President Barack Obama Reaches A Personal Milestone: His 50th Birthday

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By Ayize Ma’at

Whenever I see images of our Commander -In- Chief Barack Obama I can’t help but feel a sense of pride as an African American man.  President Obama is truly an inspiration to me and many others because of the obstacles he has overcome, who he is, and what he represents.  The impact of Barack Obama on the African American community transcends politics.  His presence creates a quiet satisfaction that resonates on a “gut” level enabling many African Americans to feel proud.

Today Barack Obama is feeling proud.  He has reached a personal milestone, his 50th birthday.  He has already received one of the gifts he publicly requested, the raising of the debt ceiling.  I wonder what else the President would like to celebrate the BIG 5-0.  On numerous occasions the President has joked about aging (graying hair, bags under eyes, aches and pains), you know father time has never lost a match.  Even with all those minor physical changes, we at BLAM want you to know that you’re still FLYYY and by a long shot you’re the coolest, hippest, and most swaggerrific  President we’ve ever had.  President Barack Obama Happy 50th Birthday.  We wish you many many many more.  Hmmmm, if I could give you a birthday gift I would give you ……A NEW JUMP SHOT.  LOL  Yeah you got game..but it could get a little better. (just kiddin)

BLAM Fam what would you give the President for his 50th Birthday?

BLAM’s HOT TOPICS for 07/25/11 – 08/01/11

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Stay up to speed with the current events of the week. Check out BLAM’s HOT TOPICS as it relates to the black experience and beyond.

1. 5th EDDIE LONG ACCUSER SURFACES AND SAYS  THEIR LOVE WAS SO INTENSE HE HAD HIS NAME TATTOOED ON HIS WRIST.  2. BLACK STUDENT CAN’T BE VALEDICTORIAN 3. 7 ISSUES THE BLACK CHURCH WON’T TOUCH 4. MALCOLM X’s DAUGHTER SENTENCED FOR STEALING WOMAN’S IDENTITY 5. COULD MONIQUE FALL VICTIM TO THE “BLACK OSCAR’S” CURSE? 6. CHECK PLEASE: BLACK FOLKS AND TIPPING

5th EDDIE LONG ACCUSER SURFACES AND SAYS  THEIR LOVE WAS SO INTENSE HE HAD HIS NAME TATTOOED ON HIS WRIST.

One source says Centino Kemp, who was raised in the Bahamas, met Bishop Eddie Long years ago during a visit to New Birth while he was a teenage student in a Florida college. The relationship meant enough for him to tattoo Eddie Long’s name on his wrist, followed by the words, “Never a Mistake, Always a Lesson.” CLICK HERE for more.

BLACK STUDENT CAN’T BE VALEDICTORIAN

PINE BLUFF, Ark. (AR) – A high school southeast of Little Rock would not let a black student be valedictorian though she had the highest grade-point average, and wouldn’t let her mom speak to the school board about it until graduation had passed, the graduate claims in Federal Court. CLICK HERE for more.

7 ISSUES THE BLACK CHURCH WON’T TOUCH

There was a time (not so long ago) when Americans largely disapproved of certain social practices such as abortion, divorce, pornography, sexual promiscuity, profane and obscene language, etc. The black Christian church has certainly been one of the most staunch and vocal opponents of such modes of living in times past. But, lately, it appears that the evangelical component of our community has generally gone silent.  CLICK HERE for more.

MALCOLM X’s DAUGHTER SENTENCED FOR STEALING WOMAN’S IDENTITY

Malikah Shabazz, the youngest of Malcolm X’s six daughters, was sentenced yesterday to five years’ probation for stealing the identity of the widow of one of her dad’s bodyguards.  CLICK HERE for more.

COULD MONIQUE FALL VICTIM TO THE “BLACK OSCAR’S” CURSE?

MediaTakeout was the first to report the surprising news that BET’s latest late-night talk show attempt, The Mo’Nique Show, had fizzled out. Unlike African American-led late-night shows of the past, however, MediaTakeout insists that ratings were not the cause of the demise. Instead, it’s claiming that “personality conflicts” are responsible. CLICK HERE for more.

CHECK PLEASE: BLACK FOLKS and TIPPING

It got so bad that at one point, many of the white servers told the hosts not to seat any black folks in their section. So this meant, for a spell, de facto segregation at the restaurant, as white servers who wanted to wait on nonblack parties left the black waitstaff to wait on black parties — which was cool, right? CLICK HERE for more

BLAM’s HOT TOPICS for 07/18/11 – 07/25/11

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Stay up to speed with the current events of the week. Check out BLAM’s HOT TOPICS as it relates to the black experience and beyond.

1. Is BET In The Business Of Silencing Smart Hip Hop?  2. Justice Nixes New Malcolm X Murder Probe. 3. Did Focus On Test Scores In Atlanta Public Schools Spur Cheating?  4. Tavis Smiley and Cornel West Talk About Shortcomings Of Obama During Their “Poverty Tour”   5. An End To The AIDS Epidemic?  6. Rohan Marley Leaves Lauryn Hill (and unborn child) For Brazilian Model.  7. Beyonce’s Dad Speaks Out On Theft Allegations 8. Rep. Allen West: I’m A Threat To Liberals Because ‘I’m The Guy That Got Off Their 21st Century Plantation’ 9. Pastor Rapes 12 Year Old Girl 9 times 10. Chocolate City No More! D.C. Loses Black Majority 11. Black Serial Killer Faces Death Penalty After Found Guilty of Killing 11 Women 12. Dave Chapelle Bombs At Zo’s Charity Comedy Event and Then Returns To Apologize

IS B.E.T. IN THE BUSINESS OF SILENCING SMART HIP HOP?

On July 18th, BET became the target of heavy thumbs and repeated exclamation marks following the ban of Georgia-native rapper Killer Mike’s latest video, “Burn.” Politically charged, the artist expresses his sympathy for the Oscar Grant‘s of our country, the financial plagues of lower-income neighborhoods, lies and deceit within church communities, and the prison industrial complex to name a few AND BET opted to reject the video from its network and banned its play. CLICK HERE for more.

JUSTICE NIXES NEW MALCOM X MURDER PROBE.

Historians have long viewed the assassination as unsolved, as The Times reported Saturday. Several experts have argued that the Justice Department could take up the case under the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act of 2007, but the department, without elaborating, said the crime did not fit the parameters of that act. CLICK HERE to read more.

DID FOCUS ON TEST SCORES IN ATLANTA PUBLIC SCHOOLS SPUR CHEATING?

The massive test cheating scandal in Atlanta public schools is alarming only by its breadth and depth.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation confirmed cheating in 44 of 56 public schools it reviewed, and 178 teachers and 38 principals were accused of changing answers on standardized tests or helping students with the answers. Eighty teachers admitted to participating in the cheating.  CLICK HERE for more.

TAVIS SMILEY AND CORNEL WEST TALK ABOUT SHORTCOMINGS OF OBAMA DURING THEIR “POVERTY TOUR.”

Black activists Cornel West and Tavis Smiley are planning a 15-city “Poverty Tour” to bring attention to the needy and to what they say are the failings of President Barack Obama.  CLICK HERE to read more.

AN END TO THE AIDS EPIDEMIC?

A breakthrough in HIV medication is once again leading experts to point to the end of AIDS. New research highlights a growing body of evidence that the drugs used to save the lives of millions of people living with HIV can also prevent the spread of the disease.  CLICK HERE to read more.

ROHAN MARLEY LEAVES LAURYN HILL (AND UNBORN CHILD) FOR A BRAZILIAN MODEL.

Lauryn Hill warned us that some guys are only about “that thing” in her song “Doo Wop,” and now her boyfriend has proved it. The miseducated diva’s longtime squeeze Rohan Marley has left her for Brazilian model Isabeli Fontana — and what’s worse, Lauryn is pregnant with (presumably) his child. CLICK HERE for more.

BEYONCE’S DAD SPEAKS OUT ON THEFT ALLEGATIONS

After lots of speculation on the details of the case, Knowles finally responded in an interview with the Associated Press yesterday.
“We absolutely have not taken any money from Beyoncé, and all dollars will be accounted for,” he said. “In no way have we stole money. Again, this about the people who have made these claims – they have to come into the light.” CLICK HERE for more.

Rep. Allen West: I’m A Threat To Liberals Because ‘I’m The Guy That Got Off Their 21st Century Plantation’

Tea Party Rep. Allen West’s (R-FL) misogynistic comments have provoked a serious backlash. After shooting off an incendiary email demanding that the “vile, unprofessional, and despicable” Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) “shut the heck up” and act like a lady, furious women lawmakers and advocacy groups “lined up to exorciate” the GOP freshman for his own “unprofessional, vitriolic and offensivepersonal attacks.” The Congressional Black Caucus may even seek to discipline its only Republican member.  CLICK HERE for more.

PASTOR  RAPES 12 YEAR OLD GIRL 9 TIMES

The former pastor of the North Carolina church New Life Christian Center, Keith Devon Pitts, has been convicted of nine counts of sexual abuse with the same girl.WCNC News reports that ” his nine counts include sex offense of a child and taking indecent liberties with a child.” CLICK HERE for more.

CHOCOLATE CITY NO MORE! DC LOSES BLACK MAJORITY

A city known as “Chocolate City” for it’s large number of African-Americans, may not be able to call itself that anymore.The Black population in Washington D.C. has slipped under 50 percent this year, close to 51 years after it gained a majority, according to an estimate by William Frey, the senior demographer at the Brookings Institution.  CLICK HERE for more.

BLACK SERIAL KILLER FACES DEATH PENALTY AFTER FOUND GUILTY OF KILLING 11 WOMEN

CLEVELAND (AP) — The nightmares happened when Anthony Sowell was smoking crack cocaine in the company of women, especially if they reminded him of his ex-girlfriend. And, as he told detectives, the nightmares were all the same: They involved him hurting a woman with his hands. Police found 11 bodies buried in his backyard or in his home. CLICK HERE for more.

DAVE CHAPELLE BOMBS AT ZO’S CHARITY COMEDY EVENT AND THEN RETURNS TO APOLOGIZE

Things fell apart for Chappelle Friday night shortly after his first joke, and continued downhill in a bizarre, roughly hour-long standoff with the audience that included Chappelle checking his text messages, refusing to tell jokes, and threatening to outlast the crowd. CLICK HERE for more.

BLAM’S HOT TOPICS for 07/14/11

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Stay up to speed with the current events of the day. Check out BLAM’s HOT TOPICS as it relates to the black experience and beyond. Updated throughout the day!

HAS CORNEL WEST GONE TOO FAR CRITICIZING THE PRESIDENT?

WILL MAJORITY BLACK DISTRICTS DISAPPEAR?

NAACP CRITICIZES CNN’s LACK OF AFRICAN AMERICANS IN NEW LINE UP.

A CHAT WITH THE ONLY AFRICAN AMERICAN WINNER OF “THE APPRENTICE”

COMMENTARY: POOR HEALTH CARE LEADS TO BLACK ABORTIONS

BLAM’s HOT TOPICS 07/13/11

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Stay up to speed with the current events of the day. Check out BLAM’s HOT TOPICS as it relates to the black experience and beyond. Updated throughout the day!

70 YEAR OLD QUEENS PRISON CHAPLAIN ARRESTED FOR BEING ON HIS KNEES……(AND HE WASN’T PRAYING YALL)

NO CHARGES IN SAGGY PANTS AIRPLANE CASE

CELEBRATING NELSON MANDELA ON HIS 93RD BIRTHDAY

TYLER PERRY ALMOST BECAME A BABY DADDY

WIFE CUT HUSBAND’S PENIS OFF AND PUT IT IN GARBAGE DISPOSAL

TINA TURNER KARAOKE SESSIONS LEAD TO EVICTION

BLAM’s HOT TOPICS for 07/12/11

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Stay up to speed with the current events of the day. Check out BLAM’s HOT TOPICS as it relates to the black experience and beyond. Updated throughout the day!

1. Mo’ Money Mo’ Problems: R Kelly’s suburban mansion in foreclosure.  2. Michelle Obama’s Shake Shak Burger: Much To Do About Nothing.  3.  Was Beyonce’s Daddy Stealing From Her 4. How Do Yall “Get Down” At Your Family Reunion?

Mo’ Money Mo’ Problems: R Kelly’s Suburban Mansion In Foreclosure. CLICK HERE to read more.

According to Cook County Circuit Court, Kelly hasn’t made payment since June of 2010.  Aren’t you glad you’re not the only one caught in this mortgage mess. smh

Michelle Obama’s Shake Shak Burger: Much To Do About Nothing. CLICK HERE to read more.

Now, some are crying foul, considering the First Lady has been leading the charge against child obesity through the Let’s Move campaign to promote exercise and healthy diet for America’s kids.  Beat down over burger and fries…now this is ridiculous.

Was Beyonce’s Daddy Stealing From Her? CLICK HERE to read more.

TMZ is reporting that Mathew Knowles has filed legal papers which now explain why Beyonce fired him as her manager. He claims she’s under the impression he stole lots of money from her, but Daddy Knowles says it just isn’t so.

How Do Yall Get Down At Your Family Reunion? CLICK HERE to read more.

The Root wants to celebrate your inspiring and unique families with a gallery of real family reunion photos. Upload yours to our Facebook page, along with your family’s name, and when and where the photo was taken. Also, feel free to add a few words about what makes your family great.

BLAM’S HOT TOPICS for 07/11/11

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Stay up to speed with the current events of the day. Check out BLAM’s HOT TOPICS as it relates to the black experience and beyond. Updated throughout the day!

1. Is Interracial Dating Abandonment of Race? 2. Vegas Police Apologize After Wrong Man Goes To Prison. 3. Why Do Black Women Have Worse Long Term Health Outcomes? 4. A Prisoner Advocate Finds Love Behind Bars.
IS INTERRACIAL DATING ABANDONMENT OF RACE?
Many people say Hell No….and many people say Hell Yeah. What do you say? CLICK HERE to see the video
VEGAS POLICE APOLOGIZE AFTER WRONG MAN GOES TO PRISON
This is absolutely absurd….how bout each one of the officers involved spends the next 4 years in prison for making the mistake. CLICK HERE to read the full story.
WHY DO BLACK WOMEN HAVE WORSE LONG TERM HEALTH OUTCOMES?
Could the roles that black women play and the stress they experience as a result of that be contributing to worse long term health outcomes? CLICK HERE to read the article.
A PRISONER ADVOCATE FINDS LOVE BEHIND BARS
We all know somebody whose a part of the prison ministry. What would you say if the person that you know (who is a part of the prison ministry) says their in love with one of the prisoners? CLICK HERE to read the full story.

Mary J. Blige Still Struggles With Low Self Esteem

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In order to love anybody else….you must first love yourself.  We firmly believe you cannot give what you don’t have.  In the below article from BlackAmericaWeb Mary J. Blige speaks on how events from her childhood still have an impact on her self esteem today. She acknowledges that through hard work she will eventually be healed and truly internalize that she good…just as she is.

from Black America Web

Mary J. Blige said she had heard of Kathryn Stockett’s best-selling book “The Help,” but had never actually read it before she was asked to provide a song for its film adaptation.

Set in civil rights era Mississippi, the story follows a group of maids who risk their livelihood just to stand in their own truth.  The women, two of whom are played by Octavia Spencer and Viola Davis, are asked to share their true experiences working for white families – all for a book authored by one of the more socially-progressive white women in town, played by Emma Stone.

Blige, who wrote “The Living Proof” for the soundtrack after watching a screening of the film [scroll down to listen], says her lyrics were inspired by the journey of these three very different women.

“The inspiration came from when I saw just how all of the women through the film were just holding each other together no matter how bad it got,” she said during interviews for the film in New York. “First they didn’t want to help write the book. All of the maids were like, ‘I don’t wanna do it.’ And then one of them got in trouble, or got set up and was sent to prison, and then they all came together and was like, ‘We’re gonna do it.’

“But Aibileen was the one who inspired me the most,” Blige said of Davis’ character, “because she was the one who had the voice first.”

With nine Grammys on the mantle and her 10th studio album, “My Life II: The Journey Continues,” due Oct. 4, it would appear that Blige has not only found her own voice, but has become the voice of a generation.  However, the South Yonkers-bred singer admits she still finds it difficult to overcome some of the self-esteem issues that took root during her childhood.

“It’s not as hard as it used to be, but it gets hard sometimes,” said Blige, 40. “You wish that your mom didn’t work so much so that she could give you the parental guidance that you needed, you know? You wish that your dad didn’t walk out on you so he could tell you that you were beautiful, and so you wouldn’t have to look for some man to tell you that you were beautiful, or have low self-esteem.  So now, I’m constantly working on myself every day to believe that, which I’m believing. I’m beginning to believe it.”

Blige says she gets tons of positive reinforcement from her husband, family and close friends, as well as an overwhelming amount of unconditional love from her fan base.

BLAM’S HOT TOPICS for 7/09/11

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Stay up to speed with the current events of the day. Check out BLAM’s HOT TOPICS as it relates to the black experience and beyond. Updated throughout the day!

1. Bow Wow Writes An Open Letter To His Fans….About His Daughter 2. Are Gay Men Making Straight Men Look Bad? 3. Rapper Exhibit Says..”Planking is Racist, Not Funny” 4. Atlanta Schools Announce Change After Scandal

BOW WOW WRITES AND OPEN LETTER TO HIS FANS….ABOUT HIS DAUGHTER

Yes! I change diapers. Aint as bad as i thought hahaha. I want her to live with me so bad. Jus us 2. Thats my dream man but fellas yall know how it go. Baby gotta stay with they momma and all dat bull. I hate that!  CLICK HERE to read the rest of his letter.

ARE GAY MEN MAKING STRAIGHT MEN LOOK BAD?

In our humble opinion….THIS IS ABSOLUTELY CRAZY lol.  Can’t nobody make you look bad ….what YOU DO is what’s responsible for making YOU look bad.  CLICK HERE to check out the thread.

RAPPER EXZIBIT SAYS “PLANKING IS RACIST….NOT FUNNY.”

“Planking is THE dumbest sh-t ever,” Xzibit tweeted (via TMZ). “#Planking was a way to transport slaves on ships during the slave trade, its not funny. Educate.”  CLICK HERE to read more.

ATLANTA SCHOOLS ANNOUNCE CHANGE AFTER SCANDAL

The changes announced by interim Superintendent Erroll Davis Jr. come two days after state investigators said 178 educators had cheated on standardized tests used to meet federal benchmarks dating back to 2001. Davis reiterated Thursday that none of those educators will work in an Atlanta classroom again. CLICK HERE to read more.

BLAM’s HOT TOPICS for 7/8/11

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Stay up to speed with the current events of the day. Check out BLAM’s HOT TOPICS as it relates to the black experience and beyond. Updated throughout the day!

1. Are Blacks Missing Out On Jobs In Their Own Backyard?  2. Superbowl Hero Says “Gay Marriage Will Lead To Anarchy”  3. Presidential Hopeful Believes Black Families Were Better Off During Slavery….Hmmm?   4. Chris Rock Advises Father’s In What To Expect When You’re Expecting”  5. Controversy Surrounds MLK Memorial

ARE BLACKS MISSING OUT ON JOBS IN THEIR OWN BACKYARD?

An often overlooked aspect of the U.S. jobs outlook is black unemployment. Black joblessness officially stands at 16.2 percent, including 17 percent for black men, 13.8 percent for black women, and 39.9 percent for black teens. CLICK HERE to read the full article.

SUPER BOWL HERO SAYS “GAY MARRIAGE WILL LEAD TO ANARCHY”

Prior to N.Y legalizing gay marriage….Tyree stated…”If they pass this gay marriage bill, what I know will happen is this will be the beginning of our country sliding toward … it’s a strong word, but, anarchy,” Tyree said. “That will be the moment itself where our country loses its grip with what’s right.”  CLICK HERE for the full story.

PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFUL BELIEVES BLACK FAMILIES WERE BETTER OFF DURING SLAVERY. HMMM?

GOP presidential hopeful Michele Bachmann has signed a conservative pledge called “The Marriage Vow – A Declaration of Dependence upon Marriage and Family.” It’s not surprising that it’s anti-abortion, anti-same sex marriage, and anti-divorce. But one particular piece has everyone up in arms over the idea that she and other signatories think black people were better off during slavery.  CLICK HERE to read the full story.

CHRIS ROCK ADVISES FATHERS IN “WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE EXPECTING”

The story will center on four couples experiencing their very first pregnancies, and the accompanying surprises, peaks and valleys. Chris Rock will play a man named Vic, who is the head of a group of expectant fathers, dishing out advice to them on the realities of the impending parenthood each is about to experience for the very first time. CLICK HERE to read more.

CONTROVERSY SURROUNDS MLK MEMORIAL

An artist familiar with the project told USA Today that King would be insulted to hear that someone from a communist country would be working on his likeness. “Dr. King would be turning over in his grave if he knew,” he said. “He would rise up from his grave and walk into their offices and go, ‘How dare you?’ ” CLICK HERE to read more.