Are New Army Hair Regulations Discriminatory Toward Black Women?

The Army earlier this week issued new appearance standards which included bans on most twists, dreadlocks and large cornrows -- but some black military women feel they have been singled out.

New Army regulations meant to help standardize and professionalize soldiers’ appearance are now coming under criticism by some black military women, who say changes in the hair requirement are racially biased.

The Army earlier this week issued new appearance standards, which included bans on most twists, dreadlocks and large cornrows, all styles used predominantly by African-American women with natural hairstyles. More than 11,000 people have signed a White House petition asking President Barack Obama, the commander in chief, to have the military review the regulations to allow for “neat and maintained natural hairstyles.”

Some black military women, who make up about a third of the women in the armed forces, feel they have been singled out with these new regulations.

“I think that it primarily targets black women, and I’m not in agreement with it,” said Patricia Jackson-Kelley of the National Association of Black Military Women. “I don’t see how a woman wearing three braids in her hair, how that affects her ability to perform her duty in the military.”

Read more here: Black Women Worried About Army Hair Regulations

"A National Crisis" Facing Black Children

[ SOURCE ] In every region of America, White and Asian children are far better positioned for success than Black, Latino and American Indian children, according to a new report appealing for urgent action to bridge this racial gap.

Titled "Race for Results," the report was released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, which for decades has worked to improve child well-being in the United States.

At the core of the report is a newly devised index based on 12 indicators measuring a child's success from birth to adulthood. The indicators include reading and math proficiency, high school graduation data, teen birthrates, employment prospects, family income and education levels, and neighborhood poverty levels.

Using a single composite score with a scale of one to 1,000, Asian children have the highest index score at 776, followed by White children at 704.

"Scores for Latino (404), American-Indian (387) and African-American (345) children are distressingly lower, and this pattern holds true in nearly every state," said the report.

Patrick McCarthy, the Casey Foundation's president, said the findings are "a call to action that requires serious and sustained attention from the private, nonprofit, philanthropic and government sectors to create equitable opportunities for children of color."

The report described the challenges facing African-American children as "a national crisis." For Black children, the states with the lowest scores were in the South and upper Midwest — with Wisconsin at the bottom, followed closely by Mississippi and Michigan. The highest scores were in states with relatively small Black populations — Hawaii, New Hampshire, Utah and Alaska.

Read the report here: Race for Results

'Captain America' superhero role 'epic' for Anthony Mackie

For Anthony Mackie, landing the role of the Falcon in "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" meant more than inking his dream deal with Marvel.

"When I heard I got the role I broke down in tears," said Mackie in a recent interview. "I realized two years from that date some little brown boy was going to be at my door in a Falcon costume on Halloween. When I was a kid I didn't have that. It wasn't like I could get asked, 'Who do you want to be for Halloween?' and say Shaft. Being the Falcon is monumental."

Roughly six months before filming began on "The Winter Soldier" in April 2013, directors Anthony and Joe Russo offered Mackie a role in the comic-book adaptation.

"It was epic," recalls Mackie, who admits he didn't know much about the character Sam Wilson, who becomes the Falcon, one of the first African-American superheroes in a mainstream comic.

"I read up on him and immediately got into the gym," he added with a laugh. "I thought if I am wearing that much spandex I have to be in shape."

When "The Winter Soldier" hits theaters Friday, it will likely become the role for which the 35-year-old Mackie is most known. But it was his portrayal of a bomb disposal team sergeant in Kathryn Bigelow's Oscar-winning war thriller "The Hurt Locker" that paved the way for mainstream success.

Read more here: 'Captain America' superhero role 'epic' for Anthony Mackie

Allen West attempts to link Pres. Obama to Ft. Hood shootings?

After the tragic Fort Hood shootings on 04/02/2014 former congressman Allen West appeared on Fox News (where else) to give his opinion and thoughts on the tragedy. Now even I thought this made sense since he's prior military. But after be asked a question (ok prompted) by Sean Hannity he did something just as amazing as it is disgusting. This man somehow tried to connect President Obama's dealings with Crimea to the Ft. hood shootings. Normally nothing said on Fox News surprises me but this BS did. As someone who is former military and currently serving in a elected capacity I was completely embarrassed for him. This is something you have to see to believe. Watch his ridiculous comments below:

Newark mayor's race: Payne supports Jeffries in TV ad

Watch Congressman Donald Payne, Jr. Endorsement of Shavar Jeffries for Newark Mayor.