Off to the Oscars!

Cocoa Popps wants to congratulate Viola Davis and Taraji P. Henson (first recipient of our Cocoa Props Award) for receiving "Best Supporting Actress" Oscar noms; Davis for "Doubt" and Henson for "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button".

This is the first time two African American actresses have received Oscar nominations in the same year since 1985 when Whoopie Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey were up for awards for their performances in "The Color Purple". And speaking of Oprah, "The Big O" announced that she'd wanted to audition for Davis' role in "Doubt", but fortunately John Patrick Shanley, "Doubt's" director, had the vision to tell Ms. Winfrey "Hell to the naw!", and let an actor's actor do the job.

First a Black President, and now this. It's a great time people. Let's watch the Oscars and root for these talented and deserved women!

Congratulations!

Obama-nation!!!

Okay, okay PRESIDENT Barack Obama probably isn't looking at his new job as leader of the free world as a forceful acquisition of ultimate power to promote the African American agenda--but here at Cocoa Popps, we are! : )

But in all seriousness, let's celebrate this truly incredible day that was created by a movement Barack Obama conceived, and in which we participated, and support our new President's promise to create change in this country by creating change within ourselves.

Thank you President Obama for making us all realize that, "Yes, We Can!"


Reach higher!


Peace

The Huxtable Effect

= ?

It’s hard to believe that we as a country have put up with EIGHT years of cowboy-backwoods-hillbilly nonsense from a man who thinks “misunderestimated” is a word, but shortly we will all be able to say good riddance to bad rubbish and usher in a new President and new era.

As we embrace our country’s first Black President with pride and hope, let’s honor his achievements and what he represents, but let’s also recognize that being intelligent, successful, and Black are not mutually exclusive terms. Barack Obama’s story as a human being on a quest for greatness is fascinating, phenomenal, and unique to his personal purpose, but being an intelligent, driven, and successful Black person is not an anomaly.

Recently on “Meet the Press” David Gregory asked Bill Cosby if he felt “The Cosby Show” played a role in Barack Obama’s rise to success. Cosby answered, “ “The Cosby Show” was 25 years ago, so I hope “The Cosby Show” would’ve hit someone before Barack”.

Yes, “The Cosby Show” was a ground breaking television show, dispelling the stereotypes that have long unfairly plagued African Americans since the ships docked. It opened the eyes of those (including some of us) who couldn’t fathom that Black people are people who are educated, professional, sophisticated, cultured, critical thinkers, have strong family units, solid values, and are capable of expressing love that affirms, transforms, and restores, but “The Cosby Show” did not create the “Black middle class”. African Americans have been reaching and thriving well before “The Cosby Show”. And in addition to Obama, there are a plethora of other young Black achievers who’ve been doing the work and getting things done, as journalist Gwen Ifill noted recently on “The David Letterman Show”.

Obama represents the best of humanity in terms of what is possible with vision and hard work. “The Cosby Show” was only a reflection of what was already in existence in the Black community. Hardworking intelligent Black achievers have been a staple in our community as they speak to the innate strength and resourcefulness in us as a people.

So as we move forward with our new “articulate” President, his sophisticated First Lady, and their beautiful children, let’s take pride in knowing the Obamas are a reflective part of an existing whole that is not a fanciful figment created by a television show or any other form of media. And in our symbiotic relationship with Obama, as we’ve helped lead him to victory as he will help lead us in hope, let’s continue to be who we are, do the work, and prosper, confidently grounded in the knowledge that intelligent, driven, loving, and successful Black people have always been and will always be.

"Not Easily Broken" - Better Than it Looks

The trailer for the T.D. Jakes film “Not Easily Broken” more than likely leaves one thinking it’s just another Black movie with a low budget and heavy handed religious themes. But surprisingly, it’s much more interesting.

Despite the deceptive marketing, Taraji P. Henson and Morris Chestnut give strong performances leading an unexpected and entertaining cast, (Kevin Hart is hilarious as one of Chestnut’s henpecked partners), in an inspiring story about love and how to make it work.

Henson and Chestnut, who doubles as the film’s Executive Producer, portray a young married couple, Clarice and Dave, who have different ideas of what marriage and success really means. In their journey to define their individual visions of happiness they re-define their concepts of commitment and what it means to love and be loved in a way that is not as syrupy and predictable as this genre usually is.

“Not Easily Broken” is directed by veteran Bill Duke providing it with more polish than most of these types of Black films. You will laugh, you might cry, and you will love seeing great Black actors, as well as other supporting cast, doing excellent work. You will hopefully come away feeling as if you can: appreciate the relationship you have, work on the relationship you think can’t be fixed, and feel confident you are ready to do the work when you find the relationship you know you deserve.

If you haven't seen “Not Easily Broken”, go support it. It will be money and time well spent.

If you have seen the movie, what did you think?

Recession or Suggestion?

Yes, we've entered the New Year in a recession. And the numbers are in; spending is down, layoffs are up. But is it somewhat due to the power of suggestion? Did America buy into the notion of a recession and then subsequently create one? Did the fear tactics of the media tell everyone we're in ruins and therefore we followed suit by cutting spending and affecting the consumer market that trickled down to businesses causing them to scale back and close up shop?

The antics of the financial industry did contribute substantively to putting us in this bind, but did we also help by believing in the fear that there isn’t enough?

As we face these difficult times, we've been forced to make major adjustments, not only materially, but hopefully spiritually. Yes, we can all live and do more with less, but let's not allow our minds to believe that there isn't enough. Let's not let our spirits fall in line with this recession and live in lack. There is enough.

There are enough opportunities for you to get a job.
(So don't get mad when you don't get the job, you'll get another one)

There are enough mates for you to find quality love.
(So don't get hurt, sad, or jealous--stay positive and confident)

There are enough people for you to make new friends.
(So don't fret about having to let people go, or someone letting go of you)

There are enough resources for you to upgrade your intellect and abilities.
(Resources at the library, online, and non-profits are free)

There is enough time.
(To exercise, volunteer...get up earlier, turn off the tv, etc.)

But all these things take a shift in: purpose, personal power, thinking, and action. We may have to make some self improvements to get what we want, do some things that draw us out of our comfort zone, make appropriate adjustments on our expectations, re-define our version of success/happiness, and uh, get off our asses and make it happen. And you all know this--this is just a little refresher.

So the next time some reporter or some politician or some friend, or some relative tries to tell you, "We're in a recession", i.e. there isn't enough, okay take the facts for what they are, but believe that on a higher level, life is plentiful.

New Year's Resolutions of the Stars!

Happy New Year!!! As we enter 2009 we probably all have some resolutions and goals in mind. Cocoa Popps talked with a few celebrities and asked, "What's your New Year's Resolution?"

Here's what they said...

Mariah Carey: (Finally) I'll have sex with Nick Cannon.

Lil' Wayne: Bathe.



Usher: Stop worrying about whose saying what about my wife and get a hit.

Jamie Foxx: Accept the fact I'm 40 and stop "poppin' bottles in da club."

Will Smith: Shave my "beard".

LL Cool J.: Find storage space for my tired ass clothing line.

P. Diddy: Put out the fragrance I originally wanted to launch- "I am Queen".

Oprah: Get as much sympathy (ratings) as I can for being fat.

Okay so that's what's on their minds for '09. (It's all jokes people! ) What's on yours?



Peace!