I called myself taking a break from the news...and then my parent's coworker died driving home a few weeks ago. CBS actually covered it, but not Fox. The report did not include what contributed to her accident; however, knowing the family, you learn so much more behind the story. She was a 51 year old woman who died on 105/near the 605. She was driving home from work early one morning and was talking on the cellphone with her sibling in NY. Unfortunately, she dropped the phone and crashed her vehicle and her sibling heard the WHOLE ACCIDENT. How terrifying! Sad to say, her passing made me PAY attention.
So I put on the news...NPR and the Tom Joyner Morning Show who often talks about the headlines on Black America Web. I thought the story about the co-worker was sad, but then I was totally disturbed to hear about the stories in New York and Florida.
The first story is about a 35-year old Haitian woman and her adolescent son who were victims of a heinous crime. This family was robbed, assaulted, and sexually assaulted by a group of masked teenagers. Three teenagers have been arrested. Police believe that there were at least 10 attackers. It's a shame to hear. This link connects to the story regarding the outpour of support from the community to this woman and son. This is the link: http://www.blackamericaweb.com/site.aspx/bawnews/att
ackvictims718 and is called "Financial Help Pouring in for Florida Attack Victims, But Tips on Other Suspects Still Scarce"
The other story is about a toddler attacked by the family dog in the most bizarre, yet sickening way. We heard about pitbulls attacking people, but this dog sexually abused this little boy! It was unbelievable to hear that TJMS eventually contacted the reporter to verify the story; I think NBC covered it. Can you believe this, people? http://www.tonawanda-news.com/local/local_story_1941
22001.html and the story is titled: "LOCKPORT: Behavioral experts think scent may have triggered pit bull attack"
Of course, I get why this isn't covered here in LA on Fox 11 News , but it makes you wonder about what is really going on in the world and all of the stories that are as disturbing and not covered here in our own city.
I am grateful to hear the positive, heart warming strories that are done by reporters like Christine Devine, (i.e., Wednesday's Child, etc.) because it helps to give some balance to the horrific stories that you may come across.
IF you get a chance to read the stories, tell me your thoughts about it. I wonder about other people's thoughts regarding some of these horrendous stories-heard and sometimes discovered! Not that we want to be de-sensitized by the frequency and severity of such stories, but how could stories like this not be heard? Do you wonder what stories fall onto the floors of newsrooms and why other stories like celebrity court cases or birth of babies monopolize the headlines?
Movies...I love to watch them. I have been told that I am quite the critic. I like to watch movies that takes me on a journey. I love mystery, action thrillers, and based on a true story movies. When I go to the movies, I am very analytical by nature and because I studied cinematography.
Today, I watched "Premonition" and "I think I love My Wife." Yes, these are two different movies but they walk a fine line that parallels one another. These movies both say the same thing to me, "Life is about choices." Each week, I teach adults of all ages about making wise choices. Both characters of Sandra Bullock and Chris Rock had to make choices in the movies on how best to handle their circumstances.
With certain classes, I like to assign them a movie to watch. Previously, I sent them to watch "The Freedom Writers." In class, we talk about the good and bad choices, the moral and ethical issues, and deliberate between the right and the wrong.
I was thinking about this movie and there is so much in "Premonition" to process. If you haven't seen the movie, then I do not want to tell too much. However, there are two things that I have thought about...first, Bullock's character "Linda" asks her mother "if I let Jim die is that the same as killing him?" As the movie progresses, we discover the plight of this twisted turn of events leads to the choice "Linda" must make. Choices...life is based upon the choices we make. This movie helped me to think back to a choice I made many years ago...which still affects me today.
Have you seen the movie? What are you thoughts?
