Destiny Unfolding

Who ever knew that walking across those green blades of freshly cut grass would be my encounter with destiny? A divine appointment from the King is what I have received in you. As you took my hand to bring me greetings, what I did not know was that my world was being transformed. The small airwaves began to move at a pace which I never knew.

And I never anticipated this encounter. I did not come looking for this finely wrapped package; which the King, himself, spent a lifetime preparing. I must admit that I was overwhelmed. I must admit that, out of fear, I sought to choose my own path. The truth is: I felt unworthy of this gift.

But you knew better than I. Why? Because you knew that the appointment was real. Why? Because you knew “he that findith...” Yet, you sought me, even when I did not want to be found.

And the truth is: I thank you!

The truth is: I love you!

On May 15th all myspace members are to not go to the gas station in protest high gas prices. Gas is now over $3.00 a gallon in most places. There are 72,110,073 members currently on the network, and the average car takes about 20 to 30 dollars to fill up. If all myspace members did not go to the pump on the 15th it would take $2,163,302,190.00 out of the oil companys pockets for just one day, so please do not go to the gas station on May 15th and lets try to put a dent in the oil industry for at least one day.If you agree (which i cant see why you wouldnt) repost this bulletin repost it with 'Don't pump gas on May 15th.'

"It was clear that God always had the prerogative to do a new thing, even things not thought of before. To be Creator is to be free to act and to design. It is the freedom or free will of God with which the human spirit is indelibly marked. And if God's image is in all men and women, I believe that with this image comes the capacity to know God and to know God is calling each and every one to glorify him. And when men and women strive to be free, this desire is inspired by God. Such a longing let my black ancestors to sing, "Before I'll be a slave, I'll be buried in my grace, and go home to my Lord to be free."
~ Rev. Delores Carpenter, "The Journey I Have Known", in This is My Story: Testamonies & Sermons of Black Women In Ministry, edited by Cleophus J. LaRue

This past weekend I picked up a bottle of Formula 50 Vitaminwater. Although I like the taste I will not be purchasing this product any longer. This is because I was VERY OFFENDED by the information listed on the side of your bottle. The side of the bottle reads, “50 cent’s new album is bound to go platinum. So formula 50 decided to go platinum too. Not to be outdone, we are happy to announce the release of our own album, “hydrate or die tryin’.” All we need is one little should out at the MTV video music awards. Suckaz be movin’ out the way at them beverage conferences. Plus our drink has the nutrients you need to fuel you through your day. That’s just how we roll here in queens.”

As an African-American I found the use of such phrases as "suckaz be movin'" offensive and degrading to other African Americans. Although the bottle may not explicitly say that vitaminwater is making “fun of” African Americans…to me, they are! They are making fun of the way African Americans talk. Ultimately vitaminwater is promoting the use of improper language—by way of 50 cent who does the same.

I would never expect a professional product like Vitaminwater to perpetuate such ignorance and degradation. I think the marketing team should revamp their approach for Formula 50.

I would encourage each of you who read this to write vitaminwater and complain. I did.


Go to http://www.vitaminwater.com/ and click on “Contact us.”

Will the real Miss Spelman please stand up?S.A. Reid - StaffThursday, April 13, 2006

Her reign was short. English major Terricha Bradley was crowned Miss Spelman College last Saturday. The next day she was asked to give up the coveted title.

"I have not and will not resign as Miss Spelman College," said Bradley, a Cleveland, Ohio, native who dedicated her involvement in the pageant to her brother, who died last year from sickle cell anemia.

Bradley said she was told by a school official last Sunday that first runner-up Ashley Moss had actually won because she received more popular votes in the annual contest that also counts talent, poise and interviews with judges.

The surprising turn of events has one of the nation's most prestigious liberal arts college for African-American women working to determine the real winners for the 2006-2007 Miss Spelman and her Court.

"There was an error in the tallying process," said Tomika DePriest, a Spelman spokeswoman. "At this point, the results are under review."

What happened isn't clear. Efforts to get clarification from Spelman were unsuccessful. But school officials said Wednesday they don't plan to make any announcement about the contest results or the 2006-2007 Miss Spelman Court inductions until their probe is complete. They also said in a statement that auditors they used to certify the results have taken full responsibility.

Sheena Glover, the director of student activities, manages the pageant, according to Spelman officials. Glover has declined to comment.
The outcome could change the makeup of the school's three-member court and leave some participants and their families Spelman blue with disappointment.

Some students involved have offered their own version of the controversy that comes as Spelman celebrates its 125th anniversary.

Bradley said she was crowned Miss Spelman on Saturday, then asked on Sunday to resign after a school official said the final contest composite scores were miscalculated. She was told that the popular vote was left out of the tally, and that Moss should have won, based on the popular vote count.

The popular vote accounts for 25 percent of the total score. Interviews with judges, artistic expression, evening wear competition, poise and other categories make up 75 percent.

Moss did not return numerous calls seeking comment.

Second attendant Diana Stallworth, a psychology major from Washington, said she was asked to resign, too. Stallworth said she was told contest auditors mistakenly gave her the nod over another contestant. Like Bradley, she is unwilling to cede her title.

More than 900 of the school's 2,100-plus students cast ballots in mid-February, Spelman officials said.

Eight students competed for the title, according to the Spelman Spotlight, the campus newspaper.

Contest judges interviewed said they are appalled at the turn of events.
"I send my apologies to Terricha," said Cara Patterson, a contest judge and last year's Miss Georgia State University.

"It just seems unprofessional."

Reginald Lewis, who assembled the panel of judges, says Bradley is being punished for someone else's mistake.

"It brings a dark cloud to what should be the happiest moment in this girl's life," said Lewis, a certified Miss America pageant preliminary judge.

Danica Tisdale, a Spelman graduate and former Miss Georgia who also helped judge Saturday's contest, was optimistic that her alma mater will do the right thing.

"I feel badly for the women who are involved and have to go through this," Tisdale said. "I'm certain Spelman will handle this, as it has handled everything else, in an appropriate way."