Your Black Bloggers » Theresa Sanders

Gay Men Want to Join Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority

Theresa Sanders — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 12:14:03 +0000

By Theresa Sanders

A few days ago as I browsed the internet, I came across several articles and various comments of an inflamed nature discussing how homosexual men, known as MIAKA’s (there is a unofficial chapter at Texas A&M), are gearing up to file a law suit against Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. in search of retribution for not being allowed as members into their SORORITY. I’m not “Greek” but here’s my issue with this:

1. I love the gay community and have many gay friends but just because you’re gay doesn’t mean you get special rights (cue the article about men wearing dresses to class at Morehouse College). There is a dress code in life. I can’t wear a bikini to class because I want sun and I have to dress a certain way at work or at a white table cloth restaurant or to fly first class…get over it. Gay means equal rights NOT special rights.

2. Greek organizations have a selection process. Members get to PICK and CHOOSE who they want in their sorority. This applies to various applicants every day. They can do the same for Gay people as well.

3. I honestly think it would be better if the men focused on starting groups that dealt with homophobic discrimination, preventing bullying and stereotypes and fighting for equality, rather than running around trying to shake their hair, wear pink and green, making ivys, calling themselves pretty girls, and trying to be involved in a SISTERHOOD as men!

4. I believe that they should just stick with and evolve their MIAKA chapter. Perhaps it could become something bigger than an imitation of another organization and serve in some capacity as a social outlet for gay youth in college.

What do you all think about this lawsuit?

About Theresa Sanders

Theresa Sanders is a young up-and-coming creative writer. Her thought provoking and uninhibited work can be found on her shock topic discussion blog "Y SUGARCOAT?" (http://www.ysugarcoat.com). While she received a Bachelor's degree in Biology from the well acclaimed Xavier University of Louisiana, she is passionate about writing and turning her hobby into a career. Her work is often featured as a guest segment on the radio show H2Flow on WAEC Love 860 AM radio on Saturday's from 4pm-6pm EST. For Theresa, writing is her form of iconography and a way she can interact and communicate with the world.

Take a “Hood-Rat” Break: New Webseries, “Black and Single”

Theresa Sanders — Thu, 17 May 2012 11:52:03 +0000

By Theresa Sanders

I am all about the gaining popularity of web series. Writers and directors are taking control of how the media portrays African-Americans, in mainstream media, by creating their own platform and specialized audience. Here is my latest obsession: A series entitled “Black and Single”, written and directed by the talented Jay Ali, who I got a chance to speak with regarding the background and creation of the show.

Ali expressed how the idea to create the show came about due to his feeling that African-Americans are not portrayed,on network television, to look or act like real everyday Black people. Poor writing, production, and the rise of reality television are a few of the things Ali attributes to this inaccurate portrayal. (He even thinks Black porn is suffering from the aforementioned as well!) These factors, he believes, are causing scripted television shows to become the last of a dying breed. It is through generosity, dedication of FREE time, and believing in the success of “Black and Single” that this show is currently being made possible.

The web series takes place amidst the back drop of the dating scene, in Atlanta, Georgia, where two young black and single characters, Oni and Jessie, struggle to find love. They continuously and inadvertently cross pathways and it appears they could be perfect for each other. The problem is if they will ever officially meet. Check out the first episode below:

What makes this web series even more intriguing is that it feels “real.” The genuine feel can be attributed to the fact that the experiences, trials and tribulations, that the characters go through, are derived from Ali’s own personal dating stories or those of friends.

In the opening scene and closing scene of the date, the viewer is engaged through listening to a jazz band. This audio-visual concept was inspired by Ali’s memories of “The Cosby Show” which featured various jazz acts.

Ali hopes the series takes off and gets picked up by a network, as long as he is still creatively pulling the reigns. You can expect 10 great episodes this season, bi-weekly, for your viewing pleasure.

I definitely see the potential. As a writer myself, I dig when fellow writers take charge and do their own thing. It’s always nice to give your brain a “hoodrat break”, turn off Basketball Wives and watch something with a bit more substance. Will you be watching?

About Theresa Sanders

Virginia Foxx Thinks Student Loans Are for Losers

Theresa Sanders — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:33:28 +0000

By Theresa Sanders

People need to be very aware of the beliefs of the politicans they support as these people make decisions for the whole country. Many of these politicians are often out of touch with the struggles of the regular American citizen.

Just last week, during a radio interview, Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (who happens to be the the CHAIR of the Higher Education and Workforce Training Subcommittee in the house) stated that she has

“very little tolerance for people who tell me that they graduated with $200,000 of debt or even $80,000 of debt because there is no reason for that.”

She goes on to boast how her education cost her $48,000 and that she paid for it out of pocket…in 1968. Listen to her comments below:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULCMZe5PRMM]

Here’s where the issue lies: She went to school in 1968! The cost of an education at her alma mater has TRIPLED since 1968 (and that’s with in-state tuition) and the cost of minimum wage was also 38% higher in 1968 than it is now. In 2007, the average American college education cost about $18,000+ a year.

Furthermore, does this mean that people who further their education, whether it be pursing master’s degrees, enrolling in doctoral programs, or in law or medical school have no excuse for the crippling amount of student loans they incur? Some of their students loans can be up to the amount of $200,000.

Considering it took her seven years to graduate, if she were in college in 2012 I wonder if she would still turn her nose up at student loans and if she accepted them, I wonder what price tag would be on her education? Maybe she should look at the National Center of Education Statistics before she opens her mouth again on the subject.

About Theresa Sanders

Nicole Ari Parker Creates “Save Your Do” Gym Headwrap for Black Women Who Work Out

Theresa Sanders — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 14:03:48 +0000

Statistics state that at the rate that obesity is effecting the Black community, by 2020 70% of Black women will be obese. The rise of obesity of Black women may be attributed to the fact that many spend hours and a great deal of money weekly to bi-weekly on their hairstyles. In one rigorous gym work out, a hair style could be ruined by sweating and many Black women do not want to ruin a hair style that they spent a great deal of time and money on.

Nicole Ari Parker created the revolutionary idea of creating a hair gym wrap for Black women after she gained 30 pounds in a year due to her opting to workout to save her hair do. The “Save Your Do” gym wrap uses patented pending technology to save your edges and roots by wicking away moisture produced from sweat during a strenuous workout.

The gym wrap was tested after doing 45 minutes of strenuous indoor and outdoor military boot camp work outs. Parker selected the final version after testing 17 different prototypes.

The Save Your Do gym wrap comes in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. Prices start at $24.95. While that may seem a bit pricey it does seem like a good investment so that Black women can work out without worry and maintain healthy bodies and lifestyles. Currently, a $5.00 discount is being offered for first time buyers. 10% of the proceeds from sales goes towards Sophie’s Voice Foundation, a non-profit that helps children and adults with spina bifida.

For more information or to purchase visit the website at http://www.saveyourdo.com

About Theresa Sanders

Best Way to Repsond to a Company Asking for Your Social Media Passwords

Theresa Sanders — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 21:18:29 +0000

When preparing for a job interview, you generally go over a series of possible questions the interviewer could ask you in your head and how you would answer them. After going on about 5 or 6 interviews, you realize that most interviewers generally ask the same questions. They want you to show them how you would be an asset to their company and they want to see that you have good character that would not jeopardize the moral fiber of their company or their cash flow. Imagine sitting down in an interview with all your prepared answers to all those hypothetical questions and having the interviewer hit you with the wildest question you would have never expected,

“What is the password to your Facebook account?”

This question is beginning to be asked more often than you may think. A while back I did a post on my personal blog about the privacy invasion of major company’s hiring hackers to get access to job applicants’ social networking websites called “Should Companies Hack Social Networking Sites?”

Perhaps it is the increased applicant pool or a test of the desperation of unemployed individuals for “how badly do you want this job in comparison to the next person,” that allows companies to think this is an appropriate interview question, but here are some good ways to respond.

Ways To Respond:

1. “Sure. Are you ready? Ok, my password is (spell out some explicatives),” then politely get up and walk out.

…OK, OK, but it all seriousness you could answer by saying the following:

2. Take the honorable approach and say “Just as I would not give out this company’s private passwords to someone who asked for them without a police warrant, I do not feel I should give out my private passwords without one either.”

You should then ask yourself if you want to work for a company that does not respect your privacy ? What’s next? Will they be asking that a camera be installed in your home? Seems to me that this request is a way for companies to dig up information on you that would be ILLEGAL for them to ask in an interview, such as your sexual preference, political views, religion, etc.

Facebook has recently released a statement stating that they do not agree with companies making these types of requests of job applicants because, not only does such a request jeopardize the privacy of the person being interviewed, but it also jeopardizes the privacy of ALL members of that person’s friend list who did not give their permission for that company to view their personal information.

I forsee a lot of law suits about to pop off shortly from this. Some of these companies better watch out before someone “lawyers up ” and the sign on the building gets changed to (INSERT YOUR NAME HERE), LLC.

About Theresa Sanders

Are Illuminati Accusations a Direct Attack on Black Success?

Theresa Sanders — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 17:54:12 +0000

Recently, there has been an immense curiosity surrounding the possibility of Black mega celebrities being involved in a secret society called the â€œilluminati.” Â IÂ have participated in multiple discussions about the possibility of this secret society with friends, in the beauty salon, and watched numerous YouTube videos that have been made to dissect the lives, videos, and performances of major celebrities. Â People are always trying to pinpoint anti-Christ-like symbolism in everything some of these famous Black celebrities do in order to serve as evidence that these mega stars are in fact members of the â€œilluminati.” Â While I am not sure if this exclusive society exist, I have made the following observations:

1. Accusations of Membership Appears to be Increasingly Directed Towards Successful Black People:Â Â President Barack Obama, major Black recording artists such as Jay-Z, Beyonce, Kanye, Rihanna, Michael Jackson and many more, are accused of selling their soul to the devil in exchange for supreme career and financially success. Could their success not be attributed to their musically talented? Was a secret society the reason Barack Obama became president or was he not elected because he offered change to the country when we were economically at ourÂ lowestÂ point? Â Most of the people listed above have undeniable crowd appeal and talent which hasÂ catapulted them to success.

Furthermore, Warren Buffet, who threw up “the roc” (the symbol of Jay-Z’s record label and a controversial sign that has been pin-pointed as membership in the illuminati) at Jay-Z’s reopening of the 40/40 club, Donald Trump, and many of the white 1% are never accused by the media of being in this secret society.

Jumping to devil worship and membership into a secret society seems to be a bit extreme to me and a direct attack on African-American success.

2.Â It Appears to be Directed Towards African Ancient Culture:Â I have seen countless symbols in association with the â€œilluminatiâ€ that come from Ancient Egypt such as the Eye of Ra and the Ankh. Out of all the pagan ancient religions and cultures, why are those from an ancient society in Africa used in association with the â€œilluminatiâ€? Most of the symbols deemed “anti-Christ-like” in fact have a positive meaning as research of the culture has indicated.

3.Â Are Artists Playing Into This Whole illuminati Thing for Publicity?:Â They say in Hollywood that there is no such thing as bad publicity but I must disagree. In my estimation, playing around with allowing people to associate you with Â worshipping the devil is too steep of a price for publicity. Â It seems that some of these celebrities have opted on speaking out against these accusations. Â Whether artist are in the illuminati or not it does appear that they use the accusations to their â€œadvantageâ€ and by makingÂ countless videos with very suspicious symbolism in them in order to create a controversial buzz about their work. Â In return, their videos are constantly viewed on YouTube, s MTV, VH1, and BET and constantly in discussion.

I am not sure how exclusive or how valid a secret society such as the alleged illuminati could be since EVERYONE supposedly knows about it. Â However, these accusations of membership in such a society causes for evaluation as it appears that such accusations may be directed towards successful blacks as a masked racial attack which proves that much of society can not accept that African-American’s are talented.

About Theresa Sanders

Sallie Mae Personified: How Student Loans Cripple Our Kids

Theresa Sanders — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 00:15:32 +0000

While surfing the web I came across this video by DORMTAINMENT.COM that outlines the perils of taking large student loans and personifies Sallie Mae.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnGWEv5EY6E]

While funny, this video sheds light on the high cost of getting a college education. At the young and financially immature age of 18 years old, many of today’s youth sign their names on the hearty finanical binding contracts that outline financial aid. In addition, many of these young people assume that there is not much reason to worry about taking lofty sums of money from the government for education because their degrees will allow them to easily pay back the money owed at a later date.

If you ask most college freshman on a campus where they hope to be in 10 years, their dreams will most likely include high paying jobs, husbands, wives, houses, children, and cars. However, the reality is that many college graduates are living in poverty or pay check to pay check struggling to pay life’s day to day bills yet alone pay large amounts in student loan payments.

Do you think this video could be education to the young adult who is financially immature? Do you think Sallie Mae’s personification in this video was accurate?

About Theresa Sanders

Rihanna’s “Birthday Cake” Remix Featuring Chris Brown Sheds Light on the Realities of Domestic Violence

Theresa Sanders — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 21:02:52 +0000

Itâ€™s not just the racy lyrics that have people talking about the release of the remix to Rihannaâ€™s â€œBirthday Cakeâ€ song from her album entitled â€œLoud.â€Â The track was leaked on her birthday, February 20^th 2012, but itâ€™s the guest artist on the remix that really has tongues wagging.Â The guest artist on the remix is no other than her abusive ex-boyfriend Chris Brown.

While I am not on the â€œRihanna is a role model for little girlsâ€ bandwagon, as the lyrics toÂ most of her songs are not about rainbows, glitter, andÂ teddy bears, I do feel the release of this remix does the following things:

1.Â Reinforces Bad Ideas About Chris Brownâ€™s Character:

His character is already on the chopping block for the abuse against Rihanna he administered in 2010.Â The leaked photos taken by police at the scene of the crime and disturbing police report floating around the web are already a bad stain on his image.Â Because the song is riddled with explicit content, sexually charged innuendos, and suggestive language directed between the pair, Brown is now being deemed a cheater.Â Chris Brown is currently in a relationship with a Vietnamese model named Karreuche.Â It is suggested that lines in the song sang by Rihanna such as â€œsweeter than a rice cake,â€ are direct shots fired at his current Asian girlfriend.

2.Â Reinforces The Realities Of Domestic Violence:

In the case of domestic violence and violence against women, Chris Brown is wrong on all accounts.Â While society may be rallying up against the abuse Rihanna experience at the hands of Brown, she has still decided to interact with him.Â It is up to Rihanna to take the responsibility of loving herself enough to not want to be involved with a man who physically abused her.Â It is unclear what the release of this remix means as far as the relationship between Rihanna and Brown, but it does bring about realities about abuse.Â Â According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, if Rihanna chooses to get back in a relationship with Chris Brown, she would not be much different from 85% of women who leave an abusive relationship and return.Â This means that her decision to continue dating Brown would not at all be uncommon.

3.Â Reinforces The Idea That Education Regarding Abuse in Relationships is Necessary:

Here are a few facts about domestic abuse via The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence:

Every 9 seconds in the US a woman is assaulted or beaten.

Around the world, at least one in every three women has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused during her lifetime. Most often, the abuser is a member of her own family.

Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to womenâ€”more than car accidents, muggings, and rapes combined.

Studies suggest that up to 10 million children witness some form of domestic violence annually.

Nearly 1 in 5 teenage girls who have been in a relationship said a boyfriend threatened violence or self-harm if presented with a breakup.

Everyday in the US, more than three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends.

92%Â of women surveyed listed reducing domestic violence and sexual assault as their top concern.

Domestic violence victims lose nearly 8 million days of paid work per year in the US aloneâ€”the equivalent of 32,000 full-time jobs.

Based on reports from 10 countries, between 55Â % and 95Â % of women who had been physically abused by their partners had never contacted non-governmental organizations, shelters, or the police for help.

The costs of intimate partner violence in the US alone exceed $5.8 billion per year: $4.1 billion are for direct medical and health care services, while productivity losses account for nearly $1.8 billion.

Men who as children witnessed their parentsâ€™ domestic violence were twice as likely to abuse their own wives than sons of nonviolent parents.

If you are anyone you know is a victim of violence in a relationship please contact the following:

The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233

The National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673

The National Teen Dating Abuse Hotline at 1-866-331-9474

About Theresa Sanders

Student Asked to Name Historical Black Figure: She Says “50 Cent”

Theresa Sanders — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 12:30:10 +0000

Please watch this video to see why educating EVERYONE on Black History Month is greatly needed.

Dave Ackerman is the creator and interviewer who is said to have made this video in an attempt to show that most people know nothing about Black History.

When interviewed by Ackerman, one student replied he celebrates Black History month by dining on fried chicken and grape juice. Â Another student was asked who was a famous historical Black figure she knew to which she replied, “50 Cent.” Â The plot thickens as there are several offensive parts of this video. Â The ridiculous stereotypical imitations, racist and ignorant comments (which at times appeared to be egged on by the Ackerman for purposes of making the video “funny”), and the fact that Ackerman was interviewing his fellow classmates donning black face all prove to show the lack of knowledge and ignorance of the Brigham Young University students to African-American culture period. Â Aside from the aforementioned, the most shocking part of the video is that the African-American students interviewed Â have no clue how to answer the most basic questions about Black history including the question “what month is Black History month?”

Knowledge is power, and with this we can fight ignorance.

Is this video offensive or compelling? Â What are your thoughts?

About Theresa Sanders

Epic Fail: “Mistresses of Atlanta” TV Series in the Works?

Theresa Sanders — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:03:54 +0000

According to tweets of the popular stripper/rapper arm candy Maliah Michel, a pilot for a show entitled “Mistresses of Atlanta,” is being shot and possibly coming to a TV near you soon.

EPIC FAIL

It seems like now days the only way to watch a good television show starring actors with talent is to pay exorbitant fees for HBO or other premium channels. Â It’s bad enough to be bombarded with reality shows that feature African-American women who prideÂ themselves on who they procreate with, whose man has the most money, getting into fist fights, and other various embarrassing debacles…this show is sure to be the whipped cream with the sprinkles on top of the cake of embarrassment. Â Furthermore, it is television shows like these that feature a predominately Black cast that help perpetuate the worst kinds of stereotypes about African-American women and men. Â Television stations are constantly increasing the shock value of reality shows to increase their popularity which often times means the Â ignorance level must increase as well.

The cast (pictured above) is composed of SoleHeir (unknown male),Â Maliah Michel (stripper/model),Â Rosee Divine (model), Sarah Oliver (model), Mâ€™JaeÂ (rapper), andÂ Strings (singer). Â Not familiar with most of the names listed? Â This shouldn’t surprise you asÂ it seems it would be a tough feat to find people bold enough to openly and proudly prance around on national TV claiming they are wrecking marriages, homes, and families.

Reality TV has birthed a new type of celebrity. Â The exponential success of reality TV is made possible because our criteria for who should be considered a celebrity is decreasing.

How Can This Be Real?

What man is going to let his side-piece prance around on television for all the world to see, get interested in, and begin to investigate her/his lifestyle, so that his doubleÂ life can be discovered by his wife? Â Think “Real Housewives of Atlanta” Kim Zolciak’s “Big Pappa.” Â Because we are living in the information age, his real identity was put on blast by internal sources before the first season even came to a close.

Shockingly, Toya’s (former wife of Lil’ Wayne) husband Memphitz is responsible for producing this show. Â Even more disturbing still are the pictures circulating of her young daughter Reginae Â on set happily snapping away pictures with the cast members as if they were role models or celebrities.

Hopefully none of these ladies (and gentlemen) end up on an episode of “Snapped”…because aside from subjecting themselves to criticism and embarrassing a lot of us in society, Openly messing with a married man on NATIONAL TV could be quite dangerous.