Kanye West

808 and Heartbreaks don't forget to buy the album!

How strong is a man without his rib?

Someone once told me 'God made man. The woman was then created from man's rib...the man was made larger and given strength. The woman was made smaller and protected all vital organs needed to sustain life.'

How strong is a man without his rib?
How strong is a man if he treats his body badly?
How strong is a man if he doesn't protect his own rib?

What if man's rib had a mind of her own?
What if she wasn't taken care of properly?
What if she could walk away from his body, because she's not happy anymore?

How strong is a man without his rib?
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'Daddy's Lil Girl' Complex: Part 2 of 2

This entry is specifically for those who self-identify as "Daddy's Lil Girl." For those who dream and expect to find a man who will love and provide for them like their father (a different love, of course).

From Tritonslostboy

As a young man, I've met young ladies that have this idea of what a 'man' is supposed to be, lol. And too many times, they end up describing their Old Man. Unfortunately with societal changes (individualistic mentalities; i.e. People taking care of themselves), the man our fathers became, grew up in another era...as well as our mothers. This was an era where family traditions were more important than some liberties, where monogamy was backed by gold, where 'going steady' was something proud to say PUBLICLY, and where divorce was not at a 50% success rate (hmm, or maybe I'm describing our grandparents?)

More women are attending college, excelling in male dominated careers, becoming single parents, and being told to 'never to depend on anyone'...and then Hillary Clinton puts '18 million cracks in the glass ceiling.' The female gender role has progressed the most, while the dominate male gender has remained stagnant and/or deteriorating.

Today there is a strong disconnect; men and women have become more independent. But some how gender roles and expectations in relationships have remain pretty much the same.

The Dating Scene: although we have this "New Centennial Woman," with her own her money, that she is proud to say she earns!...but she still expects the man to pick up the tab. Even when our women are 'moving up in the world' the thought of going 'Dutch' has not been of presence in their mind. But why should it, after becoming accustomed to privileges growing up with their true provider, Pops...'Every man should show the same courtesy.'

Unfortunately "Little girl", the men that you are seeking are not planning to be your father...maybe a husband, but there are a few stages before that idea can ever be entertained, lol. Unlike your Old Man, the New Centennial Man/Dude/Boy is not going to volunteer to be your New Daddy. So be careful of expectations you place on your Equal, because he has expectations for you as well. Because he can lie to you, cheat on you, and leave you, like your Daddy won't. Don't set yourself up for disappointment, or try to fill a void that doesn't exist, because you already have a Daddy...you can never have two.






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what if He press RESET on our lives...

So today was the most tension I have ever experienced in the work place. More tense then when my co-worker told me that 'there's no real reason to vote in the city of New York, and your vote does not really matter."

So we got a company update on up-coming changes taking place for Time Inc a few weeks ago. And ever since then, the topic on my floor has been...'so are we still going to have a job tomorrow?' and 'I wonder who's going to get axed.'

From Tritonslostboy

Although my team was assured that we will be fine, I just cannot accept it until this storm is over. For all I know, we could be in the 'eye' of this hurricane...while watching others' careers fly like debris while the turbulent winds slowly heads in my cubicle.

Reality hit me hard today, and put a lot into perspective. Although, I know and recognize that everything, everyday, every breath, every crowded subway trip to my stressful job is a BLESSING...

From Tritonslostboy

I truly believe God popped me upside the head, just make sure I'm a paying attention, and not sleeping on 'The Job.'

What hit home for me today was that:
1. I just graduated!
2. I'm 25 years old...and potentially getting laid off ALREADY!
3. Will I be able to live off of my emergency savings until I get another job?
4. How long will I and everyone else be out of a job?
5. Will there be other jobs available...considering 80,000 jobs are expected to be cut by the end of the year?
6. RENT! (not the musical)

I had/have this new vision of life...and what if it all went up with the wind and never to return...are we prepared for that? The route we take to get to work, the same people we see every morning, the same $5 Subway foot-long sandwiches we order, and the rude cashier lady, our annoying co-workers we don't want to see as soon as we get to work...the little behaviors that are second nature to us can all be RESET.

From Tritonslostboy

Just like accidentally erasing your computer's hard drive, I'm sure there were some important documents you may have lost, plus music and photos...but at the same time we would have to start on a clean slate. That would be hard to adjust for those who have become comfortable in their lifestyles, but also a rude awakening that we are put on this earth for a reason, and not to take anything for granted.

I have a hard time reminding myself not to get attached or too comfortable with my iPod and my digital camera because I cannot take these great devices to Heaven with me, as well as anything else on this earth. While we are on earth, there is 'Work' to be done, spiritually and professionally...and we can sleep, relax, get comfortable when we are called 'Home.'

I close with this...God has an ultimate will for us...our plans come from His blessings that allows us to anticipate a tomorrow- a future...

Time Inc is Bringing the Axe Out....

TIME Inc. today becomes not a publisher of magazines but of pink slips instead.
The magazine giant is expected to cut more than 250 from the payroll as part of an overall plan by Time Inc. CEO Ann Moore and Editor-in-Chief John Huey to slash 600 jobs from its overall work force of 10,200 employees worldwide. (read more...)

The exinction of the gentleman: part 1 of 2

WARNING!!!
Ladies if you find someone w/ great personality and character, but:
He can't dress well...
He's not that attractive...
He's corny...
He doesn't get paid well...
Please don't dismiss the Brotha...YET...

From untitled

The "Knight in Shining Armor" inventory is low and the economy is bad right now. The superficial characteristics (muscles, money, and more money) have become a luxury, and will soon fade with time, just as any new style that comes out.
------------------------
I would like to begin by letting you know 'Times are changing' and unfortunately, ladies, chivalry is not dead, but it is dying. Our society has become more focused on convenience therefore leading to laziness and selfishness. The 'virgin' is no longer desired as she used to be, because men don't want to deal with the consequences of the relationship (for whatever reason: 'I don't want to settle down,' 'she'll be clingy,' 'I can't commit,'...'she'll want to marry me!')
The 'drive thru' is quicker- get what you want and ROLL OUT. The food may suck, but it'll hold you over until the next meal. And if one place can't supply the meal, then the place across the street will do just fine....

From untitled

From when I was growing up, the gentleman opens the door for a woman...at ALL TIMES. I learned when going out with my mother and it was time to enter or exit a store, and she would sit and stare at the door, until I opened the door for her, and any other women following behind her. I later realized that it will become my responsibility as a man to provide the same courtesy to another 'woman of interest' or stranger.

There is no true definition of a gentleman.

From untitled

You can't point one out, but you can label one based on character. Can you judge his character if he doesn't open the car door for you? Probably not. Can you judge his character if he tells you that you have a booger hanging out of your face, or there's something in your teeth? Probably.
Does this mean women should lower their standards? Not at all, but women need to re-evaluate their priorities in what they want in a man. And can that woman meet the same expectations she places upon him ('Daddy's Little' Girl Complex: Part 2 of 2, coming soon).
The harsh reality is that women out number men; which means women can be disregarded easier, as men continue to look for convenience with the fewest compromises. Until then...that 24hr. Drive Thru will do just fine!

**I personally do not justify or condone a Drive-thru lifestyle, it's very unhealthy, and lacks the nutrients that are needed to make a man, a better man...which would be a good woman (and visa versa). My opinions are based on personal observations and realizations.**

Questions:
Is it possible to be a gentleman and enjoy the 'drive thru'?
What is the definition of a gentleman?

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Shakira Smiler: Divided loyalties

Should black students join historically racist groups?
By Shakira Smiler
On November 13th, 2008
On Nov. 4, the United States saw a shift in world history with its election of the first African-American president. The U.S. president, arguably the most powerful person in the world, has “historically” been an old, upper-class, white male. Many Americans never dreamed that the day would come when an African-American would hold this title because “historically,” minorities have experienced oppression and discrimination often supported by government officials and political leaders — including presidents. In fact, most of the early presidents were slave-owners themselves.

So should Barack Obama be exiled from the black community for accepting a position that has “historically” been racist against blacks? Of course not.

Yet, here on campus, one student organization has come under fire from some in the black community because its president chose to join an organization that was “historically” racist against students of color.

For over five years, the Black Volunteer Network has actively contributed to Black Welcome Week. But this summer, the community service-based organization found itself alienated from all Black Welcome Week-sponsored events because of its president’s membership in Order of Angell, a society of campus leaders previously known as Michigamua. This past summer, in a Salem Witch Hunt-esque town hall meeting, Gabrielle Sims — a senior in the Ross School of Business and the president of BVN — pleaded with several black leaders on campus to allow her organization to be recognized as a Black Welcome Week participant.

Eligible members of organizations participating in Black Welcome Week took part in a formal vote, and the final decision was that the Black Welcome Week committee would not endorse BVN.

The society formerly known as Michigamua has been a controversial subject on campus since it came under fire for its use of Native American rituals and artifacts in secret but integral parts of its ceremonies. Since then, the organization has repudiated such offensive practices, publicly disclosed the names of its members and changed its name in order to salvage its reputation and represent its move toward less offensive, more sensitive practices.

Cordaye Ogletree, the speaker of the Black Student Union and an LSA junior, explained his group’s criticisms of the group this way: “The Black Student Union does not support historically racist student organizations like Order of Angell because of their secrecy and their refusal to be a completely open and transparent organization.”

It is completely understandable that black students would be outraged by the disrespectful past of Michigamua, its successor Order of Angell and its members. But completely exiling a whole organization created to uplift the black community because of one person’s affiliation is divisive and detrimental to an already underrepresented community on campus.

In an evolving nation where a black man has been elected to the highest level of leadership in the country, it is disheartening to know that many black students often feel as if they are forced to choose between loyalty to their ethnicity and loyalty to their professional ambitions.

If black students at the University are ostracized for joining organizations that have past ties to racism and discrimination, then are black students at this school traitors to the black community because we opted to give thousands of dollars to a historically white institution rather than historically black colleges and universities? Are black families that move from the inner city into suburban areas selfish because their tax dollars are being spent to enhance an already advantaged community? Are black women who choose to join Delta Delta Delta over Delta Sigma Theta (the largest black sorority) any less black because of their affiliation?

Echoing Ogletree’s concerns about Order of Angell, Brandon Littlejohn, an LSA and School of Music senior and the president of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Epsilon Chapter, told me, “You cannot claim to serve us and we not have any say in how we are being served or how we are being helped.”

Brandon has a great point. But how do we have a say if we completely excommunicate ourselves from organizations that have been misguided? We miss out on teachable moments and opportunities to evoke change. We limit the possibilities to educate the broader society on the issues important in our community because we cannot simply expect to impact an organization if we don’t individually help make internal changes.

As Sims explained to me, this was the opportunity Order of Angell presented. “Order of Angell has given me a forum to improve campus by branching away from a segregated university community and by facilitating campus synergy,” she said.

At many white universities, black students were not allowed to live in on-campus housing and thus formed their own social organizations, like historically black fraternities and sororities, so that they could support one another. But now, as more and more leadership opportunities are opening up for black students in traditionally white institutions, we should use this as an opportunity to restructure a system that has negatively displaced African-Americans.

As black students, we should always strive to help progress the black community, but we cannot progress the community when we only discuss our problems among each other. The only way we can accomplish this is by knocking down walls and turning communal black issues into larger societal issues, even if this means we have to do it through organizations that have historically turned us away.

Shakira Smiler can be reached at stsmiler@umich.edu.

What's the beef? (edited)

The Black student body should be the strongest on a college campus, since they worked the hardest to gain higher education...in my opinion. The Black student body should be so strong in fact that nothing is able to break the bond. The same bond that was used in the Civil Rights protests, where they were beaten, spit on, chewed, dehumanized and murdered.

Just as 'steel sharpens steel' ...only the Black student body is strong enough to cause harm to itself. That bond that held so tightly to protect us in times of turmoil, can only be shattered from within. I guess we can call it low self esteem or depression.

A leading Black student organization asked the other day, "what's the beef?" for their up-coming program. This was after a hateful email was sent to the Black student body. The email was to embarrass a young lady for her decisions; and for her to be exiled by the Black community. Fortunately the Black student body replied in opposition to the sender of this hateful email, which lead to more students defending this young lady and her decisions she has made for herself.

What I find interesting is how this same organization who's main goal is the uplift and the progression of the Black student body has publicly announced (or whispered) not supporting another Black organization, because of the President's affiliation with an other group. This 'other group' has a negative history in which dealt with racism and discriminatory activity against people of color and other minorities. For what it's worth many institutions have been guilty of the same injustices:

• The United States of America



• The U.S. Presidency



• The U.S. Government



• Colleges and State Universities



• Our neighbors

Fortunately, times have changed...and progress is being made. Maybe not at the pace we would like it to go, but forward steps are being made at the same time. Just as these times have changed, we see history being made... names, and faces are changing. Thurgood Marshall, Colin Powell, Barack Obama, Frederick Douglass, David Patterson, etc...are all changing the face of the same institutions that have caused injustices to the Black Community. These changes could not have been made with out individuals taking that step out of the their community and reaching for this new 'access to power,' 'access to knowledge,' 'access to experience.' These changes could not have been made without the support of their Black Community.

So the Black Student Organization 1 (BSO1), for years has vowed to not associate with the Order of Angell organization (formally Michiguama). The President of the BSO2 and many other Black student leaders were 'tapped' to join this formal secret society organization, and have chosen to become members. Unfortunately due to the O of A's history, and the BSO1's promise of disassociation...they have decided to not support the entire BSO2 unless the President surrenders her position.

Hmm...a Black organization closing their doors to another Black organization? Both offer a place of unity among the Black student body, but BSO1 finds the affiliation of one member of BSO2 with O of A is more compelling than keep the Black Community UNITED.

BSO1...What's the beef?...
The BLACK STUDENT ORGANIZATION...I said 'what's the beef?'

From untitled

Instead of dividing our Black Community, how about you support it. Allow our brothers and sisters to step out and gain this 'access' to possibly new opportunities. Let's remember the past, and move forward "Sankofa". And while our brothers and sisters are out making history, don't you dare close your door on them.

From untitled

BSO1...you ask 'what's the beef' and want to bring up dialogue on the isssues dividing our Black community, but you are committing the same self-destructing injustices. Jesse Jackson preached about change and progress, and got caught doing the opposite. BSO1, you are so powerful, and 'with great power comes great responsibility' (I got it from Spiderman).

From untitled

BSO1,

Stand for something or fall for anything, but be prepared to be left behind...and questioned just as Jesse Jackson was. There is a bigger picture here, and it goes beyond the college campus. A division within, is the worst thing that can happen to us. We have more important issues to confrontm, and we need as much support as we can get.
I love your organization, no matter what...but I disagree with your decision.
__________________________________________________________________
Q: So "Why do you care?....You're no longer relevant to the campus anymore.."

A: I care because I am an Alum of this same student body. I care because I care about Black folks. I thought that was enough.