Oh, It's Been So Long!

A Note From the Editor-In-Chief
LUCID has truly been on a hiatus! But.... THE WAIT IS OVA! Due to my Senior year in college I've been away doing exams, paying college dues and trying to have a social life; but while balancing it all I haven't forgotten why I created this blog in the first place. LUCID is the vessel that shares news, entertainment, and thoughts from young, black journalists,and now that the end of the year is vastly approaching I have much to blog about! There's plenty to discuss with you all and I'm really excited! So now that LUCID is re-launching In December, I hope all of you will stay tuned and thank you for being so patient with me! OH yeah.... WE'RE BAAAAACCCCCCKKKKKKKK!! :) Catch ya in few!

P.S. We're looking for more writers, bloggers, and photographers to contribute to LUCID. If you're interested send us an e-mail with your name, contact information, and why you want contribute! E-mail us today at lucid.blogs@gmail.com Hope to hear from you soon!
- Alex L., E.I.C

Album Review: Dondris vs. Phatfffat

By Reggie L.
Dondria, Dondria, Dondria , where should I begin? The 23 year old’s debut album Dondria vs. Phatfffat is set for release today ( August 17th) and if I have to describe this album in one word that word would be "Refreshing." There is no auto tune to speak of , no over sexed lyrics, and no image shoved down our throats. This young lady is all about the music. Her 11 track effort is diverse and easy on the ears. There are no eletronic beats or over production that plagues so many of her contemporaries.

This album is reminiscent of early Brandy and Aaliyah. Songs such as "Kissed by the Sun," "Making Love," and the single "Your the One," sound like they would have come from Tiffany Evans rather than a 23 year old woman. I have to admit that I was not crazy about "Your the One," however after hearing the rest of her album I have been sold on this girl’s talent. Her voice is refreshingly (there’s that word again) womanly and clear. I can't count the number of singers who scream and shout through an LP , however this is not the case here, she sings. Let me say it again this girl sings her songs! Songs such as "Can You Help Me" find the neophyte pleading with her lover to save their relationship. Lyrics like "Dont give up on us, can you help me, I cant do this alone," emphasize her soaring voice.

There are few complaints about this album, like many things nothing is perfect. The album is so short it leaves you wanting more. The albums strength is also it’s fault as well, The album is almost "too Disney." But after hearing so many singers wail about their relationship woes, Dondria provides an escape that this music junkie welcomes. Whether you are a fan of the first single or not this girl at least is a talent to watch out for and thus worth giving a listen to.

Check out Dondria's lastest videos here at LUCID!

Shawty Wus Up?

You're The One

Oh, How I Loathe My 38 G's!

By Alex L.

Breasts, boobs, boobies, titties, tits, juggs, ta-ta’s, bazongas, the twins, the girls, or whatever else you want to call them lets face it, men love them, women on the other hand have a love/hate relationship with them. Why wouldn’t we? We’re all blessed with different shapes and sizes and cursed with different shapes and sizes, hence the love hate relationship.

I mean what’s not to love about breasts? If you have a nice pair, they look good in your favorite blouse, you can catch a good Victoria’s Secret sale, (three bras for $25, come on how great is that?) or if you have perky boobs you can wear those revealing tank tops without a bra! Personally, I can’t relate to any of those scenarios. I could never walk out the house with only a tank top, shop at Victoria’s Secret for a nice lacy bra, and anytime I wear a blouse it includes safety pins and double sided tape. I don’t mind being a busty girl, but I wear a size 38 G bra! Yes I said G, (honestly I think one is an F and the other a G but whatever.) I don’t have the privilege to buy bras with the fancy designs, frilly lace, or bright, vibrant colors. Nope, just black or white, thick lace and lycra and those four hooks in the back just to make sure the girls stay in place. The shoulder straps dig into my shoulders leaving imprints and bruises because my boobs are so heavy. I pay $60 or more just so my bras fit me properly despite how uncomfortable they are. Gravity does not exist with the two planets that sit on my chest. They’re not perky, instead when I’m not strapped down in my brassiere, they’re constantly in the way. To make a long story short I HATE MY BREASTS!

My breasts are the vain of my existence! Ok, I’m exaggerating a little, but I have a strong dislike with my bouncing buddies. I think my disdain stems from Elementary school. (Everyone has a “past.”) All my girlfriends were flat as boards, but me I was wearing training bras in third grade and just two years later I started my period. All the womanly changes were happening to me while I was still a child. But those breasts of mine made it obvious to everyone that physically, I wasn’t a little girl anymore despite how young I acted, furthermore I hated that teenaged boys and men were noticing that womanly change. From nine to 13 years old, I went from an A cup to a full DD! It was like my upper body transformed from little girl to grown woman; I felt awkward, embarrassed, uncomfortable, and very self conscious. I hated changing in gym glass or at slumber parties because I knew my friends would gawk at me, hell, they stared at me when I had my shirt on, I could only imagine if they saw what was underneath! I didn’t even look at my breast in a mirror until I was 16, up until then I just pretended that they weren’t there even though they were a constant reminder.

Now, two months shy of 22, I’m still self conscious about my bosoms. I’ve tried to think positive about my breasts, you know find the good in them, to make me like them more, with all that positive thinking I’ve come up with nothing. I simply don’t like them, I don’t like the shape of them, I don’t like my cup size, it bothers me that I have to spend so much money on bras, I hate that my bras are uncomfortable, I hate that the first things men notice about me are my big breasts, but most of all, I hate that my breasts make me hate them the way that I do. (sighs.) Sure, there is a solution out there for me. Surgery. Breast reduction surgery ($5,000- $7,000.) I’ve considered it, I’m still considering it, but I’ve also considered what if I loathe my breast even more after I get surgery? I’d have a bigger problem than what I have now. I’d hate if that were happen, so with that in mind my breasts really aren’t that bad the way they are now. Bottom line, if there’s a chance that surgical augmentation can make my breasts worse in anyway, that’s a chance I’m not willing to take.

So regardless of what your relationship is like with your body, whether or not you dislike your breasts like I do, or any other body part for that matter, its okay, we all do. We’re not perfect, and we can’t solve all our physical problems by going under the knife because even if one problem is fixed, there will be some other flaw that will tweak your nerves and that’s okay too. But remember you’re imperfections make the perfect you. That was cheesy but its true. =)

So what did YOU think?: Teen Mom (Season 2, Ep. 1)

By Alex L.

So all the Teen Mom junkies were tuned in last night to watch the premiere of Season 2! We watched an hour full of surprises from Maci, Amber, Farrah, and Catelynn.

The premiere opened with DRAMA! A disturbing phone call to the police was made when Farrah called the "po-po" on her mom Debra! Farrah and her mother are infamous for their arguments and constant bickering, but things got violent when Debra hit Farrah in the face, mind you baby Sophia was in her crib crying and allegedy had a shirt thrown at her! Poor baby.In the meanwhile, mother and daughter arent allowed to be in the same house so Farrah and Sophia are living in the guest house... Well Farrah did she wanted to move out, heres you chance!

Amber and Gary are still together, but since they've both lost their jobs, things are really getting tough for them and if matter werent already worse, Amber suspects she's pregnant--AGAIN! As much as we love Amber and Gary and they're shenanigans pregnancy is the last thing this couple needs. To our relief Amber isn't preggers, but the stuggles is still on to get by and take care of baby Leah.

Who's that girl with the dead beat baby daddy?? It's Maci. I heart Maci because she's a determined young woman; she's back in school and is working full time. Ryan hasn't seem to grasp the concept of growing up yet so Maci took him to court and filed for child support. As we saw Ryan wasn't too thrilled about it, being as though he's still unemployed and not doing anything about it. He still got it pretty easy, the court only ordered him to pay $80 dollars a week or the equivalent of $232 dollars a month. Seriously though? He could do house chores or mow lawns or something to scrape up $80 dollars a week, BUT I digress. I know im not alone in my thoughts.

Also in the Season 2 opener, Catelynn was still living with her fiancee Tyler and his mom, but as Tyler tries to deal with the grief of the adoption of baby Carly, he felt like he and Catelynn were spending too much time together and they needed space. After Tyler confided in his mother they both agreed that has to go back home to her mother April. A heart broken Catelynn packed her things to go back to the very place she had been trying to escape. While tyler seemed to be a little more relieved to have his space back Cate was uncertain about how things were going to be. We're there with you Cate.

There's a recap of the Season 2 premiere! It was great, and we all enjoyed it, be sure to catch Teen Mom every Tuesday @ 10 PM on MTV. For all of you who missed the premiere watch a peek here at LUCID and tell us what you thought! (for full episodes click here!)

Teen Mom (Season 2) - MTV Shows

What to Watch: Teen Mom (Season 2)

By Alex L.

We first saw these four teen moms on MTV’s hit series 16 & Pregnant and followed them on to Teen Mom, now Maci, Farrah, Amber, and Catelynn are back for an all new season of Teen Mom.

We’ve watched these young mothers give birth, date, break up, make up, move out, and move on but in the second season of Teen Mom we’ll see just how far they’ve come with motherhood.

If you’re new to the Teen Mom series or a religious viewer, let us introduce or re-introduce you to the teen moms we fell in love with.

First there’s Maci. The homegrown southern belle from Chattanooga, Tennessee, fell in love with her high school sweetheart Ryan and had their son Bentley, in October 2008. Maci and Ryan seemed like a happy couple, they had their own house, and were even engaged, but once Bentley was born things went down hill. They fought over everything from Ryan not spending enough at home to his nonchalant attitude toward his new family life. That was not the life Maci planned for her family. Maci graduated from high school but struggled with her online classes at Chattanooga State. She had virtually no support form Ryan and had to drop out during her first year. Even though Maci had support from her friends, parents, and Ryan’s parents she still fought for Ryan’s love and affection but not for her sake but Bentley‘s. Its obvious to see that Maci loves Bentley so much that she wants him to have the perfect family but after couples counseling, breaking off their engagement, and moving back home with their parents, things with Maci, Ryan, and Bentley seemed to better when they were apart.

Then there’s Farrah, the smart mouth, back talking mommy of baby Sophia. The only single mother on the series, Farrah was portrayed as an ungrateful, bratty, party girl who would rather date and hang out with her friends till the wee hours of the morning, than to spend time with her daughter. There were countless explosive arguments between Farrah and her parents about her excessive dating and partying. Later, she found it difficult to date and raise Sophia alone, and even though she has the support of her mom, Farrah was very adamant that she wanted to be independent. After her parents and her sister confronted her about her lack of motherly duties she cleaned up her act by giving up the guys and the late nights to focus on Culinary school being the best mom to Sophia.

The next Teen Mom is Amber. Strong willed and independent, she and her fiancee Gary were barely getting by when we were first introduced to them on 16 & Pregnant. Since then, Amber dropped out of high school to raise their daughter Leah while Gary fully supports the family, something Amber really had a problem with throughout the series. She spent all her days with Leah, even when she tried to get her GED she found it very frustrating and nearly impossible to continue without the help from Gary, but she was very determined to not be dependent on him forever. We watched Amber transition from the stay at home mom to a mommy on the go. She wanted Leah to grow up with both parents but she knew the physical fighting and arguing was not an environment for her or Leah. She took the initiative to get an apartment and a job so she would no longer have to depend on Gary for help. Gary wasn’t pleased at first but he learned it may be best for their daughter. As a result it brought Amber and Gary closer they later moved in together hoping this time they would able to get along better.

Catelynn and Tyler’s story is one that definitely pulled at the heart strings of its viewers. Of all the teen couples, they decided to give their daughter up for adoption. Both from broken homes the decision to give Baby Carly up for adoption was one that ultimately had a huge impact on their lives. Catelynn had no support from her mother April and they often fought about her decision ,they argued so much that she moved four hours away to live with Tyler and his mother. Carly was topic of every discussion in every episode, they grappled daily with their choice to give Carly up but they knew that despite what their parents thought, they made the right decision for their daughter. They both admitted that their environments was no place for them let alone a child, and that Carly would have a much better life with her adoptive parents. Tyler was the ideal boyfriend in this series, and the relationship he and Catelynn had was one that proves how strong love can be even at young age. They made a hard decision that some adults can’t make and they were able to count on each other that hard time. Even though in the season finale of Teen Mom Catelynn and Tyler became engaged, they still felt something was missing.

Now that season two of Teem Mom is on the way we’re all wondering what these four moms have in store. All we can tell you is that there may be some new relationships, new apartments, a possible weeding, a broken engagement, some physical abuse, and a new baby… Maybe. But you’ll have to watch this season to find out more. Catch the season premiere of Teen Mom tomorrow July 20th at 10/9c only on MTV. And remember to watch Teen Mom every Tuesday at 10 PM for all new episodes.

Cant wait to see the new season of Teen Mom? Check out the trailer here at LUCID.

Teen Mom (Season 2) - MTV Shows

Brother Can You Spare a Dollar?

By: Alex L.

Have you heard of Aloe Blacc? That’s because he’s not a household name-- yet. However he’s not a new artist. This multitalented musician (he’s a producer, rapper, songwriter, and singer) started his career in 1995 as one half of the rap duo, Emanon, but once that fizzled out he hit the scene 11 years later and was signed to Stone Throw Records. His debut album Shine Through released in 2006 got its praise with little recognition, but the California native’s forthcoming album Good Things is one to be compared to Marvin Gaye’s 1971 classic, What’s Going On. With its eclectic style and mixture of acoustic guitars, wailings of negro spirituals, R&B, Latin, and hip-hop Good Things is sure to deliver, well, good things.

The lead single off the album “I Need A Dollar” has a reminiscent 60s and 70s feel, its up-tempo yet mellow. As Blacc begs and pleads for a dollar “I need a dollar, dollar, a dollar is what I need…I will share with you my story, if you share your dollar with me,” it sounds like the economic cries of yester-year and today. The single is also theme music for HBO’s new series “How to Make it in America” starring rapper Kid Cudi.

The music video makes its viewer experience those hard times and hopelessness Aloe Blacc sings about. The black and white and color split screen shots are gritty and raw and portrays Blacc singing and gazing out his window while on the left side a mysterious man walks the mean streets of New York. The video dropped in early April and has been steadily played on MTV Jams and other music video stations. Even though Aloe Blacc’s album isn’t slated for release until September there’s no reason you can’t enjoy his music this summer! Check out Aloe Blacc’s latest video for his single “I Need a Dollar.” (This is the extended version.)

History on This Day: Frederick Douglass, Fouth of July Speech at Corinthian Hall

By: Alex L.

On July 5, 1852 in Rochester, New York, ex-slave and abolitionist, Frederick Douglass delivered a speech before the Rochester Antislavery Sewing Society. In his speech he asks his audience “What, to the American slave is your 4th of July?” One hundred fifty-eight years later I ask my readers what, to the African American in 2010 is the 4th of July? To us it’s running off to someone’s cookout, party or to see fireworks amongst a large group of people. Is that what the holiday is really about? No, but overtime Americans as a whole have created different ways to celebrate the independence of America. But as for African Americans our independence hasn’t truly come. So what are we celebrating for?

I think Frederick Douglass’s message in his speech at Corinthian Hall answers that question. Although it may be a historic and a bit dated answer there are many passages that can still be applied today. Douglass didn’t think that the 4th of July was a holiday to be celebrated by Blacks, he felt we had nothing to celebrate in a society where the objective to was to keep Blacks inferior to the whites in which the holiday was intended for in the first place. Keep in mind that in 1852 the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 wasn’t passed for another 11 years and in turn, slavery was still legal in most southern states. Douglass most poignant passage in his speech states:

What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer; a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim. To him, your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sound of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your denunciation of tyrants brass fronted impudence; your shout of liberty and equality, hollow mockery; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanks-givings, with all your religious parade and solemnity, are to him, mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy -- a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages. There is not a nation on the earth guilty of practices more shocking and bloody than are the people of the United States, at this very hour.

Being a Black woman first and an American second, after reading this it made me think about the importance of the holidays we celebrate as a race and a nation and consequently why we celebrate them. Even though we all enjoy having a long weekend and that one day off from work and school its vital to know the importance of this holiday (and any other holiday for that matter) and once you find out the story behind it you may think twice about why you’re celebrating it. As Frederick Douglass put it, “This Fourth of July is yours not mine.”

To read the full speech click here: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4h2927t.html