Contributions of Three African Americans to Black Drama and Literature

Ossie Davis, Francis Gray Ward, and Val Gray Ward have written plays that have helped the world see the true identity of African American drama as well as African American culture.

Val Gray Ward grew up in the south during a time of segregation and a lot of racial conflict. Performing helped Ward get through these tough times and her plays have earned her over 21 Grammys and Emmys.

 Ward has given hundreds of inner city youth the chance to get involved in theater.

 Despite the numerous obatsacles that Blacks faced while trying to progress in this type of career, Ward maintained a successful career in the performing arts and will forever be known for this.

 The late Ossie Davis has worked as an actor, playwright, voice over, narrator, and a film director.

Davis has also created a number of works in movies, television shows, plays, and in history.

 He will be remembered by his talent, and the wide range of films and shows that he was apart of over the 7 decades of his career.

 Francis Ward is a journalist and has written for Black magazines, newspapers, and news stations.
 The magazines he's written for include Jet and Ebony, and the newspapers he's written for include The Chicago Sun Times. He has reported on the assasination of Martin Luther King Jr., and has written a tribute to Gwendolyn Brooks.

Conneticut Resident Caught in Times Square Bomb Plot

Thirty year old Faisal Shahzad was arrested and charged in a Times Square bomb plot in New York on Monday, May 3rd. He was headed to Dubai when he was taken off of the plane and into police custody. Shazad allegedly planned on bombing Times Square last Saturday, using a homemade gas and propane bomb, that was sitting inside his car. Surveillance cameras show him leaving a parked SUV, filled with explosives outside of Times Square. Somehow he was able to board a plane later on that day despite being on the 'No Fly List.' The Pakistani native was reportedly seen in the city of Karachi where five suspects had been detatined in connection to the bomb plot, according to Pakistani officials. The Pakistan's embassy in Washington along with the country's interior minister both agreed that they would help with the investigation.

Local Vegetarian Store Gives Residents a Healthier Alternative

Link to Sunshine Foods Website: http://www.sunshineckls.com/

Sunshine Foods, a small store located in Third Ward Houston, Texas really sticks out amongst the neighboring fast food restaurants. It's a vegetarian store and eatery that provides a wide variety of vegan dishes, herbs, and other all natural products. The store is co-owned by a woman named Arga V. Bourgois, and she explained one day that it was her grandfather's vision to open a health food store in the community. "My grandmother asked me before she passed why people suffer before they die," say Bourgeis. She went on to say that her grandfather did research to find the answer to that question and found out that it had to do with the types of food people consumed. She said that poor dieting is common in the Black community and as a result can cause a chemical imbalance, leading to health problems. The constant consumtion of fried foods, red meat, and many soul food dishes all have a factor in why there are many issues in the African American community. She also said that many Black babies are given cows milk instead of their mother's milk, and the body does not process cows milk the same way as it would human milk; which can cause a chemical imbalance. She said that her grandfather changed his diet and started eating more fruits and vegetables, natural foods, and began takng herbal supplements which can cleanse the body of toxins. He lost weight and also noticed a difference in the way he felt, and as a result decided to open a store that sold nothing but all natural foods and products, and herbal supplements. The store's eatery sells a variety of vegetarian foods such as, meatless burgers, salads, fruit smoothies, bean pies, and much more. Some of the products the store has are, neutralizer gel, shea butter, natural soaps, natural deorant, and many herbal supplements sucha as CKLS (colon, kidney, liver, spleen). The residents of Third Ward; whether vegetarian, into natural foods, or simply just want to switch to a healthier diet, have a store and eatery where they go.

Christian Rapper Flame's Goal: Preach Gospel Message to Lil' Wayne

Imagine rapper Lil' Wayne coming out of prison a year later preaching the gospel message to unbleievers or to the unsaved through word of mouth or through his music. Then imagine someone like you having something to do with it. (Assuming you are a Christian) Flame has a goal of reaching Lil Wayne with the gospel message by encouraging Christians all around the globe to write him letters while he is behind bars. He is using his facebook and twitter page as a tool to post messages and videos to friends, persuading them with verses from scriptures. "How tight would it be if many Christians flooded Weezy with mail while he's in jail? Pray 2 Cor. 4:3-4 will no longer be true of him and others," says Flame on one of his facebook messages. Flame would also like the opportunity to speak with Lil' Wayne in person while he is in prison, in hopes of changing his life. Flame has posted Lil' Wayne's mailing address to others on his twitter. To log onto Flame's twitter page, go to www.twitter.com/flame314.

The Benefits of Facebook

Facebook is a popular and growing social network that millions of people all around the world are using. Whether you're wanting to stay in touch with friends and family, promote a business, or just create your own webpage, facebook is the perfect tool.  With Facebook you have the option of posting personal info, photos, music, videos, stories, and messages. You can aslo instant chatt, join groups, play games/quizzes, and so much more!!! If you're looking for a relative, a friend, or someone from your past, there is good chance you can search for them and find them on facebook. " I like the fact that facebook lets you connect with people you haven't met in awhile and it let's you control your privacy settings, " says Sammi, a college student. Facebook does allow you to control your privacy settings by giving you the option of leaving it open to anyone, exlcuding it to people in your network, or excluding it to just friends. So if you're looking for another social outlet, or promotional tool for a business, facebook is geat online community to join.

Disadvantages of Processed Foods

Basic Info

Processed foods come with many advantages for the majority of people. Whether it's a microwaveable dinner, fast food, frozen, or canned, it serves a purpose for those on the go or don't want to cook. Despite the advantages of processed foods, when it comes to one's health the disadvantages seem to outweigh the advantages. Processed foods contain a number of artificial ingredients that can have long term negative effects on a person's health even though approved as safe and ineffective by the FDA. There are hundreds of artificial ingredients in foods but here are a few commonly used ingredients that are often casuse negative symtoms: msg, olestra, artificial colorings, flavorings, sweeteners, benzoate preservatives, brominated vegetable oil, and high fructose corn syrup.

Why They're Used

There are a number of reason why artificial ingredients are used in foods. Some of the reason are they are less espensive to use then their natural counterparts, they enhance the appearance, flavor, and texture of foods, they prolong the shelf life of foods, etc.

Negative Side Effects

The negative side effects include headaches, asthma, fatigue, increased cholesterol level,

increased risk for type 2 diabetes, hyperactivity, etc.

Is there an Alternative Option?

There is an alternative option and that option is eating organic or all natural foods.

Unlike their conventional counterparts, organic and all natural foods are made and grown without artificial ingrdients, preservatives, and without the spraying of pesticides. They are also said to be better for one's health. Organic foods come in microwaveable dinners, frozen food items, packaged items, and canned goods.The only thing that most people would say is a disadvantage to buying all natural foods their ofte high prices; however stores such as Wal-Mart, Target, and Kroger have their own line of organc products that are sold at affordable prices. Some may still argue that it's better to buy non organic food items in order to save money, but i say when it comes to good health and a longer live, those things matter more than saving money.

Tiny and Toya are back for Season 2!

The new reality show Tiny and Toya premiered last year and is back for a second season on B.E.T. The show follows the lives of Antonia "Toya" Carter, the ex-wife of rapper Lil Wayne and Taneka "Tiny" Cottle, rapper T.I.'s fiance.

Unlike most reality shows that are filled with never ending petty drama, this reality show is about two best friends who support each other through tough times. The only drama that is seen on this show invloves family issues; which is something that the average person can relate to. Overall these two women open up their lives to show people how they deal with family issues, while juggling being mothers, and trying to rebuild their careers. Tiny is trying to cope with the fact that her father is suffering from Alzheimer's disease, while also preparing for her fiance T.I. to go to prison for a year and one day. Toya is struggling to help her mother who happens to be on drugs, while dealing the issue of an absentee father, and a brother who has decided to drop out of highschool. Throughout the show they help each other work through their problems and show each other that they care.

Despite they're issues they each have big goals they are working on. Tiny, who is a former member of the girl group, Xscape, has started to r&b girl groups. One is called Juice, and the other is called OMG, which includes her daughter Zonnique and Toya's daughter Reginae as members. Toya is working on a book about her life and had traveled all the way the Big Apple to start it. She is also interested in getting back into the dating scene and goes on a blind date later on the show. The season for the show ends with the two friends focusing on the positive experiences they've had throughout the show and stating what they've learned from both their positive and negative situations they've faced.