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How I became BAD!

May 16th 1983, I was 4 going on 5. I was at home watching an awards show with my mom. Now although I was already aware of Michael Jackson’s music, because my mom used to tell how I would hear some of his songs on the radio and sing them, it wasn’t until I saw his performance on that show when it truly hit me, this guy is awesome! Fast forward to 1987, when I got my 1st MJ tape (yes tape as in cassette), the album Bad. I knew every single song off that album, which probably why, biased speaking, that is my favorite of all his albums. Man in the Mirror, Dirty Diana, The Way You Make Me Feel, and who could forget Liberian Girl, come on now son!! That same year, I remember standing in a long line in December at Disneyland, to see Captain EO. It was like only 10 minutes long, but still definitely the most amazing experience ever at the time. After that, anything MJ did musically, I was all ears. The man just had a gift and a work ethic that is still unmatched by any other artist to this day. And even though I became a huge HIP HOP junkie and may not have purchased albums after BAD, I was still down with his sound. Actually, one of my all time favorite MJ songs, songs period, is Butterflies off his 2001 LP, Invincible. So as I stated, I’m still down with you MJ. I know you still moonwalkin’ in heaven, got all the angels passing out at your shows. I know I am BAD because of you. RIP

Mr.CEO

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MJ TV Tribute Guide

via EW.com:

BET: The BET Awards (June 27, 8-11:00 p.m.) Queen Latifah hosts the 10th annual Awards from Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium. Along with performances from T.I., Kanye West, Usher, T-Pain, Alicia Keys, and Eminem, a Michael Jackson tribute has been added to the lineup.

TV Guide Network: Gone Too Soon (Friday, June 25, 9-11:00 p.m.) Ian Halperin, New York Times’ No. 1 bestselling author of Unmasked: The Final Years of Michael Jackson, spent five years researching Jackson and declared in December 2008 that the King of Pop had only six months to live. He was only off by one day. Halperin directs this documentary about the factors that he believes contributed to Jackson’s untimely death.

CBS: The Early Show (Friday, June 25, 7-9:00 a.m.) The entire 8 a.m. hour, billed as “The King of Pop: One Year Later,” will see Harry Smith, Maggie Rodriguez, Julie Chen & Co. hosting a special tribute performance by James Morrison in London. Also on hand will be guests Christina Aguilera, Marc Anthony, and Smokey Robinson, who will share what Michael Jackson’s music has meant to them.

Animal Planet: Michael Jackson and Bubbles: The Untold Story (Thursday, June 24, 8-9:00 p.m., 11 p.m.-12:00 a.m.) For those who’ve absolutely exhausted all other aspects of Jackson’s life and career, this one-hour special, about MJ’s primate compadre, was probably inevitable, right?

CNN: Michael Jackson—The Final Days (Friday, June 25, 8-9 p.m.) CNN’s Don Lemon talks with Jermaine and Tito Jackson about their brother’s death and drug abuse. Also on hand is Jackson crony Dr. Deepak Chopra and famed choreographer Travis Payne, who shares details about working with Michael Jackson on preparations for his “This is It!” tour.

FUSE: Michael Jackson: The Inside Story (Friday, June 25, 8-9:30 p.m.) The bigger the celebrity, the more outlandish the conspiracy theories surrounding his or her death. This new doc examines claims (including those from Joe and La Toya Jackson) that Michael was murdered.

MTV: Michael Jackson’s Top 10 Video Countdown (Friday June 25, 5-6:30 p.m., Saturday June 26, 8-9:30 a.m.) MTV determines MJ’s Top 10 videos based on the number of views each has received on MTV.com. The special features running text commentary, Jackson’s VMA performances, and rare interviews he granted MTV.

MTV: Michael Jackson’s Influence on Music (Friday June 25, 6:30-7:30 p.m.) A compilation of videos featuring top music artists discussing Michael Jackson’s influence on their work.

OTHER LISTINGS:

ABC
20/20: Michael Jackson (Friday, June 25, 9-11 p.m.)

BET
BET Awards 2009 encore (Thursday, June 24, 7:30 p.m.-11 p.m.) Last year’s awards, which aired just days after Michael Jackson’s death, where host Jamie Foxx performed his own incredibly awkward Moonwalk.

Michael Jackson: Life of a Superstar (Friday, June 25, 1-2 p.m.)

Inside the Michael Jackson Mansion: Never Can Say Goodbye (Friday, June 25, 2-3 p.m.)

106 & Park (Friday, June 25th,  6-8 p.m.) The 106 gang devotes their “Freestyle Friday” to counting down Michael Jackson’s greatest videos.

Michael Jackson History: The King of Pop (Friday June 25, 8-10 p.m.)

FUSE
Michael Jackson: A Tribute (Friday, June 25, 9:30-10:30 p.m.)

MTV
Michael Jackson’s Music Videos (Saturday, June 26, 6-8 a.m.)

NBC
Dateline NBC (Friday, June 25, 9-11 p.m.) The first hour of Dateline will include Michael Jackson coverage.

QVC
Michael Jackson Music and Memories (Friday, June 25, 11 p.m.-12 a.m.)

TV Guide Network
Michael Jackson: His Family Dynasty (Friday, June 25, 7-8 p.m.)

Hollywood 411: Michael Jackson (Friday, June 25, 8-9 p.m.)

TV One
Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration (Friday, June 25, 8-10 p.m.; Saturday June 26, 12-2 a.m.)

Man in the Mirror: The Michael Jackson Story (Friday, June 25, 10 p.m.-12 a.m.; Saturday, June 26, 2-4 a.m.)

VH1
The Jacksons: An American Dream (Friday June 25, 12-5 p.m.)

Famous Crime Scene: Michael Jackson (Friday June 25, 11:30 p.m.-12 a.m.)

VH1 Classics
Famous Crime Scene: Michael Jackson (Friday, June 25, 9-9:30 a.m.; 4:30-5 p.m.)

The Jacksons: An American Dream (Friday, June 25, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; 6 p.m.-11 p.m.)

Michael Jackson Video Retrospective (Friday June 25, 2:30-4:30 p.m.)

VH1 Classic All Time Top 10 (Friday June 25, 5-6 p.m.; 11 p.m.-12 a.m.)

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MJ: Another Part Of Me

My mind was blown when I first saw Captain EO at Disneyland. I was already a huge MJ fan, and Captain EO was just one more way for me to get my fix. This track was (and still is) the truth.

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Michael Jackson 1958 – 2009

He is often imitated but never duplicated, and there will NEVER be another like him. For all the criticism he received while alive, all anyone can do since he has passed is praise him. He changed the music industry, and the music video industry forever.  He set records artists today can only dream about. He gave his life for his work, and for that we are all grateful.

Thank you MJ.

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LA EVENTS: Soul Sessions

As we enter into this Michael Jackson celebration weekend, the legendary DJ A-ski is giving us yet another event to move and groove to. Soul Sessions Live will honor the one-year anniversary of Michael Jackson’s passing with a tribute to to MJ’s life and legacy, tomorrow, June 25th from 9pm -2am. Special MJ sets by DJ A-Ski and DJ Jedi;  $5 before 10:30, $10 after.

When MJ passed last year, it just happened to be right before A-Ski’s Stereolove event that happens every Thursday at The Little Temple. He turned it OUT, with MJ remixes y’all have never heard of – and mind you, he didn’t have time to plan for that one. Expect to really get turned out tomorrow!

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The Dating Game Pt. II

Far too often in my conversations with single Black men, the term “gold digger” comes up. It bugs me, because not many of the sistas I know would fall under that category. I asked my single  men friends where they are meeting these women with this attitude, and the answer is always the same: these aren’t chicks from the club, but professional, educated women. Nonetheless, the idea that they are trying to stick men for their paper is a real fear.

Of course, Kanye’s lyrics come to mind.  I’m not saying she’s a gold digger/ but she ain’t messing with no broke n*gga. True enough, none of my single sister friends are in the market for a man with no money, no job, no ambition and heavy debt. But neither are my male friends. All of them express wanting a women who is independent and financially sound so that she doesn’t depend on them to pay for everything.

I can’t help but single out what I call the Hype Williams Video Movement of the late 90’s and early new millennium as shouldering some of the responsibility for this characterization of Black women. Those videos (i.e. Jigga’s Big Pimpin, Q-Tip’s Breathe & Stop, Ja Rule’s Holla Holla and this list goes on) showcase women of color in droves, half-naked, greased up, popping champagne bottles around men flashing money, cars and jewelry. Now, we are way past truly blaming music videos for all of our drama – after all, Hype’s videography contains much more than these types of videos AND the sistas who participated are definitely responsible for the overall outcome. But I can’t help but wonder if these images are having a residual effect on how Black men and women are relating to each other today.

I have to depend on the experiences of my single loved ones to inform me, as I’ve been in the same relationship for the last ten years. When my hubby and I decided to commit to one another, neither of us came into it with much, but decided to build up our wealth together. Do folks do this anymore?

When I think back on our courtship and how finances came into play, I know what we both focused on was what we had in common in regards to financial goals and how we would go about reaching them. We often spent time doing things that didn’t cost money, and it wasn’t an issue taking turns to pay for things if one of us had low funds.

People, talk to me: Women, are you only checking for suitors with large bank accounts? Men, are women asking for your bank statements on the first date? Sistas, are you down to work with a man who has a plan, but needs time to get it together? And how much time are you willing to put in? Brothas, is it old-fashioned to expect you to be the breadwinner in the relationship? Or are you expecting the woman to pay for some of these dates?

What is a strong relationship based on these days, in any race/culture? Talk to me!

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Aaron McGruder Vs. Tyler Perry

If you missed it, this past Sunday’s episode of Boondocks took a major stab at media mogul Tyler Perry. The episode reminded me of a Facebook conversation I had with a friend a few months back when I asserted that Perry was a gay man. Her surprised reaction led me to add, “Of course, I don’t know this personally, but that’s what I’ve heard”. In that moment, I had validated a rumor about the man, though I don’t know him at all – but I’m not the first.

In spite of his massive success as a playwright, producer, filmmaker, etc (the list is extensive), Tyler Perry has been a controversial character in the community. He undoubtedly has a built-in audience for his artistic creations, based on the success of his religious-tinted Madea stage plays, a medium several Black men have found to be an avenue of success. (Y’all remember Shelly Garrett and Beauty Shop Parts I -VI?) But rumours of his alleged homosexuality, his formulaic and often predictable story lines, and his sometimes questionable characterization of Black people leaves many viewers on the fence about the man and his work. Even Spike Lee had to speak on it.

But I wonder – is this “crab in the barrel” syndrome that causes many of us to critique Tyler instead of just embracing his work, no matter what it is? Tyler seems to think so. After all, the man is the Black American dream – tall, handsome, articulate and successful. His business savvy has provided him with the sort of autonomy most folks in Hollywood can only dream of, and has allowed him to rub elbows with the elite of the industry (i.e chartering a jet to go check on his homegirl Oprah after she’s complained of having a hard day).

Let’s consider some of the points McGruder brings up in the episode: Perry’s use of cross-dressing in spite of his story lines having a Christian undertone; his grand presence in theatre, film, and television; and his alleged homosexuality. Dave Chappelle discussed the issue of cross-dressing and the black male comedian, and how too often black male comedians are asked to wear dresses in their performances, and how he flat out refused to do it because he saw the pattern. Perhaps, like many, Perry did not notice the pattern – and if he did, saw it as a successful method for storytelling since it has been repeated. Can’t fault him for that without criticizing Flip Wilson, Richard Pryor, Robin Harris, and Eddie Murphy, amongst many others. It would seem that the bulk of his fan base is primarily comprised of members of Black churches; the irony here is that the Black church historically has been homophobic, but somehow Perry’s cross-dressing slips under the radar.

His dominance in the industry – well, who wouldn’t want that kind of power in that business? If anything, Perry is creating a template to be admired and followed, not frowned upon. And homosexuality? Unless you have slept with the man personally, there’s not much to be said about what happens behind closed doors. Maybe McGruder knows something the rest of us don’t.

If there is any issue this writer has with Perry, it would be the formulaic, simple storytelling, and his often silly, immature characterization of Black men. We are too complex a people for the stories to be so easily predictable, and furthermore, the immature Black man is a stereotype that we need not feed into. If anything, Perry should consider hiring new writers with a different perspective from his own to diversify his filmography. On that note, TP, you know where to find me.

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Black is….Educated

There is an epidemic going on in our black community.  Scholarships for our children go un-awarded year after year because our students are simply not applying for these great opportunities.  How many young, bright, sistas and brothas do you know that don’t go to a 4-year institution or graduate school because they can’t afford it?  This extensive list of scholarships should help to break the cycle.

1) Bell Labs Fellowships for Under Represented Minorities http://www.bell-labs.com/ fellowships/CRFP/info.html
2) Student Inventors Scholarships http://www.invent.org/collegiate
3) Student Video Scholarships http://www.christophers.org/vidcon2k.html
4) Coca-Cola Two Year College Scholarships http://www.coca-colascholars.org/programs.html;
5) Holocaust Remembrance Scholarships http://holocaust.hklaw.com/=20;
6) Ayn Rand Essay Scholarships http://www.aynrand.org/contests/
7) Brand Essay Competition http://www.instituteforbrandleadership.org/IBLEssayContest-2002Rules.htm;
8 Gates Millennium Scholarships (major) http://www.gmsp.org/nominationma terials/read.dbm?ID=12
9) Xerox Scholarships for Students http://www2 . xerox.com/go/xrx/about_xerox/about xerox_detail.jsp
10) Sports Scholarships and Internships http://www.ncaa.org/about/scholarships.html
11) National Assoc. of Black Journalists Scholarships (NABJ) http://www.nabj.org/html/studentsvcs.html;
12) Saul T. Wilson Scholarships (Veterinary) http://www.aphis.usda.gov/mb/mrphr/jobs/stw.html;
13) Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund http://www.thurgoodmarshallfund.org/sk_v6.cfm
14) FinAid: The Smart Students Guide to Financial Aid scholarships http://www.finaid.org/
15) Presidential Freedom Scholarships http://www.nationalservice.org/scholarships/;
16) Microsoft Scholarship Program http://www.microsoft.com/college/scholarships/minority.asp!;
17) WiredScholar Free Scholarship Search http://www.wiredscholar.com/paying/scholarship_search/pay_scholarship_search.jsp
18) Hope Scholarships &Lifetime Credits http://www.ed.gov/inits/hope/
19) William Randolph Hearst Endowed Scholarship for Minority Students http://www.apsanet.org/PS/grants/aspen3.cfm
20) Multiple List of Minority Scholarships http://gehon.ir.miami.edu/financial-assistance/Scholarship/blackhtml;
21) The Roothbert Scholarship Fund http://www.roothbertfund.com/
22) BOEING scholarships (HBCU connects) http://www.boeing.com/companyoffices/educationrelations/scholarships
23) Easley National Scholarship Program http://www.naas.org/senior.htm
24) Maryland Artists Scholarships http://www.maef.org/
26) Jacki Tuckfield Memorial Graduate Business Scholarship (for AA students in South Florida) http://www.jackituckfield.org/
27) Historically Black College & University Scholarships http://www.iesabroad.org/info/hbcu.htm;
28) Actuarial Scholarships for Minority Students http://www.beanactuary.org/minority/scholarships.htm
29) International Students Scholarships &Aid Help http://www.iefa.org/
30) College Board Scholarship Search http://cbweb10p.collegeboard.org/fundfinder/html/fundfind01.html;
31) Burger King Scholarship Program http://www.bkscholars.csfa.org/;
32) Siemens Westinghouse Competition http://www.siemens- foundation.org/
33) GE and LuLac Scholarship Funds http://www.lulac.org/Programs/Scholar.html
35) Union Sponsored Scholarships and Aid http://www.aflcioorg/scholarships/scholar.htm;
36) Federal Scholarships &Aid Gateways 25 Scholarship Gateways from Black Excel http://www.blackexcel.org/25scholarships.htm;
37) Scholarship &Financial Aid Help http://www.blackexcel.org/fin-sch.htm;
38) Scholarship Links (Ed Finance Group) http://www.efg.net/link_scholarship.htm
39) FAFSA On The Web (Your Key Aid Form &Info) http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
41) Scholarships and Fellowships http://www.osc.cuny.edu/sep/links.html
42) Scholarships for Study in Paralegal Studies http://www.paralegals.org/Choice/2000west.htm
43) HBCU Packard Sit Abroad Scholarships (for study around the world) http://www.sit.edu/studyabroad/packard_nomination.html;
44) Scholarship and Fellowship Opportunities http://ccmi.uchicago.edu/schl1html
45) INROADS internships http://www.inroads.org/
46) ACT-SO Olympics of the Mind ‘A Scholarships http://www.naacp.org/work/ actso/act-so.shtml
47) Black Alliance for Educational Options Scholarships http://www.baeo.org/options/privatelyfinanced.jsp
48) ScienceNet Scholarship Listing http://www.sciencenet.emory.edu/undergrad/scholarships.html
49) Graduate Fellowships For Minorities Nationwide http://cuinfo.cornell.edu/ Student/GRFN/ list.phtml?category= MINORITIES
50) RHODES SCHOLARSHIPS AT OXFORD http://www.rhodesscholar.org/info.html
Be Prosperous!