Black women have been cast in the lowest roles possible on television. Historically, they played housekeepers for white families or mothers on welfare, living in the projects and barely surviving. Other characters perpetuated extreme urban stereotypes: gum-popping ghetto girls with long weaves, short tempers, giant earrings and bad attitudes. […]
It was a sad day Feb. 27, when Leonard Nimoy died at 83 due to complications of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). He was a multi-talented man — an actor, writer, director and later a photographer. He was best known as Spock, the Vulcan first officer of the Starship Enterprise in the original “Star Trek” TV series. […]
I’m finally graduating from Forest Park after attending for nine years, off and on. I became very discouraged at times. I wondered if going to college was a waste of time and if I would ever get my degree. Today, I’m glad that I persevered and achieved my goal. I’m sharing my story in case there are students out there in similar situations who are embarrassed or feeling alone. […]
The book “Fifty Shades of Grey” by E.L. James has too many fans, and it doesn’t make sense. It romanticizes rape like it’s an OK part of a relationship. It makes emotional, physical and sexual abuse look attractive. It’s a horrible depiction of BDSM, which many people don’t understand. The acronym is composed of three parts: Bondage and discipline (BD), dominance and submission (Ds) and sadism and masochism (SM). […]
The book “The 5 Love Languages” by Gary Chapman has sold more than eight million copies and has been translated into nearly 50 languages. Chapman believes that people can better love one another if they understand that everyone has a “primary love language” that makes them feel the most loved. The book outlines five languages: Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Gifts, Acts of Service and Physical Touch. […]
Movies and TV shows have been my main source of entertainment since childhood. As I’ve grown into a black woman, I’ve come to realize that Hollywood misrepresents my race. It uses stereotypes to create a negative image of African Americans. Let’s start with Walt Disney. After 75 years of film-making, the company produced its first animated movie with a black princess in 2009. […]
The 22nd annual Purina Beggin’ Strips pet parade marched through Soulard last month as part of St. Louis’ annual Mardi Gras celebration. It attracted an estimated 80,000 people and 8,000 animals, mostly dogs. I met several dogs that morning that were quite vocal. So this issue, I’ve decided to turn my column over to a black-and-white mixed breed named Harley. Take it away, my four-legged friend. […]
The story of “Cassandra C.” hit the national spotlight in January, occupying mainstream news and blowing up social media. Cassandra, a 17-year-old girl with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, was being forced to undergo chemotherapy by the State of Connecticut. Chemo and radiation can give patients like her up to an 85 percent chance of survival. Sounds like good odds to most people. To Cassandra, the idea was dreadful. […]
Have you ever been too meek to tell the barista at Starbucks that you wanted soy milk, not whole milk, in your latte? Perhaps your social awkwardness has stopped you from asking a person you see at the bus stop out for lunch. Or from speaking up and taking control while working on a group project. There are times when we feel our everyday selves are not sufficient for a particular setting or situation. […]
The combination of short, gloomy days and frigid temperatures can be a downer for anyone. Last winter was really bad. It was one of the coldest, most brutal winters I could remember, with arctic winds chapping my cheeks and turning my hair into brittle strands. I dreaded getting out of bed, knowing I would have to face a cold gray day or — even worse — a cold gray day in the snow. I was irritable and groggy. Standing at bus stops in the dark was especially miserable. I was constantly trying to pump myself up with caffeine, but it didn’t work. […]
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