Over the past weekend, 60 minutes concluded their program with an inspiring profile on the Orchestra Symphonique Kimbanguiste of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the only symphony in Central Africa and the only all-black orchestra in the world. The profile closed in on the universal appeal of music and gave an unexpected face to classics such as Handel’s Messiah. Viewers were able to watch in adoration as the powerful and heavenly melodic voices of the 200- member symphony bounced off the walls of their intimate concert hall. Although French is the national language of the Congo, 60 Minutes aired performances of symphony members as they performed German classics as well.

The special was a beautifully sound reminder of the power and reach of music.

Watch the special here:

http://cnettv.cnet.com/av/video/cbsnews/atlantis2/cbsnews_player_embed.swf

Watch the Orchestra Symphonique Kimbanguiste perform “Handel’s Messiah.”
http://cnettv.cnet.com/av/video/cbsnews/atlantis2/cbsnews_player_embed.swf

There is a new trend in American politics that is dragging our political discourse down, to once unthinkable lows. It began with Michelle Obama, who has been subjected to a level of vitriol and partisan attack that is unprecedented. Other First Ladies have received tepid criticisms but they have generally been considered off limits. First Ladies are the wholesome embodiment of our nation. Attacks against them have been considered uncouth. Mrs. Obama has not received that benefit. After she determined that the healthy nourishment of our children would be the focus of her first term, she was derided as a socialist intruder. Conservatives cried angrily that she was trying to control their lives. The right has  determined that in their attempts to dress down the President, the traditional rules no longer apply. The right has labeled Mrs. Obama, an angry black woman. A conservative host, on the nationally syndicated Laura Ingraham show, once called her and the first family, “Trash”!

 

 

The right should have thought long and hard before opening this Pandora’s box as their tactic has returned to haunt them. Last night, on CNN, Hillary Rosen, a democratic strategist, attacked Mitt Romney’s wife. Her statement was simple. Ann Romney can’t possibly understand the needs of the average woman, because “Ann Romney has never worked a day in her life”.  For the right, Rosen’s words became a shield against Democratic claims of a GOP War On Women. Now, they argue, Obama is at War With Housewives and Traditional Mothers.

At times, I am nauseated by the silliness of our political discourse. As an observer of politics, I have loved all of our First Ladies. They were always the stalwart figures that buttressed their husbands when challenges overwhelmed them or a lack of confidence besieged them. I am left dejected and discouraged by Rosen’s attacks on Ann Romney and by the attacks on Michelle Obama. The entire world of punditry, spent the day trying to pit Housewives against Working Women. Attempts were made to commodify the contributions of both and determine which made better mothers! I have long thought that political consultants have only one trick; to divide Americans, one from another and pit them against each other. Today proved my thesis. The attacks on the First Lady were without precedent but it is equally discouraging to see that Democrats have succumbed to the tactic. (Some might argue that Hillary Clinton has been subjected to similar assaults but I would disagree. Hillary became the subject of the right wing’s fire, when she entered the policy arena. She actively negotiated policy items and thus received the same criticisms that any politician would receive.)

The attacks on First Ladies and prospective national mother figures, is disheartening because it signals that our politics has crossed a final boundary of decency. It signals that nothing in public life is sacrosanct. Glenn Beck and other right wing pundits have even attacked the children of the first family! I wonder if Rosen, or Beck, or Limbaugh ever bother to ask themselves, where our nation goes from here. How much more rancorous can our debates become before our nation becomes dysfunctional? What precisely are they winning when they leave our nation devoid of any civility? Such rhetoric is beneath our country but more importantly, such rhetoric is dissolving our union! When the First Lady, becomes the object of derision, we can be certain that we have truly lost our way.

 

By: Ju’lia Samuels

The verdict is in, and as far as I am concerned, The Couple is quickly becoming an online favorite of mine. Real life couple and creative partners, Dennis Dortch and Numa Perrier came together and created an online series that is viral gold. The show’s catch phrase says it all, “There’s dating…and then there’s living together.” The first episode focuses on the awkward conversation that ensues when establishing bed side assignments.

There is a new episode every Sunday night.

Watched the first episode here:

Catch more of the online series

 

 

 

Women are rare in the profession of politics and even more rare, are women in the U.S. Senate. Elizabeth Warren intends to join the exclusive club of the Senate but she has been met by the compelling political force of Scott Brown. Scott Brown, was a former state legislator and former Nude model. He became a national celebrity when he captured Ted Kennedy’s old seat. Brown’s victory was particularly impressive because he is a Republican. Ted Kennedy was known as the democratic “Lion of the Senate”. Brown, an obscure state legislator was able to run for Kennedy’s old post in part because most Republicans considered it to be a fools errand. No one believed that in Massachusetts, the heart of liberal America, a Republican could take Ted Kennedy’s Senate Seat. Brown’s victory was literally witnessed all over the country. The nation seemed to pause as the throne of Camelot was captured. The republicans were eager to brandish Brown as their greatest trophy. Many even began suggesting that he could be President or at minimum, Vice President. But that was quite a while ago. Since his election, Brown has proven himself to be far too independent and liberally minded, for the tastes of most in his party. His tendency to break with his party however, has made him a bit of a hometown hero. He is as popular as ever, much to the chagrin of most democrats. However imposing Mr. Brown’s popularity is, it hasn’t discouraged a challenge from Elizabeth Warren, who is challenging Brown for the Senate Seat.

Warren became a national heroine with her advocacy of the Consumer Protection Buereu. She became the President’s secret weapon in promoting the reform of complex financial regulations. Warren was able to discuss the complexity of Wall Street’s financial shenanigans, with a clarity unparalleled by any in the country. She had long been a serious thinker of the left, but her vocal advocacy for consumer protections, made her a star. If Occupy Wall-street has a mother, the undisputed parent is Elizabeth Warren. But the brilliant professor is facing fierce opposition from the charming and handsome, Brown. The contest has put the financial kingpins of the Republican Party up against the small dollar donations of the Democrats liberal base. The Republicans are willing to wager and sell limbs to hold on to Kennedy’s seat and to keep the nation’s most successful consumer advocate as far from the halls of power, as possible. Despite the outside flood of GOP cash and effort, Warren seems to be standing tall. The polls on the race have vacillated. In some polls Warren is nipping at Brown’s heels and in others she’s taking out his shins, soccer style. Despite her successes, the race is closer than anyone could have predicted. The two are virtually tied. However, strong her position, its still a surprise that Brown is even a factor in the race. The left in Massachusetts has found a candidate that is beloved, and yet an out of place Republican, is still in contention for a senate seat, in arguably the nations greatest bastion of progressivism. Can Warren Win? It remains to be seen. She has run a campaign that has been flawless thus far. The rhetoric she has employed has been picked up by the President himself and (some might say) has been responsible for the progressive pose that has resulted in his renewed popularity. Warren has then, twice saved the Democrats and their agenda. But can she save herself?

SCANDAL is one of the most highly anticipated network shows in the new Primetime line-ups. As the competition for ratings heats up, ABC has decided to wager it’s success on a dramatic thriller, starring Kerri Washington and a cast comprised almost entirely of minorities. Scandal is set in Washington D.C. Kerri Washington leads the cast as, Olivia Pope, the President’s former communication’s director and the founder of a highly coveted crisis management firm. D.C.’s most vaunted power brokers turn to her to repair their reputations when the tumult of scandal undermines their elite status. Intricate drama ensues as each episode unfolds into an exciting thriller.

Scandal is a rare exercise in diversity with a storyline that centers around a full cast of minority principal actors. Columbus Short (of Stomp The Yard), plays a skilled litigator. Guillermo Diaz is the firms crackerjack hacking expert and Darby Stanchfield is the firms top investigator. Katie Lowes plays an inexperienced neophyte that quickly becomes acquainted with the real world of crisis care. Veteran actor Tony Goldwyn plays President Grant and Kerri Washington’s forbidden love interest. The husband, father and President presents a compelling and complex love story, wrought with scintillating but forbidden affection.   Jeff Perry, plays Cyrus Greene, the noble true believer and aid to President Grant. He is the President’s moral compass and uses political cunning to temper the intimate instincts of Pope and Grant. Rounding out the cast is the Peruvian born, Stephen Finch, as a brilliant defense attorney. Scandal is also produced by Shona Rhimes, the African American creative genius behind Grey’s Anatomy. For fans of the hospital drama, Scandal will not disappoint. It bares all of the markings of a Shonda Rhimes creation. Sexual tension and intricate plot lines conspire to create a compelling drama that is likely to enhance Rhimes’s reputation for television excellence. In a Primetime line-up that often fails to produce any meaningful roles for minorities, it is worth noting that ABC has bet the farm on a cast with 2 African Americans, two Hispanics and two (technically three) women! But Scandal isn’t depending on ethnic or gender solidarity for its audience. It is a genuinely compelling, slickly produced and well funded production. Time will tell if viewers consider Scandal, Worthy of their time!

Interview by: Pasha Gray

INKDLIFE Clothing was started in 2010 out of Brooklyn, New York. The brand was created by founders TAT and SWAGG, two heavily tattooed individuals raised out of Brooklyn NY. The inspiration behind the brand was created by their sole love for tattoos. INKDLIFE clothing started with one T-Shirt that stated “Ink or Die,” this T-Shirt was revealed at the 2011 Urban Ink convention in NY and the response was BIG. INKDLIFE clothing is inspired by  the tattoo lifestyle with slogans such as “Ink My Whole Body”, “Scarred For Life”, and “Fly Ink” just to name a few. The unique thing about INKDLIFE clothing is our CUSTOMERS CAN RELATE TO OUR BRAND. Our slogan is simple “INKDLIFE Clothing where Fashion and Ink collide.” “It’s not just a brand it’s a Lifestyle.”

 

Tell me about INKDLIFE clothing.

 Swagg: INKDLIFE clothing is a brand that was inspired by the tattoo lifestyle that we both live.

  How did INKDLIFE clothing come about?

Tat: It’s simple Swagg and I have a found love for ink and fashion, so we just combined the two and created InkdLife clothing “Where fashion and Ink collide” “It’s not just a brand its a lifestyle”.

 I honestly never heard of anything clothing wise that catered to people with tattoos because for so long tattoos have been this forbidden thing “sinful” and now it’s becoming more acceptable but how will you overcome the adversity that still exists?

Tat: We will overcome the adversity that exist due to the fact that this INKDLIFE that we live is a worldwide thing, People have become more open minded when it comes to tattoos. You can find beautiful art work on doctors, cops, lawyers, and just your average everyday person.

I have to ask the annoying question how many tattoos do you both have?

Swagg: That’s funny that you ask us that because we really don’t know, we both started getting ink at a young age. To be honest we both could have at least $40,000 worth of ink combined. Yeah we live this INKDLIFE for real.

 What was the first article of clothing you ever designed?

Tat: The first clothing was a T-shirt that stated “Ink or Die” which we showcased at the Urban Ink convention and the response was big.

What is the general process you go through to design a piece?

Swagg: Really we just try to be very creative and different.

Where do you get your design inspiration?

Swagg: We get our design inspiration from the current tattoo slang’s that are used now such as “ink my whole body”, “fly ink”, “kiss my ink” etc.

What kind of looks are you creating to cater to the ladies and of course the fellas?

Swagg: We are going for a real sexy look for the females, Tattoos on a female canvas is a very sexy thing. So we would like our brand to make our ladies feel sexy when they are wearing our garments. For our fellas, we are going for that clean look. Nice fitted garments still on the sexy side, all original pieces.

What matters to you the most as a designer?

Swagg: What matters to us the most is being different, we are in a lane of our own. Our line is nothing like what’s out there rite now.

Who are some of your favorite designers?

Tat: This is a hard one. Our fashion sense is so broad is hard to just name a few.

What does fashion mean to you?

Tat & Swagg: Fashion means creativity and self- expression

Where do you see INKDLIFE clothing in 5 years?

Tat: Hopefully worldwide in some major stores such as Macys, Saks 5th, etc that would be a dream come true for us.

Where can the readers find your clothing line at?

Tat: The readers can find our line at www.inkdlifeclothing.com

 

It should not come as a surprise that the film Hunger Games racked in $155 million dollars over the weekend. What has come as a slight surprise is the uproar that seemed to take place over the film’s choice to cast black actors in key roles of the film. Loyal readers took to Twitter to express their sentiments about the film. While the opinions of others can be respected and even appreciated when a character does not appear  in a film as the reader imagined , the tweets became alarming when a member of tweeted suggested that the death of a character favorite named Rue somehow lost value because the actress playing her is white.

Should this even matter? We see characters change all the time when a book comes to film. The interesting thing to consider is that the book Hunger Games is written by a woman and features a solid female lead. When considering those details, it becomes interesting that readers of such a groundbreaking book could be so archaic and naive in their beliefs about race as it pertains to film.

The debate is continuing to grow as other social network users argue such tweets and ignorance should not merit media coverage. What do you say? Is this development newsworthy?

THE FIRST LADY OF HIP HOP… KIM KARDASHIAN?

JAY-Z has Beyonce, but does Kanye have Kim Kardashian? Rumors are swirling about suggesting that Kanye, and Kim K, just might be the latest power couple. Kanye, is at the top of his game; he’s a successful luxury-wear designer and arguably the most successful music producer, in the game. He is certainly, on her level (in terms of status), but is he really, the one. Kim K, has yet to even finalize her divorce but rumors suggest that Kanye, would gladly give her another multi-million dollar wedding. With Kanye’s last love, Amber Rose, totally off the market, the mega star could be looking to make a lateral move to another devastating diva!

KANYE AND KIM? Can You Believe This Rumor?