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Since the death of Freddie Gray Baltimore residents have been protesting and rioting against law enforcement. Some of the cast from the HBO series "The Wire" weighed in on the events pleading for peace in Baltimore.
Andre Royo who plays the drug addict Bubbles supported the protesters telling them to stand up and rise up without breaking discipline and destruction via Twitter.
Felicia Pearson who played Snoop tweeted "Please pray for my city please."
Wendell Pierce who plays William Moreland aka Bunk was not impressed with what was going on in Baltimore.
“Baltimore. These are not protesters. These are criminals disrespectful of the wishes of the family and people of good will,” he tweeted.
David Simon, former police reporter for the Baltimore Sun and the creator of "The Wire" also expressed his thoughts on the protesters in his blog saying "The anger and the selfishness and the brutality of those claiming the right to violence in Freddie Gray’s name needs to cease."
Tamara M. Anderson
@mstekeyla
@mahoganymagazin
First Lady Michelle Obama who attended the 5th "Black Girls Rock" award show received much criticism and media backlash for honoring black women.
Obama addressed the audience telling the young black girls to ignore voices that suggest that they were not good enough.
Here is what Michelle Obama said:
"To all the young women here tonight and all across the country, let me say those words again, black girls rock."
"We, rock, We rock! No matter, where you come from you are beautiful, you are powerful, you are brilliant. You are funny."
"Let me tell you, I'm so proud of you. My husband, your president, is so proud of you. And we have such big hopes and dreams for every single one of you."
In February at this year's Oscars, actress Patricia Arquette who received and Academy Award for best supporting actress in the film "Boyhood" also gave a similar speech.
"To every woman who gave birth, to every taxpayer and citizen of the nation, we have fought for everybody else's equal rights. It's our time to have wage equality once and for all and equal rights for women in the United States of America," Arquette said.
Obama who didn't use the phrase "black women" was accused of being biased because her comments were directed towards a audience that was filled with mostly black girls. Some even called her a racist!
One viewer felt Obama's words were suggesting that white girls are not good enough to be empowered.
Another critic said that "White Girls Rock" event wouldn't even last five minutes without Al Sharpton outside the venue, shutting it down. "Everybody Rocks" would seem to be a better message endorsed by the First Lady.
On Obama's Instagram a one of her followers posted "If a white person posted this and it said "white girls rock", the s**t would hit the fan."
While Patricia Arquette didn't use the phrase "white girls rock" their audience was predominately filled with their own kind.
So does that make her a racist as well?
Let's be clear, for decades black people had to deal with discrimination and being excluded from award events like the Oscars.
Just because they don't say it or have a sign that says "for white only" don't mean it's not!
How is it that when black people create something to represent their culture they are expected to include everybody, but everyone else can look out for their own people, and their people only?
Just because a handful of white people don't portray racism doesn't mean it doesn't still exist amongst the rest of them. Just because a law was passed for equality to blacks doesn't mean they will like it or treat them any differently than the way they truly feel.
During early slavery blacks had to be face with signs like "white only" on the water fountains, clothing boutiques and restroom doors. They were not allowed to attend the same churches, schools and restaurants. They weren't accepted in organizations, professional sports and blue and white collar jobs. They weren't even allowed to appear in certain television shows and movies. And when you did see a black person in a show or film they played roles as they were actually treated or were portrayed in a negative light, the same as they are treated now!
In this day in age things may have changed just enough for us to believe we are no longer slaves, but in all reality we are still living in slavery, modern day slavery that is!
What First Lady Michelle Obama said nothing wrong. There is nothing wrong with empowering women of your own kind. We should all encourage our young black girls to be strong!
Tamara M. Anderson
@mstekeyla
While one teacher at Simeon Career Academy is fighting to save her job as well as the Electricity Shop program another teacher is giving the school a bad name.
According to the Chicago Tribune, Gerald Gaddy, who is a volunteer track coach assistant has been charged with aggravated criminal sexual assault, criminal sexual assault and aggravated battery. He was accused of having inappropriate sexual contact with three teenage girls ages 15-17 who were also on the track team.
According to police reports, the incidents occurred between January 1st and June 25th at Simeon Career Academy high school located on 8100 S. Vincennes Avenue.
The 15-year-old accused the coach of squeezing her buttocks. The 16-year-old accused him of fondling her buttocks, making comments about her figure and asking her to be his girlfriend. The 17-year-old admitted to having sex with the 42-year-old on his desk in his office. She also told people that she was dating Gaddy.
Gerald Gaddy aka Coach Babyface who lives in the 8200 block of Maryland Avenue is being held on a $300,000 bond. Spokesman Joel Hood for Chicago Public Schools said Gaddy has been barred from CPS activities while the investigation continues.
If this assistant coach is guilty he should be barred from CPS. Although he ought to be ashamed based on his actions it's clear that he is not. No man his age should be interested in a 15, 16, or 17 year old. On top of that he has a girlfriend whom he was living with. Hopefully she's not his girlfriend anymore. The sad thing is there's no telling how many other teenage girls he has done this too.
Tamara M. Anderson
@mstekeyla
Comedian Katt Williams has more issues than he wants to admit. First, he has the balls to slap an Target employee following a police chase. But this recent move is not nothing to be smiling about!
According to reports, Williams pepper-sprayed a fan and rolled over his leg. The incident occurred when Williams and his bodyguard took matters in there own hands after a fan named Glen Jackson took a picture of the comedian.
Williams and the bodyguard tried to grab the fan's but was unsuccessful so Jackson was pepper-sprayed. Jackson then stumbled out of the vehicle and that's when Williams ran over his leg with his Rolls Royce. To make matters worse Williams sprayed him some more while he was down. Now according to police reports, the comedian could be facing assault with a deadly weapon.
What is wrong with this dude? Katt Williams needs help! He has been getting in a lot of trouble lately from being tasered to having a car accident.
All we can do is pray for him to get better because he's not well!
Tamara M. Anderson
@mstekeyla
According to the rumors, singer Omarion was arrested. According to reports, that rumor is true! Yes, indeed Omarion was arrested last weekend for a traffic violation.
The singer was accused of running a stop sign while he was driving in San Fernando Valley in California.
Omarion was taken into custody after police learned he had a warrant out for his arrest for missing a court date due to a previous violation. The 29-year-old was held on a $20,000 bond. At least there was nothing reported saying that he was intoxicated or under the influence of drugs. He should be out in no time!
Omarion may be in temporary custody but the good news is he has a new album dropping soon. Stay tuned for the former B2K member's upcoming album "Sex Playlist"!
Tamara M. Anderson
@mstekeyla
It was in 2009 when Phaedra Parks and Apollo Nida tied the knot. Has there marriage now come to an end?
Previously, it was reported that Apollo was sentenced to 8 years for identity theft and fraud. He was also ordered to pay $14 million in restitution but his lawyers got it lowered down to $1.9 million which Nida agreed to pay by the grace of God. As a result to his crime and sentencing his wife, Phaedra is allegedly considering filing for divorce.
It the reality tv couple are getting a divorce that would explain why the tension between the two is so deeply exposed on the show "Real Housewives of Atlanta".
Nida recently did an interview with comedian Rodney Perry of BE100 where he blasted his wife. When asked about his sentencing he accused his wife of not turning up for his sentencing. Really, Apollo!
It was just in 2009 when Apollo was released from prison for similar charges! They got married the same year and now share two children together. What does Apollo expect Phaedra to do? Is she suppose to wait on him? It seems like he's blaming her for his crime when really all he can blame is himself!
He was also asked if he thought his marriage would work while he's incarcerated and he said he doubted it. The 35-year-old also talked about how he is disappointed in himself for letting his sons down. He said it doesn't make you less of a man to cry or shed tears as he reflected on how he was raised as a child and how it upsetted him. Apollo also felt regrets feeling that he could pass down to his sons what was done to him.
"I'm really upset about how I was raised and I could possibly take my sons through the same thing," Apollo said.
But by the grace of God he's still young and we have many years ahead of us. I just can't make those same mistakes," Apollo added.
During the interview Apollo described his family life as hell on wheels but he said he asked God for forgiveness.
"I've forgiven myself. I had to move on like a lot of people I know who didn't," Apollo said.
Apollo should be saying thank you to his wife for keeping his illegal actions a secret. Without her he probably would have been back in prison long time ago. So this is what he's been doing all of this time. This why noone knew what he profession was on the show!
Sorry Apollo you are no different than anyone else. If you do the crime you have to do the crime. He says he's made because his wife didn' t turn up after sentencing. Turn up for what!
Tamara M. Anderson
@mstekeyla
Play and film maker Tyler Perry is under the radar yet again! First, he was accused of stealing reality star Poprah's phrase "What Would Jesus Do" and making it his own. Now it's being said that he's being sued for false representation and fraud.
According to TheWrap, an entertainment company in Georgia is suing Perry for attempting to defraud government officials just so he could turn a military base into a movie studio. The writer/actor and the McPherson Implementing Local Redevelopment Authority (MILRA) has been accused of violating the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses of the U.S. Constitution.
In the court documents Ubiquitous Entertainment Studios proposed the idea to transform the McPherson military base into a studio and entertainment complex back in 2011. Perry then tried to prevent the UES from getting the deal by trying to convince McPherson that they should give him the deal. Also according to the lawsuit, a rep from McPherson gave Perry the UES's site plans, construction plans, drawings, and business plan.
UES is also seeking compensatory damages!
Unfortunately, although this is something serious Perry has refused to comment regarding the matter!
Tamara M. Anderson
@mstekeyla
