Booty Boycott Comes to Black Community
Witnessing the breakdown of relationships in the Black community, Bartell Keithle decided to start a revolution by encouraging people to stop having sex. The “Booty Boycott” encourages men and women to refocus their energy on the weekend from the bedroom to self improvement and enjoying the getting-to-know-you phase of dating. See what sparked this unique campaign and how it... Read More
Embracing The ‘B-Word’
The b-word has been circulating around my house off and on for several years, but it’s getting a little louder now and I am forced to address it. In my mind, my girls are too young (15 and 12) to be thinking about the b-word. I didn’t even want to hear it at one point because the very thought scared me so bad. I had decided that the b-word would not be discussed until at least... Read More
Choose early education around the house
If you want to avoid drama later, teach your children to do chores and demand consistency early. I didn’t do that and now I’m having a hard time getting them to comply. I’m not sure what I was thinking by not insisting that my girls do chores regularly over the years. Sure, they’ve done them here and there, but never as part of an established routine. Maybe... Read More
Lovestruck: Beware of the Apology-Proposal
Hope you had a great Fourth of July Weekend! The holiday holds an extra special meaning for me, as it marks the day I first met my man five years ago. I had no idea as I listened to Biggie at a rooftop BBQ in Brooklyn, that I was meeting the guy I now look forward to one day asking me to be his wife. But, I would probably say no if I got anything like the shady proposals circulating... Read More
Reading fights summer learning loss
I’m grateful and humble that my daughters enjoy reading. However, there are times when I fear the computer and other technology might be hampering their interest in reading. Since I’m a teacher and since it’s summer I’m really concerned about the amount of time they spend reading. Weak reading skills can result in a lack of comprehension, critical thinking, fluency and... Read More
Speak carefully, your kids are listening
The other day I overheard my daughters arguing about the childish behavior of one celebrity. “Anybody can make a mistake!” one argued. “Yeah well he’s old enough to not be having a tantrum for all the world to see,” the other retorted. “Look I used to have tantrums…does that make me a bad person?” “Used to?” The conversation dissolved from there, but ... Read More
Gil Scott-Heron Was My First
“Let me have a resting place, looking, looking from the edge of space.” Essex – Gil Scott-Heron In ancient Khemet (Kamit) as Egypt was called, there is no word for death. They referred to it as Westing or Wested. Our beloved Gil Scott-Heron has Wested. I last saw him in ’99 at Blues Alley. My table was positioned right next to Scott-Heron’s keyboard.... Read More
Don’t be afraid to let kids fail
Teachers love it when parents are supportive and involved with their children’s schoolwork. It’s great to know there’s accountability and reinforcement at home because it helps us do our job. It also sends the students a message that their parents and teachers are on the same team. But when I don my parent hat, I wonder how much support is too much. I admit I’ve... Read More
Embolism Stalks Black Moms With Lethal Bias
Embolism is a major danger of pregnancy. But recent data from New York City finds black women dying from it in numbers that are startling, given the well-known interventions. A disparity in health care could be the culprit, but no one is asking. (WOMENSENEWS)–When New York City issued data about maternal deaths over a five-year period, one culprit in particular leaped... Read More
Ms. Mom: Determined to Enjoy Every Stage
I was scrubbing black nail polish off my 11-year-old’s fingernails when it occurred to me that parenting has its joys at every age. Turns out she had polished her fingernails just before bed time and, of course, they got smudged while in the bed. She got up (mind you, not woke up) somewhat hysterical over the idea of attending school with smudgy polish. That’s a major crisis... Read More
