Gabrielle Union: We Need More Women Of Color ‘Over A Size 4, With Darker Skin Tones’ In Starring Roles

Echoing the sentiment of her “Top Five” co-star Chris Rock, Gabrielle Union sees a glaring lack of parts for black women in film. But she also recognizes a force to be celebrated behind today’s more diverse television landscape, and that force’s name is Shonda Rhimes. In a HuffPost Live interview on Thursday, Dec. 4 the actress praised the queen of ABC’s Thursday night programming and her commitment to featuring all types of women in prominent roles. “Success breeds more opportunity,” she said, “so with the success of ‘Scandal,’ with the success of ‘How To Get Away With Murder,’ — basically Shonda has taken over the most important night of television with a very diverse cast of characters.” Rhimes has…

Echoing the sentiment of her “Top Five” co-star Chris Rock, Gabrielle Union sees a glaring lack of parts for black women in film. But she also recognizes a force to be celebrated behind today’s more diverse television landscape, and that force’s name is Shonda Rhimes.

In a HuffPost Live interview on Thursday, Dec. 4 the actress praised the queen of ABC’s Thursday night programming and her commitment to featuring all types of women in prominent roles.

“Success breeds more opportunity,” she said, “so with the success of ‘Scandal,’ with the success of ‘How To Get Away With Murder,’ — basically Shonda has taken over the most important night of television with a very diverse cast of characters.”

Rhimes has featured “black women, [women of] all different sexual orientations, religions, [and] sizes,” Union described, a rare offering of diversity onscreen.

Both of the leads in Rhimes’ wildly popular Thursday night series are African-American women. Additionally, Rhimes writes for women of all ages: Viola Davis, the star of “How To Get Away With Murder,” captivates viewers weekly even as she approaches age 50.

But while this is undoubtedly progress, Union hopes for more diverse representations of women of color in the industry on a broader scale.

“It’s very limited, period,” the “Bring It On” star said, referring to exposure for black women on the whole. “And when you add in women of color or women of color over a size 4, women of color with darker skin tones, women of color who want to rock natural hair, it becomes more and more limited. I have not seen that change.”

Watch more from Gabrielle Union’s conversation with HuffPost Live here.

Sign up here for Live Today, HuffPost Live’s new morning email that will let you know the newsmakers, celebrities and politicians joining us that day and give you the best clips from the day before!

Continued here: 

Gabrielle Union: We Need More Women Of Color ‘Over A Size 4, With Darker Skin Tones’ In Starring Roles

Hey America

Hey America, Yesterday was a bad day. Come on, don’t pretend like you don’t know. Yes, Eric Garner and the grand jury deciding not to indict the officer that put him in an prohibited chokehold and then killed him. Yes. Killed him. It was ruled as a homicide by the chief medical examiner and it was all caught on videotape. The poor man was pleading, saying, “I can’t breathe,” while 5 policemen smothered him and the EMT’s that responded after his death might as well have cracked open a beer and just give each other high fives over his body. They didn’t do enough. And that’s…

Hey America,

Yesterday was a bad day. Come on, don’t pretend like you don’t know. Yes, Eric Garner and the grand jury deciding not to indict the officer that put him in an prohibited chokehold and then killed him. Yes. Killed him. It was ruled as a homicide by the chief medical examiner and it was all caught on videotape. The poor man was pleading, saying, “I can’t breathe,” while 5 policemen smothered him and the EMT’s that responded after his death might as well have cracked open a beer and just give each other high fives over his body. They didn’t do enough. And that’s the problem. Not enough is ever done for us black folk. And I’m here to ask why.

Why? What else do you need from us? Huh? White America and yeah, I might as well say that because I’m not talking to Latinos or Asians and certainly not Native Americans. Nah. I’m talking to y’all. Not everybody, because I know that there are some allies in this movement and people who care. Just some people. I understand that your white privilege gives you certain amenities. Like not having to deal with this. I know you don’t have to worry, for the most part, of your uncle, dad, brother, son getting gunned down by the police. I get it. But we are all Americans, right? We the people, all equal or something like that? Don’t you care what happens to us, and by us I mean black people?

You know what, don’t answer that. At least not yet. I have already seen how much “caring” has been on display, especially from the police. Let me talk to you guys for a second: what the hell is wrong with you guys? What were you drinking this summer, or this year, as a matter of fact? Has it always been like this? I guess so, but with social media, its a lot easier to see it. Shooting a random kid in a stairwell in East New York. Why? Shooting a 12 year old boy within 2 seconds of getting out of the car. Why? Mike Brown. Ezell Ford. John Crawford and probably more. Why? And yes, not all of you are bad. It’s a really difficult job. You are humans and you make mistakes. Fine. But when I make a mistake, it means I’m about to get cussed out by my friends for getting late somewhere. You guys make a mistake like those young black males mentioned above, and still get paid, no punishment whatsoever and worst of all? Somebody’s life is taken away from a home. A loved one. A family.

That’s why we need a leader. I mean for all of America, but someone that especially represents black people. A man or a woman, even though the woman would have to work a lot harder to assert her authority and gain respect from us and its because that’s the bullshit patriarchal society we live in. But we need somebody who is charismatic and with class. Well educated, but not elitist. Somebody able to connect with clergy, but not be dogmatic. And no, I don’t want a Martin or a Malcolm and certainly not a Sharpton. I want… no I need, sorry WE need someone new for this era. They were of the old civil rights movement. We need a leader for the new one.
I’m just tired of shrugging my shoulders and rolling my eyes and saying, “here we go again.” I want to believe in the justice system and believe that it will actually do right by us. I don’t want to think about what I am going to wear when going outside, so as not to look threatening. I like hoodies, but those are just out the question. And don’t misunderstand. Black people are fighting, tooth and nail, every day. And we will succeed. But we need help. Because we are all Americans, so we need you to step up. Everybody. Because this is a problem for everyone.
So, I don’t know, America. I’m pissed off, I’m scared and worst of all, I don’t know whether this changes anything. That new solution about cameras on police vests obviously doesn’t mean anything, there is still a huge achievement gap between white and black students,there will be more deaths of young black males and so on and so on. I’m sorry if you were looking for a nice “post-racial,” ending like a Hollywood movie. There is hope and there is a light at the end, but admits all of this, it is very, very dim. That light couldn’t come fast enough.

Until another black man dies, Sincerely,

An American

See original article here: 

Hey America

‘Tinder Nightmares’ Reveal The Most Awkward (And Hilarious) Parts Of Online Dating

It’s no secret that things can get pretty weird on Tinder, but a new Instagram account reminds us just how funny said weirdness can be. A new Instagram account called “Tinder Nightmares” records some of the awkward and downright bizarre encounters that take place on the dating app. Tinder, which matches you up with potential partners within a certain distance from you, has often been labelled superficial and vain as it encourages users to focus on looks. So, for anyone who has ever had a nightmarish experience on Tinder, “Tinder Nightmares” is here to remind you that you’re not alone. Because when life gives you innocuously bizarre Tinder messages, …

It’s no secret that things can get pretty weird on Tinder, but a new Instagram account reminds us just how funny said weirdness can be.

A new Instagram account called “Tinder Nightmares” records some of the awkward and downright bizarre encounters that take place on the dating app. Tinder, which matches you up with potential partners within a certain distance from you, has often been labelled superficial and vain as it encourages users to focus on looks.

So, for anyone who has ever had a nightmarish experience on Tinder, “Tinder Nightmares” is here to remind you that you’re not alone. Because when life gives you innocuously bizarre Tinder messages, make jokes.

Here are some of our favorites:

Points for creativity?

Continued here: 

‘Tinder Nightmares’ Reveal The Most Awkward (And Hilarious) Parts Of Online Dating

Single Mother Of Three Has A New Home And New Life After Escaping Domestic Abuse

When Thanksgiving rolled around this year, Lisa, 32, did not have the pots and pans in which to cook a meal. Instead, the single mother of three took her kids to celebrate the holiday with relatives of the same man who had physically abused her. Lisa asked to be identified by a pseudonym out of concern for her safety. She moved in 2009 from Georgia to Michigan, where she made a life for herself and her three kids, working as an assistant manager at a pizza franchise. But she said that an abusive relationship began to take its toll on her life: Lisa lost her job…

When Thanksgiving rolled around this year, Lisa, 32, did not have the pots and pans in which to cook a meal. Instead, the single mother of three took her kids to celebrate the holiday with relatives of the same man who had physically abused her.

Lisa asked to be identified by a pseudonym out of concern for her safety. She moved in 2009 from Georgia to Michigan, where she made a life for herself and her three kids, working as an assistant manager at a pizza franchise. But she said that an abusive relationship began to take its toll on her life: Lisa lost her job, took out a retraining order against the man, and relocated her family.

“I’m trying to get myself together for the boys,” Lisa told HuffPost over the phone.

The task of starting over has not been easy, she said, as she has no family of her own in the state apart from her children. After she relocated, Lisa sought out the services of the South Oakland Shelter in Michigan, through which she and her boys, who are all under the age of 11, were placed in a rotating shelter and assigned to a case manager who has worked with them to rebuild their lives.

Founded in 1985 by seven religious congregations in Oakland County, SOS works with homeless and at-risk individuals and families through a range of emergency and long-term services. The rotating nature of the shelter means that different venues host clients from week to week, and these are often churches, synagogues and one local mosque that open their doors.

“We view ourselves as a faith-fueled and a faith-based agency,” SOS Director of Program Development Jenny Poma told HuffPost. “For a lot of our clients, spirituality is a strength and it helps them get through, but it’s not a requirement.”

The shelter’s website says it served 510 individuals in 2013, 83 percent of whom exited into permanent housing and 30 percent of whom exited with employment. In addition, 25 percent of those served reported having experienced domestic violence in their recent past, Poma said.

Lisa was among the 49 percent of shelter clients who were experiencing homelessness for the first time. But she and her children were able to move into their own apartment in recent weeks.

“Things are going great,” Lisa said. “We moved into our apartment three weeks ago, and we’re getting furniture tomorrow.”

Poma said that many first-time shelter visitors like Lisa just need a “jumpstart” to get them back on track.

“The cool thing is that even if we only secure them with one security deposit, they get case management for a whole year,” Poma said. “Lisa qualifies for a lot of programs, and it’s a matter of getting her connected to those resources.”

Now that Lisa has a home, her next task is finding employment — which may be difficult, given that her youngest is not yet school-aged. The Department of Human Services can help subsidize her childcare costs, Poma said, and SOS has helped Lisa set up a donation page on HandUp, a charitable giving platform that allows people to donate to homeless and low-income individuals.

Lisa said she has raised just over $300 but still has a long way to go before she can buy a car and “become stable again.” Part of that effort, beyond just raising funds, entails building a support network.

“I don’t have any friends,” Lisa said. “It’s just me trying to do everything on my own.”

Poma reiterated that need for community, and explained that helping clients secure housing and employment is the first step, after which comes the long-term task of helping them develop networks.

“Because [Lisa is] housed, the next step is getting her acclimated to her community,” Poma stressed. “Community capital is huge.”

When asked what has brought her joy under such difficult circumstances, Lisa responded, “My kids, to see the look on their faces when we moved in [to our apartment.] Seeing them run around freely and happy.”

Her oldest son understands that the family’s hardships are temporary, Lisa said, and he has been “a trouper” for helping out with the younger kids. With new furniture and an apartment of their own, Lisa said she hopes to spend Christmas at home with her boys.

“We haven’t enjoyed Christmas in a while,” she said.

Learn more about how you can help Lisa and other SOS clients through their HandUp profiles here.

This story is part of series called 12 Days Of Giving. Huffington Post Impact, Religion and Parents have teamed up to feature stories from 12 families in need over 12 days between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Read more here.

Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) for the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

Original post: 

Single Mother Of Three Has A New Home And New Life After Escaping Domestic Abuse

Statement on Grand Jury’s Decision in the Death of Eric Garner

The National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS, Inc., joins the millions of people in New York City and around the country in expressing shock, disbelief, and outright frustration about the Staten Island Grand Jury’s decision of no indictment in the death of Eric Garner. Our prayers of peace and comfort continue for the Garner family. In the tragic killing of Michael Brown, while there appear to have been credible witnesses, there were no cameras or videos. If we cannot believe our own eyes with what we witnessed on the Eric Garner video, who or what can we believe? Furthermore, the chokehold as a police procedure is banned in…

The National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS, Inc., joins the millions of people in New York City and around the country in expressing shock, disbelief, and outright frustration about the Staten Island Grand Jury’s decision of no indictment in the death of Eric Garner. Our prayers of peace and comfort continue for the Garner family.

In the tragic killing of Michael Brown, while there appear to have been credible witnesses, there were no cameras or videos. If we cannot believe our own eyes with what we witnessed on the Eric Garner video, who or what can we believe? Furthermore, the chokehold as a police procedure is banned in New York City, and the medical examiner ruled Mr. Garner’s death as a homicide.

In just a matter of two short weeks we have experienced two devastating blows to justice, equality, and fairness in decisions from the grand jury. No race of people or community should have to live in fear of excessive force by those empowered to protect them. We fully support the Department of Justice in pursuing its federal investigation. We further support President Obama in his statement of not being “interested in talk but action.”

In that regard, we must all come together for collective actions to bring about changes that speak to the respect of humanity for all people, especially black men throughout this country. Efforts to improve police community relations must also include changing attitudes. Black lives must be seen as having value, and this must be the mentality, attitude, and belief of those entrusted to protect our lives. Nothing less is acceptable.

Things must change. Peace, yes…injustice, no!

Original link:  

Statement on Grand Jury’s Decision in the Death of Eric Garner

Tracee Ellis Ross: ‘2014 Was The Year I Saw My Hair On TV’

One promising TV trend in 2014? The abundance of natural hair, as seen on black female characters from network TV to Netflix. Annalise Keating shed her wig and shattered narrow beauty standards on How to Get Away With Murder. The inmates’ textured hairstyles inspired emotional story lines on Orange Is the New Black. In Scandal‘s season premiere, Olivia took a rest from her silky-smooth D.C. blowouts. And Dr. Johnson’s hair on black-ish is exactly like Tracee Ellis Ross’ hair in real life: natural. Ross spoke to EW about what the boom in un-relaxed hair means to her.

One promising TV trend in 2014? The abundance of natural hair, as seen on black female characters from network TV to Netflix. Annalise Keating shed her wig and shattered narrow beauty standards on How to Get Away With Murder. The inmates’ textured hairstyles inspired emotional story lines on Orange Is the New Black. In Scandal‘s season premiere, Olivia took a rest from her silky-smooth D.C. blowouts. And Dr. Johnson’s hair on black-ish is exactly like Tracee Ellis Ross’ hair in real life: natural. Ross spoke to EW about what the boom in un-relaxed hair means to her.

View original post here: 

Tracee Ellis Ross: ‘2014 Was The Year I Saw My Hair On TV’

179 People Killed By NYPD, 1 Cop Conviction, No Jail Time

Over the last 15 years, NYPD officers have killed at least 179 people, according to a new investigation. The New York Daily News found that in only three of those incidents, the officer involved was indicted and only once was the cop convicted. In that one instance, when ex-officer Bryan Conroy was convicted in 2005 of criminally negligent homicide for killing Ousmane Zongo, Conroy didn’t serve any jail time. Patrick Lynch, head of the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, defended the NYPD officer’s actions. “When there is a life-or-death situation on the street, be it an armed robbery, a homicidal maniac on the street or someone driving a vehicle in a dangerous and potentially deadly way, it is New York City police officers who step in and take …

Over the last 15 years, NYPD officers have killed at least 179 people, according to a new investigation.

The New York Daily News found that in only three of those incidents, the officer involved was indicted and only once was the cop convicted.

In that one instance, when ex-officer Bryan Conroy was convicted in 2005 of criminally negligent homicide for killing Ousmane Zongo, Conroy didn’t serve any jail time.

Patrick Lynch, head of the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, defended the NYPD officer’s actions.

“When there is a life-or-death situation on the street, be it an armed robbery, a homicidal maniac on the street or someone driving a vehicle in a dangerous and potentially deadly way, it is New York City police officers who step in and take the risk away from the public and put it on themselves,” Lynch said in a statement. “Our work has saved tens of thousands of lives by assuming the risk and standing between New Yorkers and life-threatening danger.”

To be sure, some of the incidents catalogued by the Daily News involved the justified use of deadly force by officers.

But, holding cops accountable when they are not justified in killing someone is difficult, because often the prosecutors tasked with bringing charges against officers also rely on good relationships with police to do their day-to-day work. DA’s also count on endorsements from police unions when they run for re-election.

The recent decision not to indict Daniel Pantaleo in the Eric Garner chokehold case, has set off calls for laws requiring special prosecutors in cases involving possible police misconduct.

The idea behind any proposed legislation would be to keep local district attorneys out of cases where they might be biased in favor of the police department they work with regularly.

But some, like panelists involved in a recent Democracy Now discussion, said such reforms have been sought for years and have little chance of becoming law, at least at the federal level.

Harry Siegel, a columnist for the Daily News, pointed out that New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who recently said special prosecutors could be necessary in some cases, had the chance to appoint a special prosecutor in the Garner, case but didn’t.

“I would note that Governor Andrew Cuomo, who’s now mumbling about all sorts of reforms, had the opportunity to appoint a special prosecutor here,” Siegel said on Democracy Now. “Andrew here, who’s now outraged by where we’re at, allowed us to get to this point.”

Like Us On Facebook |
Follow Us On Twitter |
Contact The Author

Original link – 

179 People Killed By NYPD, 1 Cop Conviction, No Jail Time

Tamir Rice’s Mother Wants Charges Against Police And Says Son Had ‘A Promising Future’

CLEVELAND, Dec 8 (Reuters) – The mother of a 12-year-old Cleveland boy fatally shot by police last month broke her silence on Monday, saying the officers involved should be criminally convicted. “I’m looking for a conviction for both of the officers,” Samaria Rice, the mother of Tamir Rice, said on ABC’s “Good Morning America” program. “He was just a wonderful kid,” she said. “He was my baby.” Tamir Rice, who was black, was shot in a Cleveland park while carrying what turned out to be a replica gun that typically fires plastic pellets. His death came at a time of heightened national scrutiny of police use of force, especially against African-Americans. Rice’s family filed a suit last week against the…

CLEVELAND, Dec 8 (Reuters) – The mother of a 12-year-old Cleveland boy fatally shot by police last month broke her silence on Monday, saying the officers involved should be criminally convicted.

“I’m looking for a conviction for both of the officers,” Samaria Rice, the mother of Tamir Rice, said on ABC’s “Good Morning America” program.

“He was just a wonderful kid,” she said. “He was my baby.”

Tamir Rice, who was black, was shot in a Cleveland park while carrying what turned out to be a replica gun that typically fires plastic pellets. His death came at a time of heightened national scrutiny of police use of force, especially against African-Americans.

Rice’s family filed a suit last week against the city of Cleveland and both Timothy Loehmann, the officer who shot Rice, and Frank Garmback, who was driving the car. Rice was shot on Nov. 22 less than two seconds after the police car pulled up beside the boy at a park.

The city has declined to comment on the lawsuit.

Rice sat with her attorney, Benjamin Crump, who has also represented the family of Michael Brown, the unarmed black teenager whose fatal shooting by police in Ferguson, Missouri, led to months of protests.

In the Brown case, as well as a New York case involving the death of a black man during an arrest, grand juries declined to indict the officers involved.

The Rice family has issued statements about the shooting in the past, but the ABC interview was the first time Rice’s mother had spoken publicly. She also planned to speak to reporters in Cleveland later on Monday.

Asked what happened the day her son died, Rice said: “Two little boys came and knocked on my door … and said police just shot your son twice in the stomach,” Samaria said.

Rice said her 14-year-old daughter, who went to the scene after the shooting, was tackled, handcuffed and put in the back of a police car after the shooting.

Rice said her son was loved by every one. “He was a bright child and he had a promising future,” she said.

Both officers involved in the shooting are on administrative leave and the shooting is being investigated by Cleveland authorities. The case will go to a grand jury for possible charges. (Reporting by Kim Palmer; Editing by Mary Wisniewski and Eric Beech)

Continued here: 

Tamir Rice’s Mother Wants Charges Against Police And Says Son Had ‘A Promising Future’

Jamie Foxx Shares What Needs To Be Done Amid Police Killings To ‘Enjoy America’

NEW YORK (AP) — Jamie Foxx is calling for a tough dialogue in the wake of killings by police and recent protests over them. The actor says, “We’ll probably have to have a few uncomfortable conversations to sort of get things right, so everybody can walk and enjoy America like it’s supposed to be enjoyed.” Foxx spoke in the wake of protests following grand jury decisions in Missouri and New York not to indict white police officers in the deaths of two unarmed black men. Foxx made the remarks Sunday at the New York premiere of “Annie.” Foxx stars with 11-year-old Quvenzhane (kweh-VEHN’-zhah-nay) Wallis and Cameron Diaz in the musical comedy, whose producers include Will and Jada Pinkett…

NEW YORK (AP) — Jamie Foxx is calling for a tough dialogue in the wake of killings by police and recent protests over them.

The actor says, “We’ll probably have to have a few uncomfortable conversations to sort of get things right, so everybody can walk and enjoy America like it’s supposed to be enjoyed.” Foxx spoke in the wake of protests following grand jury decisions in Missouri and New York not to indict white police officers in the deaths of two unarmed black men.

Foxx made the remarks Sunday at the New York premiere of “Annie.”

Foxx stars with 11-year-old Quvenzhane (kweh-VEHN’-zhah-nay) Wallis and Cameron Diaz in the musical comedy, whose producers include Will and Jada Pinkett Smith and Shawn “Jay Z” Carter. The movie opens in theaters Dec. 19.

Original source: 

Jamie Foxx Shares What Needs To Be Done Amid Police Killings To ‘Enjoy America’

St. Louis Post-Dispatch Shuts Off Comment Function After Ferguson Sparks ‘Vile And Racist’ Remarks

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch is turning off all comments on its opinion editorials, columns and letters, the editorial board announced Monday. The paper offered a succinct explaination: “Why? Ferguson.” The Post-Dispatch said that for the next two months readers will not be able to comment on any opinion page pieces, calling it “an experiment in elevating the conversation.” The decision to cut commenting is a result of high levels of “vile and racist comments” as well as “shouting and personal attacks” in the height of the Ferguson protests over the killing of Michael Brown. The Huffington Post has reached out to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and will update this post if and when it responds. The …

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch is turning off all comments on its opinion editorials, columns and letters, the editorial board announced Monday.

The paper offered a succinct explaination: “Why? Ferguson.”

The Post-Dispatch said that for the next two months readers will not be able to comment on any opinion page pieces, calling it “an experiment in elevating the conversation.” The decision to cut commenting is a result of high levels of “vile and racist comments” as well as “shouting and personal attacks” in the height of the Ferguson protests over the killing of Michael Brown.

The Huffington Post has reached out to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and will update this post if and when it responds.

The comments have not all been negative and racist, the editorial board said:

We intend to use our opinion pages to help the St. Louis region have a meaningful discussion about race. So we are going to turn off the comments in the editorial section for a while, and see what we learn from it. (Comment will continue on news articles). Comments might return to the opinion pages. Or we might find that without them, the discussion — through letters, social media conversations and online chats, rises to a higher level.

That’s the goal.

The post added that there will still be plenty of ways to comment on stories and for readers to get their voices heard, including a weekly live chat on Ferguson, which the paper will host. Readers can also go to their Facebook page and leave comments there.

“Let’s give civility a try,” the note concluded.

Link: 

St. Louis Post-Dispatch Shuts Off Comment Function After Ferguson Sparks ‘Vile And Racist’ Remarks