State AG Wants to Take Fisk University’s $74M Art Collection

• 

• Valuable Fisk University Art May be Repossessed by the State

  1:24 PMSep 13

  Source: BV Black Spin

  This week, Tennessee state Attorney General Bob Cooper asked a judge to allow the state of Tennessee to take possession of a 101-piece art collection owned by Fisk University. The collection was donated to the university by the late Georgia O'Keefe ... Read More

• John Boyd, President of the National Black Farmers Association: Black Farmers Deserve Justice Now

  1:15 PMSep 13

  Source: BV Black Spin

  When John Boyd steps before a crowd and talks about the indignities and discrimination that black farmers have had to endure from the federal government, he's not just speaking from a script. Boyd, who raises beef cattle, corn, wheat and soybeans in ... Read More

• Nicki Minaj Has Lady Gaga Swag, Laurie Ann Gibson Says

  12:32 PMSep 13

  Source: BV Black Spin

  Could Nicki Minaj be the next Lady Gaga? Laurie Ann Gibson certainly thinks so. Choreographer extraordinaire Gibson worked with Gaga to create the dance chemistry in Gaga's MTV Video Music Award-winning "Bad Romance" video and also put together ... Read More

• 10 Ways the NFL Can Punish Reggie Bush Properly

  12:00 PMSep 13

  Source: theBVX.com

  New Orleans Saint Reggie Bush may be stripped of his Heisman Trophy soon for NCAA violations during the 2004 and 2005 seasons while attending University of Southern California. But, is that all? We can think of ten more ways the NFL can punish Bush ... Read More

• Dr. Boyce Video: Meet Bruce George, Creator of Def Poetry Jam

  11:48 AMSep 13

  Source: BV on Money

  PRODUCTION PLAYER! DO NOT DELETE. ... Read More

• Daily SMH: Jennifer Hudson's Brother-In-Law Exploits Tragedy

  11:00 AMSep 13

  Source: theBVX.com

  Some people will say anything to get their rap career off the ground. Jennifer Hudson's brother-in-law and the father of her slain nephew is no exception to the rule. ... Read More

• MTV Video Music Awards Red Carpet Rundown

  9:00 AMSep 13

  Source: BV on Style

  The 2010 MTV Video Music Awards -- one of the most anticipated awards show of the year -- has come and gone. However, many of the outfits from last nights show are still fresh in our minds. Fun, short and flirty dresses, high platform heels, and ... Read More

• Black Man's HIV Status Leads to Breakthrough in Research

  2:21 AMSep 13

  Source: BV Black Spin

  According to scientists, HIV research is undergoing a "renaissance." Recent developments can lead to a plethora of new drugs to fight a disease that has crippled the black community. The most interesting part of it all is that much of the progress ... Read More

The Latest in Black News – 9/9/10

Denzel Washington, Halle Berry Among Aretha Franklin's A-List Cast For Biopic

• The Queen has spoken and she wants the biggest names in Black Hollywood to star in her highly ... Read More
• By Bridget Bland on Sep 9th 2010 6:25PM | Comments (4)

Pastor Terry Jones' Koran Burning Cancelled

• Since Pastor Terry Jones (pictured above) was supposedly guaranteed on Thursday that the ... Read More
• By Allison Monyei on Sep 9th 2010 6:16PM | Comments (7)

Around the Web: If Rappers Were Colleges, Jay-Z Signs Willow Smith + More

• What if rappers were colleges? Trying to explain your higher learning experience may be a lot ... Read More
• By Journey Ade on Sep 9th 2010 5:30PM | Comments (1)

Spike Lee, Samuel L. Jackson to Honor Mary J. Blige, Others at Spelman College Fundraiser

• Academy Award nominated director Spike Lee and actor Samuel L. Jackson, who are both Morehouse ... Read More
• By Bridget Bland on Sep 9th 2010 5:05PM | Comments (4)

Marvin Sapp's Wife, MaLinda, Dies of Colon Cancer

• Prominent gospel music artist Marvin Sapp recently lost his wife, MaLinda Sapp, to colon cancer. ... Read More
• By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Sep 9th 2010 4:46PM | Comments (9)

Marvin Sapp: Wife Dies of Colon Cancer

• One of Gospel music's most beloved artists is mourning the loss of his wife. Marvin Sapp's wife, ... Read More
• By Bridget Bland on Sep 9th 2010 4:20PM | Comments (8)

Floyd Mayweather Jr. Suspect in Domestic Violence Case‎

• A former gal pal of boxing icon Floyd Mayweather, Jr. is claiming that she was assaulted by him ... Read More
• By Ruth Manuel-Logan on Sep 9th 2010 4:15PM | Comments (6)

Black and Missing: Have You Seen This Person?

• Gloria Denise Damon Case Type: Disability, Endangered Date of Birth: October 9, 1966 Missing ... Read More
• By Jeff Mays on Sep 9th 2010 4:07PM | Comments (5)

Around the Web: Hip-Hop Undergoes a Renovation, Beyonce, Homeless Kids, & Terry Jones

• Hip-Hop Undergoes a Renovation Tenants at the Bronx apartment building where DJ Kool Herc hosted ... Read More
• By Laura Adibe on Sep 9th 2010 4:00PM | Comments (1)

Dwight Howard, Child's Mother Royce Have a War of the Roses

• One of my favorite films of all-time was "War of the Roses," starring Michael Douglas and Kathleen ... Read More
• By Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD on Sep 9th 2010 2:47PM | Comments (9)

Gabby Sidibe Covers Elle Magazine

• Go Gabby! Oscar-nominated actress Gabourey Sidibe, best known playing the title role in 'Precious,' ... Read More
• By Lauren Williams on Sep 9th 2010 2:13PM | Comments (3)

Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck Exploit 9/11 for Profit

• For all those people who thought the outrageous rhetoric coming from Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin ... Read More
• By Jeff Mays on Sep 9th 2010 1:45PM | Comments (6)

Why Pastor Terry Jones 'Koran Burning' is Idiotic and Dangerous

• When Pastor Terry Jones lights his proverbial match on Saturday's scheduled 'Burn a Qur'an ... Read More
• By Nida Khan on Sep 9th 2010 1:30PM | Comments (6)

15 Celebrities Who Should Insure Their Body Parts ASAP

• Last week, NFL superstar Troy Polamalu made an unusual decision, he insured his trademark ... Read More
• By Chris Yuscavage on Sep 9th 2010 12:45PM | Comments (4)

T.I. in Jeopardy of Losing Axe Endorsement Deal

• From Hip Hop Wired: T.I.'s run-ins with the law may cost him more than a tarnished ... Read More
• By Alexis Stodghill on Sep 9th 2010 12:43PM | Comments (3)

Tom Joyner Starts a Company to Get HBCUs Online

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University 

Radio show host Tom Joyner has decided to start making investments in the educational arena. Joyner has announced that he will help found a company designed to support Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in their quest to create online and distance learning programs.
Joyner's foundation has donated quite a bit of money to HBCUs. He is also a proud advocate for these campuses, which have struggled a great deal during the recent recession. Taping into additional revenue provided through online programs would provide a much needed boost for many black colleges and universities.

 

Click to read.

Black Athletes, Hip Hop and Handguns: What Up with That?

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

Shaun Rogers, a Defensive Tackle for the Cleveland Browns, was fined $400,000 by the league for violating its personal conduct policy. Rogers was caught carrying a loaded gun inside an airport. The fine represents approximately 1/17th of his $6.9 million salary.
Some would say that Rogers got off easy, since it would have been no surprise to see him either suspended or sent to jail. The player was caught carrying a loaded semi-automatic handgun in his carry-on bag at Hopkins International Airport. There's no indication regarding whether or not he realized that TSA agents actually have the ability to see inside of someone's luggage with their x-ray machine. It's hard to imagine what he might have been thinking.

Click to read.

Danny Granger of Team USA Says Europeans Smell Like Dead Donkeys

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

If I were an old man responsible for managing Team USA's public image, I would be cursing Twitter every day of the week. Apparently, giving young, bold athletes instant access to media was a cruel joke orchestrated by both fate and Mother Nature. At any rate, the latest athlete to embarrass himself with his Twitter account was Danny Granger. Making reference to the fact that deodorant is not as popular in Europe as it is in the United States, Granger said that Europeans smell like "dead donkeys." Here are his exact words:
"i'm dying over here ..how come nobody in europe wears deodorant? guess they didn't get the memo – smellin like dead donkey..no joke"

Click to read.

Dr. Julianne Malveaux Speaks Up for Detroit Suffering

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Scholarship in Action 

This week, Bennett College President and prominent black scholar Dr. Julianne Malveaux wrote a strongly-worded article about the economic suffering taking place in the city of Detroit. In the article, Malveaux describes Detroit as Ground Zero for the black economic experience over the past two years.
"Only one in four young black men graduates from high school in Detroit. The rest are lost and left out, swallowed by a city where urban blight, industrial desertion, and educational failure define daily life. Detroit is ground zero, exemplifying the absolute worst of urban life."
Dr. Malveaux goes on to highlight the problems that are caused in our communities by decaying schools and poor investment in urban infrastructure. She mentions that President Obama was quick to support the automakers in Detroit, yet there are quite a few urban citizens of the city who have yet to feel relief.

Click to read.

Dr. Boyce Speaks on TI’s Arrest for Drugs

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University 

TI (aka Clifford Harris) is my favorite rapper, and the person I consider to be one of the most talented artists in America.  I've made no secret about my appreciation for his music, and from friends of mine who know him, I can say that he is genuine about reducing gun violence among our youth.  TI is also the artist that I would have gambled on to have the greatest likelihood of turning his life around.  He has a lot to live for, and people who love him.   He's made his mistakes, but I was convinced that he'd grown from them.

Now, after hearing about his arrest for drug possession, I'm not so sure if TI has learned a thing.  In fact, I'm having a hard time distinguishing TI from his self-destructive counterpart, Lil Wayne.  And yes, I will say this in public: I think Lil Wayne is an idiot.

Click to read.

Crack Vs. Powder – Why Don’t States Make the Change?

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University  - Scholarship in Action 

Years ago when the federal government produced disparities in sentencing of crack vs. powder cocaine, many states followed suit. As a result, the black community was devastated with Draconian prison sentences, in which individuals with barely enough crack to weigh were given dozens of years in prison.
The federal government finally came to its senses and changed the law, making it marginally more equitable than it was before. The problem is that many states have not yet made the same change.
The arguments used to justify longer sentences are that the crack trade creates more crime and that the drug is more addictive than powder. Also, the tougher sentences were imposed in 1986, when basketball star Len Bias died from an overdose. It was originally reported that Bias had smoked crack, but a teammate later testified that Bias had snorted powder cocaine instead.

Click to read.

Maurice Clarett is Back from Prison

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, The Coalition for Black Male Athletes, Syracuse University Scholarship in Action  

Maurice Clarrett, the embattled former superstar of the Ohio State Buckeyes, is getting another chance to play football. Clarett just signed a one-year deal to play for the Omaha Nighthawks in the United Football League. This is the first time Clarett has put on a football uniform since spending three and a half years in prison for having a hidden gun and holding up a couple outside a night club.
"I am humbled by the opportunity the Omaha Nighthawks have given me and will dedicate myself on and off the field to prove that I can be a valuable member of the team and the Omaha community," Clarett said. "I am committed to working hard to earn the right for a second chance in football and more importantly in life."
Clarett is now 6-feet tall, 220 pounds, which makes him 10 pounds lighter than he was when he played at Ohio State. The coaches were astonished at his physical shape, giving him credit for keeping himself prepared. He is allowed to be out of the state for 30 days at a time, but his attorneys are hoping that a judge will rule that Clarett can leave the state for the entire football season. He is now 26-years old, meaning that he is at his physical peak.

Click to read.

How Do You Talk to Your Kids About Money?

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University 

Given that our children are likely our greatest expense and greatest love, perhaps it might be helpful to discuss how we teach them about money.  If you raise your kids to be financially responsible, they can be assets to you during retirement.  If they are taught about money in the wrong way, they become horrible economic liabilities that leave you riddled with guilt.  So, although I don’t claim to know everything about child rearing, I thought I’d share some guidelines you might want to consider when it comes to teaching your kids about money.

 

Click to read.

Black Honor Student Beaten by Police, Files Major Lawsuit

by Dr. Boyce Watkins – Scholarship in Action 

Jordan Miles is a black teenager in the city of Pittsburgh. Miles also attends one of the city's most prestigious performing arts schools. On a cold winter night earlier this year, Miles claims he was assaulted by three plain clothes police officers. According to the lawsuit Miles' attorneys have filed against the city, the officers assumed that Miles was a drug dealer and conspired to file false charges against him to create a story to cover up their actions.
Miles says that he was walking to his grandmother's house when officers Michael Saldutte, David Sisak and Richard Ewing approached him. Miles claims that the officers proceeded to chase him, kick him and beat his face into the ground. The damage to Miles' face was extensive, and the officers allegedly pulled one of his dreadlocks from his head.

 

Click to read.

Black Politics, President Obama and Hurricane Katrina

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University Scholarship in Action 

I still remember when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans five years ago. I'd just attended the Essence Music Festival the year before, only to hear that the very same streets I'd visited were now flooded with water. It was also the week of my first confrontation with Sean Hannity on the air. Donald Rumsfeld had come on the show right before me, and Hannity and I were arguing about why it seemed that the government spent more time planning to shoot "looters" than actually saving the people in the flood. Rarely before Katrina had we witnessed such a gross dehumanization of our fellow American citizens.
President Obama sought to commemorate the anniversary of Katrina by speaking in New Orleans this weekend. He told the students at Xavier University that he plans to stand with the community when it comes to making sure they know the Federal Government is behind them in the on-going quest for full recovery.
"My administration is going to stand with you, and fight alongside you, until the job is done," Obama said.

 

Click to read.

Bad Financial Decisions of Fantasia

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University, Scholarship in Action 

One of the most magnificent voices in all of music is owned by Fantasia Barrino, the singer out of North Carolina. Most of us know that Fantasia attempted suicide recently. Of course the suicide attempt led to instant national media attention, and she was all over the news telling her story. Her management team, understanding the value the incident could have for her brand, pushed out the Vh-1 special before you could say the words "publicity stunt."
Now, I'm not here to say that I know what happened to Fantasia or whether the suicide attempt was genuine. But one thing that remains fundamentally true is that she'd been highly upset over the decline of her career. Also, we know that the television specials and additional PR from the incident have put Fantasia in the limelight in a way that far exceeds what she had access to last month. The final thing we know is that Fantasia is working furiously in the studio to get an album out in order to profit from the re-establishment of her celebrity status. Unfortunately, her team may be looking to replicate the experience of Jennifer Hudson after her difficult experience last year.

Click to read.

Why are Al Sharpton and Glenn Beck Both Holding Rallies?

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University 

Glenn Beck and Al Sharpton Hold Rallies on the Same Day?

• I was all set to go to Washington DC this weekend to participate in the rally to commemorate the ... Read More
• By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Aug 28th 2010 10:06PM | Comments (0)

An Interesting Tiger Woods Timeline Since Last Year

This is from Sports Illustrated:

 

Nov. 25: The National Enquirer announces that it is about to break a story that Tiger Woods had an affair.

Nov. 27: Tiger Woods gets in a one-car accident. Details are sketchy.

Nov. 29: Tiger Woods releases his first statement taking responsibility for accident and asks for privacy.

Dec. 1: A woman — not the same as the National Enquirer woman — comes forward to say that she has had a longstanding affair with Tiger. A panicked voicemail with Tiger Woods' voice is released to U.S. Weekly.

Dec. 1: Tiger Woods releases his second statement, taking more responsibility, asking for more privacy.

Dec. 3: TMZ reports that another woman — third woman so far — had an affair with Tiger Woods.

Dec. 6: Radar Online reports that a fourth woman had an affair with Tiger Woods.

Dec. 6: The New York Daily News reports that a fifth woman had an affair with Tiger Woods.

Dec. 6: The News of the World reports that a sixth woman had an affair with Tiger Woods.

Dec. 7: A porn star announces that she is the seventh woman to have had an affair with Tiger Woods.

Dec. 8: A second porn star announces that she is the eighth woman to have had an affair with Tiger Woods.

Dec. 11: Tiger Woods releases his third statement, taking more responsibility. He says he will step away from golf to "focus my attention on being a better husband, father and person."

Dec. 13: The first company — Accenture — drops Tiger Woods as spokesman. It will not be the last.

Feb. 19: After a two-month absence — during which rumors continue to fly and Woods is photographed at a sex treatment facility — Tiger Woods speaks publicly. He again takes responsibility and says he doesn't know when he will return to golf.

March 16: Woods announces that he will play at the Masters.

March 17: A porn star releases text messages that she claims were from Tiger Woods.

March 21: Woods gives his first interviews — to the Golf Channel and ESPN — and says he's done some pretty disgusting things.

April 5: Woods does his first full-fledged press conference, leading up to the Masters.

Read more: http://www.golf.com/golf/tours_news/article/0,28136,2013625-2,00.html?eref=sihp#ixzz0xhVcYjtS

Dr. Boyce: Computer Program Now Used to Predict Who Will Commit Crimes

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Scholarship in Action 

It is being reported that law enforcement officials in Washington DC plan to use a new computer program that claims to be able to predict which citizens are most likely to commit crime. The concept conjures up images of the Tom Cruise film, "Minority Report," in which agents were able to predict "pre-crime": Crime that hasn't happened yet, and is set to occur. But far from science fiction, this program is based on reality.
The program was developed by Richard Berk, a professor at The University of Pennsylvania. The first version of the program was used to predict future murders among parolees, but it is being argued that the software can be used for all kinds of crime.
"When a person goes on probation or parole they are supervised by an officer. The question that officer has to answer is 'what level of supervision do you provide?'" Berk told ABC News.
The program could have real implications, including determining the amount of a person's bail or how long they are to remain in a halfway house upon their release from prison. The program works by using a large database of crimes and other factors, including geographic location, age, prior offenses and the criminal record of the person being considered.

Click to read.

Did This Man Really Kill Michael Jordan’s Father?

by Dr. Boyce Watkins 

Daniel Andre Green was convicted of killing the father of former NBA star Michael Jordan. Nearly 17 years after his conviction, his case is starting to fall apart. The problems stem from a faulty crime lab in North Carolina, where multiple mistakes have been made over the last two decades.
Green told the Associated Press that the lab mishandled its reports, and that evidence supporting his case was denied to him in court. He has trained himself in the law and worked on his own case since the date of his conviction. Much of the recent attention to the case is due to a report concluding that the lab mishandled Green's case, along with 200 others, over a 16-year period ending in 2003.
"I've always known that I'm walking out of prison," Green said. "I've known that because I've believed, ultimately, the truth has to come out."

Click to read.

Black Male Student Shocks the Crowd with Valedictorian Speech

by Lawrence Watkins – Great Black Speakers

When Justin Hudson gave his valedictorian speech at his Hunter College High School graduation, he made it one that people will remember for decades. In the speech, Hudson went beyond providing vague advice or encouragement for his classmates. Hudson instead chose to use his opportunity to push his high school school to end a flawed admissions policy that keeps Hunter College High School from developing adequate racial diversity.
"I feel guilt because I don't deserve any of this and neither do any of you," Hudson said in his speech, as reported by Diverseeducation.com. "We received an outstanding education at no charge based solely on our performance on a test we took when we were 11-year-olds or 4-year-olds."

Click to read.

Black Journalist Harold Dow Passes Suddenly

by Dr. Boyce Watkins 

Respected CBS News correspondent Harold Dow died on Saturday at the age of 62. The death is a shock to all of those who follow black public figures, as Dow was one of the most respected black journalists in America.
Dow leaves behind his wife Kathy and their three children. Dow was with CBS for nearly 40 years, covering some of the leading stories across America. He even covered the kidnapping of Patty Hearst and the release of Nelson Mandela.
Dow is the winner of the prestigious Peabody Award and the Edward R. Murrow Award. He was also nearly killed during the falling of the twin towers on September 11,2001. One of his greatest feats was getting the first interview with OJ Simpson after the murders of Ronald Goldman and Nicole Brown Simpson.

 

Click to read.

Laurence Fishburne on Montana: “No one uses their Real Last Name in Porn”

 

 

Apparently, Laurence Fishburne and his daughter Montana are not speaking.  He told his daughter that he embarrassed her and ridiculed her by saying that no one uses their real last name in porn.  According to TMZ, Laurence has said that he will not speak to Montana until she “turns her life around.”  This is sad.