Your Black Health

Your Black Health: How to Have a Happy and Healthy Holiday

2011-11-06T16:15:00.001-05:00

by Shani K. Collins, Your Black Health

The Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays are uponus. We will enjoy many delicious mealsprepared with love. Also, the joy of beingin the presence of our family and our friends will be an added highlight to theseason. Although the holidays are a timefor food, fellowship, and giving thanks, they are not an excuse to take ourfocus off our health.

Here are 10 quick tips for enjoying the holidays,and remaining sensible while doing so:

1. Start with Self-Love and a Plan.Yes, your family and friends love you, but you have to love yourself also. By making your health a priority this holidayseason, you’ll be inclined to stay focused. Write down your health goals for the holidays. List your reasons for wanting to improve yourhealth. Identify a partner to help youstay focused and to support your goals. Keepa reflection journal, and make a schedule.

The holidays will entice you tooverindulge. By getting in touch with yourfeelings about your health and your reasons for desiring to stay healthy thisseason, you’ll feel empowered and stay the course. Your Mantra: “I am important to me; therefore, I willplace my health needs first.”

2. Drink plenty of water:Water helps us to replenish our bodies; it also provides the “full” sensation. Drinka glass of water before eating; you will consume less food this way. Be sure to stay hydrated during the holidays,as sodas, fruit juices, and other beverages will be in excess. Nothing replaces water; it’s great for yourbody.

3. Establish and/or Maintain YourFitness Routine: If you already work out, continue to doso. If you desire to start, set smallgoals that will work for your schedule, and commit to exercising daily. (Ex:walking or jogging 30 minutes a day). Ifit’s too cold outside, purchase a DVD and/or even tune into Fitness TV, and getyour workout on. Whether you arecleaning for visitors, or dancing at the holiday party, there are many ways foryou to engage your body and burn fat. Let your exercising continue into the NewYear and beyond. However, before youbegin an exercise routine, consult with your regular physician.

4. Prepare for outings:Trips to grocery and department stores can actually cause you to snack on freeholiday samples. Take light, healthysnacks like strawberries, grapes, carrots, or even peanut butter crackers withyou when you are shopping. By doingthis, you will be less likely to indulge on too many holiday samples. If you do have a sample, take one or share itwith someone.

5. Eat a small meal before you visitfamily/friends: Food is always in surplus when visiting thehomes of family and friends. You cansometimes eat 2 to 3 heavy meals a day during this season. To avoid this, eat a small meal before youvisit, and instead of always accepting food when it’s offered, you can politelysay: “No, thank you, I’ve already eaten.” Your friends and family willunderstand.

6. Avoid left-overs:Left-overs are a staple of the holidays, but they can be avoided. Don’t overfill your plate. Eat your food inone setting. Avoid taking carry-out plates. If you do take a carry-out, only take single servings. Don’t take 2 or 3plates of food home. When the temptationis in your refrigerator, it will be hard to resist.

7. Have sweets in moderation:Sipping on holiday tea, and eating decadent cookies, pies and cakes willstretch your waist line and erode your teeth. Sweets are okay, but they should be eaten in moderation. Remember to brush and floss your teeth eachday, especially after meals. Sugar breaks down the tooth enamel. You don’t wantdental problems in the New Year; they can be painful and costly.

8. Use portion control: Portioncontrol is the key to remaining sensible during the holidays. Avoid oversized portions. Take your time when eating. Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.Eat more whole grains. Consume more dairy. Visit www.choosemyplate.gov for moreinformation on portion control and on eating sensibly.

9. Track your food intake.Staying within your daily calorie limit is wise. By tracking your food you can know what youare eating. There are many smartphoneapplications that allow you to track on the go. Before you pop that cheesecake bite into your mouth, ask yourself thisquestion: How many calories are in asingle serving? Even bite-sizedfoods can be filled with high calories. Calories do add up, so be sure to readnutrition labels, and track away.

10. Enjoyyourself. Of course, no one wants togain weight during the holidays. Although it is unreasonable to expect yourselfto be 100% perfect during this season, be reminded that you are the onlygatekeeper of your body. Do cut yourselfsome slack, but don’t settle for complacency with your health.

Overeating during the holidays can leadto overeating during the New Year and beyond. This is a cycle you want to avoid! Therefore, this holiday season, enjoyfood, family and friends, but don’t forget to establish and maintain healthyboundaries for yourself.

As the sayinggoes, a pound of prevention is worth anounce of cure. If you exercise, andfocus on not overindulging on food this holiday season, you will reap therewards of a peace of mind and a healthy, fit body in the New Year. This will be the greatest gift of all.

Shani K. Collins is a freelancewriter completing doctoral studies in social work at the University of Alabama. Her interest is in public health social workand health disparities. You may visither at www.shanicollins.com

Doctors Unearth First HIV-Prevention Method Controlled by Women

2011-10-22T17:22:00.001-04:00

Your Black World reports

An HIV drug has been found to be effective against genital herpes when it’s applied as a gel.

The journal Cell Host & Microbe has reported that when tested on women in South Africa, the anti-HIV/AIDS drug Tenofovir dropped herpes infections by 51%. It also reduced HIV infections by 39%.

The drug is found to inhibit enzymes that the viruses both need in order to replicate. It has to be applied topically to the vaginal canal both before and after sex. This finding is significant because it’s the first HIV prevention method that is controlled by women, even without the man’s knowledge.

HIV infections in South Africa have spiraled out of control. In the United States, the rate of HIV infections has also started to grow in recent years. There is no word on how the method might be applied here in the United States.

Five Diseases That Are More Common in Minorities

2011-10-15T23:44:00.001-04:00

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Black Women Face Increased Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

2011-10-03T13:32:00.001-04:00

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Iyanla Vanzant: God is Still Good

2011-09-29T11:16:00.001-04:00

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Christina Edmondson, Ph.D - Dealing with Toxic Friendships

2011-09-21T12:04:00.001-04:00

by Dr. Christina Edmondson, Your Black World

If you think a fair-weather friend is bad, just wait until you experience a frenemy.

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Shani K. Collins: When It Comes to Black Men and Prostate Cancer, It Takes a Whole Village

2011-09-17T00:44:00.001-04:00

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Study: Pesticide Use Linked to ADHD in Children

2011-09-16T23:02:00.000-04:00

A new study has found that the levels of pesticides found incommon foods are linked to increases in the rate of Attention DeficitHyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) among children. The journal Pediatrics isreporting that the use of pesticides could not only be a correlated factor, butmight also be a cause.

"It's mainly exposure through food. Diet is thedriver," says pediatrician and public health expert Phil Landrigan, MD,professor and chair of the department of community and preventive medicine atMount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. "For most people, diet isthe predominant source. It's been shown that people who switch to an organicdiet knock down the levels of pesticide by-products in their urine by 85 to 90percent."

The researchers studied 1,140 children, analyzing theirurine. They found that of the 1,140children studied, they met the criteria for ADHD. Children with a high level of the breakdownproduct of neurotoxic organophosphate pesticides were twice as likely to bediagnosed with ADHD. Other researchershave recommended that women eat organic at least six months before conceptionand also during pregnancy.

This study focused on organophosphates, which are designedto attack the neurological systems of pests. There are roughly 40 organophosphate pesticides registered with theEnvironmental Protection Agency. Peopleare exposed to these chemicals through their drinking water and also throughthe use of residential pesticides.

The chemicals are widely used. A 2008 report found that one of the organophosphates,Malathion, is present in 28% of all frozen blueberries, 25% of allstrawberries, and 19% of celery. It isrecommended that in order to protect your family from these pesticides, you maywant to consider eating more organic food.

Christina Edmondson, PhD: “My Kid has What?!?” Is ADHD Even Real and How Do I Care for My ADHD-Labeled Child

2011-09-16T01:17:00.001-04:00

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A Grieving Mother Writes About the Pain and Tragedy of Gun Violence

2011-09-09T10:53:00.001-04:00

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Dr. Christina Edmondson: Slippers, Switches and Belts: Understanding Black Folks loyalty to and love of Corporal Punishment

2011-09-08T15:30:00.001-04:00

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Porn Star Re-Tests as HIV Negative

2011-09-03T20:40:00.001-04:00

Your Black World reports.

An adult film performer who shut down the entire pornographic film industry with an HIV-positive test has been retested as being HIV negative. A porn industry trade group is reporting that the star is OK and shooting can now resume.

Free Speech Coalition executive director Diane Duke said "The industry will be abundantly cautious as we try to nail down the reasons for what now appears to have been a false positive result on a previous test."

The actor, who is in Florida, was set to work for Mofos.com, but production stopped when the test came back positive. The name, age and gender of the performer has remained a secret.

Production has been halted since Monday. The case was found in an out-of-state clinic and then reported to authorities in California. The industry was shut down in 2010 when actor Derrick Burts was diagnosed as HIV-positive. He has since left the industry and become an advocate for condom use in pornography.

There is no indication as to whether or not the porn industry speculates that HIV tests may sometimes be inaccurate. Scientists claim that only 1 - 5 out of 100,000 HIV tests give back false positives. According to ManagingDesire.org's data gather from the CDC and NIH, the following may be causes of false positive HIV tests:

Contamination: In a laboratory, samples may be placed in the wrong testing well; wells containing negative samples may be contaminated from adjacent positive wells; plate washers may malfunction. In addition, treated blood and blood abnormalities have been implicated in false positive reactions.
False positive reactions have been reported in 19% of people with hemophilia, 13% of alcoholic patients with hepatitis, and 4% of hemodialysis patients.
Pregnancy. If this is not her first pregnancy, a woman may react positively when she is, in fact, negative.
History of injection drug use.
Cross-reactivity with other retroviruses.

How to Prepare for Hurricane Irene: Things You Must Have Now

2011-08-27T14:10:00.000-04:00

As Hurricane Irene Heads up the Eastern Seaboard, you want to make sure that you and your family are prepared for the worst. A large number of communities are expected to be hit by heavy wind and rain, so here are a few things that National Grid recommends you have in order to prepare:

Water. The American Red Cross recommends one gallon of water per person per day
Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food.
Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
Battery-powered or hand crank radio
Flashlight and extra batteries
First aid kit
Whistle to signal for help
Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
Local maps
Cell phone with chargers

You might also want to include:

Prescription medications and glasses

Infant formula and diapers

Pet food and extra water for your pet

Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container

Fire Extinguisher

Matches in a waterproof container

Personal hygiene items

Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towel

Paper and pencil

Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

Professor Says Your Kids Can Catch Diseases from McDonald’s Playgrounds

2011-08-24T09:16:00.001-04:00

Your Black World Reports

Erin Carr Jordan is a child development specialist on a mission. She has cited the "filthy conditions" at restaurant playgrounds, including McDonald's and Burger King. Jordan claims that much of the fecal matter and strains of staph and bacteria are enough to cause meningitis and gonorrhea in the children playing in them.

Jordan found her evidence in a set of lab tests commissioned by Arizona State University, where she is a Developmental Psychology Professor. Jordan is calling for mandatory laws on the degree of cleanliness that must exist at restaurant playgrounds.

McDonald's hasn't commented on what Jordan has been saying. Burger King has issued a statement claiming that its cleaning standards consist of "procedures for daily, weekly and monthly cleaning of playground equipment, pads and foams. On a quarterly basis, restaurant playgrounds are also required to be cleaned by a professional cleaning service."

Jordan began her crusade when her 3-year old asked to urinate on the slide. When taking him to the bathroom, she noticed a high degree of filth. Her complaints to managers went nowhere, so she then swabbed some samples and found 13 disease-causing pathogens and "layers and layers and layers and layers of just disgustingness.”

Global Warming Linked to Famine in Africa

2011-08-22T18:35:00.001-04:00

by Shani K. Collins, Your Black World

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Montel Williams Keeps Addressing the Medical Marijuana Issue

2011-08-19T22:06:00.001-04:00

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Mother Gets Probation After Circumcising her Baby with a Box Cutter

2011-08-16T20:05:00.001-04:00

Your Black World reports

E. Coli Outbreak Leads to Major Recall Across the United States

2011-08-16T09:46:00.001-04:00

by Kirsten West-Savali, Your Black World

Publix Super Markets, Inc., Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc., and Kroger Co. have all announced voluntary recalls on beef products packaged on July 23, 2011, with a Freeze by date of August 12, 2011.

The E. Coli threat was found during a routine inspection conducted by the Ohio Department of Agricultureof a Dodge City, Kansas slaughterhouse. In the wake of the findings, National Beef Packing Co. LLC is recalling approximately 60,424 pounds of ground beef products.

“The company has never had a problem with E. Coli, and [we are] checking processes and procedures in an effort to find the cause and prevent it from happening again,” said a representative for the company.

The recall affects Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Consumers have been warned that the beef may have been repackaged and distributed to stores nationwide, most likely in Indianapolis and Detroit. Wal-Mart stores in Indiana, Pennsylvania and Wyoming have also been warned to take precautions.

E. Coli is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, seniors and persons with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.

“As part of our commitment to food safety, potentially impacted product has been removed from all store shelves,” said Maria Brous, Publix media and community relations director. “To date, there have been no reported cases of illness.”

Determined to be Class I with High Risk by the USDA, the potential outbreak is a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.

Click HERE for a full list of possibly contaminated products and ways to minimize your exposure to E. Coli.

For more details on the recall, consumers and media are being asked to contact the company’s Vice President of Marketing, Keith Welty, at (816) 713-8631.

***The companies said people should return the beef to their stores for a full refund.

New Face of Chimpanzee Mauling Victim is Revealed

2011-08-11T23:47:00.001-04:00

This might be considered a miracle of modern medicine. A Connecticut woman was mauled two years ago by a chimpanzee and had her face disfigured. After two years of surgeries, doctors are finally revealing the woman’s new face to the public.

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US Government Warns Americans Not to Travel to Haiti

2011-08-11T11:06:00.001-04:00

Reports state that the cholera outbreak, high crime levels, and an unstable government are the primary reasons that the US government is not recommending that its citizens visit the country of Haiti.

A Doctor Now Gives the Services She Once Receives

2011-08-09T17:07:00.001-04:00

by Ayvaunn Penn, Your Black World

Some studies show that a significant number of people remain in the social class they grow up in. That does not mean, however, that it is impossible to rise above one’s situation, and Dr. Carey McDade is a prime example.

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George James: Athletes and Mental Illness

2011-08-08T17:57:00.001-04:00

by George James, Your Black World

We expect a lot from athletes, from little leagues to professionals. We expect athletes to perform at high levels, entertaining us with their physical ability and amazing us with their talent. Unfortunately, we don’t expect athletes to be just like us, human. We put athletes on a pedestal making them celebrities and above the normal rules of life. This process starts at an early age. It could be at a pee wee football or soccer game. Our projections, that athletes are special, unique and gifted starts when they are young and continues as they develop their abilities and get older.

Some athletes have had people scouting them from high school and for others the process started in junior high or earlier. As their fans, we want to see and experience their greatness and dismiss their physical and emotional limitations and pain. As an athlete, we strive for the next level of accomplishment, to be the best in the sport or to win the championship, sometimes at the risk of our physical and emotional health.

The reality is that athletes are people too. This means that athletes can struggle with the same things many people might struggle with throughout their lives. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about 1 in 10 people will experience depression within a given year, with higher numbers reported for women compared to men. With these numbers, it is safe to say that you or a teammate could be depressed at some point during the year. Just as it would be considered normal if you, a co-worker or family member became depressed, it would also be the same for someone from your favorite sport or team became depressed.

Depression is one form of mental illness that you, I or an athlete could experience during our lifetime. There are many other forms of mental illness including Mood Disorders (such as Depression and Bipolar Disorder), Anxiety Disorders (such as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and General Anxiety Disorder), Substance Related Disorders (such as Substance Abuse and Substance Dependence), Personality Disorders (such as Borderline Personality Disorder) and many more. However, mental illness is a subject that most people shy away from discussing, especially athletes. Many view mental illness as a personal weakness, but it is not a sign of weakness or a personal flaw, it is a health issue that needs attention.

Tips for Athletes with Mental Illness

1) You are not alone – Often times, the way you feel (such as sad, racing thoughts, hopeless, or obsessions) and the things you do to block feelings of emotional pain (reckless behavior, alcohol, pills or violent behavior) can make you feel like you are by yourself. The truth is you are not alone. In fact, some of your teammates or other athletes in your sport could be dealing with the same mental illness as you. Since you are not alone, you do not have to work through this alone.

2) Get the help you need – Admitting that you need help is a major step in the healing process. Even though you are able to play through the pain, the longer you wait to get the help necessary, the more your mental illness will impact your life. The longer you wait the more you will try to overcompensate and numb the emotional pain. You go to your trainer or even the team doctor when you feel physical pain. This shows that you are able to get help when you feel physical pain. Getting help for emotional pain works the same way. Therefore, whenever you feel emotional pain, you should go to see a therapist, counselor, psychologist or psychiatrist.

3) Your performance will improve – As an athlete, you are concerned about your performance, improving your skills and remaining competitive. Having an untreated mental illness can impact your performance on the field/court as well as off. An untreated mental illness can keep you from playing or increase your chances of getting fined or suspended when you are not playing. Getting your mental illness treated appropriately can improve your performance on and off the field/court.

Athletes with Mental Illness*

Brandon Marshall, wide receiver in the NFL, was recently diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder.

Terry Bradshaw, sports announcer and former quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, has experienced anxiety attacks and depression.

Shelley Beattie, former bodybuilder, dealt with bipolar disorder during her life.

Ricky Williams, Miami Dolphins running back and former Heisman trophy winner, was diagnosed with social anxiety disorder after having trouble leaving his own house.

John Daly, professional golfer, has struggled with alcoholism, gambling and bipolar disorder.

Mike Tyson, professional boxer, before his public struggles suffered from depression.

Nikki Teasley, professional Women’s Basketball star and former MVP, admitted to living with depression.

Monica Seles, former World No. 1 professional tennis player, reportedly has depression.

Darryl Strawberry, former baseball player for the New York Mets and the New York Yankees, reportedly has bipolar disorder.

Greg Louganis, a Greek American diver who won back-to-back Olympic titles, reportedly has depression.

As you can see, many athletes from various sports have experienced mental illness. Taking care of yourself, including your emotional health, is important for your overall health and wellness and can improve your performance in your sport. Whether you are in high school, college or a professional athlete it is important for you to take care of your entire body, including your emotional body. True strength is being able to get the help you need, even when it feels like the complete opposite of what you are used to doing.

*Source for Athletes with Mental Illness: Prisoners of Depression, L. Jon Wertheim, Sports Illustrated, September 2003.

George James is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and CEO of George Talks, LLC. For more on this and other topics, please visit www.GeorgeTalks.com,

Twitter: @GeorgeTalksLLC Email: GeorgeTalksLLC@gmail.com

Sean Kingston Drops 45 Pounds Since His Accident

2011-08-08T09:08:00.001-04:00

Your Black World reports

He’s no longer the chubby but loveable figure he once was. Sean Kingston was the highlight of the night at the Fox’s Teen Choice Awards show, making his first red-carpet appearance and appearing 45 pounds lighter. This was his first public appearance since a serious jet ski accident on May 29.

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Survey: More than Half of All African Americans Know of a Friend or Relative with HIV

2011-08-03T22:24:00.001-04:00

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action

According to a new survey at Your Black World, it was found that over half (56.3%) of all African American respondents have a friend or relative who they know to have HIV. The number was higher among black women (58.7%) than black men (51.2%).

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Study: Black Doctors Hesitant to Recommend HIV Tests

2011-08-03T11:02:00.001-04:00

By JasmineHughes

The number one killer of African-American women between the ages of 25 and 34 is AIDS, and this is a first-world country. Despite this fact, HIV is a subject many African-American physicians are nervous about bringing up with their patients.READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY →

Doctors Group Says Hotdogs are as Lethal as Cigarettes?

2011-08-02T08:19:00.001-04:00

by Ayvaunn Penn, Your Black World

Whether you are young or old, the findings of The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine may have you thinking twice before you eat a hot dog. The group recently showcased a new billboard on Monday close to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway that features a cigarette box filled with hot dogs. The pack has a skull and crossbones on it, and the billboard reads “Warning: Hot dogs can wreck your health.” The purpose of the billboard is to make the public aware of the connection between colorectal cancer and hot dogs.

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Study Shows that Black Women Die Fastest from Breast Cancer

2011-07-26T12:23:00.001-04:00

by Ayvaunn Penn, Your Black World

A new study that has been published in theJournal of Clinical Oncology concerning the relationship between breast cancer mortality rate and race. According to Reuters, Susan M. Gapstur of the American Cancer Society states that this “new study is the most detailed and well-designed so far.”

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Study: Menthol Cigarettes Targeted to Black Youth

2011-06-26T14:42:00.001-04:00

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Doctor Accused of Holding 32 Women Hostage and Selling Their Newborns Into Sex Trade

2011-06-03T07:58:00.001-04:00

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Mother Shoots It out With Police over Daughter’s Medication

2011-05-23T08:08:00.001-04:00

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Activists Trying to Stop Rape Beading in Kenya

2011-05-12T14:45:00.000-04:00

Little girls are being pushed into sex with older men as a result of a practice called “rape beading.”

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Technorati Tags: black news,african american news,africa,rape beading

Michelle Obama Dances with Kids on the White House Lawn (Video)

2011-05-10T12:49:00.001-04:00

Yes, that’s Michelle getting down with some kids….again – changing what it means to be a first lady.

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Technorati Tags: michelle obama,black politics,black celebrities,black celebrity gossip,black gossip

Black Stroke Victims Call Family First, Not Doctors

2011-05-06T17:52:00.001-04:00

A new study sheds light on decisions that African Americans tend to make when they are victims of strokes.

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Bishop Desmond Tutu Announces Changes in South African Aids Policy

2011-05-03T18:21:00.001-04:00

Your Black World Reports

Desmond Tutu -- former Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, South Africa -- says South Africa should not be embarrassed about its policies to combat AIDS.

"For many years we were embarrassed in international gatherings for what we were not doing in fighting AIDS. We therefore thank the Minister of Health, Aaron Motsoaledi, for the change in policy....It is a very rare privilege and honor for us the older ones to say we are passing the baton to you the young to carry on with the fight against this pandemic." - Desmond Tutu

Aaron Motsoaledi is leading the rigorous anti-AIDS testing and treatment campaign pledged by President Jacob Zuma in 2009. This anti-AIDS effort is being lauded by AIDS activists who experienced conflict with a previous health minister who endorsed natural remedies as AIDS treatments and looked skeptically upon the connection between HIV and AIDS. Taking strides to engage younger generations in this fight against disease, Motsoaledi and Tutu attended a United Nations conference discussing ways to motivate new generations to get involved in proliferating the AIDS-prevention message.

Please join the Your Black World Coalition by visiting YourBlackWorld.com

Dr. Boyce: Crack Disparity Law Should Have Been Changed More Effectively

2010-03-15T09:59:00.001-04:00

Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University

When I was a teenager, a police officer explained to me how the "War on Drugs" took place in his hometown. The officer candidly described how every policeman in the city knew what boats contained drugs and when those boats would arrive in the city's major port. But he also knew that officers were not expected to show up on these boats to make arrests, and that they were not to deter the progress of the product when it hit the port. Instead, they were instructed to allow the drugs to get to the inner city, where they were given authorization to make as many arrests as necessary. In other words, his job was to arrest the small fish, not the big ones.

The misleading, ill-conceived and terribly racist set of drug policies which defined the Reagan era has been absolutely devastating for the African-American community. The existence of gang warfare in South Central Los Angeles has left hundreds of thousands of youth with post-traumatic stress disorder, as the CIA was oblivious to the fact that drugs and guns were being openly delivered to a community that no one cares about. The Anti Drug Abuse Act of 1986 was the product of America's broad-stroke reaction to increased drug use of the 1980s. The law gave a sentence 100 times greater for possession of crack cocaine (more likely to be possessed by blacks) than the one given for powder cocaine (possessed in greater proportion by whites), creating a black incarceration rate of holocaust proportions.

After sitting on the books for decades, the law was finally modified this year. Democratic Senator Dick Durbin and Republican Jeff Sessions did black people the "favor" of agreeing to reduce the sentencing disparity from 100-to-1 to 18-to-1. So, instead of getting a prison sentence that is 100 times longer for the same crime, we only get one that is 18 times longer. Gee thanks. I'm supposed to be happy about that one, huh? So, we're not good enough to demand true equality, and are instead forced to accept dysfunctional compromises with Republicans from Alabama? While some might call this political pragmatism, others might describe this outcome as the modern-day version of the Three-Fifths Compromise.

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WINDING DOWN By Julianne Malveaux

2009-11-23T19:28:00.001-05:00

The last five weeks of the year, the days beginning with Thanksgiving and moving through the New Year, are days when we all wind down. Some of us don't want to admit it, citing business as usual. But the fact is that from the first thanksgiving party to the last holiday gift exchange, we have collectively decided that the year is over and we can't do much about it.

This year is different from many others. One in six Americans does not have a job. One in four African Americans is unemployed. This means that our holiday parties must be muted by the challenge of acknowledging and supporting those who are impaired in our midst. It also means lifting up those who deserve the lift up, those who have done such phenomenal things this year that they need a shout out.

I will lift up my sister friend Susan Taylor for her National Mentoring Cares Movement ad for the phenomenal love she sows into African American people as we grow, develop, and learn to heal from our hurt. As she crosses the country, she infuses her gentle spirit into the many ways we can embrace our futures. She is a force that must be loved, respected and appreciated.

I will lift up Dr. Boyce Watkins for his embrace of Heather Ellis, the young sister from Missouri who faced 15 years in jail for cutting a line. Heather Ellis did what so many of us do - went to the store with a friend (cousin), took separate lines, and decided that whoever got up first would hook the other up. How did this turn into a racial farce of utter insanity? It would take the people in Kennett, Missouri to tell us. Here is what I know - Boyce Watkins spent time, effort, energy and money in rallying people around heather Ellis. I am grateful for his activism and lift him up for his work.

I will lift up Donna Richardson Joyner, who has both embraced Bennett College for women and black women around the globe in her positive and joyful commitment to healthy living. Thanks to Donna, we are doing work on growing a healthy garden and embracing healthy habits at Bennett, but more importantly, thanks to Donna, we all have a model of how to live and how to be.

I will lift up Blanche Williams and the National Black Women's Town Hall and the many ways that Blanche is into hooking sisters up. Blanche's mantra is "Embracing Greatness" and she is unselfish about that embrace. She is a blessing and a lesson, a joy and a leader. I am so very excited about their work.

There are so very many more that deserve the lift up. And, there are so many that must be acknowledged as they struggle through these times. I am especially concerned by those who are marginalized by the notion of these holiday celebrations, marginalized by the reality that they have not much to celebrate. What do we celebrate through the storm? Mostly we celebrate that we are still here. Still here? Still navigating, functioning, managing, holding it up. And we celebrate the fact that in the middle of the wind-down, we are indeed winding down.

I always find the end of the year poignant. We always have much to reflect on, much to celebrate. We lift up those who have assisted, accomplished, and moved us more aggressively to a better world. And, at the same time, we acknowledge those who have been tousled by our economy. We ask that all of us do the work we must do to provide analysis as we move forward. We wonder if we suffer from the paralysis of analysis.

At the end of the day, we know that the end-year act of winding down offer us an amazing possibility to lift up and respect our past and yet be challenged by our present. We know that there are those whose contribution has been stellar; we know we all want to do more. We inhale this moment called the end of the year, appreciating the opportunity to wind down, looking forward to the challenge of winding back up.

As long as there are racial economic gaps, there is cause to work, challenge, and focus. When the black unemployment rate is nearly twice the white rate, when black wealth is a tenth of white wealth, there is work to do. For many the end of the year should be nothing more than a momentary respite. There is, still, much work to do.

Medicine on Call: Depression in the African American Community

2009-11-19T09:45:00.001-05:00

Medicine on Call with Dr. Elaina George

Dr George and Delores Jones, a correspondent for AOL speak about dealing with depression and change through inspiration and spirituality.

Click here to listen!

Dr. Elaina George Says that Obama’s Health Care Plan is Going to Hurt

2009-11-12T13:49:00.001-05:00

Dr. Elaina George, MD

The health care reform bill (HR 3962) that just passed the House of Representatives is bad on so many levels it is difficult explain. As it stands, it will destroy both the doctor patient relationship and change the practice of medicine as we know it.

We have one of the finest health care systems in the world. It has been built on a foundation of choice. Doctors were free to choose the care that they deemed necessary to treat their patients, and patients were free to seek the medical care of their choice. Initially, the foundation was shaken by the rise of the managed care system with capitation. However, over the past 10 years, capitated plans which limit access to specialists have given way to the rise in power of insurance companies. They have used their anti-trust exemption to craft a system that has used monopoly to increase profits on the backs of both doctors and patients.

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Protect Your Hair Color

Posted by Patrice Grell Yursik

You finally found the perfect shade, went to a professional, and shelled out major bucks for your fancy new hair color. Now what? Are you just gonna sit back and let it grow out and fade?

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