IS THE DOLLAR STORE HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH…?

Published January 24, 2016 by sheezacoldpiece

  
HealthyStuff, in collaboration with the Campaign for Healthier Solutions, released a report today about toxic chemicals found in Dollar store products. The report — A Day Late and a Dollar Short: Discount Retailers are Falling Behind on Safer Chemicals — includes testing results for 164 dollar store products such as toys, jewelry, school supplies and other household items, that found over 81% (133 of 164) contained at least one hazardous chemical above levels of concern.
The campaign also sent a letter to the CEO’s of the four largest Dollar store chains — including Family Dollar (tentatively acquired by Dollar Tree on January 22), Dollar Tree, Dollar General, and 99 Cents Only urging them to stop the sale of products with hazardous chemicals to communities of color and low-income families, who already live in more polluted areas and “food deserts,” and adopt policies that will protect both customers and their businesses. Combined these discount chains have sales totaling over $36 billion and operate more stores nationally than Walmart.
“People struggling to make ends meet are confined to shopping at the Dollar stores,” said Jose T. Bravo, National Coordinator for the Campaign for Healthier Solutions. “We are already disproportionately affected by pollution and lack of adequate medical care, and now we know we’re filling our homes and our bodies with chemicals released from Dollar store products. This needs to stop. “
“We’ve tested 1,000′s of products from dozens of retailers over the last ten years, said Jeff Gearhart, HealthyStuff Research Director. “And on average the dollar store products are some of the poorest peforming from a chemical hazard perspective. I am particularly concerned about the comparatively high percentage of products containing hazardous plasticizers. “

The chemicals of concern found in Dollar store products tested for this report include: phthalates, linked to birth defects, reduced fertility, cancer, learning disabilities, diabetes, and other health issues; polyvinyl chloride plastic (PVC or vinyl), which creates hazards throughout its life cycle and has been linked to asthma and lung effects; and toxic metals such as lead, which harms brain development, leading to learning disabilities, lower IQ, and cause other serious health impacts, especially in children.

Via- themindunleashed.org

SHONDA RHIMES AND COMMON GET TOGETHER FOR A NEW FILM TITLED “AMERICA DIVIDED”

Published January 24, 2016 by sheezacoldpiece

  
Racial tension is on the rise in this country. From the Oscars excluding Black actors to other racially charged incidents happening across our country, racial injustice has been pushed to the forefront of a national conversation. 

Now, a new documentary will delve deeper into the issue. The EPIX film, titled America Divided, will be executive produced by Norman Lear, Common, and Shonda Rhimes. The project will explore how inequality is intertwined with the personal histories of celebrities. Rapper Common will return to his birthplace of Chicago to examine the inequalities within the criminal justice system; actress America Ferrera will go to Texas to take a closer look at the voting system and the lack of efficient healthcare for women, and actor Jesse Williams will explore deficiencies in the realm of education. “The promise of the American dream was a united country where everyone is treated equal,” said Shonda Rhimes. “That promise has clearly been broken; all you have to do is look around to see that our reality has been built on the back of inequality. It’s my hope that this series will inspire audiences to be part of a change that leads us into a stronger, more equal future.” 

MACKLEMORE RAPS ABOUT “WHITE PRIVILEGE” in HIS NEW SONG

Published January 23, 2016 by sheezacoldpiece

  
Is Macklemore jumping on the race tension wave with genuine concern, or just seeking approval from the black community?  

This couldn’t have come at a better time. White rapper raps about his white privileges when racial tension is at an all time high. Of course his white privilege will allow him to capitalize of of this issue in a major way. Smart move.

Take a listen to his new single “White Privilege II”

ACTOR DANNY DEVITO SPEAKS ABOUT OSCAR CONTROVERSY- SAYS “WE’RE A BUNCH OF RACIST”

Published January 23, 2016 by sheezacoldpiece

  
It doesn’t get any better than Danny DeVito speaking the blatant truth about American racism.  While many have grown tired of hearing about #OscarsSoWhite, the topic can’t continue to be dismissed and swept under the rug.  It’s about time for America to come to grips about race issues and tackle them head on.  Racism exists. Admit it and do something about it. 

Actor Don Cheadle also weighed in about the recent changes being made to the academy members to include people of color.  He referred to it as “Dealing with the symptom and not starting at the root cause of how we even got to results like this”

  
Definitely a very valid point that points directly to the root being racist white privilege, that too often goes unnoticed by many white people.  Watch the interview below to hear comments from both actors.

DUCK DYNASTY STARS AND ADMITTED RACIST – ADOPT BLACK BABY BOY

Published January 23, 2016 by sheezacoldpiece

  
These days the trend by whites of adopting black children is almost as popular as having a lap dog.  In this case here,  having a racist family background should’ve sent up red flags to to adoption agency, but clearly the overall welfare of this child wasn’t important to them.  

Jep Robertson and his wife, Jessica, stars of the wildly successful Duck Dynasty franchise, recently adopted an African-American baby, Jules Augustus Robertson, or baby Gus. 

Baby Gus made his debut on Jep and Jessica: Growing the Dynasty on A&E this Wednesday. 
People on Social media predictably weighed in this week, with the more optimistic among us noting that it’s sweet; the more cynical say that the “Duckmans” newest addition is at best a prop to plug their new spinoff. Or, at worst, “God help this kid.”

  
Jess and Jep Robertson, who have four biological children ranging in age from 7 to 13, revealed to Us Weekly that Jessica, 35, is unable to bear any more children due to “some health risks.”
They also told the entertainment outlet that the adoption process has been an “emotional rollercoaster” lasting three or four years, and two adoptions fell through before they were able to take baby Gus home.  
“We went to the adoption agency and we said, ‘We don’t care what race, what gender,’” said Jep, 37, to Us Weekly. ‘We just want to have a baby, so whatever happens, happens.’ So we got us a little Gus.’”

All we can do is hope and pray the child is well taken care of and not abused in anyway.  The biggest challenge with this type of upbringing is never truly having a full understanding of your background and roots.  This helpless child has the odds stacked against him when it comes to ever really discovering his true identity, and having the right people around to help him out. Smh. Check out the racist and anti gay rant by a family member below.

84 FILMS BY & ABOUT WOMEN OF COLOR…

Published January 23, 2016 by sheezacoldpiece

  
  

here’s a list of the films that Twitter came up with starring women of color and helmed by women directors. When cross-referenced with data sources from The Black List, Shadow & Act and others, there were about 85 titles that fit the bill.
Find them below. Watch, enjoy and most importantly, support! 
“35 Shots of Rum” by Claire Denis (2008)
“A Different Image” by Alile Sharon Larkin (1982)
“A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night” by Ana Lily Amirpour (2014)
“Advantageous” by Jennifer Phang (2015)
“Ala Modalaindi” by Nandini Bv Reddy (2011)
“All About You” by Christine Swanson (2001)
“Alma’s Rainbow” by Ayoka Chenzira (1994)
“Appropriate Behavior” by Desiree Akhavan (2014)
“B For Boy” by Chika Anadu (2013)
“Bande de Filles/Girlhood” by Céline Sciamma (2014)
“Belle” by Amma Asante (2013)
“Bend it Like Beckham” by Gurinder Chadha (2002)
“Bessie” by Dee Rees (2015)
“Beyond the Lights” by Gina Prince-Bythewood (2014)
“Bhaji on the Beach” by Gurinder Chadha (1993)
“Caramel” by Nadine Labaki (2007)
“Circumstance” by Maryam Keshavarz (2011)
“Civil Brand” by Neema Barnette (2002)
“Compensation” by Zeinabu irene Davis (1999)
“Daughters of the Dust” by Julie Dash (1991)
“Double Happiness ” by Mina Shum (1994)
“Down in the Delta” by Maya Angelou (1998)
“Drylongso” by Cauleen Smith (1988)
“Earth” by Deepa Mehta (1998)
“Elza” by Mariette Monpierre (2011)
“Endless Dreams” by Susan Youssef (2009
“Eve’s Bayou” by Kasi Lemmons (1997)
“Fire” by Deepa Mehta (1996)
“Frida” by Julie Taymor (2002)
“Girl in Progress” by Patricia Riggen (2012)
“Girlfight” by Karyn Kusama (2000)
“Habibi Rasak Kharban” by Susan Youssef (2011)
“Hiss Dokhtarha Faryad Nemizanand (Hush! Girls Don’t Scream)” by Pouran Derahkandeh (2013)
“Honeytrap” by Rebecca Johnson (2014)
“I Like It Like That” by Darnell Martin (1994)
“I Will Follow” by Ava DuVernay (2010
“In Between Days” by So-yong Kim (2006)
“Introducing Dorothy Dandridge” by Martha Coolidge (1999)
“It’s a Wonderful Afterlife” by Gurinder Chadha (2010)
“Jumpin Jack Flash” by Penny Marshall (1986)
“Just Another Girl on the IRT” by Leslie Harris (1992)
“Just Wright” by Sanaa Hamri (2010)
“Kama Sutra” by Mira Nair (1996)
“Losing Ground” by Kathleen Collins (1982)
“Love & Basketball” by Gina Prince-Bythewood (2000)
“Luck by Chance” by Zoya Akhtar (2009)
“Mi Vida Loca” by Allison Anders (1993)
“Middle of Nowhere” by Ava DuVernay (2012)
“Mississippi Damned” by Tina Mabry (2009)
“Mississippi Masala” by Mira Nair (1991)
“Mixing Nia” by Alison Swan (1998)
“Monsoon Wedding” by Mira Nair (2001)
“Mosquita y Mari” by Aurora Guerrero (2012)
“Na-moo-eobs-neun san (Treeless Mountain)” by So-yong Kim (2008)
“Night Catches Us” by Tanya Hamilton (2010)
“Pariah” by Dee Rees (2011)
“Picture Bride” by Kayo Hatta (1994)
“Rain” by Maria Govan (2008)
“Real Women Have Curves” by Patricia Cardoso (2002)
“Saving Face” by Alice Wu (2004)
“Second Coming” by Debbie Tucker Green (2014)
“Something Necessary” by Judy Kibinge (2013)
“Something New” by Sanaa Hamri (2006)
“Still the Water” by Naomi Kawase (2014)
“Stranger Inside” by Cheryl Dunye (2001)
“Sugar Cane Alley/Black Shack Alley” by Euzhan Palcy (1983)
“The Kite” by Randa Chahal Sabag (2003)
“The Rich Man’s Wife” by Amy Holden Jones (1996)
“The Secret Life of Bees” by Gina Prince-Bythewood (2008)
“The Silence of the Palace” by Moufida Tlatli (1994)
“The Watermelon Woman” by Cheryl Dunye (1996)
“The Women of Brewster Place” by Donna Deitch (1989)
“Their Eyes Were Watching God” by Darnell Martin (2005)
“Things We Lost in the Fire” by Susanne Bier (2007)
“Wadjda” by Haifaa Al-Mansour (2012)
“Water” by Deepa Mehta (2005)
“Whale Rider” by Niki Caro (2002)
“What’s Cooking?” by Gurinder Chadha (2000)
“Where Do We Go Now?” by Nadine Labaki (2011)
“Whitney” by Angela Bassett (2015)
“Woman Thou Art Loosed: On The 7th Day” by Neema Barnette (2012)
“Xiu Xiu: The Sent-Down Girl” by Joan Chen (1998)
“Yelling to the Sky” by Victoria Mahoney (2011)
“Young and Wild” by Marialy Rivas (2012)
Which of these are your favorite films that tell the stories of women of color, which are also directed by women?

BANKS BUYING WATER – WALL STREET MEGA BANKS BUYING UP WATER RESOURCES…

Published January 23, 2016 by sheezacoldpiece

  

A disturbing trend in the water sector is accelerating worldwide. The new “water barons” — the Wall Street banks and elitist multibillionaires — are buying up water all over the world at unprecedented pace.
Familiar mega-banks and investing powerhouses such as Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase, Citigroup, UBS, Deutsche Bank, Credit Suisse, Macquarie Bank, Barclays Bank, the Blackstone Group, Allianz, and HSBC Bank, among others, are consolidating their control over water. Wealthy tycoons such as T. Boone Pickens, former President George H.W. Bush and his family, Hong Kong’s Li Ka-shing, Philippines’ Manuel V. Pangilinan and other Filipino billionaires, and others are also buying thousands of acres of land with aquifers, lakes, water rights, water utilities, and shares in water engineering and technology companies all over the world.
The second disturbing trend is that while the new water barons are buying up water all over the world, governments are moving fast to limit citizens’ ability to become water self-sufficient (as evidenced by the well-publicized Gary Harrington’s case in Oregon, in which the state criminalized the collection of rainwater in three ponds located on his private land, by convicting him on nine counts and sentencing him for 30 days in jail). Let’s put this criminalization in perspective:
Billionaire T. Boone Pickens owned more water rights than any other individuals in America, with rights over enough of the Ogallala Aquifer to drain approximately 200,000 acre-feet (or 65 billion gallons of water) a year. But ordinary citizen Gary Harrington cannot collect rainwater runoff on 170 acres of his private land.
It’s a strange New World Order in which multibillionaires and elitist banks can own aquifers and lakes, but ordinary citizens cannot even collect rainwater and snow runoff in their own backyards and private lands.
“Water is the oil of the 21st century.” Andrew Liveris, CEO of DOW Chemical Company (quoted in The Economist magazine, August 21, 2008)
In 2008, I wrote an article,
“Why Big Banks May Be Buying up Your Public Water System,” in which I detailed how both mainstream and alternative media coverage on water has tended to focus on individual corporations and super-investors seeking to control water by buying up water rights and water utilities. But paradoxically the hidden story is a far more complicated one. I argued that the real story of the global water sector is a convoluted one involving “interlocking globalized capital”: Wall Street and global investment firms, banks, and other elite private-equity firms — often transcending national boundaries to partner with each other, with banks and hedge funds, with technology corporations and insurance giants, with regional public-sector pension funds, and with sovereign wealth funds — are moving rapidly into the water sector to buy up not only water rights and water-treatment technologies, but also to privatize public water utilities and infrastructure.

http://www.globalresearch.ca/the-new-water-barons-wall-street-mega-banks-are-buying-up-the-worlds-water/5383274

LIFETIME MOVIES PRESENTS – TONI BRAXTON: UNBREAK MY HEART – BIOPIC

Published January 23, 2016 by sheezacoldpiece

 

Toni Braxton Lifetime Movie: When And Where To Watch ‘Unbreak My Heart’ On Jan. 23 
BY MINYVONNE BURKE @MINYVONNEB

 Toni Braxton Lifetime movie
Lex Scott Davis will play Toni Braxton in the Lifetime original movie “Toni Braxton: Unbreak My Heart.”

PHOTO: LIFETIME

Toni Braxton’s iconic music career, family struggles and past money issues will be chronicled in the upcoming Lifetime original movie “Toni Braxton: Unbreak My Heart.” The two-hour long film, which premieres Saturday at 8 p.m. EST, stars up-and-coming actress Lex Scott Davis as the 48-year-old singer.

“Toni Braxton: Unbreak My Heart,” based off of her 2011 memoir of the same name, will begin with Toni signing to L.A. Reid and Kenneth “Babyface” Edmond’s label LaFace Records.

The “Braxton Family Values” star has often said that her big break in the music industry led to her feeling guilty because her sisters, Tamar, Trina, Towanda and Traci Braxon were not picked up by the label even though they had been singing together as a group since they were children.

I’m looking forward to seeing this tonight.  Looks like they did an amazing job casting this.  The lovely Toni Braxton seemed to be very involved with the project, so I’m looking forward to seeing the outcome.  Watch the trailer below 

Watch the full movie here:

http://www.brokensilenze.net/2016/01/24/full-movie-toni-braxton-lifetime-biopic-unbreak-my-heart/