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Showing posts from December, 2016

5 Ways Being Selfish Helps You in Love

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In modern Western society, we’ve been conditioned to view the word “selfish” as a pejorative. It’s a word so often used to indict, shame, and disrespect, that it seems almost ridiculous for anyone to try and embrace it. But the truth is there’s a lot of single folks on the dating scene who are searching for love who could truly stand to be a lot more selfish. Let’s take a look at the definition. Selfish:  concerned excessively or exclusively with oneself : seeking or concentrating on one’s own advantage, pleasure, or well-being without regard for others. While I will always preach the necessity of interdependence in a relationship, I firmly believe that focusing exclusively on yourself is the best way to find the person who best compliments you, and whom you truly want to be with. A relationship isn’t supposed to drag you away from who you intrinsically are, the beliefs you hold the deepest, and the things that make you the happiest. But if you aren’t overtly aware o

Why Dr. Umar & General Seti’s Beef is a Problem

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Dr. Umar Johnson has become a major figure in the “conscious community” and has given many knowledgeable viewpoints on the issues that Blacks face. His views on systematic oppression, the Black church, and investing in and uplifting the young Black male have personally made me voluntarily watch his videos and interviews. But a few days ago, I was let down by this Black man who has consistently done and said questionable things for quite some time now. This man, who I viewed as a breath of fresh air for our community, revealed the main problem with our community in his latest scandal. What is being mocked and referred to as a “Conscious Beef” between Dr. Umar and General Seti, another well-known influencer, reveals just how contradictory and problematic these types of leaders are. The increase of individuals that are becoming “Conscious Pimps,” i.e. those who make a profit from the desires of Black people is a huge issue. Over the last few years, conscious pimping, othe

2 dead, 2 injured in Connecticut shooting after rapper's concert

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WALLINGFORD, Conn. –    Police say two are dead and two injured after a shooting outside a Connecticut theater late Friday night following a concert. A Wallingford police spokeswoman tells the Record Journal that officers responded to reports of shots fired outside the Oakdale Theatre after rapper Meek Mill performed. Officers found two dead and say the other two with non-life-threatening injuries were taken to hospitals. Police haven't released the names and ages of the four victims. The spokeswoman says no one is in custody. Authorities didn't immediately release information on suspects or vehicles. Lt. Cheryl Bradley says the show had just ended and the Oakdale was closing when the shooting occurred. Authorities haven't linked violence to the performance or the rapper. Mill, whose real name is Robert Williams, was recently under house arrest after violating probation for the fourth time in eight years.

3 Miami cops fired for jokes about using black neighborhoods as shooting ranges

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An internal investigation by the Miami Police Department earlier this month led to the firing of three rookie cops who joked in a WhatsApp chat with fellow officers about using two of the Florida city’s predominantly African-American neighborhoods for target practice. Officers Kevin Bergnes, Miguel Valdes and Bruce Alcin were let go two days before Christmas despite asserting to investigators that their comments were meant as a joke and that they didn’t mean to offend anyone. The Miami Police Department’s Public Information Office confirmed to FoxNews.com that the three officers were fired, but said it was not making any statements regarding the matter. An internal affairs memo obtained by the Miami Herald showed that the three officers were part of a class of 30 recent police academy graduates in a WhatsApp chat called Post-22.  In response to a June 30 post by another officer about shooting ranges, Bergnes mentions one in a Miami suburb before suggesting a Bank of America —

LA police official gets restraining order against Black Lives Matter activist over 'threats'

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A prominent Black Lives Matter activist in Los Angeles has been hit with a temporary restraining order requiring him to stay away from the head of the police commission. L.A. Police Commission President Matthew Johnson told a judge he was seeking the order against Trevor Gerard out of fear for his own and his children's lives. Johnson said in court papers that he had been stalked and threatened by the Black Lives Matter leader. He charged that at various board meetings Gerard had mouthed threats, including “I am going to beat your a--” and “I am going to f------ kill you.” The official said that in recent weeks Gerard went looking for him at his private law office and family home. Johnson said police detained Gerard in front of his house. “The conduct and threats by [Gerard] put me in fear of harm to myself, my family and my co-workers when [he] is near,” Johnson says in a court declaration accompanying the restraining order request. The temporary restraining order s

Obama response to Russian hacking does not go far enough, say experts

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President Obama expelled 35 Russian intelligence officials and imposed sanctions as part of a “necessary and appropriate response” to Russia’s alleged interference in November’s elections Thursday. But experts question whether it is strong enough to deter Russian President Vladimir Putin. “I don't think they will have much impact at all,” said former United Nations ambassador John Bolton Friday morning in an interview on Fox News’ “Fox & Friends.” Bolton, who was under consideration to lead the State Department in a Trump administration, said Russia’s actions were an “attack on our constitutional system” and “it is not enough to say, and people should be very careful about this, to say, well, it didn't actually have an impact on the election.” The reaction from Capitol Hill echoed Bolton’s assessment. Republican Sens. John McCain of Arizona and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina issued a joint statement characterizing the sanctions as “long overdue” that was a “sm

Corner Store Robbery Leaves 1 Shot In Chest, Another Beaten

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GRAND CROSSING — Doors to Lawrence Produce and Meat, 558 E. 75th St., were shut tight and locked up Friday, the day after an armed robbery left two people injured at the store. Michael Stevenson, a cook at Chicago Wingz Around the World, 510 E. 75th St., said that the store is normally open on Fridays. He noticed the lights off Thursday evening when he arrived for his shift. Two armed, masked men entered a location in the 500 block of East 75th Street and demanded money from people inside, police said. One man, 45, was shot in his chest during the robbery and a 43-year-old man was hit with a "blunt object," police said. The gunshot victim was taken to Christ Hospital where he was listed as "stable" and the beating victim was taken to Jackson Park Hospital in good condition, police said.  Further information was not immediately available, and no one was in custody for either attack. Carlos Jones, a barber at Completion, which is across the street from

T.I. Doesn’t Want to Get a Divorce

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T.I.‘s wife Tameka “Tiny” Harris filed for divorce from the Atlanta rapper on Dec. 7 in Henry County, Ga. Today (Dec. 30),  TMZ  reports that T.I. is trying to persuade Tiny to drop the divorce. Sources tell TMZ that T.I. thinks Tiny is overreacting, because they’ve always gotten through rough patches during their 15-year relationship and six-year marriage. Apparently, Tip waited a few weeks after Tiny filed the divorce documents, allowing his wife some time to cool down. Now, he’s trying to make amends and talk some “sense” into her. T.I. believes Tiny’s “jealous” friends pushed her toward filing for divorce. The news isn’t completely surprising, the couple met in person at least twice since Tiny filed for divorce, and on one occasion “things got romantic.” T.I. was at Tiny’s home around Christmas, and apparently they got along great. The main issue at hand in the marriage is trust. We’ll have to wait and see whether Tiny decides to move forward with her divorce pl

Dashcam video appears to show Fort Worth cop shooting man in the back

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A newly released video appears to show a Texas police officer shooting a black man in the back in July as he was walking away, contradicting the officer’s account that the man was a threat, according to a lawyer for the victim. Attorney Nate Washington, who released the dashcam video on Facebook Tuesday, said the video contradicts various accounts provided to police investigators by the Fort Worth officer who shot David Collie. Collie is now paralyzed. The police reports were not available for inspection because they have not been released to the public. The officer’s name has also not been released. “I wasn’t there that night, (but) I do know what I saw,” said Washington, speaking about the video. “I know I never saw this man (Collie) with a weapon. I never saw this man advance toward the officers. I know I saw him get shot in his back.” After the July 27 shooting, the Fort Worth Police Department released a statement that Collie, 33, was shot after an officer and a Tarran

Police: Robbery attempt leads to one man being shot, wounded on Milwaukee’s north side

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MILWAUKEE — A man is shot and wounded during a robbery attempt on Milwaukee’s north side early Friday, December 30th. Police say the victim, a man in his 20s, was shot in the neighborhood near 15th and Center around 2:00 a.m. He suffered a non-life threatening injury. The suspect apparently did not take any items — and has not been taken into custody. Story Contributed By FOX6Now.com 

Suburban Teen Shot 4 Times While Visiting Back Of The Yards For Christmas

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HYDE PARK — The family of a 15-year-old suburban boy who was shot four times while visiting relatives in Chicago is asking for help as the honor roll student lies in intensive care. Michael Moss, a student at Glenbard East High School in Lombard, was shot on Dec. 19 in Back of the Yards. The teen, who is black, told relatives several Hispanic men in a car yelled the n-word at him before firing.  He's now in ICU at Comer Children's Hospital in Hyde Park, and his relatives say they are trying to raise money for his recovery. Brenda Herron said Thursday she became Michael's guardian three years ago and moved him to DuPage County from Chicago to escape the violence in the city. She said the family has struggled over the holidays going back and forth from their home and the hospital at 5721 S. Maryland Ave. “Christmas was terrible for us, but in some ways it’s good because Michael is still breathing,” Herron said Thursday. The family has set up a  GoFundMe pag

Drake and Jennifer Lopez Share Intimate Photo Together

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When it comes to relationship rumors, Drake knows how to set things off.  An early Wednesday morning (Dec. 28) post of himself and Jennifer Lopez, cozying up on a couch together has the internet going nuts. Lopez as well shared the exact same photo at what appears to be the exact same time. The photo, which appears sans caption both above and below, comes just a few weeks after Drake documented a visit to Las Vegas to catch J. Lo’s “All I Have” show at Planet Hollywood’s AXIS Theater. It seemed to be a friendly visit, but sparked dating rumors nonetheless, as one report claimed that Drake had rented out a West Hollywood restaurant for J. Lo and about 20 other guests. While those claims went unconfirmed, the two certainly look to be dating in the newly shared pic. The Internet watchers as well have noticed that Rihanna unfollowed J. Lo on Twitter, though that seems to have occurred before the two took to IG with their latest upload. Similar relationship rumors began last mon

Video: Trey Songz Lashes Out At D.C. Hotel That Allegedly Kicked Him Out

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WASHINGTON, D.C. –  A Snapchat video of Trey Songz alleging that he and his friends were thrown out of Washington, D.C.’s MGM National Harbor hotel and casino has dropped today. The clip from the singer popped up on the Baller Alert Instagram page and opens with Songz saying “Hey this is Trey Songz in D.C. with a special message for the fuckin’ police: fuck y’all.” The post surfaces after Trigga Trey hosted an event at DC club Bliss on Friday (December 23). “They kicked me out of the MGM but I’m in the MGM bathroom,” he continues. “…They kicked me out but I’m still here.” No explanation is offered as to why Songz was ejected from the hotel, where one of his entourage members claims that he had booked seven or eight rooms, but the man was certainly irate, continuing: “Nah but on my momma, on everybody I love: fuck the police, fuck the MGM in D.C., fuck the MGM in Vegas.” What did the #Mgm do to #treysongz A video posted by Baller Alert (@balleralert) on Dec

Deadly Christmas weekend in Chicago: 12 people fatally shot

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Chicago's citywide crime wave didn't slow down during the holiday weekend. City police investigated 27 shooting incidents this Christmas weekend, 12 of which were fatal, city Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said during a Monday news briefing. "The violence primarily occurred in areas with historical gang conflicts on the South and West sides of the City," Johnson said. "We now know that the majority of these shootings and homicides were targeted attacks by gangs against potential rival gang members and groups who were at holiday gatherings." Chicago police said there have been 753 homicides and 3,495 shooting incidents in the city from January 1 to December 25. During the same time frame in 2015, there were 478 homicides and 2,393 shooting incidents. "These were deliberate and planned shootings by one gang against another," Johnson said Monday. "They were targeted knowing fully well that individuals would be at the homes of

Thousands attend Mexican girl's quinceanera after father's invitation went viral

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LA JOYA, Mexico –   Looking overwhelmed by the attention, yet resplendent in an elaborate fuchsia dress and gleaming tiara, Rubi Ibarra celebrated her 15th birthday on Monday in a rural Mexican village after the invitation to the event by her father went viral and made her the toast of the country. Family members had to open a path for the girl through reporters and photographers snapping her picture so she could reach the Mass for her in a field in central San Luis Potosi state. A large billboard saying "Welcome to my 15th birthday party" with Rubi's picture towered over the tents and tables filled with food. Thousands of people from across Mexico poured into the community of La Joya for the "quinceanera" celebration, a traditional coming-of-age party similar to American "sweet sixteen" parties in which Mexican families often throw big, costly bashes for their daughters. Expand / Contract Dec. 26, 2016: Rubi Ibarra, in an elaborate fuch