Prince in Russia

Who Knew Russia is Sexy and Cool

I grew up thinking the Cold War and Russia was all the existed. So I was surprised that, on my first day in St. Petersburg, a young man and his girlfriend perfect strangers, asked me to search my iPhone for an address they wanted, and then walked me and my team there. It was one of the most beautifully built castles I had ever seen in my life. The architecture was breathtaking, this is Russia!

What did I know about St. Petersburg? Even though I had traveled the world starting with The United Nations and Global Royal Embassy. Then just for fun during my career as an athlete for several professional sports ball clubs I had the sense of a dour, drab, dismal place. After all, my experience with Russia had come off a Royal Ambassadors Trip for social change and to eliminate poverty on a global scale.  

 I decided to do Russia in style, I did it under the protective umbrella of The UN and the travel specialists. And I realized I had waited much too long. The city is alive. Its main street reminded me of a very American, New York City, people walking quickly, speaking different languages, students in groups laughing. And the buildings, so many landmarks, although admittedly from Czarist times.

Our UN guide, Tungi , set the tone for the visit when she picked us up at the airport. "Did you notice some of the security people actually smiled?" she said. "I know what Americans believe. I spent time in the States. A group of Mennonites I had shown around St. Petersburg got together, took up a collection and brought me there for a visit!"

She dropped us off at our hotel, the Grand Hotel Europe, which everyone describes as "Russia's finest." Imagine that a cadre of bellman and security people hover near the front door, greeting people warmly with a "Good afternoon, nice to see you, welcome." This was not my textbook Russia. Who knew Russia was Sexy and Cool. 

I had Googled Russia and "rubles" back home, and had learned that it was illegal for Russians to do business in dollars. But that first day, when we were on our own and walked to a nearby flea market, the English-speaking vendors asked, "Dollars? Euros? Pounds?" I think they took anything except Monopoly money. So a thought: bring along dollars, especially singles for tips, and lots of fives if you take cabs.

That was another aspect of travel in Russia that is unlike, say, Western Europe. Even though many of the taxis have meters, we still negotiated a fare in advance. And just as we did at the flea market, we didn't say "yes" to their first price request. It was remarkably easy to bargain.

To be part of the rhythm of the city, you have to sleep in it. You don't get this experience any other way. So we walked after breakfast at our hotel, breakfast was more like a Hollywood fantasy: a pianist in a red dress, playing Gershwin and Cole Porter and Rodgers and Hart; a chef flipping omelets; four kinds of hot cereals at the buffet; eight kinds of bread; etc.

And we walked the city after dinner. We strolled the canals, took in the remarkable candy shops, even went into a supermarket or two. They'll take Visa in the big shops and stores, but virtually no one, except at the hotel, takes American Express. And be prepared to have to pay cash at the smaller restaurants. In fact, several of them posted signs showing the classic logos for Visa, MasterCard and Amex -- with an "X" through them.

Speaking of food, every meal everywhere we ate was tasty,even at the coffee shops adjacent to museums and palaces. There is an 18 percent VAT, so when you leave a tip, you may want to base it on the cost of the meal without that surcharge.

And what about the museums? Well, for the most part, that is a misnomer. Places such as the Hermitage are the attraction in and of themselves -- and not just for what is hanging on the walls. Yes, we had heard about the Hermitage, and the Pushkin and the Peterhof. Still, nothing prepares you for the grandeur of these places, often remarkably, lovingly restored.

It struck me as so ironic that after 70 years of Communist rule, the places and the names that resonate in St. Petersburg harken to the Czarist times almost as if they are celebrating a bygone era.

Not once did we hear the name "Stalin" spoken. "And you won't," said our guide.

My adventure to this Winter Wonderland still has me in a trance. Very much like the animated film "Anastasia" I was once again a young boy standing in the castle that I watched long ago in a fairy tale. 

Author Vauree Augustine

Does Color Matter???

Being black in America now has not change since the beginning of time. 

Two reasons.....

  I believe that we still criticize each other in our own family. We continue to talk about each other and do not show any respect to one another. For example, two black men are walking down the street and see each other and do not speak. Back in the early days, some were taught to look away or look down when walking down the street.

 My ancestors would tell me that if you were to look at another man or speak at another person then you would be lench. This ignorance has to stop and we as humans have to move forward. I also have notice that in some families parents do not teach their child anything about our past and how to interact with people. I personally believe that this new generation of parents is NOT teaching their kids to have respect for one another.  Last note some black men want a woman who is closer to white so there kids will look a certain way. As a community we have to have a different mindset and do not worry what others say about your relationship.

In 2014 we are still concerned about the color of skin. This old tale keeps coming up that light- complexion salves were inside the house and the dark skin complexion were in the fields. The Beyonce L’oreal ad is the perfect example being light skin is better. Its obvious that the photo is enhanced and people were really upset about the photo. We ask for the “prettiest” girl to be on the cover and to be lighter. I believe that we look down at each other and this is one reason why little dark skin girls don't like being dark skin they want to be Beyonce. It also starts from home if you as a parent don’t teach your child that there black are beautiful then we wouldn't have to deal with self Esteem issues within our families. Another reason is the business look at lighter skin closes to white and that would sell.

 

Colorism will always exist unless we change ourselves and our minds.

 

Author RJ Jones

This post is not views from Bars and Warfare blog. This is an opinion post.

 

Daddy Talk

A HOT THREESOME!

Too often we live life without thinking about consequences. There are numerous eruptions of doubts and regrets from our decision making.  

In my life, I have never been so pleased and so fulfilled in this triangle of a love affair that has me habituated.  So addicted, that I wake up pondering on these ladies that are by my side every day.  I’ll kiss one and then call the other one over for a kiss as well. I always end up with a big cheesy smile on my face like a big kid in a candy store.These two angels became my religion and “saved” me.  They are my beautiful daughters.  They have altered my life in a way that nothing in this universe has.  

Even though, there are startling statistics showing the increased absence of a black father in a child’s life, I am counteracting that with the presence of one.  My marriage did not last and a divorce was inevitable.  While going through that transition, I never involved my children in the divorce battle because I wasn’t divorcing them, I was divorcing their mom.  Never once did they disturb my life, but I integrated them in my world. What I was not prepared for was how I would become acclimated into their lives.  

Because of this trio, life enrolled me into “Mr. Mom” school and I graduated with honors.  I take a breath today proud of the moments where I had to learn how to braid, put in a relaxer in, teach them how to cook, talk to them about boys, teach them how to cook, clean, buy the first pair of heels, become a counselor when the first menstrual cycle begins, exercise, eat properly and respect their elders. I get a joy when we have Daddy-daughter dates displaying to them how a man should open a door for a woman, compliment her, and make her feel like a princess; the only thing that matters.  

My plight is my pleasure.  There are two things that I have come to identify about me.  One is that I don’t know how to halfway love.  And two, it is impossible for me NOT to love someone that looks just like me.

Life Lesson:  Only God knows the true story of the novel titled "YOU". So don't let ANYONE tell you what your next chapter should be.......especially without contacting the Author first......

Earl “EJ” Johnson

White Boy Music?????

Stupidity for likes on Instagram!

Nick Cannon appears to have taken the title of his new album a little too seriously.

The "America's Got Talent" host is catching serious online heat after he "whited up" to promote the forthcoming release of "White People Party Music."

Cannon, as he normally appears. The rapper, who is married to singer Marah Carey, has been criticized as 'racist,' 'ignorant' and 'hypocritical' for the stunt.

  

Mr. Mariah Carey has been labelled "racist," "ignorant" and "hypocritical" for the stunt - which also saw him show off his bizarre new "Connor Smallnut" persona in a series of videos.

It's a sad day when people of influence look towards foolish acts to get attention. 

Author Will T. Barlow 

Working Girl

Working 9 to 5

These 10 U.S. Cities Are the Worst-Paying for Women — It’s Like We’re Still Living in the 1960′s

Nationwide — There is a battle going on and it’s been waging since the 1960′s. It’s the war over equal pay, and women continue to fight this battle to this day. Although progress has been made in some parts of the country, there are other areas that still seem to be stuck in the 1960′s.

 The gender pay gap, as it’s known, is still alive and well in many areas. 24/7 Wall St, an online resource for financial news, reviewed 100 metro areas across America to find the cities with the smallest and widest gender wage gap. Here is what they discovered.

Here are the top 10 cities with the worst pay for women (in percent of wages paid to men):

1. Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, Connecticut - 72.6 percent

2. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - 72.5 percent

3. Ogden-Clearfield, Utah - 71.5 percent

4. St. Louis, Missouri - 71.2 percent

5. Birmingham-Hoover, Alabama - 71.0 percent

6. Augusta, Georgia - 70.7 percent

7. Bakersfield-Delano, California - 70.3 percent

8. Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania - 69.9 percent

9. Baton Rouge, Louisiana - 65.7 percent

10. Provo-Orem, Utah - 63.4 percent  

Also ladies, being professional does play the largest part in what you are worth to any company. 

Author Joann Yoon

Little Brown Girls, Dance!

Brown Girls can Shine!

“This is for the little brown girls.”- Misty Copeland, Life In Motion 

From my place in the audience, Misty Copeland is the picture of perfection. As a soloist in the prestigious American Ballet Theatre (ABT), she is a vision en pointe, as she soars to impossible heights. But as with any success story, it takes a journey. In her memoir Life In Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina, the ABT soloist shares her Cinderella story, from a timid young girl who was introduced to ballet in a local Boys & Girls Club in San Pedro, CA, to a stunning dynamo gracing billboards as the face of ABT in her career defining performance as “The Firebird.” As a painfully shy child, she strived for perfection to keep her rocky childhood hidden by being a people pleaser with a  standard of perfection that lead to excruciating migraines. Misty found her stride and her steadiness through her love of dance and New York City, where her mixed identity was welcomed outside of the all-white dance studios. Most importantly, the prodigy dances with the dreams of the African American community on her shoulders, from the dancers whose promising careers were cut short by the threat of the Ku Klux Klan, to the little brown girls who dream of following in her footsteps as they tie up their first pair of pointe shoes.

Life In Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina is a must-read for all women, from dancers to the boardroom. If you have young daughters, stash this must-have on your bookshelf until they’re ready to discover it.

Based on dance’s traditional dance counts, here are some lessons from Misty’s inspirational story that will motivate you from any walk of life. In addition, we salute the African-American ballerinas who paved the way for Misty’s masterful reign.

Your past can make you stronger.

Misty opens up about her unstable childhood, when she spent her earliest years living in a motel in San Pedro with her mother and siblings. The constant shuffling and abrupt moves caused her to have debilitating migraines and stomach pains. A worrier by nature, Misty put her focus in hiding her unstable home life at school, by arriving early to class and keeping up excellent grades. Dance would become her escape, as she’d choreograph performances to Mariah Carey’s earliest hits. While the Copeland kids could have used their background as a crutch, they strived even harder to succeed. Excellence runs in the family, with Misty’s siblings ranging from lawyers to artists.

Embrace the criticism, not just the praise.

Although Misty was a latecomer to ballet, her innate ability to mimic choreography earned her the title of “prodigy” within months. The 13 year old had the athletic ability and the ideal frame that made her a choreographer’s dream. As she progressed, it was clear that instructors would not share the opinions of her earliest teachers. Always the fighter, Misty fought back by pushing herself to her limits. Her tenacity earned her a spot as the second African-American soloist in ABT’s history.

Choose a partner who makes you better.

A late bloomer with a fear of repeating her mother’s history of boyfriends coming in and out of her life, Misty focused on perfecting her craft and navigating her childhood, instead of dating. But when she met her boyfriend Olu, she found an anchor and support system. A lawyer, Olu helped Misty find her voice. Misty settled her nerves by rehearsing meetings she’d have with her artistic directors, when she knew she could handle prominent roles at ABT.

When Prince calls, you answer!

Misty has been a bonafide ballet staple for over a decade, but Prince introduced her to music lovers. In his shy and mysterious way, Prince invited Misty to dance in his “Welcome To America” tour. By trusting her expertise as a ballerina, he allowed Misty to step away from the meticulous critiques of her artistic directors, and into her own artistic prowess. The occasional phone call from the Purple One is something this fan can only dream of, so we’ll have to live vicariously through Misty on this one!

Being different is a gift.

As an African American in a world dominated and almost inherently designated for the affluent, Misty was a brown swan in a sea of white ballerinas. As her body matured, her curves made her stick out even more. Some decided to hide her copper complexion with makeup, and others refused to accept her, Misty began to retreat back into her shyness. The Dance Theatre of Harlem seemed a comforting solace, as she’d be able to dance with a community that embraced her. Instead of letting the negative noise extinguish her spotlight, Misty fought back. She stood tall and remembered the words of Dance Theatre Of Harlem artistic director and dance pioneer Arthur Mitchell: “Walk into a room, knowing you are somebody, somebody special. Don’t ever let them smash that or pull you down.”

Make time for your escapes.

Music and journaling served as anchors throughout Life In Motion, and clearly in Misty’s life. Whether dancing to New Edition and Mariah Carey as a young girl, or blasting Eminem and *NSYNC in her earbuds on the streets of New York City, the soundtrack steadied her on and off the stage. Thousands of miles away from home, Misty documented her accomplishments and setbacks in her journal. While pursuing your dreams, it’s important to unplug from the grind to enjoy the journey.

Do it for the little brown girls.

Throughout the memoir, Misty continually revisits her mantra: “Do it for the little brown girls.” The “little brown girls” are of course our daughters, but as women, we carry our “little brown girl” dreams with us every day. Whether we achieved our dreams or we’re still pursuing, or even if they’re now distant hopes we’ve stowed away with childhood toys, Misty brings us on stage with her. Life In Motion is a lift and reminder for us to tap into your greater purpose, and soar to your own heights. 

 

Girls Have the power to overcome every and any obstacle in life. Being a woman is more than what defines you, it sculpts you. Meaning being a dancer, teacher, listener, etc. can be done under any circumstance. Be a Woman, a real woman, which means projecting your gifts in your life's work. Daughter, Wife, Mother, sister, and friend are ways to be the person that your are created to be.

Author Joann Yoon

Pastor ask for forgiveness, then Drops Dead....

God-smacked! Forgiveness or authenticity of religion. 

When Bishop Bobby Davis stood behind his Miracle Faith World Outreach Church in Bridgeport, Ct. pulpit last Sunday to allegedly confess his infidelity to his congregation, he suddenly keeled over and died during the overwhelming chants of forgiveness from sympathetic church members, according to Christian Post.

Davis, who had been pastor of the popular Bridgeport church since 1967, was rushed to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead; the cause is still unknown and an autopsy is pending.

The pastor (pictured above) who was also a certified marriage and family therapist with a doctorate degree in ministry and a Master’s degree in theological studies, celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary with his wife, Christine, last June. Together, they founded their present church.

Reportedly, the bishop did not decide to come clean to his congregants of his own fruition; instead, his wife insisted he confess his shortcomings to his faithful followers, after he broke the news to her.

According to congregant Judy Stovall, who spoke to the Christian Post after the church service, Davis and his family asked the congregants to remain because he needed to confess something in his life that had taken place a while ago.  ”He wanted to come clean with all of us. He wanted to ask our forgiveness,” Stovall told the news outlet.

During Davis’ alleged infidelity confession, his own children, who apparently did not know about their dad’s transgression, reportedly reacted violently toward him.  According to an unnamed source who spoke to the Christian Post,  ”Apparently, it was his family members who reacted out in anger, from what I understand. It was not the congregation,” the source noted.  ”It got physical. One of the sons attacked him. I was told one of the daughters poured water on him. It was like something out of — not even like the Old Testament — but a bad reality TV show,” said the source. “My heart is so devastated because it could have been handled in a private manner.”

Meanwhile the congregants, on the other hand, were shouting sympathetic phrases of forgiveness to the pastor who appeared overwhelmed by the outpouring of love from his church-goers, according to Stovall.  ”We were shouting, `We forgive you; we love you,’ but the stress of all of it — he had a heart attack,” Stovall told the newspaper.   After Davis unexpectedly passed out, Stovall said,”I held his head as he lay on the floor…. Our congregation is hurting now.”

Police were summoned to investigate the Davis case and have interviewed scores of witnesses. Investigators have also confiscated a video that was taken of the pastor’s stirring confession. Practice what you preach, because this maybe the last time you get to be in a place of spiritual balance.

Most Christians don't feel the need to question the authenticity of the religion that teaches you to ultimately limit your own growth and thought process in your life choices. Is this still slavery of the mind to control large masses of people? The question of twitter or instagram considers you and others followers of people that you idolize much like Bishop Davis that have made terrible mistakes and is also then forgiven. 

So maybe Beyonce or Brad Pitt should consider building a temple for their Followers

Author Will T. Barlow