2011 Oscar Awards

This past Sunday, the 2011 Academy Awards show occurred. I wonder how many people watched to see the winners. I also wondered how many woman watched to see the designer dresses worn by their favorite movie stars.

Monday morning all of the talk shows and entertainment shows are talking about the dresses and tuxedos worn by some of the most popular stars. They are also talking about the speeches made and any mishaps that occurred during those speeches.

The focus is on the good, the bad and the ugly. During the red carpet event, when the movie stars were interviewed, most of stars talked about how nervous they were for this big event. I can’t help but think how frivolous this entire event is. For me these are not people that saved the world or have done something great for their country. But these are people that act for a living and are paid very well for being good at what they do.

I can’t fathom the reason why average people find this event so fascinating.  I think that we put too much emphasis on an event that really has no meaning to our everyday existence. So many shows on the worse and best dressed actors appear during the week after the Oscars. With the actors being under so much pressure, why has the world put so much focus on this event?

Within the world of actors and actresses is this really fair? They are wearing gowns that the average person couldn’t afford and if it’s something that they like, then who are we to judge them.  

            In summary, I think the world sits in judgment of so many things that have no real significance. The stars that appear at an event that is a culmination of what they do for a living are being so harshly judged by entertainment and talk shows and it’s really not fair. They believe that they are good at what they do and we should not sit in judgment, but enjoy the event, just as we enjoyed the movies that we spend our hard earned money on.

My 3 Icons

Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) was a civil right activist and an Icon. He fought and rallied for the civil rights of all people. He demonstrated his fight for civil rights on the streets with the people and in the pulpit of church. He was a minister that didn’t believe in violence. He believed that he could get his point across without being violent. Because MLK was a Christian man, he believed that it was God’s will for him to fight for the people. During his fight for civil rights, MLK had the support of both white and black people.

            I chose MLK because he was a strong Christian man, grounded in his faith in God. It had to be really difficult for him to continue to take abuse from the people that didn’t believe in his cause, but he kept up the fight until someone else decided to end his journey. I chose MLK because his fight for justice and righteousness benefited me as a Black American in so many different ways.

            MLK means the world to me. I could not be where I am today, had it not been for Martin Luther King, Jr. He fought for my right to go to any school that I wanted. He fought for my right to eat in any restaurant that I chose. Having spent time in the south, where I was not permitted to go in certain stores, it means the world to me that he walked the streets of Memphis, TN and held a his famous speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, just so that I could have the same rights as everyone else. 

           

President Barack Obama is another icon to me. President Obama is the first African American president of the United States of America. He is the 44^th President of the United States of America. In 2009, he won the Nobel Peace Prize. Before his presidency, he held the office of Illinois’ State Senator for three terms.

            President Barack Obama is an Icon of the American Dream. He came from humble means and worked hard to become the President of the United States. He is an example not only for African Americans, but for all Americans, that dreams do come true. He is an example of the results or determination and hard work.

            It means so much to me to be able to share in this celebration of the first African American President of the United States. To be able to see such an accomplishment in my life time, is so remarkable. To have worked in an environment where the whites thought less of the blacks gives us hope that one day we, all Americans will one day be treated as equal. President Obama has set the bar for African Americans, but we still have a way to go for equality in this Great United States of America.

 

            The most important Icon in my life is Jesus Christ. Jesus is the son of God. Jesus was the living God. Jesus was sent to this world to save our lives. Jesus was also sent to give us life and many chances to live a good life. Jesus gave his life so that we can be free of the punishment of sin. Jesus made so many sacrifices for God’s children. Jesus gives the world hope and he teaches us to love one another and treat to everyone fair and to not judge because we will all one day sin, but as he forgives us we must forgive each other.

            I chose Jesus as an Icon, he is the living God. He is the reason that I can walk with my head held high. Jesus Christ is epitome of fairness, caring, love, forgiveness, sharing, faith, trust and hope. You can talk to Jesus about anything and everything and he won’t judge you. Jesus can be the guide to your life and the salvation to an eternal life.

            Jesus Christ means to much to me because without him, I would be nothing. My life wouldn’t mean anything. Jesus gives my life purpose. He has given me the gift of salvation and he has taught me not to take life or people for granted. Jesus is the love that I have in my heart. Jesus is the reason that I always try to do good in my life. Jesus is the reason that I have hope for my life, hope for my children’s lives and hope for my husband’s life. Jesus is the goodness that I have in my heart and the peace that I lay down at night with when I go to sleep, I’m an so thankful to have Jesus in my life and the joy that I have for Jesus is so great that I wanted to share to everyone, so that they can know the fulfillment and peace in my heart.

Popular Culture- Women are now approaching the guy.. hmm.......

The Dos and Don'ts of Approaching a Guy

Wondering whether to be bold and break the ice when a cute guy catches your eye during a fun night out? Here are some guidelines to keep in mind.

By Shallon Lester

 

[Editor's note: Shallon Lester writes for the Glamour.com dating blog Single-ish. This is an excerpt from that blog.]

I'm not a very passive gal. If I see something I want, whether it's a job, an apartment or the last pair of sale rack Jimmy Choo shoes, I go for it. So, when it comes to approaching a guy, I have a few tried-and-true tips that always improve my dating game! Check 'em out …
Do let your confidence shine
Flirting is like sales — if you don't believe in your own product, why should anyone else? Body language is the easiest way to project your confidence. Good posture, a beaming smile and a self-assured attitude will make you irresistible!
Don't lead with a racy comment
One of my friends used to saunter up to guys and say, "You are SOOO sexy." Then, she would wonder why she ended up with booty calls, instead of boyfriends. It's creepy when guys say things like that to us. And guess what? It's a two-way street.
Do introduce yourself
The simple things are usually the most effective. I love it when guys say, "Hey, I'm Marc. What's your name?" There's no cheesy line or cliché come on, and that's what men want, too. Follow up your introduction with, "So what brings you here today?" and see where the conversation goes. Hopefully he'll take the reins. But if he doesn't …
Don't feel obligated to stick around
If the dude is boring, rude, or just plain can't stop scanning the room for … who knows what, politely excuse yourself with a simple, "Well, Marc, it was very nice to meet you. I'm going to check in with my friends now.
Bottom line: flirting and approaching men, like anything else in life, takes practice. Sure, you'll inevitably saunter up to a jerk or two but more often than not, guys will be impressed by your confidence and charisma. Now, go get 'em tigers!

Pop culture can be about heredity. Customs that are passed on through generation to generation. For this reason my pop culture artifact is gospel music. As an Black American gospel music is a way of life. It's something that my parents listened, something that I've listened to and something that my children have grown acustomed to. As the world evolves and people desires for improvement continue to change, gospel music remains as a concrete foundation for the Black American. 

The gospel music industry has expanded over the years. Growing up as a child there were only a handful of gospel singers that my family listened to. In this day and age, there are so many gospel singers that is difficult for one person to keep up with. For that reason, the music industry has grown and I would imagine has become a big money maker for the record industry. Gospel music is a genre that the record industry saw was necessary to expand and did just that. So now there are several different gospel record labels, producers and even reality shows. There now several gospel stations as well.