2009 So Far

For starters the welcoming of 2009 has been interestingly brimmed with wonder and cheer. With the zooming of January's wintry mix, it seems as though it passed by in the blink of an eye.

The last time I posted, I made mention about traveling to South Africa
for a six week journey. By the way, I am still waiting to hear back from the selection committee. However, my completed and submitted application has left me feeling some-what promising.

The inauguration of Barack Obama was most exciting and memorable for
the month of January. His speech was poetically energizing and it left
me feeling hopeful for the future of this country. There were well over
one and a half million people in attendance, WOW!. In awe and disbelief, I
was glued to my television set as he was sworn into office. Speaking of
Barack Obama, Mr. Right sent me his commentary addressing some of the
many issues that he feels Barack should address in order to strenghten
America's Black economic crisis (below I have included my response to
his commentary, please accept my apology; I don’t think it would be very ethical to post his commentary w/o his consent).

“How wonderful it is to know that you respect (or even value) my
opinion whether I agree or disagree with you. In saying that, overall
your article was very sharp and insightful. However, in reading it I
have to admit I totally forgot the question (not saying it was not a
good title/question); Justifiably, I was engrossed with my own thoughts
and objections as I read yours. Hopefully, that was one aspiration for
writing the piece (to get people thinking for themselves).
I was almost convinced that there was no such thing as "Black America,"
( B.O: "there is only one America, the United States of America"),anyhow
just by reading the newspaper, watching television and working in a
predominantly white environment requires me to rethink that notion.
To the case in point. Personally, making a laundry list of the many
things Mr. Obama should/could address would be an awfully long list. In
a real sense, A.A men and women must first be held accountable for their
own success(es) and failures. It would be foolish of one to think that
just because you voted for Barack he should adhere to the numerous
problems faced in the A.A community. Personally, I do not think he
will/can address the "overaching problems" Black people in America face.
As you stated in your article, Barack is a symbol of inspiration for
black people, and it in itself should be a starting point for A.A. I am
in no way suggesting that we should not hold Barack accountable in the
aid of reforming the state of black America, simply put; the man has the
weight of the world on his shoulders. A new philosophy must be adopted
in the minds of the my people, one with patience, unity, tolerance and
how 'bout some understanding!
I can only elaborate on the topics/issues in which I am most familiar,
so I trust that you have thoroughly researched and given much thought to
all others. Nonetheless, I have reservations about the charter schools (
with good reason) and FBI appointments, (mixed feelings...I think you
were a little biased).

February for me has been a time of enlightenment and rumination
spending much of my free time reading and critiquing some of my favorite
authors as well as being introduced to some new talents. Halfprice
Books bookstore has been an absolute treasure trove of great novels that
have allowed my library to grow extensively. Also, my collection of J.
California Cooper's novels, she being my favorite mostly due to the
fact that we have very similar writing styles (reachable and personable)
is nearing completion.

Valentines day was incredible and one of the best I've had in a long
time; Mr. You Know Who made for an enchanting evening filled with lots
of surprises.... Gifts of chocolate and body creams & fragrances from
one of my favorite novelty shops; Fine dining at a Japanese
restaurant, Bennehanna's (magnificent food and display), a play ( The
Man who Saved New Orleans) and to end the night with some music and
dancing.

I am currently reading The Future of the Race by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. It is a very interesting and inspiring read. I will post more thoughts about this book when I have completed it.

Other books on the back burner are Knowing by Rosalyn McMillian , As I Am by E. Lynn Harris, and How to be an Nigerian by Peter Enhaoro.

Thinking out loud

I am still alive and well. Just been a little busy with all of the holiday hoopla and what not. Recently, I celebrated a special birthday; several of my closest friends and family members joined me in a fantastic dinner party and comedy extravaganza.

This Thanksgiving was truly phenomenal (from the food to the soul train-line). The only thing that was missing was Mr. Right (keep reading, you will hear more about that later)

Christmas was a real treat. I am so thankful to have had the joy of Christmas to slowly unfold before my daughter and I. Jesus is the reason for the season.

As the New Year quickly approaches, I think it is about time I create an action plan to reach the many goals I have set for myself (or vice-versa, should I say). I know I need to start working on my PH. D….just haven’t decided on exactly what discipline. Social Work is a field of study that truly holds my interest. With a Doctorate in Social Work I feel it would feed my desire to be a better humanitarian. Giving back to the world is a very important goal that I must accomplish.

As with everything else that is going on in my life, I must learn how to be a better financial planner. Meeting my financial obligations is not the problem; however, I must learn how to save and account for the money I make and spend. It’s easily said than done, but this is one area I will pay closer attention.

My love life is good. Mr. Right and I met one year ago and have been going strong every since. He is so perfect for me; we complement each other very well. Besides being tall, dark and handsome, he is kind, generous and thoughtful. Though we come from very different walks of life, I think that is what attracts me to him most. He is an unselfish and sensible man, which in turn forces me to have a different outlook on life. He makes me feel like I can achieve any and every goal I set for myself.

This summer I have an opportunity to travel to South Africa for six weeks. Of course, Mr. Right thinks it is a trip to die for. I have always wanted to travel to Africa and marvel at its natural beauty and culture, but I have my reservations (will blog about the pros and cons).

Signing off until next time.

Still I Rise

You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies,

You may trod me in the very dirt

But still, like dust,

I'll rise.
Does my sassiness upset you?

Why are you beset with gloom?

'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells

Pumping in my living room.
Just like moons and like suns,

With the certainty of tides,

Just like hopes springing high,

Still I'll rise.
Did you want to see me broken?

Bowed head and lowered eyes?

Shoulders falling down like teardrops,

Weakened by my soulful cries.
Does my haughtiness offend you?

Don't you take it awful hard

'Cause I laugh like I got gold mines

Diggin' in my own back yard.
You may shoot me with your words,

You may cut me with your eyes,

You may kill me with your hatefulness,

But still, like air,

I'll rise.
Does my sexiness upset you?

Does it come as a surprise

That I dance like I've got diamonds

At the meeting of my thighs?
Out of the huts of history's shame

I rise

Up from a past that's rooted in pain

I rise

I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,

Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear

I rise

Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear

I rise

Bringing the gifts my ancestors gave,

I am the dream and the hope of the slave.

I rise

I rise

I rise.

© Maya Angelou, 1978

Gettysburg forgot about Black Soldiers

This summer I was afforded the opportunity to visit Gettysburg, PA. Prior to my arrival I had great hopes of seeing a large collection of memorabilia that would honor the many African American soldiers who fought during the Civil War.

To my surprise there was very little representation or acknowledgement given to African American soldiers who fought and died to end slavery at Gettysburg just as white soldiers had. Moreover, I was deeply saddened to know that over 103 million dollars was recently spent renovating the Gettysburg’s Visitors Center.

In speaking to our unofficial tour guide (a professor at Gettysburg College) about the lack of African American representation, his only explanation for this oversight suggested that more black people should get involved with the preservation of their history and not depend on others to do it for them.

Wow! That got me to thinking.

Though his statement was quite bold. He is correct.

As I continued my tour through the town of Gettysburg, I noticed there was not a lack of Confederate flags. Which got me to thinking again. Why, in this Pennsylvania town year 2008 would people be bold enough to proudly display the Confederate flag?

There was only one logical answer I could piece together, and it is that these people understand the importance of preserving their history (right or wrong). After all, Confederate soldiers were fighting against the North, so their presence can not be excluded from history.

African American people, we must take a stand and demand for our rich history to be preserved. The first step is to have our voices heard by writing to the Gettysburg Preservation society dneil@gettysburgfoundation.org or by calling 866-889-1243.

They are Listening

What does it say when kids have thrown their support behind Obama instead of McCain?

It says they're listening!

Kids may not be able to vote in the presidential election, but they can give us a pretty good indication of who’s going to win, when the winner of the last four out of five Kids Pick polls has gone on to the White House.

The New, Part I

In celebration of my birthday a couple of friends invited me out for a
night on the town. I was a little reluctant at first, after all we
stayed out quite late the night before. To make a long story short, we ended up at a dance club.

If you have ever experienced the Dallas nightlife, you know the clubs can be a bit
daunting. But for some strange reason that night the atmosphere was
electrifying and the band unbelievable. We were having a
surprisingly good time, with the exception of a few knuckle heads whose
game could use a lot of work.

Moving about the club I finally found a spot where I could see the band
a little better. Then from out of nowhere a tall, dark and very
handsome guy stood next me. We made eye contact, but we didn't say
anything to each other.

Still enjoying the band I decide to do my usual
two-step (I am not much of a dancer). In doing so, I accidentally
stepped on the guy’s foot.

OMG!

I gave him a quick “excuse me,” (or something like that).

He being a perfect gentleman did not get upset. So I
continue moving from side to side. Finally, he asked me to dance
(remember, I am not much of a dancer).

So I politely said, “No thank you.”

Being persistent, he asked me my name and having to speak
above the music I told him. He told me his first and last
name. The first name was easy to pronounce; however, the last name was
unique. From the last name and his spicy accent, I could tell right away
he was not from the states. He told me he was from Houston, and in town on
business. Continuing to make small talk, I inquired about his business,
etc....and he gave me his business card. I was then thinking, this
brother might be all right. We exchanged contact information and left it at that.

As I was leaving the club we made eye contact again. Out of all thepeople in the club, we made eye contact again.



Check back for Part II

Life's Funny that Way

Just as the title suggest, life is funny. I say funny because I have had
many unexpected things to happen to me since I last visited my blog
(still trying to get this thing right, or at least make some sense of it).

With my fair share of ups and downs (lucky for me, more ups than
downs); It is time I revisit those pesky downs and of course
acknowledge some of the good fortunes that have befallen upon me.

So, here goes......

It is funny how getting out of a 14-year relationship has made me feel
like I have accomplished something heroic. Don’t get me wrong; I am in no way saying it was easy. Believe me, the emotional song and dance was enough to make anyone go insane. After all of that played out, that's when the blessings came (I'll
tell you all about the “blessing” later).

“Oh, the lessons.” One very important thing I learned is to put all of my faith in God and believe there is no problem too big or too small he can't fix. Sounds easy, right? Well it wasn’t. There were moments of bitterness, hatred and even some revengeful thoughts. However, the moment I decided to let go and let God; I was then able to receive his blessings.

Life’s funny that way, you have to go through trials and tribulations (bump your head hard enough) to get to the lesson.

Well, there is someone new (the blessing).

My, my, my, Life’s funny that way, out with the old and in with the new.

P.S. My next posting will be all about the new!

I am still here part 2

Hello everyone! I have been so busy with work and other personal matters of the heart I haven't had much time to keep up my blog enteries. But it will get better.

I have so much catching up to do. First, I must say "thank you" to everyone who has been by my side since my last entry.

For future blog entries I will comment on Family, Friends, Love and Life. The headliners will feature things I have experienced personally and things I wish to learn more about.

I am about to get this thing right. I haven't forgotten about Tyra Banks, that sista is doing her thang.

Peace,
TLB

I am Still Here!

Hello everyone,

I have been so busy with work and planning a wedding for my sister, I got a little side tracked. I will post more entries and pictures soon; So hold tight and be cool.

What do you all think about Tyra Banks and her new T-Zone ideas?

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. meets with President Johnson

Each year on the third Monday of January, schools, federal offices, post office and banks across America close as we celebrate the birth, the life and the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It is a time for the nation to remember the injustices that Dr. King fought. A time to remember his fight for the freedom, equality, and dignity of all races and peoples. A time to remember the message of change through nonviolence. Just as the theme of this page states: "Rember, Celebrate, Act! A Day On, Not A Day Off!" Although many people see this, and other holidays as "a day without home work," or "a day to hang out with friends," it is much more than that; it is the celebration of equality, the celebration of freedom, and the celebration of a wonderful, wonderful man!

Neat Freaks

In my quest to find new ways to deal with my obsession with cleanliness, I came across a very interesting article that I will share at the end of my entry.

My family and some close friends can attest that I cannot concentrate or relax if something appears unclean or if things are not properly arranged. I took an online anxiety quiz to see if I suffer from an anxiety disorder. Luckily, I was only border line.

If anyone who lives with this disorder knows exactly what it feels like to not be able to relax, concentrate and feel appreciated for this unique behavior. I drive my family crazy with my constant complaining about their domestic ways. They are probably fairly neat but for an irreproachable person like myself they are unconscious of their cleanliness.

I am discussing this issue as a way to relieve me of some of the stress that is associated with not confronting this life style. Hopefully I will help someone else who may be coping with the same issue.

The article:

Vijai P. Sharma, Ph.D

"Clutterers," "cleaners," and "hoarders" sometime walk a fine line between excellence and obsession.

Some people are simply particular about neatness, exactness, and the right order and arrangement of things and there are others who are obsessed with it. We will refer to the latter group as "neat freaks," a term I first heard from a neat freak.

Neat freaks live under tremendous stress and spend a significant time, sometimes several hours a day, trying to maintain immaculate neatness, precise order and faultless arrangement of their immediate environment. Be aware such a behavior is not a part of normal spring fever; it is an all season problem.

If you take a peek in his or her closet, you can right away identify a neat freak; socks, ties, belts, undershirts will be all neatly folded and stacked up. The clothes may be color coded or organized by categories. Such an arrangement may not be as simple as all the blue clothes in one place or all pants hanging in one corner. Neat freaks classify and sub-classify them in complex ways.

If you are a neat freak reading this column, I don't have to tell you how much time you spend in keeping everything spotless and organized. Sometime you just want to take a break from the constant pressure of cleanliness and sit down to relax and smell the roses, but you can't. That pressure is nothing short of a slave driver.

The other end of the spectrum is filled with "clutterers," who must stare at clutter in order to relax. Often, the family members of clutterers are bothered because every time they walk in the house they have to walk around the clutter and those of neat freaks are troubled because every time they walk, the neat freaks come after them with a broom and a brush to clean.

Some families break up because of the unbearable acrimony resulting from one partner's uncompromising perfectionism and fastidiousness. Conflict between neat freak parents and children often comes to a head when the former can't stand the "lazy" and "filthy" teen.

Perhaps, you know people, who, even when sick or exhausted with fatigue would get out of bed if they see a speck of dirt on their television or the center table. People develop stress-related disorders because of their obsession for neatness.

So how can you tell whether you are just a neatness lover or a neat freak? The following questions may be helpful: 1) Do you spend more than an hour a day cleaning?
2) Can you stop cleaning when you want to?
3) Do the unclean, dusty or out-of-place objects cause significant amount of anxiety, distress or agitation for you?
4) Is anyone close to you troubled by your insistence for perfect cleanliness?

One of the most difficult things for a neat freak to learn is to learn the difference between reasonable standards of cleanliness and a rather unrelenting and unyielding demand for cleanliness.

If you answered "yes" to one of the four questions, rely on the cues from your loved ones to know when enough is enough. Rather than assuming that others are sloppy and lazy, accept the possibility that you might be overdoing this business of cleanliness.

Be mindful of the anxiety you experience by the thought or the sight of unclean things. Become aware of your tension. Observe it as it begins to build up at the sight or thought of unclean objects. Don't be in a rush to tidy up the place. Bear with the anxiety unless there is something harmful, such as toxic waste or a spilled chemical. If it doesn't pose a risk, you can wait.

Understand that cleaning is the ritual you do to reduce the anxiety that arises from the obsession of cleanliness. When you learn to tolerate the anxiety, the obsession begins to gradually loosen its grip over you. Be prepared for temporary exacerbation in your anxiety because you are not doing the "same old stuff" to relieve your anxiety.

Anxiety is likely to increase before it can decrease. Therefore, don't try to distract yourself by doing something or thinking about something else. Keep your mind on the object that increases your tension and let it complete its full course. The anxiety will peak out if you persist.

And then, you can relax. Likewise, others can relax around you.

You might also discover that you have more time than you ever thought you had. You can use it for more productive things or just enjoy the leisure time.

What's next for me in 2006!

Like most people do every New Year, I make plans to live better and strive to obtain certain goals. I believe the only true way to assure that the set goals are accomplished is by documenting progress and evaluating the differences and similarities (basically the concept of the Venn Diagram).

One thing that I am challenging myself to do this year is to dialogue more about issues that directly impact my very existence. This dialogue will include talking to God more, family, friends and developing more professional relationships with people who are making a difference in the world.

Last year I completed courses towards my masters degree and I thought that would satisfy my academic desires, but there is still a passionate compulsion to keep pushing toward that doctorial stratum of greatness. I heard an appealing conversation on television about this so-called new culture in America called “Black American.” I thought to myself for a minute, what could this mean? I have always considered myself a Black American…Then it hit me. In order to celebrate and empathize with this new culture of being a Black American, it means to stand for something, edify oneself, being economically savvy and to understand where you have come from in order to know where you would like to go. A Black American does not measure himself or herself by the amount of money they have, but by how they are investing it. Investing in your communities, your culture and in the prosperity of other people like you.

What’s next for me will be an array of many things. I have already started documenting and dialoguing through the use of internet blogging. I challenge everyone to take full advantage of this resource.

Happy Holidays to everyone everywhere! 

Daughter

I wanted you, loved you, and dreamed of you,
Long before you were even born.
That was a lot of expectations to put on a child.
But leave it to you to always be your own person,
to have your own mind,
to do things your way makes me want to yell,
"Look world, look at my daughter isn’t she amazing."
You are my legacy, and it makes me pround to know
I have made the world a better place simply by having you.
Happy Birthday

This was in a birthday card sent from my mother on my birthday. Thanks Mom.

TELICIA

Telicia's joy is unique;
Everyone who knows her would
Loftily say she
Is kind, humerous,
Caring, has a good heart and
Interesting in every way,
And today is her birthday.

Letter to Rosa Parks

Thank you Rosa Parks for not giving up your seat on Dec. 1, 1955. I am appreciative for your fight against segregation and equal rights for all mankind. You changed America forever. Your legacy shall live on through your works and deeds. I will continue to share your story with the world and hopefully future generations will value your tireless efforts. I know you are resting in Peace; God only has front seats.

Sincerely yours,
TLB

TLB 

Moi! Hanging out at home. 

Will Black Voting Rights Expire in 2007?

Netlore Archive: False email rumor claims that the right of African Americans to vote is set to expire in 2007 along with the Voting Rights Act of 1965


Another Internet hoax made headlines recently as the media got wind of the reaction among black Americans to a widely-forwarded email message claiming that their voting rights will vanish in the year 2007. Similar rumors have circulated since the mid-1990s.

The message currently raising concerns reads as follows:

PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN!!!!

We are quickly approaching the 21st Century and I was wondering if anyone out there knew what the significance of the year 2007 is to Black America? Did you know that our right to vote will expire in the year 2007? Seriously! The Voters Rights Act signed in 1965 by Lyndon B. Johnson was just an ACT.

It was not made a law. In 1982 Ronald Reagan amended the Voters Rights Act for only another 25 years. Which means that in the year 2007 we could lose the right to vote!

Does anyone realize that Blacks/African Americans are the only group of people who still require PERMISSION under the United States Constitution to vote?!

In the year 2007 Congress will once again convene to decide whether or not Blacks should retain the right to vote (crazy, but true). In order for this to be passed, 38 states will have to approve an extension.

In my opinion and many others, this is ludicrous! Not only should the extension be approved, but ... this Act must be made a law. Our right to vote should no longer be up for discussion, review and/or evaluation.

We must contact our Congress persons, Senators, Alderpersons, etc., to put a stop to this! As bona fide citizens of the United States, we cannot "drop the ball" on this one!

We have come too far to let government make us take such a huge step backward. So please, let us push forward to continue to build the momentum towards gaining equality. Please pass this onto others, as I am sure that many more individuals are not aware of this.


NOTE: A latter-day version of this message attributes authorship to Camille Cosby, wife of comedian Bill Cosby. She did not write it.

The kernel of truth in the text is that the Voting Rights Act of 1965 is indeed set to expire unless it is renewed by Congress before 2007. The rest of it is false. The basic right of all American citizens to vote, regardless of race, is guaranteed in the Bill of Rights and can't expire with the Voting Rights Act.

The NAACP addressed this issue in a statement quoted in the November 19, 1998 issue of the Internet Tourbus:

African American voting rights were granted by the Fifteenth Amendment, which was passed immediately after the Civil War. Expiration of the Voting Rights Act will not terminate therights granted under the Fifteenth Amendment.

The U.S. Department of Justice concurs. In its "Voting Rights Act Clarification" dated April 2, 1998, it states:

The basic prohibition against discrimination in voting contained in the Fifteenth amendment and in the Voting Rights Act does not expire in 2007 — it does not expire at all; it is permanent.

The confusion arises from the apparent assumption that it's the Voting Rights Act alone which guarantees suffrage to minorities. In reality, all the Act does is keep in place a set of so-called "extraordinary remedies" meant to enforce the Fifteenth Amendment at state and local levels, where, in defiance of federal law, obstacles to the voting rights of black people were still in place in some parts of the country as of the early 1960s. These remedies, designed specifically to address problems that existed at the time, were never meant to be permanent, which is why the Voting Rights Act comes up for renewal every 25 years.

It's difficult to determine exactly where and when the rumor that African Americans' voting rights will expire in 2007 got started, though Internet discussions of the topic in 1997 made reference to the issue being raised on Tom Joyner's radio talk show. One Usenet posting dated January 21, 1997 is clearly a precursor of the text now circulating.

"I'd say we have gotten hundreds of calls on this over the past two years," South Carolina Representative James Clyburn of told reporters this week. "It's frustrating dealing with this hoax."

And I thought I was the only one who had days like that.

Is This Really Serena Williams Speaking?

-Ms. Williams we are all interested in your new boyfriend.

There is no new boyfriend. I stopped playing with boys when I stopped dating black guys. I have a new man in my life and yes, he's white.

- So you prefer to date white men instead of black guys?

let's be real. If you are a successful black female you only have two choices....date outside of your race or date other successful black females.

-Are you saying there are no successful black men to date?

Of course not but lets face it, if Oprah would date outside of her race she would be married with children now. The state of most black men is so low the only thing you can do is love them. Like a poor homeless dog. You can't expect it to protect you. You can only offer shelter and love and watch as our neighbor's pitbull protects his home and family. I, unlike Oprah, am not forced to stay within those boundaries.

I was born into a new generation of black women.

-So Oprah is being forced to date Stedman?

All I can say is when you find a successful black women who is not married and does not have children it is because they refuse to accept the two choices.

Some may go as far as marriage to a black guy but they realize divorce is inevitable so they do not have children. Or they have children with one and don't marry in order to preserve their wealth and good credit.

Oprah is one of many who silently protests being stuck with such poor choices by refusing to marry and reproduce but you can see how much it hurts her. She's always giving away money to children's charities.

I hope she makes the choice to marry a non-black soon so she can have a child of her own.

-But you have decided to accept the two choices?

Yes. I grew up in California around the two extremes of wealth. If I could only get myself to try the bisexual thing I would have been much happier in my relationships. Instead I dated black men. I loved many of them but they were just not suitable for marriage. Many of them were raised by women and had warped mentalities. So I finally had to date outside my race. When I moved to Miami, I accepted my status and dated men on my level.

-What do you mean by warped mentalities?

Well, where do I begin? Many of them were raised predominantly by women and had this feminine/bisexual complex. Where they wanted to be treated like a female sometimes. For example, I would have the money & they would have the sex. I would teach them things. You know, all the things a woman likes a man to do, I would end up doing for them. Then if we would get into an argument, there would be a role reversal. All of a sudden, they would be the man wanting the respect of a king in his castle.

Black men over the years have become less and less of value to black women both rich and poor. I predict in 10 years they will be obsolete. Now they serve little to no function and what little they can do, they don't want to do.

Why 10 years?

That's when going to a fertility clinic to get impregnated by a sperm donor will become as common and accessible as the flu shot. Women who want sex will do it with whoever they want (girl, guy, rich, poor, white,black)and go to the bank (the sperm bank) when they are ready to have children. Even those who waited (like Oprah) will have fertilized eggs placed inVitro.

That's the day the secret organization of women is waiting for. The day when men are 100% dis-empowered.

-Are you apart of that organization?

No. They're a mostly white group. Plus that day for black men is practically here already. Black women are already raising 75% of the black population without a man. When fertility clinics become more affordable Black women will be standing in line. It will be just like plastic surgery.

Everyone laughed at Michael Jackson but its becoming so popular now,that even poor blacks are getting work done...mostly breast reductions and liposuction.

-So do you want men to be dis-empowered?

Heck, no! That's why I am with a white man now. I want a man to be a man and I am not going to settle for less just to stay within racial boundaries.

A Black man in my position wouldn't do it so why should I. Don't get me wrong, I love black men. My father is black, I have dated black men all my life, and if I have a male child he will be part black.

But my husband and I will raise him together so hopefully he will be a worthy choice for a worthy black female. Not the only choice, or "there's nothing better out there so I'll settle for this" choice. When you are successful you want the best. The best food, clothes, places to live etc. I want the best man also.

-And you think the best man is a non-black man?

I think if there's a better choice for me, God would have shown me. I am in the public so I get to meet lots of people from all over the world athletes, celebs etc.

I am wealthy so I am invited and have traveled to the most prestigious events all over the world. Out of all those people, places and events....I had to choose the right man for me.

Like it or not (with very few exceptions) a white man is the only real choice for a successful black female.


Now you make your decision.