Kill the Gays: It's 2009, Everybody's Doing It! Part 1

DISCLAIMER: I in no means support this bill. I personally think its disgusting, and hope for its failure.

Over the last few weeks, a story has broke, mostly thanks to Rachel Maddow, about the Ugandan governments agenda to pass legislation making homosexuality a crime punishable by law. A few punishments outlined in the bill are, life in prison for being a homosexual, death by hanging if your gay and HIV positive, and up to 3 years in prison if you know someone is gay and do not report them. Now I know that this sounds crazy. U must be thinking how can people get away with that this day and age? This would never happen in America. While there is no "burn the gays at the stake" bill in America, certain elite Americans have been most influential in the inspiration of the Kill the Gays Bill.

Now, in order to get a bill passed, there has to be a pretty convincing reason for needing the law. Right? In California, the no texting while driving law was passed because someone convinced the government it was a much needed addition for peoples well being and safety. So who or what could have justified the need for a "kill the gays bill?" The answer is one of the forerunners of the "cure the gay" movement, Richard Cohen.

In the clip below, Rachel Maddow introduces Richard Cohen and his unconventional "curing" techniques.

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Richard cohen is a non-licensed, former gay, councilor who claims he can cure the gays, by having grown men cuddle with eachother. In fact, he has written a book, "Coming Out Straight: Understanding and Healing Homosexuality" that gives a step by step guide to do just what the title says, come out straight.

Cohen, is the influential force behind the kill the gays bill. At a "pray the gay away" conference in Uganda, Stephen Langa, the leader of the conference,uses Cohen as a prime example to support claims that homosexuality is a choice.

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Stephen Langa is filmed citing Cohen's book and his life experiences as evidence that homosexuality is curable. Langha later on had a strong hand in drafting the kill the gays bill.

Now these are outrageous claims Rachel Maddow has made, so she rightfully gave Richard Cohen a chance to maybe clear the air. Not only did he give his side of the stoy, but in the process also made himself seem less credible, even though him not being a licensed anything does that by itself. Watch the clip in its entirety...it's entertaining.

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Being gay herself, Rachel Maddow, is very passionate about this subject, and does not go easy on Cohen. They have a spirited debate which ends in Cohen publicly denouncing things he wrote in his book, and losing the little credibility he had.

There is so much more to speak on about this issue. Inequality, and hate against homosexuals is not only Uganda, but also in our own country and around the world. There is so much more to speak on about this issue so I will be writing a second blog, part 2, in the days to come.

Rihanna Rated R Album Review

I have always been a Rihanna fan, but my level of interest in her increased after the Chris Brown incident took place. So when she announced the release date of her "comeback" CD, Rated R, I almost slit my wrist in anticipation. Thanks to the advancements of technology, and probably some clever PR work, Rihanna's CD, Rated R has leaked before the Nov. 23 release date, and it is definitely FIRE!! When i pushed play, i expected the regular "Pon De Replay", "SOS", and "Umbrella" which has made Rihanna the queen of catchy dance floor anthems, but I quickly discovered that this time around she pushed herself to a whole other creative level.

If Rihanna was the Good Girl Gone Bad last album, this one she is Good Girl Gone Hard and Provocative. On songs like "Rockstar" ft Slash she defiantly boasts,"Got my middle finger up, I don't really give Fuck," and "G4L (Gangsta 4 Life)", she warns, "Any mother fuckers wanna disrespect/...we dont play that shit." . The track,"Rude Boy", introduces the world to Rihanna's sexual side. She candidly talks about her sexual rendevous with her lover saying "I like the way you touch me there, I like the way you pull my hair," and "Come here rude boy, is you big enough/ come here rude boy, can you get it up." Unlike "Shut Up, and Drive", from her previous album, which disguises her sex-capades with a clever metaphor about a car, Rihanna is embracing and putting her sexuality out there which is evident by her song lyrics and artwork.




Of course one of the big reasons why Rated R is so highly anticipated, it is the first project after Rihanna's widely publicized domestic violence incident with her now ex boyfriend, Chris Brown, earlier this year. Like the rest of the album, Rihanna is not subtle or unapologetic in her lyrics and Chris was no exception. "Stupid in Love" is an extremely emotional and candid song about her emotions after the domestic violence incident. She shamefully admits, "My new nickname is you idiot," referring to how she went back to her abusive relationship despite everything. Resentfully, Rihanna says in "Fire Bomb," "I wish I could set you on fire, so I wouldn't have to burn alone." She then drastically changes the pace in, "Photographs," a reminiscent song about the good times, and how life without the love of her life is difficult, saying "today would be better babe, if they were our yesterdays." "Cold Case Love" is a blatant stab at Rihanna's and Chris' relationship, saying, "What you did to me was a crime," is referring to the actual crime Chris Brown infamously committed against her.

Her other songs like "Mad House," "Russian Roulette," "Te Amo," and "The Last Song," all tell different stories with eerie metaphors, same sex crushes, and a haunting intro, which i personally feel is out of place.

Overall the Rated R experience is a pleasurable one, and it is a definitely Rihanna's best CD to date. It might not have the same hit producing tracks as Good Girl Gone Bad, but it is filled with lyrics relevant to the place Rihanna is at right now. This album shows her growth as a vocalists and as an artist. This is a must get CD.

Little Miss Spray Tan

So after lunch I log onto Twitter to find Carrie Prejean in the Trending Topics. I rolled my eyes and said to myself, "what has she done, or said, to set women back another 50 years now?" As i read other peoples comments about her, which were mostly negative, I discovered all the buzz was about a Larry King interview she had done yesterday evening.

For those of you who may not know or need a little reminder of who Carrie Prejean is, here is the moment that made her the infamous martyr of "opposite marriage."

Carrie ended being the runner-up to Miss USA (whatever her name is), and the next day started blasting Perez Hilton and the "liberals" for sabotaging her chances at winning because she was against gay marriage.

Even though I do not agree with her answer, it is her right to believe that way. She did not win because of her beliefs, it was because she delivered her answer with as much grace and poise as cracked out Whitney at an award show (remember that?). If these beauty pageant women are going to portray the males unattainable fantasy of us women, then they have to be the total unrealistic package. "I believe in opposite marriage," is a horrible disqualifying answer.

Fast-forward to Carrie being dethroned as Miss California, a nude photo scandal, a boob job and a sex tape, you stop at the Larry King interview. Now Carrie was being interviewed to promote her book, but the real news is why she settled her law suit against Miss California Organization, (MCO). Rumor has it the ex Miss California's lawsuit torpedoed when her sex-tape surfaced which (MCO) has in their possession.

See this is why you don't have people who have run out their 15 minutes of fame go passed their 15 minutes, because somehow they think they are important enough to call shots. The only reason Carrie is still relevant today, is because we're all waiting for the sex tape to leak, and you know how America LOVES a good sex tape. As hypocritical as she is I'm still waiting for her secret lesbian lover to come out the closet and expose her.... I don't know maybe that's a little ambitious, but who knew that little miss spray tan would have a sex tape??

The Beginning

Wow it's my first of many blog entries, and I would like to start off by allowing you all to get to know me. Who am I? I have yet to figure that out but I will tell you who I think I am. I, Royal Zaria Williams, am happy, sad, funny, silly, shy, outgoing, cocky, insecure, spontaneous, jittery, opinionated, speechless, balanced, unbalanced, empathetic, heartless (at times),caring, and compassionate just to name a few.

Basically I'm on an emotional roller coaster full of contradicting emotions, and my mood depends on what day and time it is. I am a Gemini, and I embody and embrace everything about that sign. I believe in the good in other people, but that often leaves me disappointed in the end. Trust is something that is earned from me, but once it's broken it can never be earned back. I have a weakness for helping people in need, which is why I want to become a journalist. I'm a hopeless romantic but at the same time a realist. I keep up with pop culture, news, and politics, which will all be covered in my blog. In time you will see how much of a bipolar mess I really am =).