Aunt Linda Walker, R.I.P.

Today, my beautiful Aunt Linda passed away from this world. She was only 59 years old. She's remembered as a loving aunt.

May Aunt Linda be a peace and may God watch over her family.

Natasha Richardson, R.I.P.

Natasha Richardson 1963-2009

Award-winning actress Natasha Richardson, a member of Britain's Redgrave acting dynasty, died on Wednesday at age 45 after a suffering a severe brain injury in a skiing accident in Canada earlier this week.

Rest in peace, Natasha.

Tajah Monique Hilliard is missing!

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division describes Tajah Monique Hilliard as a black female, standing 5 feet 3 inches and weighing 130 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. Hilliard, however, was said to be wearing green contacts at the time she went missing.

Read more and ses Tajah's picture here: http://www.letstalkhonestly.com/missingblackwomen.html

Domestic Violence in the Black Community, real talk

I am sure by now that many if not of you have heard of the Chris Brown Rihhana incident by now. Chris Brown was dead wrong and as bad as this whole thing was it has opened up the door for us to talk about the 500 pound goriilaa in the African American Community, Domestic violence. On this weeks show host George Cook discusses:

* The lack of male role models contributing to this problem.

*Black men have to step up and start protecting our women.

*The conflicting messgaes some boys get from some black women about hitting girls.

* Yes, girls hit too and do start fights with men.

*From a male perspective he wonders like many men do why more women don't just leave the situation and pleads for women to do so.

Listen to the show here: http://www.letstalkhonestly.com/LTHWEEKLY.html

Keianna Nicole Grenz is missing

16 year old Keianna Nicole Grenz of Desoto Texas has been missing since 03/03/09. Learn more about her case by using the link below:

http://www.letstalkhonestly.com/missingblackwomen.html

NZAID changes will harm women in developing countries

Scoop: NZAID changes will harm women in dvlping countries

Wednesday, 11 March 2009, 9:21 am
Press Release: United Nations Development Fund for Women

NATIONAL COMMITTEE
NEW ZEALAND

“UNIFEM is becoming increasingly concerned about the messages that are coming through from the Minister of Foreign Affairs. We oppose the move from the NZAID goal of poverty elimination to economic development. This move would be actively harmful to women in developing countries”, said Rae Julian from the National Committee of UNIFEM New Zealand in response to the announced reviews of NZAID.

The Minister has initiated a review of NZAID, with the possibility of reintegrating it within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Despite requests from a number of non-governmental organisations, there is no provision to receive submissions from the public to this exercise. The review includes a reconsideration of NZAID’s core policy of poverty elimination.

NZAID was reviewed twice since its inception in 2002, by the OECD and by Dr Marilyn Waring, a former politician from the Minister’s party. Both reviews were very positive about the work of the agency, praising its semi-autonomous status and its focus on poverty elimination.

UNIFEM’s main concern is the possible effect of any changes on the women in developing countries who have benefitted from NZAID’s policies on both poverty and gender. Women in those countries are likely to be the poorest. If they survive the possibility of death in childbirth, they are then threatened by preventable diseases or violence. Many raise children alone with no financial support.

We support the economic development focus – if the development is targeted to benefit those in greatest need, and the poor are part of the necessary planning. Economic development should ensure that all of the people, including women, can be at a level where they can participate. This implies access to basic education and good health services as a starting point – rather than as an outcome of the process. It requires good governance processes at all levels, peace building and conflict prevention. Fair trade and private sector development are also components to increase income generation for all.

Aid must not become a tool of foreign policy, a carrot used to persuade developing countries to support New Zealand’s political agenda or a stick to punish those whose policies we do not like. There are other ways to ensure that effective aid gets past corrupt governments to where it is needed, especially through working with civil society organisations in those countries. NZAID funding support for governance programmes from the Foundation for the Peoples of the South Pacific has been stopped by the Minister. These programmes, often led by women, have been invaluable in a number of Pacific countries.

“We add our voice to those asking to have input to the review of NZAID. Empowerment of women through aid is too important to be sacrificed to political whims”, concluded Rae Julian.

ENDS

The Latin Americanist: Latino assaulters in possible hate crime

The Latin Americanist: Latino assaulters in possible hate crime