May 28, 2020

By Lapacazo Sandoval

Contributing Writer

 

Despite these unpredictable times with the COVID-19 pandemic still doing its damage especially to the African-American and Latino population. There is an Ethiopian proverb that says: If you pick up one end of the stick you also pick up the other.

Standing on this wisdom it’s vital that Black women take the time to take care of the most important person in the world —us.

 

We Black and Brown women are strong no doubt but we have a history of putting others before ourselves and that lack of self-care has proven deadly for us.

 

Deadly for our families, the community, and the advancement in all areas from the largest to the smallest.

We deserve self-care. We deserve the peace of mind.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s with this in mind that OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network created "Girlfriends Check-In” , the new all-female Saturday night virtual reality show that’s packed with celebrity friends who have come together —virtually for an uplifting and light-hearted conversation focusing on love, friendship and wellness - spilling the tea about past and present relationships along the way.

 

 

So tag your Saturday nights for 10 p.m. ET/PT because "Girlfriends Check-In” follows Iyanla Vanzant's special “Fear Not with Iyanla Vanzant” (9 p.m. ET/PT).

“Girlfriends Check-In” was created with the belief that good girlfriends can get you through any-thing in life - especially during the quarantine.

With the help of a little tech and a lot of sister-hoods, each week different female celebrity friends will hold a virtual chat room "check-in" - spilling the tea about their relationships, their families, sharing new recipes, and reminding us that we are truly all in this together.

OWN's president Tina Perry weighs in why their new virtual show “"Girlfriends Check-In” is needed. 

 

"Now more than ever before we want to provide our audience with programming that unites and uplifts us," said Tina Perry, president, OWN.

"We are excited to bring together sister-hood on Saturday nights, and we are grateful to Iyanla and all of the girlfriends for sharing hope and a little bit of light during this time."

The six-episode series is produced by Critical Content. 

 

 

“Girlfriends Check-In” includes real conversations with actress Tisha Campbell, comedian, and actress Kym Whitley, actress Holly Robinson Peete, fitness trainer and life coach AJ Johnson, celebrity chef Carla Hall, actress Anika Noni Rose ("Power", "Dreamgirls"), actress Kim Fields and transformational coach Lisa Silvera, Tika Sumpter ("Mixed-ish",

 

 

"The Haves and The Have Nots") and her business partner Thai Randolph, actress Ryan Michelle Bathe ("All Rise", "This Is Us"), Susan Kelechi Watson ("This Is Us", "A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood"),

 

and gospel music legends Yolanda Adams, Tamela Mann, Erica Campbell, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Meagan Good with her sister La'Myia Good Bellinger, and actresses Tasha Smith and Grace Byers from "Empire."

"The Real" host Loni Love along with comedian and internet star B. Simone, actress and television personality Tami Roman, and celebrity hairstylist Robbi Rogers.

 

 

 

 

 

Official episode breakdown:

Episode 103: Saturday, May 30 (10 p.m. - 11 p.m. ET/PT):

 

 

 

 

 

Girlfriends: Carla Hall, Anika Noni Rose, Kim Fields, Lisa Silvera

Celebrity chef Carla Hall rounds up her crew in different cities to swap recipes, inspiration, and compassion during a time when the outside world is off-limits.

Episode 104: Saturday, June 6 (10 p.m. - 11 p.m. ET/PT):

 

 

 

Girlfriends: Meagan Good, La'Myia Good Bellinger, Tasha Smith, Grace Byers, with guest ap-pearances by DeVon Franklin, Trai Byers & Eric Bellinger, and Meagan Good catch up with her sister and friends to talk beauty regimens and staying faith-centered during uncertain times, with surprise pop-ins from the husbands.

Episode 105: Saturday, June 13 (10 p.m. - 11 p.m. ET/PT):

Girlfriends: Tika Sumpter, Ryan Michelle Bathe, Susan Kelechi Watson, Thai Randolph

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tika and Susan bring their girlfriends together from coast to coast to chat about motherhood, ca-reer, and life balance, as they share beauty secrets and how-to tips on staying relaxed during the quarantine.

Episode 106: Saturday, June 20 (10 p.m. - 11 p.m. ET/PT):

Girlfriends: Tisha Campbell, Kym Whitley, Holly Robinson Peete, AJ Johnson

 

 

 

 

 

Tisha and her gal pals dish on men, dating, loving yourself, and raising your family in a hilarious girls night in you don't want to miss.

http://www.oprah.com/app/girlfriends-check-in.html

 

 

May 21, 2020

Aries

MAR 21 - APR 19

Oh, the webs we weave when it comes to love and romance! This week you might find yourself all tangled up in the ones you've created, Aries. A lie of omission that you might have told with the justification that it was to not hurt your sweetheart could come out now. The problem? This little fib might not seem so little to your partner when he or she learns about it. In fact, it might open a Pandora's box that makes your partner begin to question everything he or she thought they knew about your connection. Single? It looks like you're about to confront the lies you've been telling yourself about why you're not partnered up.

 

Taurus

APR 20 - MAY 20

If you're single, this isn't the ideal week to begin dating someone new. Venus is retrograde in the area of your chart connected to your self-worth. As a result, it's possible that you're working through something right now connected to believing that you deserve a love life so much more gratifying than anything you've ever had in the past. Adding to the complexity is the fact that Mercury will be at a difficult angle to Neptune on Friday. There could be an expectation of being disappointed in matters of the heart that turns into a self-fulfilling prophecy. Ouch!

 

Gemini

MAY 21 - JUN 20

You may not be seeing yourself clearly Gemini, and if you don't, how can you expect anyone else to? It's time to weed through the false narrative you have about yourself so that you can finally stop being the number one barrier to love entering your life. You might have convinced yourself that it's all too easy for someone you've got a crush on to pass you over in favor of someone who is prettier, smarter, more successful, or healthier than you. Take a moment and remember that you are whole and perfect just the way you are -- and that there is someone out there who will love you in all your glory. But first, you must get this through your own head! By Friday's New Moon in your sign, you will.

 

Cancer

JUN 21 - JUL 22

The beliefs you have about how love is supposed to be are up for review this week. You might have been taught about love and marriage through cultural or religious views and if so, these ideologies may have been ingrained in you without you ever giving it much thought or consideration on your own. Sometimes we accept what is told to us by people we respect or who have authority without questioning whether or not it holds true for us. This is a time when you might have that moment of realizing that the kind of relationship that worked for your parents or grandparents doesn't necessarily do it for you. And that's OK, Cancer.

 

Leo

JUL 23 - AUG 22

This week, a friend is the last person you should take advice from about your love life. Venus continues to retrograde through your social 11th House of Groups, and will square off with Neptune, the planet of illusion and confusion, on Wednesday. Mercury, which is also in your friendship sector, will square Neptune on Friday. At this time, there could be a hidden agenda that your friend has that leaves you completely disheartened. Your friend might be jealous of your current romantic opportunities and is unintentionally trying to sabotage them. Or, he or she might be more interested in gossiping about your love interest than actually getting to know him or her. Be wary, Leo.

 

Virgo

AUG 23 - SEP 22

Massive disenchantment about your love life is likely to come your way this week. It looks like your mate is not understanding your professional aspirations these days, and because he or she just doesn't "get it," you're growing increasingly frustrated. Another possibility is that you're tired of your partner not caring at all about your career goals. He or she might have a pattern of showing no curiosity or interest about an area of your life that is extremely important to you. Finally, you realize that it's a problem, Virgo -- and it's time to address it!

 

Libra

SEP 23 - OCT 22

You might throw your hands in the air and give up on love entirely. If you're single, it's possible that you realize just how tiring it has become to expect anyone to check off all the boxes on your ideal partner checklist. It seems that the more you try to aim for perfection in love, the more devastating the results. Now you're ready for a completely different approach, Libra! You aren't closing your heart, but you are closing your mind. The less you overthink it and attempt to micromanage the trajectory of your love life, the more fulfilling it will become. Try it.

 

Scorpio

OCT 23 - NOV 21

You might realize you've been trying so hard to hide one of your weaknesses from your mate that it has become a real problem in your relationship. Your partner doesn't want to see you as perfect or invincible, but you seem to feel that you need to appear this way in order to be lovable. If you're single, this very thing may have been what's prevented you from finding a real connection. Now is a time to re-evaluate this mindset, Scorpio. Realize that talking about the good, bad, and ugly is what a relationship is all about. Anything less isn't love. It's smoke and mirrors.

 

Sagittarius

NOV 22 - DEC 21

You might wonder why your partner seems to be evasive, disappearing, or otherwise not him or herself. It's possible that you'll learn your mate is feeling depressed about a family situation (possibly connected to the health of a relative) or about mounting bills that he or she can't cover. From your perspective, all of this will seem to come out of nowhere, but the truth is, it's been in front of you all along. You simply chose to turn a blind eye. If single, this isn't the time to date anyone who your family tries to set you up with. Someone's judgement is clouded.

 

Capricorn

DEC 22 - JAN 19

Conversations with your partner about divvying up chores and other daily responsibilities may fall on deaf ears. It's almost as if one (or both) of you have lost all motivation to keep everything in order. One of you will likely forget to take care of an important errand, and when this happens it'll alert you to the fact that something needs to be addressed. It's time to face the reality of your busy lives and work together to balance everything. If you're single, it's possible that you have an unrealistic crush on one of your doctors or healthcare providers. It's not real, Capricorn -- it's transference.

 

Aquarius

JAN 20 - FEB 18

You might be questioning everything about love. Venus is retrograde in your romance sector and will be at a difficult angle to nebulous Neptune on Wednesday, which clouds everything even more. You might finally realize that you've been holding on to a love that's not really there. Waiting for someone to be who you want them to be never works, Aquarius. If that's your situation this week, the bubble may burst. In other news, a New Moon in your true love sector on Friday suggests that there is hope for someone new. However, with Venus also retrograde, you can be sure this is a karmic mate.

 

Pisces

FEB 19 - MAR 20

Nothing makes sense this week in terms of romance and relationships, so try not to be so hard on yourself if you're feeling especially confused. It's not a time to make any major decision about your love life, so if there is one looming, you might want to put a pin in it. The worst thing you can do is ask a relative for his or her input because whatever they have to say will only add to your mental chaos. However, if you are completely single, a New Moon on Friday might bring the potential for you to meet someone through one of your relatives. Keep your expectations in check, but at the same time, remain open. 

May 21, 2020

By Lapacazo Sandoval

Contributing Writer

 

In February 2020, a 25-year old African American man named Ahmaud Arbery was shot, murdered by a white father and son. They tracked Mr. Arbery like he was an animal, pursuing him in their truck after watching him jog in their neighborhood. A recent video captured the slaying—the lynching—and it sparked national outrage over the case. Months went by, and finally, the guilty father and son were arrested and charged with murdering Ahmaud Arbery.

Rewind the clock to July 17, 2014, when Eric Garner, an African-American husband, father, son in Staten Island, was murdered by Daniel Pantaleo, an NYPD officer after Pantaleo held Garner in a chokehold while Garner resisted arrest.

Struggling to speak as Pantaleo climbed on to Garner’s back to hold him down, Garner’s pleaded for life saying, “I can’t breathe” 11 times before he passed away. His words would then become the war cry for the Black Lives Matter movement.

Lynchings of African American people are happening. That’s what it was in 2020 and in 2014, with Mr. Garner.

On record, the police thought Garner was selling “looses” — single cigarettes. This was the “crime” of which he was judged and then murdered by those who took an oath to protect and serve.

“Protect and Serve” are the words we see on the side of many police cars and is the motto of most police forces. The words define the mission of the police, which is to “protect” citizens (including African Americans and Latinos) and “serve” the public.

Got it? Now back to Eric Garner. This murdered husband|father|son did not receive justice. Here is what happened. Despite viewing a video of Pantaleo choking (killing) Garner, a grand jury decided not to indict Pantaleo (in 2014) and this unconvicted murderer held his job at the NYPD until 2019 when he was finally fired. To date, the grand jury transcripts were never revealed and there was no trial.

In Roee Messinger’s “American Trail: The Eric Garner Story” — there is an attempt to imagine a trail and contemplate a future that was extinguished not only costing him his life but robbing his family. 

Welcome to the United States of America where racism rules and where we lose thousands of men and women of color to a purposely flawed legal system.

Although Messinger’s film is fictional, lose, and most unscripted; using actor Anthony Altieri as an exception even here he speaks only from Pantaleo’s public statements and from the information gathered from his attorney.

It’s a bold move on the director's part. After researching the case exhaustively, real lawyers play the defenders, prosecutors, and the judge, and litigate as if they were fighting a “real” case in a “real” court.

Although this is a mock trial, experts and the witnesses called to testify are all people who would have been summoned had there been a real one. The narrative is further supported by showing news clippings and opinions from activists and legal experts.

According to the press, notes provided the film crew’s extensive research is what makes “American Trial: The Eric Garner Story” unique.

“American Trial: The Eric Garner Story” doesn’t just lay out an alternate reality but also asks the hard questions about our legal system’s capability to handle cases like Garner’s murder.

One of the more disturbing aspects of the “trail” (and there were many) is the defense lawyers repeated mention of Garner’s obesity and asthma being instrumental in causing his death. 11 times he explained he could not breathe, 11 times.

And then it gets downright odd as the discussion centers on Pantaleo’s hand positions and what qualifies to be a fatal chokehold. I must repeat that Garner told the Police 11 times that he could not breathe before he was finally murdered by Pantaleo.

Now the justice system did not label Garner’s murder as a “homicide”. Oops. Let me re-write this. The American justice system did not label Garner’s “death” as a “homicide” but the coroner’s report clearly states homicide as the cause of Garner’s death.

To keep “crazy” alive and well inside the court of “justice” the defense lawyers hammered the jury not to accept the medical definition of homicide.

 

 

Messinger’s intervention is to present the facts. Garner was ­murdered by Police officer Pantaleo.

It’s interesting to note that Messinger is a South Asian man of color and in his film, we have a South Asian-American lawyer aggressively defending Pantaleo and an Asian forensic pathologist who refuses to acknowledge that it was Pantaleo’s brutal actions and not Garner’s weight and existing medical conditions that killed him.

Pantaleo killed him. The police officer squeezed the life out of his body — an African American husband/father/son — despite telling them 11 times “I can’t breathe.”

At the end of “American Trial: The Eric Garner Story,” we are left with Garner’s widow, Esaw Snipes Garner, weeping after she watched her “mock” testimony. It’s been a difficult life for Mrs. Garner, in 2017, she also lost her daughter, Erica Garner, to a cardiac arrest.

“American Trial: The Eric Garner Story” uses the murder of Eric Garner to look at the broken American legal system. No, the shattered American legal system designed — in my humble opinion — to punish black, brown, and impoverished people. “They” don't want the legal system fixed. “They” like it just the way it is. That's my take away from “American Trial: The Eric Garner Story.”

“American Trial: The Eric Garner Story”. Virtual Theatrical Release May 18 “You Are The Jury” Livestream Event May 21.