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Remembering Sophie: The Day Our Newborn Died
UC columnist David Leonard pens a very touching reflection on his newborn daughter's passing and how it forever changed him, teaching him about fear, love, family, and the importance of moving forward with her to help others. Read moreHow Selfishness Factors Into Having Children
Angele D. Russel challenges social norms and the selfish reasons people use to justify having children. She explains the importance of making an effort to live life on one's own terms rather than someone else's expectations. Read morePosted in: Health, Life, Life.Style, Pop CultureComments: One commentTags: Domestic Violence, Pop Culture, Relationships, Women
WATCH: HuffPost Live Segment on Rihanna and Chris Brown's 'Dangerous Message'
At the MTV Video Awards, Rihanna fueled rumors of a reunion with Chris Brown by kissing him onstage. Does this send an irresponsible message about domestic violence? Read morePosted in: Health, Life, Life.Style, Pop CultureComments: No commentsTags: Hip-Hop, hot cheetos and takis, Videos
Is ‘Hot Cheetos and Takis’ a Model for Kid-Friendly Rap Songs? [VIDEO]
"Hot Cheetos and Takis" is a catchy rap by kids in a YMCA after-school program in Minneapolis that has gone viral. Is it a model for kid-friendly rap songs? Read morePosted in: Health, Life.Style, Pop CultureComments: One commentTags: Byron Hurt, David Leonard, Film, Health, Soul food junkies
'Soul Food Junkies' Offers a Window Into Black America's Food Culture
David J. Leonard gives insight into Byron Hurt's "Soul Food Junkies," film in which Hurt sets out to learn more about the rich culinary tradition of soul food and its relevance to black cultural identity. Read more5 Lessons Learned from Dealing with Life's Storms
Jamall Calloway provides insight on the inevitable storms life often brings. He emphasizes not only the importance of riding out these storms when they come, but also the importance of preparing for them in advance. Read morePosted in: Health, Opinions, Politics & PoliciesComments: No commentsTags: Barack Obama, Health, Politics & Policies, Wilmer Leon
Chief Justice Roberts: The Jury is Still Out
Liberals and pro ACA advocates are praising Roberts for saying health care reform and possibly the 2012 election for President Obama. But let's not be quick to call him "the new liberal heartthrob.” The jury is still out. Read moreFreeing the Skeleton in My Closet: My Battle with Agoraphobia
Suffering through Agoraphobia, I was trapped as a prisoner of my own misguided thoughts. That’s what Agoraphobia does to its victims; it isolates us from the world by making us afraid of the thought of what could possibly happen to us if we leave. Read morePosted in: Health, Opinions, Race and IdentityComments: 2 commentsTags: David Leonard, Health, Race & Identity
The Criminalization of Mental Illness in Black America
David Leonard explores the intersections of race, mental health, and the criminalization of black bodies, particularly in the sports world. Read moreVideo Pick of the Week: J. Ivy's 'Shades & Blades' Focuses on Domestic Violence
In "Shades and Blades," Grammy Award-winning Hip-Hop Poet J.Ivy highlights the dark realities of domestic violence in this new video off of his "HERE I AM: Then & Now" album. The video was directed by Cam Be and J. Ivy. Read moreIn Memory of Max: On Suicide and Mental Health
Despite the emergence of more sophisticated diagnostic tools and treatment plans for mental illness, our collective discussion and reaction to it and suicide remains antiquated and derogatory. Maybe it’s the media; maybe it’s our fear or our ignorance. Read morePosted in: Health, Life, Opinions, Pop CultureComments: One commentTags: Health, Hip-Hop, Mark Jefferson
Ready to Die: Notorious BIG’s Contribution to the Discourse about Suicide
Though Biggie’s contribution to the Hip-Hop community and to the broader culture has been immense, I want to address his profundity in addressing the topic of suicide in a jarring, unforgettable, and piercing manner. Read morePosted in: Devotional, Health, LifeComments: No commentsTags: Christianity, Devotional, Ricky Parker
Devotional: How's Your Spiritual Fitness Regimen Going?
Bettering your physical health is something that is encouraged in today's society, because the benefits of it go a long way. We stress the importance of our physical health, but what about our spiritual health? Read moreToo Big for Our Own Good: When Obesity Haunts Daily
This segment in Evette Dionne's "Tipping the Scales" column explores the daily struggle that she faces to combat obesity and its looming threat, feeling that all of her efforts seem to make little change in her appearance and health. Read moreTipping the Scales – The Phenomenon of Weight Bias
Confidence is one of the greatest characteristics that a person can possess and I have an abundance of it. But even with an impressive college resume and a future graduate degree, weight might become my biggest hindrance to success – pun intended. Read moreNFL Retiree Chris Draft's Testimony of Love and Loss Touches Thousands
NFL retiree Chris Draft's recent loss of his wife due to a long battle against lung cancer has many thinking about their perceptions about relationships and unconditional love, as well as the fragility of life. Read moreHow to Avoid Overeating During the Holidays
Our calendars are filled with social gatherings- luncheons, office parties, and upcoming Christmas dinners. Each year, our waistlines bear the burden of this very festive season. Read some practical tips on how to avoid overeating. Read morePosted in: Health, Interviews, Opinions, Politics & PoliciesComments: No commentsTags: Health, Politics & Policies, Rahiel Tesfamariam
Alondra Nelson on the Panthers, Medical Discrimination and Health Care
Urban Cusp recently interviewed Alondra Nelson to discuss her new book Body and Soul: The Black Panther Party and the Fight against Medical Discrimination. Read what she had to say about their strategies, scientific racism, COINTELPRO and contemporary health care issues. Read morePosted in: Class & Economy, Health, OpinionsComments: No commentsTags: Economic Class, Health, Immigration, Lauren Maxwell
Withholding Good: The CIW's Ongoing Protest Against Publix
For the past several years, a grassroots network of migrant farm workers in Florida, known as the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW), have been calling out the largest grocery store chain in the southeast United States, Publix, to join their Campaign for Fair Food. Read morePosted in: Health, Interviews, Life.StyleComments: No commentsTags: Education, Health, Sports, Timothy Jones
