I Considered Myself A Racist – Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan, in Roland Lazenby’s, “Michael Jordan: The Life,” discussed his upbringing and his views on race as an elementary-school student. An excerpt (hat tip: Natalie Finn of E! Online):
Earlier that year, a girl at school called Michael a “nigger.”
“I threw a soda at her,” he recalled. “It was a very tough year. I was really rebelling. I considered myself a racist at that time. Basically, I was against all white people.”
I know where this is going: What’s the difference between Jordan and Donald Sterling?
For one, Jordan was a kid, someone with a narrow worldview due to lack of experience. Sterling’s hate comes despite a lifetime of opportunities to see the world differently.
Secondly, Jordan has changed. At that time, he was upset about the treatment his great grandfather – who had recently passed away – had received from whites throughout his life (Lazenby talked about that in his interview with PBT). Jordan’s anger was understandable, based on repeatedly seeing and hearing about whites establishing power over blacks and exercising it to do harm. Sterling came from a place of power, and he used it through housing discrimination and workplace harassment to keep minorities down.
In another excerpt from the book (full disclosure: I receive a free promotional copy), Jordan discussed the aftermath of that incident at school:
“The education came from my parents,” Jordan recalled. “You have to be able to say, OK, that happened back then. Now let’s take it from here and see what happens. it would be very easy to hate people for the rest of your life, and some people have done that. You’ve got to deal with what’s happening now and try to make things better.”
Jordan’s grade-school attitude wasn’t healthy. Jordan the adult knows that, and that’s what matters.
Nobody is perfect, but we should all try to learn and be better. Jordan did.

Roger Federer and Wife Mirka Welcome Second Set of Twins

It’s a full house for tennis star Roger Federer and his wife, Mirka.
The couple welcomed their second set of twins Tuesday.
“Mirka and I are so incredibly happy to share that Leo and Lenny were born this evening!” #TwinsAgain #Miracle,” the Swiss tennis pro tweeted Tuesday.
Federer, 32, had pulled out of the Madrid Masters earlier in the day in anticipation of the birth of his twin boys.
“I’ve decided to withdraw from Madrid to be with my wife Mirka during these next few exciting weeks for our family,” he wrote on Facebook Tuesday. “I apologize to my fans and hope to be back in Madrid next year. I’ll be training near my home, and am excited to rejoin the Tour soon!
Roger and Mirka, 36, who have been married for five years, are already parents to 4-year-old identical twin girls Myla Rose and Charlene Riva. Federer’s Swiss wife is a former professional tennis player.

Jada Pinkett Slams Critics of Daughter Willow: Bed Pix Nothing Sexual

Jada Pinkett Smith wants people to get their minds out of the gutter.
A rep for the “Hawthorne” actress didn’t reply to Yahoo’s request for comment about Willow Smith’s photo controversy, but Jada did speak out about it herself on Wednesday night when asked by a pack of paparazzi at Los Angeles International airport.
“Here’s the deal: There was nothing sexual about that picture or that situation,” Jada replied sternly, shaking her finger. “You guys are projecting your trash onto it, and you’re acting like covert pedophiles, and that’s not cool.”
The drama began earlier this week when Moisés Arias, 20, posted a photo to Instagram in which he was shirtless and in bed next to Willow, who is only 13. While there was no physical contact between them — and Willow was fully clothed — it didn’t stop speculation, and Arias, who appeared as Rico in “Hannah Montana,” deleted the picture.
Neither Arias nor Willow has spoken out directly, but Gossip Cop reports that a source close to Arias called any suggestion of a romantic relationship between them “laughable” and said that she is “like a sister” to him.
Nonetheless, concern was expressed for the young “Whip My Hair” singer, with comments ranging from “sick” to “inappropriate” to “weird.” Willow is known to hang out with the older Jenner sisters — Kylie, 16, and Kendall, 18, who have been photographed coming and going from nightclubs. They’ve also posed with Arias on social media.
Jada and Will Smith have a laidback parenting style. The “Men in Black 3″ actor said last year that they don’t punish their children — also including son Jaden, 15. (Will also has a 21-year-old son, Trey, from his first marriage.)
“The way that we deal with our kids is, they are responsible for their lives,” he told Metro last year. “Our concept is, as young as possible, give them as much control over their lives as possible and the concept of punishment, our experience has been — it has a little too much of a negative quality.”
As for Arias’s status with the Smith family? Just fine. On Wednesday night he was photographed out to dinner with Jaden.

Nadia Buari joins #bringbackourgirls campaign + Group of Ghanaian mothers to petition Nigerian High Commissioner this Sunday!

Prolific African actress Nadia Buari has added her voice to the cry for the immediate return of the abducted Chibok Secondary School girls in Brono State, Nigeria. The disturbing news that struck the attention of the world has seen various influential celebrities add their voices to the ranging protest.
Speaking with the passionate actress who expressed her disappointment in the authorities’ inability to stabilize the menace which prompted her join the protest said she won’t give up till the inhumane act is resolved.
Nadia Buari further thanked her friends and colleagues Morgan Piers, Keke Palmer, Drake, Justin Timberlake, Wyclef Jean etc. for supporting the course, she concluded saying she will pioneer the #BringBackOurGirlsNow campaign here in Ghana and pray for stability in Nigeria.
Meanwhile this Sunday there will be a solidarity campaign in Accra organized by a group of Ghanaian parents. Dubbed ‘Find Our Daughters Now!!!’ the campaign is a show of Solidarity on Mother’s Day – Sunday 11th May – when the group will be presenting a signed petition to the Nigerian High Commissioner at his residence on Independence Avenue. Meeting Point is the BARCLAYS CLUB HOUSE (on the British High Commission road) at 09:00 hrs. Interested persons can join the petition as well. “Wear red or black (or both). Come one, come all!! Spread the word to friends and family who may not be on FaceBook. Parents bring your children, it is never too early for them to start exercising their social conscience This is the least we as Ghanaians can do to help #BringOurDaughtersBackGH”

“I’ve been diagnosed with hypertension, so I have to relocate from Nigeria’ – Kunle Afolayan

Early this year, prolific Nollywood director Kunle Afolayan took to his Facebook page to express his frustration about Nigeria and his plans to relocate as he could no longer bear the hardship.
Well, it looks like he’s made up his mind to really relocate. In a recent interview with Netng, he said he has been diagnosed with hypertension and must relocate. When asked if his relocation would not discourage those who are looking up to him, Kunle said:
“I have been diagnosed with hypertension, so I should stay here and die because I want to impress people? It isn’t about people anymore. It is now about me and my health. I have proven that certain things can be done in this country but you have to use blood and sweat. All the projects I have done, I have had to use these two. For me to achieve this, whoever is ready to use blood and sweat too might be able to achieve same feat. But we don’t have the same strength. Right now I am overwhelmed in a way and I can function from anywhere. I can go to Hollywood and be lecturing African cinema or go to Gambia and be making film or move to Ghana. I love this country which is why I am still here. I discourage people form traveling abroad but health is wealth. I think it is important that I am in the right frame of mind for health reasons” he said.

P. Diddy Joins the Protest #Bringbackourgirls

American heavyweight pop star Sean Combs AKA P Diddy posted the above pix in support of the #Bringbackour girls campaign.
It’s amazing how loads of A listed American celebrities turnout in support of this and i must say….I’m impressed.
Thanks to you all…..God Bless us all

French UMP,Thierry Mariani under fire for saying Boko Haram kidnapping exonerates the West on Slavery

Member of the French National Assembly for French residents overseas,Thierry Mariani has justified the abduction of over 200 girls by Boko Haram saying ”
The abduction sect # BokoHaram recalled that Africa did not wait for the West to engage in slavery # deculpabilisation
This caused serious outrage in France by celebrities and politicians with many calling his comment outrageous and insensitive . PS MP Dear Yann Galut denounced it as ” simply outrageous and shameful “.Humorist Sophia Aram said, Thierry Mariani ” demonstrates that bullshit is universal .”
He has been asked to apologize or take it down with calls for sanctions against him. He has not deleted the tweet or apologised and A hashtag #stopmariani has been started…

 Translation: If I understand correctly, the UMP @ ThierryMARIANI wants to “exonerate” the West have practised slavery? Provocation or disease?

Translation” unbearable slippages on twitter @ ThierryMARIANI. He apologizes and he closes his account for good. # stopmariani The mayor of Meaux ,Jean- Francois Cope said

“I had Thierry Mariani on the phone, he told me that his remarks had exceeded his thought and of course as we all condemning the heinous crime ( Boko Haram ) ,I have deeply regretted ( what Mr. Mariani ) , deplored , I told him and we explained that ” France is first in line to contribute to the research so that the despicable actions of these terrorists are arrested as soon as possible “