Question of the Week: All About Love!

I can't believe that Wednesday is the start of February already!  Where does the time go?

As we all know February is the month where we honor our roots and history (not that we don't do so on a daily basis, but February is the 'official month').  And in February, I'll be doing the "From 'da Street to 'da Ear" school tour which I'm excited about!  And excited about bringing some interesting Black History facts over the next month to the blog.

February is also the month of Love with Valentine's Day right in the middle.  Now whether or not your 'into'  the hype that is Valentine's Day is besides the point.  But, it is a time to reflect on and appreciate those you love (even if you do it on a frequent basis).  How do you show those around you that you love them?

I saw a good quote recently that states:  "Love involves some combination of intimacy, passion and commitment." I think it's a fairly accurate viewpoint on what love is.  But I'm curious to find out what you think.

The question of the week is:  What do you feel defines love?

(When I think about this question I'm reminded of that interlude off the  Miseducation of Lauryn Hill album where Wyclef asks the question to the students....if you need a refresher take a listen below)

Kids Play "Slave Game"...in 2012???

This one has my heart a little troubled.  Let's face it!  We are all aware that racism is alive and well in the world, as much as we would all like to think that those times have passed.  It may not be a blatant as it was in years past, but I'm sure most of us have stories of something that has happened to us in recent memory that has us scratching our heads in disbelief.

Not that I want to believe that the world is this terrible racist place, but it does still exist.  If you needed more proof of that, take a look at what happened recently in a Georgia Elementary school.  3rd grade students at Camp Creek Elementary School in Lilburn, GA were playing a "slave game" at recess. Apparently this game is like tag, but they are 'slaves' and 'slave catchers' a student informed her mother.  Parents are obviously outraged and have appraoach school officials to see how teachers could allow such a ridiculous game to be played at school.

According to Gwinnett County Schools spokesman Jorge Quintana, teachers did not organize the game. "The district determined that the activity was student-initiated and that allegations regarding the teacher’s involvement were unfounded."

The bottom line is that no matter who initiated the game, there were still young children running around playing  a 'slave game' in 2012.  Which makes me shake my head!

Have you seen/heard of anything as ridiculous?


read more here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/26/alleged-slave-game-at-camp-creek-elementary-school-outrages-parents_n_1234096.html?ir=Black+Voices

Keep Calm and Play On

I thought this was genius!  As a performer it's really annoying (to say the least) when people leave their cell phones on during a performance. Despite the numerous warnings they receive about turning their devises off!   I tell you, sometimes the likkle Jamaican girl inside of me wants to come out and tell these people what to do with their cell phones!  ha ha ha!  But this Violinist, Lukas Kmit, was quick on his feet and handled the interruption incredibly well! Watch the video below.

Just goes to show that sometimes things will go wrong, the trick is how you handle life's little disruptions!

Question of the Week: Should womyn be called bitches?

Hey everyone!  I just wanted to introduce a new element to the blog.  I want to start a forum where we can discuss issues and events that are current and relevant.  This week I'm starting a Question Of The Week that I'll ask every Monday (and I know that this is Tuesday!  I'm a day late because I was busy preparing and delivering my keynote speech in Ottawa, which went very well I might add.)  And throughout the week we'll talk about it and see if we can keep a dialogue going in our communities.  That also means if you have a topic you think we should discuss, please let me know! I am looking forward to your responses so join the conversation.


In the last few weeks, there has been a lot of discussion over Jay-Z's use of the ever controversial 'b-word'.  First he is using it, then he apparently wasn't using it anymore to honor his baby girl.  Then, apparently he didn't say that he was going to stop calling womyn bitches and plans to continue to use the word.  And it got me thinking about the use of the word 'bitch' and it's role in our culture.

We all know there are two very clear sides to this age old debate: those who think it's degrading, and those who think they've reclaimed the word by using it with conviction.

I've heard it before that bitch stands for "Beautiful Individual Totally in Control of Herself."  Do you think that's just a clever acronym society uses to keep us trapped? Or is it empowering?

I'm curious to hear from the followers on this one.  Do you use the term?  What is your stance on the usage of the word?  Do you call your friends 'bitches' in a loving tone? Is it ever appropriate to call any womyn a 'bitch'?  I can't wait to hear your thoughts!

Let's start a discussion!

RED TAILS: The All-Black Movie Hollywood REJECTED!

The movie "Red Tails", which is about the historic Tuskegee Airmen, starring Cuba Gooding Jr. and Terence Howard opens today.  Talk about a much needed movie that capture a proud moment in our history....that almost didn't happen.  

Turns out the major players in Hollywood did not want to fund the project.  George Lucas said executives worried that the majority-black cast wouldn’t put butts in the seats, even though that cast includes Terrence Howard, Cuba Gooding Jr., up and comer Tristan Wilds, Ne-Yo and Nate Parker. The director, also a black man, is Anthony Hemingway.

Lucas (creator of Star Wars) in turn put up $58 million of his own dollars to fund the project after being rejected by every last major movie house.  This movie has been a long time coming for Lucas.  He first conceived the project in the 1980s and since then the major players in Hollywood have been neglecting the project because (according to Lucas) "they refused to believe they could successfully market an action movie about black people".

This one needs our support to show Hollywood that they are incredibly wrong!  

This is a very important weekend for this movie....please go out and see it!  If we don't stand together....no one will stand for us!  Support Black Cinema! Grab your family, your neighbors, your church members and PACK THE THEATERS!  We can't let Hollywood dictate how we are portrayed on the big screen or how 'marketable' we are!

GO SEE RED TAILS...then leave a comment on your thoughts on the film.

"Inaction is perhaps the greatest mistake of all."

--Charles Schumer

Read more: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/inaction.html#ixzz1k11R0ZYz

Read the article at: http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/lucas-recounts-battle-to-get-allblack-war-movie-airborne-6288967.html

LL Cool J to Host the Grammy's

It's official!  LL Cool J is set to host the 2012 Grammy Awards, making it the first time in seven years that the celebration will have an official host, according to People.com.

The rapper turned actor (Deliver us from Eva, Any Given Sunday and more recently NCIS: Los Angeles)  is excited to take on the role!  He has hosted the live Grammy nominations concert show each year since 2008.

"I'm thrilled to be part of Music's Biggest Night. I will always have fond memories of my first Grammy Awards and to now be hosting the Grammy show, in the company of so many other incredible artists, is a dream come true."

    --LL Cool J 

This just reminded me to never stop striving for your dreams....as accomplished as he as in his craft he still has goals and dreams that push him to the next level.

The moment you believe you've 'arrived' is the moment you'll stop growing....

In Honor Of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

"I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality... I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word." 
   - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Today we celebrate the life and light of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

His message still rings as true today as it did 45 years ago! However, it seems like this generation has quickly forgotten the challenges our grand parents and great grand parents had to surpass in order to secure freedom for us now.

This generation is so caught up in the gratification of self that they've lost the sense of community and sisterhood that our ancestors fought for tirelessly.  When I think about the boycotts, sit ins, and the protests and the marches the generations before us endured for something as basic as freedom, then I look at what we've done with this freedom and my heart gets heavy.

Nowadays we don't even want to send an email if something offends/troubles/affects us! 9 times out of 10 we complain and moan to our friends, family and co-workers but resolve it with 'well...what can we do about it??' The answer in PLENTY!

STAND UP for what you believe in! MAKE NOISE when something's wrong!  Don't just sit by and let life happen to you.  We carry the responsibility on our shoulders to pave the way for the next generation as we have had the way paved for us!  

"Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity."
   - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.   

As I was reading through quotes online I had a hard time picking a few for this post...there are so many great ones! What are some of your favorite MLK quotes?  Post them in the comments and lets reflect on them today.

"my greatest creation was you"

I listened to this new Jay Z joint and I had to admit I got a little sentimental.  Yes I maybe pms ing... and yes my ovaries are in full overload at the moment..... But I did love the track I think it's beautiful. I know there is a rumor out there that Jay apparently fathered a young boy nine years ago with Trinidadian model Shenelle Scott.

Read More: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2037429/Jay-Z-lovechild-Does-Beyonces-husband-secret-son-Shenelle-Scott.html#ixzz1jD0PPoiC 

So I did think about that little boy, hoping the rumor wasn't true! Because I think it would be sad for him to grow up and hear his "father" rap about this little girl stating "my greatest creation was you," while he never publicly acknowledged this little boy, so really i hope it's not true.

But I still love the song! And it's nice to see a black man show a huge public love for his daughter!   I hope every parent believes and feels that all of their children are the best thing they ever created! A big love to everyone out there who is parenting it's a huge job! Nuff respect. Take a listen to the new joint below! 

Listen to the track: Glory ft. Blue Ivy Carter

Go 'head Grandma!!

There have been a plethora of Grandma dancing videos that have popped up on email, twitter and Facebook lately!  Seems like the 'cool grandma' is trending nowadays.  I just love the life and laughter that these ladies bring.  You can't watch these videos and not crack even a little smile. I just hope to have that much life in my body when I get to that age!

Here are a couple of my favorites....leave a comment and video link with your favorites.

Have a Wonderful Wednesday! 

Grandma Dancing to Rack City (WARNING: this video contains foul language!)

Grandma Dancing to Usher

BUT WAIT!!!!  I almost forgot that my grandma has videos on YouTube too....


How can I forget the coolest granny of them all! My own Granny! Yes, this is my cool Grandma!

Too Laid Back

yes, my grandmother has TWO music videos! very proud of gran!

Granny's Inspiration

Jay-Z and Beyonce welcomes Blue Ivy Carter!

She's finally here!  Beyonce and Jay-Z welcomed baby Blue Ivy Carter into the world Saturday in a New York City Hospital.  Princess Carter and mom are apparently doing well!  CONGRATS!

The thing that I don't understand is the name.  Ivy is cute and "according to GMA, the couple chose "Ivy" because of the significance of the number "4" or "IV," --  Beyonce and Jay-Z were born on Sept. 4 and Dec. 4, respectively, were married on April 4, 2008, and Beyonce's latest album is entitled 4.)" ( from yahoo.com)  But Blue just sounds....well...'blue' to me (ie I'm feeling blue).   To me that is a little odd.


There has been so much speculation about the significance of the name Blue, but I wonder if this is Jay-Z's final nod....his Blueprint 4 (aka Blueprint IV aka Blue Ivy). His true masterpiece in the form of a bouncing baby girl!  Your thoughts?  What do you think about the name Blue?


I wonder how long we'll have to wait to see the baby pics....

Beautiful Me, Inside and Out!

I trust that you are making strides towards a better YOU in the new year!  I just wanted you to take a look at my newsletter for January!  (Just click the link below the picture to view the newsletter.) Lot of amazing things happening in the next few months and I don't want you to miss out!

As a reminder, spots are filling up fast for Girl, Doing BETTER so call 678.519.5255 or email trey@treyanthonystudios.com to set up an appointment!  We guarantee results and you don't have to leave your house....how much easier can I make it???

Girl, the time is NOW to do BETTER! Let’s work on this together! Two heads are better than one!

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