When Reality TV Chickens Come Home to Roost... (The Porsha/Kenya Fight)

Over the past few days, everyone has been up in arms about the recent cat fight between Porsha Williams and Kenya Moore.  Two beautiful women.  Grown women.  Cast members (I refuse to call them stars) on the popular reality TV show Real Housewives of Atlanta.  Well, technically it wasn't really a fight.  One woman physically assaulted the other one because she (and other cast members) felt like she was being provoked.

*sigh* 

Let me just say this... I don't condone or support violence.  AT ALL.  And I will never come to someone's defense who physically attacks another person if it isn't self-defense. I totally understand feeling provoked though. I get it. I've been there - many times.  But I watched the reunion show and my question is this: Weren't they all being provoked??? 

Those beautiful women sat there in their designer gowns, flawless makeup and spewed out demeaning comments at one another all night.  They called each other slut...hoe....b*tch...repeatedly. Talk about being provoked!  I personally know some women who will get it poppin' it you call them ANY of those names.  Sure, one of the cast members had some props with her antics, which was annoying, inappropriate, and childish.  But I blame Bravo TV for allowing that.  They write the checks and they make the rules. #fact

I blame both women also. You can't bully someone with verbal abuse, props and/or accusations and get physical when you (Porsha) feel provoked.  It doesn't work that way.  If it did, we'd all have arrest records with multiple charges of battery. You also can't add fuel to the fire (Kenya) and then act surprised when it blows all the way up!

I don't watch Real Housewives of Atlanta regularly. God bless you if you do.  But from what I've seen, most of these ladies' conflict could be avoided if they would do one simple thing: Grow up.  

Tie Tuesday (Dr. Joseph Lowery)

I've been thinking about Dr. Joseph Lowery lately...  He's an icon who is best known for his leadership in the civil rights movement.  His tireless work has stretched over 60 years.  In fact, after Rosa Parks' arrest in 1955, Dr. Lowery was instrumental in leading the Montgomery bus boycott.  And at the request of Dr. Martin Luther King, he led the Selma to Montgomery march of 1965.  He later founded the Christian Leadership Conference with Dr.King, and led the organization from 1997 to 1987.  In 2009, Dr. Lowery was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama.

He celebrated his 92nd birthday this past Sunday in Atlanta at Morehouse College. Celebrities, politicians and community leaders came out to honor his life and contributions. One person was missing though.  His wife of nearly 60 years, Evelyn.  She passed away a week ago. 

My heart goes out to him for his loss...60 years is a long time to love someone.  But I know he's a man of faith.  And I know he'll keep pushing forward.  One of the many reasons I love and admire him...

Tie Tuesday (Bruno Mars)

*sigh*  Where do I start?  Wow....just wow.  Bruno Mars blows my freakin' mind with his talent:

• He sangs (no typo)

• He writes his own music and he writes for other artists 

• He plays almost every instrument 

• He dances (his pelvic thrusts are ummmm....yeah)

• His live performances are EVERYTHING  

In 2011, he was the biggest male selling artist in the world.  His videos have been viewed over 1 billion times on YouTube....25 international number ones.  I could go on and on, but you get the picture right?

But, while we're on the subject of Bruno.... I've been asking the universe to bless me with tickets to his Atlanta show (or Orlando--I'm not picky) for months now.  And because Jesus is a rock in a weary land, I'm gonna go ahead & say that this won't be a problem for Him.  Amen?  Amen. 

Pray for me, ya'll.  Thank you.  :) 

Black History Month: Gordon Parks 101

"I still don't know exactly who I am," Gordon Parks wrote in his 1979 memoir, "To Smile in Autumn." He added, "I've disappeared into myself so many different ways that I don't know who 'me' is."

Wow.  Pretty profound from a man who is so well known and loved throughout the world.

Gordon Parks

Gordon Parks was a celebrated photographer who left behind a body of work that captured some of the most important aspects of American culture.  He was a visionary who also made films, composed music and wrote books.  A true renaissance man.  

He broke barriers in the world of photography; a genius at telling complex (and controversial) stories through pictures.  But you wanna know what I love the most about him?  His compassion and commitment to social justice.  

Unlike most of today's celebrities, Gordon Parks used his influence to bring attention to the ugly realities of racism, poverty and injustice.  In fact, he once called his camera a "weapon against poverty and racism."

He wasn't afraid to give a voice to the world's 'forgotten' people. His work gave people a pulse.  It made them human.  When you look at his collections, you can't turn away. You won't forget.  And for that alone, his memory will always be cemented in American History.

In honor of Black History Month, Macy's, the Gordon Parks Foundation and the American Black Film Festival will be celebrating the works of Gordon Parks in Atlanta on Saturday, February 16th (2:00 pm, Macy's Lenox Mall).  If you've never seen his work, go. You'll be amazed. I promise. 
   

Pic Of The Day: It's Friday!!!!!!!!!!

Cheers! :)