Have you seen her?

Jackson State University student missing

On Nov. 13, Latasha Norman, a 20-year-old honors student at historically Black Jackson State University in Mississippi, walked out of her afternoon marketing class. Nobody has seen her since, and the police want your help in locating her.

When she was last seen, she was wearing a white shirt and blue jeans, according to ABC News.

While police say they’ve received numerous tips, the fact that Norman is Black is keeping it off the front pages of America’s newspapers, they say.

Jackson Police Chief Malcolm McMillin told the Associated Press that Norman's disappearance should get ``the same kind of concern'' as that of Stacy Peterson, 23, a white woman from suburban Chicago who has been missing for three weeks.

``As far as the interest by the national media in the story, I think race probably had an impact,'' said McMillin, who is white. ``It's a small college in the South. It's the daughter of simple people who maybe are not important outside of their circle, and maybe we don't attach the same importance to them that we do for other people.''

Despite the lack of coverage, Norman’s family remains vigilant. “We’re not going to stop until we know something,” her father, Danny Bolden told the network. “We’re going to be relentless.”

Stanley Cole, Norman’s 23-year-old boyfriend, was charged with assault last week for allegedly hitting her during an argument, but he has not been named as a suspect in her disappearance.

In addition to Jackson Police, the Jackson State University Department of Public Safety and the Hinds County Sheriff Department are all working on the case, according to ABC News.

(From various sources)

Big sister to the rescue

Previously, I blogged about my fatigue with the situation that my divorced parents put my family in. Well, I called my big sister (left) and told her how I felt. In true big sister fashion she stepped in to fix it.

First, she acknowledged that she totally forgot to invite my dad to her house for Thanksgiving. She said it was because he was married for 16 years and we either ate with them or dropped over their house. Now that he's been single again for 4 years, she was out of the habit of considering him on the holidays. She called him the next day and apologized (of course my dad called me to report this development) and invited him over for Christmas brunch and told him that my family and I would be staying with her. And he agreed that that would be best and he'll bring the salmon croquets! He sound soooo happy!

Then, she called my mom and broke the news to her. My mom is a whole 'nother kinda special (being respectful here), but she said she "figured" we would stay with my sister. Then my sister broke the news about my dad coming on Christmas and she said she was fine.

There it is! Peace was just a phone call away. I'm going to start having my sister take care of all my problems (financial, marital, etc) . That's what big sisters do right?

World AIDS Day December 1

Just a reminder:
Be aware. Get tested. Know your status.

Black Aids Day is in February but I thought I'd remind everyone that you better keep it on your mind.

With holiday parties and extra drinking among "grown folks" you may find yourself presented with some "options". You better opt for the safe route, whatever you feel that is.

Know your partner WELL, and know their HIV status. Be safe people.

I know several people who have died from this and some who are living with it and no one I've known would wish it on their worst enemy.

I wish I could say that this is message for the single people, but some of you who are married need to get tested too. And you know who you are! You have that sneaking suspicion that your mate is cheating. You may not have caught or confronted them, but getting tested isn't a lack of trust. It's a safeguard. You'd rather know now than to get kicked to the curb 3 years from now by a cheater and then on a routine visit to the doctor find out you are positive. If you've got HIV, you're going to know it sooner or later. TRUST ME, you want to know sooner!

BE SAFE and GET TESTED OFTEN! KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!

The adult child of divorce

Let me start by saying that I am among the fortunate ones. I am 38 years old and both my parents and my only sibling are all alive and doing well health wise and financially. I REALLY love talking to them and seeing them.

BUT...here's the problem. My parents separated in 1982. Yes, I remember the year. It was a bit traumatic for me. I graduated from eighth grade and my sister graduated from HS and went to college and lived on campus. That summer, I went on a trip to Pittsburgh with my grandmother and when I returned both my parents picked us up from the bus station. Once we got home, my dad told me that he had moved out and they were getting a divorce.

In the 25 years that have passed, my parents have gone from yelling and cursing at/about each other to not speaking to being able to be in the same room with each other when necessary. Usually this tolerance is reserved for funerals and my baby shower and graduations.

Well, you may be asking what the problem is. Here it is.

I live several hundred miles away. It takes me 7 hours to get back to Detroit. I have a three year old, a husband and sometimes some medical equipment (that's another post).
Here is a typical visit.
1. Stop at Dad's. Bring in luggage. Eat, talk, rest, sleep.
2. Get up on day two, repack the car, go to moms. The three of us sleep several days on the pull out in the living room of her one bedroom apartment. My husband is a late sleeper and my mother wakes at the crack of dawn and my husband I sometimes nap during the day because we have a youngster who sometimes has a late night, especially when we travel. But napping isn't feasible on a couch in a one bedroom.
3. During the visit we shuttle to my sisters. We eat some with her, some with mom, but the rest of the trip we don't see my dad because he doesn't just "hang out" where my mom is.
4. Then the last day, we pack back up, go back to my dads and spend the night before heading back.

This is the life of an adult child of divorce. I would love to go to Detroit and stop at one house and have everyone come and see us. We could venture out each day and spend a few hours here and there, but I'd like to have a room with a door on it. I'd like to not have 4 or more people in a bathroom. I'd like to not unpack my car 3 times during the trip. I'd like my parents to be able to eat dinner with us on a holiday instead of my dad never being invited because my mom is coming. Or when my dad was married if we'd eat at his house and my mom would be alone. Who can enjoy really enjoy eating when one of your parents is sitting at home watching tv until you bring them a plate.

I honestly skipped Thanksgiving in Detroit because my last visit wore me out. My sister, mother and father all live in suburbs that are an hour apart. I just didn't feel up to the shuffle. My sister bought a new house and invited us to stay there, but I'd feel guilty about not staying at my moms. I hope she doesn't read this before I work up the nerve to talk to her about it. But I have to find a better way to do that trip.

I LOOOOOOOOVE my family and feel like a whiny brat for saying this but it's really how I'm feeling.

Colorforms!!!

I had these when I was younger and loved them. I didn't know they still made them but someone gave Babygirl two sets of them for her birthday. She got so much stuff that I just put them away and now, 10 weeks later, I let her play with them. She had a BALL!!! She was just talking and moving them around and making up stories and scenarios. It was too cute. And she played all by herself while I was cleaning the kitchen. So if you have a 3 year old girl and need to take a breather...COLORFORMS!

Rating: A- ::The minus is because I can't find any Black themed sets online. There are Black girls in the Strawberry Shortcake though.

Advocates call for more investigation in student's death - Campus News

Advocates call for more investigation in student's death - Campus News

Get off The D!!!

Here we go...more Detroit bashing.

Most dangerous is like sexiest, prettiest, richest...it's all relative. The danger in all of this is that it doesn't allow Detroit to grow and regroup.

Last year, or the year before, Auntie O outted Detroit as the poorest city. Well, she didn't do the survey but having on her show put it WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY out there.

I still love my hometown. The good and the bad. I will forever be her #1 Ambassador.

Getting the hang of this

I am now well past my all time high number of posts for a month, which was 8. I have never been a consistent journaler. I guess to be honest, I am not consistent with anything. But I'm liking this and I'm going to start doing a wider variety of posts. I don't do this for hits, I do it to clear my mind and put it out there in case I ever need it again. But again, I'm enjoying this on-line adventure!

In his own words

Tonight the doctor that did the surgery on Dr. West will be on Larry King.

Update: OK, did you ROFL when he walked off the set??? Good for you Dr. Jan! Wait for the autopsy people!

Marchers surround Justice Department building

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Thousands of demonstrators encircled Justice Department headquarters in the nation's capital on Friday to demand the government crack down harder on hate crimes.

Let's keep it going!!!

Let's just slow it down a bit

The entertainment "news" shows are running themselves ragged trying to find the cause of death and every detail surrounding the death of Dr. Donda West.

Let's just wait on the autopsy because if we don't, what will happen is what happened with the death of Gerald Levert.

Early reports said he had a heart attack and then there were special reports on tv about the dangers of being overweight. They got quotes from people who said they were worried about his size. They had pictures of him in various years showing the weight gain.....and then.....then his death was ruled an accidental overdose.

We don't know what Dr. West died from and now they are dragging this brothers name all through the mud.

Slow down people...heed my warning...don't rush to judgment...don't believe the hype...wait it out. Spend your energy praying for Kanye to make it safely through this period of grief instead of worrying about something that you won't know for sure for at least 6-8 weeks.

Little known fact about me

I have had a crush on Matt Damon for YEARS!! (And you know that I am "Black power" all day long.) So I had to smile when People Magazine agreed with me. But sexiest man ALIVE? Nah, that title goes to my husband.

The next generation

Though I am not old enough to be the mother of a college student, I often look at college students as children. Mostly because of the whining and complaining I hear from them. But recently, I have been pleasantly surprised by some students. Particularly some young women. During the big march in Jena, an informational rally was held at The Univ. of Ken.tu.cky. by the Del.ta's. They did it up, complete with t-shirts, a table full of laptops so that people could sign on-line petitions, speakers and even a symbolic demonstration with 6 Black male students sitting under a tree that resembled the "white" tree" in Jena. I was so excited when I saw this student organized event.

The ladies have caught the militant bug and are now hosting a series of talks on current controversial or seldom reported events. I will be speaking at the next one. I am going to chronicle the life, death and death investigation of Remy Okonkwo. A normal, healthy, well-loved Black student at a small Baptist college in Georgetown, KY. who was found dead, hanging from a noose in his all-white fraternity house. (He was one of two Black members.)

I've been covering this story for a while now while the major media has ignored it. The ladies want people to hear the details and hopefully be inspired to do something.

I am feeling better about the future knowing that all this recent trouble for Blacks in America has not made the youth bitter, but instead made them stronger, more unified and willing to ACT UP when necessary!

What's for dinner?

Since I decided to remain in Big City Wanna Be, KY for Turkey day I am now in a bind for meal planning. Though we don't "celebrate" on this day, it is one where I like to have plenty of food and invite people to drop in and out since it's a long weekend and bed times aren't an issue.

I don't do turkey much when it's just the three of us and it's too late to order a fresh (not frozen) bird to I'll skip it.

I can only cook the week of Thanksgiving. Which is not long for someone like me who likes to do it up even for Sunday dinner. So with little time to work with I am doing this:

DINNER MENU
Jerk Chicken
Peas and Rice (beans and rice to some)
Fried Cabbage
Fruity Iced Tea
Ting (it's not Jamaican without it)

DESSERT MENU
Coconut Cake
Carrot Pie

I'll let you know my progress each day.
What's for dinner where you're eating? Are you the primary cook? If not, what are you bringing?

Next week??? Are you serious???

OK, I have been SLAMMED with my husband out of town and now I realize that Thanksgiving is next week. I planned to go back to The D, but damnit....I'm just too tired. That road trip last week wore me down. Six and half hours each way is too much. I'm getting ready to make the calls and let them know, a sistah just changed her mind. But everyone's welcome here!

What are you doing? Who are you doing it with?

May her name be spoken well of...

When I read this sad news last night I was shocked to say the very least.
As a reporter, my first deduction was that the procedure must have been elective and simple (thus, cosmetic) since her loving son was so far away in Europe. I'm sure he would have been with her if it was considered a serious surgery. Sudden death is sooo hard to take for the loved ones who remain. Let us keep her baby boy in our prayers.

Calm, cool, collected

That's my mood today. For the first time in a long time I am not feeling rushed or under the gun. I didn't think about how life would be as the owner of a newspaper, and I should have. This constant deadline that I am on get's to be overwhelming at times. But today, I'm cool. I pushed my deadline back and now I'm cruising in to the finish line instead of running to the finish line with an armful of files and tripping over my shoelace and falling face first over the line with papers flying everywhere. That would make a great cartoon but it's not cool to be the one in a perpetual out of balance state. I'm going to really strive to get organized before 2008. I'm not superstitious but I do believe in setting goals to finish or begin things by January 1. Only because it's easy to remember as an anniversary.

Well, I'm back to work, but I'm chillin'. I'm not stressed one bit but I'm going to keep a steady pace so I won't be blogging about stress on Monday.

Much peace,
Sister P

Fast food psychosis

psychosis (si-ko-sis) n. severe mental disorder...marked by degeneration of normal intellectual and social functioning and by complete or partial withdrawal from reality.

I was not purposely trying see how long I could go on fast food like the guy in Super Size Me, but I was on a road trip and no one cooked along the way. I had to eat out daily. I had a variety of chicken, some salad, roast turkey. I felt fine and didn't notice anything wrong...until today. The day before yesterday I went shopping and all day yesterday, I cooked for myself and WOW!!! I woke up and it honestly felt like my college drinking days. I had these bad memories of what I had been doing while I was "drunk" on fast food. I had been cranky, paranoid and delusional. My family has been gone for 3 weeks now and all of a sudden I was feeling all lonely and abandoned and talking rudely to my husband over the phone. I was afraid to go out at night. I had insomnia. I am cracking up laughing as I type this, but I caught myself thinking/talking out loud in Wal.M.art. Not a conversation, which would have been better, but just a random sentence. I was thinking of a conversation I had earlier with someone and just blurted out a random sentence, LMAO!!!!!!!!

And just like that, I'm fine. (I think) I guess if I'm blogging about this I'm in a clear state of mind.

I usually eat out about one meal in a two week period, so 6 days straight of this mess was too much for me. I will start packing a lunch and bringing a cooler no matter how short the trip or no matter where I'm going. I think I ate a home cooked meal 2-3 times in 6 days.

As I reflect on how I was acting, I wonder how many other people have fast-food psychosis and don't know it. Everybody should take a fast food break and see how they feel.

What do you think?

Have a Thursday Papa!

That's what baby girl would say! But I'd say Happy 70th Birthday Daddy!
What a blessing to see my dad turn the big 7-0!
My sister and I gave him a celebration dinner in the D with his closest friends and family and it was so much fun.
I appreciate my parents more and more with each passing year and I know how fortunate I am to be almost 40 and have them both.
Afterward, at his house, my dad said, "I don't know how I can repay you two for this."
You already have Daddy!

The blessing of friendship and the blessing of a child

My college soror and I have become really good friends over the years. I did not know her before we were on line together and we seemed like two very different people. But as the years went by we spent a lot of quality time together and came to see that there is very little that separates most of us, if we'd be transparent enough to share with one another.

I am god-mommy to her first son who is now ten. She just gave birth to her second son three weeks ago and many people have asked me why she waited so long in between. Well, it wasn't by choice.

She had two still births in between. Both of her son's who did not make it were developing fine until the eighth month. I don't know how she had the faith to try again but she did. And I believe that God rewarded her faithfulness with a healthy delivery. It is only faith in God that would make a woman endure that potential heartbreak 3 times in 5 years.

I have been to see her and the baby 3 times in the three weeks he is old. It is a 3 hour drive but well worth it. I realize how much my support means to her and I get as much as her for the effort.