According to the Washington Post, the District of Columbia will be giving out free female condoms over the next three weeks as a part of a campaign that will distribute 500,000 condoms through high schools, beauty salons, and convenience stores.The campaign is funded by MAC cosmetics. (Get ya lip gloss on!)
This initiative is aimed at reducing the spread of HIV & AIDS throughout the city. In 2008, a report said that DC had a 3% HIV/AIDS rate which is considered a major epidemic.
HIV/AIDS infection is the leading cause of death for black women 25-34.
What makes me glad about this is that there are women who are faithful and want their “sexually risky” partners to wear condoms but they refuse. Now that women have their own condom, they can utilize it. It gives women a sense of power over their bodies and in the bedroom. Stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS is the best way to control the disease. I call this “positive progress” because for years only the male condom was available and even after the female condom was available it was not widely promoted. So, this is definitely progress.
Women do not be intimidated by the female condom. This is about our empowerment and tools to save our lives. As a matter of fact, I plan on going to DC next week and see how easy it is for me to get a female condom. I’m going to see if this campaign is exactly what they are saying in the papers. I’ll keep you posted.
According to www.msnbc.com, a body recently found is likely to be missing teen, 17 year old, Chelsea King. Chelsea was a straight A student who’d gone missing 5 days prior. John Albert Gardner, 30, was arrested on suspicion of rape and murder. To this I say, be as careful as you can when you see strangers. Even OLDER teens, you have to watch out. There are plenty of crazy, derelict, murderous people in this world. There’s been a lot said about being safe on the internet but you cannot be too trusting of anybody these days. The friendliest looking people could be the most messed up! Do not give a murderer or a rapist an opportunity to get close to you. Stay your distance. Here are some tips:
If you are in the mall and feel that you are being followed, have security walk you to your car.
If you are in the parking lot and see somebody strange or someone who appears to be doing something to someone, Call 911. Even if you’re wrong, if you’re right, you’ll never regret making this call.
If you see someone strange around school grounds, alert the principal, your parents and the police. ALL THREE. Don’t leave it up to the principal to do something, or your parents or the police. Let every adult you know and trust be aware that you’ve seen a stalkerish, stranger on or nearby school grounds.
Do not give people your real names, phone numbers or home addresses on the internet. I don’t care how sincere they appear to be. You don’t know ‘em and neither do I. Fake names only!
Do not meet up with anyone that you’ve connected with on the internet by yourself or without your can of mace! Seriously, you have to always think safety first!
I know I sound like I’m 100 today, but every time I see how someone’s life has been cut short, it makes me sick. And I want to think of ways to share information on how to be safe. So, be safe, people!
Me outside my screening in San Diego's Regal Cinema
Can She Be Saved? is an official selection of the 2010 NC Black Film Festival and I will be receiving their Emerging Filmmaker award. I wanna say thank you again to everyone who has supported the film and my work as a filmmaker. I can’t wait to see my new filmmaker family when I get there. (Coming Correct, I see you! Father’s Day, I see you!)
Its hard to be a R&B superstar, actress, cultural icon, but Beyonce is showing more and more how much she has it all together. I love her energy and her talent. And you know I got love for Ms. Banks, too. But I must say if Beyonce and Jay-Z are, in fact, married, why should Beyonce feel bad about saying “I love you,” to her husband in public? That makes no sense. Obviously they love each other or they wouldn’t have gotten married. Its so strange to me how the media acts like that’s such a shocking moment. Please. There’s nothing shocking about it. In any relationship, you hope that the person you are involved with will eventually love you. Check the clip for yourself. Holla….
On day two of my Politics of Hip Hop Culture tour I discovered that college women are turned off by the open crotch shots ie (Lil Kim and Nikki Minaj.) When I asked men if they liked the photos, of course they said yeah. But it still wouldn’t make them buy the album. They would simply go on the internet, find the photo and affix in their room and use it accordingly.
But THEY WOULD NOT BUY THE ALBUM just because the female artist was spread eagle on her album cover.
I found this terribly interesting because I know more women buy female rap albums than men. So if women are offended by the crotch shots, why are they displaying their crotches? Its obviously not to increase album sales. Inquiring minds want to know…. Including my students who attended the Politics of Hip Hop Culture tour today in Florida! Let me know what you think.
I think reality shows have their place but it seems that sometimes reality tv exploits people too much. Some of you will argue that people allow themselves to be exploited but at the same time, what ever happened to good taste????? Shar Jackson, the actress who is mostly known for her role in Moesha and also being K. Fed’s babymama pre-Britney shares how she feels. She needs a hug.
So lets route for her to lose the weight and gain some self love.
Can She Be Saved? — as you have heard by now is my lil’ film that could– screened at the Texas Black Film Festival in Dallas today. I was not in attendance as I was returning from a business trip in Atlanta but I was there in spirit. I hope the film touched many people’s lives.
For those of you who have never attended a film festival, the point of a festival is to get industry and audience feedback on your project. Its important in the launch of a filmmaker’s career. Also, the more festivals that select your film, it validates your work as a filmmaker. So, every time I share that Can She Be Saved? was selected for a festival is such a tremendous blessing because it pushes me one step closer to doing my feature film, Retaliation. I’m claiming that each and every day.
And here’s the trailer to Can She Be Saved? Feel free to view it and rate it.
When I’m not wearing braids or weaves, my son often tells me, “You need to get the InStyler for your hair.” LOL. He watches WAY TOO MUCH tv. Well, I didn’t think the Instyler could do anything for kinky hair but the video below will shock you. I mean is it real? I think so. This lil girl’s hair ends up being hooked up. So I say, “Sistas, the Instyler might just be for us.” If you get one, email me your story, a photo and if you’re tech saavy, a video. I’ll post it up right here!
I was recently notified that my debut film, Can She Be Saved? has been selected to screen at the 5th Annual Women’s International Film and Arts Festival in Miami which is being held March 26 – April 3, 2010. I look forward to meeting my fellow women filmmakers. And for the people who indulge me and encourage me to pursue my dreams: I love you.
Here’s the trailer–Feel free to rate it. It helps or something like that:
This movie continues to intrigue me. I’m going to watch it this weekend. Have you seen it yet? Did you read the book? I want your feedback.
Here’s the synopsis: A young girl who has been murdered watches over her family–and her killer–from heaven. She must weigh her desire for vengeance against her desire for her family to heal.
