Professor Locs

Jackson family feud

We recently saw news reports that Jackson family matriarch Katherine Jackson was missing. Thankfully, we later found out that Mrs. Jackson was not missing but suffering from a common ailment. (I think the unofficial diagnosis is “sick and tired.”)

We have to remember that Katherine Jackson is 82 years old. She should be relaxing and enjoying her golden years. She is instead dealing with a house full of kids, feuding family members, trial attorneys and the every-circling paparazzi.

Apparently, all this drama started when it was revealed that some of her children had written a letter to the executors of Michael Jackson's estate, alleging his will was a fake. The will left his fortune to his children, his mother and charity.

The drama has even spread to the Jackson home.

Sandra Ribera, Katherine Jackson’s attorney, was quoted in published reports as saying that Randy, Janet and Jermaine “ambushed” Michael’s kids, charging through a security gate as an SUV carrying the children rolled through.

The drama escalates.

After exiting their vehicles, some Jackson family members were caught on tape confronting Michael's children. Paris and Blanket reportedly left the house for a safe location. Police arrived.

This is like the Jackson version of “Love and Hip Hop” meets “The Dukes of Hazard.”

Katherine Jackson helped to raise a legion of children and moved them from the mean streets of Gary, Ind., to California and supported them during their evolving careers, making them household names.

She has always been the soft-spoken mother in the background while her family’s over-the-top lives played out like a nighttime Latin soap opera.

She has lived with Michael’s eccentric taste for everything from amusement parks, the elephant man’s bones, young boy sleepovers and let’s not forget an odd but significant relationship with Bubbles the chimp.

She has had two daughters rebel from their strict upbringing, Janet turning her teen angst into a successful television and recording career complete with two failed marriages, yo-yo weight loss and a live televised wardrobe malfunction seen by millions.

Then we have Katherine’s other daughter, La Toya, who went from being a sheltered shrinking violet to marrying a control freak and posing for a Playboy spread. She seemed unable to decide which role she preferred, family spokesperson or conveyor of family secrets.

Katherine’s attorney also alleged that family members who were part of the “ambush” also have been planning for the last three years to remove Katherine Jackson from her home and separate her from her beloved grandchildren.

Really people? This is not “Mission Impossible.” It took you three years to devise a plan to remove an 82-year-old woman and three waif-like kids?

It is no wonder they found Ms. Jackson in Arizona with Rebbie and all her Centipede memorabilia…lol. This seasoned diva needs some serious down time!

Maybe Michael was onto something by covering his children’s faces with mask to keep them out of the media and drama? I am sure this also doubled to reduce speculation about how someone with such African-American features could produce children who look more like Jolie and Pitt’s offspring.

They all need to be ashamed, putting Mother Jackson through all this stress and drama, plotting to remove her and the children from her home. Why don’t you take all the kids, the drama, your car chases, media scandals and police interventions and leave that woman in peace to watch her shows, nap and attend Bible study?

Sargewp on Professor Locs and black men and feminine energy

They say let your haters be your motivators.

I found this guy Sargewp and he is apparently tired of guys like me. He has some interesting views on alpha male energy.  I do not agree with most of his rant but he does have some valid points.

Sargewp is referencing a recent article I wrote for Q City Metro about "No one likes black girls." The article is an example of a trend to undermine black women but as he puts it my approach only "woman strokes" and does not deal with the real issue which is to have "regular brothers" come to the defense of black women.

He is tired of my type because apparently I am not a "regular brother" because a "regular brother" would act out in anger and aggression but like he explaines most "regular brothers" and he admits including  himself typically do nothing.

It has been my experience that while some of the alpha males metaphorically beat their chest, prey on women, procreate and sire children that they eventually abandon it is men like me who are left to  pick up the pieces. 

I have been in the trenches for over 17 years working with young people especially young African-Americans many of which are young females.  Young females that are broken due to the absence of "regular brothers" and so men like me are there to support them so that they can heal and grow. 

Maybe I am not a "regular brother" but I will continue to support and nurture young women because so many other "regular brothers" do nothing. 

You can click here and listen to Sargewp and come to your own conclusions.  

Boy Scouts Position on Gays

The Boy Scouts of America are under scrutiny for their position on Gays in their organization. 

Many people even folks apart of the organization disagree with the BSA's position on gays.

One former scout, Cizmar, shares in a letter, he writes: "Though I didn't know at the time, I was acquainted with a number of gay scouts and scouters. They were all great men, loyal to the scout oath and motto and helpful to the movement. There is no fair reason they should not be allowed to participate in scouting."  Cizmar by the way is straight.

I was in the boy scouts for a brief period when I was younger. I attended an inner city troup and I remember we could only afford the shirt and hat but not the entire outfit. 

I swear the BSA's stance on gays is pretty rediculous. 

A bunch of guys camping in the woods, swimming together, sleeping together in close quarters and don't get me started on the outfits.  Grown men walking around in short sets, long socks and hankerchiefs.  Well there are some pretty gay signifiers floating around is all I'm saying...lol.

Sherman Hemsley from "The Jeffersons" has died

Sherman Hemsley best known for his role as the bragadocious dry cleaner George Jefferson from the long running syndicated sit com The Jeffersons has died at the age of 74.

The Philadelphia-born Hemsley, who police said late Tuesday died at his home in El Paso, Texas, at age 74, first played George Jefferson on CBS's "All in the Family" before he was spun off onto "The Jeffersons." The sitcom ran for 11 seasons from 1975 to 1985.

Hemsley was a beloved actor and had a very diverse career including stints on the stage.  He will be missed. 

We wil always think of him when we hear the theme sone "Movin on Up." 

He has finally moved on up to the ultimate deluxe apartment in the sky.  RIP old friend...smile.

No one likes the black girls?

I was trolling for story ideas and I came across this article that immediately caught my attention. A San Diego magazine had a picture of an adorable little black girl with an Afro playing with her hair. Just when you are about to have a serious “that’s so cute” moment, you read the caption: “No one likes the black girls.”

No one likes liver mush, tax audits, root canals or prostate exams, but really, no one likes the black girls?

Not their moms, fathers, brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles, Jesus, grandparents, friends, boyfriends, teachers, coaches, ministers, bus drivers, stylists or even the mailman? You mean not one person likes the black girls?

Elizabeth Salaam is the writer and mother who shares her determination to identify diverse environments so that her children will see others of color and of their culture. The article was actually affirming, which made me even more confused about the caption.

The caption is taken out of context from an observation the author’s young son makes about the dynamics of his middle school.

The editors decided to run the following copy on the front cover, juxtaposed to the adorable black girl:

“The white girls like the black guys, and the Mexican girls like the black guys, and the Filipino girls like the black guys, and the black guys like them, too. But no one likes the black girls.”

The magazine cover was so jarring because it seemed to be part of a historical and strategic trend to undermine the beauty, talent and unique gifts of black women. What I found even more disturbing is that they are now planting the seeds of discontent among black girls.

I am the oldest sibling in my family, and I have three younger sisters, two nieces and a grand niece, and it is hurtful that there is still propaganda that would suggest that although they are all beautiful in their own way that something is intrinsically wrong with the way they look and who they are as black women.

In an era of “The Housewives of Atlanta,” “Basketball Wives” and “Love and Hip Hop,” where publications like Vibe magazine have even labeled these women as role models, it is no wonder that the image of black women and girls is under attack.

My mother made a conscious decision to fill our home with black art and did not let my sisters play with dolls that did not look like them until they were of an age that they understood that they were beautiful just the way they were. She could not control outside influences, but within our home she made sure there were consistent signifiers that affirmed that we were beautiful brown children.

This article is just another example of reinforcing mainstream concepts of beauty. It becomes one more message added to a lifetime of magazine covers, TV commercials, movie stars and video vixens that by comparison implicitly support a rigid and narrow standard of what is attractive.

So how damaging can this type of propaganda be to young girls?

We have all seen examples of what this type of message can do to a young girl’s self-esteem. We’ve also seen how these images can have a negative impact on their behavior.

Well, I say that not only do we like the black girls, we love the black girls, even when you are doing things that are not very becoming.

Do not fall for the PR machine that suggests that black girls are less worthy than any other group. There needs to be a campaign of support similar to the one used by Viola Davis in “The Help.”

I suggest that the next time you see a young black girl, even if she is some gum-smacking, eye-rolling, young Basketball Wives wannabe, you grab her and hold her face between your hands and repeat what Davis said in the film: “You is kind. You is smart. You is important.”
She will either be touched by your expression of love and support, or she will shank you. Regardless of the outcome, you have done your part to reinforce your support of the black girls….smile.

Hot Guy of the Week: Pablo Hernandez

This weeks Hot Guy of the Week is Pablo Hernandez. 

PABLO HERNANDEZ is a trained actor and commercial model of Spanish/Lebanese descent based in New York City.

He is a rising star in the acting and commercial modeling industry.

He splits his time and career traveling from Miami to Los Angeles, New York City, the Netherlands and Paris.

This guy is a true international hottie...smile.

Chick-fil-A's Anti-Gay Controversy

Chick-fil-A has historically been known for their sometimes not so overt religious values.  Hello, they are closed on Sunday which would be the best time to catch hungry Christians after church service. 

But recently the President of the organization, Dan Cathy confirmed what many already suspected in regards to Chick-fil-A's stance on gays.  Cathy expressed in a recent interview with the Baptist Press that:

"We are very much supportive of the family -- the biblical definition of the family unit. We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that...we know that it might not be popular with everyone, but thank the Lord, we live in a country where we can share our values and operate on biblical principles."

This of course has created a lot of stir among the GLBT community as well as folks who are against any kind of bigotry. 

The truth is that they are a family owned company and they have the right to have their own views and opinions but as consumers we also have the right to decide who and what we support with our money and resources.

The sad thing is that Chick-fil-A has such a narrow minded idea of what a family looks like and you are obviously not very wanted if you are not a Christian. 

I am a believer but do not subscribe to this type of devisive religious dogma.

I have written about my positive experiences historically with Chick-fil-A and their excellent customer service, not to mention their tasty food. 

Why does Chick-fil-A have to be such religious fanatics?  Now I can't eat their anymore. 

Why couldn't this gay controversy come from another franchise like Bojangles? 

We are used to being treated badly there already....lol. 

Aretha Franklin comes for Kathie Lee after American Idol snub

You guys know I have few rules but one of the first rules is not to diserespect our remaining Divas. 

Aretha Franklin has been very public about campaigning for a judge's spot on American Idol.  But guess who fixed her lips to say the Queen of Soul was too old tobe a judge, Ms. Kathie Lee.

Kathie Lee on a recent episodeof NBC's Today had this to say about Aretha Franklin's judge opportunity, "If they are looking for a younger demographic, there are a lot of kids out there (who) actually don’t know who Aretha Franklin is. It’s sad, but they don’t."

First of all who asked you Kathie Lee?  And I'm sorry did you not leave your show and get replaced with a much younger Kelly Rippa?  Mind your business Ms. Lee and stay in your lane.  Don't you have some overseas sweat shops you need to check in on and shouldn't you being going through your husband's cell phone to see what new side piece he is pushing up on these days? Stay out of the Queen's business!

Aretha being the Queen that she is was not going to be undone and released this statement to CNN:

“While I enjoy Kathie Lee and Hoda daily, her assessment is totally wrong! I’ve been to California from Detroit four times this year and Florida. I go wherever I choose to go comfortably on my custom bus.

Further, my audience and fans span the age of 8 to 90! And are multi-ethnic, and I am very well known to young adults, tweens and teens. Their parents play my music and I take care of my business whenever I sign on the dotted line! I’m surprised Kathie Lee did not research my worldwide celebrity audience! She’s usually right on top of things with a great sense of humor, but she’s totally wrong this time. She should research me before she speaks about me. I’m sure she thought she was right; still enjoy Hoda and Kathie Lee! I could enjoy being a judge for a season or two. Let’s kick it up a few notches and have a slammin’, jammin’ season.”

This was a very class way of Aretha basically saying heifer mind yo own business...lol

Aretha also shared that she would like to share the judge's panel with my other favorite Diva Ms. Patti LaBelle! 

Someone get the smelling salts. I have not watched American Idol in years but if these two Divas are on the show I am so becoming a returning fan!

 

Naked man crashes mall

Arthur Walker, a 35-year old man crashed his pickup truck into a mall in Dallas Texas.  Now I have been anxious about a sale but this is crazy. 

Police were called to the Southwest Center mall about 7:30 a.m. on Friday.  Apparently this fool drove through the mall naked covered in a blanket, crashed several kiosk before he finally drove through the window of the Champs Sporting Goods store.

Then he left the blanket and started trying to clothes and a pair of Air Jordans like this was just a regular shopping day. 

Amazingly no one was injured during all of this foolishness.

What kind of drugs was this fool on?

I have heard of people showing their ass in public but this is ridiculous!

Why I hate laundry

I was running errands and stopped by the dry cleaner to have a shirt pressed because I had a function the next morning. The friendly Latin sister who always works the front counter and indulges my pitiful high school conversational Spanish told me it would take just a few minutes, so I decided to sit outside on a bench and wait.

The owner of the dry cleaner also owns a laundromat next door. While I was waiting, a young mother and her son were hauling in several loads of clothes. I smiled as the little boy struggled with his bundle, holding it above his head like some giant leaf-cutter ant sporting a Spider Man T-shirt and sneakers.

I have a serious aversion to laundry.

Viewing this simple, everyday scene began to bring up painful childhood memories of laundry duty.

I grew up in the inner city, and we had a washing machine that worked sporadically. The summer months were not too bad; we could wash clothes then hang them on the clothesline out back. I detested this chore because we lived in Texas and our yard was like something you might see on the Discovery Channel. It was a jungle, what with the manholes our stupid dog was always digging, the bumble bees and, worst of all, the dreaded tree spiders.

Those tree spiders were like something from a B horror film. They built webs that stretched from tree to tree. The webs were so strong that they caught sticks, shoes, frisbees and even the occasional small bird.

I remember one day collecting clothes from the line and a bee came after me. I grabbed a pile of sheets and ran for the backdoor. I could hear the bee next to my ear, and just before I knew I was about to get stung, I ran into one of the low-hanging spider webs and then hit one of our doof dog’s potholes. I lay on the ground thrashing about, screaming, convinced that the huge tree spider was well on its way to cocooning me like the guy from “The Fly.” My arachnophobia-induced panic was stalled only by the sight of my little sister holding a popsicle and staring down at me with a look that said, “And mom left you in charge.”

Nothing was worse, though, than wintertime laundry duty.

It all started when I was a kid, and I do mean kid. You know back in the day when you could drop a 10-year-old off at the laundromat without mace, a cell phone or GPS.

My mother would load up the car, drop me off early on a Saturday morning with about 30 loads of laundry, two pockets full of quarters and instructions on how to treat her delicates. I jingled when I walked like a miniature Las Vegas gambler ready for the casino.

Then the real fun would begin when I had to stalk washers like a jungle cat, listening for the distinct sound of the final spin. Once a washer was identified, I would wait the requisite few minutes then begin to empty my bounty, staking my claim. Next I would haul that 20-pound box of detergent and drop two scoops, spreading it evenly to avoid any wet clumps later. Yeah, folks, this was the ‘70s, so there were no compact, child-proof capped, liquid, eco-friendly products available.

Finding and holding a dryer was even trickier. It was seldom that a washer stopped at the same time a dryer was available, so I learned to throw a few wet clothes in a dryer until the rest were ready to transfer. I found that using my own underwear was useful, as most people avoided the undershorts of boys and men like the plague.

My worst moments were when I was not on my game and a machine stopped without my notice.

I grew up in a house full of women, so inevitably someone would reach into my unclaimed washer and grab a handful of pre-Victoria Secret bras and panties, wave them above their head and announce loud enough for the entire laundromat to hear, “Who do these belong to?” (Insert extreme zoom and close up and freeze frame of my facial expression and exact moment of public humiliation to be shared later in therapy and with other similarly traumatized support group members.)

A hush would fall on the laundromat, and only the drone of the machines could be heard as everyone paused to see if the owner was present.

I would sheepishly look up from my comic book and, with all the dignity and decorum I could muster, I would slowly stand, shoulders erect, and answer firmly in my most manly 10-year-old voice, “Those are mine!”