Everyone's a little bit Racist

I've recently been forced to confront the fact that I'm Black.  I know, this is news to you as well.  Lemme explain.  I've spent my whole life being a loving daughter/sister, a model student, best friend ever, and an exemplary teacher.  But to some folks, regardless of all of those magnificent attributes, I'm still ... just ... Black.

Don't get me wrong, I love being Black!  My people have such a rich history & have been through so much, it's amazing we're still standing.  However, there are some people who can't rejoice in our successes because to them we'll always be second-class citizens; not smart enough, not pretty enough, not deserving of anything.

No matter how far we think we've progressed as a country, there are still some people who only see race.  Let's take this month, as short as it is, to have open dialogues & confront these issues head on. Otherwise, like a pot of boiling water left unattended, our underlying issues will spill out onto the surface.  Trust me, I know first hand...

29 Days

This month, schools will hang pictures of Frederick Douglass, Soledad O'Brien will profile left-handed Black people named Tom, and children will finally learn the difference between George Washington and George Washington Carver.  That's right kids.......It's Black History Month!

That's right, yall tried to give us this short ass, coldest month of the year.  But guess what: thanks to global warming, it's gonna be 60 degrees today and thanks to Leap Year, we got 29 days this year.  HA!  Between Red Tails & Blue Ivy, Blacks are having the best year ever!

My name is Crystal, and I'm a shop-a-holic

How I know I have a shopping addiction:

1. There is no room in my closet.  Granted, I live in a matchbox, but my closet is stuffed to the gills.
2. As I type this, I have another tab opened on my browser so I can look for more clothes.
3. I get clothes delivered to my job.
4. I have a ton of clothes in my closet that still have tags on them. 
5. When I donate clothes to Goodwill (you should definitely do this at the end of every season), I use it as an excuse to buy more clothes.
6. It's easier to put my clothes in the hamper then to hang them up.  (Refer to #1.)

And with that, I think it's time for another shopping fast.  For one month, I commit to not buying any new clothes & only shopping in my closet.  When I did this in July 2011, I saved over $200. In February 2012 (in honor of Black History Month), I will no longer give my money to the Man & his clothing stores.

So, who's gonna join me in my shopping fast??

What I Wore: My Favorite Dress

I decided to share another outfit with you guys.  I am notoriously frugal and not really into labels.  When you got a body like this, who needs name-brands! Ha!

Now this dress...I love.

See.


















I love it.







It's leopard print and fits me perfectly.  Every time I wear it I get tons of compliments and you'll never guess where I got it...

Walmart!

I know right.  This just goes to show you, you don't have to spend a lot of money to look as fabulous as me.

Black Mamba Millionaires

I'm sure yall have heard by now that Vanessa Bryant walked away with $75 million in her divorce settlement from Kobe Bean Bryant.  I'm sure yall have also heard the lyric "b*tch, you wasn't with me shooting in the gym" from Drake, America's saddest R&B rapper.  A lot of people, mostly dudes, have been riding with this lyric as though Vanessa is not entitled to any of the fortune that was amassed during their marriage.  But you know what, I'm not mad at Vanessa.  Lemme tell you why:

1. They shoulda signed a pre-nup.  Maybe if they hadn't gotten married when they were 14 & 12, Bean would have been smart enough to protect his money. Even Kim K and her sham of a 72 day marriage was smart enough to sign a pre-nup.
2. Vanessa stood by her husband is his darkest days.  She sat there (albeit looking foolish), holding his hand during his press conference regarding rape accusations.  It's a scientific fact (aight, maybe not) that when wives stand by their husbands, their careers bounce back quicker.  Look at Hillary & Bill vs. Tiger & Elin.  See?
3. Just because someone marries an athlete/entertainer does not mean they've signed an agreement to be cheated on.  Point blank, period.

So, was she out there shooting free throws, winning championships & getting endorsements? Nah.  But did she stand by him, have his children, and set up a cozy life for him? Yeah.  What's that worth?  I can't really say, but the state of California says $75 million!

Let Paula Deen be Great!

Why is everybody hating on Paula Deen?? First of all, let me say that I love that silver-haired lady.  She's what I imagine a White, Southern grandmother to be...just without the racism.  Every time I see her on TV, she's seems so sweet and she is just glowing...probably from all the butter.

A few days ago, Paula announced she had Diabetes.  Instead of people being concerned for Paula's well-being, they attacked her and basically said she's getting what she deserves.  Now, we all know that Paula loves butter and deep-frying things; her shows and cookbooks are full of recipes laden in hydrogenated oils and saturated fat.  And if YOU choose to eat those foods everyday...you're a fool. 

My favorite Paula recipe is her baked french toast casserole.  (Yes, it is as delicious as it sounds.)  Do you think I eat this every morning for breakfast?  Hell to the no!  I make this dish when I have company so I can make them fat.

Bottom line, I wish Paula Deen many years of good health and good eating and I can't wait to buy her "Everything but the butter" cookbook.

Top 10 Reasons why BET will never be TVOne

10. TVOne is for grown-ups; BET is for teenagers.  If you're not in middle school, nothing on BET is appealing to you.  Quick: what channel is BET?? Exactly.

9. The only movies they ever play on BET are Tyler Perry movies or chitlin circuit plays starring Clifton Powell.  Like seriously, how many times can dude play a preacher/wife-beater/drug dealer?

8. The original programming on TVOne (Unsung, Life After, etc.) are heads and tails above anything on BET.  With the exception of Tocarra's show & Ashley Bank's show, TVOne programming is far & above anything BET produces.

7. I'm not totally sure, but I think BET is owned by 'The Man.'  Minus 1 point.

6. TVOne plays re-runs of shows we all miss.  Martin, Living Single, Different World, Good Times...those are my jams and they're just as funny as when they first came on.

5 - 2. 106 & Park is still on the air.  I watched 5 minutes of 106 a few days ago & I swear I saw Terrance J hold up an SOS sign.  He hates his life.  And he should.  He's a college-educated 20-something interviewing Mindless Behavior about their views on the GOP primaries.  Terrance J, SAVE YOURSELF!

1. The Game. BET ruined a show that was pretty great.  A few years ago, The Game was cancelled by the CW but fans petitioned and fought for the show to come back.  Great.  Then BET took it over.  Hol up.  While the cast is still the same, I'm not sure if there are new writers, producers, set designers, etc., but whatever it is, something is just...off.

Aight, I've been kinda hard on BET.  I do think they're trying to do better by having news programming, gospel music hours, and awards shows.  So yall get one clap from me. *CLAP*  However, let's step our game up in 2012.  Black people are making big moves, why not reflect that on OUR TV network?