Happy Saturday, Everyone. Hope you’re enjoying the weekend with friends & family
ICYMI
“The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency main” by Source. Licensed under Fair use via Wikipedia
The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency is a television comedy-drama series, produced by the BBC in conjunction with HBO, and based on the novels of the same name by Alexander McCall Smith. The novels focus on the story of a detective agency opened by Mma Ramotswe and her courtship with the mechanic Mr. JLB Matekoni. The series was filmed on location in Botswana and was seen as one of the first major film or television productions to be undertaken in Botswana.[1] (The Gods Must Be Crazy, a 1980 film set in Botswana was filmed mainly in South Africa.[2])
The programme began with a feature-length pilot episode on 23 March 2008. Executive producer Anthony Minghella directed the episode and co-wrote the adaptation with fellow executive producer Richard Curtis. A six-episode series concluded in the UK on 19 April 2009. HBO began broadcasting the series on 29 March 2009. In 2010 the show won a Peabody Award for its 2009 season.[3] It was cancelled due to poor ratings.
While HBO failed to renew the show after its first season, HBO announced in summer 2011 that the show may continue as two or more standalone films.[4] The following year HBO revealed they had decided not to move forward with the project. Producers may look to resurrect the show on another network.[5]
Cast and characters[edit]
Anika Noni Rose as Mma Makutsi, Jill Scott as Mma Ramotswe, and Lucian Msamati as Mr. JLB Matekoni
Grammy Award-winning singer/actress Jill Scott stars as the titular detective Mma Ramotswe.[9] Tony Award-winning actress Anika Noni Rose plays assistant detective Mma Grace Makutsi.[8][9] London theatre actor Lucian Msamati plays car mechanic Mr. JLB Matekoni.[8] Actor and comedian Desmond Dube plays BK, owner of the Last Chance Salon and friend to Mma Ramotswe.[11]
British actors Colin Salmon, Idris Elba, and David Oyelowo[8] also feature in the pilot.[9] Elba plays Charlie Gotso, an adversary to Mma Ramotswe.[12] Salmon plays Mma Ramotswe’s abusive ex-husband and trumpet player Note Mokoti. Oyelowo plays cheating husband Kremlin Busang. Tony award winner John Kani also appears as ‘dubious’ Daddy Bapetsi.[8] Nikki Amuka-Bird plays jealous wife Alice Busang. Oyelowo, Kani and Amuka Bird all receive star billing in the feature-length pilot but will not continue as series regulars.
British actor Paterson Joseph will join the cast in a recurring role as Cephas Buthulezi, a rival detective.[13] Tau Maseremule and Thabo Malema play Rra Matekoni’s young apprentices, Fanwell and Charlie. Vusi Kunene has a recurring role as Dr. Gulubane.
The Right Rev. Musonda Trevor Selwyn Mwamba the Bishop of Botswana makes a cameo appearance as himself in the series’ third episode.
Casting
Casting the roles of Mma Makutsi and Mr. JLB Matekoni was completed early in the project.[6][8] However, casting Mma Ramotswe proved to be more of a challenge. Producer Timothy Bricknell states that the character’s build and age excludes most well known actresses and that they initially began looking for an actress in Botswana before expanding their search throughout Africa and eventually on to London and Los Angeles.[6] Jill Scott was shortlisted for the role but the producers were uncertain because of her relative lack of acting experience.[6] Minghella decided to cast her after viewing clips of her poetry readings and musical performance and noting her rare screen presence.[6] The decision was made just two weeks before production began.
Rahiel Tesfamariam @RahielT
“Ain’t no power like the power of the people because the power of the people don’t stop! #Ferguson #UnitedWeFight
Hands Up United and Michael McBride”
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CL6inmbUMAAv7zw.jpg
on Netflix watching A Different World.
Diahann Carroll was perfect casting as Whitley’s mother.
This is on Facebook:
Black Lives Matter Seattle
PRESS RELEASE: Black Lives Matter Seattle #BowDownBernie Action
MEDIA CONTACTS: Marissa Johnson (360) 840-6234 blacklivesmatterseattle@gmail.com
Black Lives Matter Seattle organizers and supporters take over Bernie Sanders’ rally at Westlake on Saturday, August 8, 2015.
Today BLM Seattle, with the support of other Black organizers and non-Black allies and accomplices, held Bernie Sanders publicly accountable for his lack of support for the Black Lives Matter movement and his blatantly silencing response to the #SayHerName #IfIDieInPoliceCustody action that took place at Netroots this year.
Bernie’s arrival in Seattle is largely significant in the context of the state of emergency Black lives are in locally as well as across America. The Seattle Police Department has been under federal consent decree for the last three years and has been continually plagued by use-of-force violations and racist scandals amongst their rank and file. Seattle Mayor Ed Murray has refused to push any reform measures for police accountability, not even the numerous recommendations of his self-appointed Community Police Commission. The Seattle School District suspends Black students at a rate six times higher than their white counterparts, feeding Black children into the school-to-prison pipeline. King County has fought hard to push through a plan to build a $210 million new youth jail to imprison these children, amid intense community criticism and dissent. The Central District, a historically Black neighborhood in Seattle, has undergone rapid gentrification over the past few decades, with Black people being displaced from the only neighborhood that we could legally live in until just years ago. While white men profit off of the legalization of marijuana, our prisons are still filled with Black people who are over-incarcerated for drug offenses.
This city is filled with white progressives, which is why Bernie Sanders’ camp was obviously expecting a friendly and consenting audience for today’s campaign visit. The problem with Sanders’, and with white Seattle progressives in general, is that they are utterly and totally useless (when not outright harmful) in terms of the fight for Black lives. While we are drowning in their liberal rhetoric, we have yet to see them support Black grassroots movements or take on any measure of risk and responsibility for ending the tyranny of white supremacy in our country and in our city. This willful passivity while claiming solidarity with the #BlackLivesMatter movement in an effort to be relevant is over. White progressive Seattle and Bernie Sanders cannot call themselves liberals while they participate in the racist system that claims Black lives. Bernie Sanders will not continue to call himself a man of the people, while ignoring the plight of Black people. Presidential candidates will not win Black votes without putting out an explicit criminal justice reform package. As was said at the Netroots action, presidential candidates should expect to be shut down and confronted every step along the way of this presidential campaign. Black people are in a state of emergency. Lines have been drawn in the sand. You are either fighting continuously and measurably to protect Black life in America, or you are a part of the white supremacist system that we will tear down in the liberation of our people.
On this, nearly the one year anniversary of the ruthless murder of Mike Brown, we honor Black lives lost by doing the unthinkable, the unapologetic, and the unrespectable. Out of radical love for our Black brothers and sisters, we put our lives and our bodies on the line to testify to their persecution and resilience. We join together in Black love to #SayHerName and declare that #BlackLivesMatter, understanding that our love will disrupt the complicity and corruption of our anti-Black society; GOP, Democrat, and otherwise.
There is no business as usual while Black lives are lost. We will ensure this by any means necessary.
With the strength of our ancestors and for the future of our children,
Black Lives Matter Seattle Co-Founders
Marissa Johnson and Mara Willaford
#BowDownBernie
#SayHerName
#IfIDieInPoliceCustody
#NotOneMoreDeportation
#FreePalestine
#MikeBrown
#BlackLivesMatter
5 Signs You’re Married to Your Soul Mate
BY: Christine St. Vil – 30 May ’14 | Marriage
A soul mate is defined as “a person ideally suited to another as a close friend or romantic partner”. I always thought the term “soul mate” was just a cute way to define that person closest to you. But it wasn’t until years into marriage and even daily, that I’m reminded that I’m truly married to my soul mate. I know without a shadow of a doubt that God hand-picked us for each other, and that we couldn’t make a better team.
I recently came across this quote that breaks down the difference between a soul mate and a life partner:
“Your soul mate makes you feel entirely intact, like no piece is missing from the puzzle. A life partner, on the other hand, can be a great supporter and long-time companion, but is limited in his or her capacity to enrich your spirit.” ~ Dr. Carmen Harra
And it hit me: I would absolutely feel like a big piece of my puzzle were missing if my husband were not by my side. He uplifts, encourages, supports and just “fits” like no one else ever could. So when I sat down to really think about what characteristics define my soul mate, here is what I came up with:
https://blackandmarriedwithkids.com/2014/05/5-signs-youre-married-to-your-soul-mate/
this was fabulous. bravo to this mother.
……………..
Mother-Daughter Duo’s Photo Project Features 5-Year-Old as Iconic Black Women
Monday, March 09, 2015
When Florida mom Chauncia Boyd Rogers noticed her daughter’s elementary school had no events planned to commemorate Black History Month, she took matters into her own hands.
“I was thinking her school would do something because they have events for various other cultural celebration days on the calendar, even obscure holidays,” Chauncia said. Her daughter, Ava Noelle Rogers, 5, attends a diverse school just blocks from Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando. Her classmates include many Afro-Caribbean, Latino, and European students, but few African-American children. “Maybe it didn’t occur to them to think about it,” Chauncia said. “So I just thought it’s time for me to teach her this myself.”
The result was a remarkable photo essay worthy of any month of the year.
Dressed in red lipstick, jewels, and a red cape with her hair pulled back, Ava poses as billionaire Oprah Winfrey, based on an internet photo her mom found. In another picture, she’s a youthful Michelle Obama, with pouty lips and serious, focused eyes that mimic a side-by-side photo of the first lady.
Chauncia Rogers combined her love of photography with her training as a photojournalist to recreate the portraits. And she used the mother-daughter photo shoots as teachable moments, discussing the each woman’s historical significance with Ava. “She recognized Oprah from movies, but I told her that Oprah is also a humanitarian, a talk show host and a billionaire. That doesn’t mean a lot to her right now,” Chauncia said.
Together, the mother-daughter team have created a “who’s who” list of influential black women in history. In one picture, Ava’s white bonnet, black necklace, and blue shirt transform her into famous enslaved writer Phillis Wheatley. She rocks Angela Davis’ blown-out Afro in another photo, and her facial expression is spot on with Davis’ contemplative glare. In a self-portrait of Josephine Baker, Ava’s shiny black top hat and tux are a dead ringer for the African-American dancer, singer, and activist.
Read more: http://theculture.forharriet.com/2015/03/mother-daughter-duos-photo-project.html#ixzz3iHRVhQQK
Follow us: @ForHarriet on Twitter | forharriet on Facebook
this is some beautiful art
………….
This Mom Created A Beautiful Collection Of Ballerina Art For Little Black Girls
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
Thato Mwosa is an artist and owner of Tuli Art, which specializes in depictions of black ballerinas. Mwosa was inspired to create the line when she wanted ballerina themed decor for her daughter Tuli’s room, and found a scarcity of black and brown ballerina art.
The ballerinas have been a hit with parents and young girls of color interested in ballet. “I believe in personalizing the ballerina illustrations as much as I can. My customers give me the name of their daughters/granddaughters/nieces, etc., and their favorite colors. After that the magic happens. Sometimes I even add a little bedazzling on the illustrations!” Mwosa says.
So far, she has created over 30 ballerinas. Due to high demand for her work, she is currently working on a children’s book aimed at ballerinas of color.
Read more: http://theculture.forharriet.com/2015/07/this-mom-created-beautiful-collection.html#ixzz3iHPtaVJq
Follow us: @ForHarriet on Twitter | forharriet on Facebook
45 Books to Teach Children About Black History
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Black History Month presents a wonderful opportunity to teach your children about the incredible accomplishments of Black men and women in America and abroad. Here’s a collection of non-fiction and historical fiction books to help children learn about a past that should be highlighted far beyond these 28 days each year.
Read more: http://theculture.forharriet.com/2014/02/45-books-to-teach-children-about-black.html#ixzz3iHPAoYLN
Follow us: @ForHarriet on Twitter | forharriet on Facebook
UH HUH
UH HUH
Forget Iran Bibi Just Wants to Humiliate Obama on His Own Turf
Since the world won’t be bound by what Congress decides on the Iran deal, someone in the PM’s cabinet should wake up and ask whether he isn’t dragging Israel into a dangerous place with his off-the-rails conduct.
Yossi Verter Aug 07, 2015 11:40 PM
The part of his speech this week at American University in which U.S. President Barack Obama mocked or imitated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s intonation in demanding a “better deal” with Iran, will undoubtedly go viral, if it hasn’t already. It was not only humorous in a bitter way, but well timed and full of scorn for its subject.
………………………………..
In any event, the prolonged confrontation between Obama and Netanyahu over the Iran agreement took a quantum leap this week. Only God knows how Israel could possibly emerge well from this battle, regardless of whether the accord is approved by Congress. Netanyahu was asked about what comes next, after Congress either supports the deal, or votes against it with a majority large enough to supersede a presidential veto. The prime minister did not provide a satisfactory answer. The questioner came away with the impression that he is waging a battle for its own sake, for the satisfaction of humiliating the president. He longs to defeat Obama on the latter’s home turf.
read more: http://www.haaretz.com/beta/1.669946
So, the rally in Seattle ends with event planners and protestors screaming at each other, and Bernie Sanders leaves without giving his speech.
Someone needs to explain to me how this is helpful, or how this advanced anyone’s agenda. How does shutting down the rally enable either side to move forward? And why has Bernie Sanders become so prominent while Hillary seemingly gets a free ride AND a boost to her candidacy because Bernie Sanders is the one on the hot seat. Seriously, I am not understanding this.
Here’s a true story from real life. There was a right wing blogger here in Tucson who had political aspirations. He has run unsuccessfully for the state legislature at least once. Well, when PBO was elected and the Tea Party reared it’s ugly head, he became the founder of the “Tucson Tea Party.” So, they protested the Affordable Care Act before it was legislated and they got a lot of local press coverage when they marched with their signs in front of Gabrielle Giffords’ office. Later, during the 2010 election, they ramped up their protests by attending all of the Democratic candidates’ rallies and just shouting and raising hell. The Democrats responded in kind by bringing their own plants to shout back at them. And so it went. All I remember about that election is how ugly it was. Then, of course, Gabrielle Giffords was shot in the Tucson massacre on January 8, 2011. You never hear about the Tucson Tea Party anymore, no one talks about them or the founder.
This is not the way to advance an agenda, it really isn’t. It does not work.
https://twitter.com/NinoInTheCut/status/630185800395829248/photo/1
Tim Ciesco @TimCiescoNBC5 28m28 minutes ago
We will be live streaming the @ArlingtonPD news conference on http://www.nbcdfw.com starting at 8:00 #ChristianTaylor
https://twitter.com/PragObots/status/630166136496222208/photo/1
problem with that @problemwthat
Zaid is disappointed that uppity Black people aren’t nice to Bernie, like the good docile black one he knows. 😒 https://twitter.com/ZaidJilani/status/630140537731989504 …
An explanation about Trump and the GOP
UH HUH
UH HUH
https://twitter.com/sydbrownstone/status/630135380751159296
SheriffFruitfly @sherifffruitfly
@HumanityCritic BLM folks prostested at seattle rally. bernie people were predictably welcoming, saying taze them. https://twitter.com/sydbrownstone/status/630135380751159296 …
‘Bernie people’ and Bernie Sanders are the least of our problems…
All this angst re: Bernie Sanders is mind-boggling…especially when the real enemies are staring us in the face and continue to wreak real havoc on black lives…
Co-sign. From the content of the GOP “debate” it should be very clear that they have every intention of avoiding the national policing crisis as well as all of the other problems within the criminal justice system.
The Democrats have at least gotten the message that they have to deal with these issues or alienate a significant part of their base. But so far, that’s where it lies. When I say Democrats, I’m really just referring to Hillary and Bernie. I don’t think that either of them know how to do this effectively right now, but I also believe that if either of them figures it out, it will be Bernie.
Shaun King @ShaunKing 2h2 hours ago
Holy shit.
#ChristianTaylor was absolutely murdered and police are now caught in clear lies to cover it up.
I’ll break it down next…
1. 3 different employees at the dealership who saw the security videos said that #ChristianTaylor WAS NOT & DID NOT attempt to steal a car.
2. The videos from the car dealership and the police dispatch audio show that the officer who killed #ChristianTaylor LIED about a scuffle.
3. #ChristianTaylor appeared to be at the car dealership IN HIS OWN VEHICLE – potentially just looking at cars on the lot for sale.
4. The officer who shot and killed #ChristianTaylor shot him in just 1.3 seconds of seeing him. No scuffle ever happened. At all. Lies.
5. You HAVE to listen to the police dispatch. It’s full of lies and misstatement after misstatement. Clusterfuck.
Shaun King @ShaunKing 1h1 hour ago
Employees of the car dealership where #ChristianTaylor was killed are saying his truck went through the store window AFTER HE WAS SHOT.
I’ll ask again…what da phuq is a 49 year old doing being a ROOKIE on a Police Department?
#Christian Taylor
When I asked myself that same question this morning the thought that kept recurring is that he joined the PD at age 49 as a rookie to get in on the action. And that action just might be that he was looking for an opportunity to do exactly what he did. We would have to know more about his background, of course.
Shooting Christian Taylor 4 fucking times. 4 TIMES, UNARMED. in training? these cops are not being trained. 101 training should know that DISABLING a suspect is priority, especially if they are unsure of he/she being armed.
Law enforcement need a complete overhall. IT’S THE SYSTEM and the uglies they hire.
h. barry @hbcreative
Looking Back: “You’ve Broken Our Hearts…but not our backs! #Ferguson #BlackLivesMatter #MichaelBrown
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CLqQFKTUEAAsKUW.jpg
They should not be allowed to break either..
h. barry @hbcreative
“My heart breaks for the children.”
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CK4CAM_UYAEPzXp.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CK4CAMoUAAAYdrt.jpg
Why Donald Trump Isn’t Going Away
He’s not a Republican phenomenon. He’s part of a troubling global movement toward populism and nationalism.
By Reihan Salam
To understand the rise of Donald Trump, you’d do well not to fixate on the fact that he’s running under the Republican banner. During Thursday night’s Fox News debate, Trump made it clear that failing to secure the GOP nomination wouldn’t stop him from exploring an independent candidacy. And honestly, he’d be crazy not to. Trump is very far from a Republican regular. He represents an entirely different phenomenon, one that bears little resemblance to garden-variety American conservatism. That’s why Republicans shouldn’t fool themselves into believing that one lackluster debate performance will send him packing.
Go to almost any European democracy and you will find that the parties of the center-right and center-left that have dominated the political scene since the Second World War are losing ground to new political movements. What these movements have in common is that they manage to blend populism and nationalism into a potent anti-establishment brew. One of the first political figures to perfect this brand of politics was the very Trumpian Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian media tycoon who rose to power as part of a coalition of right-of-center parties in the mid-1990s, and who has been in and out of power ever since, dodging corruption charges and worse all the while. More recently, the miserable state of Europe’s economies has fueled the rise of dozens of other parties. Britain’s Labour Party has been devastated by the rise not only of the leftist Scottish National Party, but also by UKIP, a movement of the right that has been growing at Labour’s expense by campaigning against mass immigration, and by largely abandoning what had been its more libertarian line on the welfare state. UKIP’s leader, Nigel Farage, has a penchant for bombast that endears him his working-class base, which might sound familiar to you.
http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2015/08/donald_trump_why_the_republican_candidate_isn_t_going_away_anytime_soon.html
BWA HA HA HA HA H AH AH
https://twitter.com/FaceTheNation/status/630129470997983233
https://twitter.com/capecast/status/630123132993568768
https://twitter.com/HeerJeet/status/630120411167092736
https://twitter.com/ZannaKatoka/status/630055091349884928
https://twitter.com/HamiltonMusical/status/629805079512653824
https://twitter.com/pandaclimate/status/630097640894660608
Nelson George ✔ @nelsongeorge
Working on @PBS version of #aballerinastale @mistyonpointe with @malikaweeden today. Airing in 2016. In theaters this October. Edit day.
Well, back to cooking again..
Meatloaf
candied yams
blackeyed peas
cornbread
Dr Pepper
Soo country. I poke fun at myself sometimes. LOL!
Everytime I read your menus, I’m ready to grab the tupperware and invite myself over..LOL
Come on, my kids sure do. They take my containers and don’t bring them back. LOL
Me, too,
I hope you don’t lose your Tupperware, SG2. Since unlike you I don’t cook, it’s so handy to warm up carry out leftovers.
ChuckModi @POPSspotSports 5h5 hours ago
Not just Big Mike but father of Vonderrit Myers (in Black) lost his son too. #WorldWatchesFerguson
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CL5XdTPWsAA8cf_.jpg
ChuckModi @POPSspotSports 5h5 hours ago
“White Silence = White Violence” always has. Always will. #WorldWatchesFerguson
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CL5Y3wJW8AAp7dd.jpg
ChuckModi @POPSspotSports 3h3 hours ago
Sister of Andrew Joseph. Killed in Tampa.
Accident helped by police. #WorldWatchesFerguson #BlackAugust
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CL5snEUXAAAsR5p.jpg
Vonderitt Myers march now in Shaw, Mo. Live streaming:
http://www.ustream.tv/z?utm_campaign=longurl.org&utm_source=ustre.am%2FHbME&utm_medium=social&utm_content=20150808123849
LOL Miss Ann is in DISTRESS, and now the MALE GOP want to come to her rescue.GTFOH
Now getting into a car accident is punishable by DEATH
https://twitter.com/TPM/status/630068616336121856/photo/1
truth about TRump from over at BJ
@Ruckus:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hayhyUnmHio
One year tomorrow
MUST LISTEN
Minnesota’s 1965 Voting Rights Act champions
Politics Aug 7, 2015
Civil rights pioneer Dr. Josie Johnson and four members of Minnesota’s 1965 congressional delegation discuss the importance of voting and democracy.
Walter Mondale, Al Quie, Don Fraser and Alec Olson were honored in ceremonies marking the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which was signed Aug. 6, 1965 by President Lyndon B. Johnson. Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon hosted the event at the Landmark Center in St. Paul on July 30, 2015.
http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/08/07/mpr_news_presents
Where the First Family will be staying on vacation:
http://www.mvtimes.com/mvt/uploads/2014/07/imagejpeg_1-700×357.jpg
Enjoy your vacation, FIRST FAMILY!
https://twitter.com/_foulpapers/status/629695850978091008/photo/1
They’re forever stealing.
The self-hate of these folks is GLARING. If you want to take over someone’s ethnicity & culture, what does that say about you?
YOU GOTS NOTHING!
https://twitter.com/theonlyadult/status/629810240633110528/photo/1
LOL Where are the white tear articles & tweets about that black family usurping our tax dollars to vacation?
////SNARK!
I could give two shyts about what Trump said about Meghan Kelly. She has sat up there, without fail, while countless other females, including the First Lady and her daughters, have been insulted, and she hasn’t said shyt.
So, no…I don’t give a phuck what Trump said about her.
https://twitter.com/NerdyWonka/status/629982068290629632
To HELL with Kelly and all these MOFOs.
THE END.
found this in the comments at BJ.
This is what I say…If a public servant is going to be a thief..
THEN GO ALL IN…BE A T-H-I-E-F!!
Not like a lot of these Black politicians..going to jail for what is pennies on the dollar.
……………..
@Amir Khalid:
I have loved this week with Jill Scott. She is so beautiful. I totally wish that they’d film another season of the detective story.
Glad you’re enjoying the series this week, and thanks for the reminder about No.1 Lady Detective Agency. I have added this to the post.
Good Morning, Everyone:)
Got Peanut and her grandmother off to the Bud Billiken Parade, complete with lunch.
I’m off to swim and run errands.
Sounds like a great day ahead for Peanut. She’s so well-loved. What a blessing!
Enjoy your swim.
Good morning, all.
Ametia has rocked Jill Scott all week long. She did the thing! Thank you.
Happy to know you enjoyed the series, SG2. It’s been an intense week.