The Savvy Sista

New Feature: The Savvy Book Club

theicon.misssavvy@gmail.com (TheIcon) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:13:00 +0000

Those who know me can tell you that there's nothing I love more than reading. When I was young(er) I spent the majority of my time locked up in my room and wrapped up in a book. Books were my air. My favorite day at school was book fair day (I think I was the only child who bought all the books off the Scholastic Book List). There was nothing I didn't love about books. I read everybody from Zora Neale Hurston and Toni Morrison to Terri McMillan and BeBe Moore Campbell. I love books and so now I feel the time is right for me to share my love of books with you. I decided that now is the best time as any to start a book club and thus I would like to introduce you all to the Savvy Book Club.

Our First Book Selection

I was pondering what should be the first selection of the book club and my mind kept coming back to one particular book. It is a book that I stumbled across accidentally, but once I picked it up I couldn't put it down. It was just that fascinating to me. I like to describe it as a cross between 'The Color Purple' and 'Push a novel by Sapphire.' The book that I am talking about is 'The Darkest Child' by Delores Phillips.

The Darkest Child is a novel that take place in a time just after the passage of Brown vs. Board of Education. The main character is Tangy Mae who is the darkest of her mother Rozelle Quinn's ten children. Rozelle Quinn is a very possessive and controlling woman. She wants Tangy Mae to take over her jobs: days, doing house cleaning for whites; nights, servicing men, white and black, at the "Farmhouse", but it's Tangy Mae's thirst for knowledge that makes this story so complicated and enticing.

The Darkest Child deals with many social issues from Colorism, prostitution, and the slave mentality. I hope you enjoy.

Let me know what you think of this selection and please feel free to recommend books you think should be featured in The Savvy Book Club.

Video: Rihanna's interview with Diane Sawyer for 20/20 (Full Interview)

theicon.misssavvy@gmail.com (TheIcon) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:46:00 +0000

Toni Braxton Separates From Husband

theicon.misssavvy@gmail.com (TheIcon) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:50:00 +0000

ESSENCE.com has learned that superstar singer Toni Braxton is separated from her husband Keri Lewis, formerly of Mint Condition, after 8 years of marriage. Braxton has sold 40 million albums worldwide and won six Grammy Awards. source

Beauty Queen Brawl: Miss England Loses Crown After Bar Fight

theicon.misssavvy@gmail.com (TheIcon) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:26:00 +0000

The reigning Miss England has relinquished her crown after being accused of a fight in a bar.

Pageant organizers say Rachel Christie has also withdrawn from next month's Miss World competition in South Africa.

They said in a statement that the 21-year-old heptathlete will now focus on clearing her name and training for the 2012 Olympics.

British newspapers reported that Christie got into a dustup with another beauty queen – Miss Manchester Sara Beverley Jones – in a nightclub earlier this week.

Greater Manchester Police said Friday that a 21-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of assault after an altercation at the city's Mansion nightclub on Monday. She was released on bail pending further enquiries. source

Breaking News: Shooting reported at Orlando high-rise

theicon.misssavvy@gmail.com (TheIcon) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:07:00 +0000

At least eight people have been shot in an Orlando, Florida, high-rise office building, CNN affiliates report.

Firefighters and police responded to a reported shooting Friday at a high-rise building in Orlando, Florida.

Authorities received a report shortly before noon of a shooting on an upper floor of the office building, said John Tormos of the Orlando Fire Department.

CNN affiliate WESH reported that at least eight people were shot at the Gateway Center -- a 16-story building.

Police cars and emergency vehicles surrounded the area, video showed. It also showed people fleeing. source

If You Can't Take The Heat...: Amidst Criticism Oprah Drops BeBe Winans from Karoke Contest

theicon.misssavvy@gmail.com (TheIcon) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:28:00 +0000

I thought it was just me. I was watching the Oprah Karaoke Contest yesterday and I was trying to figure out, "Where did Gladys Knight come from," when it hit me. The Mighty O had to do what she had to and let BeBe go once his ex-wife voiced her disappointed in O having him on her show. The appearance of BeBe on the show made O look like a hypocrite and you know she don't roll like that.

Here is what is being reported:

Oprah Winfrey has removed gospel singer BeBe Winans from her show's "karaoke challenge" until charges against him for allegedly pushing his ex-wife to the ground are resolved, reports the Associated Press.

Winans appeared on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" last week to discuss the selection of contestants for the season-long challenge. He was also seen surprising some of the finalists with news they had made the cut.

Winfrey spokesman Don Halcombe said Thursday that Winans will be cut out of the karaoke segments entirely.

Winans was charged with misdemeanor domestic assault in a Feb. 13 incident, where Winans and his ex-wife Debra were allegedly arguing about their children. Winans has a court date set for Jan. 20.

As previously reported, Winfrey was criticized this week for including Winans after she had taken a strong stand against domestic violence earlier this year. She did a show on the topic when singer Chris Brown assaulted his then-girlfriend Rihanna. Winfrey said at the time: "Domestic violence is something that I wouldn't tolerate. Period."

Halcombe would only say that the decision to eliminate Winans was made this week, reports the AP. source

Video: Inmates Help Save Prison Guard's Life

theicon.misssavvy@gmail.com (TheIcon) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:39:00 +0000

For Hip Hop News & Entertainment at DimeWars.Com

I've seen a lot of things in my day, but I never expected to see anything like this.

Movie Trailer: Why Did I Get Married Too

theicon.misssavvy@gmail.com (TheIcon) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:36:00 +0000

Video: Pres. Obama statement on Fort Hood

theicon.misssavvy@gmail.com (TheIcon) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:31:00 +0000

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Breaking News: Multiple Shootings at Army's Fort Hood Base

theicon.misssavvy@gmail.com (TheIcon) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:11:00 +0000

Via MSNBC:

Update #2:
Military officials say the suspected shooter at Fort Hood was a psychiatrist at Walter Reed Army Medical Center for six years before being transferred to the Texas base in July, where he was preparing to deploy to Iraq later this month.

The officials had access to Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan’s military record. They said he received a poor performance evaluation while at Walter Reed.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because military records are confidential.

The Virginia-born soldier was single with no children. He was 39 years old.

He was a graduate of Virginia Tech University, where he was a member of the ROTC and earned a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry in 1997. He received his medical degree from the military’s Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md., in 2001. At Walter Reed, he did his internship, residency and a fellowship. source

Update #1:
The alleged shooter has been identified as Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan M.D. He's believed to be between the age of 39-40. He worked as a mental health professional. His medical license is from the state of Virginia.

Sen. Kay Baily Hutchsion (R-Tx) reported to CNN that she was told he was from Jordan, but it hasn't been confirmed.

At least one U.S. soldier opened fire Thursday at Fort Hood, Texas, killing 12 people and wounding 31 others, military officials said.

One gunman was shot to death, and two other soldiers were in custody, Lt. Gen. Bob Cone told reporters. It was not immediately known whether the victims were all soldiers or civilians, but Cone said at least one of those killed was a civilian police officer and NBC affiliate KCEN-TV of Waco reported that at least four SWAT officers were among those wounded.

Fort Hood, one of the largest military complexes in the world, was on lockdown, as were schools in the area.

Cone gave no further details on the dead gunman. A senior administration official told NBC News analyst Roger Cressey that one of the suspects who was in custody was an Army major.

The official said the shootings could have been a criminal matter rather than a terrorism-related attack and that there was no intelligence to suggest a plot against Fort Hood.

Shootings at two sites
A spokesman for Fort Hood said the shootings took place at two locations around 1:30 p.m.: the Soldiers Readiness Processing Center and Howze Theater.

The spokesman, Sgt. Major Jamie Posten, said processing center was where soldiers "cycle through as they prepare to deploy." That complex is on the West side of post, off Battalion Avenue.

Greg Schannep, an aide to Rep. John Carter, R-Texas, who was on the post to attend a graduation service, told the Austin American-Statesman that a soldier with blood on his uniform ran past him and said a man was shooting.

Agents of the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were on their way to the post, federal officials said.

Fort Hood is adjacent to Killeen, about 60 miles northeast of Austin. The sprawling complex is home to at least 4,929 active-duty officers and 45,414 enlisted. Civilian employees total nearly 9,000.

The Temple Independent School District was on a "soft" lockdown. Parents were asked to pick their children up at the normal times, although they could experience delays.

A spokesman for the Army, Lt. Col. Lee M. Packnett, said he was unaware whether security measures were put in place at other military bases. A spokesman at Fort Lewis, Wash., said the incident was being treated as isolated.

President Barack Obama was briefed on the shootings, press secretary Robert Gibbs said.

Homeland Security spokeswoman Sara Kuban said officials from several federal agencies are still collecting information on the shootings. "Because this is early in this event, we cannot at this time confirm motives behind these shootings," she said.

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson, R-Texas, said in a statement: "I am shocked and saddened by today's outburst of violence at Fort Hood that has cost seven of our brave service members their lives and has gravely injured others. My heart goes out to their loved ones."

Texas Gov. Rick Perry's campaign spokesperson said the governor was in Denton, scheduled to attend a campaign event, when word of the shooting occurred. There was no word on whether he had left Denton or whether he was headed to Fort Hood.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Steve Harvey and wife cover December issue of Essence

theicon.misssavvy@gmail.com (TheIcon) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:14:00 +0000

“God took us all the way around the block, halfway around the world, and we got back to each other…”

—Steve Harvey , ESSENCE (December 2009)

After the most successful year in his career, radio personality, best-selling author and “love guru” Steve Harvey knows life’s true reward is having faith, family and love—especially now with his wife and soul mate Marjorie. In the article, You’re all i need to get by, the couple invited ESSENCE into their Atlanta home to talk about real love, making their house a haven for their blended family and how she helped to save the comedian’s life.

ESSENCE's December issue also features ESSENCE'S 25 MOST INFLUENTIAL AFRICAN-AMERICANS LIST; YOUR ULTIMATE HOLIDAY SURVIVAL GUIDE; HUSTLE FOR HOLIDAY CASH; and more.

Richmond High School Gang Rape: The Brave Girl Who Called 911

theicon.misssavvy@gmail.com (TheIcon) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:59:00 +0000

Via CBS:

On Oct. 24, police say dozens of teens gawked, laughed and took photographs while a 15-year-old girl was brutally gang-raped and beaten outside a Richmond High School homecoming dance.

But one brave girl, who was not even there, wouldn't stand for it.

"I was watching a movie, and my brother-in-law came in and he told me 'I don't know what to do, because there is a girl back there and she has been raped. I'm scared,'" 18-year-old Margarita Vargas said.

"I'm like 'We should call the cops because that's the right thing to do.' I didn't think about it twice."

Vargas said she called police because she would want someone to do the same if she ever was in that situation.

After making the call, Vargas went to the scene to check on the girl.

"I could tell that she had been beat up because her face was swollen," Vargas said. "She was naked, didn't have shoes. They just covered her up and stuff."

The girl who was attacked is just a few years younger than the woman police now call the "Good Samaritan." Vargas said she would like to reach out to the victim again.

"I would like to talk to her. I would just, not to be nosey or stuff, but I would like to ask how she's feeling. I would want her to know that she can get through it. It will take awhile but she can get through it," she said.

Vargas said she would pick up that phone again and call for help. But she also understands why others won't.

"I think people are scared, especially in a community like this where 'snitching' is a big thing to people," she said.

Vargas said she does not believe there is such a thing as "snitching," especially in a case such as this. Calling for help, she said is just the right thing to do.

WHOA!!!: Lupe Fiasco says Hip-Hop played a part in the death of Chicago Teen Derrion Albert

theicon.misssavvy@gmail.com (TheIcon) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:41:00 +0000

In a recent interview on Chicago radio station, WCGI, rapper, Lupe Fiasco said that Hip Hop should take some of the blame for the recent beating death of Chicago student, Derrion Albert.

"Hip-Hop has to take some fault for that. Just in the fact that the amount of violence and the amount of negativity that's in Hip-Hop and the music, it attributes to so much that goes on, negatively, in the hood."

Lupe Fiasco also criticized radio stations for not promoting positive Hip-Hop and commended Chicago rap artists like Rhymefest and Twista for addressing the Derrion Albert situation. source

I'm pretty sure this is going to get some Hip-Hop heads really anger. Russell Simmons wrote an open letter critique to Bill Cosby about his ongoing criticism of the Hip-Hop generation. I wonder what he is going to say to Lupe Fiasco.

So what do you all think about this? Do You agree or disagree with Lupe? Is Hip-Hop partly to blame for the death of Derrion Albert?

Michael Jordan's son cost UCF shoe contract

theicon.misssavvy@gmail.com (TheIcon) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:31:00 +0000

ORLANDO, Fla. — A fight over the shoes Michael Jordan's son will wear at the University of Central Florida has cost the school any future sponsorship with adidas.The

University of Central Florida has chosen not to deliver on their contractual commitment to adidas," adidas spokeswoman Andrea Corso wrote in an e-mail to The Associated Press. "As a result we have chosen not to continue our relationship with them moving forward."

Freshman guard Marcus Jordan wore a pair of white Air Jordans during UCF's 84-65 win in an exhibition game against Saint Leo on Wednesday night, the Orlando Sentinel reported on its Web site. Jordan has said he will only wear his father's Nike Air Jordan shoes because they hold special meaning to his family.

UCF is in the final year of a five-year contract with adidas that requires coaches and athletes to use the company's apparel and equipment.

"We are disappointed to learn that adidas has chosen to discontinue its relationship with UCF Athletics," the school said in a statement Wednesday night released by spokesman Joe Hornstein. "Once we receive official notice we will be able to further respond." source

I guess that little thing about there being no 'I' in T-E-A-M is no longer relevant when your daddy is Michael Jordan. I'm pretty sure UCF is not sweating the shoe deal because Michael Jordan probably stepped right in and agreed to sponsor the entire team with his Air Jordans. I'm not mad at lil MJ taking up for the family business, but somehow the sense of entitlement just bothers me a little. Let's be honest. Any other player would not have gotten away with this.

Dr. Maya Angelou, Common, Tom Joyner to Talk Community Healing

theicon.misssavvy@gmail.com (TheIcon) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:03:00 +0000

On Saturday, Nov. 7 at 8 p.m., CHN is sponsoring "An Evening with Dr. Maya Angelou and Friends," a conversation focused on intergenerational gathering for emotional healing and renewal of black people, featuring Angelou, hip-hop artist Common and hosted by radio host and philanthopist Tom Joyner at Riverside Church in New York.

Why Community Healing Days? For nearly four hundred years, the ideas of white superiority and black inferiority have been a part of world culture. The election of Barack Obama as the President of the United States was a fundamental challenge to these myths, and it has opened the door for us to rid ourselves of them once and for all.

The celebration of Community Healing Days is an annual observance, on the third weekend of October, designed to encourage Black people to take the time, as Maya Angelou has said, "to heal from the lies we've told ourselves and the ones that have been told to us."

For too long, we have believed negative things about ourselves that are simply not true. For too long, we have believed that we are not as beautiful, not as lovable, not as smart, not as worthy as other people. It is time for us to free ourselves and our children of these limiting beliefs.

Community Healing Days are about replacing limiting beliefs with liberating beliefs. They are about "seeing ourselves in a whole new light".

Community Healing Days are three days of activities by individuals, families, neighborhoods, faith communities, and civic groups—focused on overcoming the internalized myths that undermine our true potential.

As a people, we have accomplished great things. There will be no limit to what we and our children will be able to achieve once we take the time to heal.

For details about Saturday's event, please visit the Community Healing Network's Web site.

HBCU News: Parents of deceased Spelman student to file suit against Clark Atlanta University

theicon.misssavvy@gmail.com (TheIcon) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:32:00 +0000

The parents of a Spelman College student killed by a stray bullet while walking on the Clark Atlanta University campus have announced plans to sue the university for neglecting to provide adequate security.

Bunnie Jackson-Ransom, spokeswoman for attorney Rod Edmond, says Constance Franklin and Clint Lynn of Kansas City, Mo., will hold a news conference Thursday in Atlanta just after they file the lawsuit in Fulton County State Court. Jackson-Ransom says the pair are suing for wrongful death in the Sept. 3 shooting of 19-year-old Jasmine Lynn.

Lynn was killed outside a Clark Atlanta dorm when a fight broke out nearby and shots were fired. One person has been charged in the shooting.

Clark Atlanta spokesman Larry Calhoun declined comment because he had not yet seen the lawsuit. source

Janet Jackson grants ABC and Robin Roberts first lengthy TV interview since brother's death

theicon.misssavvy@gmail.com (TheIcon) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:26:00 +0000

NEW YORK — ABC has booked a prime-time interview with pop star Janet Jackson, expected to be her first lengthy television interview since her brother Michael's death.

ABC's Robin Roberts will interview Jackson at her California home for an hour-long special scheduled to air on Nov. 18. Jackson is promoting a greatest hits CD that is coming out for the holiday season.

ABC says it's the first time Jackson has allowed television cameras into her Malibu home.

Janet Jackson paid tribute to her late brother in September at MTV's Video Music Awards. She danced to a recording of their duet "Scream" and did not address the audience.

Michael Jackson died on June 25. source

Richmond High School Gang Rape: Victim Releases Statement

theicon.misssavvy@gmail.com (TheIcon) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:03:00 +0000

Parent Connie Galvan (left) and student Barbie Baker comfort each other during the rally on the Richmond High campus. Photo: Michael Macor / The Chronicle

The Richmond High School girl who was gang raped after leaving a homecoming dance delivered a message Tuesday evening to hundreds of people shaken by the attack and hoping to bring about a positive change in its ugly wake - "violence is always the wrong choice."

We realize people are angry about this," the 15-year-old sophomore said in a statement read by her church pastor at a rally at the high school. "But let the anger cause change, change that is necessary to keep our children, our neighbors and our friends safe."

The pastor, Jim Wheeler of the First Presbyterian Church of Richmond, praised the assembled 500 students, parents and area residents for their "heart and emotion" in support of the girl. He said he believes she is recovering well, "but she will have a long way to go."

It was a sentiment echoed by many of the girl's classmates as they listened to speeches, watched performances and held a candlelight vigil near the football field.

The brutal crime has infuriated and saddened nearly everyone associated with the school. Some local toughs have even talked of exacting vigilante violence against the young men who either took part in or watched the attack Oct. 24 in a courtyard on the edge of the campus.

While police continue to hunt for suspects - six are in custody now - the crime has school district officials fast-tracking new security measures and counseling programs, and students talking intently about how to combat violence toward women.

Click here to read the entire article.

Helping the victim

Richmond High School is accepting cards and donations for the victim and her family. They can be mailed to the school at 1250 23rd St., Richmond, CA 94804-1011. Make checks out to the Richmond High Student Fund, with "For sex assault victim" written in the memo line.

Mary J. Blige to sang National Anthem for World Series Game 6

theicon.misssavvy@gmail.com (TheIcon) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:24:00 +0000

Mary J. Blige is going back to the Bronx.
Major League Baseball said the Bronx-born singer will perform the national anthem at Yankee Stadium before Game 6 of the World Series on Wednesday.
Blige is the latest superstar to sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" during the championship matchup between the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies. John Legend and Alanis Morissette have also lent their voices to the traditional pre-game performance.
Blige, 38, has won six Grammy awards since her 1992 debut, "What's the 411?" source

World News: China's black pop idol exposes her nation's racism

theicon.misssavvy@gmail.com (TheIcon) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:09:00 +0000

She is attractive, effervescent and has an appealing voice. But these qualities alone would not have made Lou Jing the most famous television talent show contestant in China and the subject of national debate in the world's most populous country. The reason they are talking about Lou is because she is black.

The 20-year-old daughter of a Chinese mother and an African-American father who left the country before she was born, Lou was a highly unusual entrant to Shanghai-based Dragon TV's Go Oriental Angel. Her appearances – she became one of five finalists – have provoked a storm of abuse on the internet, a rare debate on racism in the media, and a bout of self-examination in a country where skin colour is a notoriously sensitive subject.

Dragon TV initially had doubts about allowing Lou to perform, but then realised that her presence would do much to attract publicity for the show. But few executives can have expected the fury contained in many of the blogs and online posts that accompanied her performances. The internet is the only place in China where the public can express views with near-freedom – although they are rapidly cut off by an army of state censors if they stray into territory that attracts official disapproval. The huge online interest in Lou clearly does not fall into this category.

"Ugh. Yellow people and black people mixed together is very gross," was one representative post. And Lou's critics are incensed not only by her colour but also because she is apparently the product of an extramarital relationship. Another blogger wrote: "Numb! This bitch still has the audacity to appear on television! I don't know what to say! One cannot be shameless to this kind of level!"

Click here to read the entire article.

OMG: Search of convicted rapist home produces more bodies

theicon.misssavvy@gmail.com (TheIcon) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:28:00 +0000

CLEVELAND — Police are expanding their search of a convicted rapist's neighborhood and his neatly kept home, where 10 bodies have been found in the basement, buried in the backyard, in an upstairs living room and in a crawl space.

In addition to the four latest bodies they found buried in the backyard of Anthony Sowell's home on Tuesday, authorities found a skull wrapped in paper inside a bucket in the basement.

Sowell, 50, a registered sex offender, was charged Tuesday with five counts of aggravated murder and, in a Sept. 22 attack that led to the search of his home, with rape, felonious assault and kidnapping. He wasn't at the house when police arrived Thursday but was arrested Saturday blocks from his home.

Sowell is scheduled to make his first court appearance Wednesday on the charges. Police, asked if Sowell was cooperating, said Tuesday night that he had asked for an attorney. Court records didn't indicate who was representing him.

Investigators worked late into the evening Tuesday searching the Sowell property, squeezed between a sausage store and another house in an inner-city neighborhood of aging homes, some boarded up and abandoned.

Police searched vacant homes within a quarter-mile Tuesday, looking for more bodies. Police Chief Michael McGrath ordered the search expanded another quarter mile and said firefighters also will search in the walls and floors of Sowell's home on Wednesday.

"It appears that this man had an insatiable appetite that he had to fill," McGrath said.

Click here to continue reading.

Pennsylvania: Harrisburg, York elect first black mayors

theicon.misssavvy@gmail.com (TheIcon) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:14:00 +0000

York Mayor-elect Kim Bracey

Voters in two Pennsylvania cities have elected their first black mayors.

In Harrisburg, voters gave the nod to Democrat Linda Thompson, the Harrisburg City Council president, over Republican challenger Nevin Mindlin. It's the first time in 27 years that Pennsylvania's state capitol has a new mayor.

She will replace longtime Mayor Stephen Reed, whom she beat in the Democratic primary. Harrisburg is heavily Democratic and is about 56 percent black.

Meanwhile, the election of Democrat Kim Bracey in York comes 40 years after violent race riots led to the death of a white police officer and a black woman. The killings in 1969 went unsolved for decades.

Bracey, the city's former director of community development, beat Republican Wendell Banks. Democrats outnumber Republicans by nearly 2 to 1. source

Linda Thompson

Mayoral Race in Atlanta Produces Dismal Voter Turnout

theicon.misssavvy@gmail.com (TheIcon) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:54:00 +0000

Run-off between Mary Norwood and Kasim Reed scheduled for Dec. 1

I think the saddest part of our Democracy is the fact that citizens don't feel the need to participate in it. We do a lot of complaining about our elected officials, but yet we don't feel compelled to back up our frustrations with the most powerful tool we have: the vote. I don't understand why we refuse to participate.

Despite balmy weather Tuesday, turnout was low, even for an off-year election.

In 2001, when Shirley Franklin first ran for mayor, 41 percent of registered voters cast ballots. Tuesday, only about 24 percent of registered voters showed up. In many predominately black areas away from Reed's stronghold in southwest Atlanta, voter turnout was extremely low. At the polling station of the Central United Methodist Church on Mitchell Street on the West Side, only 4.63 percent of registered voters cast a ballot. In many southwest Atlanta precincts, more than 30 percent of registered voters turned out. source

I know this may sound like a broken record, but we have to do better people.

New Video: Rihanna - 'Wait Your Turn''

theicon.misssavvy@gmail.com (TheIcon) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:11:00 +0000

Rihanna's new album Rated R is available in stores and online on November 23.

Video: Katie Couric Interviews Michelle Obama for Glamour's Women of the Year Issue

theicon.misssavvy@gmail.com (TheIcon) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:05:00 +0000

Katie Couric interviewed First Lady Michelle Obama for Glamour's Women of the Year issue. Topics they talk about include the importance of role models, mentoring and her biggest surprise as First Lady.

Watch CBS News Videos Online