When to let go of your hair.....

As a member of the receding hairline, folicly challenged brothers of America, Stevie, you are hearby supoeneaed to go to the nearest barber shop and bald off the remain shreds of dignity and braids that you have left. The Klingon style dreads is not a good look for a legend.....

That's not a forehead, that's a five-head.

"Nights like this I wish...that raindrops would fall-llll-lll"

Damn homey....wow. You are REALLY starting to look like Eddie Kane...... YEEEeEeSHHHH!

PREACH!!!!! John Legend tears the NY Post a new one

Open Letter to the New York Post

Dear Editor:

Iʼm trying to understand what possible motivation you may have had forpublishing that vile cartoon depicting the shooting of the chimpanzeethat went crazy. I guess you thought it would be funny to suggestthat whomever was responsible for writing the Economic Recovery legislation must have the intelligence and judgment of a deranged,violent chimpanzee, and should be shot to protect the largercommunity. Really? Did it occur to you that this suggestion wouldimply a connection between President Barack Obama and the deranged chimpanzee? Did it occur to you that our President has been receiving death threats since early in his candidacy?

Did it occur to you thatblacks have historically been compared to various apes as a way of racist insult and mockery? Did you intend to invoke these painfulthemes when you printed the cartoon?If thatʼs not what you intended, then it was stupid and willfully ignorant of you not to connect these easily connectable dots. If itis what you intended, then you obviously wanted to be grosslyprovocative, racist and offensive to the sensibilities of mostreasonable Americans. Either way, you should not have printed thiscartoon, and the fact that you did is truly reprehensible.

I canʼtimagine what possible justification you have for this. Iʼve read your lame statement in response to the outrage you provoked. Shame on you for dodging the real issue and then using the letter as an opportunityto attack Rev. Sharpton. This is not about Rev. Sharpton. Itʼs about the cartoon being blatantly racist and offensive.I believe in freedom of speech, and you have every right to print whatyou want. But freedom of speech still comes with responsibilities and consequences. You are responsible for printing this cartoon, and Ihope you experience some real consequences for it.

Iʼm personally boycotting your paper and wonʼt do any interviews with any of your reporters, and I encourage all of my colleagues in the entertainment business to do so as well. I implore your advertisers to seriously reconsider their business relationships with you as well. You should print an apology in your paper acknowledging that this cartoon was ignorant, offensive and racist and should not have been printed.

Iʼm well aware of our countryʼs history of racism and violence, but Itruly believe we are better than this filth. As we attempt to riseabove our difficult past and look toward a better future, we donʼt need the New York Post to resurrect the images of Jim Crow to deride the new administration and put black folks in our place. Please feel free to criticize and honestly evaluate our new President, but do so without the incendiary images and rhetoric.

Sincerely,

John Legend

Laugh if you want, Redhead Kingpin was the man back then....

Dude was nice with the dances and the rap.....

KNOW YOUR HISTORY - Master P

Percy Miller (born April 29, 1967), formerly known as Master P, is an American entertainer and entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of P. Miller Enterprises, an entertainment and financial conglomerate and Better Black TV. Miller has sold more than 75 million albums worldwide.

Biography
Miller was born in New Orleans, the oldest of five children. After attending the University of Houston, Miller moved to Richmond, California and opened a small record store, No Limit Records, financing the store with money that he received as part of a medical malpractice settlement related to the death of his grandfather.[1][2]

Entertainer
P. Miller started out with the rap group TRU with his two brothers Silkk The Shocker and C-Murder. P. Miller left In-A-Minute records shortly after releasing his debut album and formed his own label No Limit Records. With P. Miller as its premier artist, No Limit Records went on to release many albums from artists such as Snoop Dogg, Mystikal, Mia X, Mercedes, Soulja Slim, and Miller's siblings Silkk Tha Shocker and C-Miller and sons Romeo and Young V. He started a new label The New No Limit Records and then in 2006, P. Miller and son Romeo started a new label called Take A Stand Records.

After working in music industry as a retailer, P. Miller became an entertainer, as well as owning his own record company. No Limit Records, the retail store, became No Limit, the record company. In 1994, he self-produced his first album, The Ghetto's Tryin' to Kill Me.

After selling millions of records, he decided to sign his company, No Limit Records, to a straight pressing and distribution deal with Priority Records. The deal was solidified with Priority in 1995, No Limit Records released TRU (made up of P. Miller and his brothers, Silkk the Shocker and C-Miller).

His first feature film, 'I'm Bout It', a straight to video project debuted number one on Billboard's Top Music Video chart.[3] The film is allegedly based loosely on his life growing up in New Orleans. The soundtrack debuted number one on Billboard's R&B album chart and number five on Billboard's Top 250.

Although most of his singles were released from albums, a stand-alone single released in 1998, "I Got the Hook-Up!", featuring The Sons of Funk, reached #16.

Businessman and entrepreneur
As founder and CEO of No Limit Entertainment, Miller at one time presided over a business empire that included No Limit Records, Bout It Inc., No Limit Clothing, No Limit Films, No Limit Sports Management, PM. Properties and Advantage Travel. P. Miller ranked 10th on Forbes magazine's 1998 list of America's 40 highest paid entertainers with an estimated income of $56.5 million.[2] At one time, the estimated worth of his business dealings reached $662 million. He subsequently sold PM Properties for $360 million dollars.[4]

P. Miller’s brand continues to evolve through his new Take A Stand Records label. The initiative is the only recording label committed to signing and promoting hip-hop artists with responsible image and lyrics. He’s also dedicated his time to communities through P.Miller Youth Centers[5] and his P.Miller Food Foundation for the Homeless[6] and his new speaking program on financial literacy[7].

Additionally, P. Miller was recently appointed the new Youth Ambassador for the NAACP, a position previously held by former president Bill Clinton. [8]
P. Miller is also a published author with his book Guaranteed Success When You Never Give Up (2007 Kensington Publishing Corporation.) The book was promoted via a nationwide signing and speaking tour on financial literacy with The Learning Annex and alongside the likes of Donald Trump, Robert Kiyosaki, Earvin "Magic" Johnson, and Bo Derek.

Community involvement
P. Miller's community outreach extends from the bayous of Louisiana to the streets of Los Angeles and abroad. Along with Romeo, P. Miller and the animated character Gee Gee The Giraffe are appearing at community functions such as The Children's Earth Day festival at STAR ECO Station, an animal rescue and wildlife facility dedicated to the preservation of the earth.
The Black College Hoops Classic named P. Miller their commissioner of basketball for their 2008 tournament. The organization aims to educate and bring together young Afro-American players and give them the exposure they deserve on a national level.

In 2008 P. Miller was asked to serve on the executive board of the Joel John Scholastic Academy, an inner-city high school, after donating his time and resources to ensure the school remained open for its students. He refused, citing touring pressures.

On July 28th 2007, the mayor of Memphis, Tennessee presented P. Miller with the key to the city.[10]

Film and television
P. Miller has produced eight films, written and directed six, and starred in over a dozen including major studio releases such as Gone in 60 Seconds (alongside Nicholas Cage and Angelina Jolie), Dark Blue with Kurt Russell and starred opposite Harrison Ford in the cop comedy Hollywood Homicide (2003). P. Miller's filmography also includes Uncle P (New Line), Uncle Willy's Family, Soccer Mom, Repos, Black Supaman, Down and Distance, Toxic, and The Pig People (currently in production.)[11] P. Miller also manages the music, film and television career of his son, teen rap star Romeo and pop star Forrest Lipton.

On July 6th 2006 P. Miller appeared on ABC's primetime series Dancing With The Stars.[12]
P. Miller recently teamed up with his son Romeo to develop a children's cartoon, titled Gee Gee The Giraffe. The show is true to the duo's mission to produce positive, educational and entertaining content for Afro-American children. Animation has been employed by the Millers on prior occasions such as their February 2008 cartoon version of their music video for the song "Black History."

P. Miller has also made history as the first hip-hop entrepreneur to own a cable television network, Better Black Television, (BBTV) whose aim is to promote positive messages and content to the African American culture which is set to launch in 2009. Executives include Denzel Washington, Derek Anderson of the Charlotte Bobcats, DJ Kool Herc and Bo Derek.

Basketball career
He had a contract with NBA teams twice - with the Charlotte Hornets during the 1998/99 season and the Toronto Raptors in 1999 pre-season.[14][15] He also played in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) for Fort Wayne Fury. He joined the 2008 McDonald's NBA All-Star Celebrity Game and scored 17 points in total, hitting two crucial free throws at the end to win the game.

No Limit Sports
P. Miller established a sports talent agency organization called No Limit Sports.
The most lauded No Limit Sports client was Ricky Williams, who was represented by Leland Hardy during his negotiations with the New Orleans Saints. Hardy negotiated the contract for Williams, which was largely incentive-laden in exchange for an $8M-plus signing bonus with salary incentives worth a range of $11 million to $68 million should he hit all of his incentives.
No Limit Sports also represented NBA players Ron Mercer and Ricky Davis in their dealing with the Denver Nuggets and the Charlotte Hornets.

Video games
According to Allhiphop.com, P. Miller and Seth Green are producing a video game entitled Play The Industry. The game has an anticipated 2010 release date

JOIN STYLE BEYOND STYLE

http://stylebeyondstyle.blogspot.com/?zx=f399e003dd20e0ee

My homey just started up a hella fire blog called, "Style Beyond Style." I suggest that you peep it out. For all you supposed fashionistas out there, my homey has some tips to step your game up. TRUST!!!

One - Cap D

Congrats Tiger....

Being a father myself, there is nothing in the world better than having a healthy baby. Tiger just had his second, Charlie Axel...Congrats, m'man.

I know ya'll don't know who this, but he's a legend....

Courtesy of Yahoo! News

LOS ANGELES – Big band and jazz drummer Louie Bellson, a master musician who performed with such greats as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Benny Goodman and his late wife, Pearl Bailey, has died. He was 84.

Bellson died Saturday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles of complications of Parkinson's disease following a broken hip in November, according to his wife, Francine.
Bellson's career spanned more than six decades, performing on more than 200 albums with jazz greats including Tommy Dorsey, Harry James, Oscar Peterson, Woody Herman, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie and Louis Armstrong.

It was through Ellington that he met Bailey, the great singer and Broadway performer. They married in 1952, and when she died in 1990 at age 72, he told the Philadelphia Daily News that "I just lost my best friend."

He was designated as a "master of jazz" in 1994 by the National Endowment for the Arts, which said he "ranks among the foremost big-band drummers of the swing and post-swing eras and is best known for his precise technique and the invention of two pedal-operated bass drums."
Bellson wrote more than 1,000 compositions and arrangements in several genres, including jazz, swing, orchestral suites, symphonic works and ballets. As an author, he published more than a dozen books on drums and percussion.

His final recording, "Louie & Clark Expedition 2" with trumpeter Clark Terry, was released last year.

Bellson was born in 1924 in Rock Falls, Ill., son of Italian immigrants whose family name was originally Balassoni. He told Jazz Connection, an Internet magazine, that he was entranced by the sound of drums when his father took him to a parade when he was 3. His father, who eventually opened a music store, taught his son to play drums and other instruments.
Bellson was still in his teens when he pioneered the double bass drum set-up, and two years later he went on to win the Slingerland National Gene Krupa drumming contest.

"I've been of the opinion that all a drummer really needs is one bass drum, a snare drum, some tom-toms, a ride cymbal, a crash cymbal, sticks and brushes," Bellson told Jazz Connection. "If you can't do it with that, you better go back to the drawing board. The extra bass drum is frosting on the cake. It doesn't mean that every drummer needs to play two bass drums. For me, it works."

There are tentative plans for a Los Angeles-area memorial service, followed by a funeral and burial in his boyhood home of Moline, Ill., according to his Web site.

This joint is still FIIiIiiYAAAAHHHHH!!!!

And for you young'uns, mase and Diddy didn't write this hook...LOL.

KNOW YOUR HISTORY - Melle Mel

Melvin Glover (born May 15, 1961 in The Bronx, New York), also known by his stage name Grandmaster Mele Mel, and formerly Grandmaster Melle Mel, is an American hip-hop musician ­­— one of the pioneers of old school hip hop as lead rapper & main songwriter for Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five.


Biography
Melvin Glover was the first rapper ever to call himself "MC".[citation needed] Other Furious Five members included his brother Kid Creole (Nathaniel Glover), Scorpio (Eddie Morris), Rahiem (Guy Todd Williams) & Cowboy Keith Wiggins. While a member of the group, Cowboy created the term "Hip Hop" while teasing a friend who had just joined the US Army, by scat singing the words "hip/hop/hip/hop" in a way that mimicked the rhythmic cadence of marching soldiers.

Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five began recording for Enjoy Records and released "Supperrappin'" in 1979. They later moved on to Sugarhill Records and were popular on the R&B charts with party songs and the like. They released numerous singles, gaining a gold disc for "Freedom," and also toured. In 1982 Melle Mel began to turn to more socially aware subject matter, in particular the Reagan administrations economic (Reaganomics) and drug policies, and their effect on the black community. A song entitled "The Message" became an instant classic and one of the first glimmers of conscientious hip-hop. Mel recorded a rap over session musician Duke Bootee's instrumental track "The Jungle". Some of Mel's lyrics on "The Message" were taken directly from "Supperrappin'", a song he had recorded three years earlier. Other than Melle Mel, no members of the Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five actually appear on the record. Bootee also contributed vocals (Rahiem was to later lyp-sync Bootee's parts in the music video). "The Message" went platinum in less than a month and went on to become, arguably the greatest record in Hip-Hop history. It was the first Hip-Hop record ever to be added to the United States National Archive of Historic Recordings. Mel would also go on to write songs about struggling life in New York City ("New York, New York"), and making it through life in general ("Survival (The Message 2)"). Grandmaster Flash split from the group after contract disputes between Mele Mel and their promoter Sylvia Robinson in regard to royalties for "The Message". When Flash filed a lawsuit against Sugar Hill Records, their label, the factions of The Furious Five parted.

Mel became known as "Grandmaster Melle Mel" and the leader of the Furious Five. The group went on to produce the anti-drug song "White Lines (Don't Don't Do It)" (the unofficial music video was directed by then unknown film student Spike Lee & starred an unknown Laurence Fishburne). The record was falsely credited to Grandmaster + Melle Mel by Sugarhill Records in order to fool the public into thinking Grandmaster Flash had participated on the record. Mel then gained higher success appearing in the movie Beat Street, with a powerful song based on the movie's title. He became the first rap artist ever to win a Grammy award for "Record of the Year" after performing a memorable rap on Chaka Khan's smash hit song "I Feel for You" which introduced hip-hop to the mainstream R&B audience. Grandmaster Melle Mel & The Furious Five had further hits with "Step Off", "Pump Me Up", "King of the Streets", "Jesse", and "Vice", the latter being released on the soundtrack to the TV show Miami Vice. "Jesse" was a highly politicial song which urged people to vote for then presidential candidate Jesse Jackson. Jackson went on to become the first African American ever to win a U.S. Presidential Primary.

In 1988, after an almost 4 year layoff, Mel and Flash reunited and released the album "On The Strength", but with up and coming new school artists such as Eric B. & Rakim, DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, Public Enemy, Boogie Down Productions, and Big Daddy Kane dominating the hip-hop market, the album failed miserably. Mel performed with The King Dream Chorus and Holiday Crew on "King Holiday" aimed at having Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.]'s birthday declared a national holiday. Mel also performed with Artists United Against Apartheid on the anti-apartheid song Sun City aimed at discouraging other artists from performing in South Africa until that government ended its policy of apartheid. Mel ended the decade by winning two more Grammy awards for his work on Quincy Jones "Back On The Block" & "Q - The Autobiography of Quincy Jones" albums.

In 1996, he contributed vocals to the U.S. edition of Cher's hit "One By One". Their version is only available on the maxi CD format.
In 1997, Melle Mel signed to Straight Game Records and released Right Now. This album featured Scorpio from the Furious Five, Rondo and the legendary Grandmaster Flash. The album barely sold at all in the USA and the UK even though it marked the return of one of hip hop's greatest. This album took more of a harder rap style to show the world that Mele Mel could stay with the times.

In 2001, he released the song "On Lock" with Rondo on the soundtrack of the movie Blazin under the name Die Hard. Die Hard released an album of the same name in 2002 on 7PRecords.
On November 14, 2006, Mel released a children's book "The Portal In The Park", which comes with a bonus CD of his rapped narration. Also in 2006, Melle Mel attended professional wrestling school and in 2007, stated in an interview with allhiphop.com that "I'm going to try to take some of John Cena's money and get with WWE and do my thing". Mel changed his name to "Mele Mel" & released his first ever solo album, Muscles on January 30, 2007. The first single and music video is "M3 - The New Message".

On March 12, 2007, Melle Mel and The Furious Five (joined by DJ Grandmaster Flash) became the first and only rap group ever inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

On October 10, 2008 Mel appeared on Bronx based culinary adventure show ‘Bronx Flavor’ alongside host Baron ambrosia. In the episode entitled Night at the Bodega he appears as a spiritual mentor to sway the Baron from his over-indulgent ways and get him on the right path to success.

Shaq does the damn thing....

I will always love this dude. Shaq will really be missed when he retires.....

FLASHBACK! Domino's "Sweet Potato Pie"

LOL!!

Octuplets Mom goes into hiding....

I do not advocate the threats of violence against her life or children. Leave her be. Trust me, she will be outcasted from society for quite some time.

As un-politically correct as this may sound, I am soooooo glad that this woman was not African-American.

One - Cap-D

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – California's octuplets mom, already jobless and receiving food stamps, has gone into hiding with her six older children because of death threats, her spokesman said on Wednesday.

Nadya Suleman, 33, has come under mounting public ridicule for expanding her already large family via fertility treatments that led to the January 26 birth of six boys and two girls at a Los Angeles-area hospital.

That criticism has mushroomed as it was reported that she was divorced, living with her parents, unemployed for several years, receiving disability checks for three of her children -- one of whom is autistic -- and collecting nearly $500 a month in food stamps.

She acknowledged those circumstances in a series of NBC television interviews but insisted in a segment aired on Tuesday on "Dateline NBC" that she was "not living off any taxpayer money" and that assistance she now receives is temporary.

The broadcast drew the highest "Dateline" ratings since a 2007 interview with Britain's Prince William and Prince Harry.

Suleman, who was working toward an advanced degree in counseling, said she owes close to $50,000 in student loans, which also are her sole source of non-government income.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the Kaiser Permanente hospital where the newborns remain is seeking reimbursement for the cost of their care from Medi-Cal, the state's health care program for the poor. Those costs are expected to reach into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, the newspaper said.

'UNDISCLOSED LOCATION'
For the past few days, Suleman and her six older children, ages 2 to 7, have moved into "what we are referring to as an undisclosed location," said Michael Furtney, a public relations consultant working for the family. The Web site RadarOnline.com reported the family was staying at a hotel.

Furtney said Suleman and the PR firm have been deluged with hostile telephone and email messages in recent days, some of them containing threats of violence and death.

"The bulk of them just rail against her being, as they would refer to her, as a person who's taking advantage of the system, and they just go from there," Furtney said.

He also acknowledged that the hostile messages have so far outnumbered the well-wishes, but added, "the positive notes are beginning to catch up with the not so positive ones."

Some have been directed to a new Suleman family Web site that solicits private donations to help support them.

The site is adorned with photos of the mother and her eight newborns, along with images of a baby bottle, a pacifier, a rainbow and alphabet blocks spelling out the word "love."
Below the greeting, "We thank you from the bottom of our hearts -- Nadya Suleman and children," are heart-shaped links that invite visitors to comment and to make a contribution.
Furtney said people have primarily been offering furniture, clothing, food and other essentials, and someone even promised to donate breast milk. He said one Indiana farmer has offered to have the whole family live with him and his family.

He said "volunteers" were paying for her temporary living arrangements.
Suleman might temporarily move back into her mother's three-bedroom house in a Los Angeles suburb, but that house will likely prove too small for all 14 children, Furtney said.

Suleman's mother, Angela, has called her daughter's decision to keep expanding her family "unconscionable" and she said she had pleaded with her daughter's fertility doctor not to implant her with more embryos.

(Editing by Dan Whitcomb and Cynthia Osterman)

DOMESTIC ABUSE IS NOT FRESH!

Your partner apologizes and says the hurtful behavior won't happen again. But you fear it will. At times you may start to doubt your own judgment, or wonder whether you're going crazy. You may even feel like you've imagined the whole thing. But the emotional or physical pain you feel is real. If this sounds familiar, you may be the victim of domestic violence.

Also called domestic abuse, intimate partner violence or battering, domestic violence occurs between people in intimate relationships. It can take many forms, including emotional, sexual and physical abuse. Men are sometimes abused by female or male partners, but domestic violence is most often directed toward women. It can happen in heterosexual or lesbian relationships.

Unfortunately, domestic violence against women is common. It happens to teenage girls and women of all backgrounds. As many as 4 million women suffer abuse from their husbands, ex-husbands, boyfriends or intimate partners in the United States each year.

Recognizing abuse: Know the signs
It may not be easy to identify abuse, especially at first. While some relationships are clearly abusive from the outset, abuse often starts subtly and gets worse over time. For example, abuse may begin with occasional hurtful comments, jealousy or controlling behavior. As it gets worse, the abuse may become more frequent, severe or violent. As the cycle of abuse worsens, your safety or the safety of your children may be in danger.

You may be a victim of abuse if you're in a relationship with someone who:

• Controls finances, so you have to ask for money
• Looks at you or acts in ways that scare you
• Acts jealous or possessive, or accuses you of being unfaithful
• Tries to control how you spend your time, who you see or talk to, where you go or what you wear
• Wants you to get permission to make everyday decisions
• Gets angry when drinking alcohol or using drugs
• Scares you by driving recklessly
• Threatens to kill him or herself
• You are very likely in an abusive relationship if you have a relationship with someone who does even one of the following:
• Hits, kicks, shoves, slaps, or chokes you or threatens you with violence or a weapon
• Forces you to have sexual intercourse or engage in sexual acts against your will
• Calls you names, insults you or puts you down
• Prevents you from going to work or school
• Stops you from seeing family members and friends
• Hurts, or threatens to hurt you, your children or pets
• Destroys your property
• Controls your access to medicines
• Blames you for his or her violent behavior or tells you that you deserve it
• Says that his or her abusive behavior is no big deal or even denies doing it
• Tries to force you to drop charges
• Tries to prevent you from calling the police or seeking medical care
• Pregnancy, children and abuse
• Pregnancy is a particularly perilous time for an abused woman. Not only is your health at risk, but also the health of your unborn child. Abuse can begin or may increase during pregnancy.

Abusive relationships can also be particularly damaging to children, even if they're just witnesses. But for women in an abusive relationship, chances are much higher that their children also will be direct victims of abuse. Over half of men who abuse their female partners also abuse their children.

You may worry that seeking help may further endanger you or your children, or that it may break up your family. But in the long run, seeking help when you safely can is the best way to protect your children — and yourself.

An abusive relationship: It's about power and control
Though there are no typical victims of domestic violence, abusive relationships do share similar characteristics. In all cases, the abuser aims to exert power and control over his partner.
Although a lot of people think domestic violence is about anger, it really isn't. Batterers do tend to take their anger out on their intimate partner. But it's not really about anger. It's about trying to instill fear and wanting to have power and control in the relationship. In an abusive relationship, the abuser may use varying tactics to gain power and control, including:
Emotional abuse. Uses put-downs, insults, criticism or name-calling to make you feel bad about yourself.

Denial and blame. Denies that the abuse occurs and shifts responsibility for the abusive behavior onto you. This may leave you confused and unsure of yourself.

Intimidation. Uses certain looks, actions or gestures to instill fear. The abuser may break things, destroy property, abuse pets or display weapons.

Coercion and threats. Threatens to hurt other family members, pets, children or self.
Power. Makes all major decisions, defines the roles in your relationship, is in charge of the home and social life, and treats you like a servant or possession.

Isolation. Limits your contact with family and friends, requires you to get permission to leave the house, doesn't allow you to work or attend school, and controls your activities and social events. The abuser may ask where you've been, track your time and whereabouts, or check the odometer on your car.

Children as pawns. Accuses you of bad parenting, threatens to take the children away, uses the children to relay messages, or threatens to report you to children's protective services.
Economic abuse. Controls finances, refuses to share money, makes you account for money spent and doesn't want you to work outside the home. The abuser may also try to sabotage your work performance by forcing you to miss work or by calling you frequently at work.
Breaking the cycle: Difficult, but possible with help

Domestic violence is part of a continuing cycle that's difficult to break. If you're in an abusive situation, you may recognize this pattern:

Your abuser strikes using words or actions.
Your abuser may beg for forgiveness, offer gifts or promise to change.
Your abuser becomes tense, angry or depressed.
Your abuser repeats the abusive behavior.

Typically each time the abuse occurs, it worsens, and the cycle shortens. As it gets worse, you may have a hard time doing anything about the abuse or even acknowledging it. Over time, an abusive relationship can break you down and unravel your sense of reality and self-esteem. You may begin to doubt your ability to take care of yourself. You may start to feel like the abuse is your fault, or you may even feel you deserve it.

This can be paralyzing, and you may feel helpless or as though your only option is to stay in the abusive situation. It's important to recognize that you may not be in a position to resolve the situation on your own.

But you can do something — and the sooner you take action the better. You may need outside help, and that's OK. Without help, the abuse will likely continue. Leaving the abusive relationship may be the only way to break the cycle.

A number of government and private agencies provide resources and support to women who are abused and their children. These resources include 24-hour telephone hot lines, shelters, counseling and legal services. Many of these services are free and can provide immediate assistance.

Create a safety plan
Leaving an abuser can be dangerous. You're the only one who knows the safest time to leave. You may know you are in an abusive relationship and realize you need to leave as soon as you safely can. Or, you may be concerned about your partner's behavior and think you may need to get out at some point in the future. Either way, being prepared can help you leave quickly if you need to. Consider taking these precautions:

Arrange a safety signal with a neighbor as an alert to call the police if necessary.

Prepare an emergency bag that includes items you'll need when you leave, such as extra clothes, important papers, money, extra keys and prescription medications.

Know exactly where you'll go and how you'll get there, even if you have to leave in the middle of the night.

Call a local women's shelter or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 799-7233 to find out about legal options and resources available to you, before you need them.

If you have school-age children, notify the school authorities or school counselor about custody arrangements and warn them about possible threats.

Keep your communication private

It isn't uncommon for an abuser to monitor mail, telephone and Internet communication. Take precautions to help maintain your privacy and safety by following these steps.

Telephone conversations
Avoid making long-distance phone calls from home. Your abuser could trace the calls to find out where you're going.
Be cautious when using a cell phone. Your abuser may be able to intercept conversations using a scanner. Switch to a corded phone if you're relaying sensitive information.
Be aware of controlling use of your cell phone. Your abuser may use frequent cell phone conversations or text messages as a way to monitor and control your activities. An abuser may also check your cell phone to see who has called, or attempt to check your messages.

Computer use
If you think your abuser is monitoring your computer use, the safest bet is to access a computer at a friend's house or at the library. If you do use a shared home computer, there are several steps you can take to help maintain your privacy:

Use a Web-based program for e-mail. Programs such as Outlook Express, Netscape Mail and Eudora store sent and received e-mails on your computer. A Web-based e-mail service is safer. Most of these services — such Gmail, Hotmail and Yahoo mail — offer free e-mail accounts.
Store files on the Internet. You can store files online and access them from any computer. A few companies that offer this service are IBackup and HyperOffice. You can also store documents as attachments in e-mail programs.

Change your password often. Choose passwords that would be impossible to guess. The safest passwords contain at least six characters, both numbers and letters. Avoid easily guessed numbers and sequences.

Clear your Web-browser history. Browsers such as Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator keep a record of the Web pages and documents you have accessed. They also store graphics of images you look at. You can also use a program such as AbsoluteShield Internet Eraser or Speed Tracks Eraser to clear your Internet records.

Clear your document history. Applications such as Word or Excel keep a record of edited documents. Don't store or edit any documents you don't want your abuser to see on a shared computer.

Where to find help
No one deserves to be abused. If you think you may be in an abusive situation, seek help or advice as soon as you safely can. There are many resources available to help you. The first step to getting out of an abusive situation may be as easy as making one phone call. In an emergency situation, call 911, your local emergency number or your local law enforcement agency. If you aren't in immediate danger, the following resources can help:

National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 799-SAFE, or (800) 799-7233. Provides crisis intervention and referrals to in-state or out-of-state resources, such as women's shelters or crisis centers.

Your doctor or hospital emergency room. Treats any injuries and refers you to safe housing and other local resources.

Local women's shelter or crisis center. Typically provides 24-hour, emergency shelter for you and your children, advice on legal matters, advocacy and support services, and evaluation and monitoring of abusers. Some shelters have staff members who speak multiple languages.
Counseling or mental health center. Most communities have agencies that provide individual counseling and support groups to women in abusive relationships. Be wary of advice to seek couples or marriage counseling. This isn't appropriate for resolving problems of violence in intimate relationships.

Local court. Your district court can help you obtain a court order, which legally mandates the abuser stay away from you or face arrest. These are typically called orders for protection or restraining orders. Advocates are available in many communities to help you complete the paperwork and guide you through the court process.

Books and online resources. Learning more about how to cope with your situation and communicating with others who understand what you're going through can help you make strong choices

Something for the "WTF" files....

Inidia Arie....jeez....I mean....jeeez...I can't.....jeez.......But how could you....jeez.......

Where did she get this outfit from?? Is this from the Amistad collection? The gold nooses around the necK?? Cripes!!!

*NOTE: Just in case you are wondering, Cap-D is black...I know some of my black readers may think that a racist statement has just been spewed from a white guy.*

Raphael Sadiiq was robbed at the Grammys...

Dear Family,

Yes, I said it. Raphael Sadiiq was robbed at last night's Grammy celebrations.

I stood there in my living room in utter shock when I heard Jennifer's name read as the winner. I could not believe it. And for a moment, she looked like that she knew that she wasn't supposed to win either. However, it's done and there is nothing that can be done about it.

For the record, I do love Jennifer's music. I loved her in "Dreamgirls" and I truly believe that she is a future force to be reckoned with. However, she did not deserve the award.

Just as an FYI, here are the other nominees with my comments on why they could have won or lost. (Yes, I heard all the albums)

Raphael Sadiiq - How I See It
A vintage motown sound, but with all original songs. Sadiiq did the damn thing from the writing to the sound to transport us back to that sound when artist made songs. Even the instrumentation...wow.

Jennifer Hudson - Self titled
A great album, but realistically no different from anything that's out today. it even has the obligatory Ne-Yo penned first single with "Spotlight."

Al Green - Lay It Down
Rev. Al is a legend, but this latest opus wasn't up to snuff. It's "okay." I heard a comedian say that Al takes about a minute in every one of his current performances before he asks the crowd to sing. He did just that...

Eric Benet - Love and Life
A great album, but a tad too late in terms of the timing. He finally shook the sex-aholic rap, but the album's stylings were a bit dated. I love the album anyway, but I am biased and a huge Eric Benet fan.

Boyz II Men - A Journey Through Mowtown
A great album that you and the family can enjoy. The did a stellar job with this Randy Jackson produced album. (Randy Jackson of American idol fame) They killed it with their three part harmonies on some of the classics we have grown to love. But as a 1000 people have told me, it's a tribute album and people just aren't checking for B2M.

While I will acknowledge that Jennifer had a very nice first outing with her freshman LP, Sadiiq's period piece album was a slice of innovation that we have longed for. With the sounds of Amy Winehouse, Adele and Joss Stone permeating the airwaves, Sadiiq's venture into this territory takes it above and beyond the aforementioned.

Though it's no fault of her own, I truly feel like the Grammy voters were caught up emotionally with Jennifer's personal loss rather than focusing on the award at hand. Yes, i know the Grammys are a popularity contest, but damn...

Am I am cold hearted bastard?? No, of course not. the senseless murders of a mother and a nephew are utterly dispicable and may the alleged killer rot in hell for all eternity. Jennifer deserves our prayers for her loss. But that should not translate into a instant Grammy win. If Raphael Sadiiq's mom was killed in the same manner and plastered all over TV, I feel pretty comfortable in saying that they would have given him the same type of Grammy win-nudge as well.

In any case, please check out the two videos below....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMiBL5BgW7Q - Sadiiq's 'Love That Girl"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErObWBIhseA - Hudson's "Spotlight"

I urge you to buy the albums and judge for yourself.

Know Your History - Afrika Bambaataa

Afrika Bambaataa is an American DJ from the South Bronx, who was instrumental in the early development of hip hop throughout the 1980s. Afrika Bambaataa is one of the three main originators of break-beat deejaying, and is respectfully known as the "Grandfather" and "Godfather" and The Amen Ra of Universal Hip Hop Culture as well as The Father of The Electro Funk Sound. Through his co-opting of the street gang the Black Spades into the music and culture-oriented Universal Zulu Nation, he is responsible for spreading rap and hip hop culture throughout the world.[1] Like many of the early pioneers in hip hop, he is of Caribbean descent. On September 27, 2007, he was nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

History
Bambaataa was a founding member of the Bronx River Projects-area street gang The Savage Seven. Due to the explosive growth of the gang, it later became known as the Black Spades, and he rose to the position of division leader. After a life-changing visit to Africa, he changed his name to Afrika Bambaataa Aasim, adopting the name of the Zulu chief Bhambatha, who led an armed rebellion against unfair economic practices in early 20th century South Africa that can be seen as a precursor to the anti-apartheid movement. Bambaataa was influenced by the courage and strategic brilliance of Shaka Zulu seen in the movie and TV series "Shaka Zulu".
Inspired by DJ Kool Herc and Kool DJ Dee, he too began hosting hip hop parties. After he returned from his life changing trip to Africa, he vowed to use hip hop to draw angry kids out of gangs and formed the Universal Zulu Nation

During 1982, Afrika Bambaataa and his followers, a group of dancers, artists and DJs, went outside the United States on the first hip hop tour. Bambataa saw that the hip hop tours would be the key to help expand hip hop and his Universal Zulu Nation. In addition it will help promote the values of hip hop that he believed are based on peace, unity, love, and having fun. Bambaataa brought peace to the gangs as many artists and gang members say that "hip hop saved a lot of lives".

His influence inspired many overseas artists like the French rapper MC Solaar.

He was a popular DJ in South Bronx rap scene and became known not only as Afrika Bambaataa but also as the "Master of Records." He established two rap crews: the Jazzy 5 including MCs Master Ice, Mr. Freeze, Master Bee, Master D.E.E, and AJ Les, and the second crew referred to as Soulsonic Force including Mr. Biggs, Pow Wow and Emcee G.L.O.B.E.[4] In that same year Bambaataa and Soulsonic Force dropped the live band to go high-tech. He was provided an eerie keyboard hook by German electronic group Kraftwerk and was provided an electronic "beat-box" by producer Arthur Baker and synthesizer player John Robie. That resulted in a pop hit "Planet Rock", which went to gold status and generated an entire school of "electro-boogie" rap and dance music. Bambaataa formed his own label to release the Time Zone Compilation. He created "turntablism" as its own subgenre and the ratification of "electronica" as an industry-certified trend in the late '90s. Bambaataa established a name to be recognized not only inside the hip-hop community but outside as well.

Birth of the Zulu Nation
Bambaataa decided to use his leadership to turn those involved in the gang life into something more positive to the community. This decision began the development of what later became known as the Universal Zulu Nation, a group of socially and politically aware rappers, B-boys, graffiti artists and other people involved in hip hop culture. By 1977, inspired by DJ Kool Herc and DJ Dee and after Disco King Mario loaned him his first equipment, Bambaataa began organizing block parties all around the South Bronx. He even faced his long time friend, Disco King Mario in a DJ battle. He then began performing at Stevenson High School and formed the Bronx River Organization, then later simply "The Organization". Bambaataa had deejayed with his own sound system at the Bronx River Community Center, with Mr. Biggs, Queen Kenya, and Cowboy, who accompanied him in performances in the community. Because of his prior status in the Black Spades, he already had an established Army party crowd drawn from former members of the gang.

About a year later he reformed the group, calling it the Zulu Nation (inspired by his wide studies on African history at the time). Five b-boys (break dancers) joined him, whom he called the ZULU Kings, and later formed the Zulu Queens, and the Shaka ZULU Kings and Queens. As he continued deejaying, more DJs, rappers, break dancers, graffiti writers, and artists followed him, and he took them under his wing and made them all members of his Zulu Nation. He was also the founder of the Soulsonic Force, which originally consisted of approximately twenty Zulu Nation members: Mr. Biggs, Queen Kenya, DJ Cowboy Soulsonic Force (#2), Pow Wow, G.L.0.B.E. (creator of the "MC popping" rap style), DJ Jazzy Jay, Cosmic Force, Queen Lisa Lee, Prince Ikey C, Ice Ice (#1), Chubby Chub; Jazzy Five-DJ Jazzy Jay, Mr. Freeze, Master D.E.E., Kool DJ Red Alert, Sundance, Ice Ice (#2), Charlie Choo, Master Bee, Busy Bee Starski, Akbar (Lil Starski), and Raheim. The personnel for the Soulsonic Force were groups within groups with whom he would perform and make records.

In 1980, his groups made their first recording with Paul Winley Records titled, "Death Mix". Winley also recorded Soulsonic Force's landmark single, "Zulu Nation Throwdown", produced by Paul Winley. Disappointed with the results of the single, he left the company.

Recognition
In 1982, hip hop artist Fab Five Freddy was putting together music packages in the largely white downtown Manhattan New Wave clubs, and invited Bambaataa to perform at one of them, the Mudd Club. It was the first time Bam had performed before a predominantly white crowd. Attendance for Bambaataa's parties downtown became so large that he had to move to larger venues, first to the Ritz, with Malcolm McLaren's group Bow Wow Wow (and where the Rock Steady Crew b-boys became part of the Zulu Nation), then to the Peppermint Lounge, The Jefferson, Negril, Danceteria, and the Roxy. "Planet Rock", a popular single, came out that June under the name Afrika Bambaataa and the Soulsonic Force. The song borrowed musical motifs from German electro-pop, funk, and rock. Different elements and musical styles were used together The song became an immediate hit and stormed the music charts worldwide [2]. The song melded the main melody from Kraftwerk's "Trans-Europe Express" with electronic beats based on their track "Numbers" as well as portions from records by Babe Ruth and Captain Sky[5] - thus creating a new style of music altogether, electro funk. It influenced many styles of electronic and dance music, e.g. freestyle music, house music and techno music.
Bambaataa organized the very first European hip hop tour. Along with himself were rapper and graffiti artist Rammellzee, Zulu Nation DJ Grand Mixer DXT (formerly Grand Mixer D.St), B-boy and B-girl crews the Rock Steady Crew, and the Double Dutch Girls, as well as legendary graffiti artists Fab 5 Freddy, PHASE 2, Futura 2000, and Dondi.

Bambaataa's second release around 1983 was "Looking for the Perfect Beat," then later, "Renegades of Funk," both with the same Soulsonic Force. He began working with producer Bill Laswell at Jean Karakos's Celluloid Records, where he developed and placed two groups on the label: "Time Zone" and "Shango". He recorded "Wildstyle" with Time Zone, and he recorded a collaboration with punk-rocker John Lydon and Time Zone in 1984, titled "World Destruction". Shango's album Shango Funk Theology was released by the label in 1984. That same year, Bambaataa and other hip hop celebrities appeared in the movie Beat Street. He also made a landmark recording with James Brown, titled "Unity." It was billed in music industry circles as "the Godfather of Soul meets the Godfather of Hip Hop."

Around October 1985, Bambaataa and other music stars worked on the anti-apartheid album Sun City with Little Steven Van Zandt, Run-D.M.C., Lou Reed, U2, and others. During 1988, he recorded another landmark piece as "Afrika Bambaataa and Family" on Capitol Records, titled The Light[6], featuring Nona Hendryx, UB40, Boy George, George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, and Yellowman. Bambaataa had recorded a few other works with Family three years earlier, one titled "Funk You" in 1985, and the other titled "Beware (The Funk Is Everywhere)" in 1986.
In 1990, Bambaataa made Life magazine's "Most Important Americans of the 20th Century" issue. He was also involved in the anti-apartheid work "Hip Hop Artists Against Apartheid" for Warlock Records. He teamed with the Jungle Brothers to record the album "Return to Planet Rock (The Second Coming)".

Greenstreet Records, John Baker, and Bambaataa organized a concert at Wembley Stadium in London in 1990 for the African National Congress (ANC), in honor of Nelson Mandela's release from prison. The concert brought together performances by British and American rappers, and also introduced both Nelson and Winnie Mandela and the ANC to hip hop audiences. In relation to the event, the recording Ndodemnyama (Free South Africa) helped raise approximately $30,000 for the ANC. Bambaataa also helped to raise funds for the organization in Italy.
From the mid-1990s, Bambaataa returned to his electro roots, collaborating with WestBam (who was named after him) which culminated in the 2004 album Dark Matter Moving at the Speed of Light which featured Gary Numan and many others. In 2000, Rage Against the Machine covered Afrika's song "Renegades of Funk" for their album Renegades. In that same year, Afrika Bambaataa collaborated with Leftfield on the song "Afrika Shox", the first single from Leftfield's Rhythm and Stealth. "Afrika Shox" is also popularly known from the soundtrack to Vanilla Sky. In 2006, he was featured on the British singer Jamelia's album Walk With Me on a song called "Do Me Right", and on Mekon's album "Some Thing Came Up", on the track "D-Funktional". Bambaataa has also performed the lyrics on the track "Is There Anybody Out There" by The Bassheads. As an actor, he has played a variety of both hilarious and serious voice-over character roles in the international television series known around the world as Kung Faux [7] from Dubtitled Entertainment and Tommy Boy Films [8].

On September 27, 2007, it was announced that Afrika Bambaataa was one of the nine nominees for the 2008 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductions.[9]

On December 22, 2007, he made a surprise appearance performing at the First Annual Tribute Fit For the King of King Records, Mr. Dynamite James Brown in Covington, KY. As of Summer 2008, he was featured as part of the Rock the Bells 2008 tour, dj-ing on the second stage on select dates.

Chris Brown ALLEGEDLY putting hands on Rihanna???

Info is courtesy of Media Take-Out.Com


February 09, 2009. MediaTakeOut.com just got some BREAKING NEWS. According to a person close to Rihanna, the R&B singer will not file criminal charges against R&B singer Chris Brown for assault and battery.Last night, Chris Brown was arrested and released on $50,000 bail in connection with an alleged assault against R&B singer Rihanna Fenty.

As MediaTakeOut.com reported to you yesterday, Chris and Rihanna got into a scuffle while leaving Saturday night’s Clive Davis’ Pre-Grammy party. A person close to the situation told MediaTakeOut.com that the scuffle was caused by the couple’s recent break up.

As MediaTakeOut.com reported to you weeks ago, the couple had been ratcheting down on their high-profile love affair. Numerous sources confirmed to MediaTakeOut.com that Chris wanted to END the relationship - but Rihanna didn’t.We should be clear. It's not clear what occurred during the scuffle - or who did what to whom.But things have changed since Saturday night.

Now MediaTakeOut.com can EXCLUSIVELY report that Rihanna does NOT want Chris Brown to be criminally punished for the alleged assault. According to an EXTREMELY reliable insider, Rihanna is NO LONGER assisting investigators in their criminal case against Chris Brown. Unfortunately for Chris, that’s probably not going to make the charges go away. Police claim that, on the scene of the incident, Rihanna identified Chris Brown as the man who assaulted her.

Additionally, police have physical evidence. MediaTakeOut.com can OFFICIALLY CONFIRM that Rihanna’s face and arm were severely bruised in the incident and Chris suffered from minor bruising as well.There is some evidence in Chris’ favor, however. For example, according to a MediaTakeOut.com reader on the scene, Rihanna did NOT call the police alleging that Chris assaulted her. It was a bystander that called 9-1-1. Shortly afterwards, the police arrived on scene and interviewed Rihanna.

We’ll continue bringing you periodic updates into exactly what’s going on in this story. Trust when we tell you that NO OTHER NEWS SOURCE in the world has more access to the people around Chris and Rihanna than MediaTakeOut.com does.Also just to clear things up, there are a few FAKE rumors out there that we need to clear up:

First, the woman who was allegedly assaulted WAS RIHANNA not some “friend”. Many news organizations are reluctant to release the name of a domestic violence victim. MediaTakeOut.com, however, believes that there is a pressing public interest to know all that happened.

Second, there was no car accident. Chris and Rihanna’s PR team made up the whole “accident” story to hide what truly happened in the car that night

Third, Chris did not punch Rihanna in her face because she gave him herpes. This rumor is floating around the net and it’s A LIE. Chris saw the cold sore just like the rest of us weeks ago – and it didn’t stop him from messing with her. This story is nothing to joke about. Domestic violence is a serious subject, and Chris Brown is facing serious charges – we shouldn’t make up fake ish about this situation

Australia Racism....

Hello Family!

I am SOOOOOOOOOOO sorry. I have been very lax with my blog. I know that. But my day gig has kept me away from the computer something awful. Between that and spending time with the family, I am pretty worn out. However, I am never too worn out to say what's bothering me.

The other day, I was watching TV when I saw this tourism commercial for Australia. the commercial has a little aboriginal boy in it, somewhat being depicted as this mystical, magical guide to exploring the beauty of the country. The first thing that popped into my head is that this video is extremely misleading. Here's why...

I have many close friends in the armed forces who have spent significant amounts of time stationed in Australia. (I also have in-laws there too) ALL of them have told me that the Aborigines are treated like human scum. They have very little respect and are depicted as dirty, smelly, uneducated brutes. yet, this commercial depicts their relationship with white Aussie's as being a friendly, respectable union.

BULLSH*T!

Below is some history about the history of racism in Australia. I hope that you find this informative.

SOURCE: http://www.racismnoway.com.au/library/understanding/index-What.html



Racism in Australia
In Australia, racism is inextricably linked to the history of colonisation and migration.

The original inhabitants, Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people, were dispossessed of their land and were discriminated against by the first British and European settlers. For some Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders, the process of colonisation has been perceived as invasion. Racial discrimination has continued to influence the lives of Indigenous Australians in the two centuries following white settlement.

The migration of peoples from all parts of the world led to the increased cultural and linguistic diversity of the Australian population. Prejudice and discrimination have been directed towards many groups who arrived in Australia, in particular towards groups from language backgrounds other than English, despite the fact that many government migration schemes invited people to settle in Australia.

Until recent years, racist policies and practices were also embedded within Australian laws and institutions. The most telling examples of these were the removal of Aboriginal children from their families and the denial of full citizenship rights to Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people. Similarly, the White Australia policy aimed to restrict immigration by people from non-European backgrounds. Historically, rises in unemployment have often led to calls for immigration restrictions and in some cases led to the scapegoating of people who were seen to be different to members of the dominant culture. While legislation now exists to protect the rights of all citizens, there is a continuing legacy today from the effects of these racist practices.

More information about the history and causes of racism in Australia.

As Australian society has become more diverse with continuing immigration, expressions of racism in Australian popular culture have changed over time. Racist language and attitudes that were common at the end of the nineteenth century are no longer acceptable one hundred years later. However, racism continues to find expression in new ways, reinforced through the popular media.

Contemporary expressions of racism which have emerged in recent years relate to notions of nationhood which are seen as incompatible with diversity. These racist beliefs may be expressed in various stereotyped views of who the 'real' Australians are. This form of racism is based on an ideology of national culture in which minority cultures are regarded as alien and a threat to social cohesion. It consists of pervasive cultural assumptions where the customs and beliefs of the dominant group in society are presented as the norm. As a result, the status and behaviour of minority groups, particularly those who are more visibly different, are defined and judged with respect to the dominant group of largely British and Celtic backgrounds.

These attitudes are widely discussed in the media where they are presented as reasonable and commonsense and reflected through media images that do not accurately portray Australia's cultural diversity. In this way, racist ideologies are expressed and reinforced through a process of group interaction and thereby absorbed into popular culture.

Racist beliefs are also at the core of the resentment expressed by some people at measures taken by governments to address the disadvantages of particular groups of people. Affirmative measures and positive discrimination are frequently seen as the preferential treatment of one group at the expense of another rather than the means of redressing the disadvantage inherent in society. Examples include opposition to Aboriginal land rights, calls for the removal of special benefits for particular groups and resentment towards the provision of English language support to migrants. These beliefs are compounded by the notion that treating all people in the same way equates to equity and social justice when in fact not everyone begins life with the same opportunities.

This resentment often finds expression in the belief that 'reverse racism' is occurring. The notion of reverse racism is that people from the dominant culture are being discriminated against or not receiving the same benefits as people from minority groups. It needs to be understood that there is no such thing as reverse racism. At an individual level, all ethnic or cultural groups are capable of both discriminating against other groups and of being discriminated against, although minority groups are more likely to suffer from institutional racism.

Racism affects everyone. It damages communities by limiting the contributions of its members and disrupts peaceful co-existence and co-operation between groups. It damages individuals by destroying self-confidence and preventing them from achieving their potential. It is particularly damaging for children as it hampers social development and limits educational opportunities. The consequences of racism - social injustice, a less productive economy and a divided community - are clearly detrimental, not only for its victims but to society as a whole.

Racism is a destructive and persistent evil that brings only harm. Sadly it is often a misinformed response to economic hardship. Rather than solving economic problems, however, racism fuels the fire of suffering by intimidating its victims and corrupting its perpetrators. Racial prejudice is a corrosive influence attacking the most fundamental values of Australian society - our commitment to justice, egalitarianism and a 'fair go' for all.
Hon. Justice Marcus Einfeld 1997

Racism and the law
Australian laws make it illegal for people to engage in racist activity or to encourage, incite or permit racist acts to occur and are aimed at protecting individuals who make complaints about racism.

It is unlawful to discriminate on the basis of race, colour, nationality, descent, ethnic or ethno-religious background. Discrimination against a person on the grounds that the person has a relative or associate who is of a particular race is also unlawful under Australian legislation.

Commonwealth and State laws relating to racial discrimination generally cover discrimination in employment, the provision of goods and services, education and accommodation although there is variation between different acts. Sanctions exist against both direct and indirect racial discrimination. There are a number of criminal laws that apply to physically violent racist behaviour.

The Racial Discrimination Act (1975) and its 1995 amendment the Racial Hatred Act are the Commonwealth laws relating to racial discrimination. In addition, all Australian states and territories have anti-discrimination laws that cover racial discrimination. Australia is also a party to a number of international conventions and declarations which impose obligations in regard to racism and racial discrimination when ratified in Australian law. The Commonwealth Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act (1986) gives effect to several international conventions and declarations such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1990) and the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief (1981).

Some people mistakenly believe that the public expression of racist attitudes is a legal and acceptable form of free speech. In Australia, as internationally, the right to freedom of speech carries with it certain responsibilities and restrictions which protect the rights of others against open hostility and discrimination. Australian law expressly prohibits incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence on the basis of race.

Australian legislation relating to racial discrimination covers many aspects of racist behaviour but not all forms of racism. While legislation makes racism unlawful in several contexts, legislation cannot address the underlying social issues. Education together with effective legislation provide the best hope for developing a society free from racism.