Mo'Nique: I Was "Blackballed" After Winning My Oscar

The 2010 best supporting actress winner for 'Precious' — who refused to campaign for her award — says she was told by her director Lee Daniels that the perception is she's "difficult" and "tacky," and she's lost out on several roles as a result.

At the 2010 Academy Awards, Mo'Nique wore white gardenias in her hair — just as Hattie McDaniel had in 1940 when she became the first African-American actress to win an Oscar. The Precious star later thanked McDaniel in her best supporting actress acceptance speech "for enduring all that she had to, so that I would not have to." As The Hollywood Reporter recognizes the 75th anniversary of McDaniel's historic win, we speak at length with Mo'Nique about her debt to her movie-star idol, her memories of her own Oscar night and the dramatic turn her career has taken in the five years since. As director Lee Daniels put it to her in a recent phone call, "Mo'Nique, you've been blackballed."

Read more: Mo'Nique: I Was "Blackballed" After Winning My Oscar

Condelezza Rice not planning on US Senate run.

A recent poll shows Condelezza Rice leading a crowded field of 18 prospective candidates including popular Democrat Kamala Harris ( Harris leads among democratic candidates) for the seat that Sen. Barbara Boxer will be vacating next year. At this time though, Rice has released a statement stating that she is not running.

“Dr. Rice plans to stay at Stanford and continue life as a professor, and as such she has no plans to run for office in 2016,” Georgia Godfrey, her chief of staff, said Tuesday. And the poll shows no other potential Republican candidate coming close.

Muhammad Ali, Under Armour join up

On Wednesday, Under Armour announced that it has signed a deal to make an extensive line of Ali branded and inspired products by partnering with Authentic Brands Group (ABG), which bought Ali's estate and licensing rights in 2013. Terms of the deal weren't disclosed.

A limited edition graphic T-shirt goes on sale Wednesday to launch the partnership, with a lifestyle apparel line rolling out next month. In November, Ali's name and image will be on training apparel, footwear and accessories.

"He's an iconic hero from the past and a true innovator," said Glenn Silbert, vice president of men's, outdoors and team sports for Under Armour. "We wondered what Ali would have been like if he had a brand like ours when he was getting started and how great it could have been. That has been the mentality of our design team throughout this process."

Read more: Muhammad Ali, Under Armour join up

UNDER ARMOUR ALI TEE

Free advice to republicans when it comes to questions about African Americans.

In light of Mississippi Republican Gene Alday lawmaker making some comments so racist that his own party quickly distanced itself from him (so you know what he said was messed up), I have taken it upon myself to help my republican friends when it comes to answering questions about African Americans.

Now, I'm not going to tell you to avoid phrases like, "them", "The blacks", "democratic plantation", or "those people". If you follow my advice you wont get into trouble for using any of those dog whistle phrases.

Now pay attention my republican friend. If a reporter ask you a question pertaining to race DO NOT under any circumstances answer it! This reporter is not your friend. He or she knows that you will give an answer based on your limited interactions with African Americans. Not only that he or she knows that most of what you will say will be based on stereotypes and false propaganda that has permeated the Republican Party for years thus setting you up for a spectacular fail.

So what's one to do?

Now if the conversation is over a cell phone make a static like noise, pretend you are losing reception, and hang up. Do not take the follow up call from that dastardly reporter!

So what do you do if confronted by a reporter in person? Don't worry I gotcha.

If a glass of water or some salt is nearby throw these items into the eyes of the reporter to give you time to run away and jump into the first moving vehicle you see. The salt will give you more time for obvious reasons. In there is nothing their to temporarily blind the reporter you can try a diversionary tactic like shouting, "Hey, isn't that Hillary Clinton?". When the reporter pees themselves and turns away you can run for it.

If none of that works then pretend to pass out and remember to keep your eyes closed until your aides and staff can whisk you safely away.

If you follow these steps you will be okay answering questions on race and not insert your foot into your mouth.

Now if you do some dumb sh*t like take your republican ass to London and answer ANY question even I can't help you...LOL.

George L. Cook III AfricanAmericanReports.com

Mississippi lawmaker says that blacks get welfare crazy checks

Republican Gene Alday, a Mississippi lawmaker made some racist comments to a reporter while discussing education funding in the state.

The former mayor of Walls (population 1,248) said, "I come from a town where all the blacks are getting food stamps and what I call 'welfare crazy checks.' They don't work."

He had to go to the emergency room for pain, he said. "I liked to died. I laid in there for hours because they (blacks) were in there being treated for gunshots."

Both republicans and democrats condemned his comment.

House Democrats, including members of the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus, held a press conference saying they're concerned Alday's words reflect the general sentiment among GOP leadership. They're calling for a serious discussion with top elected officials to address the issues.

"Maybe it's more prevalent than we realize," said state Rep. Robert Johnson, D-Natchez.

"The racially divisive comments by Rep Gene Alday harken us back to Mississippi of the 1960's," said state Rep. Bobby Moak, D-Bogue Chitto, and chairman of the House Democratic Caucus. "I hope and pray there is a real vast divide between the way that Mississippians view one another today and the comments that appeared in this article. Other than that, to comment further is simply engaging in divisiveness that helps no one."

State Rep. Chuck Espy, D-Clarksdale, issued a statement saying the House Republican leadership "should take responsibility" for what its members say "including messages that are reprehensible and divisive."

"We should lambaste Alday, and also check those whom allow him the opportunity to speak," Espy said. "… The abhorrent rhetoric is intended to galvanize and old base. However, even those in his district are more sophisticated than to be seduced by suck obsolete vitriol."

Republicans took pains to distance themselves from Alday's remarks. Gov. Phil Bryant issued a statement saying the legislator alone is responsible for his words.

"I strongly reject his comments condemning any Mississippian because of their race," the governor said. "Those day are long past."

Speaker of the House Philip Gunn condemned the remarks and said "they do not reflect the views of the Republican party, nor of the leadership of the House of Representatives."

State Republican Party Chairman Joe Nosef on Monday said "we are very disappointed." But then he accused his Democratic counterpart of hypocrisy for not being as critical of U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson for comments he made last year on radio.

"(Alday's) statements certainly do not reflect the views of the Mississippi Republican Party, its leadership or membership and are absolutely unacceptable," Nosef said.

[SOURCE]

You know the Tuskegee Airmen but do you know these other black military heroes?

If you are like me you have a great respect for the Tuskegee Airmen. You can make the argument that without them there is no Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, they broke down barriers and showed the true strength and courage of black men. They valiantly fought for a country that they knew would treat them as second class citizens once the war was over, but they did it knowing what it would mean for the Black Community. Their military record and the commendations speak to the heroes that they were. But they are not the only black military heroes we should know of.

There were others such as The Harlem Hellfighters, The Montford Point Marines, Benjamin O. Davis, and The Golden 13. Learn a little more about them through test and video and get links to books about them below.

The Harlem Hellfighters

The Harlem Hellfighters were an African-American infantry unit in WWI who spent more time in combat than any other American unit. Despite their courage, sacrifice and dedication to their country, they returned home to face racism and segregation from their fellow countrymen.

Read more on the Harlem Hellfighters: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/african-americans-many-rivers-to-cross/history/who-were-the-harlem-hellfighters/

The Montford Point Marines

With the beginning of World War II African Americans would get their chance to be in “the toughest outfit going,” the previously all-white Marine Corps. The first recruits reported to Montford Point, a small section of land on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina on August 26, 1942. By October only 600 recruits had begun training although the call was for 1,000 for combat in the 51st and 52nd Composite Defense Battalions.

The men of the 51st soon distinguished themselves as the finest artillery gunners in the Marine Corps, breaking almost every accuracy record in training. Unfortunately, discrimination towards African American fighting abilities still existed and when shipped to the Pacific, the 51st and 52nd were posted to outlying islands away from the primary action. The only Montford Marines to see action, and record casualties, were the Ammunition and Depot Companies in Saipan, Guam, and Peleliu. Private Kenneth Tibbs was the first black Marine to lose his life on June 15, 1944.

Read more about the Montford Point Marines here: http://www.montfordpointmarines.com/History.html

Benjamin O. Davis

Benjamin Oliver Davis Jr. was an American United States Air Force general and commander of the World War II Tuskegee Airmen. He was the first African-American general officer in the United States Air Force.

Read more about Benjamin Davis here: http://www.af.mil/AboutUs/Biographies/Display/tabid/225/Article/107298/general-benjamin-oliver-davis-jr.aspx

The Golden 13

In January 1944 sixteen black enlisted men gathered at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station in Illinois to begin a cram course that would turn them into the U.S. Navy's first African-American officers on active duty. The men believed they could set back the course of racial justice if they failed and banded together so all would succeed. Despite the demanding pace, all sixteen passed the course. Twelve were commissioned as ensigns and a thirteenth was made a warrant officer. Years later these pioneers came to be known as the Golden Thirteen, but at the outset they were treated more as pariahs than pioneers. Often denied the privileges and respect routinely accorded white naval officers, they were given menial assignments unworthy of their abilities and training. Yet despite this discrimination, these inspirational young men broke new ground and opened the door for generations to come.

Read more about The Golden 13: http://www.aaregistry.org/historic_events/view/golden-thirteen-begin-training

Montford Point Marine Veteran Receives Congressional Gold Medal

[SOURCE] Montford Point Marine Sgt. Hiram L. Knowles was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for his honorable service during the Era of World War II on Feb. 7, 2015 at the Mary Woodard Lasker Biomedical Research Building, New York City.

In 2012, Congress authorized the Congressional Gold Medal to be awarded to each of the 20,000 Montford Point Marines or to their families in recognition of the accomplishments and sacrifices made during a time of segregation.

“It’s a great honor for anyone to give their service to our country and knowing what my dad did, was a great gift,” said Jemere Smith, Knowles’ daughter.

Montford Point Marines were the first African-American Marines to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps. They got the name because of their segregated training site at Montford Point, North Carolina. Along with family and loved ones in the audience, was Ambassador Theodore Britton Jr., a former Marine who served beside Knowles as a Montford Point Marine.

“We had a great time. He was a lot of fun, (but) he took care of business, and didn’t take any stuff from no one because he knew what he was doing,” said Britton, the honorary Consul General of the Republic of Albania. “I was pleased to serve with him.”

The Montford Point Marine Training Facility was shut down in 1949 after President Harry S. Truman issued Executive Order 9981 which desegregated the U.S. Armed Forces.

“My time in service was very educational; it was like a college education, reading, writing, and learning,” said Britton. “I came out a very well educated person even though I didn’t formally go to school.” Between 1942 and 1949 over 20,000 African-American Marines were trained. Of those, 13,000 served overseas areas including Vietnam, Japan and Guadalcanal.

To date, at least 400 Montford Point Marines have received this honor.

Rev. Jesse Jackson to Little League International: give our boys their title

[SOURCE} The Rev. Jesse Jackson once again rallied for the embattled Jackie Robinson West Little League team on Saturday, calling on the community that supported the team to pressure Little League International into returning their national title.

Little League International last week announced it would strip the South Side baseball team of the national championship because the adults running the program tried to steal territory that was home to talented players from neighboring programs by falsifying and backdating maps.

The Rev. Jackson told supporters to send letters to Little League International, and read out the organization’s address in Williamsport.

He said the city should erect a statue in JRW’s honor, and that supporters should create scholarships for the 13 players. “These children are more than champions, they’re heroes,” he said.

“Give our boys their title.”

Former Young and the Restless Star Victoria Rowell Sues CBS for Racial Discrimination

Victoria Rowell, who starred as Drucilla Winters on The Young and the Restless from 1990 to 2007, has sued CBS and Sony for racial discrimination, Deadline reports.

In a suit filed Wednesday, Rowell claims she has not been allowed back on The Young and the Restless or The Bold and the Beautiful because of her advocacy for greater diversity on soap operas. Rowell alleges that she was "impoverished and blackballed because she had chosen to speak out against the discrimination and injustice that she had endured and witnessed happen to other African Americans."

Read more: Former Young and the Restless Star Victoria Rowell Sues CBS and Sony for Racial Discrimination

USPS Releases Robert Robinson Taylor

The 38th stamp in the Black Heritage series honors architect and educator Robert Robinson Taylor (1868–1942). For more than three decades, Taylor supervised the design and construction of the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama while also overseeing the school’s programs in industrial education and the building trades. He is believed to have been both the first black graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the country’s first academically trained black architect. Through his calm leadership and quiet dignity, he earned the admiration of colleagues and students alike while expanding opportunities for African Americans in fields that had largely been closed to them.

This stamp features a photograph of Taylor taken circa 1890, when he was around 22 years old and a student at MIT.

In 1892, after graduating from MIT, this young man from Wilmington, North Carolina, accepted an offer from educator and activist Booker T. Washington to teach at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, where he soon set about shaping the appearance of the burgeoning school. Over the course of nearly 40 years, Taylor designed dozens of essential buildings, including libraries, dormitories, lecture halls, industrial workshops, and a handsome chapel, transforming a makeshift campus on an abandoned plantation into a confident, state-of-the-art institution.

Taylor’s work as a teacher and administrator was equally vital to the Tuskegee mission. While overseeing programs to train skilled artisans, he also established a curriculum with a certificate to help graduates enter collegiate architecture programs or earn entry-level positions at firms. His work furthered Booker T. Washington’s dream of fostering not just African-American builders and carpenters, but architects who could plan the buildings as well.

Art director Derry Noyes designed this stamp.

The Robert Robinson Taylor stamp is being issued as a Forever® stamp. This Forever stamp will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail® one-ounce rate.

Buy this stamp: https://store.usps.com/store/browse/productDetailSingleSku.jsp?productId=S_472904

Report: High-School Graduation Gap Widened for Black Males

Recently, the Schott Foundation for Public Education released its latest report, Black Lives Matter: The Schott 50-State Report of Public Education and Black Males. Don’t expect good news. The black male national graduation rate increased from 51% in the 2009–2010 school year to 59% in 2012–2013. However, the gap between the rates of black, male high-school graduates and their white counterparts has widened from 19 percentage points to 21.

The report identifies several issues that the Schott Foundation has determined would more effectively address this problem, which has changed little in the decade that the foundation has been reporting on young black men.

When asked if he thought the problems were a result of neglect or of deliberate intent, John H. Jackson, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Schott Foundation, said, “It is a level of neglect that borders on intentionality.”

Read more: Report: High-School Graduation Gap Widened for Black Males

TIGER WOODS PLANS TO WORK ON HIS GAME AND PLAY AGAIN SOON

Tiger woods released the following statement about his immediate future after suffering another injury this past week.

The last two weeks have been very disappointing to me, especially Torrey, because I never want to withdraw. Unfortunately, lately injuries have made that happen too often.

This latest injury is not related to my previous surgery. I am having daily physical therapy and I am feeling better every day.

Right now, I need a lot of work on my game, and to still spend time with the people that are important to me. My play, and scores, are not acceptable for tournament golf. Like I've said, I enter a tournament to compete at the highest level, and when I think I'm ready, I'll be back. Next week I will practice at Medalist and at home getting ready for the rest of the year. I am committed to getting back to the pinnacle of my game. I'd like to play The Honda Classic -- it's a tournament in my hometown and it's important to me -- but I won't be there unless my game is tournament-ready. That's not fair to anyone. I do, however, expect to be playing again very soon. I want to thank the fans in Phoenix and San Diego. They were amazing. I greatly appreciate everyone's support.

Tiger Woods

Little League Strips Jackie Robinson West of US Title

Little League Baseball has stripped the U.S. championship from the Chicago-based Jackie Robinson West team and has suspended the coach for violating a rule prohibiting the use of players who live outside the geographic area that the team represents, it was announced Wednesday.

The Jackie Robinson West team, the first all-African-American team to win the championship, must vacate wins from the 2014 Little League Baseball International Tournament -- including its Great Lakes Regional and United States championships.

The team's manager, Darold Butler, has been suspended from Little League activity, and Illinois District 4 Administrator Michael Kelly has been removed from his position.

Read more: Little League Strips Jackie Robinson West of US Title

NYPD officer who killed Akai Gurley indicted.

A rookie cop who shot and killed an unarmed Brooklyn man in an unlit housing project staircase was indicted for manslaughter Tuesday, the Daily News has learned.

In a blockbuster grand jury decision, Peter Liang will face criminal charges that can send him to prison for up to 15 years for the death of Akai Gurley on Nov. 20, a source said.

The secret panel started hearing the case on Feb 4. A spokeswoman for the Brooklyn District Attorney declined to comment.

A source said Liang, 27, was indicted for a top count second-degree manslaughter, which means he acted recklessly. He was also charged with reckless endangerment, second-degree assault and official misconduct, another source said.

Read more: Cop involved in fatal shooting of Akai Gurley has been indicted on manslaughter charges: source

U.S. Little League Champs Under Investigation

Little League Baseball has met to review facts surrounding the eligibility of the Chicago-based team (Jackie Robinson West Little League) that won the 2014 U.S. championship, amid allegations that the much-celebrated squad violated a rule prohibiting the use of players who live outside the geographic area that the team represents. The team could be stripped of it's championship if found to be in violation of the rule.

The Walking Dead's add one black man kill one black man rule.

Now let me first state that I love AMC's The Walking Dead, it's my favorite TV show. It's also one of the most diverse, well written, and acted shows on television. But I have noticed one troublesome trend, being the old black male character when a new black male character shows up is the equivalent of being a "red shirt" on Star Trek. I like to call it the add a black man kill a black man rule.

Think about it. Yeah T-Dog didn't actually do shit but he was doing okay until Tyreese showed up and then what happened? T-Dog died, although heroically while saving Carol. For a minute Oscar a former prisoner was with the group but he too kicked the bucket not too long after the character of Tyreese was introduced. Then Later Bob shows up but since there were only two black guys everything seemed cool. But as luck would have it Noah and Father Gabriel showed up. Four black guys at one time! Ah, hell naw! So not to long after Bob becomes barbecue. A little latter in one of the best Walking Dead episodes ever Tyreese dies after having one hell of a fever dream and getting bit by a kid walker. Really? I mean the TV version of the character pissed me off more often than not but he could have went out better than that. Am I the only one noticing a pattern here?

And no I did not forget Shumpert, the black guy that was one of the Governor's henchman who never spoke, but he wasn't a major character. (But don't worry he's dead too.) Also the Morgan character is more of a guest star who only shows up for more than two minutes when the writers/directors decide to produce classic episodes so I didn't include him either when it comes to this rule.

Now one could attribute the number of deaths of black male characters to the large African-American population in the Atlanta area and the writers trying to be realistic. It could also be something a little more sinister and I'm tempted to alert Al Sharpton about this situation. LOL. So do you think there's anything to my theory?

George L. Cook III, AfricanAmericanReports.com.

Roland Martin to Co-Host Black Republican Luncheon

[SOURCE] TV One's liberal political commentator Roland Martin will co-host the Republican National Committee's Black Republican Trailblazer Award Luncheon on Wednesday in Washington D.C.

Buzzfeed reports that several Black Republican congresspeople, including newbies Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX) and Rep. Mia Love (R-UT) will be recognized at the event, which will pay tribute to Sen. Edward Brooke, III, who died last month. Additionally, 2016 presidential hopeful Dr. Ben Carson will be in attendance.

RNC chair Reince Preibus hopes that the event will help with outreach out to African-American voters and repair the relationship between Blacks and the GOP.

Tape of beating leads to charges against Philadelphia officers

Police in a patrol car chase down a man on a scooter. The car stops, and two officers get out and beat the man with their fists and batons. His orbital bone fractures and he suffers lacerations on his head, yet he is the one who is charged with aggravated assault.

This week, the tables turned when a surveillance video from a nearby store led to charges of aggravated assault, criminal conspiracy and filing false reports against Philadelphia police officers Sean McKnight and Kevin Robinson. Watch this story below:

Carl Heastie: First African American Assembly Speaker in New York.

Feb. 4, New York Assemblyman Carl Heastie of the Bronx became the first African-American Assembly speaker in the state’s history. While calling for a desire to create a “government as good as its people,” Heastie has a long road ahead to earn the trust of voters who have seen Albany mired in corruption for years.

Heastie told those in attendance in Albany that he hoped to created an office of ethics compliance to clean up the under-the-table dealings that have defined New York government in the recent past. Heastie, after all, is taking over for Sheldon Silver, who’s been charged with taking close to $4 million in kickbacks, and the new speaker was close to the disgraced Silver, who still maintains his Assembly position while dealing with his legal issues.

Read more: Carl Heastie elected new Assembly Speaker

South Florida twins to attend West Point

Like many sets of twins, Celine Gunderman and Whitney Gunderman are just inseparable. Like many sets of twins, the Gundermans are choosing to attend the same college. Maybe more accurately in the case of these Cypress Bay High School seniors, one of the nation's most selective institutions, West Point, chose both of them.