STEPHANIE M. WATTS | The Official Website

STUCK ON STUPID ALERT: Tyrese Kicked Out of Radio Station for Condemning Liquor Stores Near Schools

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Really, KISS 101.7 Delaware?  Really?  I came across this story today and knew I had to share it with my readers.  KISS 101.7 in Delaware took stupidity to a whole new level Tuesday.

 

Here's the 411:  On Tuesday, actor and singer Tyrese Gibson sat down with KISS 101.7 for a chat about his forthcoming album New Invitation, set to release on November 11th. 

 

On his way to the interview, Mr. Gibson noticed a liquor store directly across the street from a school (pre-K through 8th grade) where he just gave a speech.  A liquor store!  What happened to schools being next to parks, community centers (think YMCA or Boys & Girls Clubs) or nestled in-between neighborhood homes?  Growing up in California, that's what I'm use to (but there are some shady, unsafe school locales, for sure).  And I've seen the same in other states during my many travels back and forth from the West Coast to the East. 

 

Mr. Gibson was disturbed by what he saw (as I would've been), so much so that he mentioned it on the air during his interview segment.  Here's what he had to say:

 

"Get them cats out of here, selling alcohol right across from your kids' school, homie.  Put the pressure on them, homie.  You know how to put pressure on dudes selling in your hood."

 

Now, what do you think the DJ's or station's response was to Mr. Gibson's comment?  An acknowledgment of the obvious problem having a liquor store in such close proximity to children poses, especially from a safety perspective ... and then ... a meaningful discussion of how the community feels about the situation (via caller comments) and what they can do to eliminate the problem?  Nope, they kicked Mr. Gibson out of the radio station!

 

During the commercial break, the station owner, Tony Quartarone, had Mr. Gibson removed from the radio station and then deleted the entire interview segment recorded up to that point.  When later asked why Mr. Gibson was treated in this manner, Mr. Quaratarone explained that he felt Mr. Gibson was "disrespecting" his listeners and inner-city residents, in general.  He further explained:

 

"These liquor stores got zoning from somebody and a liquor license from [Alcohol Beverage Control]. If these liquor stores have been there for years and parents haven’t done anything about it, I don’t expect him to be a politician and talk down to my audience that it’s up to them to stop this from happening.

He went on his little tweeting machine and said the program director threw him off the air because he was talking about liquor shops. No, moron. It was because I wasn’t going to allow him to degrade inner-city people and judge them. They have enough to deal with than have some guy preaching to him. He was trying to rev everybody up and then sequed into talking about his book appearance.” Source

 

 

Wow, that's a stretch.  I certainly didn't get the impression Mr. Gibson was "talking down" to the people when reading his comments.  In fact, I thought he was voicing an opinion that many people have, especially parents, when they witness schools - and schoolchildren - in an unsafe environment. 

 

So, KISS 101.7, liquor stores near your children doesn't bother you?  But, celebrities raising awareness about it does?  Talk about dysfunctional priorities.

 

"I Don't Date Black Girls"

 

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Last Friday, I had the displeasure of overhearing a group of young men - of various races - speak about their disinterest in black women and dating preference for white women, specifically. 

 

Let me set the stage.  So, I went to an event Friday afternoon prior to which I had to stand in a line of approximately 200 people awaiting admission.  The medium-sized group was comprised of people of all ages, backgrounds and ethnicities.  I was sandwiched between a father and son duo (with whom I shared great cconversation with the majority of the day) and this group of obnoxious young men who appeared to be in their late teens and early twenties and included two black men, several Hispanic men and a handful of white men.  From what I could gather from bits and pieces of their cconversation, they were from a local college sports team. 

 

While waiting in line, I heard the men's conversation turn to dating preferences.  It went something like this:

 

"Naw, they can't be too dark.  I don't like them dark."

"I don't like black girls."

"Naw, me neither.  I don't date black girls."

"I only date white girls."

"Only white girls for me, too."

"I like white girls, but only the ones with a little color to them.  You know, that have a tan."

"Yeah, but you like booty though."

"Yeah, yeah.  Gotta have booty."

"Like that." 

(Now, at this point I know they're talking about my derriere since I'm the only woman anywhere near them with an ample backside within direct eye-view.  I'm rolling my eyes as I listen on.)

"Yeah, like that.  I can get with that.  She gotta have a booty."

 

The conversation goes on this way for several more minutes.  They basically profess their love for white women and how these are the only women they date or will even consider dating.  And here's the irony.  As I listened to the physical attributes these men wanted in their "white women," it became painfully obvious that the features they desired are those traditionally found in black women - i.e. full lips, darker complexion, ample curves, big booty, etc.  Of course, I'm sure they didn't realize the hypocrisy of their own taste preferences.

 

Once inside the waiting area, I distanced myself from this group of idiots and sat near the father/son group and a few other nice folks.  Funny thing, though.  When I walked past this group of men to go to the restroom or get some refreshments, they were blatantly eyeing me and/or flirting.  But, wait.  I thought you didn't like black girls!  

 

And therein lies the rub.  These men want to publicly dismiss black women as romantic partners in favor of their *prized* white ones, but still expect to get some play from black women when they show us a little attention.  Puhleese.  This ignorance would be funny if it wasn't so sad and typical.   

 

And, as many of you probably guessed by now, these men were nothing special -  physically speaking.  I know, I know.  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  So, I'll just say this:  This beholder wouldn't look twice at any of them if I passed them on the street.  And by the tenor of their conversation Friday, it wouldn't be any kind of loss on my part.  These men are clearly lacking in looks and intelligence.

 

(VIDEO) BEAUTIFUL BLACK SPOTLIGHT: Meet Miss Universe 2011

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On September 12th, Miss Angola's Leila Lopes, 25, was crowned Miss Universe 2011, making her the fourth woman of African descent to win the coveted title (following Trinidad & Tobago's Janelle Commissiong (1977), Trinidad & Tobago's Wendy Fitzwilliam (1998) and Botswana's Mpule Kwelagobe (1999)).

 

Check out brief clip of Ms. Lopes' "crowning moment"

 

BEAUTIFUL BLACK Leila Lopes is a native of Benguela, Angola. The country of Angola is located in south-central Africa and bordered by Namibia. The nearly six-foot African beauty is a business management student currently studying abroad in Great Britain.  It was there where she was crowned Miss Angola United Kingdom 2010 on October 8, 2010 and then Miss Angola 2011 in Luanda, Angola on December 18, 2010, paving the way for her admission to the 2011 Miss Universe pageant.

 

At the finale of the Miss Universe pageant, held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Ms. Lopes beat out 88 other contestants to win the coveted title.  Shortly after taking the crown, Ms. Lopes had this to say about her plans:

 

"I've worked with various social causes. I work with poor kids, I work in the fight against HIV. I work to protect the elderly and I have to do everything that my country needs.  I think now as Miss Universe I will be able to do much more."

Interestingly, when asked about racism, Ms. Lopes said the following:

 

"Any racist needs to seek help.  It's not normal in the 21st century to think in that way."

CONTINUE READING AT TSV

My Summer Love Affair with 32 Candles

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This summer I picked up a book that gave me a complicated, yet lovable heroine, a captivating storyline filled with mischief, intrigue, angst, and all kinds of hilarity, and a tightly-woven theme of self-discovery, redemption and forgiveness.  What is that book might you ask?  32 Candles by debut author Ernessa T. Carter, an SWO Book Pick. 

32 Candles introduces us to the world of Davidia "Davie" Jones, a self-professed "ugly ducking" relentlessly taunted by everyone in her small town of Glass, Mississippi. 

Davie's classmates tortured her daily, starting each insult or prank with the horrible nickname "Monkey Night" because she was "ugly like a monkey and black as night."  As if being taunted by her classmates wasn't enough, Davie also had the misfortune of being the daughter of Cora, the town whore.  When Cora wasn't occupied with men, alcohol or cigarettes, she abused Davie with physical and emotional assaults so severe that Davie eventually retreated into a world of silence to escape them. 

Not speaking for years, Davie lived in a private hell not of her own making.  The only bright light in her dark-laden world were her make-believe fantasies of stardom (a la Tina Turner makeover) and her crush on the most popular boy in school: James Farrell.  Although James never knew of Davie's crush (or her existence, for that matter), he never teased or taunted her, unlike the other kids in school and unlike his very own sister, Veronica.  

But one day, everything changed.  It was a prank that went too far.  A prank that made Davie run.  Run away from James.  Run away from Cora.  Run away from Glass, Mississippi.  And especially, run away from the girl she used to be.  When Davie stopped running, she found herself in Hollywood, courtesy of a lesbian truck driver named Mama Jane.  

With the help of Mama Jane and a sharp-tongued, no nonsense club owner by the name of Nicky, Davie transformed herself into a confident, beautiful, natural-haired soul singer with abundant charisma and talent.  Before long, Davie was the woman of her own dreams.  The woman she never thought she could be.  And just when she thought life could not get any better, in walks James Farrell.  Only this time, James is the one with the crush.

Not remembering Davie from their common past (and Davie choosing not to remind him), James enters into a relationship with Davie and the two quickly fall in love.  All is perfect.  So perfect, it appears Davie got the Molly Ringwald 16 Candles happy ending she's always wanted.  Or did she?  Before Davie has a chance to fully appreciate and bask in her happiness, sins of the past make a sudden reappearance and threaten to take away all that she has become and all that she has left behind.   

32 Candles is a hilarious, laugh out loud joy ride that will have you smiling, cussing and shaking your head all at the same time.  It is the perfect mix of comedy, drama and suspense.  This lighthearted novel with serious, smartly interwoven themes is the perfect book to read on a beach, in the park or while lying in a hammock.  It is simply adorable.  I never thought a book could be adorable until I read 32 Candles.  I highly recommend it and that is why it is an SWO Book Pick!