Beige World

Derek Jeter Gets Career Hit #3,000

On Saturday (July 9th), New York Yankees shortshop Derek Jeter became Major League Baseball's newest member of the 3,000 hit club.  He's also the first Yankee to accomplish this feat.

Prince Awarded Lifetime Achievement Award At 2010 BET Awards

On Sunday evening (June 27th), Prince was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2010 BET Awards.  He also was treated to a rousing medley of some of his greatest hits by the all-star lineup of Janelle Monae, Esperanza Spalding, Alicia Keys, and Patti LaBelle.

Here's his acceptance speech, which followed the musical tribute:

Few Bone Marrow Donors For Multiracial Patients

 

Recently, The Washington Post published an article about the challenges multiracial patients face in finding suitable bone marrow donors.

Lena Horne (1917 - 2010)

 

Lena Horne - a pioneer in stage, screen, and music - died yesterday (May 9th) at the age of 92.

Born to parents of African-American, European, and Native American descent, Lena Horne began her entertainment career as a 16-year-old dancer in Harlem's famous Cotton Club.  From there, she performed as a jazz singer in the New York nightclub scene, ultimately becoming the first African-American singer to tour with an all-white band.

Horne eventually relocated to Hollywood, where she pursued her acting career.  She became the first African-American to sign a long-term contract with a major Hollywood studio.  She is best known for her work in the films Cabin in the Sky and Stormy Weather, both of which were released in 1943.

Over the years, however, Horne grew disillusioned by the film industry, and how she was used in films.  In addition, she was blacklisted by Hollywood during the 1950's because of her involvement in the civil rights movement, and because of her associations with civil rights activists such as Paul Robeson.  She eventually went back to her roots, performing again in nightclubs, and focusing on her recording career.

In 1981, she won a Tony Award for her one-woman show on Broadway, Lena Horne:  The Lady and Her Music, which chronicled her early life and her nearly 50 years in show business at that time, and the challenges she faced.

Perhaps Lena Horne's most lasting legacy, aside from her talent, is as a trailblazer, and how she paved the way for so many other African-Americans in the entertainment industry.  She will truly be missed.

 

Paula Patton Offended By Term "Biracial"

 

In a recent interview with Women's Health Magazine, actress Paula Patton remarked that she's offended by the term biracial:

“I find [the term biracial] offensive. It’s a way for people to separate themselves from ‘African-Americans’ — a way of saying ‘I’m better than that.’

I’m black because that’s the way the world sees me. People aren’t calling Barack Obama biracial. Most people think there’s a black president.”

So what's your take on this subject?  How do YOU feel about the term biracial?

Apolo Anton Ohno Wins Seventh Winter Olympic Medal

 

Apolo Anton Ohno won the bronze medal in Saturday night's 1,000-meter short track speed skating final, his seventh Winter Olympic medal, a U.S. Winter Olympics record.

 

Apolo Anton Ohno Wins Sixth Winter Olympic Medal

 

 

This weekend in Vancouver, in dramatic fashion, Apolo Anton Ohno won the silver medal in the 1,500-meter speed skating final, his sixth Winter Olympic medal, tying a U.S. record.

Clippers F Blake Griffin Had Successful Knee Surgery

  

On Wednesday (January 20th), Los Angeles Clippers forward and #1 overall draft pick Blake Griffin underwent successful knee surgery to repair a broken left kneecap.

Last week, it was reported that Griffin encountered a setback in his rehabilitation of his broken left kneecap, and that he would need season ending knee surgery.

DOCUMENTARY: "Good Hair"

 

Beige World editor in chief David Burnett offers his thoughts on the Chris Rock documentary Good Hair.

Happy Birthday, Melyssa Ford!

 

Beige World would like to wish model/actress Melyssa Ford a VERY happy 33rd birthday today (November 7th).

For those of you who don't know, Melyssa participated in the Chris Rock documentary Good Hair, which is currently playing in theaters nationwide.