Just got back from taping TV One's Access with co-host Mark Noble. Check for it all month in March on TV One. We're discussing Black America and the Clinton's and the Congressional Black Caucus, in particular those members that are supporting Senator Hillary Clinton despite their constituents overwhelming support for Senator Barack Obama. It was a great conversation!
On Sunday, if you're in L.A., grab a copy of the Los Angeles Daily News. Check for a piece from me in the Opinion section on California Black Congressional representatives endorsement of Clinton, despite strong backing from their constituents for Obama. READ IT HERE.
Check out the audio from earlier this week on NPR when I was on with host Tony Cox and guest Robert Traynham, an openly gay, African-American
Republican who was a spokesperson for former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum. We discussed being Black and gay in the political public eye. LISTEN HERE.
I'm still rippin and runnin and will be through President's Day. Sorry folks but duty calls.
I just wanted to check in to say that last night in L.A. Robert Townsend and Angela Bassett premiered their new film Of Boys and Men.
Directed by Carl Seaton and produced in part by Townsend himself, Of Boys and Men stars Robert Townsend, Angela Bassett, Victoria Rowell, Dante Boens, Faizon Love, Vince Green, and Bobb'e J. Thompson.
The film tells the story of family man Holden Cole who loses his wife in a fatal accident and with the help of his younger sister, leads his three children on a journey of healing and self-discovery, while battling his own demons of pain and regret. The story is seen through the eyes of the youngest son, who discovers through the loss of his mother what it means to be a man. A family drama set on the West side of Chicago.
Now you may never see this film nominated for an Academy Award, but then again most Black films aren't and especially Black films that actually depict us as something other than a prostitute, gangster, drug addict, or an overweight obnoxious [you fill in the blank]. However, check for the film in a film festival near you as it is set to begin to make the rounds.
Tonight we've got the NAACP Image Awards...should be interesting.
Tomorrow Bill Duke and cast will premiere his new film Cover.
In Cover when someone is murdered on New Year's Eve, the prime suspect is a
church-going home-maker whose life unravels when she discovers that her
husband of many years has been leading a double life. Her strength of
character and faith keep her going as the revelation of her husband's
betrayal threatens to destroy all that they have known.
Cover stars Aunjanue
Ellis, Razaaq Adoti, Vivica A. Fox, Richard Gant, Louis Gossett, Jr.,
Leon, Paula Jai Parker, Roger Guenveur Smith, Patti LaBelle and Obba
Babatunde.
I have very mixed feelings about this film as I am aware of some of the reasons for its production and because it once again places the blame on Black gay/bisexual men. Basically, it's more of the same regarding the downlow.
After President's Day I'll be back to my usual blogging self but until till, I pop in when I can.
My Winter Fund Drive is going until the end of the month..so if you haven't supported and you're a daily read of my blog, please consider doing so. All of the funds raised go into the site's cost for the upcoming year. Thank you.
Still rippin and runnin', at least through Monday. Not much time to blog, although I have sooo much to talk about. Lots of video to post from Super Tuesday, I'll try to do a bit here and there as I can. I just posted the video from my time with The Roots' Qwest Love and The Great Debaters'Jurney Smollett on Super Tuesday getting out the vote for our man Barack Obama. Enjoy!
Things on my mind right now...
Obama should have won California... Am I the only one that finds Brittney Spears' $25,000 in tax payer dollars police escorts troubling? Obama should have won California... Obama should have won California... Obama should have won California...
I added a new Erykah Badu joint as well as new music from Janet Jackson and Missy Elliot to my jukebox, check it out.
"When the niggers was burning down Watts, you
motherfuckers was doin' what you wanted to do on Hollywood Boulevard
... didn't give a shit about it." And as he walked off stage: "You
Hollywood faggots can kiss my happy, rich black ass."---1977, Hollywood Bowl
While I am not a fan of the n-word or the f-word, at times that's my exact sentiment when it comes to this gay movement and so I can feel where he was coming from in that moment.
But I think for me in 2008 it'd be something like..."While Black males make up the majority of the homeless downtown, around town, and in the jail and prison systems, you mofo's are planning gay marriage rallies and forums...could give a fuck about it. Ya'll mofo's can kiss my happy to be nappy Black ass and miss me with your movement until you can learn to step outside of your world and into the real world where people are starving, homeless, and barely making ends meet while trying to keep a roof over their heads, food on the table, and clothes on their back."
Check me out today on NPR's News & Notes with my girl Farai Chideya. This week we'll be discussing the upcoming Black LGBT Presidential Forum and the importance of the Black gay vote. Abner Mason, former president of the Log Cabin Republicans will also be on.
Check your local NPR affiliate for times. I'll post the audio from the show this afternoon. Posted---click here.
Well it’s January 7 and we’ve reached 7 percent of our goal for our Winter Fund Drive, which is up 2 percent from last week. Thank you to everyone who has contributed. It means a lot and will
go a long ways in keeping JasmyneCannick.com around for the next year.
You
depend on JasmyneCannick.com to bring you reliable, in-depth news and
information and commentary that you will not read or hear about other
places from a decidedly and unapologetically Black point of view.
Well it’s January 2 and we’ve reached 5 percent of our goal for our Winter Fund Drive and thank you to everyone who has contributed. It means a lot and will go a long ways in keeping JasmyneCannick.com around for the next year.
You depend on JasmyneCannick.com to bring you reliable, in-depth news and information and commentary that you will not read or hear about other places from a decidedly and unapologetically Black point of view.
JasmyneCannick.com is a labor of love. It’s not my money maker, please refer to my #6 on my Frequently Asked Questions page.
Now you may be sitting back asking yourself, why should I contribute
to this campaign? Naturally, I’m two steps ahead of the game and below
I’ve listed the top five reasons why you should contribute to JasmyneCannick.com’s Winter Fund Drive today.
1. It’s no easy task putting your business all out in the streets. I spent the better part of this year chronicling my weight loss journey from fat to phat
for the entire world to see and read. I think that should count for
something. How many women do you know willing to let everybody and
they momma know they got dumped, weighed 236 pounds, and suffered from
extreme insecurity only to bounce back singing “told y'all I was gonna
pump like this. Y'all didn't think that I could pump like this…”
Thanks in advance for your support and I am looking forward to a great '08 with all of you. Jasmyne Cannick
Well, here it is, the last day of one of the best years of my life.
December 31, 2006 found me in the bed crying my eyes out and feeling sorry for myself because my girlfriend and I weren’t speaking after I hit the roof over her smart ass comment about me taking a second trip to the buffet while in Las Vegas. That comment resulted in me being embarrassed and then hiding it by bitching about that and everything else under the sun the whole way back to Los Angeles.
I came into 2007 236 pounds, alone, depressed, and unsure of myself. The day of the Oscar’s I was officially dumped which sent me into an even deeper depression that magnified by love affair with food.
And despite all of that, I managed somehow to pull it together and to come out on top.
As the song goes, that don’t kill you only makes you stronger.
From losing 75 pounds this year to traveling to Sierra Leone with Isaiah Washington and then turning 30, 2007 for me, has been a milestone year.
And even though I am still hurt about the whole relationship thing, I will not take it with me into 2008. I don’t have room or the time for it.
Just like I am not taking with me anything or anyone that doesn’t fit into my master plan for how I choose to live my life today.
There are people that I had in my life coming into 2007 that won’t be coming with me on my journey in 2008 simply because I have made the conscientious choice to recognize that our time is done and their purpose has been served in my life and vice-versa.
And as I look towards 2008, I am thankful for my family and friends that helped me through 2007. While there are too many too name, they know who they are. And before I step into 2008, I'm taking the time to remember those who aren't here with me (MR, CB, JK R.I.P).
2008 is the year of accountability. Accountable to one’s self as well as to family, friends, and community.
I will be focused on being a better daughter, sister, aunt, granddaughter, niece, cousin, friend, co-worker, and eventually…lover.
2008 is also the year I quit smoking once and for all. It makes no sense to lose the weight only to die from cancer. Hello! It won’t be easy, but nothing ever is.
I will continue to live my with purpose and use the tools at my disposal to raise my voice on the issues and causes that are relevant to me as I encourage others to do the same.
2008 is the year that I do me.
Be safe, be well, and I’ll see you in 2008!
Peace!
This is my favorite picture of me right now as I go into 2008. It expresses how I feel these days...free to be and do anything I choose to...all I have to do is just get up and make it happen!
