Posted Sept. 26, 2008 – We’ve got a situation. On one hand, I applaud Essence’s special “Voluptuous Issue” for celebrating our curvy nature. We’ve got a number of examples of beautifully curvy women who help young girls feel better about themselves because they’re on top of their games. Actress and comedian Mo’Nique, who serves as a Essence guest editor for their “voluptuous” issue, brought her F.A.T. (Fabulous And Thick) philosophy to the issue, which features a plus-size fashion guide with Beverly Johnson’s daughter, Anansa Sims. But as we celebrate our curves, I also wonder if we aren’t sending the wrong message.

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Posted Sept. 23, 2008 – A disturbing new report surfaced today that says the rate of abortions is declining for Whites, but not for women of color. Given that teen pregnancy for women of color is also higher, the new abortion figures for Blacks and Hispanics proves a troubling trend because it means a lot of unexpected babies are being conceived and a lot of unprepared mothers aren’t having them. The new U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report released today shows that the proportion of all abortions performed for White women decreased from 45 percent in 1994 to 34 percent in 2004, while the proportion for Hispanics increased from 16 percent to 22 percent and for Black women rose from 35 percent to 37 percent during the same period. Why? Could it be that teen girls just aren’t getting enough preventative information, and abortions are the end result of the unplanned pregnancies? Is abortion seen as a cheaper or easier form of birth control? Or, is there a hopelessness seeping into young girls that says there’s no way they can take care of a baby with all the other challenges they face. These are just a few explanations. You probably have some of your own. But Black communities need to address this question if we are to stop this alarming trend.

 Posted Sept. 17, 2008 – What’s happening on Wall Street with all of the banking and brokerage failures portends hard times ahead for many of us. Invariably, there will be more layoffs, and more people who opt to work a part-time gig or two. But a Canadian study, with implications in the United States and elsewhere, says that people who work part-time or have precarious employment situations – where they’re not sure how long their jobs will last – have reason to be concerned about their health.   Read more »

Posted Sept. 12, 2008 – You’ve probably read about all the recent science about who is or isn’t more likely to cheat. Just this week, a Sweedish study reported men are no more likely to cheat than women. That news comes on the heels of a recent report that men with a certain genetic makeup have a harder time staying faithful.  I know some women would like to believe that, but there’s a lot more information pointing to genes not being a factor in most real relationships.

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 Posted Sept. 12, 2008 – As I was walking home from the post office a half mile from my house, I encountered a group of teenagers walking in the opposite direction from the nearby high school, who caught my attention. The young women were thin, attractive and any one of them could have been a model, except that they had serious pot bellies.

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Posted Sept. 9. 2008 – First of all, let me say Hoorah to “American Idol” season 6 winner Jordin Sparks for being bold enough to stick up for abstinence at the MTV Video Music Awards by defending the Jonas Brothers’ right to wear promise rings. The popular silver ring is worn on the ring finger as a symbol of “purity” and outward sign to others that the wearer has pledged to abstain from sex until he or she is married.

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Posted Sept. 8, 2008 – The stogie-chomping Michael Jordan, a basketball legend and entrepreneur, has smoked himself into a controversy. His enjoyment of  cigars is no secret. But now, after  recent photos of Jordan on TMZ.com showed up with Jordan puffing away on a cigar at a celebrity softball game, the  American Cancer Society put Jordan in their sights.

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The NBA star has had personal experience with the flesh-eating infection
 

Posted Sept. 5, 2008 – Grant Hill, one of the best all-around players in the NBA, wants you to know more about MRSA – (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). It’s a potentially life-threatening antibiotic resistant Staph infection that is becoming increasingly common in places like locker rooms, gyms and schools. Hill has had personal experience with the flesh-eathing staph infection. Read more about his experience why he’s fighting the disease at BET.com’s Body & Soul.

 For more tips on how to protect yourself go to StopMRSANow.org.

Posted Sept. 2, 2008 – News that Sarah Palin’s 17-year-old daughter is pregnant and unwed has some folks upset and wondering what Sen. John McCain was thinking when he picked the Alaska governor for his presidential running mate. Personally, I think her daughter’s unplanned pregnancy and choice to keep the child is her business. Here’s my problem with Palin.

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