Tuesday, June 30, 2015

BET Awards 2015 highlights and winners


Though she was absent, Beyonce won three BET Awards, including video of the year for "7/11," while Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj also won multiple awards at the all-star show Sunday night.

But the show was less about the awards -- video of the year didn't even make the live broadcast -- as performances stole the night.

As Janet Jackson entered the stage at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, Brown screamed loudly, Minaj whipped out her phone to record the moment and Laverne Cox was teary-eyed. The pop star was honored with the Ultimate Icon: Music Dance Visual Award as she made one of her first public performances in sometime as she readies a new album and tour this fall.

"It's been a very long moment to this journey ... my heart is so full," Jackson said to the audience, which included her mother and father. "To my beautiful mother, to my beautiful father, and to my entire family, your love is unbreakable."

An impressive Ciara, Jason Derulo and Tinashe paid tribute to the 49-year-old veteran by mimicking her signature dance moves.

"Twenty five years ago we created 'Rhythm Nation,' hoping the world would be a better place, but today there's even more to be done," Jackson said.
Jackson wasn't the only show stopper Sunday: Diddy dropped it like it's hot at the awards show - figuratively and literally.

The entertainer fell during an exciting performance that celebrated Bad Boy Records' 20th year anniversary, one of the night's highlights. Lil Kim, Mase, Faith Evans, 112 and The Lox joined Diddy as they performed a medley of past hits. A video montage of rap king Notorious B.I.G. appeared in the background as his verse from "Mo Money Mo Problems" played.

Brown performed multiple times, and won best male R&B/pop artist and the fandemonium award.

"A lot has changed in my life, a lot of mistakes, a lot of lessons learned. The best thing I'm most thankful for is my daughter," he said onstage. "I'm so thankful and happy to have the loyal fans ... and everybody here that knows me, to know me is to love me."

The show Sunday brought a mix of funny and serious moments. Rapping on top of a police car with a large American flag waving behind him, hip-hop prince Kendrick Lamar kicked off the BET Awards with a dose of seriousness, but also brought a fiery energy thanks to his charisma and beat of his song, "Alright."

He later won best male hip-hop artist.

"This is for Compton, this is for Watts," the Los Angeles-born rapper said.

Janelle Monae and Jidenna also brought a serious vibe to the stage when they performed "Classic Man": The singers and their background dancers wore large "I'm a Classic Man" signs around their necks, a reference to the historic "I Am a Man" civil rights era protest signs.

And as Anthony Hamilton and Gary Clark Jr. performed while photos of celebrities who died appeared on screen, a montage of the nine people who were gunned down at a church in Charleston earlier this month closed the performance.

"Black-ish" actors Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross won over the crowd with back-to-back jokes, including one about Rachel Dolezal, the former president of the Spokane chapter of the NAACP.

"Is white really the new black," Anderson sang as two photos of Dolezal - one old, the other recent - appeared on screen.

Anderson also dressed as British singer Sam Smith, who won best new artist but didn't attend the awards show.

"Sam Smith isn't here tonight because he's white and he didn't think he would win at the BET Awards," Anderson said as the audience burst into laughter.

"This award is going to stay with me for you not showing up to BET," Anderson sang, referencing Smith's ubiquitous hit, "Stay With Me."

Rihanna, who debuted a 1-minute clip of her new music video for "B---- Better Have My Money," was among the A-listers who sat in the audience, and she sang along during Omarion and Brown's performance of the pop hit, "Post to Be." Alicia Keys surprised the crowd when she joined The Weeknd to sing his hit, "Earned It."

Smokey Robinson received the Lifetime Achievement Award, performed a medley of his hits and earned a standing ovation from the audience when he spoke about Hollywood and humility. Ne-Yo, Robin Thicke and rising singer Tori Kelly paid tribute to the icon.

And Patti LaBelle was a fan favorite too, hitting high notes alongside Tamar Braxton and K. Michelle.

Minaj, who won the fan-voted viewer's choice award, brought her mom onstage when she collected her sixth consecutive best female hip-hop artist award.

"Momma, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you've done for me. I love you so much," said Minaj, who performed her with rapper-boyfriend Meek Mill later in the show.

Beyonce's wins included best female R&B/pop artist and video director of the year.

List of winners:

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist: Beyonce

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist: Chris Brown

Best Group: Rae Sremmurd

Best Collaboration: Common and John Legend, "Glory"

Best Female Hip Hop Artist: Nicki Minaj

Best Male Hip Hop Artist: Kendrick Lamar

Video of the Year: BeyoncĂ©, "7/11″

Video Director of the Year: Beyoncé, Ed Burke, and Todd Tourso

Best New Artist: Sam Smith

Best Gospel Artist: Lecrae

Best Actress:Taraji P. Henson

Best Actor: Terrence Howard

Young Stars Award: Mo'ne Davis

Best Movie: "Selma"

Sportswoman of the Year: Serena Williams

Sportsman of the Year: Stephen Curry

Coca-Cola Viewers' Choice Award: Nicki Minaj, "Only," featuring Lil Wayne, Drake, Chris Brown

Centric Award: The Weeknd, "Earned It"

Best International Act: Africa Stonebwoy (Ghana)

Best International Act: Stormzy (U.K.)

FANdemonium Award: Chris Brown

Lifetime Achievement: Smokey Robinson

Humanitarian Award: Tom Joyner

Ultimate Icon: Music Dance Visual Award: Janet Jackson

Source: cbsnews.com

Monday, June 22, 2015

Father’s Day is a chance for dads and their kids to grow closer

(CNN) – In the days before Father’s Day, the messages in the greeting-card aisle are often different 
 
Photo Courtesy: MGN Online
from the ones that greet shoppers before Mother’s Day.

Another says, “Home is where the fart is. Happy Father’s Day.”
By contrast, a top-selling Mother’s Day card reads, “Happy Mother’s Day, to my mom, my hero … I’m extremely proud of the wonderful woman I know and love as my mom.”

In other words, many Father’s Day cards are humorous and emotionally muted, while cards for mothers typically contain explicit messages of love. The difference speaks to the gender stereotypes that have long defined women as nurturers and men as managers who are disconnected from their emotions.
These lingering effects are still felt by children who struggle to share their feelings with their fathers the way they do with their mothers. Research shows that children are more likely to say “I love you” to their mom than their dad, said Dr. Linda Nielsen, professor of educational and adolescent psychology at Wake Forest University.
But with Father’s Day approaching on Sunday, this social stigma is slowly changing. As the notions of fatherhood evolve and fathers spend more time with their kids, the image of the stoic, distant dad is softening. And experts say kids can help hasten this trend by opening up to their fathers.
“Be an equal opportunity child,” Nielsen said. “You need to start treating your father the same way you treat your mother.”
Men, women and sharing emotions
In 1972, presidential candidate Edmund Muskie allegedly cried during a campaign press conference in New Hampshire. Reports conflicted about whether the moisture on his cheeks was melting snow, but some critics and voters saw it as evidence that he wasn’t strong enough to be president. The resulting criticism was credited with dooming the front-runner’s campaign.

Forty years later, President Barack Obama teared up during a speech about the mass shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. He received little ridicule, and many even praised the President for showing emotion. Likewise, nobody made a fuss in April when Obama said he cries thinking about his oldest daughter, Malia, leaving for college.

The difference between the Muskie and Obama examples shows how far society has come in accepting emotion from men as a sign of compassion, not weakness.
And yet long-held perceptions about parenting roles for fathers and mothers still die hard.
“Men and women are socialized differently in how they express their gender definition,” said psychologist and author Dr. Carl Pickhardt, who believes the difference reflects how kids are raised to perceive their gender.

In his work as a counselor, Pickhardt asks children which parent they associate most with the questions, “How are you feeling?” and “How are you doing?” Their answers, by an overwhelming majority: feeling and mothers, doing and fathers.
“Ideally, you want both parents to give emotional and performance expressions,” he said.
This is a result of parenting, said Dr. Peter Gray, associate professor of anthropology at University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Parents tend to develop their children to be successful in the social situations the parent exists in, he said.
Traditional positions for men have been in management or executive roles, where discussions about people’s feelings are not a priority. Wanting the best for their children, dads may not tolerate similar behavior at home. Over time, this can mean fewer emotional expressions by children toward their father, Gray said.

As fathers face new expectations to participate more in child care and housework, though, these barriers are slowly falling.
“Fathers’ roles are including more and more direct child care in the last 30, 40 years,” Gray said. “That opens doors to greater opportunities to connect.”
Modern fatherhood
A 2013 study by the Pew Research Center found that fathers have nearly tripled the amount of time they spend with their children since 1965. Shifting attitudes, an uncertain job market and a greater emphasis on work-life balance are beginning to shift the traditional parenting roles.
Adrian Kulp is a full-time, stay-at-home dad and writes the blog Dad or Alive. He is the primary caregiver for his three children, all younger than 6. While it was difficult for him to transition to this role from being an executive, he has seen firsthand a shift in perceptions.
“I’ve come into what modern fatherhood is,” Kulp said. “The face of fatherhood is changing, and I think it’s for the better.”
This new depiction of fatherhood is being broadcast nationwide by organizations such as Lean In. The women’s empowerment group used its #LeanInTogether campaign to change representations of fathers in stock photos, as shown in a new collection by Getty Images that shows men as involved parents.
As the public definition of fatherhood changes, so too do the ways in which fathers and children interact.
Kulp said that he has never had a problem showing emotion toward his father.
“Just an open, honest dialogue between father and son goes a long way,” he said.
Experts say establishing that father-child connection requires both parties to be open. It takes time, and sometimes a blunt conversation, often initiated by the child.
If sharing feelings with a father is too challenging, experts suggest children initiate a conversation with their dad about how hard it can be to express emotion. “Talk about what feels uncomfortable, unfamiliar or difficult,” Pickhardt said.
Kids can also show how they feel about their dad indirectly through a thoughtful gift or a planned activity, experts said.
Families can use Father’s Day as an excuse to treat dad to a special dinner, a movie or even a minivacation, which may open fathers and children alike to more emotional sharing.
The holiday should also be a day for serious reflection about parent-child relationships, Nielsen said. Fathers should think about how much they share emotions when talking to their kids. And children will feel more comfortable expressing their feelings if their fathers are doing it, too.
“The days of hiding your emotions are gone,” said Kulp, the stay-at-home dad. “Life is too short to hide your feelings.”
Source:whnt.com

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Statue of Liberty celebrates 130 years on American shores

The head of the Statue of Liberty on display in the garden at the Champ de Mars at the World's Fair in Paris to drum up support and contributions for the completion of the great project, 1878. / AP
She's welcomed generations of immigrants to America's shores and been the beacon of a new world to them. She's also been one of the landmarks of the nation and unmistakable marker for those who travel into New York Harbor.

But the Statue of Liberty herself was not born in America, but rather came to the country in pieces and arrived here 130 years ago Wednesday.

Designed by French sculptor Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi, who called her Liberty Enlightening the World, she was intended to be a gift to the United States on the centennial of the American Revolution and as a measure of goodwill between America and the French.

"I will try to glorify the Republic and Liberty over there, in the hope that someday I will find it again here," said Bartholdi, to his associate Edouard de Laboulaye, who initially inspired the idea of the statue at a time of dissent against the regime of Napoleon III.

Originally assembled in France, the Statue took two years to be completed. In 1885, the statue is taken apart and 350 pieces of her are shipped to America in 200 crates, finally arriving in New York on June 17 to be carefully reassembled.

Construction of the pedestal had already begun two years earlier on Bedloe Island (later renamed Liberty Island), which was chosen because it was located in the middle of the highly trafficked harbor and was done by Americans.

Workers wasted no time putting together the copper and iron statue, completing it and attaching her to the pedestal. The statue was dedicated October 28, 1886. "We will not forget that liberty here made her home; nor shall her chosen altar be neglected," said President Grover Cleveland on the day Lady Liberty was dedicated.

Bartholdi died in 1904. The Statue of Liberty was declared a national monument in 1924.

Source: cbsnews.com