Sandra Bland - The Dangers of Incivility!

My heart has been burdened by the images of a woman screaming as a man throws her to the ground.  Another life ended, though deemed suicide, the debate rages on.  My etiquette flag today is simply at the feet of every police training department in America!  Is common courtesy and decency too much for you now?  Is "lighting someone up" a woman no less, your legacy?  

These repeated incidents of small infractions turning into someone being senselessly killed speaks to the greater issue of overall disrespect across our great nation!  Police officers are asking the citizenry for the respect they are not giving in return.  If there was ever a time to do some "re-branding" now is the time for our police. Sandra's arrest and treatment could be compared to an abusive man attacking a woman.  In most instances, he would be in JAIL! #RIPSANDRABLAND

Cosmo's Racist Beauty Guide: "Bye Felicia"

I had hoped I could leave the the subject of "racism" with my last post, but it appears Cosmopolitan Magazine is at it again.

As a black woman, who is not angry or bitter, I can't help but express my complete astonishment at Cosmopolitan's newest so-called, "Beauty Guide."  Placing R.I.P. on the head of every Black woman, which for many implied beauty no longer includes Black women.  On what planet?  As women all over the world flock to tanning beds and plastic surgeons to try and capture some semblance of what God gave Black women so plentiful, the writer's notion that beauty does not include women of all cultures is preposterous.  I am not shocked at this blatant racist act by Cosmopolitan Magazine as Nikki Manaj was the last black woman to dawn its cover...four years ago.

This week's "etiquette flag" is made from the paper of Cosmo and symbolically tossed at it's door step, cause "Ain't nobody got time for that."  No matter their attempt, it cannot erase what is and will forever be the texture, soul and breath of the world...BLACK BEAUTY!  I celebrate beauty of all types, too bad Cosmo doesn't! 

Let them know how you feel.  Post a comment on Cosmo's Facebook!  Here's the original article, http://www.jetmag.com/galleries/entertainment-galleries/cosmos-racist-beauty-guide/.  

Cosmo - TAKE SEVERAL!

Etiquette and Race...What Members of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Should Know

This week, the entire country was in an uproar over a racist video that surfaced of members of an Oklahoma University Chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.  As they sung a chorus of "N..... won't ever get into SAE," the chants seemed familiar to all.  Without little prodding, the bus riders joined in the chorus like they were singing on their trip back from a family vacation.  There motto, "The True Gentleman," seemed to escape everyone riding on that bus.

Though I know there were some who were sitting on that bus dismayed by what they heard, none stood up to stop the madness. 
At first, I chalked it up to young men being insensitive, but when I researched the fraternity, they have had several racially charged incidents.  I hope this etiquette flag flies right to the door step of an organization that seems to be appalled in front of the camera, but not dealing with the issue behind it.  Racism on any level is intolerable, but this turned the corner to down right terrifying when everyone knows these young people will graduate from college and make decision that could impact the lives of people of color.

I have decided to provide a few tips around Etiquette and Race, http://urbangirlz.org/racialetiquette.html.  Share it with your friends, so they won't find themselves ducking from one of my high flying etiquette flags.

#gunplayintexas

So sorry I've missed a couple of days.  I have been working on my new book, The Code:  Etiquette for Teenz - TOO EXCITED!  It will be ready next week!  I just wanted to drop in and throw an "etiquette flag" at Rep. Dan Flynn (R-Canton) of Texas.  In January of 2015, he introduced a bill that would allow teachers to kill kids in the classroom with immunity.  I don't know what's going on in Texas, BUT there should be no reason a teacher should be able to carry guns and shoot students.  It's already bad enough teachers are being busted daily for inappropriate relationships with students.  Rep. Flynn seems to think just because someone feels fear, based on racial biased that has been conditioned for decades in the psyche of Americans (sorry side note), they can shoot and kill a student in the classroom.  Though my etiquette flags are always meant to be lighthearted and in jest, this flag is meant to save lives.  Protect your children by making sure they know what the rules are! 

Always keep it Urban Classy - Lady T.

DON'T TALK ABOUT THAT BLACK STUFF

And today's etiquette flag goes to Angelicque Blackmon, principal of Howard University Charter School, http://www.wjla.com/articles/2015/01/howard-u-middle-school-parents-say-principal-fired-social-studies-instructors-for-teaching-black-his.html.  I usually reserve two flags for the worst offenders, but for Ms. Blackmon I have decided to be liberal.   It is alleged that Ms. Blackmon has fired several teachers from the middle school she runs for teaching Black History.  How funny that a woman named Blackmon doesn't want anyone to teach about being black.  I digress.  Flag one comes for the rejection of loving your heritage and denying the next generation the opportunity to learn about their legacy.  The second, if true borders on cruelty.  Ms. Blackmon alleged fired the teachers, 4 in all according to reports who had been teaching about black history.  It's shameful enough to fire workers for that reason, but to then have them escorted out by police in front of children, well -  I have never! If these reports are true, Angelicque has some "splannin" to do!  Keep it Urban Classy - Lady T

JOHN BOEHENER INVITES WORLD LEADER TO SPEAK - DID HE BREAK INTERNATIONAL PROTOCOL?

Child, it's getting chilly in the White House.  This week I could not believe what I was reading when the news reported Speaker of the House, John Boehner invited the prime minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu to speak before Congress without clearing the request with the White House first.  I know President Obama catches it, but this is disrespect on a whole other level.  I can't imagine what the prime minister needs to say to Congress that doesn't require the President's presence.  I suspect both Boehner and Netayahu know they are breaking all types of social rules and standards of international protocol, but because of their equal disdain for the President, they are willing to both lay down their "civility hat" and come off to the world as unbelievably rude. This is truly "the enemy of my enemy is my friend."  I couldn't make this up, but only out of the hearts of man can this level of etiquette breakage happen.  So here it is, a big "DOUBLE FLAG" to Boehner and Netayahu for planning a party at someone else's house and not inviting the homeowner to the party.  Click here to read about the complete break in protocol.  Keep it Urban Classy - Lady T

DAD DISCOVERS THE POWER OF SNAPCHAT

The father of two Minnesota twin boys lost his job because he and his sons used Snapchat to bully and racially disparage a 14 yeaer old young woman online.  The father, identified as Deron Puro has been fired because of his son's online Snapchat to an African American girl.  It all began on New Year's Eve when Dierdra Knudson, an eight grader who attends Prior Lakes School in Minnesota received a Snapchat from twins calling her some not so nice things. Click here to read the foolery.

Dierdra's father, Brad Knudson took the bullying very seriously and contacted the twin's father to discuss the matter to no avail.  In the end, the twin's father was fired and Dierdra said it wasn't that big of a deal.  I had to give you a bit of background before I threw the obvious "etiquette flag" on the play, but I also wanted to highlight the dynamics of how bullying affects people.  First the "etiquette flag," goes to the twins and their father for contributing to such despicable behavior.  This signifies a lack of sensitivity training in the home and speaks to some form of racism being tolerated as par for the course among the Puros.  I don't want to see anyone lose their income, but in case anyone doesn't know.  NEVER, EVER post anything online that you wouldn't want to get back to your boss, parents or significant other.  Though Snapchat disappears, if someone takes a picture of it or records it, the information will still exists.  My final "etiquette flag" is on "teen" culture in general. 

Though everyday the press releases stories about the dangers of bullying, teens continue to bully one another unleashing viscous attacks online.  Though I always try and keep it light, the fact that people actually take the time to humiliate and harass another human being online reminds me of the importance of my dedication to impacting young women.  I think I'll have to get back on Empire to lighten things up. Keep it Urban Classy - Lady T