Terry McMillian Slams Will Smith's Kids

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In a recent twitter message, author Terry McMillian made uncomplimentary remarks about Will Smith's kids.  It seems Will and Jay-Z are discussing financing a remake of the musical "Annie" which would star Willow Smith, daughter of Will and Jada.   Willow has achieved fame in the music world with her hit “I Whip My Hair”.

Seems Terry tweeted that Willow and brother Jaden, 12, “are being pimped and exploited” by parents Will and Jada Smith. She went on to say “The Smith children already act like child stars. There’s an arrogance in their demeanor and behavior,” she wrote.

But after her Tweets made headlines, Terry apologized for the use of one of her words.
"I apologize for using the word pimp and exploit in referring to the Smith children. It was insensitive of me and wrong," she wrote.

Even though Ms. McMillian apologized so after her remarks, we see another case of folks bad mouthing other folks for no obvious reason other than envy or sour grapes. It's just another case of "crabs in the barrell" I'd rather celebrate the fact that Will and Jay-Z have the wherewith all to make "Annie" happen and that African American entertainers with talented children can help launch their careers.

Shame on you Terry!

Related articles

• Author Terry McMillan Apologizes For Taking Aim At Will & Jada's Parenting (omg.yahoo.com)
• Digest: Jay-Z to Produce 'Annie' Remake Starring Willow Smith; 50 Cent Promises New Album (rollingstone.com)
• "Terry McMillan Says Jaden And Willow Smith Are Being "Pimped And Exploited"" and related posts (imnotobsessed.com)
• Terry McMillan on The Curious Case of Willow and Jaden Smith (writeblack.com)
• Terry McMillan Apologizes For Claiming Smith Kids Are Being "Pimped" [UPDATE] (hellobeautiful.com)

Who's the Victim Here?

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My family settled in for a double header afternoon of football.  Our Chicago Bears vs. perennial rival Green Bay Packers plus the New York Jets vs. Pittsburgh Steelers. Needless to say, the day was a disaster since both of the favored teams lost and the Packers and Steelers will meet in Super Bowl XLV.

In the post game discussions, I heard talk about all that Steeler Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had "been through". The reference is to Roethlisberger's off season trobles. Ben was accused of sexual assault on two different women. He was never charged with a crime but the NFL felt there was sufficient evidence to discipline him. Why he was never charged and was that the right decision is another question.

I just want to say for the record, in my opinion, Ben Roethlisberger is not the victim here. 

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Mom Jailed For Sending Kids To School In Another District

Ohio mom Kelly Williams Bolar sent her children to a school near her father’s home which was not their zoned school. Clearly, she broke the law, but this is not unusual.  People are doing it every day throughout the country. The district hired a private investigator, who shot video showing Williams-Bolar driving her children into the district. The school officials asked her to pay $30,000 in back tuition.  When she refused, she was indicted.

What's unusual is the fact that Ms. Bolar, mother of two, was convicted of a felony (fraud) and sentenced to 10 days jail time, 2 or 3 years probation and community service. Clearly this woman is being made an example and is being unjustly treated. Now she is a felon and will bear that burden for the rest of her life. She will never be able to become a teacher, although she is close to completing all the academic requirements.

Meanwhile, not enough is being done to improve our schools, so that all children can get a quality education.  Did I make a mistake or was "Separate but Equal" found to be unconstitutional? Maybe it's okay since poor schools are racially mixed and all those students bear the burden of being poorly educated.  manwhile we expect and accept reductions is funding for Education, high drop out rates, and our falling standing in the world's rankings.

We can argue about whether she was right or wrong, but that's not the issue. Punishing Ms. Bolar will not change the quality of education in disadvantaged schools. Personally I hope Ohio Governor John Kasich will pardon Ms. Bolar and that the country will begin to invest in our children's education.



Related articles

• Kelley Williams-Bolar, Ohio Mother, Convicted Of Felony For Lying To Get Kids Into Better School (huffingtonpost.com)
• Ohio Mom Gets Jail Time For Sending Kids to Suburban School (alternet.org)
• Kelley Williams-Bolar: Mom Convicted for Lying to School District Released (theroot.com)
• Tell Ohio Gov. John Kasich: Pardon Kelley Williams-Bolar (education.change.org)
• HELP Ms. Kelly Williams-Bolar! Because You Could Be Next! (hustleknockin.com)

MLK Day-25 Years

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Dr. King and President Johnson

Americans have celebrated a day of tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King for the past 25 years. Dr. King was a civil rights activist, Nobel Peace prize winner, and world leader. Parades and television coverage of his life story mark the day. Somethings have changed. The 44th President of the United States is an African American. Large numbers of minorities are registered voters. Three women serve as Associate Justices of the Supreme court.  The military will set aside Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Something things haven't changed.  The United States is still fighting wars overseas. The South celebartes the Confederacy and some threaten to suceed from the Union.  Folks argue that the Civil War wasn't about slavery. Some politicans reject parts of the constitution  related to civil rights. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer.

We're still working on things, Dr. King. Rest in Peace.

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• "US Honors Dr.King's Legacy to Safeguard Civil Rights" and related posts (newsblaze.com)
• Defense Department Wonders if MLK Would Understand Today's Wars? (my.firedoglake.com)

The Troubles of "Golden Voiced "Ted Williams



Ted Williams

 We all shared the feel good moment when golden voiced Ted Williams hit the media after he was discovered by journalist Dorel Chenoweth. It appeared that the down and out homeless man would get a chance to escape his past and his current circumstances and join the stable working class of individuals with a job, lodgings and some measure of success. Ted told the media he had been clean and sober for two years.  However, that was not the case and now he is in rehab. As you read about Ted Williams journey, remember not to judge or to cast stones.  Rather, say a prayer for his recovery and reclamation.

Related articles

• Thoughts on Ted Williams: The Homelessness "Golden Voice" (uspoverty.change.org)
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• Ted Williams, 'Golden Voiced' Homeless Man, In Alleged Family Dispute Over Alcohol Use (huffingtonpost.com)
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• Tale of the Tape: Ted Williams vs. Ted Williams! (thehollywoodgossip.com)