SUZE TALKS ABOUT SALLIE...

  Thank you, Suze!   Middle-class citizens are perpetually wading in the water trying to stay afloat in uncertain economic times.  It goes without saying that this situation will hit middle-America the hardest; who utilize the education system as their buoy to a better life.  Not long ago, I sat thru a documentary discussing the predatory lending practices of student loan institutions on & off college campuses across America [ "NOW on PBS" by David Brancaccio click link to view transcript].  It pinpointed the tactics of the nation's largest student loan company, Sallie Mae.  Sallie Mae, "said it will stop offering federal consolidation loans and cease paying loan-origination fees on Stafford loans.  As a result, borrowers will have to pay the price. Former students who want to consolidate their loans can now only turn to the government and a small pool of lenders."   [Read more: Sallie Mae Halts Student-Loan Consolidation at SmartMoney.com]   My student loan interest rate has also ballooned and took off like Falcon Heene!  However, Sallie Mae is also feeling heat.  Reportedly, the company's shares (once known as SLM Corp.) fell this past Friday to 6.7 percent after receiving a poor rating from Ladenburg Thalman analyst Brad Ball on their financial standing.  Meanwhile, their employees are fearful of losing their jobs since President Obama announced his plans to cut out the middle man -- private lenders such as themselves.  Yesterday, in his first State of the Union address President Obama conveyed his intention to place education reform amongst his top priorities & asked the U.S. Senate to join the House in an effort to reform the student loan system.  The plan proposes a $10K tax credit to families, including debt forgiveness to folks who've been paying on their student loan(s) for at least 20 years.      Basically, the idea is to eliminate the "middle management" of banks & other private lenders and the government itself will delegate funds for student loans directly. In my opinion, the audacity of these student loan institutions to set higher interest rates than credit card companies is appauling. Obviously, government intervention is necessary. Furthermore, I'm sure President Obama's intentions are well and if passed such implementations will work in the short term. However, many like myself are hopeful but skeptical. Sterotypically, government bureaucracy is known to misuse such policies. So, whether or not allowing government to "take over from here" will provide a long term remedy this looming ecomomic crisis is yet to be seen.   Tell your story...   What is your take on student loan debt & how are you handling it?   How has your experiences been with student loan companies such as Sallie Mae?   What is your take on the Obama administration's plan for education reform?

NEW YEARS in BLACK HISTORY

"WATCH NIGHT SERVICE"

Many of you who live or grew up in Black communities in the United States have probably heard of "Watch Night Services," the gathering of the faithful in church on New Year's Eve.

The service usually begins anywhere from 7 p.m. To 10 p.m. And ends at midnight with the entrance of the New Year.

Some folks come to church first, before going out to celebrate. For others, church is the only New Year's Eve event.

Like many others, I always assumed that Watch Night was a fairly standard Christian religious service -- made a bit more Afro centric because that's what happens when elements of Christianity become linked with the Black Church.

Still, it seemed that predominately White Christian churches did not include Watch Night services on their calendars, but focused instead on Christmas Eve programs.

In fact, there were instances where clergy in mainline denominations wondered aloud about the propriety of linking religious services with a secular holiday like New Year's Eve.

However, there is a reason for the importance of New Year's Eve services in African American congregations.

The Watch Night Services in Black communities that we celebrate today can be traced back to gatherings on December 31, 1862, also known as "Freedom's Eve."

On that night, Blacks came together in churches and private homes all across the nation, anxiously awaiting news that the Emancipation Proclamation actually had become law.

Then, at the stroke of midnight, it was January 1, 1863, and all slaves in the Confederate States were declared legally free.

When the news was received, there were prayers, shouts and songs of joy as people fell to their knees and thanked God.

Black folks have gathered in churches annually on New Year's Eve ever since, praising God for bringing us safely through another year.

It's been 145 years since that first Freedom's Eve and many of us were never taught the African American history of Watch Night, but tradition still brings us together at this time every year to celebrate "how we got over."

PS.  Pass this information on so we can educate more of our Family and Friends about our History!

*Unknown Source/Email

AVATAR PHENOMENON

AVATAR (not to be confused with Avatar: The Last Airbender), is worthy of the DVD collection.  The film's Director James Cameron managed to hint historical references reminiscent of John Smith, Pocohontas, Native American suffrage and Anglo-Saxon imperialism while incorporating the importance of protecting the enviroment and humanity in this heartwarming & aesthetically pleasing movie. 

Since landing at the box office mid in December, Avatar grossed an incredible $75.6 million in roughly two weeks.  Currently, the film is a hair away from being the highest grossing film of all time racking in a ridiculous $1.4 billion in sales.

The audience is treated to an optional 3-D version available in IMAX theaters.  Avatar offers an entertaining cast of old favorites and notable talent including Girlfight star Michelle Rodriguez as Trudy the pilot, and a surprise galatic reunion with Sci-Fi heroine Sigourney Weaver (Dr. Grace Augustine).  Actor Sam Worthington plays the free-spirited (Jake Sully),  actress Zoe Saldana as (Princess Neytiri) including CCH Pounder as her mother Moat, Laz Alonso as the warrior Tsu'tey, Giovanni Ribisi parades around as the jerk [lol] along with an overzealous GI Joe character, courtesy of actor Stephen Lang.  Since landing at the box office in mid December, Avatar grossed an incredible $75.6 million in roughly two weeks.  Currently, the film is a hair away from being the highest grossing film of all time racking in an ridiculous $1.4 billion in sales.

@Rt Depictz Life...

Actress Zoe Saldana brings Princess Neytiri to life in this emotionally charged scene.

On the other hand... did watching AVATAR make you wanna "off" yourself?  Gosh, I hope not!  Well, according to CNN Entertainment post "Audiences experience 'Avatar' blues" by Josh Piazza, the film literally left some audience members blue with depression and suffering separation anxiety: 

On the fan forum site "Avatar Forums," a topic thread entitled "Ways to cope with the depression of the dream of Pandora being intangible," has received more than 1,000 posts from people experiencing depression and fans trying to help them cope. The topic became so popular last month that forum administrator Philippe Baghdassarian had to create a second thread so people could continue to post their confused feelings about the movie.  -Josh Piazza, CNN Entertainment

Furthermore, how could one ignore the historical implications throughout this film?  You'd have to be dimmer than Paris Hilton "and junk".  Arguably, it's those very innuendos coupled with blue hues & delusions of granduer in pseudo heaven Pandora that pushed some viewers to the edge -- and I don't mean just their seats.   In the begining I was curious, amazed in the middle, and pissed off towards the end.  How dare he double-cross Neytiri like that?  I wanted to kick Jake's paraplegic ass!  Then I got over it.  Finally, as the credits rolled I felt nostaligic, touched, and admittedly a bit disillusioned by the film's blaringly obvious, socially conscience overtone.  I found myself reflecting on stuff like the destructive nature of mankind, and our incessant greed. Still... I was a far cry from wanting to curl up in my seat and die.  Yes, we shed a few tears but by all means Cameron, the cast, and crew worked hard to convey a story that would rub people the right way.  


My unsolicited advice to anyone with a case of AVATAR blues is to take those negative feelings and recycle them.  Yeah, I know it sounds corny but like the Nav'i humble yourself and strive each day to simply be a better person.  Love yourself by receiving the age old lessons in the story such as following your heart, being honest, compassionate and honorable.  If you haven't already, maybe now's the time to go green but whatever you do, don't stay in a funk!  Besides, there is an actual place infinitely better than Pandora and you don't have to get matrixed in thru machine wires or click your heels three times.  Overall, AVATAR is a socially conscious film meant to touch the hearts of man but by no means to be taken gravely. Surely, such reaction is the consequence from a small percentage of viewers. Nonetheless, the AVATAR phenomenon leaves an unprecedented mark; drawing curiosity, fans, and driving ticket sales, but more importantly rekindling hearts & minds to what is truly important in life -- priceless.   

THE HOLOCAUST REVISITED

Over the course of my fall semester class I wrote an expressive opinion paper with “The Diary of Anne Frank” as my chosen subject material; it tells the story of an adolescent girl dramatically involved in the events of the Jewish Holocaust. While reading through this book & researching my topic I found myself increasingly intrigued by the medieval-like tragedy. In light of another U.S. History assignment, I was compelled to revisit this event at The Virginia Holocaust Museum (VHM). Hence, the sequel essay...

The VHM is located on 2000 East Cary Street Richmond, Virginia; where it stands facing yet another historic site, the James River. I along with two friends walked the ramp leading into the black, iron-railed entrance of the museum. The wind was brisk and unforgiving; our every footstep echoed a hollowed thud as the soles of our feet met with the cold metal. Whether the architectural deliberations of a clever builder, or my own sometimes over-active imagination; a vague sense of anxiety and drudgery swept over me. Once inside, the front desk personnel directed us to an area where all museum patrons are to watch a 15-minute video. The film showed several Holocaust survivors depicting their own firsthand accounts of Nazi Germany. One woman spoke of witnessing a pile of corpses as tall as three stories high! Mainly, the video was made up of informative interview sessions than explicit graphical depictions. I appreciated this “weaning” of the audience sort of speak. The “big guns” are displayed within the actual tour itself.

Once the film was complete, we were offered the option to begin the self-guided tour accompanied by audio commentary thru headset or simply with a booklet. We opted for audio… which by the way is exceptionally clear surround sound. It seemed as though the narrator’s voice were coming from speakers throughout the gallery itself rather than a pair of small earphones. At any rate throughout the tour, you’ll notice the center of the museum’s bourbon colored floor is lined with a black, pseudo railroad track. Our first stop took us to Dachau, a concentration camp where blocks were packed of Jewish prisoners. Next stop introduced us to the Thalhimer family & their Hyde Farmland in Burkeville, Virginia where you’ll find a chicken coop and piano. Hyde Farmland was considered a safe haven for Jewish immigrants. Meanwhile, my heart sank at the site of horrific crematories. Yet, warmed by still animations of day-to-day Jewish life – the young housewife stands admiring her dining room set, or the mother & son sharing sweet bread as she reads him a book by the phonograph. Each display artfully depicted its story while never ceasing to tug at your heart & conscience. Not to mention, pictures were plentiful throughout the tour.

Whether taken by some photographer or a family photo, each picture seemed to capture either one of two blaring contradictions of human existence – life & vitality or death & despair. Admittedly, it wasn’t long before these displays began to morph into one big picture – the face of fascism. At times I felt strong feelings as anger, disgust, and even downright pity. However, I left the Virginia Holocaust Museum with an even better understanding of the Holocaust and a deeper respect for its victims than before I had arrived. Overall, the museum fulfilled its purpose in pulling its patrons into the past, slowly but surely concerning us with the joys and sorrows of the Jewish people of that time, all while educating us on the details of that historic event. I would definitely recommend one taking the time out to experience Richmond’s Virginia Holocaust Museum. It opens the heart and mind.

MUSICAL REMINDERS

X'd my Mind =
A song or TV jingle suddenly goes auto-play in your head...  

You could be in the middle of vacuuming, styling your hair, at work, driving, grocery shopping, lip-locking, staring into space, whatever.  We've all got a mental jukebox. Some songs we could karaoke at the drop of a hat, some we can only humm and garble out the hook until someone jogs our musical memory bank.

Today, I found myself chanting "la da dee dow wow" from Gypsy Woman on Crystal Water's 1991 album Surprise.  I swear THAT song will never leave my sub consciousness lol -- and more importantly nor did its actual message.  Who knows what moved the mental needle on this one, but I was pleased to remember such an awfully-good song (literally). 

This one has seen its fair share of praise and criticism; hence, the In Living Color  parody of the song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTykohWAPRg). <---hysterically funny by the way... but seriously, the message itself is far from a laughing matter.  Gypsy Woman is House music and repetitious hooks come along with the territory.  For the record this track has been mixed and sampled countless times -- getting airplay to this day in chic clubs featuring House, Techno, Ambient, B-More to Euro sound, etc.  Overall, this track falls under the category of things we either love or hate.  And for all my fellow 90's music fans out there, here's a socially conscious blast from the past... enjoy!