address this cartoon as a satire. Allowing better clarification of what kind of message is being projected.

If you watch the Youtube Vids below, notice how the PARENTS mentions Teen Summit as a positive show for Teens that used to come on BET - when it was still owned by Black people. And they mention that the cartoon is more suitable for an Adult Swim audience.

And is it me or will you like the fact that the anchorman emphasizes Viacom as the owner and leader of the actions that is BET.

FYI - this cartoon was intended for the 18 - 34 yr old demographic, however when I first saw it, it was 1:30 pm on a weekday, during summer vacation. Most adults in the suggested demographic are at work and only young children are home at that hour. Things that make you go HMMMMMMM… Ok, nuff talk if you have some time watch the vids and get your take on things, from EVERYONE’S perspective.

And continuation of what the creators have to say

Overall, like I said before, it is not as much as the cartoon that makes me angry, but the package in a whole; the delivery, the product, and the message. We know there is a lot wrong with Hip Hop, with the way we spend our money, treat our people, etc. However, when you have a company that is now owned by White people, you have to be leery as to how “your” message is received by the viewer. I agree with them airing it at a more appropriate time, because the adults that I spoke with find it very funny, but as a parent, older sister, and concerned adult, I have a problem with who is actually being marketed.

Shit, put an Advisory warning before you air the Bitch!!

~f@ke

Fall/ Winter Coats… Ladies! September 2, 2007

I was searching for new work clothes, post-baby, and I ended up scouring the internet for some “Just-For-Me” Grey shoes. Sadly, my search provided me with null results.
However, I did find several jackets and coats that I thought were ‘Must-Haves’. Peep my finds for some Fall/ Winter inspiration. The new season is just around the corner

Delia’s (l to r)
1. Hannah Coat $98.50 2. Nia Toggle Bomber $68.50 3. Burton Plaid Coat $190 4. Audrey Plaid Toggle $88.50 5. Maria Trench (This jacket is slightly similiar to the Old Navy Jacket below) $68.50 6. Ashley Capelet $58.50 (This jacket is a cheaper version of the Elie Tahari Trapeze Coat below)

UrbanOutfitters (l to r)
1. Lux 2 Button Swing Jacket $68 2. Kimchi & Blue Ruffle Collar Coat $140 (The actual link for this coat was acting up @ the time I was posting, so you may want to try the site or give them a call) 3. Lux North Country Coat $150 4. Spiewak Helena Cape $150

Nordstrom (l to r) I will just say that most of the coats from here are far from cheap, but a Girl can dream & who doesn’t like to window shop?!
1. Beth Bowley Check Coat $385 2. GUESS? Wool Blend Military Coat $168 3. Elie Tahari Funnel Neck Trapeze Coat $550 4. Soia & Kyo Belted All Weather Chino Coat $245 5. Soia & Kyo Back Buckle All-Weather Coat $225 6. Semantiks ‘New Haven’ Coat (Plus) $168

Forever21 (l to r)
1. Plaid Coat $44.50 2. Metropolitan Trench Coat $34.80 3. 3Q Cotton Jacket $22.80

Gap (l to r)
1. Herringbone Blazer $88.00 2. Corduroy Blazer $69.50

Oldnavy This coat is flying off the shelves. My mother brought one in this color and went back the next day to get me one and there were only Plus sizes available.
Fleece Babydoll Coat $29.50 (sale)

J.Crew We all know that J. Crew is always pricey, but their quality of clothing is well worth the $$. Like Nordstrom, you will have to be ready to shell out some duckets (that’s money, folks). These coats have rich details making them timeless piece in any girl’s collection!
1. Cashmere Bella Coat $1,300 (Not a typo) 2. Double-faced Wool Lexington Jacket $228

I have plenty of clothes in my closet, but I have always had an abundance of coats and shoes. I LOVE coats, jackets, you name it. I hope that this collage of Fall/ Winter Outerwear has inspired you to begin the process of creating your Fall/ Winter wardrobe

~f@ke

My Apologies September 2, 2007

I apologize for not posting anything over the past couple of days. But I will like to say a BIG THANK YOU to the people that have been coming to my site considering, I am all over the place with the things I write about and tend to be very vocal about the things I do write about.

You guys and gals have been coming to this site in creeping numbers. To be honest it’s always beyond my expectations, LOL

~f@ke