Good morning peeps!! Did you watch the Grammy Award show last night...wow! All I can say is it's the best I've seen in years! The Grammys are clearly trying to keep up with The Video Music Awards Show. The Grammys used to be a snooze! Where do I begin? Trying to come up with an appropriate song title to set this off was a challenge, but I decided to use Side Show, by Blue Magic. Can you guess why? I will reveal my reason...although you probably get it. Now, for my analysis of the show.
Opening number: It was brilliant and inspired to pair Lady GaGa with Sir Elton John. Both are flamboyant, talented, over-the-top show people...period! GaGa is a native New Yorker who has taken this town by storm, just in the last two years. While it's true that she uses props, costumes and gimmicks in her shows, she has the talent to back it up! Sir Elton also uses props at times, but began his career on the strength of his writing talent and musicianship. In my opinion, these two put on an amazing opening performance.
Beyonce! This lady has enough talent to share with all of her peers and then some! She reminded me of Tina Turner at her maddest, baddest Mad Max self! When B dropped to her knees and did the hair swinging routine, she was definitely channeling Ms. Tina Turner! The only criticism an old fogie like I have, was the "crotch grab" when she sang, "If I Were A Boy," though I understand she did it for the effect. All in all, she put on an amazing performance, only to be outdone (in my opinion), by...Pink!
Pink! I've always enjoyed Pink's stage performances that I've only seen on television on shows like these; never in person. However, she blew the roof off that sucker last night with her acrobatic prowess and finesse!
Plus, she was singing! Not lip syncing...singing! Kudos to Pink!
The Black Eyed Peas! Another high energy, fun performance! These fellas and lady never fail to bring the audience alive with their futuristic looking sets, costumes, themes and energy. I hope they are around for a long time; they are very creative and innovative. Those dancers behind them looked like they were wearing lip costumes; a bit tacky.
Maxwell! If ever there was an heir apparent to Marvin Gaye, I think it's Maxwell! Someone needs to hurry up an write Marvin's biopic and by all means, cast Maxwell as Marvin Gaye! For real though.
Mary J: My friend Keith says that Mary J. can really sing now, after perhaps taking some voice training. Before, she used to be able to belt out a song with just raw emotion and often sounded "off key." Now, she exhibits more control and can actually sing a ballad smoothly.
Jamie Foxx and T-Pain: Good fun; Jamie is indeed a multi-talented performer and has conquered several genre of the entertainment sphere. T-Pain needs a makeover by now.
Lil' Wayne, M&M and Drake: Ho-hum! Why bother when every other word had to be bleeped! And little Wayne is the poster boy for "pants on the ground!" Won't somebody buy him a belt? That "dropped waist pants look" is so last decade!
3-D tribute to Michael Jackson: Note to Grammys...where were the glasses? If you didn't happen to have the 3-D glasses (I thought my Avatar glasses would work); it was just a well intentioned but blurry mess. God bless Micheal's children; they are so well mannered and well spoken. They obviously and genuinely loved their daddy.
Kings of Leon: Who?
Taylor Swift: Thanks to Kanye West, she is the Reigning Queen of Awards!
Chris Brown: Had it not been for your terrible behavior and brutalization of Rhianna last year, your ass might have been in the Michael Jackson Tribute. As it was, you probably weren't even invited this year.
Rhianna: Why was it necessary to trot Solange's little boy up to the stage with you and Jay?
Well, that is my assessment of last night's Grammy Awards Show. Overall grade: B+ because it got boring in spots, after all the exciting performances. I kinda wanted the high energy to continue throughout the entire show. However, it was still the best I've seen in years! Why Side Show? The whole show had a Cirque De Soleil; Las Vegas feel to it. Weigh in with comments about the show, please.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
"Sixty-Minute Man" - Billy Ward and The Dominoes
Good morning peeps! Remember when you were a youngster and heard songs that you thought you knew the meaning of but didn't? I sure do! So, I've decided to write a little ditty about some of the most clever "innuendo" songs from then and now; only now, these songs are way more explicit, and younger children have them figured out. It's the parents that often don't know the true meaning of these songs. Back in the fifties, Doo-Wop music was all the rage, although it wasn't called *Doo-Wop; (*see yesterday's blog for a little history); it was called rhythm and blues. My mother had a particular fondness for this music and had many records in her collection. She would play music almost everyday as she cooked and cleaned house. On weekends when we were home from school, I'd sit under her and sing-along with the songs she played, not fully understanding what the songs were about. I just knew that they sounded good. I'd also watch my mother's reactions, and form a child's opinion as to whether the song was a "somebody-done-somebody-wrong-song," or some other grown-up dilemma. Little did I know that some of these songs were actually talking about sex!
It wasn't until years later when I became a teen-ager did I understand the true meaning of these delightful songs! The first innuendo songs that I figured out the meanings of were, "Work With Me Annie" by Hank Ballard and the Midnighters (he wrote and performed the original version of The Twist, which later became a monster hit for Chubby Checker), and a song called "Sixty-Minute Man" by The Dominoes. A follow up song to "Work With Me Annie" was called "Roll With Me Henry" by Etta James and Hank Ballard, later to be retitled, Wallflower...perhaps to quell the controversy. Now both songs were purportedly about dancing, but another follow-up song declared, "Annie Had A Baby", also written by Hank Ballard. Now I ask you...can you have a baby by merely "dancing" with Henry? I think Not! These are innuendo songs. The other popular one, "Sixty Minute Man" speaks for itself: "there'll be sixty minutes of kissing, then you'll holler don't stop, they'll be 15 minutes of teasing, 15 minutes of squeezing, and 15 minutes of blowing my top!" Through the years, many more songs joined the ranks of innuendo or double entendre songs.
Fast forward to eighties and nineties: The New Jack era introduced a whole 'nother type of innuendo songs; songs that were more explicit and less implied. Songs like "I Wanna Sex You Up" by Color Me Badd" and anything by R. Kelly. Songs about bumpin', grindin' and knocking da boots! The Rap lyrics were very explicit and soon warning labels had to be added to the jackets and labels. Biggie Smalls had a song that clearly stated what he wanted to do to his woman tonight! I used to cringe hearing that blared on a boom box out in public...not that I'm a prude, but I felt it was inappropriate for children to hear, in that context. More recent songs contained lyrics that talked about "milkshakes" and "skeets,"and I swear I didn't know what any of this meant until younger people explained it to me. By the time Flo -rida sang about about "when you go downtown", I knew for sure what he was insinuating! I wondered if the producers of American Idol knew when they had him on? After all, that is supposedly a family show! LaBelle's Lady Marmalade seems tame now, when they ask, "voulez-vous coucher avec moi, ce soir?" As Bob Dylan said, "times, they are a changing."
It wasn't until years later when I became a teen-ager did I understand the true meaning of these delightful songs! The first innuendo songs that I figured out the meanings of were, "Work With Me Annie" by Hank Ballard and the Midnighters (he wrote and performed the original version of The Twist, which later became a monster hit for Chubby Checker), and a song called "Sixty-Minute Man" by The Dominoes. A follow up song to "Work With Me Annie" was called "Roll With Me Henry" by Etta James and Hank Ballard, later to be retitled, Wallflower...perhaps to quell the controversy. Now both songs were purportedly about dancing, but another follow-up song declared, "Annie Had A Baby", also written by Hank Ballard. Now I ask you...can you have a baby by merely "dancing" with Henry? I think Not! These are innuendo songs. The other popular one, "Sixty Minute Man" speaks for itself: "there'll be sixty minutes of kissing, then you'll holler don't stop, they'll be 15 minutes of teasing, 15 minutes of squeezing, and 15 minutes of blowing my top!" Through the years, many more songs joined the ranks of innuendo or double entendre songs.
Fast forward to eighties and nineties: The New Jack era introduced a whole 'nother type of innuendo songs; songs that were more explicit and less implied. Songs like "I Wanna Sex You Up" by Color Me Badd" and anything by R. Kelly. Songs about bumpin', grindin' and knocking da boots! The Rap lyrics were very explicit and soon warning labels had to be added to the jackets and labels. Biggie Smalls had a song that clearly stated what he wanted to do to his woman tonight! I used to cringe hearing that blared on a boom box out in public...not that I'm a prude, but I felt it was inappropriate for children to hear, in that context. More recent songs contained lyrics that talked about "milkshakes" and "skeets,"and I swear I didn't know what any of this meant until younger people explained it to me. By the time Flo -rida sang about about "when you go downtown", I knew for sure what he was insinuating! I wondered if the producers of American Idol knew when they had him on? After all, that is supposedly a family show! LaBelle's Lady Marmalade seems tame now, when they ask, "voulez-vous coucher avec moi, ce soir?" As Bob Dylan said, "times, they are a changing."
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
"Those Oldies But Goodies" - Little Ceasar & The Romans
Good morning peeps!! "I love music...any kind of music"...so said The O'Jays. Well, the same goes for me! I was raised in a home that valued music as a form of entertainment and enjoyment. Some of my happiest memories from very early childhood include music as a back drop. My mother, Vergie, fancied herself as a singer and would always harmonize along with the Doo-Wop artists of her generation: The Clovers, The Heartbeats, Shep and The Limelight's, The Platters, The Dells, The Spaniels, The Five Keys, The Five Satins, The 5 Royales, Billy Ward and The Dominoes and The Drifters to name a few of her favorites. Then there were the various "bird name" groups: The Penguins, The Ravens, The Orioles, The Wrens, The Flamingos, The Crows, The Larks and so on. I can't forget the "car name" groups: The Cadillacs, The Edsels, and The Fleetwoods. So, what is "Doo-Wop?" A young friend of mine recently asked me this question upon learning about my preference for this type of music. Now, I thought it would be an easy enough question to answer until he offered examples of what he thought it was. His frame of reference only went back to the late sixties or early seventies, and his examples were groups like The Temptations, Stylistics, Delfonics and Whispers. I thought about his choices, then explained that although these groups sang in a style that was influenced by Doo-Wop, these are not really Doo-Wop groups. So, what is Doo-Wop?"
When the style of music we now call Doo-Wop was introduced to our culture, it was not called "Doo-Wop." This style of group harmonizing was originally sung by gospel groups and influenced by blues singers. These groups often sang "A Capella" which is an Italian term that means, "in the style of the chapel." However, it has taken on the meaning of singing without instrumental accompaniment. Credited as being an African-American vocal style that emerged from the streets of Northeastern and industrial Midwestern cities like New York, Pittsburgh, Chicago and Baltimore, this music was called "Rock and Roll" or "Rhythm and Blues." When performed by Black artists, it was also referred to as "race music." However, when the same songs were "covered" by Caucasian artists, it was called, "pop" or "mainstream" music.
One of the earliest groups to sing in the style that was later labeled "Doo-Wop" were The Ink Spots, who recorded a nifty tune called, "My Prayer" in 1939; a song which was later covered by The Platters. Rhythm and Blues groups usually consisted of anywhere from three to six members; singing in 3, 4 or even 5 part harmonies. Bass singers held exalted positions in Rhythm and Blues groups; (think Bill Pinkney singing bass on The Drifter's White Christmas) Okay, when did it become "Doo-Wop?"
The term "Doo-Wop" first appeared in 1961 at the height of a vocal harmony resurgence. The first hit record (don't quote me on this) to use the actual syllables "doo-wop" in the refrain was the 1955 hit, When You Dance" by The Turbans. Other songs using this particular set of syllables soon emerged including, In The Still Of The Night, by The Five Satins. This song incidentally, is often considered the greatest "Doo-Wop" song of all time by some loyalists. Now I am certain that there are other schools of thought regarding what constitutes "Doo-Wop" music, but this is my opinion, backed by some informal research and readings. Regardless of the origins of this music, it will always hold a most favorite place in my heart...and soul.
When the style of music we now call Doo-Wop was introduced to our culture, it was not called "Doo-Wop." This style of group harmonizing was originally sung by gospel groups and influenced by blues singers. These groups often sang "A Capella" which is an Italian term that means, "in the style of the chapel." However, it has taken on the meaning of singing without instrumental accompaniment. Credited as being an African-American vocal style that emerged from the streets of Northeastern and industrial Midwestern cities like New York, Pittsburgh, Chicago and Baltimore, this music was called "Rock and Roll" or "Rhythm and Blues." When performed by Black artists, it was also referred to as "race music." However, when the same songs were "covered" by Caucasian artists, it was called, "pop" or "mainstream" music.
One of the earliest groups to sing in the style that was later labeled "Doo-Wop" were The Ink Spots, who recorded a nifty tune called, "My Prayer" in 1939; a song which was later covered by The Platters. Rhythm and Blues groups usually consisted of anywhere from three to six members; singing in 3, 4 or even 5 part harmonies. Bass singers held exalted positions in Rhythm and Blues groups; (think Bill Pinkney singing bass on The Drifter's White Christmas) Okay, when did it become "Doo-Wop?"
The term "Doo-Wop" first appeared in 1961 at the height of a vocal harmony resurgence. The first hit record (don't quote me on this) to use the actual syllables "doo-wop" in the refrain was the 1955 hit, When You Dance" by The Turbans. Other songs using this particular set of syllables soon emerged including, In The Still Of The Night, by The Five Satins. This song incidentally, is often considered the greatest "Doo-Wop" song of all time by some loyalists. Now I am certain that there are other schools of thought regarding what constitutes "Doo-Wop" music, but this is my opinion, backed by some informal research and readings. Regardless of the origins of this music, it will always hold a most favorite place in my heart...and soul.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
"Benny and the Jets" - Elton John
Good afternoon peeps and peepettes!!! Are you caught up in football fever? I'm not but...I can't think of another topic to write about that I haven't already touched lately, so I'll go with the perennial flow and talk about...gasp...football! There! I've said the "F" word! As you might have figured, I am not a football fan; nor baseball for that matter. However, I am a New York fan and will get caught up in the hoopla of a New York sports team making it to a playoff of any type. In speaking with my son today, who is celebrating his Bornday, I now know some of the "whys" and "wherefores" of the game. I must however add this caveat: my native New York born son is a die hard, staunch Pittsburgh Steelers fan! Always has been and always will be! He even went The University of Pittsburgh for goodness sake! By the way ladies, weigh in as to whether or not you watch the games with your significant other; back in the day I used to cuddle up with my then husband and pretend to watch the game...he too was a Pittsburgh Steelers fan (so, that's where my son got it from); don't think I'd be willing to do that today...unless my man agreed to watch Project Runway with me that is!
Here's what I know:
1. The Jets and The Colts are AFC teams
2. The Vikings and The Saints are NFC teams
3. Mark Sanchez is The Jets QB
4. Peyton Manning is The Colt's QB
5. The Colts used to be situated in Baltimore but are now representing Indianapolis (guess they watched The Wire too).
6. Brad and Angelina broke up...oops, how'd that get in here?
7. The Vikings play for Minnesota (son, I knew that!), and are called The Purple People Eaters
8. The Raiders play for Oakland ; gang bangers and rappers love to wear their hat.
9. The Jets are called Gang Green
10.The Jets and The Saints are the favored teams today
Here's what I know:
1. The Jets and The Colts are AFC teams
2. The Vikings and The Saints are NFC teams
3. Mark Sanchez is The Jets QB
4. Peyton Manning is The Colt's QB
5. The Colts used to be situated in Baltimore but are now representing Indianapolis (guess they watched The Wire too).
6. Brad and Angelina broke up...oops, how'd that get in here?
7. The Vikings play for Minnesota (son, I knew that!), and are called The Purple People Eaters
8. The Raiders play for Oakland ; gang bangers and rappers love to wear their hat.
9. The Jets are called Gang Green
10.The Jets and The Saints are the favored teams today
My Top Football songs (Team names, colors, related to football)
1. Benny and the Jets - Elton John
2. It Ain't Easy Being Green - Kermit D Frog
3.When You're A Jet - From West Side Story
4. You Gotta Be A Football Hero - Jon Reeves
5. When The Saints Go Marching In - Everybody
6. I'm Going Down - Rose Royce (what? somebody has to)
7. Jet - Paul McCartney
8. leaving On A Jet Plane - Peter, Paul and Mary
9. The Saints Are Coming - U2
10. We Love Brett Favre - Tom Sumner
11. The Purple People Eater - Sheb Wooley
12. A Horse With No Name - America
5. When The Saints Go Marching In - Everybody
6. I'm Going Down - Rose Royce (what? somebody has to)
7. Jet - Paul McCartney
8. leaving On A Jet Plane - Peter, Paul and Mary
9. The Saints Are Coming - U2
10. We Love Brett Favre - Tom Sumner
11. The Purple People Eater - Sheb Wooley
12. A Horse With No Name - America
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Nightshift - The Commodores
thGood morning peeps!! It's good to be here again albeit on a sad note. This new year of 2010 had hardly settled in good when the bad news just kept on coming. January, 2010 will forever be known as the year that the small country of Haiti was decimated by a catastrophic earthquake! The death toll still not yet tallied. The flip-side though, is that after nearly two weeks, survivors are still being pulled from the rubble! Nothing short of miraculous!
In the world of politics, backlash is rearing it's ugly head. Opponents of President Obama's Health Care initiatives are gloating about the democratic defeat or republican victory if you will, in the state of Massachusetts, where the late Senator Teddy Kennedy's seat is going to be filled by republican Scott Brown. Brown defeated his heavily favored; Obama endorsed democratic opponent, Martha Coakley. To add further insult to injury, he defeated the other possible heir to the seat, Independent Joseph L Kennedy, with Kennedy acquiring a mere 1 percent of the vote! Notable because not only is Joseph a Kennedy, but the Kennedy's have held a stronghold on Massachusetts for over forty years! For many, the vote was not as much for Scott Brown as it was a vote against President Obama's agenda. Remember when Rush (Hush) Limbaugh declared he wanted Obama to fail? Well it seems that his followers have taken this to heart. We all knew there would be a backlash against Barack Obama sooner or later, didn't we? Well now it is coming to fruition. This persistent opposition can only serve to undermine President Obama's legacy, as his approval rating is slipping drastically.
Finally, 2010 has seen the death of some of the singers we have loved and listened to as we entered adulthood. Teddy Pendergrass: "The Chocolate Teddy Bear" He was one of the handsomest, most soulful singers of our generation. Tall, dark and deliciously handsome...he will be missed! Robert "Squirrel" Lester of The Chi-lites; I used to chuckle as he bounced around the stage in the Chi-Lite's live concerts' wearing their traditional "Chicago gangster" style zoot suits! Oh how the ladies loved Squirrel! Smooth and still fine well into his sixties; he will be missed too!
The "B-side" of these losses is that the "Heavenly Soul Band" just became more soulful! Can you imagine the jam session that must be taking place? Michael Jackson "Moon Walked" down to the Pearly Gates to greet the new comers with open arms. James Brown said, "I Feel Good," as Marvin wondered, "What's Going On?" Sam Cooke chimed in with, "A Change is Gonna Come" while Curtis Mayfield said this band is going to be "Superfly!" Jackie Wilson added, "You Better Know It." Brook Benton said "Fools Rush In" but Dinah Washington added, You Got What It Takes!" Billy Holiday said, "Our Love Is Here To Stay!" Fats Waller piped, "One Never Knows, Do One?" Louie Armstrong intoned, "What A Wonderful World"
Paul Williams, David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks and Melvin Franklin harmonized,"Don't Look Back"
Ah yes, the Heavenly Soul Band...God is jammin' with the best!
In the world of politics, backlash is rearing it's ugly head. Opponents of President Obama's Health Care initiatives are gloating about the democratic defeat or republican victory if you will, in the state of Massachusetts, where the late Senator Teddy Kennedy's seat is going to be filled by republican Scott Brown. Brown defeated his heavily favored; Obama endorsed democratic opponent, Martha Coakley. To add further insult to injury, he defeated the other possible heir to the seat, Independent Joseph L Kennedy, with Kennedy acquiring a mere 1 percent of the vote! Notable because not only is Joseph a Kennedy, but the Kennedy's have held a stronghold on Massachusetts for over forty years! For many, the vote was not as much for Scott Brown as it was a vote against President Obama's agenda. Remember when Rush (Hush) Limbaugh declared he wanted Obama to fail? Well it seems that his followers have taken this to heart. We all knew there would be a backlash against Barack Obama sooner or later, didn't we? Well now it is coming to fruition. This persistent opposition can only serve to undermine President Obama's legacy, as his approval rating is slipping drastically.
Finally, 2010 has seen the death of some of the singers we have loved and listened to as we entered adulthood. Teddy Pendergrass: "The Chocolate Teddy Bear" He was one of the handsomest, most soulful singers of our generation. Tall, dark and deliciously handsome...he will be missed! Robert "Squirrel" Lester of The Chi-lites; I used to chuckle as he bounced around the stage in the Chi-Lite's live concerts' wearing their traditional "Chicago gangster" style zoot suits! Oh how the ladies loved Squirrel! Smooth and still fine well into his sixties; he will be missed too!
The "B-side" of these losses is that the "Heavenly Soul Band" just became more soulful! Can you imagine the jam session that must be taking place? Michael Jackson "Moon Walked" down to the Pearly Gates to greet the new comers with open arms. James Brown said, "I Feel Good," as Marvin wondered, "What's Going On?" Sam Cooke chimed in with, "A Change is Gonna Come" while Curtis Mayfield said this band is going to be "Superfly!" Jackie Wilson added, "You Better Know It." Brook Benton said "Fools Rush In" but Dinah Washington added, You Got What It Takes!" Billy Holiday said, "Our Love Is Here To Stay!" Fats Waller piped, "One Never Knows, Do One?" Louie Armstrong intoned, "What A Wonderful World"
Paul Williams, David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks and Melvin Franklin harmonized,"Don't Look Back"
Ah yes, the Heavenly Soul Band...God is jammin' with the best!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
"Turn Off The Lights" - Teddy Pendergrass
Good morning peeps! Another day and more sorrow. Our sisters and brothers in Haiti are reeling in suffering, pain, death, missing family members, hopelessness, lack of everything! Whatever we are going through in our lives certainly pales in comparison. Unfortunately, there are those who would even use a tragedy like this, to bash our president! Right wing pundit Rush Limbaugh, is criticizing President Obama for pledging aid to Haiti so quickly. Limbaugh says the president wasn't as concerned about the passengers on the flight with the so-called "underwear bomber", and didn't respond in a timely manner. We are not surprised though, because this man; Rush will always "rush" to judgement when it comes to Barack Obama. He has nothing but disdain for this president, and will take any opportunity to bash him; even this most recent tragedy. If President Obama had not responded swiftly, he would have been resoundly criticizes by all...including Rush. Next, Pat Robinson, the conservative so-called religious spokes person (I don't know what he really is) makes the outrageous and most outlandish statement that I've heard in a long time! He says, with great relish I might add, that "the Haitian people made a pact with the devil, in order to be freed from French rule, therefore, they are now being punished, while the Dominicans (who also occupy the same island of Hispaniola) are flourishing." This man really said this with a straight face, as the woman he was speaking with nodded in agreement. You can see this on YouTube. Now I don't begrudge him his right to say what he wants to, but I cannot believe that he truely believes what he is saying...in the year 2010! It sounds like what was said in the 1600's during The Salem Witch Trails; Salem Massachusettes. What?
On another sad note: We music lovers have lost yet another one of the great voices of all time; the soulful Teddy Pendergrass. There will never be another like him...R.I.P. Teddy Bear!
On another sad note: We music lovers have lost yet another one of the great voices of all time; the soulful Teddy Pendergrass. There will never be another like him...R.I.P. Teddy Bear!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
"He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" - The Hollies
Good afternoon peeps...well, not so good. How sad that as we enter a new year we are faced with a tragedy of catastrophic proportions. Under these circumstances, people are prone to question God...as if God is The "Punisher." When rationality resumes, we intellectualize, analyze and realize that the forces of nature kicks in every so often, as part of the "natural order" of things. Depending on your geographic location on this planet of ours, you are going to experience the forces of nature; be it hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, flood, tsunamis, volcanoes, wildfires or mudslides. Without getting into a technical, geologic discussion which I am not qualified to do anyway, I think it is accurate to say that Haiti happens to be located in area of the earth that is atop many a fault line and shifting plates, that move periodically. The results are devastating! So, what can we do about it?
Praying will make us feel better but a more pragmatic response would be to assist in material ways. No, we cannot realistically hop on a plane and physically go to the Island of Hispaniola; the portion called Port-Au-Prince Haiti. We can however, send monetary donations to The Red Cross; a reputable organization that offers disaster relief. There is a way to text a ten dollar donation: text HAITI to 90999, and The Red Cross will acknowledge your donation.Also, check with your local Red Cross to see if donations of food, clothing and other staples are being accepted. Pack up those clothes you or your children no longer wear because you feel they are "out dated" or no longer fit. They might seem useless to you but boy would they be appreciated by the people affected by this earthquake!
Before you do anything though, make sure you deal with a legitimate relief organization! Don't act impulsively out of feelings of sorrow, empathy, or misplaced guilt! Check the video I posted on Facebook about this. What a sad way to remember the new year of 2010. It will now be forever known as the year Haiti was struck by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake, that affected over three million people, and possibly killed untold thousands. As I write this piece, the totality of this disaster is not yet written!
Praying will make us feel better but a more pragmatic response would be to assist in material ways. No, we cannot realistically hop on a plane and physically go to the Island of Hispaniola; the portion called Port-Au-Prince Haiti. We can however, send monetary donations to The Red Cross; a reputable organization that offers disaster relief. There is a way to text a ten dollar donation: text HAITI to 90999, and The Red Cross will acknowledge your donation.Also, check with your local Red Cross to see if donations of food, clothing and other staples are being accepted. Pack up those clothes you or your children no longer wear because you feel they are "out dated" or no longer fit. They might seem useless to you but boy would they be appreciated by the people affected by this earthquake!
Before you do anything though, make sure you deal with a legitimate relief organization! Don't act impulsively out of feelings of sorrow, empathy, or misplaced guilt! Check the video I posted on Facebook about this. What a sad way to remember the new year of 2010. It will now be forever known as the year Haiti was struck by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake, that affected over three million people, and possibly killed untold thousands. As I write this piece, the totality of this disaster is not yet written!
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