Pope Benedict and the Spread of AIDS

During this week, Pope Benedict XVI will be doing a seven day pilgrimage in a couple of African countries. The primary purpose of his trip is to address the AIDS epidemic in Africa. This is his first papal trip to the continent, and I’m sure it has something to do with the fact the Africa is the fastest growing region for the Roman Catholic Church. Aboard the papal plane, headed for Cameroon, the Pope is quoted as saying, “You can’t resolve it with the distribution of condoms,” with regard to stopping the spread of AIDS.

This is one issue that I have always had with the Catholic Church. As a child of Ugandan immigrants, and a mother who is deeply Catholic, I was able to see so many contradictions and limitations with the Catholic presence in Africa. The fact of the matter is that I believe that the Catholic church should accept some of the responsibility for the spread of AIDS. The Catholic Church preaches that its members should not use contraceptives, limiting the access of condoms in countries that are highly religious. While I was in undergrad, I did a condom drive on various college campuses across the country in order to take them to Uganda. I was forbidden from conducting the drive on my own college campus because it was a Catholic university. When I transported the condoms to Uganda, I was told to be very careful and hide it within the confines of my luggage.

I think where the Catholic Church goes wrong is that it doesn’t acknowledge the fact that we are all humans, and all is inclusive of the members of the Catholic Church. By suggesting that condoms won’t help to reduce the spread of AIDS is suggesting that people do not sleep around out of wedlock, and we all know that this could not be further from the truth. So I say to Pope Benedict XVI and the rest of the Roman Catholic Church, please step into the 21st century and use your influence to help reduce the spread of AIDS.

Obama, I can’t hear you!

Below is the link to a video in which two officers in Seattle are seen beating down a 15 year old African-American female. The video has no audio but it shows that the attack was possibly a result of the young lady kicking her shoe at one of the officers. The video is hard to watch but it is something that we all need to see and be aware of.

This is just another entry in the book of the inJustice system. It seems that at least every month we are presented with a case in which white cops are beating down or killing a black victim. Even if the victims have committed a crime, there is no reason for the cops to physically harm them. Quite frankly I’m sick of it. I’m sick of it happening, I’m sick of cops being acquitted, I’m sick of truly influential people ignoring it or not doing everything in their power to expose it and change it. It is time for President Obama to take time out to address the racial injustices with regard to the justice system. Yes, I know that the economy is in the toilet and that needs to be his main focus, but damn it, everyone in his cabinet isn’t working on the economy and should we all just sit back and wait while the police continue to murder and beat down members of our community? I won’t take away anything that Obama did while he was in Chicago and in the Illinois State Senate, but while he was on the campaign trail and during the first six weeks of his presidency I have not heard so much as a peep from him on the matter. Please send me an audio clip if I’m wrong. So my question is, Mr. President, when will it be a good time to ask you about the racism in the justice system?

Fashion’s First Ladies: Michelle O. vs. Jackie O.

There are many reasons to be excited about Obama’s presidency and one of them is the new first lady Michelle Obama. Michelle Obama brings a chic confidence back into the white house, something that has been missing since the 1960s, the last time we witnessed feminine swagger in the white house. Mrs. Obama has been turning heads since inauguration day. We’ll start there, since I’m sure we all remember that awful misstep in Chicago, the night of Obama’s victory speech. I shudder to even think about the red and black Nirciso Rodriguez dress. From the greenish gold Isabel Toledo number that she sported during the day at the inauguration events, to the gorgeous white ball gown designed by the little known Jason Wu, Michelle has been making moves towards becoming a fashion icon. But let me be the first to say she is not there just yet. While I can appreciate Michelle O’s simplicity, style, confidence, and grace, Jackie O is still the stand out First Lady. A fashion icon is one whose style transcends time. While Michelle O is too new to be described as a fashion icon, time is on Jackie O’s side and although her reign in the white house ended in 1963 (yes, that’s almost 56 years ago) with JFK’s assassination, and she passed nearly 15 years ago, her impression on fashion lives on. Her style was classic, elegant, and timeless. Many women are still sporting the large, Jackie O. inspired sunglasses. I know I own a pair. And judging from a few of Michelle O’s looks, she too has been inspired by Jackie O.

I will give Michelle credit for being a fresh breath of fashionable air, but I refuse to crown her the flyest women to hit the white house. Ask me again in 40 years and maybe my thoughts will have changed.

Election Night Fright

Inauguration Sophistication

Jason Wu, woos

Jackie O's signature sunglasses

A Timeless Beauty

Timeless Style

Her Inaugural Ball Gown

Artist Spotlight: J. Cole

WHO: Jermaine Cole, American Hip Hop artist

WHY: My first experience with J. Cole were his live freestyle performances at random locales in NYC. This was a few years ago and while I was floored by his flow, he had no albums so I forgot about him, until about a year and a half ago when his first mixtape was released and I was again reminded why I was feeling his flow.

J. Cole hails from Fayetteville, North Carloina. While his backgroud seems like most rappers, i.e. being raised by a single mother, with a less than stellar childhood, what is intriguing, is his attendance and graduation from St. John’s University, Magna Cum Laude. How many rappers have those accolades on the wall? Along with his college degree, he has two mixtapes, The Come Up, released in 2007 and hosted by famed NYC dj, DJ OnPoint and  his second mixtape (only the sampler is currently available), The Warm Up, is my favorite of the two.

On his album The Come Up he introduces us to his intelligent wit. He has a song aptly titled “College Boy”, on which he proclaims, “if this rap shit don’t work i’m goin for my master’s”. I think its safe to say that he will not be obtaining his Master’s anytime soon.

The Warm Up, J. Cole’s second mixtape shows his growth and comfort in front of the mic. The album also boasts some banging beats, many of which were produced by J. Cole himself. One beat that keeps my head bobbing is on Royal Flush, from the first sound of the guitar, the beat grabs a hold of your neck and doesn’t let go.

No rapper or artist, for that matter, wants to be compared to anyone, but for the sake of simplicity and introduction, J. Cole’s swag is reminiscent of a Kanye, without all the ego, remember he’s from down south, and a bit Lupe, but not as quirky. As far as sound, his delivery is more abrasive (read: street) than his swaggermates. His delivery is a mashup of Pac, Nas, and Andre 3000, with a splash of Jay-Z, think Reasonable Doubt. And while his influences are obvious in his sound, don’t get it twisted, J. Cole has his own voice.

Last week, J. Cole, finally inked a deal with a major record label so we should be hearing a lot from this young cat in the coming months.

MIXTAPES:  The Come Up (2007)

The Warm Up (2008)

WEBSITE: http://www.myspace.com/therapistmusic

The video below is one of my favorite songs by J. Cole. Its an acoustic version of one of his songs.