Traycee's World

Bone Marrrow Donor Drive for Jasmina Anema - ONE MORE DAY!!!

2009-04-24T11:55:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone! Well, the day is finally here - tomorrow in the Washington, DC area, there will be a donor drive to find a potential bone marrow match for Jasmina Anema. Sorry I haven't updated the blog, but I've been running around getting everything together for tomorrow.

Saturday, April 25, 2009 from 10AM - 3PM at
The National Society of Professional Engineers
1420 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

Please join Tom Zbikowski of the Baltimore Ravens, DKMS, as well as NSPE and their staff members as we ALL try to find THE ONE for Jasmina Anema.

NSPE is located in the Old Town section of Alexandria, VA and is within 3 walking blocks from the King Street Metro station, off of the Blue and Yellow lines. Parking is limited.

We all look forward to seeing you there!

http://www.oneforjasmina.com/
http://www.dkmsamericas.org/

Updated Articles about Jasmina

2009-04-09T10:17:00.000-04:00

Please go to the following links to find information about Jasmina Anema and her plight:

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20271324,00.html

http://www.thatblackgirlsite.com/thatblackgirlblogs/natalie-cole-jasmina-anema-the-search-for-donors

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2009/04/07/2009-04-07_governor_paterson_pays_visit_to_jasmina_.html

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2009/03/28/2009-03-28_jasmina_anema_battling_leukemia_needs_ma.html

http://news.aol.com/health/article/jasmina-anema-bone-marrow-donor/369967

http://wcbstv.com/local/bone.marrow.drive.2.971046.html

You can also find information at the websites I've mentioned in previous posts. I will update this post as I find more information.

~Traycee~

Press Release: 6yr old Jasmina Anema Fighting for Her Life

2009-04-07T15:39:00.000-04:00

Contact: Frances Forde For Immediate Release
Telephone: 240-328-4563
E-mail: JoinTheBattle@gmail.com
Website: www.oneforjasmina.com

SIX YEAR-OLD FIGHTING FOR HER LIFE
A Bone Marrow Transplant is her only chance for survival

Alexandria, Virginia, April 7, 2009 - In an effort to assist six year old Jasmina Anema, who suffers from a very rare and aggressive form of leukemia, in her search for a bone marrow match staff members of the National Society of Professional Engineers have gathered to hold a bone marrow donor drive. The event serves as a venue to possibly save a life as well as increase awareness and educate the community about bone marrow and blood stem donation.

On January 20th, Jasmina was diagnosed with an aggressive and rare form of acute leukemia when seeking treatment for an infected toe. At present, with approximately one month left to live, her only chance of survival is a bone marrow transplant.

DKMS, the largest bone marrow donor center in the world, is teaming up with friends of the Anema family to organize this bone marrow donor drive! The drive will take place on Saturday, April 25, 2009 from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm at the National Society of Professional Engineers located at 1420 King Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314, and is within three blocks of the King Street Metro exit on the Yellow and Blue lines.

The bone marrow donor registration is quick and easy. All you need is a complete registration form and a swab from the inside of your cheeks.

As a non-profit organization, DKMS relies on the generosity of individuals to help finance the $65 cost DKMS pays to tissue type each bone marrow donor who registers. Donations are voluntary. Donate today! Every dollar counts! 100% of your donation, which is tax deductible, will be used to register donors and add them on the National Registry.

Understand your commitment and find out if you are eligible to register as a potential life-saving bone marrow donor.

About DKMS
DKMS was founded in Germany in 1991 by Peter Harf and Professor Dr. Gerhard Ehninger, and after Peter lost his wife, Mechtild, to acute leukemia. Today, DKMS is the world’s largest marrow donor center with over 1.8 million registered marrow donors. Since its founding, DKMS has facilitated more than 16,000 transplants.

The mission of DKMS is to give every blood cancer patient a second chance at life by recruiting marrow donors from every race and ethnicity. We inspire hope and healing by matching our donors with patients around the world in need of a marrow transplant.

DKMS Americas is a 501 (c) (3) non profit organization.

For more information about DKMS, please visit www.dkmsamericas.org or call 1.866.640.3567.

# # #

If you would like more information about this event, or to schedule an interview with Frances Forde, please call (240) 328-4563 or e-mail JoinTheBattle@gmail.com.

Jasmina Anema Update

2009-04-01T12:57:00.002-04:00

I don't know what to do! I'm on the verge of tears because Jasmina's condition is worsening - the cancer is multiplying - and DKMS has yet to find a bone marrow donor match for her. I can't help but look at her and see my little cousins or even one of my god-children. I am so saddened right now, that I just cannot explain it. And, to add to my frustration, my contact person at DKMS has not gotten back to me regarding some paperwork. So, there's a chance that not only may the drive I'm conducting be too late for Jasmina, but there's also a chance that it won't happen at all - to help ANYONE.

I'm not a completely religious person, but I do believe in God and attend church service - not as often as I should though. And, I do believe that He is at work here and everything is happening according to His plan and His work. I do believe that everything happens for a reason. So, while I continue to keep Jasmina and her family in my prayers, I know that God is watching over her and guiding her and taking care of her. It just hurts SO MUCH because I feel completely helpless.

It just hurts.

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2009/03/28/2009-03-28_jasmina_anema_battling_leukemia_needs_ma.html

http://www.blackvoices.com/newsarticle/_a/jasmina-anema/20090330135909990001

~Traycee

Saving Jasmina Anema!!!

2009-03-24T16:14:00.005-04:00

The National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), located in Alexandria, VA, will lend their office space to conduct a Bone Marrow Donor Drive to find a potential donor for Jasmina Anema.

Date: Saturday, April 25, 2009
Time: 10AM - 3PM
Place: National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)
1420 King StreetAlexandria, VA 22314

NSPE is located approximately 15 miles from Washington, DC in the Old Towne section of Alexandria, VA. They are within walking distance from the King Street Metro, which is on the Yellow and Blue lines. It is strongly encouraged that you take public transportation.

If you cannot attend the drive, please visit http://www.dkmsamericas.org/ to request a donor kit in the mail. As a non-profit organization, DKMS relies on the generosity of individuals to help finance the $65 cost DKMS pays to tissue type each bone marrow donor who registers. Donations are voluntary. Donate today! Every dollar counts! 100% of your donation, which is tax deductible, will be used to register donors and add them on the National Registry.

Send an email to: JoinTheBattle@gmail.com with any questions. More information will follow as it becomes available.

.

Can we give President Obama A CHANCE?!

2009-03-11T15:18:00.000-04:00

I wanted to take a little break from talking about Jasmina to discuss something that has been bothering me for some time now. I cannot figure out how it seems that ALL of the Republicans, and now some Democrats, expect President Obama to change the things going on with our economy over night! It's funny how no one said anything to Former President Bush when he was screwing our economy up. But, now everyone expects President Obama to be some sort of miracle worker, snap his fingers, and PRESTO - economy fixed! AMAZING!!! This crap of a mess did not happen over night, so how is it feasible that it can be fixed over night?!

President Obama hasn't even been in office a complete TWO MONTHS yet, and everyone is jumping down his throat over the fact that he isn't moving fast enough. I clearly remember him saying during his campaign that this, our economy, CANNOT be fixed over night. Um, were they not listening?! I know I was listening! How about this - GIVE THE MAN A CHANCE!!! I am sure for some more than others that this is easier said than done, but come on! How about you try…it's not that hard. This is just ridiculous.

Okay, I'm off my soapbox…for now. And now, back to our regularly scheduled program!

~Traycee~ :)

In Need of Volunteers

2009-03-09T23:04:00.001-04:00

I have received the information packet from DKMS (today) about setting up a Bone Marrow Donor Drive for Jasmina Amena, the 6-year old little girl who is in need of a Bone Marrow Transplant. The first step in setting up a donor drive is obtaining volunteers. SO, I am reaching out to all of you who come and read my blog to step up. Being a volunteer is extremely easy and will definitely be rewarding. I will need people to assist with the following:

1. Picking a location (I'm currently working on this now)
2. Media and Public Relations - let's spread the word
3. Fundraising
4. Location set-up
5. Information table
6. Registration on the day of the drive
7. Testing (a simple cheek swab)
8. Manning the donation table on the day of the drive
9. Check-out station
10. Refreshment area

Let's all step up and help this precious little girl - and others just like her. If you cannot volunteer, it's ok...there are other ways to help. Please respond to indicate your willingness to help out. Together, we can ALL save a life!

~Traycee~

Helping Jasmina

2009-03-05T23:43:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone!

You know, I must be honest with you. There's a lot going on in my personal life. However, all of that got pushed aside when I heard of Jasmina's story. I do have to admit, I was a little slow to act. Well, I don't know, maybe not. I first read about Jasmina about a month ago when I read an article at People.com. I saw the video that her best friend made pleading for everyone's help. It tore at every single ounce of my being. It literally brought me to tears.

Jasmina Amena is a 6-year old girl who was diagnosed on January 20, 2009 with a rare form of Leukemia. She is in dire need of a bone marrow transplant and without it, doctors are giving her approximately 2-months to live.

So, I went online and requested a Bone Marrow Donor kit. It took approximately two weeks to arrive at my door and I couldn't be happier. I followed the simple steps and did a cheek swab so that I could be tested to see if I was a match. I verified all of my information, and mailed it back. I'm praying that I'm a match for Jasmina. Oh, she is such a precious little girl!!!

Even though I have yet to meet her, I feel like I've known her since she was born. When I see her picture, I see every young child in my family in her eyes. And boy oh boy does she have some big, beautiful eyes. I cried yesterday when looking at her picture because it hurts so much to think that she may not be here much longer if she doesn't find a donor.

I was online until about 1:30AM last night because I couldn't sleep and I just kept researching different things for Jasmina - trying to figure out how I can help her........and quite possibly, others just like her. SO, before I went to bed last night, I made up my mind to help her more than just by giving a cheek swab. I've contacted DKMS and am awaiting contact from them so that I can set up a donor drive. I've been posting blogs (as you can see) and sending numerous emails to help spread the word about her cause. My only hope and prayer is that the donor drive doesn't come too late for Jasmina.

I ask you - what are YOU going to do to help Jasmina? What CAN you do to help Jasmina? Can you look at her face and look into those eyes and not have it tug at your heart?!

This Saturday, March 7th from 10AM - 2PM, there will be a donor drive at the following location. If you live in NYC or have friends or family that live there, PLEASE get out there and get your cheek swabbed! It's not everyday that you can do something to save someone's life. I AM ON A MISSION...how about you?!

Public School 41
116 W 11th St
New York, NY

Click here to see the video that Jasmina's friend, Isabelle, made for her.

*Above image (Isabelle and Jasmina) taken from here

Sources:
www.oneforjasmina.com
www.dkmsamericas.org
www.people.com

Help Jasmina with a Bone Marrow Donation

2009-03-05T00:21:00.003-05:00

Jasmina Anema turns 6 years old Wednesday (March 4th), and the birthday party planned for her - with a fashion show, cake and an appearance by singer Kelly Rowland - is a dream come true.

But the celebration could be Jasmina's last.

The bubbly Greenwich Village kindergartner is suffering from a rare and especially fatal form of leukemia that doctors fear will take her life within two months unless she receives a bone-marrow transplant.

Jasmina's family - and celebrities like Rihanna and NBA star Paul Pierce, who were touched by her plight - hope a donor drive Saturday will produce the match needed to save her.

"I need thousands of people to come," Jasmina's mother, Theodora Anema, said Tuesday at NYU Medical Center as her ailing child clung to her neck.

"She's the love of my life."

Jasmina's life was turned upside down on Jan. 20 when a doctor informed her she was suffering from NK cell Leukemia.

The news was crushing. Anema had no idea the minor infection on her daughter's toe was a sign of something so sinister.

Click here to continue

~Traycee~

Source

Become a Bone Marrow Donor

2009-03-05T00:19:00.002-05:00

Becoming a bone marrow donor is SO EASY and extremely PAIN FREE!!! Visit the DKMS website and request a donor kit. All you have to do is complete the form they send you and submit TWO cheek swabs. It's as simple as that. I've done it, and so can you.

If you're a match for ANYONE, they will contact you. There's no greater gift than to help save someone's life.

I thank you and your potential "donee" thanks you!!!

BECOME A DONOR

~Traycee~

A Classy Pair

2009-01-20T23:42:00.002-05:00

(image yanked from here)

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama - my heart is filled with such joy!

On Our Way to JUSTICE!!!

2009-01-14T10:51:00.002-05:00

The protests and the uproars have been heeded to - authorities have arrested the BART officer who shot AND killed Oscar Grant on New Year's morning. The former officer, Johannes Mehserle, has been charged with MURDER - as he very well should be! For more information, go here and here.

~Traycee

What Did We Do Wrong?

2009-01-08T16:09:00.003-05:00

Besides OBVIOUSLY being the WRONG SKIN COLOR!!!

Oscar Grant - 22 year old father, son, boyfriend, cousin, brother, grandson, friend, BLACK MAN

You know, when I saw online the report about the young man who was shot and killed by an Oakland, CA BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) offer, I didn't know what to think. I didn't know what to write. I just didn't know what to say. It hurts my heart in ways I just cannot describe because yet ANOTHER BLACK MAN IS GONE!!! Another family has to bury their loved one over what appears to be a senseless act by a seemingly trigger happy cop. I simply cannot fathom what seems like the desire to "snuff us out". I'm not saying that ALL cops are bad people - but one bad apple definitely does spoil the entire bunch.

How do you shoot a person in the back? This person poses no absolute risk to you because a fellow officer is kneeling on the person's back? The person has their hands behind them!!! But yet - you still manage to shoot AND kill him. HOW?? WHY?? There's a report that the officer "might" have mistaken his gun for his pepper spray. Are these two VERY DIFFERENT items that similar in touch that you cannot know the difference?

They're rioting in CA now. Seriously, did people think WE would sit back and do NOTHING?! WRONG!!!!!!! Wrong on every fathomable level imaginable! I cannot bring myself to post the video of Mr. Grant's MURDER!!! So, you're going to have to search the Internet - I'm sure it won't be hard to find because just about every media outlet is broadcasting it.

Violence is NOT the answer! I know it hurts. I know you want to beat someone up, burn some cars, break some windows - but that is not the way to do things. I know it's hard to sit by and wait for the criminal justice system to work. But, doing all of this is not going to bring Oscar Grant back. Threatening the officer that killed him is not going to bring him back. FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE will bring him back. FIGHTING FOR OSCAR GRANT because he can no longer fight for himself will bring him back. No, it won't bring him back physically - but it will keep his memory alive for his loved ones and for those like me who never knew him.

Amadou Diallo (09/02/75 - 02/04/99), Sean Bell (05/18/83 - 11/25/06), Billy Joe Johnson (?? - 12/08/08), Oscar Grant (?? - 01/01/09), and countless others - ALL innocent men GUNNED DOWN by police.

DEAR GOD, WHEN WILL IT END?!?!?!

~Traycee~

CNN.com Tries to Decipher the Billey Joe Johnson Case

2008-12-17T22:36:00.005-05:00

Was it suicide? Was it an accident? Or, was it murder?! Several key questions are asked in this video. Details on the autopsy are still pending.

High School Football Star Dies

2008-12-16T10:42:00.004-05:00

This morning, I was doing my morning perusal of the Internet to get myself caught up on the news as I don't have much time to watch it once I get home in the evenings. Upon checking my links of black websites, I finally stumbled onto Black Report. Once there, I clicked on a link which took me to Black Voices. There's an article about a young man, Billy Joe Johnson, who recently died. Billy Joe Johnson was a high school football star in Mississippi - George County High School. Here is how the article went:

Billy Joe was stopped by police for "running through a stop sign and a red light". The officer approached his car, got his license, and returned to his patrol car. As he was running his license through the system, he heard a gunshot and saw Billy Joe fall to the ground with a shotgun on top of him. Supposedly, he shot himself in the head. Police are saying it was suicide. His family, friends, AND the NAACP are saying it WASN'T. Autopsies are currently being conducted - the one being conducted by the state of Mississippi and one being conducted separately at the request of the family via the NAACP.

I am posting this to make you aware of what may be going on down in Mississippi - another case of a police coverup. The following links provide the short details as provided by Black Voices. I will do more research on this and will update everyone as soon as I get a chance.

http://www.blackvoices.com/blogs/2008/12/09/star-high-school-running-back-mysteriously-dead/

http://www.blackvoices.com/blogs/2008/12/15/update-naacp-family-say-high-school-star-did-not-commit-suicid/

What do you think happened after reading the two articles above?

~Traycee

Missing In Action

2008-03-26T11:41:00.002-04:00

Hey everyone!

I know I've been M.I.A. for a little while. Well, I have a virus on my laptop at home. And, because of this, I cannot log onto my blog to make any posts. I can only do it from work, and I have so much to do here, I haven't had the time. BUT, don't worry, I'll be back before you've grown to miss me.

Speaking of this dang on virus, does anyone know ANYTHING about getting a virus (WORM) off of a computer. Because of this thing, I cannot do a Google search nor can I check my gmail. It's called BAIDU - that's the name of the virus/worm. If you can provide me with any info, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Until I get this thing out of my computer.........

~Traycee~

Pastor Promoting S-E-X

2008-02-21T14:28:00.002-05:00

What would you do if your pastor came to you one Sunday with a challenge to get your marriage back on track? Would you take him up on his offer? Let's say that your pastor came to you & your husband and suggested that for the next 30 days, you had sex with each other every single day? Let's take it a step further...what if you're single, living a sexually active lifestyle and your pastor challenged to you to abstain from sex for the next 30 days. Would you take him up on his offer?

Well, there is a pastor down in Ybor City, Florida who has posed this exact challenge to the members of his congregation. The pastor, Paul Wirth, and the church have even dedicated a website for those participating in the challenge to blog about the things they will experience over the next 30 days and to see what other members say. http://www.relevantchurch.com/

I must say, as a single person, abstaining from sex for 30 days isn't so bad. It's when that 31st day comes by that we may have a problem.

~Traycee~

Educational Program

2008-02-21T13:59:00.004-05:00

Here is an educational program that was emailed to me this morning by a friend. If you're looking to get into teaching, this may be the program for you.

Howard University has just been awarded a multi-million dollar grant from the U.S. Department of Education to recruit, train and certify people that are interested in becoming teachers. We are looking for candidates who would like to teach English, Mathematics, Reading, Science or Special Education in Chicago (IL); Clayton County (GA); Houston (TX); Prince George's County (MD); or Washington (DC). The best part -no experience or background in education is required!
The Ready to Teach program (RTT) is ACTIVELY recruiting candidates for the 2008-2009 Cohort. Through this program you can earn a Master's of Arts in teaching Degree and get your teaching certification in one short year! RTT even provides scholarships and financial assistance to its candidates. The program is geared towards African-American males, but everyone is encouraged to apply.

Hurry, the application deadline is March 3, 2008!!!

For admissions requirements and more information please visit the website at www.readytoteach.org, or feel free to contact me at ttillman@howard.edu.

~Traycee~

Katt Williams Gives Back

2008-02-13T22:27:00.002-05:00

Katt Williams is a giving man. There’s a report on Google that Katt Williams was giving away $100 bills at a recent comic gig at the Laugh Factory in West Hollywood, CA. The owner of the Laugh Factory told the Associated Press that Katt Williams “hadn’t forgotten his roots and wanted to thank his loyal audience.”

Read the entire article here:

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hQwr6ee5cDX7XXaY8LpeSy1XnbiwD8UP40EG0

~Traycee~

Vote or Die

2008-02-11T18:06:00.000-05:00

I am so excited about voting tomorrow here in Maryland. As I am sure others can attest to, this is one of the most exciting and intense elections in decades. Just knowing that my vote will help push someone closer toward the Democratic nomination is exhilarating. I believe this is my 3rd time voting in a presidential primary. Did I mention how excited I am? I am hitting the polls as soon as I leave the gym tomorrow morning. Well, after I go back home to shower and get changed.

I hope those in the Washington, DC area will go out in force and make their voices heard. I look forward to seeing you all there!

In the infamous words of Sean "Diddy" "P. Diddy" (or w/e the hell he calls himself now) Combs…"VOTE OR DIE"!!!

~Traycee~

What's the point?

2008-02-10T23:51:00.000-05:00

What’s the point of having a phone and not answering it? What’s the point of having a phone and not calling people back? Why can’t people keep their word?

It’s one thing to be busy and can’t keep an appointment. But, it’s a totally different thing when you don’t call the person you have that appointment with and let them know you cannot meet with them. It’s also a different thing to not answer your phone when someone is trying to call you. If you’re busy, okay fine. But, what is wrong with picking up a phone to call and say you cannot meet up? Or, just to let them know that something came up?

So, now…when I stop talking to you or just keep my distance, I don’t want to hear any questions about why I am acting a certain way.

~Traycee~

Don't knock it til you try it!

2008-02-08T10:15:00.000-05:00

I did yoga this morning and absolutely loved it. It's definitely easier than pilates. :)

My trainer told me that I cannot weigh myself every morning. SO, to enforce that I do not do it for the next 3-weeks, I have to bring her my scale Monday morning. She said she's going to keep it in the trunk of her car until the end on the month when she does my measurements. I know it's going to kill me, but I'm also excited because I want to see what the difference will be in those three weeks. I'll let ya'll know how many numbers it went down. :) Yeah, I'm not telling my exact weight. hehehee

~Traycee~

VOTE

2008-02-08T10:10:00.001-05:00

It doesn't matter who you vote for, just go out there and VOTE! Your voice will be heard. If you haven't registered to vote, click on the link over to the right of the page entitled "Rock The Vote."

Peace
~Traycee~

YES WE CAN!!!

2008-02-08T09:59:00.001-05:00

I know I am extremely late with posting this video. I was trying to figure out how to put the actual video up here. Yes, after all of this time, I am still trying to understand how this thing called "blogging" actually works. Unfortunately, I haven't figured out the way to post an actual video. So, I'm just posting the link.

http://www.dipdive.com/

This video by Will.i.am has taken the Internet by storm and has turned this election season on it's side! He got some of the big names to come in and support this cause. Here's a piece of what Will.i.am had to say (you can read the rest on the above website):

The Yes We Can Song
by will.i.am

I was sitting in my recording studio watching the debates...Torn between the candidatesI was never really big on politics...and actually I’m still not big on politics...but 4 years ago, me and the black eyed peas supported Kerry...And we supported Kerry with all our might...We performed and performed and performed for the DNC...doing all we could do to get the youth involved...The outcome of the last 2 elections has saddened me...on how unfair, backwards, upside down, unbalanced, untruthful,corrupt, and just simply, how wrong the world and "politics" are...So this year i wanted to get involved and do all i could early...And i found myself torn...because this time it’s not that simple...our choices aren’t as clear as the last elections ...last time it was so obvious...Bush and warvsno Bush and no war...But this time it’s not that simple...and there are a lot of people that are torn just like i am...So for awhile I put it off and i was going to wait until it was decided for me...And then came New Hampshire...And i was captivated...Inspired...

10yr Old Girl Impregnated by Mother's 40yr Old BF

2008-02-08T09:54:00.000-05:00

I am literally at a total loss for words:

The baby’s birth at University Hospital on Nov. 4 was routine.

What wasn’t routine was the fact the infant’s mother was just 10, impregnated by her mother’s boyfriend.

Now, social workers are trying to figure out how to unravel the mess involving one of the youngest children ever to give birth in Greater Cincinnati.

Prosecutors were in court Wednesday to discuss what to do with both children, the newborn and her now 11-year-old mom. The court session in Hamilton County Dependency Court on Wednesday was primarily a status session on how both the baby and young mother are doing.

At the same time Wednesday, Lockland police were in Columbus talking to a convict whose DNA shows he’s the baby girl’s father. Michael Chaffer, 40, is accused of impregnating his girlfriend’s 10-year-old daughter, according to Hamilton County prosecutors. The baby’s birth set off an investigation by the Hamilton County Department of Job and Family Services and stunned social workers because the baby’s mother is so young.

Click on the following link to read the rest of the article:

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008301300094

Just had to share!

2008-01-30T10:05:00.001-05:00

I had such a GOOD workout this morning. It takes A LOT to make me sweat. And let me tell you......I had the sweat just dripping down my face. I looked in the mirror and saw sweat around my neck. Now, this may sound sorta icky & nasty to most. BUT, for me, I was soooooooooo excited! Just to KNOW that I'm sweating lets me know that not only am I having a REALLY good workout, I'm burning the hell outta some calories. I'm such a dweeb! LMAO

LMMFAO....that's all! Thanks for reading. :)

~Traycee~

American Dreamers

2008-01-17T10:31:00.000-05:00

PBS’ Nightly Business Report, the most watched daily business news program on television, will team up with BLACK ENTERPRISE, the premier business and finance resource for African Americans, for a special program called "American Dreamers." The collaboration will feature three young African American entrepreneurs pursuing the American dream.

Please visit the following link to continue reading the article:

http://www.blackenterprise.com/cms/exclusivesopen.aspx?id=4042

Make sure you tune in to watch!!! If you can't watch the initial broadcast, set your DVRs and TiVos to record it.

~Traycee~

Stepha Henry update

2008-01-17T10:29:00.000-05:00

I guess we're STILL not good enough for mainstream news. Or, perhaps it could be because of the presidential debate being THE hot topic, and will be until Election Day? In any rate, here is an update on Stepha Henry - the missing 22-year old aspiring lawyer from Brooklyn, NY that disappeared while visiting relatives down in Florida almost a year ago.

Remember hearing/reading reports about Stepha last being seen with a man who drove her to the club where she disappeared? Well, he has finally been arrested. Kendrick Williams, who is 32-years old, is being charged in connection with her disappearance and possibly her death.

Personally, I always felt something wasn't right about this guy who picked her up. How was it that he was not able to locate the car that he drove that night to the club? Well, guess what?! The cops FINALLY found it.

Although Stepha's body has not been found, police are charging him with second-degree murder. According to the official police report, "During the month of September 2007, following investigative leads, detectives located and impounded the Acura Integra driven by Williams on the night Ms. Henry was last seen. A forensic analysis of the vehicle revealed substantial evidence which detectives were able to conclusively link to the victim."

Here is a link to read the full article, posted by the Associated Press:

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/W/WOMAN_VANISHES?SITE=WABEL&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

~Traycee~

It's Been a While

2008-01-17T10:26:00.000-05:00

Hey everybody!

I know it has been a long time since I have posted something. Please accept my apologies. I am now back in school, so I am not sure if that will help me to do more posts or even less than what I have already been doing. BUT, I will post as often as I possibly can.

I hope everyone had a good holiday season. It's a new year...new and better things are on the horizon. I wish you all a wonderful new year. I hope you accomplish all of those goals and new year's resolutions that you made.

~Traycee~

Genarlow Wilson will soon be FREE

2007-10-26T12:03:00.000-04:00

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ji6SjalKvSRT9XF0pDrDqttM-VxQD8SGVBIG0

ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia's Supreme Court on Friday ordered the release of a young man who has been imprisoned for more than two years for having consensual oral sex with another teenager.
The court ruled 4-3 that Genarlow Wilson's 10-year sentence was cruel and unusual punishment.
Wilson, 21, was convicted of aggravated child molestation following a 2003 New Year's Eve party at a Douglas County hotel room where he was videotaped having oral sex with a 15-year-old girl. He was 17 at the time.
Wilson was acquitted of raping another 17-year-old girl at the party.
The 1995 law Wilson violated was changed in 2006 to make oral sex between teens close in age a misdemeanor, similar to the law regarding teen sexual intercourse. But the state Supreme Court later upheld a lower court's ruling which said that the 2006 law could not be applied retroactively.
Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears wrote in the majority opinion that the changes in the law "represent a seismic shift in the legislature's view of the gravity of oral sex between two willing teenage participants."
Sears wrote that the severe punishment makes "no measurable contribution to acceptable goals of punishment" and that Wilson's crime did not rise to the "level of adults who prey on children."
The state Supreme Court had turned down Wilson's appeal of his conviction and sentence, but the justices agreed to hear the state's appeal of a Monroe County judge's decision to reduce Wilson's sentence to 12 months and free him. That judge had called the 10-year sentence a "grave miscarriage of justice."
Dissenting justices wrote that the state Legislature expressly stated that the 2006 change in the law was not intended to affect any crime prior to that date.
They said Wilson's sentence could not be cruel and unusual because the state Legislature decided that Wilson could not benefit from subsequent laws reducing the severity of the crime from a felony to a misdemeanor.
They called the decision an "unprecedented disregard for the General Assembly's constitutional authority."
A spokeswoman for Wilson's lawyer said his legal team received no advance notice of the decision.

Woman sets herself on fire

2007-10-17T10:08:00.000-04:00

A woman set herself on fire to protest racism. I am not sure how you can protest something such as racism by setting yourself on fire. What will you prove? After reading this article, it seems like she may have been simply trying to commit suicide due to financial troubles. It doesn't matter how bad life is, doing something so extreme (especially to yourself) will not help your cause. The pictures are pretty graphic.

http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/7134/02kongofire49055fs8.jpg

http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/5536/01kongofire91570hf1.jpg

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/3636/04kongofire63744da9.jpg

The horrifying sight which traumatized shoppers and office workers in the centre of Luxembourg City last week has now been labelled as a protest against racism. The Belgian woman of Congolese origin who set herself alight in the middle of Place d’Armes told witnesses that she was doing it to protest against racism, moments before she carried out the desperate act which has left her in hospital fighting for her life.

Maggy Delvaux-Mufu, a mother of three in her forties, alerted several national newspapers late on Tuesday morning last week that she would be burning herself alive on place des Martyrs at 12.45 am, before setting out accompanied by her husband to walk through the centre of town to her macabre rendezvous. The police were alerted and officers were deployed to the Rousegärtchen.

But the woman changed her plan when she came across a group of journalists gathered to cover an event organised by the ‘Mouvement écologique’ on Place d’Armes, opposite the Cercle municipal. She soaked herself in petrol before confronting the members of the press, announcing that she was about to sacrifice her life to protest against racism. Moments later, she struck a match, turning herself into a human torch in front of hundreds of people.

Delvaux-Mufu’s husband and passers-by jumped on the burning body, attempting to stifle the flames with coats and jackets. The scene made several people feel unwell and many witnesses who filled the square at lunchtime were traumatised by the woman’s shrieking screams of unimaginable pain. The flames were already extinguished when police, rescue services and the fire brigade arrived at the scene. One person is reported to have vomited after seeing the woman being transported into an ambulance. The events in Place d’Armes have also started a controversy regarding the authorities’ lack of psychological support for witnesses.

Delvaux-Mufu was taken to the Bon Secours hospital in Metz, where she is being treated in a specialised ward for burns and is fighting for her life. Grand Duchess Maria Teresa visited the woman and her family at the hospital last week.

RTL television was the first to run a news flash about the incident on its website on Tuesday afternoon last week. 352 reported the bulletin in its news in brief section, shortly before going to print. Events preceding the incident only came to light later on in the week.

The 42-year-old Belgian citizen and her husband had been facing financial difficulties. They had recently indebted themselves by buying a Citroën garage in Oberwampach, before realising they were missing the documents that would allow them to set up a business. Delvaux-Mufu wrote a letter to Le Jeudi recounting her story of bureaucratic difficulties and economic despair. “I’m against all forms of violence, but day after day, my family and I have to endure moral violence, discrimination, insults and much more from Mr Juncker’s administration”, she said in the letter published last week.

Money problems had driven the woman to desperately plead her case at the Prime minister’s office early on the same day of the incident. Her threat to burn herself alive on Place des Martyrs after being turned away by the authorities caused government officials to contact the police. A city-wide search was organised, but nobody could foresee the woman would change her plans."

SO, what do YOU think? Was she really protesting racism, or was there something more to it?

Source: http://www.mediatakeout.com/14109/shocker_african_women_protests_racism_-_by_setting_herself_on_fire_photos.html

~Traycee~

Anything to keep him in jail??? Bell ordered BACK to jail!

2007-10-11T22:57:00.000-04:00

A black Louisiana teenager at the center of the racially charged "Jena 6" case was ordered Thursday to spend 18 months in a juvenile facility, after a judge ruled he had violated his probation for earlier juvenile convictions, a source with knowledge of the court proceedings said.

Mychal Bell, 17, who was freed two weeks ago after his adult criminal conviction for beating a white classmate last December was overturned, was sent to the Renaissance Home for Youth in Alexandria, Louisiana, the source said.

The decision came at the end of a two-day juvenile court hearing that was closed to the media and public.

Carol Powell-Lexing, one of Bell's attorneys, said the judge's decision would be appealed.
Bell was freed on $45,000 bail on September 27, after an appeals court threw out his conviction on battery and conspiracy charges in adult court and remanded the case to juvenile court.

But Judge J.P. Mauffrey agreed with prosecutors that Bell had violated the probation he was given for four previous juvenile offices, including two simple battery charges, the sources said. Bell had been placed on probation until he turned 18.

Civil rights activist Al Sharpton, who has championed Bell's case, denounced Thursday's decision as "revenge" by the judge and called on Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco to intervene.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/law/10/11/bell.jail/index.html

It's time to hoot and holler!!!

2007-09-27T20:23:00.000-04:00

Mychal Bell has been FREED on bail!!! What a joyous day today is! And, if I may say......he looked damn good as he set foot out of that courthouse. I cried some good tears, I'll tell ya that.

But, I must ask....why must ONE fool try and destroy something good? In case you haven't heard by now, the district attorney said the following: "The only way _ let me stress that _ the only way that I believe that me or this community has been able to endure the trauma that has been thrust upon us is through the prayers of the Christian people who have sent them up in this community." Seriously, what kind of ignorance is that? To make it worse, he was terribly serious in what he was saying.

I don't want this blog to focus on the negative. I want to focus on the positive....MYCHAL BELL IS A FREE MAN................for now. We shall see what happens when this case is taken to juevenile court.

Sidenote: I know I've been lax on my postings. There's just so much to write about in such little time. But beware, when I do get caught up on my postings, you will have a lot to read.

I look forward to your comments. Be blessed and be safe people.

http://www.comcast.net/news/index.jsp?cat=GENERAL&fn=/2007/09/27/774477.html&cvqh=itn_jena

~Traycee~

Solidarity

2007-09-20T17:11:00.000-04:00

I must say, it really warmed my heart to see so many of my brothers & sisters dressed in their best black outfits today. This was such an important day in our history books, and I was just proud. Whenever I saw someone dressed in black we gave each other a look in the eyes, a smile, and we continued our walk to destinations only known to each of us.

I saw races other than blacks wearing their black clothing as well. I do have a confession to make: while at lunch with a coworker, we both wondered aloud if those who weren't of African American decent and were wearing black were wearing it for the same reason that we were. Now, I know that this thought should not have crossed my mind, but I honestly couldn't help it. Actually, neither of us could help it. While we sat in the window of the fast food place eating our lunch, we talked about people as they walked by and we contemplated their reasoning for wearing black. It seems like we automatically knew of the reason for Black folks wearing black, but what were other people's reasons?

Were they taking a stand against the racial inequality going down in Jena? Or, was it the last of their clean suits in their closets and they simply had nothing else to wear?

Whatever their reason, whatever ANYONE'S reason...I was still happy! I was on the verge of tears a few times. Even my fellow bloggers who are as far away as Texas and the Bahamas were wearing black today. I just felt so damn proud!
Our family decended upon Jena, La. today and made a HUGE statement! In a peaceful, NON-VIOLENT protest, they made a statement. As I'm sitting here listening to The Michael Baisden show, Mychal Bell's father just finished talking and he said there's a strong possibility that Mychal will be out of jail tomorrow by noon, CST. I cried. While our fight is no where near over, WE ARE BEING HEARD!!! WE ARE BEING HEARD!!! WE ARE BEING HEARD!!!!!!!!!!!

I've always been PROUD of being a black woman! But I'll be damned if I'm not ECSTATIC today. If you could just feel the joy in my heart..........MY GOD!!!

~Traycee~

Support the Jena 6

2007-09-19T09:40:00.000-04:00

If you are aware of the racial injustice that is happening down in Jena, La. and would like to show your support for these young men, do not forget to join in on the silent protest by wearing ALL BLACK tomorrow. If someone asks you who died, simply tell them it was the justice system.

For those of you who are unaware of the Jena Six situation, please visit the following sites to get some background information on it.

http://www.jenasix.org/
http://traycee-jackson.blogspot.com/2007/07/jena-six.html
http://www.whileseated.org/photo/003244.shtml
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=07/07/10/1413220
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/03/AR2007080302098.html

You can also do a Google search on "jena 6" and a ton of results will come back. Click on any of those links for information.

~Traycee~

Jena Six Update - Correction

2007-09-15T18:47:00.000-04:00

Mychal Bell has not been freed. He is in fact still in jail. His lawyers are trying their best to get him out of jail while the prosecutors ponder on whether to bring new charges against him in a juvenile court.

I will keep you all updated!

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/09/14/jena.six/index.html

~Traycee~

Jena Six Update - Our Voices HAVE Been Heard

2007-09-14T18:07:00.000-04:00

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20779755/

Mychal Bell has been freed and ALL charges have been dropped for which he was convicted. The state Circuit Court of Appeals stated that he should have NEVER been tried in adult court for a juevinile trial. So, even though the charges have been dropped in adult court, prosecutors are now looking to charge him in juevenile court.

MYCHAL BELL IS A FREE MAN!!!!!! I tell you, I cannot be any happier right now. I had to force myself not to cry on my drive home from work. That was the BEST news I could have heard all day!

BUT, for those of you who think that our fight is over…….you couldn’t be anymore wrong. The protest that Michael Baisden has generated for September 20th still needs to go on. We need to let the court system and this country know that we will stand together for what is right. We need to let these people know that they cannot just throw our children in jail and think that they are going to get away with it.

For those of you who had plans to protest on the 20th, do not change your plans. You still need to be there! For those of you who cannot make it to the protest down in Jena, Louisiana, remember to wear ALL BLACK on the 20th to show your silent protest. We have been heard, but our fight is NOT over!!!

FREE THE JENA 6!!!

~Traycee

6 years later

2007-09-11T08:53:00.000-04:00

Today is a stark reminder of the tragedy that struck our country 6 years ago and claimed the lives of more than 3,000 innocent people. Today, we are reminded that we are at war to prevent this from ever happening again.

Today is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Tell your family and friends that you love them. Tomorrow is not promised. The only thing that is certain in this life is death. Cherish every moment that you have with your loved ones. If you're mad at someone, look somewhere deep down within your soul and find that place to forgive them. You will definitely feel a lot better for it.

Say a prayer for those who have perished. Say a prayer for those they left behind. Say a prayer for those who survived. Say a prayer for our soldiers who are fighting to keep us all safe. Say a prayer for our president (even if you don't like him) so that God may lead him in the right direction during these trying times.

Peace, blessings, and nothing but LOVE!

~Traycee~

Wear BLACK on Sept. 20th

2007-09-10T21:50:00.000-04:00

In case you haven't heard, Michael Baisden (radio personality extraordinaire) is asking that WE ALL wear black on Sept. 20th to join in the silent protest down in Jena, La. Michael Bell's sentencing is on that day, and we are hoping that the charges are dropped altogether. BUT, if that won't happen, we will gladly take his sentence as being time served and he's let out of jail immediately.

I will post more information later on when I can gather my thoughts. But, as a quick reference, go visit http://www.michaelbaisden.com/Article.asp?id=470156 and http://www.minglecity.com/forum/ to read up on how our community is coming together and supporting the Jena Six. On the second link, click on the topics regarding the Jena Six.

Take care all!

~Traycee~

Ignorant A$$ people

2007-09-10T21:39:00.001-04:00

I got a comment posted on my blog below regarding The Jena Six. The comment isn’t worth repeating, but I just want to let you all know: DO NOT MAKE RACIST COMMENTS ON MY BLOG!!! I DO NOT condone that shit in no way whatsoever! I want those who comment on my blog to speak their mind, BUT if you cross the line, I will start censoring my blog and approving the comments BEFORE they are posted.

Please respect me and I will respect you.

Thank you!

~Traycee~

What is this world REALLY coming to???

2007-09-10T21:31:00.000-04:00

In logging onto the internet after a much needed workout at the gym today, I came across the following headline: 6 Arrested in Weeklong Attack on Woman. Now, the title alone was disturbing, but the article itself made my stomach flip in knots. I will provide a summary here, and then give you guys a link to go and view the article and read it for yourselves. Please post your comments here.

A woman was held captive for a week in a home in Logan, W. Va. During her captivity, this woman was “sexually abused, beaten, and humiliated.” The police arrested 6 people with connections to the crime and then called in the FBI to investigate because they had a suspeicion this was a hate crime. Here’s why: the woman is a 23-year-old BLACK female and her attackers were 6 WHITE people. The six people included a mother & son AND a mother & daughter.

I haven’t gotten to the disturbing part yet. The article then goes on to describe what happened to this poor young woman: in addition to being beaten, one of the women stabbed her four times in her leg, and her legs were black & blue. Now the disturbing part: she was forced to eat rat and dog shit, AND drink from the toilet. She was also choked with a cable cord and had her hair cut.

To make things even worse, one of the white chicks had the gall to call her that ill-fated N-word!!!

These 6 SICK bastards are all in jail with a bail of $100,000 each! Click on the link below to read the entire article.

http://www.comcast.net/news/national/index.jsp?cat=DOMESTIC&fn=/2007/09/10/759987.html&cvqh=itn_attack

Take care all!

~Traycee

I'm BACK and I have good news!!!

2007-09-10T21:22:00.000-04:00

NO, I didn't save a bunch of money by switching my car insurance over to Geico!

OK, I know it has been some time since I have posted on my blog. BUT, life happens! A lot of shyt happens. BUT, I’m back and hope to keep my blog updated more frequently. A lot has gone on in the past 1 ½ months, so there is A LOT for me to cover! BUT, I’m going to start off with something relatively new and quite disturbing. I’ll get to the other stuff that’s been going on in our world in a later blog.

Now the good news:

During my time away, I've been in touch with a gentleman by the name of Jamal Rose. He has an online magazine called Un World Radio Show Magazine. After he posted a comment to an earlier blog, we've been emailing each other back & forth. Long story short, he wants to do a feature article on me on his website. I just received the questions the other day, and I'll be answering them shortly (I don't want to sound like a complete idiot in my first interview). Please check back here as I will post a link to his website so that you can check out my article as well as Jamal's magazine! Check out Un World at the following web address http://www.unworldmusic.com/ Their aim is to put the word out to OUR community as mainstream media damn near doesn't give us any shine whatsoever!

Don't forget, check back soon for my FIRST article feature!

Take care all......

~Traycee

An Update on the Jena Six

2007-07-31T09:51:00.000-04:00

The following was taken from BlackAmericaWeb at http://www.blackamericaweb.com/site.aspx/bawnews/jenasix731

Supporters of the Jena Six Gather 43,000 Signatures for Petition, Rally Calling for Equal Justice
Date: Tuesday, July 31, 2007 By: Sherrel Wheeler Stewart, BlackAmericaWeb.com

The district attorney in LaSalle Parish, Louisiana will receieve 43,000 signatures, emails and letters today calling for equal justice for the group known as the Jena Six.

The petition presentation is part of a 9 a.m. rally on the courthouse steps for the six black teens charged with felonies in connection with the beating of a white student in December. The NAACP, Friends of Justice, Color of Change and the American Civil Liberties Union are among the groups coming together for the rally.

“We don’t know if we’ll have 100 or 500 people there,” said Alan Bean of Friends of Justice. “We just know we need to send a message. The charges should be dropped or changed to something that would not leave these young men with a felony on their records.”

While the black students were charged with felonies following the fight on Dec. 4, white students who had hung nooses in a tree at the school months earlier were given suspension, Louisiana NAACP State President Earnest Johnson told BlackAmericaWeb.com.

The hanging of the nooses was the first in a series of incidents in the small town stretching from the start of school to Dec. 4, when the fight happened.

Just weeks ago, 17-year-old Mychal Bell was found guilty of aggravated second-degree battery and conspiracy, but a judge has since agreed to hear motions for a new trial for Bell, a good student and star athlete on the Jena High School football team.

The other five -- Robert Bailey Jr., Bryant Purvis, Carwin Jones, Theodore Shaw and another student who has not been identified because he is a juvenile -- still await trial.

Family, friends and supporters say the events leading to Bell’s arrest and conviction began unfolding last August.

On Aug. 31, some black students asked the vice principal at Jena High School if they could sit under a tree on the traditional white side of the square. The vice principal said they could sit wherever they chose, and they did.

The next day, three nooses -- including two in the school's colors one black, one gold -- were found hanging from the tree.

On Sept. 6, black students staged a protest under the tree. The next day, police officers patrolled the halls at the school, and on Sept. 8, the school was placed on lockdown.

The school principal recommended expulsion of the three white youths who hung the nooses, but a school committee decided it was a silly prank and gave the boys a few days suspension.

Black parents went to the school board to complain, but the school board said the issue had been resolved.

On Nov. 30, the school's main academic wing was destroyed by fire, and authorities suspect it was deliberately set.

In the days to follow, a black student was beaten by a white adult and white students when he attended a party with mostly whites, according to accounts. Also around that time, a white graduate of Jena High School pulled a pump-action shotgun on three black high school students as they left a local convenience store.

Several black students reported being taunted at school after those incidents.

On Dec. 4 after lunch, a white student and a black student got into a fight, and the white student, Justin Barker, was reportedly beaten by the accused Jena Six as he lay on the floor.

Parents of Justin Barker, the student who was beaten, have said in broadcast interviews that they consider the beating attempted murder.

During Bell’s trial, District Attorney J. Reed Walters argued that the shoes used to kick Barker after he was knocked unconscious constituted weapons. He also said that because Bell took part in an attack with others, there was a conspiracy.

Attempts by BlackAmericaWeb.com to reach Walters were unsuccessful. An assistant answering his phone said that he could not comment on the case to the media.

Bell was scheduled to be sentenced on July 31, but a new team of lawyers were successful in getting the sentencing date moved to Sept. 20.

“We are hoping that on or before that date, the judge will either grant our motion to toss out the verdict or grant a new trial,” Attorney Lewis Scott told BlackAmericaWeb.com.

Scott said there are serious legal questions surrounding the handling of Bell’s case.

“First of all he was a minor. The judge didn’t have jurisdiction. It should have been in juvenile court,” he said.

Initially, Bell was represented by a public defender, and friends and family members said he did not receive adequate legal representation.

The family has since gained support from throughout the country in securing private lawyers for Bell.

The incident followed a series of racially charged events in the small town of Jena, where blacks make up about 10 percent of the population.

The state NAACP president said a remedy in this case should go beyond getting the charges dropped or reduced.

“They need to look at how these young men and their families should be compensated for what they have been through for the last eight months,” Johnson told BlackAmericaWeb.com. “They have missed a full year of school. They can not get the time back.”

Bell was considered a strong college prospect for football and was looking to the future, he said. “What happens now?”

Scott said he has talked twice with Bell, who is says “is cautiously optimistic and sometimes pessimistic."

“We are concentrating now on these charges. We will deal with football issues in the future," said Scott. "Right now, he can’t start school unless something happens that we don’t foresee at this time.”

While Jena is a small town, the incident should send a major message, Johnson said.

“Anytime there is a hanging noose threatening blacks, it is an issue,” Johnson said, "and someone should be punished."

But Donald Washington, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, said punishment in this case is difficult on the federal level.

“This is a hate crime. It would be difficult to convince any black person, including me, that it was not,” Washington told BlackAmericaWeb.com. “But it was done by juveniles.”

He said federal officials have to consider whether the matter can be handled within the system where it occurred. They can also consider transferring the matter to the adult justice system.

“If the teen were associated with an organized group like the KKK or the Aryan Nation, then it would be more likely that we could look at transferring the matter to the adult system,” he said.
James Rucker of Color of Change said that organization has raised more than $40,000 for the legal defense of the Jena Six and will continue trying to raise awareness of the problems in that town.

The 43,000 emails and signatures, he said, will also be sent to the governor, calling for action.

“We want people to understand that this kind of stuff still happens, but usually it’s under the cover of darkness,” Rucker told BlackAmericaWeb.com. “And we want people in small black communities to know that when you stand up to the white power system, the community will stand.”

Look at my previous post on the Jena Six, go to the petition and SIGN IT!!! I look forward to your comments.

~Traycee~

Is it wrong???

2007-07-18T09:12:00.000-04:00

For me to wish myself a happy birthday! LMAO

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TRAYCEE!!! (hehehehehe)

Happy birthday to ALL the Cancer babies out there. :)

The Jena Six

2007-07-10T14:37:00.000-04:00

http://www.eurweb.com/story/eur34934.cfm

http://www.whileseated.org/photo/003244.shtml

http://www.petitiononline.com/aZ51CqmR/petition.html

OK, where is the media attention on this? You know, thank GOD for black websites, because if we leave ALL of the news up to the "regular" media, we would never know about anything in OUR communities. On one side, we keep hearing that racism no longer exists. BUT, on the other side, WE ALL KNOW that racism is alive and well. Case in point: Jena, Louisiana. The first link above provides a background of the case. The second link was a website that was started in regard to this "incident." Here's a synopsis:

Late last year, some blacks students ASKED PERMISSION to sit under a tree at their school that has been labeled as a "white's only tree." This tree has been known as a place where only white students gathered for a long time. The very next day, students came to school to find threes nooses hanging around the area of this tree…placed there by white students. School officials deemed this action as "kids just being kids" and suspended the white students for a few days. Obviously, tensions escalated in the community of about 14,000 for months after this.

Let's fast forward to December 2006: "The situation deteriorated from there until this past December 4th when a white student allegedly called a group of Black students 'Niggers.' The Blacks responded by knocking the white student down and punching and kicking him." The black students were all arrested and charged with aggravated assault and conspiracy to commit murder. To make these charges even more ridiculous, the white student that was attacked went to a school function later on that very same day.

One of the students, 17-year old Mychal Bell, has already faced trial and was found guilty of aggravated assault. He is currently looking at 22 years in prison. The five other students are awaiting trial, with one charge being attempted second degree murder. Mr. Bell is scheduled to be sentenced on July 31, 2007.

Where is the justice in this? Where is the national coverage? Where is the international coverage? I will keep you posting blogs to keep you all updated. Get the word out to everyone you know. Racism and segregation did not end with the Civil Rights Movement. We know that it's alive and well, some more evident than others. We experience racism in one form or another, and while it may not be as blatant as this, this is a blatant case of racism if I have EVER seen or heard of it.

Visit the above links. Sign the petition http://www.petitiononline.com/aZ51CqmR/petition.html. Do some internet research. Post blogs. Spread the word. Don't let this case fall by the wayside. This is our youth…our future. I don't know if we can EVER end it, but we damn sure need to try!

~Traycee~

More than just entertainers

2007-07-04T13:50:00.000-04:00

I made my usual visit to BlackReport.com today, and saw a link to an MSNBC article about hip hop entertainers who have capitalized on their fame. I must say, it does make me proud AND happy to know that they have ventured outside of music…because in my opinion, hip hop is on a fast spiral downward (but that’s another blog). Most people, when they see rappers, they see the thug that they portray to be. But, for the Jay-Z’s, the 50 Cent’s, the Diddy’s, and even the Nelly’s…they used their fame to make them richer than rich. I mean, these guys are turning into business moguls!

This article mentioned other names I hadn’t even heard of: Checliss Rice (Big C) and Reed Baker. Now, these people aren’t on Jay-Z or 50 Cent’s level, but they are definitely working hard to join them. Shoot, I’m quite sure that Jay-Z and 50 Cent had no idea way back in their hustling days that they would one day be compared to Bill Gates and Warren Buffett (as pointed out in this article). Neither of these gentlemen earned hip hop success like the above named rappers. However, they used the foot they got them into the hip hop community’s door and worked the hell out of it.

Mr. Rice capitalized on the merchandising portion of hip hop, starting with making jerseys; and Mr. Baker is expanding his production business by “providing lavish entertainment, complete with a DJ, for events ranging from corporate gatherings to weddings.”

To read this article and see how Mr. Rice started his business, it seems so easy. But, one has to wonder, is it really that easy? I’m not sure, but I’ll be damned if I sit by without trying to find out.

There were a few things this article pointed out: “Sell customers an image, not a product…and Diversify.” Have a read; it’s a really good and informative article.

http://www.blackreport.com/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19586980/

~Traycee~

School is TOUGH

2007-07-04T00:05:00.000-04:00

I'm currently in graduate school attempting to earn my MBA. I am literally on the verge of dropping out and saying to hell with it. I have never done anything so hard, tiring, and stressful in my life. Many people just think I need a break. I agree with them because I've been in school all year round since 2001...minus two summer semesters that I took off. Other than that, it's been all about school (and work of course). I am soooooooo wiped out. I'm currently in summer school now and I cannot concentrate. I've been sitting at home since about 3:30 this afternoon and have not even cracked open a text book. I wanted to graduate in May 2009, but I now know that is not possible at all. While I'm definitely taking next semester off from school, I'm up in the air about whether or not I will go back in the Spring semester. When I open my textbook or pull out some xerox papers to read various articles, not only do I cringe, I just want to cry!

Goodness, ya'll pray for me!

~Traycee~

Still no word on Steffa Henry

2007-07-03T23:32:00.001-04:00

As of June 22, 2007...a $5,000 reward has been offered for ANY information leading to Ms. Henry's whereabouts. According to an article printed on June 20, 2007, a witness came forward saying she saw Ms. Henry leave the club "with a group of people." She then got into a car with two other females. This is the same car that police are looking for: A "dark-colored four-door Acura Integra".

http://www.nbc6.net/news/13534976/detail.html

I, along with many other strangers, her family, and friends are paying for her safe return. If you're reading this and you just happen to live down in the Miami area where she disappeared, please call Crimestoppers at 1-305-471-TIPS(8477).

~Traycee~

Hollywood Pregnancies

2007-07-03T23:12:00.000-04:00

Don't worry...I won't turn into another blogger who talks about the goings-on in Hollywood. :) Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with them. But, that's not the reason I started this blog.

I only have three women to comment on:

First, we have Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon...of The Jamie Foxx Show fame (Fancy) and her character on NYPD Blue toward the end of the series' run. She's expecting TWINS! I was shocked when I saw her baby bump. I always thought she was so cute (I love her cheeks when she smiles) and I loved her on Jamie Foxx's show. She rocked on NYPD Blue. I was floored when i heard she also had a teenage son from another marriage. She looks GREAT to be 40. Mrs. Nilon, I wish you and your hubby the best with the twins. Make sure your son doesn't run too far away when the crying starts. :)

Next, there's Christina Aguilera. I absolutely love her voice! I remember the very first time that I heard her voice on the radio. I swore up and down that she was Mariah Carey. That chick can BLOW! I like how she carries herself and shes just so cute! Christina, congrats on your pregnancy. I wish you and your hubby, Jordan, the best.

Finally, there's Nicole Richie. There's so much I can say, but I won't. I read on an entertainment website how everyone was calling her a slut and saying how she'll be an unfit mother. It bothered me so much because none of these people know her personally, so how can they say that she will be an unfit mother? All they see about her is what I see...whatever is posted in the media. Nicole, I wish you the best and I hope your baby brings out the best in you. Congratulations!

Congratulations to all the mommies to be!

~Traycee~

Find Steffa Henry

2007-06-19T09:26:00.000-04:00

There is still no word on the whereabouts of Steffa Henry, the missing college graduate from Brooklyn, NY. She's been missing since Memorial Day weekend while visiting her aunt down in Miami, FL. Miami-Dade police have tracked her cell phone signals as far as they could (so they claim), but all has been to no avail. I pray that they find this woman alive and well. Perhaps she ran away from the pressures of school. Lord knows that's what I want to do at times. While things do look dim, I believe that God is with her and is watching over her.

Please continue to spread the word around and help look for Steffa!

~Traycee

Where do Black MBAs stand?

2007-06-18T10:39:00.000-04:00

http://blogs.businessweek.com/debateroom/archives/2007/06/corporations_sl.html

I found the above article regarding Black MBAs and their move, and definite lack thereof, up the corporate ladder in white America. I was shocked, but definitely not surprised, at the revelation that corporations have not improved their numbers in hiring or promoting African Americans into high ranking corporate positions in 30 years...since 'the Human Rights Commission threatened major firms with sanctions because (of) the industry’s woeful record in hiring and promoting African Americans."

Happy Father's Day

2007-06-17T18:50:00.001-04:00

I wanted to take some time out and wish all of those father's that are doing what they're supposed to be doing, a very happy father's day. In this world, we have fathers and we have sperm donors. There's no need for an explanation, I believe we all know the difference. I definitely wish to tip my hat to those men who are taking care of children that are not even theirs...like my daddy. :) Additionally, happy father's day to the women who are taking on the role of mother and father.

~Traycee~

Killing Dolphins???

2007-06-15T23:29:00.000-04:00

How can you kill dolphins? Four at that? Dolphins are like one of the cutest animals in the world! How can you even consider harming them? In case you haven't heard, four dolphins washed ashore in San Diego, CA over the last few weeks. The dolphins weren't sick or dying or anything like that. The police think that maybe some fishermen might've killed them because they were eating their catch. It's so sad to know that people can kill such harmless animals. The police are offering a $2500 reward for any information.

What is this world coming to???

~Traycee~

Where's Stepha Henry? Do we REALLY not matter?

2007-06-15T22:17:00.000-04:00

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/crime_scene/2007/06/paris.html

OK, here's my biggest pet peeve. This may seem a bit harsh, but this is how I feel. If I hurt anyone's feelings...oh well. I'm far from a racist, but come on...fair is fair.

Whenever there's a missing person that makes nationwide news, it's a blond haired, blue eyed white woman. Let me ask you, have you heard of the latest missing BLACK person? Her name is Stepha Henry. She's 22 yrs old, a recent college graduate from John Jay Criminal College, and she's been missing since Memorial Day weekend. The link above gives a story of how her story was bumped from MSNBC's broadcast lineup to feature a GOT DAYUM story on a LOCKED UP Paris Hilton.

Ms. Henry traveled from Brooklyn, NY to Miami, FL for the Memorial Day holiday to visit her aunt, like she did every year. The night she disappeared, she was being picked up from a friend (unknown to her family & friends) to go to a club before she was to return home the next day.

I'm not going to go into a long winded diatribe about how we don't get enough media attention when something happens in our community. I just want you to pass the word out that this young lady, a future lawyer, is missing. Her family & friends miss her. I don't even know her, and I miss her. I want her to get the same media frenzy as that spoiled brat Paris, but that isn't going to happen. SO, if I can do my little part and spread the word by posting a blog on MySpace, then so be it. Please send out links to my blog so others can get the word out as well. The link above, and the link below, gives a picture of Ms. Henry. Additionally, the link below actually gives background information on the case.

http://www.miamiherald.com/460/story/130052.html

I want to end this on a final note: Know who your friends are. Let your family & friends know where you are. Remember when your parents always questioned you about where you were going. Times were nearly as bad then as they are now. Let SOMEONE know where you are, and call them when you get there.

Be safe out there, and watch your back!

Your thoughts and comments...

~Traycee~

Welcome

2007-06-15T22:08:00.000-04:00

Hi, and welcome to my blog. My name is Traycee Jackson, and I'd like to thank you for stepping inside of my head. :) This is my second attempt at blogging, and I'm not even sure how well this one will go. I have a page on myspace that I haven't done much with. I'm sure I'll close the account soon. I'm so busy with school (MBA student) and stressed at work (hate my job), I've lost my motivation to write. I can write damn near anything: stories, poems, cards, whatever. But, I've just been too damn busy to do the one thing that I enjoy.

I plan on doing some of everything with this blog. I'll basically write about whatever comes to my head (I guess one of the reasons blogging started LOL), post news from around the world, maybe even post some of my poetry (HUGE maybe), and who knows what else. I'm quite sure that when you check on here, you'll find some sort of crazy random thoughts as well.

I'm not too sure what my welcome should really consist of. So, I guess I'll stop. Please be sure to check back often and see how I'm doing. I'll figure out how to work all of the functions of this thing sooner or later, so please be patient.

Talk with you all soon!

~Traycee~