Okay, the latest report to hit the news is that Trayvon Martin was on a 10-day suspension from school at the time of his killing. School officials found a baggie in his backpack that may have contained traces of marijuana. Uh, who gives a ____? (<----fill in word of choice here). An autopsy was done on that young man's body, and it revealed absolutely nothing that could be considered a cause for his behavior at the time of confrontation. And to add flies to manure, it is now being reported that the Florida police department at the center of this scandal, was responsible for the leak. This was obviously a smear tactic to dishonor Trayvon and attack his character. I am sickened by the desperate attempts of many to provide any form of evidence (irrelevant or otherwise), to justify the actions of Zimmerman. Why else would this information surface at this precise time?

I'd like some better answers to explain why a police department would go to such lengths to protect one man; and even scarier, have they done something like this before? If so, how many times? I think the community would agree with me that even once is too many.

To the Martin family, you are in our thoughts and prayers. We will continue to do our part in shedding light on this injustice, through the use of our platform.

Dear Wifey... A Message From the Other Woman

Here I sit, thinking about IT. My memory has managed to preserve every instance of us, of our bodies clinging together. I can still taste his tongue, his well chiseled chest, and sweat. That’s my man, but he’s her husband. DAMM. Did I just say that? Sounds different when I use my outside voice. And now comes the guilt, shame and conviction. He walked right out of my bed and into her heart. And worse, she doesn’t even know it. I think she likes me, although I think her womanly intuition tells her there’s something not quite right about me. Not right about me? Who the hell AM I these days?

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I haven't had a perm since January, and recently cut the remaining perm off my hair due to a perm/color fiasco that took my hair out in patches. When I saw it for the first time in its all-natural state I was mortified. I looked like Celie from The Color Purple. It was nappy and I looked like a different person. But it made me think. Do I have a problem with being natural, getting back to my roots? Am I a sellout for preferring straight hair? Don't get me wrong, natural hair looks wonderful on some other people, but I hated it on me. Perhaps I just didn't know what to do with it, but I felt so insecure. I had it blow-dried, and felt like a million dollars again after it was straight. I got braids the next day and will continue to do so to ease the transition while my natural hair continues to grow-out; but my goal is to rock it naturally in about a month. Do you think I'm going to make it?

Thanks!
Newly Natural Nadine Orlando, FL

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