Grading Teachers Gets An A+

Makes sense to me.  And apparently it is starting to make sense on the West Coast.  In Los Angeles Unified School District, some 6000 teachers were recently graded on their performance.  Most importantly, these performance indicators were made public so that parents understand if the teacher is qualified to teach. The Los Angeles Times writes: [...]

Parentgiving: Powers of Attorney Explained

A Power of Attorney allows one to designate another person or organization to act on one’s behalf to handle financial, legal or medical if one is unavilable or unable to do so.  The person designated is known as the attorney-in-fact.  There are many types of powers of attorney, including general power of attorney, limited power [...]

The Mis-Education of the Negro

I oftentimes wonder how many of us have read the classic texts shaping the African American experience…and how many of us have just “heard about it.”  Have you read Carter G. Woodson’s The Mis-Education of the Negro?  Fortunately many texts are now available in the public domain and available online.  blackgirlgrown will periodically post sections [...]

Everyone Can’t Be in Your Front Row

I was recently visiting family back home.  My cousins, who are more like sisters to me, and I were having a conversation on toxic relationships with family, friends and significant others, and how sometimes the best thing you can do is distance yourself from them. It seems harsh, but regardless of if you love someone, [...]

The Sound of Silence: I Dare You to Give it a Try

Silence is the relative or total lack of audible sound. By analogy, the word silence may also refer to any absence of communication, even in media other than speech. Silence is also used as total communication, in reference to non verbal communication and spiritual connection. Okay so like many of you I saw the new [...]

Understanding Salmonella

About 142 000 Americans are infected annually with a variety of Salmonella bacteria emanating from chicken eggs, and of this number, about 30 die. It is suspected, in these cases, the shell of the chicken egg may be contaminated by an infected hen. In addition to the occurrence in eggs, it can also be generally [...]

Guest Post: An Important Distinction in Many Successful Relationships

Dialogue from Quentin Tarantino’s Jackie Brown: Louis Gara (Robert DeNiro): You trust Melanie around your business? Ordell Robbie (Samuel L. Jackson): She’s trying to play you against me, huh? Louis: Yeah. Ordell: See, I knew it. You ain’t have to say nothing, I know that [woman]. Louis: I don’t understand why you keep someone around [...]

Superheros of Today Not Making Boys Into Good Men

Watching superheroes beat up villains may not be the best image for boys to see if society wants to promote kinder, less stereotypical male behaviors, according to psychologists.  According to researcher Sharon Lamb, PhD, distinguished professor of mental health at University of Massachusetts-Boston, “[t]here is a big difference in the movie superhero of today and [...]

Understanding Ramadan

Wednesday night signaled the beginning of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating, drinking and sexual activities from dawn until sunset. Fasting is intended to teach Muslims about patience, humility, and spirituality. It is a time for Muslims to fast for the sake of God (Allah) and to offer [...]

Muffin Tops Are Bad For Your Health

Call them what you want: muffin tops, love handles, a little extra lovin’.  Regardless, they can be hazardous to your health. USA Today reports: If you are feeling a bit big around the waistline, take note: Belly bulge can be deadly for older adults, even those who aren’t overweight or obese by other measures. One [...]

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