The Royal Baby!!!

I know a lot of Americans are critical of all the news coverage of the Royal baby, but I love it! I'm not a huge royal watcher, but I am a history buff and it was a nice moment to get a peek at the baby in the very spot where we met William. I'm a year older than William, so it almost feels like I grew up with him. I was devestated along with the rest of the world when ge lost his mom. I know Princess Diana would be thrilled at the new baby! I hope they have Spencer in there as one of the names.

So simmer down all of you angry, jaded Americans who are salty about the media coverage. Its nice to take a break from all the negativity and tragedy in the news and focus on something positive. Cheers to the Duke and Duchess! Cheers to the future King!

Trayvon Martin and Race in America



Five days after the Zimmerman trial, the anger is still palpable. From the news to social media, the second that verdict was read the emotions of Black America have been running high. We'd all like to believe there is no White America and Black America, as then-senator Obama said in his 2004 Democratic National Convention speech. But, after seeing the vastly different way that Black and White people have read this case, we all know that's a lie.

I'm not a mother, but like Melissa Harris-Perry this makes me "wish my sons away."  The idea of bringing a Black boy into this world scares me to death because I wouldn't be able to protect him.

The one positive aspect of this case is the dignity that Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin have shown during this case. We rarely see divorced Black parents in the media that get along and are successful co-parents. They've presented a united front from day one and have shown America a new image of the Black family and I applaud them for that.

The biggest shocker of this case besides the verdict itself is the different ways this case has been interpreted. Black people see Trayvon as a typical teenager who looks like someone we know. Whites (some, not all) see him as a threatening man with a checkered past. Though, I don't understand how much of a checkered past a 17 year-old could really have. But, the point is that we live such segregated lives that it makes it difficult to see the humanity in someone and have empathy for someone that you don't know.  This case has put the racial divide under a microscope and it has become the defining moment in what I feel is the new Civil Rights Movement. Trayvon Martin is the new Emmitt Till and Twitter has become the new church basement where our movements are organized. I don't know where we go from here or how America is ever gonna heal from this. But, our pain is nothing compared to Sybrina and Tracy's. 

Don't sleep on...

Push Girls. One of the few reality shows on television that is both entertaining and educational.

The show airs on the Sundance channel and is currently in its second season. I started watching it last summer after seeing a magazine ad for the show and I was immediately hooked.

The show follows the story of four friends in Los Angeles who are all paralyzed. Three of the ladies were injured in car accidents and one became paralyzed after an illness.

The main cast included Angela a former model and actress.  She was previously married to Dustin Nguyen of 21 Jump Street fame and was injured in the accident that killed her friend actress Thuy Trang who was best known as the Yellow Ranger on Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.

Auti is a hip hop dancer and singer, who was on the cusp of stardom in the 90's and about to sign a record deal before her accident. Party girl Tiphany, who was injured in high school after her car was hit by a drunk driver. Athletic, girl-next-door Mia, who's paralysis was caused by an illness when she was 15, and a recently paralyzed teenager, Chelsie, is also featured. The ladies mentor and help Chelsie as she comes to terms with her paralysis.

The show recently won the Critics Choice award for Best Reality Show and it is well-deserved. This show is entertaining because of the incredible spirit and personalities of these women. But at the same time, it also challenges the stereotypes of people in wheelchairs and educates us on what life is like for a person living with paralysis.  This is one of those hidden gems on cable TV, that I think is going unnoticed amongst the thousands of other reality shows out there.  But, this show is not a guilty pleasure.  It is simply a pleasure.