So, we had our own conversation about education at the Mamas Gone Wild Live Blog Party Sunday night as we watched Soledad O’Brien’s CNN special “Education in America: Don’t Fail Me.” Even though Soledad didn’t really explore many of the issues black parents deal with – violence in schools, vouchers, low test scores, etc. – […]
Dreaming is easy. Making those come true is what takes work. But when done right, the work can be fun and rewarding. Oprah Winfrey says she doesn’t believe in failure; it’s not a failure if you enjoyed the process. I agree with that observation. But most of all, I’m glad to see that she acknowledges […]
I know I can’t speak for all mothers, but I’m pretty sure I can speak for most. And I am more than confident I can hit the nail on the head when it comes to single, working, get-it-done-at-all-costs soccer, baseball and basketball moms – flowers, cards and brunch as presents are HIGHLY overrated. So, I […]
“Good hair is the kind of hair that stays on your head.” That’s often what I say in response to any kind of hair discussion, unless, of course, you are bald by choice and proud of it. Michael Jordan and Tom Joyner are excellent examples of that. Unfortunately “good” hair versus “bad” hair, the debate […]
Last week, a story about an Atlanta woman who left her four-year-old son alone so she could go to work sparked a heated conversation on the TJMS. The emotional comments from our “Text Tom” members let me know that there was definitely another side of the story that may have not been represented. There’s no […]
Last week, a blog entitled “Having a Favorite Child” went viral. Apparently, a writer had the nerve not only to put in writing that she favors one of her children over another one, but to charge that if you’re a parent, you have a favorite too. The topic struck a nerve because it’s one that […]
When Chris Brown’s “private parts” were shared with the world, it didn’t take a rocket scientist to link it with the release of his new single, “Look at Me Now.” Of the most recent highly publicized incidents that accompanied product premiers, Brown’s was the most graphic. But Erykah Badu stripped naked in public, and even […]
“I Will Follow” is a movie written, produced, directed and distributed by a black woman. It’s about black women, and it is getting high praise from critics, including Roger Ebert – who is married to a black woman. Yeah, you heard me. On the heels of Black History Month and in the middle of Women’s […]
As a parent and former teacher, I tend to follow education issues pretty closely. Late last year, I started to hear the buzz surrounding the documentary “Waiting for Superman,” which follows five students and their families in their quest to get the best education, and I was intrigued, especially by the title. How in the […]
Even though February is associated with Valentine’s Day and love, the media was filled with stories of relationships gone bad – and public! From Mary Harvey going on a media blitz, telling anyone who would listen – including us at the TJMS – that her husband had abandoned her, to the sister who took down […]
On Monday, when Dr. Mehmet Oz dropped by the Red Velvet Cake Studio, he talked about the importance of being or becoming comfortable with our naked selves. So many of us are so critical and even ashamed of our bodies that we choose just to ignore it. Not good, says Dr. Oz. We can learn […]
So, somewhere in a theater near you, you can see the movie “127 Hours,” the true story of a mountain climber who must take unthinkable, desperate measures to survive when his arm gets trapped under a boulder. Can you tell I just spent more than four snow days with my two boys? If you’re like […]