Jackblog

StateDesk.com Ramping Up for Elections

And we're off ... !

The JFP's new statewide political site, StateDesk.com, is starting to ramp up after a few months of beta bug testing (yes, it's faster now). We have a new political intern, Kate Royals of Millsaps College, who is loading up the site with candidate Web sites for statewide offices, as well as local county offices, as well as posting campaign and other state political news near daily. So head over to click to candidate sites, as well as comment on political races.

Don't just dress to impress, dress to express

Wearing the wrong outfit makes me feel like someone else

I loved meeting so many interesting people at the chick ball. There were many outfits to be admired. I changed my mind about the dress I bought to wear that night at the last minute. I was determined to wear something pink which is a bit out of character for me. Several days before the chick ball, after searching all over town for something pink I actually liked, I found a short, pink, pleated skirt which immediately make me think of Audrey Hepburn and couldn't think of a better person to represent girlieness, especially with my love of old movies. I even bought some hair extensions so I could put my hair up in a huge Hepburn bun right on top of my head. I got the whole ensemble together and tried it on several times. It was cute. It was stylish. It was pink, but it just didn't feel right. I just can't wear pink, at least not that much of it. I don't fel like a grown-up. I could be wearing a hot pink stripper thong and still just feel unsophisticated. I couldn't do it. It just wasn't me. I'm much more Betty Page than I am Audery hepburn. So, out of time for shopping, I dug through the dep recesses of my closet and found a dress I bought months ago from Hudon's for 5 bucks. It was a bit snug at the time, but I bought it as a weight-loss motivator and it must have worked. I hesitantly tried it on, not wanting to be dissappointed, but lo and behold, it looked fabulous. I instantly felt gorgeous, sexy, and all grown up. This was definitely the dress. I called my boyfriend and said,"You know how I dragged you all over the place for days shopping for that perfect pink outfit you bought for me? Well, I changed my mind?" Being the incredible guy that he is and who knows me well enough to understand my intense love for fashion, was not upset at all. In fact, he even made sure we looked great together by picking out a suit that complemented my dress. I doubt he would have done that if I had worn pink though.I should have known not to try to force myself into a look. It never works. Style is not what you wear, it's how you wear it.

How to Stir Up 'Holy Mischief'

"Speaking of Faith" had an amazing interview with young Christian Shane Clayborne this morning. I wasn't familiar with his work, or his book, but he was just breathtaking. The Tennessee native is a "new monastic," so to speak, and looks like a hippy. He grew up very conservative, but has turned away from the religious right (and criticizes the left as well for abandoning the important messages of faith). Long story short, he and a group of young people started a community in one of Philadelphia's (Pa.) poor neighborhoods after college, and are leading a "Simple Way" movement of getting back to what Christianity really is about—love and helping people. Really wonderful. Visit their Web site here. And go up read up on the "Speaking of Faith" interview with him and listen to it here.

Watch "Dumped on Skid Row" on 60 Minutes Sunday, 5/20

From NAMI:

Are some Los Angeles hospitals simply throwing homeless patients out on the street after discharging them, literally dumping them on Skid Row -- even if they come from other places in Los Angeles and are in no condition to fend for themselves? While there have been allegations of hospital dumping for years, people only started paying attention recently, after several shelters installed special cameras on the street to try to capture the practice. Anderson Cooper's investigation will air this Sunday, May 20, on 60 MINUTES (7PM ET/PT on CBS). Check local listings to confirm.

3rd Annual JFP Chick Ball - Raised $7,000!

May 18 Update: The Chick Ball raised just at $7,000 for the Center for Violence Prevention!

Plan your outfits now for the JFP's 3rd Annual JFP Chick Ball on Thursday, May 17, in Hal & Mal's Red Room. This one will be the biggest Chick Ball, yet, with a full grrl-music line-up, an art auction, and lots of surprises. Starting this year, we'll be crowning the Diva of Bling (wear your shiniest outfit to compete) and choosing our Official Arm Candy, so guys, dress your best! Only $5 cover/$10 to qualify for door prizes.

BONUS: Kaze's Hip Hop Hater of the Week: The R.N.C.

Yet another reason not to vote Republican....just kidding..not really LOL. Read

This from Allhiphop.com. In a report just released today, the Republican National Convention had members of the hiphop community spied upon before their 2004 National convention in New York. Ironaically, one fo the names on their "list" was Alicia Keys? Whaaaa? Alicia Keys. Is she an undecover radical and not telling us? And of course officials tried to block the documents from becoming public but were forced to release the information. Ive told my colleagues for a long time that there are forces being set up to "watch" our moves. Officials have become increasingly leery of rappers and the power they wield to change politics. We are being watched. Unfortunately with the wirch hunt going on now, It gives more credence to their spying. and more lawful rappers will again get caught up in the wide net that they cast.

Air It Out

"We've told people they can air those trailers out," Paulison said.

FEMA really is the gift that keeps on giving, isn't it? Witness the deep concern of FEMA Director David Paulison about formaldehyde contamination of FEMA trailers on the Gulf Coast:

Yolanda Denise King, 1955-2007

The eldest daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Coretta Scott King, passed away Tuesday night in Santa Monica, California. She was 51.

Staying Focused

I hope that people aren't getting tired of hearing the familiar stories about teenage mothers and their struggles. Statistics show that teenage pregnancy in America is higher than in any other developed nation. And while the overall rate has declined since 1990, African American females have a higher rate than other ethnic groups. As I was searching the Web for some "inspiration," I found this story helpful.

Kaze's Hip-Hop Hater of the Week: Ebony Magazine

Here we go again folks. America just can't seem to do anything without going to the absolute extreme. As I expected the en-vogue pursuit to clean up objectionable lyrics is going to turn into an all out witch hunt. One where ALL of hiphop is going to suffer for the crusading of a few. Instead of eliminating the language that we all agree must progress. You've given hiphop haters worldwide a reason to try and eliminate the genre altogether. And poor Ludacris, probably one of the more docile of all the "language" culprits gets screwed again. Being removed from the 'Black Father's" edition of Ebony Magazine (June isseue). bumped for pretty boy boris Kudjoe. Now ladies won't be mad at all..but as a rapper Im steaming again. Is Ludacris not a good father? IS Ebony just going with the flow?

Who I "was", Who I "am", and Who I want to "become"

It's funny how things have a way of happening at just the right time. How things are said at just the right moment. How your point is explained so clearly when you were just having the hardest time putting it to words. I came across this piece at xxlmag.com just as I got through trying to tell a couple folks I know this past Sunday what respect and loyalty meant to me...a hiphop artist. I hope those two read this because it better explains what I can't say. I forget the woman's name but her editorial hit home...Enjoy.

Bling, Bling, Baby! Carter's Jewelers Donates Diamond Hoops

It gets better by the minute. Ching, ching.

Carter's Jewelers just called out of the blue to donate diamond hoop earrings worth $700 for the silent auction Thursday night. Needless to say, Carter's is now a Queen Level sponsor of the Chick Ball. Also, photographer Jennifer Carter walked in today with three gift certificates for photography sessions worth $500 apiece. Jennifer is our latest Diva Level sponsor. We also heard from District Attorney Faye Peterson who is donating $100 in hard, green moolah.

Chick Ball to Honor Attorney General, Domestic Violence Unit

[Verbatim release] The Jackson Free Press and the JFP Chick Ball organizers and sponsors announce that Attorney General Jim Hood's Domestic Violence Prevention Unit, headed by Assistant Attorney General Heather Wagner, will receive the Chick Ball's first "Hero of the Year Award" at this year's event on Thursday, May 17, 2007, at the Red Room at Hal & Mal's in Jackson. Wagner will be present to receive the award

Where's My Jetpack?

Fun piece in (on?) Salon today lamenting the lack of a truly futuristic future here in what is now the present. (You follow?) People who know me know that I'm saying this stuff all the time. I really expected more future to be here once we got into the 2000s; it's nearly halfway through 2007, dammit, and we haven't found a single monolith, much less began planning a rescue mission to Jupiter in order to save the first Jupiter mission that went awry in 2001. (In Buck Rogers, when I was a kid, the "last of the deep-space probes" actually left Earth in 1987.)

How to Donate to the Chick Ball

We're getting calls from individuals (and political candidates) who want to donate money to the Chick Ball, and thus the Center for Violence Prevention. You can make checks out directly to the Center for Violence Prevention and either drop them by the JFP office or bring them Thursday night to the Chick Ball. If you want to donate art, door prizes or munchies for the food sponsor table, call Ronni Mott at 601.362.6121 ext. 0, or just drop by the office 9 to 6. 2727 Old Canton Road, Suite 224. (Please drop donations by 2 p.m. Thursday. After that, you need to bring items/checks directly to the Red Room.)