TOO FUNNY & CUTE: President Obama LMFAO’s “Sexy & I Know It” Mashup [VIDEO]

According to the The Sydney Morning Herald, this is a running joke between President Obama and the Prime Minister. When they get together, they often discuss the prejudices they experience. Gillard is Australia’s first woman prime minister, the first prime minister to take an affirmation of office instead of swearing on a Bible and the first to share the official residence with a common-law partner.

Opponents of Gillard’s often attack the fact that she doesn’t have children and claim she couldn’t possibly understand family concerns. Protestors even use a not-so-flattering chant, “Ditch the Witch,” to challenge her.

Watch the powerful Prime Minister in action here:

Politics As Usual [PLAYLIST]

President Obama Shares Memories Of Braiding Malia’s Hair

Rick Santorum Calls President Barack Obama A “Government N****r” [VIDEO]

Before y’all start throwing punches, I must clarify that my exposure to this topic came from within the HB user community. In a recent post about the term ‘interracial,’ one user asked us why HB wasn’t tackling some of the hard issues?

In many regards the questions posed were simply strong conversation starters, with no clear cut, unique answer. To begin with, let’s take the first question presented by the user:

“Why is it Acceptable for Young Men of Color to Emulate Prison Fashions By Exposing Their A***s to Ourselves and our Children?”

My personal interpretation is that the issue is not the prison fashions themselves, rather that any male role model other than a “rapper” is consistently put in question for all the wrong reasons.

Kids On A Leash: Safe Or Sick?

For example:

CRITICISM: “Is President Obama Black?”
RESPONSE: YES, HE IS!

CRITICISM: “Obama’s making so many mistakes and everyone is doubting him so he’s not the most ideal role model.”
RESPONSE: YES, HE IS. You’re children probably have no idea about fiscal policy or Sino-American relations so don’t let Fox News or any other negativity detract from the fact that a family-orientated man, who has a healthy relationship with his wife and daughters, a 4-year contract and nice White House (excuse the pun), is on television everyday reminding us how far a black man can get in this world.

CRITICISM: “Will Smith and all those other Hollywood big names are trying too hard to be white and that’s not right for my child.”
RESPONSE: The world is what it is. Asian people, Hispanics, Middle Easterners and every race on earth do (and have every right to) wear suits, go to glamorous events and sip Martinis just like Hollywood’s black stars. The fact that more white people go to these events and wear suits reflects the fact that there is a disproportionate concentration of wealth in America because of socio-economic factors and our history. In order for this to change, there needs to be less focus placed on what is “White” and more criticism placed on self-victimization, in which the people who make these criticisms of the “suited black man” stop acting like the perpetual victim, getting hated on from birth ’til death. Yes, there is discrimination in this world and you, like every other minority group that suffers from it, have the power to allow it to destroy you or, by contrast, give you the fuel to overcome adversity and prove the “haters” wrong.

‘Making it big’ doesn’t necessarily have to involve what these Hollywood stars are doing, but their drive, self respect and motivation to succeed is relevant in all aspects of life.

5 Signs You’re Raising Your Baby’s Daddy

Another issue that catches my attention in regard to the initial question is that “prison fashions” are some how meant to be unacceptable, when in reality we’re talking about the behaviors that accompany such fashions. Careful consideration should be placed on what music you allow your children to listen to, what movies you bring home and which television shows you watch in front of them, before getting the stage where you scratch your head and wonder why your child has his/her rear end exposed to the world.

Once again it comes down to who and what we criticize. Some of you may be aware that Lady Gaga has been causing parenting problems abroad with her ‘Monster Ball’ tour. Parents were taking their children to see the show and later complaining with a great degree of rage that their child was exposed to “things” he/she had never seen before. Well, I’m sorry but check yourself and take a look at some of her video clips to judge in advance whether it would be appropriate to take your child to that concert and expect them not to want to wrap their hair around a beer can or cover their naughty bits in police tape. The issue here is not Lady Gaga herself so please don’t start any meltdowns about a white girl being mentioned on HB. It’s about the extent to which you allow your children to be exposed to role models in the entertainment industry where these questionable trends or ‘prison fashions’ are most on display.

So I ask the inevitable question: What do you guys think?

Start Gallery

I’ve been reticent to write yet another relationship column, but a reader recently posed me this observation in at letter after The Root published a second article about black women and dating and the Obama marriage:

It seems as if every single time these articles come out, they report the same tired statistics (44% of black women are unmarried, there are very few “eligible” black men available to date, etc.) and give the same advice (from black men: lower your standards to get a man; from black women: date outside the race and don’t wait for a black man).

Perhaps the articles (in Essence, online, everywhere I look) aren’t trying to suggest that I should lower my standards to attract a man, but they usually come across that way. No other racial or ethnic group is told to be “less picky” as bluntly nor as often. So now, I’m wondering whether some people feel as if black women are supposed to settle for whoever wants us, have lower standards, etc., in part because of the “attractiveness pyramid” that places Asian women on top, white women below, Latina women below that, and black women dead last. Shelby’s comment on the last discussion of the politics of interracial dating on your blog, about realizing that she was being systematically devalued each day, struck a chord with me. I’ve definitely heard the same from other women–the questioning your attractiveness and value, and the way that it chips away at your self-worth.

I’m also wondering about the impact of the articles on others. Will men of all shades assume that we’re so desperate to find love that we’ll accept anything? Will/do people in general blame us for our “failings” (i.e., the inability to get married)?

Do articles impact others perception? Read more and other articles like this on: BlackandMarriedWithKids.com

Is it your fault your not in a relationship?

Watch out for your engagement ring!

Though Ty Inc.’s Sasha and Malia Obama replica dolls were taken off of shelves, the company has decided to try its hands at one more Obama marketing product: Bo, the family’s new Portuguese Water Dog.

Beanie Babies, the collectible beanbag toy that made a significant craze in the 1990s, how has a new addition to its family: Bo, the First Dog. According to Reuters,

Ty said its $4.99 Bo toy debuted on April 16 and sold out within hours of hitting store shelves. A portion of the sale proeeds will go to support animal shelters, the company said.

Bo toys already are on auction on eBay, where one seller is seeking $2,050 for a set of “authenticated” Sasha and Malia Beanie Baby dolls.

BP Member nuage

Nuage said, “I want to perform this poem at the White House & all over the world Can BP help me make this happen?” Find out what the poem “Hello 44″ is in the news article titled Thank You BP!

Over the past few weeks, Hello Beautiful has received hundreds and hundreds of comments to some of our stories.  Whether it’s about the Chris Brown / Rihanna drama, Lisa Raye scandals, or just can’t-get-enough Beyonce news, Black Planet members have had a lot to say.

To celebrate our beautiful voices, every week we will post a Photo Gallery of The Best HB Comments Of The Week!   Did yours make it??   If not, keep commenting, because we’re reading!

And if you would like to nominate a BEST COMMENT for next week, please let us know…

momo1985 commented on the Beyonce / Jay Z separate beds RUMOR

“eh…..shes fake i think there whole marriage is fake…staying in different hotels in sleeping in differnet beds thats wack! she wack! he shouldnt have put a ring on it!”

Miss_Trini_Ting commented on the Keri Hilson / Beyonce SCANDAL

“Aww shiiitt, Keri ripped it. I liked Beyonce up until a point, all really started to believe that she was feeling herself too damn much. But to hear this from Keri is too damn funny. Beyonce w/o make up is not pretty at all. I guess the only thing u can really say she got is a body from the neck down. But I aint hatin’ just keepin’ it real. If Beyonce disrespected Keri and this is how Ms. Hilson comes back “oh freakin’ well”, until B can show respect to true divas aka Miss Etta James song “At Last” and had the audacity not to invite her to sing a long at President Obamas presidential ball then who the hell is she.”

0VancouverHurts commented on the Chris Brown / Rihanna TRAGEDY

“Oprah needs to understand that Rihanna is stupid and HE ALREADY DID HIT HER BEFORE in dec (just 2 months before smackdown #2) and shes still with his ass. Rihanna is aware that shes in an abusive relationship and is willing to stay with him because she likes it when he cries crawling back to her, she gets kicks out of that. So I say let Rihanna live her life and let him abuse her til she dies cuz as far as everyone knows Rihanna is not letting go. But fun part is, we can hold this against her everytime she makes garbage music giving fake msgs about “take a bow” and other b.s”

wettwett1105 commented on on the Keri Hilson / Beyonce SCANDAL

“Keri Hilson is a jealous wannabe! I don’t even know who the trick is, but I for sure know who Beyonce is…a classy, independent, multi-talented, GRAMMY Award winning artist! Who is this Keri Wilson or Hison…whatever!!? I mean besides a HATER!!!!!!!!!! We ALL can see she’s that! Pretty girl…UGLY attitude!”

julietta4u2 commented on the Chris Brown / Rihanna TRAGEDY

“U know what no matter what woman can say or do man can not raise his hand on woman. The man that does raise his had , is not a man anymore ,cuz God made man stronger on purpose , and i feel Rihanna’s pain , i went thru dat myself and trust me man dont learn they continue go on and do same shit in next relationship. I always hated Chris brown always thought his a fag and now am certain his a puss-wuss. Am glad the whole world knows truth about Chris , f*** Chris , can’t sing anyways. Rihanna U go girl , wont dont make us weaker makes us stronger”

_TDIE_ commented on the Chris Brown / Rihanna TRAGEDY

“ALL I GOT TO SAY IS .. “MODERN DAY IKE AND TINA”.. THATS ALL FOLKS..”

Start Gallery

Okay, all Obama love aside, I need you to REALLY think about this one. Obama’s presidential campaign has been very good to the fashion industry, but this… is just taking it one step too far. This is a tunic designed by Italian fashion house Gattioni. But…would you wear it???

Like every kid (or so it seems), the Obama girls are huge Harry Potter fans. So what do they get, now that they’re the First Daughters of the Big Guy? A tour of Hogwarts – led by Harry himself!

[From People]

Describing President Barack Obama as “everything the rest of the world liked about America and now likes again,” Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe offered to show the first daughters around Hogwarts.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to issue a public invitation to the Obamas that if their daughters would like a private tour of the Harry Potter set, I would be honored to be their personal tour guide,” Radcliffe told The Daily Beast.

Radcliffe, who will soon begin filming the final installment in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, said he was “so proud and happy” for America, calling Obama “both Martin Luther King and JFK.” Added the actor, “He is a symbol of progress which is what we dig about this country. What you love about England is all the old buildings and such. The traditions. I love that, too. But this is what we want from you.”

Barack Obama may be the new Commander in Chief, but it’s his girls that are getting all the swag! I’m sure their Sidwell friends are already putting in bids to be Sasha and Malia’s “plus ones.”

From Essence.com
The well-being of African-American women may be the best gauge of the status of all citizens. And measures that help us will also heal the country. The Obama “Blueprint for Change” plan includes policies we want to see implemented.

The Issue: HEALTH CARE
What we need: An overhaul of the health care system and an HIV/AIDS policy targeting African-American women by:
•Fulfilling the pledge to see that everyone has health insurance.
•Enacting the proposed legislation to establish community outreach programs in underserved areas.

The Issue: THE ECONOMY
What we need: A jumpstart for the economy of our depressed neighborhoods by:
•Hiking the minimum wage to $9.50/hour by 2011 as promised.
•Following through on the pledge to assist with day care and invest $1 billion in jobs and career programs.

The Issue: EDUCATION
What we need: Intervention with early-childhood education and financial assistance with college tuition by:
• Increasing Head Start funding.
• Creating the proposed American Opportunity Tax Credit worth $4,000 tuition assistance in exchange for community service.

To read the entire article click here.

What do you need most from President Obama?  Tell us in comments.

So, we all know that this year’s Inauguration is a pretty big deal. Millions of people are coming from across the country to celebrate this momentous occasion, but can you imagine how many fashion casualties there are going to be due to the stilettos, club dresses, and over-done hairdos that are SURE to make an appearance?

Huffington Post’s Karen Tanabe hit the nail on the head when it came to this issue. Check out part of the article below.

What to wear to the momentous inauguration of our 44th president? Sure, it’s one of the most historic days in the chronicle of our great nation and a sizable slice of our country is more excited about this than they were about their own weddings, but no pressure at all! On January 20th, all eyes will be on fashionably-challenged Washington, and this time they won’t be crying over four more years of string ties and Stetsons.

If you are completely unhinged like myself, and have decided that this groundbreaking swearing-in ceremony cannot happen without your presence, then get ready to look uglier than you ever have before. The weather will most likely be cold enough for us to channel Brian Boitano and ice skate our way to the national mall, and the population of our capital city will be six times what it should be, making it possible for you to relive your days sweating in a mosh pit to the relaxing sounds of Megadeth.

So what does one wear to be sandwiched between total strangers for hours while craning your neck to see a Jumbotron in sub-zero weather? Clothing you never want to see again. Don’t mind if a reveler accidentally flambés your parka? Then by all means wear it. And then throw another one on top for good measure. Spent your entire month’s salary on stilettos so fabulous you had them sewn to your feet? It’s time to cut them off and wear the sensible shoes favored by nuns and your Aunt Mildred.

So what do YOU think is the best thing to wear to Inauguration? Let us know!

One of the greatest historical events this country has seen is going to be one big damn party.

The Presidential Inaugural Committee has confirmed that Stevie Wonder, Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, and Bruce Springsteen, among others, will be performing during the opening ceremony on Sunday, January 19 at the Lincoln Memorial. Among those reading historical passages will be Queen Latifah, Denzel Washington, and Martin Luther King III.

For those who can’t make it to the event, HBO will be televising it.

We’ll be there – will you? If so, take pics!

[from Jack and Jill Politics]

Check out the video from the YWCA’s OWN IT initiative. For some reason, you don’t often hear about what young women think and what younger women want. We especially don’t hear enough about what black women really think and want. The YWCA recently did a survey and had some interesting findings that provide some insight, I think, into the future of America. Short version: Gen Y gets it and wants an active administration including a First Lady who’s a real leader to create change we can see in our everyday lives – Including on the subjects of fair pay and racial justice. Obama Transition Team: listen up. Here’s some selected deets…

To get statistics on female voters and watch the video, click here.

From Chicago AP

President-elect Barack Obama has made yet another pick, but this time it’s not for his Cabinet.

He and his two daughters went to a Christmas tree lot Sunday on Chicago’s South Side.

The trio and a friend of the girls hunted for the perfect tree as people gathered across the street to watch. After making their pick, all four headed back to an awaiting sport-utility vehicle.

Obama turned to the crowd and said, “Merry Christmas, everybody!” Then he waved and disappeared inside the vehicle.

Read more here.