Category: Yep I Have Opinions…

The Princess and the Frog – 3 Thumbs Up

The Princess and the Frog – 3 Thumbs Up

by Ranada ♥ 5 Comments

I finally got a chance to see The Princess & the Frog this weekend, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  In debuting its first black princess, Disney got alot right.  Here are a few of my thoughts:

1. The message was very timely and audience-conscience.  You can have a career and a man–you don’t have to choose.  I read several pre-release critiques about the movie and how we shouldn’t care about or promote little black girls being swept off their feet by men.  Well… little girls and not-so-little girls like me need to see that they don’t have to think of romance as an either-or venture.  Many of my peers work so hard and worry about their present and future family life–they (we) worry about whether they’re even capable of the balance needed.  It’s refreshing to see the princess get it all.  And to see her man support her in her career dreams.

2. The animation was spectacular.  Period.

3. Disney did a good job featuring the good and evil in the spiritual world.  I was worried that the traditional negative connotation of the voodoo culture would be overwhelming, but I think Disney did a good job of showing both sides.  The spirits were really creepy–but in my opinion, they’re reality.  And I’m glad Disney showed what can happen when you start dabbling in the dark side.  And while it was subtle, I’m glad that the movie shows that good isn’t necessarily in your face–God’s timing is what it is and if we’re diligent in doing what we’re supposed to be doing, He will work it out in the end.

4. Princess Tiana was beautiful, inside and out.  She’s gorgeous and she worked her butt off.  Of course, she had to learn that life isn’t all about working hard–it’s for our enjoyment.  I loved that she was so committed to her dream, like so many black women are.  It made me sad to see her not even taking a night off to hang out with her friends–I can relate.  That’s the beauty of the princess movies–Disney does a wonderful job of making movies that all age groups can enjoy.  There were little girls giggling throughout the movie, and so was I.  It’s important to remember that they weren’t analyzing the movie like I was.  They are able to enjoy it now with innocent, untainted minds, and then as they get older, they will be able to find new meanings every time they watch it.

5. Prince Naveen was a hottie and immature like many young guys, and I’m glad he had to step his game up before Princess Tiana paid him any mind.  Ok, he was “other”–from some random country, but he was colored and that’s enough for me.   And I loved that ALLLLLL the girls thought he was gorgeous.  Not just the black girls, not just the white girls.  He was an international hottie, and he ended up learning from and falling in love with Tiana. 🙂

6. I peeped Disney’s game.  Although the main antagonist was indeed a black man (and the first black Disney villain), there were a couple of other minor antagonists in the movie.  And they were white.  The prince’s shady assistant was white (which was interesting in itself).  And there were some dirty rednecks in the bayou.  So I think critics need to look at the big picture here.  All that was bad was not black, and I appreciate that.

7. Family was an important theme.  Tiana’s parents were a major part of who she was.  And they showed her dad as a strong black man (a king in his own right) breaking his back to take care of his family and still making the sacrifice to be there emotionally for his wife and child.  I’m happy that Princess Tiana’s connection to her parents helped her to make the right decision at the turning point of the movie.  And at the very end when the prince and princess get together, all parents were there to support, even Naveen’s who had disowned him.  They were smiling that Tiana had made such a positive impact on him.  And that’s how it should be.  Men and women are supposed to be interdependent on each other–and we should make each other better.

8. I love love love that old timey New Orleans was the setting, especially post-Katrina.  I’ve had an infatuation with New Orleans since I was little, so the setting was perfect for a child at heart like me.  I would have loved to see a second line when one of the characters passed away, but there was still some celebration.  And the music was good.  Not as great as I expected, but it was still really good.  And I love that jazz was highlighted.  Especially in Tiana’s dream scene.

9. I’m now wishing on Evangeline.  I think the storyline about the star threaded through the movie was stellar.  And we all need a little hope, yanno?

10. I can’t wait to get this movie on DVD.  I think it’s a grand addition to the Disney princess empire.  And I’m hoping in a couple of years we may get another black princess (and maybe it can be set in the Caribbean or something–that would be fun!). 😀

Just Say NO to MS Merger

Just Say NO to MS Merger

by Ranada ♥ 1 Comment

So this article was published earlier this week, and a few people have asked my opinion.  Well… Here goes.

It took me a while to mozey on over here because while I do think this is a case of racism (and a dash of sexism), I don’t think that argument is sound or viable enough as the schools chosen are of the smallest of the public universities in Mississippi.  I am opposed to the merging of MS’s universities, but not just because of said -isms.  Lemme tell you why.

1. I do think there needs to be some reform in higher learning in the state.  But I think that reform needs to happen across the board.  Yes, duplication and underperformance is an issue in some of the 8 public institutions.  I’d like to see what the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning or some other commission that includes representation from each university is doing/can do to encourage partnership across schools in various areas and to discuss and strategize coordination of services and other planning and policy issues.  I really think that a commission should be able to come up with creative ways to address issues.

2. I think it’s mighty coincidental that Delta State wasn’t mentioned in any of these articles.  Delta State, which is across the street (literally) from Mississippi Valley and which has a student population not much bigger than Alcorn State and which has been having some financial and operational issues itself, was not one of the schools proposed to lose its identity.  That bothers me.  A more believable proposal would have been to set up some kind of cooperative if not merger with Delta State and Valley.  Not Alcorn, Valley, and JSU, which are nowhere near each other.

3. Ok, so SWAC and small universities may not be much to some, but it would seem to me that the governor of the state would consider the dynamics of each of its HBCUs.  Different histories, different focuses, different cultures.  I really can’t imagine ALCORN of all schools becoming Jackson State.  LOL how hilarious.  So ok, you say you will save $35 million (which is less than 10 percent of the state budget), but how much money will be lost on rival games and activities, that bring in ticket revenue and tax revenue?  Oh yeah, I forgot, usually the numbers of people attending these types of events are underreported.  Hmmm…

Over the past few years, every so often, at least once or twice a year, I hear talk of the significance and need for HBCUs.  And of plots to get rid of them. Well, as an HBCU grad who has attended (and earned multiple degrees from) private and public institutions, an HBCU and a PWI, they are definitely needed.  Especially in the South.  Research has shown that HBCUs have a profound impact on the education of minority students, in term of graduation rates, percentage of students in scientific fields, and even in percentage of students moving on to and finishing graduate school.

4. I really can’t comprehend how significant savings will be realized if the campuses stay open.  The HBCUs are past what I would think comfortable driving distance is for students or teachers who want to teach at multiple campuses.  But I could be wrong.  I don’t think it’s that feasible to share staff or to close entire departments.  Unless he’s planning to fire presidents or something.  I’d like to see details of the savings forecast.

5. Finally, it seems every time MS is in a budget crisis, which could have been somewhat buffered had Barbour taken the stimulus money (he rejected $56 MILLION), education is taxed.  That’s not cool.  Education is the linchpin of hope and rising above expectations.  If you want to attract residents and businesses, you have to have a strong education system, from Pre-K to graduate school.  If you want to attract young professionals, they need options on continuous training.  If you want to strengthen your homegrown talent, you have to teach and train them to hold the skills you will need in the future.  Education needs to be added to–not taken away from.

I hope this proposal is thrown out of the window.   I hope those at the Capitol today make an impact on the viability of passing this proposal.  Happy Friday!

What Would Our Ancestors Say?

What Would Our Ancestors Say?

by Ranada ♥ 2 Comments

This article really spoke to me today.  It’s something I think about quite regularly, so I’m glad someone who’s not lazy/distracted about posting like she should wrote her thoughts out.  🙂  One of my favorite parts:

Celebrating the freedom of not being a slave is like celebrating a father for taking care of his children: You’re supposed to take care of your children, so why should that be celebrated? To a soul in bondage, however, anything above and beyond basic human rights should be counted a positive. Right?

You don’t stick a knife in a man’s back nine inches and then pull it out six inches and say you’re making progress. – Malcolm X

So check check it out.

Back To The Future: What Would They Say? | Clutch Magazine: The Digital Magazine for the Young, Contemporary Woman of Color.

What do black people read?

What do black people read?

by Ranada ♥ 3 Comments

So… I’m in the midst of reading the Twilight series (which is one of the best love stories I’ve ever read, probably because I see so much of myself in it), and after I finished book #3 Eclipse, I decided to run to Walmart and pick up the final book of the series.  Now, I chose Wallie World because I wanted to get a particular brand of taquitos, which my Kroger does not carry, so getting the book for a few dollars less would be a bonus.

Now, generally, I go to the Walmart near my job (and my last place of residence) because I know it well and because there are lots of other places around it in case I need to run any more errands.  But not too long ag0, my friends asked why I go to Midtown West rather than just go to the one on the Southside, which after a certain point, I just feel is too far–probably just for the mere fact that it goes outside the perimeter. Eek!  haha  They’re actually about the same distance/or at least the same time to get to.  Anywho, so I said, since I’m always the one preaching about shopping in your own area and supporting businesses in black areas, I decided to go to the other Walmart, rather than MY Walmart.

After being sorely disappointed in finding NO taquitos, I drag myself to the book area, to find that there was a full formal setting for a ROW of Twilight books, and half of it had been replaced by MICHAEL JACKSON TRIBUTE BOOKS!!!  WHAT??!?!?!  I wish I had taken a picture.  These three Michael Jackson books had their own setting, and Walmart decided it needed extra space I guess.  NOTE TO WALMART: MJ’S TWO WEEKS ARE UP!  Only late scragglers are buying those books now, so either you were late getting on the gravy train, or you ordered way too many in the first place.

So since the 1st and 4th books were totally missing, I decided to ask an employee if they had any stocked away.  Surely, if the books were selling to the point they sold out, they wouldn’t just not order anymore and completely replace them with MJ books that they already had.  Well, evidently, that’s exactly what happened.  The associate said, “Huh? Black people don’t read Twilight! But I’m sure once we sell these MJ books, we’ll order more Twilight.”  As I stood there peering down at my skin color and looking back at him to study his face and decide if he was being serious, he asked me if I really was into the books like that.  UH YEAH!  So I informed him that I have several friends reading the book, and that I was disappointed.  We then had a conversation about what the books were actually about, since he turned his nose up and dismissed them as books about vampires biting people.

Of course, I just went on to the Kroger next door and found both my taquitos and my book.  But it left me wondering, what do black people read?  Are we really so limited in the books that we read that purchasing managers in black neighborhoods would leave the fact that they sold out of a book as a fluke and that noone would miss a book because they’d be ecstatic about an overflow of books that were clearly created as a ploy to make money from a man’s death?  I have some friends who read black romance novels only, some who read black literature as a whole, others who like nonfiction books, others who don’t read for fun at all, and others, like me, who just like good books, even if we have particular preferences.  What do YOU like to read?

News We Can Use

News We Can Use

by Ranada ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Kentucky State University President Mary Sias says the school is trying to find funding to open a boarding school for Black males. Sias told The State Journal of Frankfort that the proposal is part of an initiative to increase the number of Black men who earn college diplomas. She says high school students would live in campus dorms, have their own teachers and an on-site principal at the historically Black college in Frankfort. The pilot program could start in the fall of 2010 if KSU receives enough federal and grant funding. Sias says there would be room for 30 to 50 high school students to participate.

http://diverseeducation.com/artman/publish/article_12689.shtml

I think this will be a great endeavor–maybe a best practice.  Will definitely try to keep my eye on future developments!

What we can learn?

What we can learn?

by Ranada ♥ 1 Comment

9/10/09

What Single Women Can Learn From Michelle By: Jenée Desmond-Harris

Would most Type A, professional women have dated Barack when he was a broke, big-eared organizer with a funny name?

I think some would.  And not because they have fortune telling abilities.  My commentary later…

<UPDATE***6/19/09>

Ok, finally.  I’m back to speak my piece on this article.  I’m not sure what single women are supposed to be learning from this particular article…  Let’s see here: Mr. Obama was handsome (geek or not, which I’m not sure I agree with, but either way you must admit he’s attractive), he was in law school at an Ivy League institution, the first black editor of the well-recognized Law Review at said Ivy League, and I’m sure he was charming because guys don’t grow charm over night.   Uh… yeah, I’d have dated him, intern or not.  What is she talking about?!?!  Whether or not he ever seemed like he would one day be president (especially when Mrs. Obama has stated that she wasn’t gung ho about the idea anyway so it’s not like she “took a chance” on him hoping that her dream of his potential would be realized).

Yes, we single ladies do sometimes have very stringent regulations; however, most of us all have those non-negotiables and those things that we can wane on if the right guy comes along with the non-negotiables.  As far as the author quasi-stalking some guy, let’s break that down in Dejoi standards.

a. Noone should ever think that I’m going to be running down some dude in a parking lot.  I don’t care how cute he may be — but that’s the old-fashioned southern belle in me.  Do your thing, but that’s YOUR thing.

b. He works for a nonprofit.  So what?

c. He drives a rattling, rimless Mazda.  Ok… I need more info.  I could care less about the lack of rims as long as he at least has some hubcaps on that mug.  Now as far as rattling?  Er… why were you chasing him down again?

d. The kid doesn’t do high waters.  Tailored or not.  A man needs to have on some pants that fit.

e. I like hair as long as it’s groomed.  I’m not finding at all attractive dreads that haven’t been “done.”  If a guy is going to have long hair, he needs to maintain it.

All that to say–he may have done it for her, and that’s cool.  But that doesn’t mean I’m doomed to singledom for life because he wouldn’t have done it for me.  And she’s not guaranteed a life of love because she looked over things she clearly isn’t necessarily okay with.  As far as Obama goes, I personally like guys who are vested in community activism and are passionate about what they do for at least 8 hours everyday.  I’d rather date a guy who works for an… OMG… nonprofit (wth) or who’s a teacher or whatever and LOVES it than a guy who’s a doctor or an investment banker and loathes going to work everyday.  But that’s just me.  There’s a fine line between reasonably relaxing requirements and throwing standards to the wind.  Women need to know what they want–those non-negotiables–and be open to the other possibilities.  It’s okay to know what you don’t want.  We just need to be cognizant of when we’re just looking to sabotage a possibly good thing because of our own insecurities.  And that’s another post for another day.

I believe the children are our future…

I believe the children are our future…

by Ranada ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Most of us have heard awesome compliments about the Ron Clark Academy.  Well, believe the hype.  I went to an open house at the campus, which is located in Southeast Atlanta, not too far from Turner Field.  The place  is high energy in a great way. The kids are obviously engaged, and the curriculum is infused with hip hop, current events, lessons about respect (for self and for others), and confidence building exercises.  I was able to observe a math class led by Ron Clark himself, and it was very intriguing and inspiring.  Many of the students there need scholarships, and some of them were “troublemakers” before starting at the academy.  But the school has helped to make all these kids successful students.  The co-founder informed us that the students only scored in the 4oth percentile during pre-testing.  By the end of the year, they were in the 86th percentile.  Wow, right?? And being smart is the standard, not the exception.  This is a school where kids high-five each other when they give good answers–a far cry from my experience where I was regularly made fun of for being gifted and interested.

By the time these kids leave the academy after the 8th grade, they will have traveled to 6 of the 7 continents.  And before they go to any of these places, they learn about the country, the culture, hot topics, religions, etc.  These kids are so exposed.  But the beautiful part is that they seem so grounded.  They are mannerable–they are required to say yes ma’am and no sir.  Some of the kids greeted me and welcomed me to the school without prompting from any of the adults.  And the parents are engaged as well.  The school reaches out to the parents, and the parents participate in community service with their children.  This school is living proof that kids have the capacity to learn anything you teach them.

The Ron Clark Academy is doing some amazing things for their our kids, and that will eventually translate into some some amazing impacts on the world.

Support the Atlanta Opera

Support the Atlanta Opera

by Ranada ♥ 2 Comments

Last night I attended an Atlanta Opera Young Professionals happy hour.  Good people, good drinks, and good info.  Prior to the happy hour, I had no working knowledge of the Atlanta Opera.   I knew it existed, but I knew nothing about its season offerings, how much tickets are, or anything like that.  I’m especially happy that I exposed last night–next season, they have Aida and Orfeo and Euridice on the calendar.  I definitely plan to have my face in the place for those.

People who know me know that I absolutely love the arts–theatre, music, art.  I enjoy getting lost in the storyline and the emotion.  I’m a member of the High Museum.  I sing when I’m not acting too shy, and I played the violin growing up.  I’ve attended various symphony performances in the city.  My friends and I go to performances at the Fox somewhat regularly.  So going to the opera is a natural next step.

So I couldn’t believe my ears when the hosts told us about the specials for Young Professionals!!  On YP night, tickets will be available for $27.  Slap me silly!  Of course, I never expected to be able to attend an opera for under 30 bucks!  This season is closing out, so there’s only one more YP night–May 1 for the Flying Dutchmen performance.  I will be in Myrtle Beach that weekend for a conference, but I will still try to catch the performance before I leave.

If you haven’t been to an opera, join me in supporting the Atlanta Opera by trying it out.  If you like the marriage of theatre and music, I’m pretty sure we’ll enjoy!

Sexting: What is our society coming to?

Sexting: What is our society coming to?

by Ranada ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

While reading this article, I was all set for an amen session.  Until I got to this:

In any case, it’s clear we need to change our laws to catch up with technology.

A great illustration of why change is needed now is the story of Phillip Alpert, of Orlando, Florida. He didn’t ask, but his girlfriend sexted him naked pictures of herself, according to the Orlando Sentinel. When they broke up, he mass e-mailed the photos to get back at her. Alpert, 18, was convicted of transmission of child porn and he will carry the label of “sex offender” until he is 43. He lost friends, was kicked out of school, he can’t even move in with his dad because his dad lives near a school.

Should Phillip be punished? Yes. Should the six teens in Pennsylvania face consequences? Yes. But let’s kick them off cheerleading squads and sports teams. Make them do community service and take classes on sex crimes. Educate other teens on the dangers of sexting. Pay a price, yes, but these young people shouldn’t pay for this for the rest of their lives.

And if you think this couldn’t happen to your kid, think again. Sexting is more prevalent than you think.

Mr. Galanos, with all due respect, Phillip maliciously and intentionally spread the pics his ex-girlfriend sent him privately to harm her.  These kids know exactly how long-lasting the internet can be.  As a result of her bad decision to take and share a picture in the first place, she will forever have to worry about those pictures resurfacing.  Kicking him off a football team and making him take a class is DEFINITELY not an adequate solution.

Mr. Galanos goes on to say:

The bottom line: We need to educate, not incarcerate, our teens and it has to start with parents.

Don’t let the culture indoctrinate your little boy or girl about sex before their time. So strike first as a parent. If your kids are older, let them know a digital record is for life. When little Suzie tries to win the affection of little Bobby by sexting him a picture, she is putting her future at stake. There is no control over that image or video once it gets out. But that doesn’t mean little Suzie should be charged as a child pornographer.

Education and better parenting is the solution for this new phenomenon of sexting itself.  These kids need help with their self-esteem, with handling peer pressure, and with knowing how long-reaching the consequences of internet negativity can be.  In the examples of the kids who are being charged with child pornography because they shared the images of themselves with people they selected and who agreed to see, child pornography is a bit much since there is no malice or intentional harm.  They need to be punished but not so severely.  However, when “little Bobby” or “little Suzie” decide to prank someone, seek revenge on someone, and/or intentional inflict harm on someone, by all means, they need to suffer the consequences.  It is NOT at all okay to mass email someone’s pictures–that is pornography and I don’t care what age the offender is.

I liken this to those situations where an 18-year old senior is dating a 16-year old sophomore and they have consensual sex.  Is it right?  Maybe not.  But is it a crime?  Heck no.  However, if either party raped the other–it is a crime, and I don’t care what age the offender is.  And yes, the child label should be on it.  The suffering lasts a lifetime and has all kinds of effects on the victim’s life for the long haul.

Education is needed to curb this propensity to send out naked pictures to friends or boos of the moment.  But that still does not give recipients the right to forward it on later.