01.01.70

It's that time of year again: Americans are beginning to prep themselves for Black Friday. Men are spending the night outdoors testing the durability of their winter weather gear. Women can be seen with a stopwatch in hand, timing themselves to see how fast they can weave through the Wal-Mart aisles.

OK, maybe most sane men and women aren't doing those things, but you get the idea of how this undeclared holiday can turn people into shopping lunatics. And now that Thanksgiving is right around the corner, I'd like to address why Black Friday has every right to become a national holiday in the United States.

Even though Black Friday stands in Thanksgiving's shadow, this unofficial holiday is much more observed than other national holidays like Columbus Day. You don't see commercials solely dedicated to Columbus Day, but you sure laugh out loud when you watch the "Target Lady" run through the aisles with a parachute tied to her back trying to train for Black Friday door busters. Those commercials are what make the holidays merry and bright.

Source: NDSU The Spectrum

by virtuousvixen

I recently had someone call me a “man basher,” I have to admit I was surprised because that is not how I see myself. However, I look at every perception of me in the world as an opportunity to see if who I say I am, and who the world sees me as, are aligned. To that end, I am going to re-institute my practice of sharing why I love men and give some special attention to the Brothas!

About 7 years ago (hard to believe its been that long) I had an problem.  I wanted a sexy man calendar for my wall (yes I like to look at attractive men) and for some reason the ONLY one I seemed to like was Tyson Beckford’s.  Now there were calendars out there, but something was off for me.  It seemed like they were either Thugged Out or had  a homosexual vibe.  I didn’t see men being men(as I perceive it)....

Read more...

Location: Hale Center, MLK Lounge

How are Black men stereotyped into demeaning identities? How are these identities implemented in the daily lives of Black Men? Come join the conversation at this program as part of Africa Week.

Monday Nov 14th, 2011 - Media And Africa (Hale, MLK Lounge) - 8pm to 9pm

This event will discuss the representation of Africans within the media and how this contributes and reinforces problematic, racist notions of Blackness. 

Tuesday Nov 15th 2011 - Your Suffering is My Suffering : Horn of Africa (Hale, MLK Lounge) 8pm- 9pm

This event will highlight the ways in which the starvation of people in the Horn of Africa was exacerbated by international actions. 

Wednesday Nov 16th 2011- Hunger Banquet (Hale 145) 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Malnutrition and Starvation is a huge problem for the continent. Spend an hour in the shoes of those forced to engage in hard labor with little to eat! (There will be role playing!)

Read more...